When daily life becomes a grind, and you find yourself in a rut, it’s easy to let negative thoughts take over — thoughts that make it hard to bring enthusiasm into both your professional and personal lives.
This is why it’s so important to embrace the things in your life that drive you to achieve, and start letting go of those things that do not. Easier said than done, right? I know, but it’s something you have to commit to every day of your life.
It is difficult to distinguish the category in which any of your activities belong, but paying attention to your choices and their consequences will sponsor the awareness you’ll need to make better life choices in the future. Although things that bring us happiness outside of work can be our greatest inspiration for professional success, often they are so simple, we cast them aside as inconsequential.
Do not do this.
Remember the small things that make you happy and use them to battle things that loom much larger and stress you out. Consider these suggestions:
Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, hope and health. It’s not always easy, I know, but the more you channel your energy into positive thoughts, the better able you are to fight off the less than desirable thoughts.
Never try to get even with your enemies. Whether you believe in karma or not, it’s generally a good idea not to speak ill of others or try to get back at them for a wrongdoing. Instead, focus on yourself and doing what you need to do to succeed.
Expect ingratitude. Everybody has his or her own standards for courtesy and common sense. Understand that you will meet people who do not share yours.
Count your blessings, not your troubles. This sounds like common sense, but it’s not always common practice. It’s sometimes tempting to fall into the “grass is greener” mentality, but that type of thinking will not propel you forward in any capacity.
Try not to imitate others. It’s also tempting to emulate those who have been successful and who we look up to. That’s OK to an extent, but keep your values and morals in mind throughout, and stick to what’s best for you and your family.
Create happiness for others. Reaching out to a long-lost former co-worker, making amends with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a year or simply executing a random act of kindness can make you feel like a million bucks. Make a habit out of it.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Central & Southern New Jersey. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @CarnegieJersey.