Little Things Matter » Hope http://www.littlethingsmatter.com Improving your life one thing at a time Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:19:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Improving your life one thing at a time Little Things Matter no Improving your life one thing at a time Little Things Matter http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/cearbaugh/AvatarLTM.png http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/category/hope/ How to Quickly Deal With Discouragement http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/09/07/how-to-quickly-deal-with-discouragement/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/09/07/how-to-quickly-deal-with-discouragement/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:45:10 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=2562 If we’re being honest, we all get discouraged. It’s just one of those potholes on our journey we all hit from time to time. You can have everything you have ever wanted, but you are still going to get discouraged at times. When we get discouraged our attitude and emotions turn negative. When this happens our productivity takes a nosedive, we tend to retreat and withdraw from others, and the risk of giving up on whatever we’re working toward runs very high. Since it can have such a negative impact on every area of our lives, including our health, learning to deal with disappointments in life and the temporary discouragement that may result is an important part of managing our lives...read more]]> If we’re being honest, we all get discouraged. It’s just one of those potholes on our journey we all hit from time to time. You can have everything you have ever wanted, but you are still going to get discouraged at times.

When we get discouraged our attitude and emotions turn negative. When this happens our productivity takes a nosedive, we tend to retreat and withdraw from others, and the risk of giving up on whatever we’re working toward runs very high.

Since it can have such a negative impact on every area of our lives, including our health, learning to deal with disappointments in life and the temporary discouragement that may result is an important part of managing our lives.

James Whitcomb Riley said, “The most essential factor is persistence—the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.”

How to Deal With Discouragement

Fortunately for me, most of the time when I find myself feeling down, it’s because I am tired, had a rough day or someone said something that bothered me.  If I just get a good night’s rest, I usually wake up with renewed energy.

Sometimes, however, I need more than just a night of rest. I need to explore the root cause of my discouragement so that I can better understand it and respond accordingly.

Below is the five-step process I go through when I’m discouraged and need to figure out why. (As you can tell by reading my posts, I am a thinker and a processer.)

1.  Ask: Why am I discouraged? If it is not obvious, take a few minutes to sit down and make a list of potential reasons why you’re feeling defeated. Making this list is critical because you can’t take control of something you don’t understand.

2.  As you look at each reason, ask: Why does this make me feel discouraged? Once you know the source of your discouragement, you should explore deeper.

  • Is it because of unmet expectations that I feel this way? If so, make sure your expectations are realistic and that you are not setting yourself up for failure.
  • Is it because I have let myself down?  If so, what specifically have you done?

3.  Look at the bigger picture. Do your best to gain perspective not just on the issue that is the source of discouragement, but on your relationship to it as well. For example:

  • Am I feeling this way because I am burned out? Do I need a break?
  • What part of this situation is my fault? What can I do differently? What can I learn?
  • Am I making progress, but just slower than I had hoped? What lessons have I learned? Am I a better person because of this experience?
  • Who can I talk to for some trusted insight and perspective on this matter? This is always a big help to me because much of my discouragement stems from unfulfilled expectations. Often a fresh perspective is all I need.

4.  Ask: What’s my plan? As I reflect on all the times I have been discouraged, they have been times when I needed to grow. It may be that I needed to learn to set better expectations, that I needed to learn to be more careful in whom I place my trust, or that I needed to have a different perspective. In each case, I was forced to grow as a person.

Next to each item on your list write down your plan to address the issue that is bothering you and quickly move on. Don’t accept a long-term sentence of discouragement. It is a choice. Keep moving forward. Nothing puts an end to discouragement like productive mental and physical activity.

5.  Count your blessings. Make a list of all the things for which you are grateful. Often times, we focus on the one thing that’s wrong and overlook the 99 things that are going well. When you make a conscious effort to write down what’s good and going well in your life, it helps you to put things into perspective.

A Time for Action

What will you do the next time you find yourself getting discouraged?

Vincent van Gogh, famous Dutch painter, said, “In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.”

The secret to overcoming discouragement is to look at it as a temporary obstacle and learn how to process it.  Once you start executing your plan, the discouragement you feel will leave as quickly as it appeared.  Hold on to your vision and remember that ALL great successes came after periods of discouragement and failure. Don’t give up. The dark cloud of discouragement will disappear. You will smile again and experience a productive, fruitful life.

By immediately dealing with discouragement when it strikes, not only will your life be better, but so will your family, friends and co-workers who are impacted by your attitude.

What do you do when you are feeling discouraged? If you have a tip or suggestion, please share it in the comments section below.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed #38 in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Related posts:

It’s A New Day!

Happiness is a Choice

Are Your Expectations Hurting or Helping You?

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 2)

Count Your Blessings

The Uncomfortable Path to Success

The Toilet Bowl Syndrome

Carefully Select the People who Influence Your Life

Believe That You Can

Become Your Greatest Fan

Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy

The Power of Personal Initiative

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

Don’t Wish You Could Rewind the Clock

Hope Is Alive

Consistency Wins the Race

]]> http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/09/07/how-to-quickly-deal-with-discouragement/feed/ 7 Achievement,Attitude,Emotions,Failure,Health,Hope,Stress,Things you were never taught If we’re being honest, we all get discouraged. It’s just one of those potholes on our journey we all hit from time to time. You can have everything you have ever wanted, but you are still going to get discouraged at times. (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/09/iStock_000004216057Discouragement-201x300.jpg)If we’re being honest, we all get discouraged. It’s just one of those potholes on our journey we all hit from time to time. You can have everything you have ever wanted, but you are still going to get discouraged at times. When we get discouraged our attitude and emotions turn negative. When this happens our productivity takes a nosedive, we tend to retreat and withdraw from others, and the risk of giving up on whatever we’re working toward runs very high. Since it can have such a negative impact on every area of our lives, including our health, learning to deal with disappointments in life and the temporary discouragement that may result is an important part of managing our lives. James Whitcomb Riley said, “The most essential factor is persistence—the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” How to Deal With Discouragement Fortunately for me, most of the time when I find myself feeling down, it’s because I am tired, had a rough day or someone said something that bothered me.  If I just get a good night’s rest, I usually wake up with renewed energy. Sometimes, however, I need more than just a night of rest. I need to explore the root cause of my discouragement so that I can better understand it and respond accordingly. Below is the five-step process I go through when I’m discouraged and need to figure out why. (As you can tell by reading my posts, I am a thinker and a processer.) 1.  Ask: Why am I discouraged? If it is not obvious, take a few minutes to sit down and make a list of potential reasons why you’re feeling defeated. Making this list is critical because you can’t take control of something you don’t understand. 2.  As you look at each reason, ask: Why does this make me feel discouraged? Once you know the source of your discouragement, you should explore deeper. * Is it because of unmet expectations (../../../../../blog/2010/07/16/are-your-expectations-hurting-or-helping-you/) that I feel this way? If so, make sure your expectations are realistic and that you are not setting yourself up for failure. * Is it because I have let myself down?  If so, what specifically have you done? 3.  Look at the bigger picture. Do your best to gain perspective not just on the issue that is the source of discouragement, but on your relationship to it as well. For example: * Am I feeling this way because I am burned out? Do I need a break? * What part of this situation is my fault? What can I do differently? What can I learn? * Am I making progress, but just slower than I had hoped? What lessons have I learned? Am I a better person because of this experience? * Who can I talk to for some trusted insight and perspective on this matter? This is always a big help to me because much of my discouragement stems from unfulfilled expectations. Often a fresh perspective is all I need. 4.  Ask: What’s my plan? As I reflect on all the times I have been discouraged, they have been times when I needed to grow. It may be that I needed to learn to set better expectations, that I needed to learn to be more careful in whom I place my trust, or that I needed to have a different perspective. In each case, I was forced to grow as a person. Next to each item on your list write down your plan to address the issue that is bothering you and quickly move on. Don’t accept a long-term sentence of discouragement. It is a choice. Keep moving forward. Nothing puts an end to discouragement like productive mental and physical activity. 5.  Count your blessings. Make a list of all the things for which you are grateful. Often times, we focus on the one thing that’s wrong and overlook the 99 things that are going well. When you make a conscious effort to write down what’s good and going well in your life, Little Things Matter no 5:37 Hope Is Alive http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/08/06/hope-is-alive/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/08/06/hope-is-alive/#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:45:31 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=2300 Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger was born on August 23, 1948, into a lower-middle class family. He struggled academically because he was dyslexic, but he excelled in football, leading his high school team in tackles during his junior and senior years at Joliet Catholic Academy. Rudy had a dream of attending Notre Dame and playing for The Fighting Irish football team despite his poor academic record and being only 5 ft. 6 in. and weighing 165 lbs. After serving in the United States Navy for four years, he applied for entrance to Notre Dame. In spite of three rejections and much ridicule from family, Rudy never gave up hope. First he had to do his early college work at Holy Cross College. In the fall of 1974 he was finally accepted as a student at Notre Dame. Rudy earned a place on the scout team—a practice squad that helps the varsity team practice for games. However, he never gave up hope of playing on the varsity team...read more]]> Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger was born on August 23, 1948, into a lower-middle class family. He struggled academically because he was dyslexic, but he excelled in football, leading his high school team in tackles during his junior and senior years at Joliet Catholic Academy.

Rudy had a dream of attending Notre Dame and playing for The Fighting Irish football team despite his poor academic record and being only 5 ft. 6 in. and weighing 165 lbs.

After serving in the United States Navy for four years, he applied for entrance to Notre Dame. In spite of three rejections and much ridicule from family, Rudy never gave up hope.

First he had to do his early college work at Holy Cross College.  In the fall of 1974 he was finally accepted as a student at Notre Dame.  Rudy earned a place on the scout team—a practice squad that helps the varsity team practice for games.  However, he never gave up hope of playing on the varsity team.

