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You are looking for a new job, a new relationship, a change in life, or a new opportunity. But I hear you saying, “Tomorrow…” and “I will deal with it later…” and “The opportunity will present itself”. Right?

Think again. Opportunities aren’t just sitting around the corner, waiting for us; they have to be actively searched for. Waiting and twiddling our thumbs until something good happens doesn’t work. We have to realize that many people are digging for opportunities – so we need to dig harder and deeper than everybody else!

They always say that time changes things,
but you actually have to change them yourself.
– Andy Warhol

Here is a cute story that I found many years ago and I still love it. It is about four colleagues: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry, because it was Everybody’s job but Everybody thought that Somebody would do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have easily done.

Can you imagine how many chances these four colleagues missed?

I don’t remember where I saw it, but the following sentence electrified me: “We cannot choose how we enter this world, but we can decide how we are going to leave it.” Well put!

Condensed into these 19 words are the basic beliefs of all religions. If we are the receivers of love, appreciation, and encouragement, we must find a way to pass it on. Not necessarily to the same person, but to whoever is in need and I am not talking about donating money for a good cause, although that is important, too. What I mean is giving love, knowledge, support, friendship, time, and an encouraging “You-can-do-it!”

We make a living by what we get, but
we make a life by what we give.
–Winston Churchill

Some people, however, don’t agree, because control and power are all that matter to them. They live in a “me-me” world and don’t care if others pay the price. Their approach may work for them in the short run, but they will eventually experience a backlash.

“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out” – that is what Albert Einstein wrote and I am sure that most of my readers agree with him.

Achieving a balance between receiving and giving is what
enables us to live a happy life. And shouldn’t this be our highest priority?

Does that mean that all realities are permanent? Certainly not. There are always two realities: the one that can’t be changed and the one that can.

There are some people who live in a dream world,
and there are some who face reality;
and then there are those who turn one into the other.
- Douglas H. Everett

Once we are ready to accept a reality, we can decide which one it is and focus on the things that can be changed. Being overweight is a reality – but we can do something about it and that goes for all addictions.

An acquaintance of mine was very heavy and he considered this to be his reality until he was diagnosed with diabetes. This changed his thinking. After looking at another reality like death or a life on medication, his reality got realigned and he started losing weight.

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Don’t limit your tomorrow.

Wow, that was hard to take, but thinking about it made me realize that she was right and I immediately started working on a new design. But couldn’t she have said it in a nicer way?

Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.
- Frank A. Clark

Accepting critique and even inviting it is one of my top three beliefs (you can read them here. What do you think of it? Your critique is much appreciated.

Getting angry is human nature and okay, as long as it is temporary. But if you allow it to continue, it will become a boomerang, flying back to you and hurting you.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
- Buddha

We know, of course, that we have to deal with anger responsibly, but if we are boiling, these are just empty words. So here is my recipe – ask yourself some questions: Why am I feeling angry? Why am I against that person? And why did it come to the surface in the first place? Are you maybe letting unresolved problems from the past impact the current situation?

You might not be able to answer these questions right away, so it is vitally important to calm down (deep breathing, meditation, discussing it with another person) before taking any action. And then you will find out that there is never a reason to hold on to anger, but always many reasons to let go of it.

Is there a “let-go-of-anger” situation in your life right now?

How many times have I said something, maybe just a small inconsiderate comment, that I regretted just after it left my mouth? I am sure this happens to all of us at some time or another in a heated conversation when we are trying to enforce an argument or a point we are trying to make.

Before you speak, you are the master of your words. After you speak, your words master you.
- Jewish Proverb

If a conversation becomes heated, that is when danger is just around the corner and we have to become extra conscientious about the words we use. It is easy to find more appropriate substitutes if you think your word choices may offend someone.

The words we speak are more powerful than we realize at the moment. They can put a smile on someone’s face or make him or her unhappy. They can encourage someone or crush their hopes and dreams.

But what if it happens – if we do speak out in the heat of the moment? A short and immediate apology will put the matter right again. Words are powerful that way, too. Try it!

There are two secrets to my friend’s success: first, he fuelled his outlook with positive thinking, and second, he refused to take no for an answer.

Never, never, never give up!
– Winston Churchill

I shouldn’t have been surprised that my friend landed his job. History is replete with examples of people who succeeded because they never gave up. Consider Elvis Presley. In 1954 he was told by the manager of the theater, “You ain’t going nowhere, son. You ought to go back to driving a truck.” Or think of the novelist Stephen King. His first novel, Carrie, was rejected dozens of times, yet he persisted in his belief and what followed was that he sold millions of books.

This is one of the “secrets for success”. The other one is about how to think. Whatever happens to you, you always have a choice – a choice to think positively. Do you know any successful people? I bet with you that they are all positive thinkers. Doesn’t that say something?

What about you? Are you about to give up? Take Churchill’s advice. Don’t!

The best gift you can give such a person is simply a helping hand. Listening without judgment, a word of wisdom, or just being there may be all it takes. The gift of helpfulness can change a life. Yours as well.

A drop of help is better than an ocean of sympathy.
- Anonymous

Without being asked? Yes, because it’s not always easy for people to ask for help. And it’s not always easy to offer help, either. We’re too shy, we don’t want to interfere, or we’re afraid of being rejected. Or we say to ourselves, “It is none of my business…”

Here’s a simple way around this obstacle. Try just saying, “Can I help you?” or “Would you like to talk about it?” Such questions can clear the way. And by giving the person the option to say no, you are showing respect.

Are you still sceptical? Try it for the next 24 hours. You’ll be amazed at how your life will change.

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Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
- Albert Einstein

It’s not enough just to be alive – we must feel alive. For that to happen we have to learn with insatiable curiosity, permanently asking the why question, developing new ideas, and trying new ways of doing things.

The danger is slipping back into what gives us comfort and thus closing ourselves to learning. We must get around that block so we can make decisions that are right for us. The payoff? Keeping on top of our personal and business life.

Are you tired of learning, thinking: “been there done that” and “know it all”? Think again: Learning brings knowledge and knowledge is power!

We also know, of course, that these 3 little words can help us fix problems, but some kind of devil prevents us from admitting our mistakes right away. Instead, we become stuck in our point of view, even if we know from the outset that we are wrong.

It is important to remember that these 3 little words will help us work out many problems before they become intractable.

When you realize you’ve made a mistake, make amends immediately. It’s easier to eat crow while it’s still warm.
- Dan Heist

What is one thing that all humans have in common? We all make mistakes and sometimes we have to learn to live with them. But why do we let them fester and mutate into overwhelming barriers?

Admitting a mistake and taking responsibility for it requires courage. It’s worth it, though. That tiny sentence, “I am sorry,” is much admired and is a powerful key to opening up locked relationships. It can even turn enemies into friends!

Do you need to put these 3 little words into service? Do it now!