Reams and reams have been written on what it takes to be an achiever. I say it’s not as complicated as most people make it. Here’s 7 simple (not easy!) “Be’s”…
1.Strength in numbers! I can’t think of a single “success story” that has a cast of only one. There are always multiple players involved. Each of us brings talents, skills, abilities and contributions to the outcome. Focus on what you do best. Know your strengths and surround yourself with those that are strong where you aren’t. It takes guts to own your challenges and is a sure sign of a winner to seek out those that bring other talents to the team. Ask for help. Be courageous.
2.Back up and re-group! There is always more than one way to achieve something. Quitting never wins. Perseverance will. Whatever the *it* is for you, stick with it. You may get an outcome other than what you expected. In fact, expect it. Life will kick you in the teeth and you will most certainly not hit every target you aim at or accomplish every mission you set for yourself. Truth is that you most definitely learned SOMETHING from every experience. Remove the word “failure” from your vocabulary. It’s not failure. It’s simply feedback. Learn from it, then try, try again another way! Be persistent.
3.Put yours on first! Take time for yourself every day to honor you and show yourself love. Maybe for you it’s meditation. Maybe it’s physical activity like working out. Maybe it’s reading a book or taking a bubble bath. Whatever the choice for you, do it! You must recharge your battery or you’ll have nothing left to give. Think of the ‘Oxygen Mask Theory’ just like on an airplane. You can’t function on caffeine, little to no sleep and sheer determination for long. You do NOT have to sacrifice yourself to be a hero. In fact, if you sacrifice yourself, there are no more heroic acts. A hero knows they must take care of themselves in order to serve others. You cannot give what you do not own. Be generous.
4.Feelings follow action! If you aren’t where you want to be today then take action. Tomorrow will be no different from today if you do the same things you’ve always done. When hard times hit us, it’s not easy to see a way out. When life overwhelms us, it’s human nature to rage and question and grieve. I know so much about courage because I am wickedly intimate with fear. I understand at a gut level about confidence because doubt is one of my constant companions. I truly get what commitment is because apathy and indifference latch onto me with a vengeance. It’s a daily practice for me to choose courage. It’s a moment-by-moment choice to face my doubts and take action when I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. It’s a visceral exercise with each breath to stay the course and keep the faith. Change happens TO you, transformation happens WITHIN. You may not feel like trying something different. Do it anyway. Be committed.
5.You are what you think! Remember those signs in your elementary school cafeteria: “You are what you eat”? I say, “You are what you THINK”. It’s true that thoughts become things and that whatever you think about most is what is most present in your life. Henry Ford was right when he said, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.” Be confident.
6.You’ll pick up what you’re putting down! You get back what you put out. If you want help, serve others. If you want open and honest relationships, guess what? You have to be a model of openness and honesty. If you want acceptance, then you must accept others. The real power in this ‘law’ is just like Zig Ziglar said, “You get what you want if you help enough other people get what they want.” Be kind.
7.It’s all on you! Your life really is yours. You get to make all the choices, you get to choose the cast of characters and you get to write your ‘book’. Just like all stories, there will be an end and that end can come at any moment. Choose to make every day the best it can be even in the midst of the shit-storms. Trust that every moment in your life, every tragedy and every triumph has blessed you in some way. Actively look for the blessings in the midst of the curses. Choose to live life to the fullest. Choose to surround yourself with those that compliment you and give you positive energy. Choose to keep at it no matter the challenges. Choose to treat yourself and others with kindness and love. Choose to take action even when you initially don’t feel like it. Choose your thoughts wisely as thoughts become things. Choose to put out there what you want back and choose to live, laugh and love. Be present.
Be courageous. Be persistent. Be generous. Be committed. Be confident. Be kind. Be present.
What will you BE today?
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” -Helen Keller