In the final home game of Rudy’s senior season, Coach Devine asked him to dress in the varsity uniform, #45.  With 32 seconds left to play in the game against Georgia Tech, Coach sent Rudy in and, on the final play, Rudy sacked the Georgia Tech quarterback.  With his dream realized, Rudy was ecstatic as his teammates carried him off the field.

Understanding Hope

Life can become very complicated, but hope is simple.  Hope is an attitude.  It is born of an internal optimistic belief that the best outcome will occur regardless of circumstances.

Hope is elusive and intangible.  It cannot be seen, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled, but it can be felt. It’s a feeling that what you want can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

Hope can endure through difficult times.  And the results are evident as they were in the life of Rudy.

Hope is a mindset or way of thinking.  You have no doubt heard the story of the two prisoners.  Both looked out of their prison bars. One saw mud; the other saw stars.

I believe that hope is the foundation for success; it’s a choice you make that allows you to look forward to something with desire and confidence.  Christopher Reeve said, “Once you choose to hope, anything’s possible.” This is the hope that I seek and that I encourage you to as well.

Recognizing Enemies of Hope

Doubts, fears, pessimism, and disappointments in life can appear like mountains and will rob you of hope.

Napoleon Hill said, “All down through the road of life you will meet with obstacles, many of them. Failure will overtake you time after time, but remember that it is a part of Nature’s method to place obstacles and failure in your way, as hurdles are placed before a horse that is being trained, that you may learn from these, some of the greatest of all lessons.”

In other words, when we live with the understanding that difficult times are meant to be endured and that we stand to gain from every trial, we can withstand nearly anything knowing that day always follows night and that the sun will shine again.

“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.  And so I still have a dream.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Building Your Hope Bank

As I thought about how to best communicate my belief that hope is accessible to everyone, I considered every circumstance I could think of and settled on three essential things that must be present in order to build a bank of hope to draw upon in times of struggle or strife.

1.  Create a picture of your future. Consider your goals, your vision, or your life’s dream. Whatever you call it, having an idea of where you see yourself and what you see yourself doing in the future is a powerful way to sustain hope when circumstances are pulling you down. Create this picture, and modify it as you like. It’s all yours.

2.  Develop an everyday response mechanism. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Or, if you prefer, you are the sky; everything else is just the weather. It changes, you don’t. Therefore, why should the picture of your future change just because the things around you have?  While focusing on your goal, make the decisions and take the actions you need to in order to stay on track. Don’t let life’s winds blow you off course!

3.  Take time for reflection. Life is busy, can be confusing, and sometimes seems downright unfair. Therefore, it’s essential that we take time on a regular basis to reflect on where we’re at and how we’re doing. When we do, it allows us to keep the bigger picture in mind, make changes where we need to, and not become victims of circumstance.

When you have a clear picture of your ideal future, a way to navigate day-to-day issues, and take time to consider how you’re doing, you are building your ‘hope bank.’

Take a moment right now to assess the value of your own hope bank. If it’s time to make a deposit, spend some time revisiting what it is you want your future to look like. Then, decide what you need to do to take a step closer to it. What are some things you do to keep your hope alive?  Tell me in the comment section below this post.

When you have hope and are living an intentional life, things like happiness and optimism, high expectations, and success not only seem achievable, they become inevitable.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed #48 in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Related Posts:

It’s A New Day!

Count Your Blessings

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 1)

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 2)

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 3)

10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 1)

10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 2)

When Quitting is the Best Decision You Can Make

The Power of Self-Talk

Believe That You Can

Enjoy Life’s Journey

Happiness is a Choice

Getting Out of The Rut

Are Your Expectations Hurting or Helping You?

]]> http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/08/06/hope-is-alive/feed/ 24 Confidence,Encouragement,Excellence,Goals,Personal Brand,Self-Talk Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger was born on August 23, 1948, into a lower-middle class family. He struggled academically because he was dyslexic, but he excelled in football, leading his high school team in tackles during his junior and senior years at ... (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/08/300px-Daniel_Ruettiger_-_1975.jpg)Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger was born on August 23, 1948, into a lower-middle class family. He struggled academically because he was dyslexic, but he excelled in football, leading his high school team in tackles during his junior and senior years at Joliet Catholic Academy. Rudy had a dream of attending Notre Dame and playing for The Fighting Irish football team despite his poor academic record and being only 5 ft. 6 in. and weighing 165 lbs. After serving in the United States Navy for four years, he applied for entrance to Notre Dame. In spite of three rejections and much ridicule from family, Rudy never gave up hope. First he had to do his early college work at Holy Cross College.  In the fall of 1974 he was finally accepted as a student at Notre Dame.  Rudy earned a place on the scout team—a practice squad that helps the varsity team practice for games.  However, he never gave up hope of playing on the varsity team. In the final home game of Rudy’s senior season, Coach Devine asked him to dress in the varsity uniform, #45.  With 32 seconds left to play in the game against Georgia Tech (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Tech), Coach sent Rudy in and, on the final play, Rudy sacked the Georgia Tech quarterback.  With his dream realized, Rudy was ecstatic as his teammates carried him off the field. Understanding Hope Life can become very complicated, but hope is simple.  Hope is an attitude.  It is born of an internal optimistic belief that the best outcome will occur regardless of circumstances. Hope is elusive and intangible.  It cannot be seen, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled, but it can be felt. It’s a feeling that what you want can be had or that events will turn out for the best. Hope can endure through difficult times.  And the results are evident as they were in the life of Rudy. Hope is a mindset or way of thinking.  You have no doubt heard the story of the two prisoners.  Both looked out of their prison bars. One saw mud; the other saw stars. I believe that hope is the foundation for success; it’s a choice you make that allows you to look forward to something with desire and confidence.  Christopher Reeve said, “Once you choose to hope, anything’s possible.” This is the hope that I seek and that I encourage you to as well. Recognizing Enemies of Hope Doubts, fears, pessimism, and disappointments in life can appear like mountains and will rob you of hope. Napoleon Hill said, “All down through the road of life you will meet with obstacles, many of them. Failure will overtake you time after time, but remember that it is a part of Nature’s method to place obstacles and failure in your way, as hurdles are placed before a horse that is being trained, that you may learn from these, some of the greatest of all lessons.” In other words, when we live with the understanding that difficult times are meant to be endured and that we stand to gain from every trial, we can withstand nearly anything knowing that day always follows night and that the sun will shine again. “If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.  And so I still have a dream.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Building Your Hope Bank As I thought about how to best communicate my belief that hope is accessible to everyone, I considered every circumstance I could think of and settled on three essential things that must be present in order to build a bank of hope to draw upon in times of struggle or strife. 1.  Create a picture of your future. Consider your goals, your vision, or your life’s dream. Whatever you call it, having an idea of where you see yourself and what you see yourself doing in the future is a powerful way to sustain hope when circumstances are pulling you down. Little Things Matter no 6:06 A Simple Life Is a Better Life http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/29/a-simple-life-is-a-better-life/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/29/a-simple-life-is-a-better-life/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:45:30 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=2229 What are some of the things you enjoy most in life? What do you value most? What kinds of activities are on your list of the most favorite things to do? I’m guessing that making repairs, paying bills, managing investments, shopping for insurance, filing paperwork, or dealing with problems aren’t anywhere near the top of your list. If you’re like me, they don’t even make the cut. I like the simple things like spending time with my family and friends. Going for long walks on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Relaxing in the majestic, serene Smoky Mountains where there’s no phone or Internet service...read more]]> What are some of the things you enjoy most in life? What do you value most? What kinds of activities are on your list of the most favorite things to do?

I’m guessing that making repairs, paying bills, managing investments, shopping for insurance, filing paperwork, or dealing with problems aren’t anywhere near the top of your list. If you’re like me, they don’t even make the cut.

I like the simple things like spending time with my family and friends. Going for long walks on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Relaxing in the majestic, serene Smoky Mountains where there’s no phone or Internet service.

Today’s lesson is about recognizing the advantages that a simple life has to offer. And I truly believe that a simple life is about making decisions that result in your ability to spend more time doing the things you enjoy—the activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment.

Accumulation of Possessions

Over the years, I have learned that it is the accumulation of things that prevents us from doing what we enjoy. I know this having lived both kinds of lifestyles—one of material affluence and a simpler, unencumbered life. I can tell you with certainty that a simple life is a better life.

From the earliest days, my goal was to make enough money so that I could invest wisely, retire early, and have plenty of time to devote to the things that bring me the most joy. Ironically, I ended up getting trapped (temporarily) by the very things I purchased to make me happy.

As most people do when they achieve a certain level of financial success, I made a list of things to purchase, including a dream home, new cars and a boat. I succumbed to the false notion that having bigger and better things—jet skis, properties, and yes, even a Harley Davidson motorcycle—would lead to more happiness.

What I quickly discovered was that when you accumulate more than you need, you pay a much higher price for these things in terms of your time, worry, frustration, and emotional energy.

How to Avoid the Trap

The best way to trap a monkey is to build a cage with an opening just large enough for his hand to fit though so that he can grab a cookie or banana inside the cage. He will grab the item in his fist and will not be able to pull his hand back out of the hole. This makes for a very effective trap because it never occurs to the monkey that he will be free if he will only loosen his grip and let go of the treat in his hand.

While I like to think I’m smarter than a monkey, it took me a while to realize that my responsibilities as a landlord, repairman, and investment manager were taking over my life. In short, taking care of my stuff was consuming me. I wasn’t even able to enjoy what I had. I knew I had to let go of something in order to get out of the trap.

Are you enjoying your favorite things at this time in your life? If you find that you’re too busy to do so, it may be time to prioritize. Do you enjoy a balance between work and your personal life? If not, what could you change about your present situation?

Deciding to let go of things you own and have worked hard to attain isn’t always easy. But usually it’s letting go of things that frees you to live a fuller and richer life.

Start Living a Better Life

I now think twice before buying anything that has the potential to add complexity to my life. We live in a modest home that meets our needs. It’s easier and less expensive to maintain than any of our previous homes.

