A Better Way to Live

1. Count Your Blessings and Recognize Your Value

Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward toward the life that God intended for you … with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.

Appreciate your assets. Many people focus on their problems and forget to recognize the valuable assets they already possess. These assets include:

• Living in a great country
• Having a career or job opportunity
• Freedom and personal liberties
• Loving relationships
• Physical health and abilities

Shift your perspective. By acknowledging these blessings, you can change your outlook on life and approach challenges with renewed strength and confidence. This positive mindset is crucial for personal growth and success.

2. Go the Extra Mile in Your Work

Today, and every day, deliver more than you are getting paid to do. The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do.

Exceed expectations. Going above and beyond in your work is a powerful secret to success. By consistently delivering more than what's expected, you:

• Make yourself indispensable
• Open up new opportunities
• Set yourself apart from others

Create value. This principle applies to all professions and tasks. Whether you're a salesperson, artist, or laborer, giving extra effort and care to your work will lead to greater rewards and personal satisfaction.

3. Learn from Mistakes and Never Quit

Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you.

Embrace failure as education. Mistakes and setbacks are inevitable in life, but they serve as valuable learning experiences. Key points to remember:

• Failure is a stepping stone to success
• Learn from your mistakes but don't dwell on them
• Persistence is crucial for achieving your goals

Keep perspective. Even successful people face numerous failures. For example, Hank Aaron, the greatest home-run hitter, struck out almost twice for every home run he hit. This illustrates that success often comes through perseverance despite setbacks.

4. Be a Positive Role Model for Your Children

Remember that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children.

Lead by example. Children learn more from what they observe than what they're told. As a parent or guardian:

• Demonstrate the behaviors and values you want to instill
• Be consistent in your actions and words
• Show love and support, even when correcting mistakes

Create lasting impact. Your influence on your children shapes their future. By being a positive role model, you provide them with a strong foundation for their own lives and relationships.

5. Build Your Day on Pleasant Thoughts

Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress.

Harness the power of positive thinking. Your thoughts shape your reality. By cultivating a positive mindset:

• You approach challenges with confidence
• You're more resilient in the face of setbacks
• You attract more positive experiences and people

Recognize your potential. Remember that you have the power to achieve your dreams. Don't let self-doubt or perceived imperfections hold you back. Instead, focus on your strengths and possibilities.

6. Guard Against Pride and Conceit

Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress.

Stay humble. Success can sometimes lead to arrogance, which can hinder further growth and damage relationships. To avoid this:

• Let your achievements speak for themselves
• Remain open to learning and improvement
• Treat others with respect, regardless of your status

Maintain perspective. Remember that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Your success doesn't make you superior to others, just as your failures don't define your worth.

7. Treat Each Day as a Gift and Live in the Present

Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find "tomorrow" on the calendars of fools.

Embrace the present. Many people waste their days dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about the future. Instead:

• Focus on making the most of today
• Tackle challenges one at a time
• Find joy and meaning in your daily activities

Avoid procrastination. Treating each day as potentially your last encourages you to act on your goals and dreams now, rather than putting them off indefinitely.

8. Avoid Cluttering Your Life with Unimportant Tasks

Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along.

Prioritize effectively. Many people fill their days with busy work to avoid tackling more significant challenges. To break this pattern:

• Identify your most important goals and priorities
• Learn to say no to unimportant tasks
• Create space in your life for growth and new opportunities

Overcome the "kill switch." Don't let past discouragements or negative self-talk prevent you from pursuing your dreams. Recognize and disable your mental "kill switch" that keeps you busy but unproductive.

9. Treat Everyone with Kindness and Understanding

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight.

Practice empathy and compassion. This powerful perspective shift can transform your interactions and relationships. By treating others as if it's their last day:

• You're more patient and understanding
• You express gratitude and appreciation more freely
• You create meaningful connections and memories

Create positive ripples. Your kindness can have a profound impact on others, potentially changing their day or even their life. This approach also enriches your own life experiences.

10. Find Humor in Life's Challenges

Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat of the moment.

Use laughter as medicine. Humor can be a powerful tool for dealing with life's difficulties. Benefits include:

• Reducing stress and tension
• Gaining perspective on problems
• Improving resilience and mental health

Don't take yourself too seriously. Being able to laugh at yourself shows self-confidence and humility. It helps you navigate embarrassing situations and learn from your mistakes without excessive self-criticism.

11. Pay Attention to the Little Things

Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do.

Excellence in details. Paying attention to small details can make a big difference in the quality of your work and relationships. This includes:

• Giving your best effort, even in unseen areas
• Expressing gratitude and appreciation
• Following through on commitments

Build a reputation for quality. Consistently delivering your best work, even in small tasks, sets you apart and builds trust and respect from others.

12. Set Achievable Daily Goals

You will achieve your grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day—not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow.

Break down big dreams. Achieving significant goals requires consistent daily effort. To make progress:

• Set small, achievable daily objectives
• Focus on steady progress rather than perfection
• Celebrate small victories along the way

Balance ambition with enjoyment. While working towards your goals, don't forget to enjoy the present moment. Success shouldn't come at the cost of your happiness and relationships.

Last updated: January 25, 2025