Millions of people are about to set new goals and ambitions for next year. Overwhelming evidence suggests most people do not accomplish their goals. According to research from the University of Scranton, 92 percent of people who set goals fail to achieve their desired end-state. We hear these statistics and understand them on the surface but fail to internalize what is missing or causing us to come up short.
We never understand the underlying drivers causing us to self-sabotage, overwork ourselves, become complacent, or quit. The reason for this is simple. Goal setting is just an internal search to find ourselves. You are searching for yourself when you set goals. A fundamental mistake occurs when we view goal setting as an external pursuit of happiness. This inside game requires balance to remain in harmony as you set out to find yourself (accomplish goals).
That is why we must incorporate these following life enrichment principles into our daily lives – not just when we want to set goals and achieve things. Achievement is great. Goal accomplishment feels good momentarily. However, enriching our mental and physical well-being regardless of the outcome, is far more important. On our path to accomplishment, we should seek balance & awareness from within. Within that search, you understand how to overcome setbacks and failures with grace and understanding.
Persistence
Utilize this creative principle when you feel fatigued, frustrated, or ready to quit. This is for when you experience major setbacks. Here is a simple way to activate persistence so that you can endure life’s challenges. When you feel like you can no longer persevere in any area of your life, go into nature, look around, and quietly ask yourself these questions. Are the tallest of trees still standing after experiencing hundreds of storms? Are the tides still rising and falling? Is the sun going to set this evening and rise in the morning? Despite all that occurs with mother nature, it endures as you must. Take notes from your natural surroundings, then get back to living the life you want.
Consistency
Incorporate this when you become unorganized and lack a governing system over your behaviors and habits. For entrepreneurs, create a high yielding task list. Write out the five things you must do to move your business one percent forward every day. You can do this with your health and relationships as well. Consistency may look boring, but consistency works as a compounding mechanism to sustainable growth over a long time.
Knowledge, understanding, and grace follow consistency. Use this creative principle without incorporating time into the equation and watch how life flows to you more effortlessly.
Humbleness
Use this when you struggle, and experience wins. Being humble works on both ends of the spectrum. First, you must understand that you are not the first person to experience the hardships of life. Do not make yourself a martyr. You are also not the first person to experience great success. Take a quick stroll through history and understand that the human condition remains largely the same – despite technological advances. Resources dwindle quickly if you do not use a humble mindset when you experience success. On the other hand, you must set aside your ego when you make mistakes and accept your current disposition.
Patience
Apply this creative principle when you become intolerant of yourself, people, or tired of waiting on your desired outcome. You know nothing happens overnight, so this does not mean to become passive when using patience. Patience is a constructive & active influence that brings a host of benefits. For example, patience activates your endurance when you consciously decide the path you will take is a journey and not a destination. Patience creates space within your mind and aids in critical thinking and problem-solving. It is also an internal decision to treat yourself with a little more grace – especially when you make mistakes. Give yourself the gift of patience and watch as others do the same for you.
Gratitude
Integrate being grateful into your nightly routine when you find yourself becoming increasingly negative in your self-talk and thought life. Each night write out ten things you are grateful for – regardless of the significance. A host of scientific evidence suggests that being grateful improves your overall physical well-being, creates more nurturing relationships and enhances empathy and self-esteem. Further, creating a ritual of gratefulness and appreciation increases your productivity, emotional intelligence & resilience. As you embark on your self-discovery journey, remember gratefulness acts as a catalyst to more proactive behaviors. Gratitude also functions as a propellent to a more positive approach to life.
Tolerance
Give this to yourself daily. The only reason we become intolerant to people, places, or things is that we cannot tolerate ourselves. This is not some spiritual mumbo-jumbo or esoteric wisdom. Take a hard look in the mirror and see where you can become more tolerant in your daily activities with yourself and fellow humans. Tolerance is the cousin to patience. Tolerate your current hardship without condemnation or harming yourself and others. If you use tolerance in this manner, you will start making the right choices per the goals or ambitions you want to attain.
Every human being on the planet exercises these principles in some form or fashion. When we decide to make a conscious choice to utilize them more frequently, we create balance. Write out these principles tonight and see where you can use them in different areas of your life. Please take a quick inventory of where you might be deficient and apply them. Do this for 30 days while taking notes on your progress. You will be pleasantly surprised by how balanced and aware you become. More importantly, you will understand the creative principles that govern our existence and create real achievement – to know oneself.
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