My family and I like to travel during the hot summer months, so rather than purchase a vacation property we rent one whenever and wherever we want.  When we check out, we don’t have to worry about a thing.

The concept of renting instead of buying certainly isn’t new, but it used to be thought of as an option for people who didn’t have money to buy things. I say that even if you have money to purchase something, always consider renting as a first option. This is one of the wisest ways to not only live a simple life, but also to live within, not beyond, your means.

When you do have money to spend, ask yourself:

  • Do I really need to own this?
  • Will this purchase add more complexity to my life?
  • What kind of time will I have to invest if I make this purchase?
  • Does this purchase come with any hidden emotional energy investment that I may regret later?

More often than not, you will find that the purchases you’re considering will cost you much more than the price tag leads you to believe. As your income and success grow, I encourage you to keep things simple and put an emphasis on saving and giving, not on spending.

Happiness doesn’t come from the accumulation of things. It comes from being satisfied with who you are and the pleasure you get from the relationships and quality of life you enjoy.

Click here to visit the site and/or comment on this post.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are ranked #53 in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Related Posts:

Was Napoleon Hill Wrong?

Count Your Blessings

Fly First Class Free of Charge

10 Tips For Balancing Your Career and Family

10 Reasons Why It’s Ok To Prosper

My Top Investment Tip

Living Beyond Ourselves

What Will Be Your Legacy?

One of The Most Powerful Things You Can Say

Carefully Select the People who Influence Your Life

Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy

Connecting with Family

Enjoy Life’s Journey

Loving People the Way They Need to Be Loved

Happiness is a Choice

Know When to Slam on the Brakes

Don’t Wish You Could Rewind the Clock

]]> http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/29/a-simple-life-is-a-better-life/feed/ 31 Emotions,Family,Goals,Relationships,Things you were never taught What are some of the things you enjoy most in life? What do you value most? What kinds of activities are on your list of the most favorite things to do? - I’m guessing that making repairs, paying bills, managing investments, shopping for insurance, (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/07/IMG_8184.jpg)What are some of the things you enjoy most in life? What do you value most? What kinds of activities are on your list of the most favorite things to do? I’m guessing that making repairs, paying bills, managing investments, shopping for insurance, filing paperwork, or dealing with problems aren’t anywhere near the top of your list. If you’re like me, they don’t even make the cut. I like the simple things like spending time with my family and friends. Going for long walks on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Relaxing in the majestic, serene Smoky Mountains where there’s no phone or Internet service. Today’s lesson is about recognizing the advantages that a simple life has to offer. And I truly believe that a simple life is about making decisions that result in your ability to spend more time doing the things you enjoy—the activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment. Accumulation of Possessions Over the years, I have learned that it is the accumulation of things that prevents us from doing what we enjoy. I know this having lived both kinds of lifestyles—one of material affluence and a simpler, unencumbered life. I can tell you with certainty that a simple life is a better life. From the earliest days, my goal was to make enough money so that I could invest wisely, retire early, and have plenty of time to devote to the things that bring me the most joy. Ironically, I ended up getting trapped (temporarily) by the very things I purchased to make me happy. As most people do when they achieve a certain level of financial success, I made a list of things to purchase, including a dream home, new cars and a boat. I succumbed to the false notion that having bigger and better things—jet skis, properties, and yes, even a Harley Davidson motorcycle—would lead to more happiness. What I quickly discovered was that when you accumulate more than you need, you pay a much higher price for these things in terms of your time, worry, frustration, and emotional energy. How to Avoid the Trap The best way to trap a monkey is to build a cage with an opening just large enough for his hand to fit though so that he can grab a cookie or banana inside the cage. He will grab the item in his fist and will not be able to pull his hand back out of the hole. This makes for a very effective trap because it never occurs to the monkey that he will be free if he will only loosen his grip and let go of the treat in his hand. While I like to think I’m smarter than a monkey, it took me a while to realize that my responsibilities as a landlord, repairman, and investment manager were taking over my life. In short, taking care of my stuff was consuming me. I wasn’t even able to enjoy what I had. I knew I had to let go of something in order to get out of the trap. Are you enjoying your favorite things at this time in your life? If you find that you’re too busy to do so, it may be time to prioritize. Do you enjoy a balance between work and your personal life? If not, what could you change about your present situation? Deciding to let go of things you own and have worked hard to attain isn’t always easy. But usually it’s letting go of things that frees you to live a fuller and richer life. Start Living a Better Life I now think twice before buying anything that has the potential to add complexity to my life. We live in a modest home that meets our needs. It’s easier and less expensive to maintain than any of our previous homes. My family and I like to travel during the hot summer months, so rather than purchase a vacation property we rent one whenever and wherever we want.  When we check out, we don’t have to worry about a thing. The concept of renting instead of buying certainly isn’t new, but it used to be thought of as an option for people who didn’t have money to buy things. Little Things Matter no 5:10 Don’t Wish You Could Rewind the Clock http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/09/dont-wish-you-could-rewind-the-clock/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/09/dont-wish-you-could-rewind-the-clock/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:45:16 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=2079 I often hear people say, “I wish I could do that over again.” Or “I feel so bad about what happened; I wish I had never said anything.” Or “I wish I had never made that investment.” Or “I wish I had never dated that person.” When you make these types of statements you are wishing you had done something differently. My Wish-I-Hadn’t-Done-That List Like all of these people, I have done some stupid things. I have said irresponsible things that damaged relationships. I have handled myself inappropriately in business settings. I have thrown eggs at people’s homes and snowballs at cars. I have drunk too much. I have done drugs. I have made terrible investments and lost millions of dollars. I have lied to people. I have acted like a fool. I have been disrespectful to others. The fact is—and I am not proud to say—that just about any bad thing you have done, it’s possible that I may have done that, too...read more]]> I often hear people say, “I wish I could do that over again.” Or “I feel so bad about what happened; I wish I had never said anything.” Or “I wish I had never made that investment.” Or “I wish I had never dated that person.” When you make these types of statements you are wishing you had done something differently.

My Wish-I-Hadn’t-Done-That List

Like all of these people, I have done some stupid things. I have said irresponsible things that damaged relationships. I have handled myself inappropriately in business settings.  I have thrown eggs at people’s homes and snowballs at cars. I have drunk too much. I have done drugs. I have made terrible investments and lost millions of dollars. I have lied to people. I have acted like a fool. I have been disrespectful to others. The fact is—and I am not proud to say—that just about any bad thing you have done, it’s possible that I may have done that, too.

Of all the unwise things I have done, there are some that have scarred me for life and I think about these more than others.  In fact, I will likely think about them the rest of my life no matter how much I try not to think of them. While I no longer allow them to impact my emotions, I will not be able to erase them from my memory.  Do you have some like this?

If I Could Rewind the Clock of Time

A couple weeks ago I was thinking about something I wish I had never done.  I then started thinking, if I could rewind the clock and do some things differently, would I?

After a long walk contemplating this notion, I determined I would not want to go back and do something differently.  My conclusion was that everything that has happened to me has happened for a reason.  I determined that, no matter how painful something has been, the experience has taught me a lesson and contributed to making me the person I am today.

This is not to say that I am totally happy with my life and who I am.  I am scarred.  I have warts. I am far from perfect. I still do things I regret.

As I look at some of my most painful lessons that I will likely never forget, they are the lessons that have played a huge role in forming my beliefs.  Saying something stupid to someone and hurting them has made me more careful with what I say to others.  Each bad investment I have made has influenced my investment criteria and made me wiser.

I have some things on my list that may not have played a major role in the person I have become and I wish I had never done them, but they are done.  The fact is, I can’t turn back the clock and neither can you.  There is no such thing as a Fairy Godmother or a Genie in a Bottle who can make our wishes come true.

My Philosophy, My Plan

Spending time wishing you hadn’t done something is spending time on something you can’t change or control. It’s OVER! All you can do is learn as much as you can from the experience, determine what if any changes you are going to make in your life as a result, and then use your self-control to move on. You cannot allow any mistake to weigh so heavily on you that you can’t move forward to live a happy and fulfilling life.

After going through the thought process described in this lesson, I wondered if others have felt the same way. Then yesterday this post appeared in the comments section below my post Count Your Blessings.

“I share these sentiments in my book, “Thank God for the Shelter – Memoirs of a homeless healer.” Being homeless taught me to count my blessings each day. I wouldn’t change those nine months for the world. I am so much more connected to what the world really needs… hope. Love is wonderful but when you have lost hope, you are in darkness, you’re blind and wouldn’t see love if it slapped you in the face. Thanks again for such great posts.” Versandra

I believe we would all live happier and more fulfilling lives if we stopped wishing we could change the past. Instead be thankful for who we are and the experiences we have had—both good and bad.

I have made the decision to no longer wish I could turn back the clock and do something over. I am going to focus on learning from the mistakes of the past and concentrate on making the changes I need in the future to become a better person. I am going to draw from all my experiences to fulfill my purpose—to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.

I challenge you to adopt my philosophy and follow my plan.  Will you join me?

  • Stop worrying about things you cannot change.
  • Stop allowing things of the past to bring you down.
  • Stop wishing you could turn back the clock and do something over.
  • Learn all you can from each experience.
  • Use your self-control; do not allow it to bother you.
  • Accept yourself for you who are—blemishes and all?
  • Live your life with passion and purpose.

With what you have learned from your life experiences, you have never been in a better position to achieve the things that are important to you. Don’t wish you could turn the clock back and redo something that happened.  Be thankful for the knowledge you gained and how you can use that knowledge to become the person you want to be.

Tell me about your commitment in the comment section below this post.

Today is a new day! It is the first day of the rest of your life.  If can also be the beginning of a new chapter in your life.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Related Posts:

Become Your Greatest Fan

Enjoy Life’s Journey

The Power of Self-Talk

It’s A New Day!

Who Do I Have To Become To Get What I Want?

Count Your Blessings

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 1)

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 2)

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 3)

My Top Investment Tip

What Will Be Your Legacy?

When Quitting is the Best Decision You Can Make

Make a Good Last Impression

The Uncomfortable Path to Success

The Toilet Bowl Syndrome

Exploring a New World of Possibilities

Do You Say Things You Later Regret?

I Said It And I Meant It!

The Power of Personal Initiative

]]> http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/09/dont-wish-you-could-rewind-the-clock/feed/ 36 Emotions,Encouragement,Failure,Stress,Things you were never taught I often hear people say, “I wish I could do that over again.” Or “I feel so bad about what happened; I wish I had never said anything.” Or “I wish I had never made that investment.” Or “I wish I had never dated that person. (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/07/iStock_000005961171Clock-with-sad-woman.jpg)I often hear people say, “I wish I could do that over again.” Or “I feel so bad about what happened; I wish I had never said anything.” Or “I wish I had never made that investment.” Or “I wish I had never dated that person.” When you make these types of statements you are wishing you had done something differently. My Wish-I-Hadn’t-Done-That List Like all of these people, I have done some stupid things. I have said irresponsible things that damaged relationships. I have handled myself inappropriately in business settings.  I have thrown eggs at people’s homes and snowballs at cars. I have drunk too much. I have done drugs. I have made terrible investments and lost millions of dollars. I have lied to people. I have acted like a fool. I have been disrespectful to others. The fact is—and I am not proud to say—that just about any bad thing you have done, it’s possible that I may have done that, too. Of all the unwise things I have done, there are some that have scarred me for life and I think about these more than others.  In fact, I will likely think about them the rest of my life no matter how much I try not to think of them. While I no longer allow them to impact my emotions, I will not be able to erase them from my memory.  Do you have some like this? If I Could Rewind the Clock of Time A couple weeks ago I was thinking about something I wish I had never done.  I then started thinking, if I could rewind the clock and do some things differently, would I? After a long walk contemplating this notion, I determined I would not want to go back and do something differently.  My conclusion was that everything that has happened to me has happened for a reason.  I determined that, no matter how painful something has been, the experience has taught me a lesson and contributed to making me the person I am today. This is not to say that I am totally happy with my life and who I am.  I am scarred.  I have warts. I am far from perfect. I still do things I regret. As I look at some of my most painful lessons that I will likely never forget, they are the lessons that have played a huge role in forming my beliefs.  Saying something stupid to someone and hurting them has made me more careful with what I say to others.  Each bad investment I have made has influenced my investment criteria and made me wiser. I have some things on my list that may not have played a major role in the person I have become and I wish I had never done them, but they are done.  The fact is, I can’t turn back the clock and neither can you.  There is no such thing as a Fairy Godmother or a Genie in a Bottle who can make our wishes come true. My Philosophy, My Plan Spending time wishing you hadn’t done something is spending time on something you can’t change or control. It’s OVER! All you can do is learn as much as you can from the experience, determine what if any changes you are going to make in your life as a result, and then use your self-control to move on. You cannot allow any mistake to weigh so heavily on you that you can’t move forward to live a happy and fulfilling life. After going through the thought process described in this lesson, I wondered if others have felt the same way. Then yesterday this post appeared in the comments section below my post Count Your Blessings (../../../../../blog/2010/02/22/count-your-blessings/). “I share these sentiments in my book, "Thank God for the Shelter - Memoirs of a homeless healer." Being homeless taught me to count my blessings each day. I wouldn't change those nine months for the world. I am so much more connected to what the world really needs... hope. Love is wonderful but when you have lost hope, you are in darkness, you're blind and wouldn't see love if it slapped you in the face. Thanks again for such great posts.” Versandra Little Things Matter no 6:10 Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist? http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/08/are-you-an-optimist-or-a-pessimist/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/08/are-you-an-optimist-or-a-pessimist/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:45:32 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=2072 What do you picture in your mind when you hear the word optimism? The vast majority of us associate optimism with that familiar image of a glass of liquid—either half-full or half-empty, depending on how we view our lives. In theory, someone who sees the glass as half-full is an optimist. When you are optimistic, you expect things to go well, and you dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation. A pessimist, on the other hand, sees the glass as half-empty. When you are pessimistic, you expect thing to go poorly. You see the downside of most things and dwell on what might go wrong... read more]]> What do you picture in your mind when you hear the word optimism?

The vast majority of us associate optimism with that familiar image of a glass of liquid—either half-full or half-empty, depending on how we view our lives.

In theory, someone who sees the glass as half-full is an optimist. When you are optimistic, you expect things to go well, and you dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.

A pessimist, on the other hand, sees the glass as half-empty. When you are pessimistic, you expect thing to go poorly. You see the downside of most things and dwell on what might go wrong.

Optimistic people look at their futures with anticipation and eagerness, whereas pessimistic people tend to look at their futures with hopelessness and negativity.

I have learned that things generally go according to how you expect them to go.  Being optimistic is not only a vital part of our personalities, it is also an essential component influencing the outcomes of every part of our lives from our relationships to our careers. But we must keep a balance between being optimistic and realistic.  While I consider myself to be optimistic, I do not have blind optimism.

As an example, I look at things honestly using my years of experience.  If I see something wrong or I see a potential challenge, I don’t ignore the possible pitfalls because I want to be optimistic.  If you go through life with blind optimism, you will be so disappointed that eventually you will become pessimistic.

Benefits of Being Optimistic

Nicholas Murray Butler, winner of the Nobel Prize in Peace 1931, said, “Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”

Brian Tracy, a leading authority on human potential and personal effectiveness, wrote, “Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.”

Renowned experts—like Martin E. Seligman, Ph.D. who works on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, optimism and pessimism— have spent years studying optimism and conclude that it accomplishes the following:

  • Prevents depression
  • Improves health by reducing stress
  • Enables achievement by combining talent and desire

Everyone Can Be Optimistic

The great news is that because optimism is a learned behavior, it’s within our control to decide how we choose to see the glass.

Although it’s fascinating research, you don’t need to know how optimism is studied and measured in order to do the things that will help you become more optimistic.

I’m reminded of the life of blind Helen Keller who knew nothing of these studies. In fact, in her shoes, most of us would be pessimistic.  But she left us with a wonderful quote: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.”

If you want to advance your life personally or professionally, you must

1.  Focus on the positives and expect things to go well.

2.  Keep an eye on pitfalls that may lie ahead and be prepared for them.

I realize there is a fine line between the two, but the difference is where you place your emphasis.

Using NFL football as an analogy, if you are going to have a strong offense, you must have a successful passing offense. While you can’t pass the ball down the field blindly hoping it gets caught by a member of your team, you also can’t fear being intercepted every time you drop back to pass the ball.  If you fear that each pass will be intercepted, you will never be successful.

Just like in football, if you are going to develop a strong offensive plan to advance your life, you must take risks; don’t be afraid to fail.

Are You an Optimist or Pessimist?

Would you consider yourself to be more of an optimist or pessimist?  If you were to ask the people in your life the same question, what would they say?

Here is my challenge to each of you.

1.  Start being aware of how you look at things.  If you find yourself finding more reasons why things won’t work than why they will work and if you tend to focus more of your time on defense rather than offense, then you MUST make changes in how you view things or you will likely live a lonely and disappointing life.

2.  Analyze why your tendency is to look for what may go wrong rather than what may go right.  If it is because of past failures and disappointments, which is often the case, realize the past does not equal the future.  We all make mistakes. We all fail. We all experience times of great discouragement.

3.  Read biographies of successful people.  As you do, you will see that they all talk about how they overcame great failures on their road to living a successful life.

4.  Read each month’s issue of Success Magazine.  As you read the stories of those who have achieved such success to be profiled in this magazine, you will see their stories all include their disappointments and setbacks. I find these stories inspirational and motivating.

What you must understand is that whatever challenges you have experienced have simply made you a smarter and wiser person. They have taught you that not everything goes as you wish or plan. You have learned not to run at things blindly hoping you will be lucky.  Most importantly you have learned lessons that have made you a better person.

Now I encourage you to take all that you have learned and get excited about the opportunities that lie in front of you. Take control of your emotions, attitude, and outlook on life and be the person you need to be to achieve your dreams. Millions of others have done it and so can you.

Just as you can choose to be happy, you can choose to be optimistic.  Being optimistic doesn’t mean you are overlooking potential challenges, it just means you are choosing to focus on the positives.

Click here to visit the site and/or comment on this post.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Related Posts:

It’s A New Day!

Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions we Make

What’s Your Brand?

How Likable are You?

Who Do I Have To Become To Get What I Want?

Count Your Blessings

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 1)

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 2)

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 3)

10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 1)

10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 2)

Believe That You Can

Happiness is a Choice

]]> http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/08/are-you-an-optimist-or-a-pessimist/feed/ 18 Entrepreneurship,Failure,Goals,Personal Brand,Relationships,Sales,Self-Talk,Stress What do you picture in your mind when you hear the word optimism? - The vast majority of us associate optimism with that familiar image of a glass of liquid—either half-full or half-empty, depending on how we view our lives. - In theory, (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/07/iStock_000007671767Optimism.jpg)What do you picture in your mind when you hear the word optimism? The vast majority of us associate optimism with that familiar image of a glass of liquid—either half-full or half-empty, depending on how we view our lives. In theory, someone who sees the glass as half-full is an optimist. When you are optimistic, you expect things to go well, and you dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation. A pessimist, on the other hand, sees the glass as half-empty. When you are pessimistic, you expect thing to go poorly. You see the downside of most things and dwell on what might go wrong. Optimistic people look at their futures with anticipation and eagerness, whereas pessimistic people tend to look at their futures with hopelessness and negativity. I have learned that things generally go according to how you expect them to go.  Being optimistic is not only a vital part of our personalities, it is also an essential component influencing the outcomes of every part of our lives from our relationships to our careers. But we must keep a balance between being optimistic and realistic.  While I consider myself to be optimistic, I do not have blind optimism. As an example, I look at things honestly using my years of experience.  If I see something wrong or I see a potential challenge, I don’t ignore the possible pitfalls because I want to be optimistic.  If you go through life with blind optimism, you will be so disappointed that eventually you will become pessimistic. Benefits of Being Optimistic Nicholas Murray Butler, winner of the Nobel Prize in Peace 1931, said, “Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.” Brian Tracy, a leading authority on human potential and personal effectiveness, wrote, “Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.” Renowned experts—like Martin E. Seligman, Ph.D. who works on positive psychology, learned helplessness, depression, optimism and pessimism— have spent years studying optimism and conclude that it accomplishes the following: * Prevents depression * Improves health by reducing stress * Enables achievement by combining talent and desire Everyone Can Be Optimistic The great news is that because optimism is a learned behavior, it’s within our control to decide how we choose to see the glass. Although it’s fascinating research, you don’t need to know how optimism is studied and measured in order to do the things that will help you become more optimistic. I’m reminded of the life of blind Helen Keller who knew nothing of these studies. In fact, in her shoes, most of us would be pessimistic.  But she left us with a wonderful quote: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.” If you want to advance your life personally or professionally, you must 1.  Focus on the positives and expect things to go well. 2.  Keep an eye on pitfalls that may lie ahead and be prepared for them. I realize there is a fine line between the two, but the difference is where you place your emphasis. Using NFL football as an analogy, if you are going to have a strong offense, you must have a successful passing offense. While you can’t pass the ball down the field blindly hoping it gets caught by a member of your team, you also can’t fear being intercepted every time you drop back to pass the ball.  If you fear that each pass will be intercepted, you will never be successful. Just like in football, if you are going to develop a strong offensive plan to advance your life, you must take risks; don’t be afraid to fail. Are You an Optimist or Pessimist? Would you consider yourself to be more of an optimist or pessimist?  If you were to ask the people in your life the same question, what would they say? Little Things Matter no 7:02 Happiness is a Choice http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/01/happiness-is-a-choice/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/01/happiness-is-a-choice/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:45:43 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=2034 Although it may be tempting to dismiss a call to happiness during this time of worldwide struggle and strife as overly optimistic or too simplistic, let me tell you now that I believe this is the perfect time for a reminder that when it comes to happiness, all of us have a choice. In fact, choosing to be happy is one of the very few essential decisions that we get to keep regardless of age, stage of life, or present situation. It’s a decision that can’t be taken away, and no one else can make it for you. Each one of us gets to choose, every single moment of every day, whether or not we decide to be happy...read more]]> Although it may be tempting to dismiss a call to happiness during this time of worldwide struggle and strife as overly optimistic or too simplistic, let me tell you now that I believe this is the perfect time for a reminder that when it comes to happiness, all of us have a choice.

In fact, choosing to be happy is one of the very few essential decisions that we get to keep regardless of age, stage of life, or present situation. It’s a decision that can’t be taken away, and no one else can make it for you.

Each one of us gets to choose, every single moment of every day, whether or not we decide to be happy.

It Pays to Be Happy

When we choose to be happy, the rewards are truly great. First and foremost, happy people are more likable and desirable to be around. Isn’t it amazing how we’re drawn to people with sunny dispositions? One of the many consequences of this phenomenon of human nature is that happy people regularly benefit from the enthusiastic help and cooperation of others.

Secondly, happy people consistently report an improved quality of life. They enjoy life and everything in it more than people who aren’t happy.

I can personally attest to the connection between happiness and improved quality of life. Many years ago, I decided that I would be intentional about choosing to be happy. I didn’t just say I wanted to be happy, I found out what I needed to do to make happiness a daily reality for me.

Nine Choices Happy People Make

In their book, How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People, authors Rick Foster and Greg Hicks present the results of interviews with happy people all over the world, from all walks of life. They found and wrote about nine specific choices commonly made by happy people. As you can see, most of these are things we already know about, and may even already practice.

The key, as I discussed in What is Easy to Do is Not Easy to Do, is to use your personal initiative to do the little things that are easy to do, and do them consistently. Here’s the list of choices that Foster and Hicks came up with:

1. Intend to Be Happy. This is the fully conscious decision to choose happiness over unhappiness.  Check out Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy.

2. Be Accountable. You make the choice to assume full personal responsibility for your actions, thoughts and feelings, as well as to refuse to blame others for your own unhappiness. It is also the practice of seeing ourselves as having control over our own lives, rather than being at the receiving end of circumstances.
3. Discover Your Needs. This is the ongoing process of identifying for ourselves what makes us truly happy.  You may want to review my post Was Napoleon Hill Wrong?

4. Centralize Your Goals. Creating a dream list is the happy person’s non-negotiable insistence on making that which creates happiness a central activity in life.

5. Turn Problems into Opportunities.  Recasting is to change the form of something.  Look at experiences in positive ways and change your problems into challenges.

6. Explore Options. Make the decision to approach life by being open to any new possibilities and take a flexible approach to life’s journey.

7. Express Appreciation. Communicating gratitude and giving thanks to the people around you daily brings happiness. For more on this valuable point read my post on The Power of Showing Your Appreciation

8. Share Unselfishly. The art of giving is the act of sharing one’s self with friends, community and the world at large without the expectation of a ‘return on investment.’

9. Be Truthful at All Times.  Make a contract with yourself and design a means by which to check your thoughts and actions against your own internal, personal code.  For more thoughts on the value of truthfulness, check out my blog: Being Honest With Ourselves

    Though I’m fortunate that I have experienced a rewarding career and professional life, it’s not my achievements that are to be credited for my happiness and the outstanding quality of life I now enjoy. Rather, it’s the little decisions I consistently make each day—just like these—that continue to help me in my choice to be happy.

    If you’ve never considered happiness as a choice before now, let me say again that I don’t think there has ever been a better time than now to begin choosing happiness. Will you commit to being intentional about making one of the choices listed above each day for the next nine days? I hope you will.

    “Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”         —Anonymous

    Click here to visit the site and/or comment on this post.

    About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

    Related Posts:

    The Power of Your Smile

    What’s Your Brand?

    Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions We Make

    It’s a New Day!

    Count Your Blessings

    The Go Givers Are the Winners

    Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 3)

    Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 2)

    Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 1)

    The Most Important of All Human Qualities

    The Power of Self-Talk

    10 Ways to Build Your Self Image (Part 1)

    10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 2)

    Exploring a New World of Possibilities

    25 Unexpected Ways to Make Someone’s Day

    Enjoy Life’s Journey

    ]]>     http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/01/happiness-is-a-choice/feed/ 5 appreciation,Creativity,Goals,Self-Talk,Things you were never taught Although it may be tempting to dismiss a call to happiness during this time of worldwide struggle and strife as overly optimistic or too simplistic, let me tell you now that I believe this is the perfect time for a reminder that when it comes to happin... (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/07/7-1.jpg)Although it may be tempting to dismiss a call to happiness during this time of worldwide struggle and strife as overly optimistic or too simplistic, let me tell you now that I believe this is the perfect time for a reminder that when it comes to happiness, all of us have a choice. In fact, choosing to be happy is one of the very few essential decisions that we get to keep regardless of age, stage of life, or present situation. It’s a decision that can’t be taken away, and no one else can make it for you. Each one of us gets to choose, every single moment of every day, whether or not we decide to be happy. It Pays to Be Happy When we choose to be happy, the rewards are truly great. First and foremost, happy people are more likable and desirable to be around. Isn’t it amazing how we’re drawn to people with sunny dispositions? One of the many consequences of this phenomenon of human nature is that happy people regularly benefit from the enthusiastic help and cooperation of others. Secondly, happy people consistently report an improved quality of life. They enjoy life and everything in it more than people who aren’t happy. I can personally attest to the connection between happiness and improved quality of life. Many years ago, I decided that I would be intentional about choosing to be happy. I didn’t just say I wanted to be happy, I found out what I needed to do to make happiness a daily reality for me. Nine Choices Happy People Make In their book, How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People, authors Rick Foster and Greg Hicks present the results of interviews with happy people all over the world, from all walks of life. They found and wrote about nine specific choices commonly made by happy people. As you can see, most of these are things we already know about, and may even already practice. The key, as I discussed in What is Easy to Do is Not Easy to Do (../../../../../blog/2010/06/16/what-is-easy-to-do-is-easy-not-to-do/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LittleThingsMatter+%28Little+Things+Matter%29), is to use your personal initiative to do the little things that are easy to do, and do them consistently. Here’s the list of choices that Foster and Hicks came up with: 1. Intend to Be Happy. This is the fully conscious decision to choose happiness over unhappiness.  Check out Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy (../../../../../blog/2010/06/09/learn-to-enjoy-what-you-don%E2%80%99t-enjoy/). 2. Be Accountable. You make the choice to assume full personal responsibility for your actions, thoughts and feelings, as well as to refuse to blame others for your own unhappiness. It is also the practice of seeing ourselves as having control over our own lives, rather than being at the receiving end of circumstances. 3. Discover Your Needs. This is the ongoing process of identifying for ourselves what makes us truly happy.  You may want to review my post Was Napoleon Hill Wrong? (../../../../../blog/2010/01/12/was-napoleon-hill-wrong/) 4. Centralize Your Goals. Creating a dream list is the happy person's non-negotiable insistence on making that which creates happiness a central activity in life. 5. Turn Problems into Opportunities.  Recasting is to change the form of something.  Look at experiences in positive ways and change your problems into challenges. 6. Explore Options. Make the decision to approach life by being open to any new possibilities and take a flexible approach to life's journey. 7. Express Appreciation. Communicating gratitude and giving thanks to the people around you daily brings happiness. For more on this valuable point read my post on The Power of Showing Your Appreciation (../../../../../blog/2010/02/24/the-power-of-showing-your-appreciation/) 8. Share Unselfishly. The art of giving is the act of sharing one's self with friends, Little Things Matter no 6:09     Become Your Greatest Fan http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/03/become-your-greatest-fan/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/03/become-your-greatest-fan/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:45:49 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=1803 We live in a world where it is rare for people to compliment and encourage others.  Take a moment to think about your interactions in the last month. I bet you are like most people; you can count your compliments and acknowledgements on one hand. My straightforward advice then is for you fill those shoes yourself. Don’t depend on others to be your cheerleader. You need to become your greatest fan and supporter. As you are learning in all of my lessons, there are hundreds of little things that go into achieving your personal best.  You just cannot reasonably expect others to know all the little things you are doing each day and recognize you for them...read more]]> We live in a world where it is rare for people to compliment and encourage others.  Take a moment to think about your interactions in the last month. I bet you are like most people; you can count your compliments and acknowledgements on one hand.

    My straightforward advice then is for you fill those shoes yourself. Don’t depend on others to be your cheerleader. You need to become your greatest fan and supporter.

    As you are learning in all of my lessons, there are hundreds of little things that go into achieving your personal best.  You just cannot reasonably expect others to know all the little things you are doing each day and recognize you for them.

    Speaker and best selling author Brian Tracy said, “You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile.” This is why it is up to you to recognize yourself for even your smallest of efforts.

    It’s All About YOU

    If you choose to exercise even though you didn’t feel like it, look in the mirror, smile to yourself and say, “great job!”

    If you have the propensity to make poor food choices, but today you made a good choice, tell yourself how happy you are about the decision you made.

    If you have been going the extra mile to really listen to people and not interrupt, then congratulate yourself on your progress.

    If you were proud of the way you handled a difficult situation, spend a few minutes and think about how you are growing as a person.

    If you have just achieved a personal goal, go out to your favorite restaurant to celebrate.

    If you are working on being more likable and you a leave conversation feeling like you really connected with the other person, then give yourself a high five.

    If being friendly does not come natural to you, but today you pushed yourself to smile, make eye contact and say hi to the store clerk, then reflect on the experience and push yourself to keep taking these baby steps each day.

    If your co-workers are speaking poorly of someone and while you share their views you withhold your comment, be proud of your restraint.

    There are numerous opportunities in the course of a normal day to do things that will make you a better person- a person worthy of achieving your goals.  When you do these things, whether small or large, pat yourself on the back and give yourself the confidence to keep pushing.

    Please know this is not about being conceited or egotistical. It’s about acknowledging the good things you do and recognizing yourself for them. To me it is pretty simple. If you aren’t saying positive and encouraging things to yourself, it will be hard have a good self-image.

    Remember that self-talk influences every aspect of our lives. Positive self-talk translates into positive self-esteem. Negative self-talk does just the opposite. You may want to re-read the posts, The Power of Self-Talk, Being Honest With Ourselves and I Said It and I Meant It to reinforce how you are the one in control of your internal dialog.

    Write It Down

    If you are struggling with a low self-image, I challenge you to write down everything you do in the course of a day that contributes to making you a better person. Carry a small note pad in your pocket, purse or brief case.

    If you open the door for someone, write it down.  If you went out of your way to show your appreciation to someone, write it down.  If you normally don’t make your bed, but today you did, write it down.

    If you pushed yourself outside your comfort zone to make a call you needed to make, write it down.  If you took 30 minutes to read a good book, rather than watching TV, write it down.  If you smiled and answered the phone with a friendly voice, write it down.  If you showed up for the meeting on time and well prepared, write it down.

    Set a goal to make a list of at least 10 things a day that you are proud to have accomplished.  If you will do this for 21 straight days, I guarantee that you will feel differently about yourself.  You will have an improved attitude. You will be happier. You will have more confidence in your abilities.  You will be more motivated and inspired to work towards reaching your long-term goals.

    Will you take me up on my challenge?  Is your how you feel about yourself important enough to make this list for 21 days in a row?  If this is the case, don’t go to bed this evening until you have written down 10 positive things, however small they may be.

    As I described in my post Accelerating Your Success, your ultimate success will come from the compounding effect of doing all the little things you do on a daily basis to get better.

    If you look to others for words of encouragement and praise, you won’t find them. Instead look to yourself.

    About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts.

    Related Posts:

    Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions We Make

    It’s a New Day!

    The Power of Showing Your Appreciation

    Count Your Blessings

    The Value of Feedback and Criticism

    The Power of Self-Talk

    Being Honest With Ourselves

    ]]>     http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/03/become-your-greatest-fan/feed/ 26 Confidence,Excellence,Goals,Self-Talk,Things you were never taught We live in a world where it is rare for people to compliment and encourage others.  Take a moment to think about your interactions in the last month. I bet you are like most people; you can count your compliments and acknowledgements on one hand. (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/06/Become-Your-Greatest-Fan.jpg)We live in a world where it is rare for people to compliment and encourage others.  Take a moment to think about your interactions in the last month. I bet you are like most people; you can count your compliments and acknowledgements on one hand. My straightforward advice then is for you fill those shoes yourself. Don’t depend on others to be your cheerleader. You need to become your greatest fan and supporter. As you are learning in all of my lessons, there are hundreds of little things that go into achieving your personal best.  You just cannot reasonably expect others to know all the little things you are doing each day and recognize you for them. Speaker and best selling author Brian Tracy said, "You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile." This is why it is up to you to recognize yourself for even your smallest of efforts. It’s All About YOU If you choose to exercise even though you didn’t feel like it, look in the mirror, smile to yourself and say, “great job!” If you have the propensity to make poor food choices, but today you made a good choice, tell yourself how happy you are about the decision you made. If you have been going the extra mile to really listen to people and not interrupt, then congratulate yourself on your progress. If you were proud of the way you handled a difficult situation, spend a few minutes and think about how you are growing as a person. If you have just achieved a personal goal, go out to your favorite restaurant to celebrate. If you are working on being more likable and you a leave conversation feeling like you really connected with the other person, then give yourself a high five. If being friendly does not come natural to you, but today you pushed yourself to smile, make eye contact and say hi to the store clerk, then reflect on the experience and push yourself to keep taking these baby steps each day. If your co-workers are speaking poorly of someone and while you share their views you withhold your comment, be proud of your restraint. There are numerous opportunities in the course of a normal day to do things that will make you a better person- a person worthy of achieving your goals.  When you do these things, whether small or large, pat yourself on the back and give yourself the confidence to keep pushing. Please know this is not about being conceited or egotistical. It’s about acknowledging the good things you do and recognizing yourself for them. To me it is pretty simple. If you aren’t saying positive and encouraging things to yourself, it will be hard have a good self-image. Remember that self-talk influences every aspect of our lives. Positive self-talk translates into positive self-esteem. Negative self-talk does just the opposite. You may want to re-read the posts, The Power of Self-Talk (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/28/the-power-of-self-talk/), Being Honest With Ourselves (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/05/18/being-honest-with-ourselves/) and I Said It and I Meant It (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/02/i-said-it-and-i-meant-it/) to reinforce how you are the one in control of your internal dialog. Write It Down If you are struggling with a low self-image, I challenge you to write down everything you do in the course of a day that contributes to making you a better person. Carry a small note pad in your pocket, purse or brief case. If you open the door for someone, write it down.  If you went out of your way to show your appreciation to someone, write it down.  If you normally don’t make your bed, but today you did, write it down. If you pushed yourself outside your comfort zone to make a call you needed to make, write it down.  If you took 30 minutes to read a good book, rather than watching TV, Little Things Matter no 5:46     I Said It And I Meant It! http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/02/i-said-it-and-i-meant-it/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/02/i-said-it-and-i-meant-it/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:45:34 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=1789 Think of the last time you exercised and said to yourself, “I can do it” or “I can do three more reps” or “I can go another 10 minutes” with grit and determination.  Did your words make you push harder?  Did you give your very best effort to achieve your desired outcome? Now think of an occasion when you said things like “I am tired today” or “I don’t think I can do anymore” or “I can’t go any longer.” What happened? Did this little voice in the back of your mind sound defeated? Were you able to push yourself or did you give up?...read more]]> Think of the last time you exercised and said to yourself, “I can do it” or “I can do three more reps” or “I can go another 10 minutes” with grit and determination.  Did your words make you push harder?  Did you give your very best effort to achieve your desired outcome?

    Now think of an occasion when you said things like “I am tired today” or “I don’t think I can do anymore” or “I can’t go any longer.” What happened? Did this little voice in the back of your mind sound defeated? Were you able to push yourself or did you give up?

    The common denominator in both circumstances is your inner voice. Yet the results are dramatically different depending on the nature of your “conversation.” Your statements can either gave you energy to push harder or they can suck the life out of you and cause you to quit.

    The Power of Self-Talk post describes how the conversations we have with ourselves influence every part of our lives. If our internal dialog is positive and focuses on our talents, skills and abilities we are encouraged, optimistic and more likely to achieve our goals.

    On the other hand, if our thoughts focus on our faults, mistakes, weaknesses, insecurities, or fears, it will be virtually impossible to feel confident and advance our lives forward.

    All of this illustrates that what we say to ourselves impacts our emotions, attitude and outlook.  Since this internal dialog is so important, how can we use it to help us achieve our personal best?

    The answer is simple. Be intentional about saying things to yourself that will help you achieve your desired outcome.

    Guiding Statements

    Throughout my career I have consistently focused on using what I call guiding statements- statements designed to help direct my thinking.

    Here are some examples of the types of guiding statements I say to myself.

    • If I am working on an important project that must be completed today I will say, “I will get this done today” over and over again throughout the day.
    • If I am listening to someone and feel I have something important to contribute I will say, “Listen and don’t interrupt.”
    • If I am getting frustrated or defensive, I will repeat in my mind, “Speak in love.”
    • If I am thinking about something that is depressing me I will say, “I am not going to think about XX (failure, mistake or blunder) any longer. I have learned all I can learn and I am moving on”, then I use my self-control to change my thinking.

    If I want to think positive or optimistic thoughts, I will use positive affirmations such as, “I can do it”, “I will be successful at this”, “I will give a killer presentation”, “I will earn that promotion”, “I will walk across the stage and get that award” or “I am getting better everyday.” There are literally thousands of positive statements, individually designed, that can help you focus your thoughts in a positive direction.

    The extensive research on this subject proves without a shadow of doubt that the things we say to ourselves influence our beliefs, attitudes and actions and ultimately the level of success, happiness and fulfillment we enjoy.

    Positive thoughts, spoken out loud to ourselves become positive statements, and if taken one step further, become guides for our thinking on a daily basis.

    Yesterday I played tennis with my brother.  In the third set I was so delirious from physical exhaustion that I struggled to keep track of the score. I even lost track of who was serving. I knew if I wanted to win, I would need to step up my game, concentrate and give 100% of myself.  So after every point, I kept saying to myself “focus, focus, focus, focus, focus” until I was completely focused on what I wanted to do.

    Repetition of a simple positive statement and the resulting focus allowed me to give that extra effort. My positive statement became my reality and the tipping point for the big win!

    How to Use Guiding Statements

    Repetition is the key to effective guiding statements. The more you repeat these statements in your mind with vigor and passion, the more you will believe in them.

    It’s also possible to use these types of statements to effectively reprogram your thinking. Repetition over a long period of time can replace negative self-defeating thoughts, reservations and fears with positive, encouraging and inspirational thoughts.  You can become the next Rocky. Really.

    If you want to reprogram some negative thinking, write out your positive affirmations and read them throughout the day. Recently I saw John Maxwell at a leadership event carrying a laminated card with his personal goals and positive statements. This card accompanies him everywhere he goes as a constant reminder of his desired outcomes.

    I realize this is a tough subject to cover in a short blog post but don’t under estimate the value of this lesson. Using this strategy over the years has allowed me to control my thinking by programming the thoughts that go through my head.

    My ability to control my thinking has given me total confidence that I can do anything I put my mind to. If that negative voice in the back of my mind opens it’s mouth, I shut it down and change my thoughts with my guiding statements.

    Using positive affirmations and guiding statements opens your mind to see solutions and opportunities that would normally be overlooked. As a natural consequence, you’ll feel better about yourself and most importantly you will be able to guide your thoughts to help you achieve your goals.

    Let me challenge you to start using these types of statements today. Don’t just utter the words. Say it like you mean it! These statements are mini goals that pack a powerful punch.

    You have the ability to control your thinking and by controlling it, you take control of your future.

    About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts.

    Related Posts

    Who Do I Have to Become to Get What I Want?

    Accelerating Your Success

    10 Reasons Why It is OK to Prosper

    The Uncomfortable Path to Success

    The Power of Self-Talk

    10 Ways to Build Your Self Image (Part 1)

    10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 2)

    Being Honest With Ourselves

    ]]>     http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/02/i-said-it-and-i-meant-it/feed/ 22 Confidence,Entrepreneurship,Failure,Goals,Sales,Self-Talk Think of the last time you exercised and said to yourself, “I can do it” or “I can do three more reps” or “I can go another 10 minutes” with grit and determination.  Did your words make you push harder?  Did you give your very best effort to achieve yo... (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/06/I-said-it-and-I-meant-it-image-2.jpg)Think of the last time you exercised and said to yourself, “I can do it” or “I can do three more reps” or “I can go another 10 minutes” with grit and determination.  Did your words make you push harder?  Did you give your very best effort to achieve your desired outcome? Now think of an occasion when you said things like “I am tired today” or “I don’t think I can do anymore” or “I can’t go any longer.” What happened? Did this little voice in the back of your mind sound defeated? Were you able to push yourself or did you give up? The common denominator in both circumstances is your inner voice. Yet the results are dramatically different depending on the nature of your “conversation.” Your statements can either gave you energy to push harder or they can suck the life out of you and cause you to quit. The Power of Self-Talk (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/28/the-power-of-self-talk/) post describes how the conversations we have with ourselves influence every part of our lives. If our internal dialog is positive and focuses on our talents, skills and abilities we are encouraged, optimistic and more likely to achieve our goals. On the other hand, if our thoughts focus on our faults, mistakes, weaknesses, insecurities, or fears, it will be virtually impossible to feel confident and advance our lives forward. All of this illustrates that what we say to ourselves impacts our emotions, attitude and outlook.  Since this internal dialog is so important, how can we use it to help us achieve our personal best? The answer is simple. Be intentional about saying things to yourself that will help you achieve your desired outcome. Guiding Statements Throughout my career I have consistently focused on using what I call guiding statements- statements designed to help direct my thinking. Here are some examples of the types of guiding statements I say to myself. * If I am working on an important project that must be completed today I will say, “I will get this done today” over and over again throughout the day. * If I am listening to someone and feel I have something important to contribute I will say, “Listen and don’t interrupt.” * If I am getting frustrated or defensive, I will repeat in my mind, “Speak in love.” * If I am thinking about something that is depressing me I will say, “I am not going to think about XX (failure, mistake or blunder) any longer. I have learned all I can learn and I am moving on”, then I use my self-control to change my thinking. If I want to think positive or optimistic thoughts, I will use positive affirmations such as, “I can do it”, “I will be successful at this”, “I will give a killer presentation”, “I will earn that promotion”, “I will walk across the stage and get that award” or “I am getting better everyday.” There are literally thousands of positive statements, individually designed, that can help you focus your thoughts in a positive direction. The extensive research on this subject proves without a shadow of doubt that the things we say to ourselves influence our beliefs, attitudes and actions and ultimately the level of success, happiness and fulfillment we enjoy. Positive thoughts, spoken out loud to ourselves become positive statements, and if taken one step further, become guides for our thinking on a daily basis. Yesterday I played tennis with my brother.  In the third set I was so delirious from physical exhaustion that I struggled to keep track of the score. I even lost track of who was serving. I knew if I wanted to win, I would need to step up my game, concentrate and give 100% of myself.  So after every point, I kept saying to myself “focus, focus, focus, focus, focus” until I was completely focused on what I wanted to do. Repetition of a simple positive statement and the resulting focus allowed me to give that extra effort. Little Things Matter no 7:19     How to Get Any Job You Want http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/05/05/how-to-get-any-job-you-want/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/05/05/how-to-get-any-job-you-want/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 07:45:20 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=1549 One of my core beliefs is that you can achieve anything that is important to you if you will focus on the little things that matter. So if getting a new job is important to you, simply look for the little things that will help you land that job. I must admit that I am turned off when people complain about not having a job but don’t do the things required to get one. I feel the same way when people whine about their current job but don’t take the necessary steps to get a better one...read more]]> One of my core beliefs is that you can achieve anything that is important to you if you will focus on the little things that matter. So if getting a new job is important to you, simply look for the little things that will help you land that job.

    I must admit that I am turned off when people complain about not having a job but don’t do the things required to get one. I feel the same way when people whine about their current job but don’t take the necessary steps to get a better one.

    This is America! And although the economy has presented significant challenges I am convinced that you can get whatever job you want if you are willing to push yourself outside your comfort zone and do some basic things that other job applicants are unwilling to do.

    If you are in the market for a new job, here are my recommendations:

    1.  Determine your greatest value—Assuming you want the highest paying job for your skill set, make a list of your most valuable talents and abilities. Then rank them based on their value to the market. As an example, if you are an administrative assistant, your skills may range from answering the phone to creating business plans.

    In this example, your value could range from $15 an hour on the low end of your skill set to $75 an hour on the high end. Your job search should then be focused on maximizing your greatest value, which is in writing business plans.

    2.  Identify Potential Positions—Your next step is to consider positions that allow you to capitalize on your talents. Using the same example, identify the types of companies and positions within those companies where your primary responsibility would be writing business plans.

    3.  Create a Targeted Resume—Once the type of position is identified, create a custom resume that highlights the specific skill set. Make sure to mention it in the job objective and previous experience section as well as the cover letter.

    Make sure your resume presents you in a manner consistent with the wage you are seeking. If you were applying for a $75 an hour job, then your resume should present you as someone worthy of earning $75 an hour.

    4.  Identify Potential Employers—Make a list of the employers who offer the type of position you are seeking. You may have to confine yourself to a specific geographic region although many employers allow and often encourage you to work from home. You may even want to consider buying a list of companies who meet your criteria from a list broker.

    5.  Pick Up the Phone—Here is where we separate the winners from the complainers. This is the biggest take-a-way from today’s lesson. If you want to land the ideal job, then you must push yourself outside your comfort zone and call your prospective employers.

    The complainers are those who sit at home and look for job postings and allow themselves to compete with 100 other people for the same position. The winners do online research about potential employers and then pick up the phone to make initial contact.

    My friends in human resources tell me that VERY few people proactively call them and if someone takes the time to do so, they are impressed!

    When you do the things that impress others you have the advantage. It’s that simple.

    6.  Follow Up—Assuming the company you call is not currently hiring for your position, you should still forward your resume with a cover letter. Then follow up every few weeks. This will ensure that your name and resume will remain at the “top of the pile” when a job opportunity materializes.

    You should also send a hand written thank you note thanking the person you spoke with for their time and consideration.

    Here’s the bottom line. You can get any job that is important to you if you will be creative and do the little things to stand out from the crowd.

    The difference between those who succeed in achieving their goals and those who fall short is the diligent accomplishment of the things others aren’t willing to do.

    If you’re looking for a new job, do you have the courage to pick up the phone and call prospective employers until such time as you land the job you want? Are you willing to get uncomfortable for a few weeks to get the job that allows you to maximize your gifts and abilities?

    If your answer is yes then I challenge you to do three things. First, read my related posts below. Second, think outside the box. Be creative and make a list of the little things you can do to get the edge. And third, implement the tips I have provided in this lesson.

    You can achieve any goal in life that is important to you if you will focus on the little things that matter.

    About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here.

    Related Posts:

    What’s Your Brand?

    What’s Your Value to the Market?

    Your Greatest Obstacle

    11 Ways to Increase Your Discipline

    The Uncomfortable Path to Success

    10 Ways to Enhance Your Online Brand

    The 12 Fastest Ways to Build Rapport (Part 1)

    10 Ways to Make a Positive Impression When Greeting People

    How to Kick Butt in This Economy

    ]]>     http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/05/05/how-to-get-any-job-you-want/feed/ 27 Creativity,Failure,Goals,Priorities,Things you were never taught One of my core beliefs is that you can achieve anything that is important to you if you will focus on the little things that matter. So if getting a new job is important to you, simply look for the little things that will help you land that job. (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/05/How-to-get-any-job-you-want-image-201x300.jpg)One of my core beliefs is that you can achieve anything that is important to you if you will focus on the little things that matter. So if getting a new job is important to you, simply look for the little things that will help you land that job. I must admit that I am turned off when people complain about not having a job but don’t do the things required to get one. I feel the same way when people whine about their current job but don’t take the necessary steps to get a better one. This is America! And although the economy has presented significant challenges I am convinced that you can get whatever job you want if you are willing to push yourself outside your comfort zone and do some basic things that other job applicants are unwilling to do. If you are in the market for a new job, here are my recommendations: 1.  Determine your greatest value—Assuming you want the highest paying job for your skill set, make a list of your most valuable talents and abilities. Then rank them based on their value to the market. As an example, if you are an administrative assistant, your skills may range from answering the phone to creating business plans. In this example, your value could range from $15 an hour on the low end of your skill set to $75 an hour on the high end. Your job search should then be focused on maximizing your greatest value, which is in writing business plans. 2.  Identify Potential Positions—Your next step is to consider positions that allow you to capitalize on your talents. Using the same example, identify the types of companies and positions within those companies where your primary responsibility would be writing business plans. 3.  Create a Targeted Resume—Once the type of position is identified, create a custom resume that highlights the specific skill set. Make sure to mention it in the job objective and previous experience section as well as the cover letter. Make sure your resume presents you in a manner consistent with the wage you are seeking. If you were applying for a $75 an hour job, then your resume should present you as someone worthy of earning $75 an hour. 4.  Identify Potential Employers—Make a list of the employers who offer the type of position you are seeking. You may have to confine yourself to a specific geographic region although many employers allow and often encourage you to work from home. You may even want to consider buying a list of companies who meet your criteria from a list broker. 5.  Pick Up the Phone—Here is where we separate the winners from the complainers. This is the biggest take-a-way from today’s lesson. If you want to land the ideal job, then you must push yourself outside your comfort zone and call your prospective employers. The complainers are those who sit at home and look for job postings and allow themselves to compete with 100 other people for the same position. The winners do online research about potential employers and then pick up the phone to make initial contact. My friends in human resources tell me that VERY few people proactively call them and if someone takes the time to do so, they are impressed! When you do the things that impress others you have the advantage. It’s that simple. 6.  Follow Up—Assuming the company you call is not currently hiring for your position, you should still forward your resume with a cover letter. Then follow up every few weeks. This will ensure that your name and resume will remain at the “top of the pile” when a job opportunity materializes. You should also send a hand written thank you note thanking the person you spoke with for their time and consideration. Here’s the bottom line. You can get any job that is important to you if you will be creative and do the little things to stand out from the crowd. Little Things Matter no 5:53     10 Ways to Build Your Self-Image (Part 2) http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/02/10-ways-to-build-your-self-image-part-2/ http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/02/10-ways-to-build-your-self-image-part-2/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 07:45:17 +0000 Todd Smith http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/?p=1264 In yesterday’s lesson I pointed out the critical importance of building a strong self-image if you want to live a happy, successful and fulfilling life. I then outlined the first five ways to build your self-image. In today’s lesson I will continue this two part series with the remaining five points. For the sake of this lesson, I define your self-image as the combination of your self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect, because they really all do impact how you look at yourself...read more]]> In yesterday’s lesson I pointed out the critical importance of building a strong self-image if you want to live a happy, successful and fulfilling life. I then outlined the first five ways to build your self-image. In today’s lesson I will continue this two part series with the remaining five points.

    For the sake of this lesson, I define your self-image as the combination of your self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect, because they really all do impact how you look at yourself.

    6.  Focus On Your Self-talk—Your self-talk is the conversations you have with yourself. If those conversations focus on your faults, mistakes, weaknesses or insecurities, it will be impossible to feel good about yourself. Become aware of these conversations and make sure they stay positive. When they get negative, analyze the reason behind your thoughts and work to correct them.

    As I said in It’s a New Day when you make mistakes, learn all you can learn from them and use your self-control to move on. Learning to control the conversations you have with yourself is critical to building a strong self-image.

    7.  Practice Daily Self-discipline—As I said in my post, The Hidden Benefit of Discipline, there is a direct link between your self-image and your self-discipline. When you do what you know you should do, you will feel great about yourself. At the same time when you don’t do the things you know you should, it has the opposite effect. Go do something you have been putting off and see how you feel about yourself when you are done.

    8.  Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself—This point is a fine line. On one hand, if you don’t push and stretch yourself, you will never become all you are capable of becoming. At the same time, you need to recognize that it’s okay to give yourself a break from time to time. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all have weaknesses. Learn to push yourself to be your best, but at the same time don’t beat yourself up if you’re not perfect.

    9.  Learn How to Deal with Criticism—One of the things that I often see that destroys a person’s self-image is their inability to accept and process criticism. I would bet I have received constructive feedback or criticism more than a thousand times. While all feedback and criticism is hard at first, the key is to be able to learn all you can learn from it, and then to use your self-control to stop thinking about it. Dwelling on criticism is a self-image killer.

    10.  Focus on God’s Plan For Your Life—God has a plan and purpose for your life. More than likely it is staring you in the face. Make a list of your most unique gifts and strengths and understand they have been giving to you for a reason. If you will use those to their fullest, your life will take on a new meaning and your self-image will soar.

    If you are struggling with your self-image, then starting today, incorporate these 10 tips into your daily routine. When you get down on yourself, re-read part 1 and part 2 of this lesson.

    Bonus Tip: Stop hanging out with people who tear you down and start hanging around the people who lift you up. The people you allow in your life will influence the person you become.

    “Are you allowing your weaknesses and insecurities to keep you from being your best? God loves to use ordinary people just like you and me, faults and all, to do extraordinary things.” -Joel Osteen

    About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here.

    To read part 1 click here

    Related Posts

    It’s a New Day

    The Hidden Benefit of Discipline

    The Value of Feedback and Criticism

    Your Greatest Obstacle

    ]]>     http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/02/10-ways-to-build-your-self-image-part-2/feed/ 27 Appearance,beliefs,Emotions,Fulfillment,Personal Brand,Self-Talk In yesterday’s lesson I pointed out the critical importance of building a strong self-image if you want to live a happy, successful and fulfilling life. I then outlined the first five ways to build your self-image. (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/04/Self-image-part-2-photo-w250-h164.jpg)In yesterday’s lesson (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/01/10-ways-to-build-your-self-image-part-1/) I pointed out the critical importance of building a strong self-image if you want to live a happy, successful and fulfilling life. I then outlined the first five ways to build your self-image. In today’s lesson I will continue this two part series with the remaining five points. For the sake of this lesson, I define your self-image as the combination of your self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect, because they really all do impact how you look at yourself. 6.  Focus On Your Self-talk—Your self-talk is the conversations you have with yourself. If those conversations focus on your faults, mistakes, weaknesses or insecurities, it will be impossible to feel good about yourself. Become aware of these conversations and make sure they stay positive. When they get negative, analyze the reason behind your thoughts and work to correct them. As I said in It's a New Day (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/01/11/its-a-new-day-2/) when you make mistakes, learn all you can learn from them and use your self-control to move on. Learning to control the conversations you have with yourself is critical to building a strong self-image. 7.  Practice Daily Self-discipline—As I said in my post, The Hidden Benefit of Discipline (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/01/15/the-hidden-benefit-of-discipline/), there is a direct link between your self-image and your self-discipline. When you do what you know you should do, you will feel great about yourself. At the same time when you don’t do the things you know you should, it has the opposite effect. Go do something you have been putting off and see how you feel about yourself when you are done. 8.  Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself—This point is a fine line. On one hand, if you don’t push and stretch yourself, you will never become all you are capable of becoming. At the same time, you need to recognize that it’s okay to give yourself a break from time to time. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all have weaknesses. Learn to push yourself to be your best, but at the same time don’t beat yourself up if you’re not perfect. 9.  Learn How to Deal with Criticism—One of the things that I often see that destroys a person’s self-image is their inability to accept and process criticism. I would bet I have received constructive feedback or criticism more than a thousand times. While all feedback and criticism is hard at first, the key is to be able to learn all you can learn from it, and then to use your self-control to stop thinking about it. Dwelling on criticism is a self-image killer. 10.  Focus on God’s Plan For Your Life—God has a plan and purpose for your life. More than likely it is staring you in the face. Make a list of your most unique gifts and strengths and understand they have been giving to you for a reason. If you will use those to their fullest, your life will take on a new meaning and your self-image will soar. If you are struggling with your self-image, then starting today, incorporate these 10 tips into your daily routine. When you get down on yourself, re-read part 1 (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/04/01/10-ways-to-build-your-self-image-part-1/) and part 2 of this lesson. Bonus Tip: Stop hanging out with people who tear you down and start hanging around the people who lift you up. The people you allow in your life will influence the person you become. “Are you allowing your weaknesses and insecurities to keep you from being your best? God loves to use ordinary people just like you and me, faults and all, to do extraordinary things.” -Joel Osteen About the Author: Todd Smith (../../../../../about/) is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. (.. Little Things Matter no 4:29