Category: mindset

Telling the truth

Regarding telling hard truths…perhaps with a bit more tact and better awareness, these important messages could be heard earlier or more receptively than if you just always hammer home “the truth.”

Telling the truth is important. And sometimes you must tell the truth even if it’s news that others don’t want to hear or if it will make you unpopular. But use your judgment wisely. You don’t need to go around constantly correcting others or “enlightening” others with your so-called truths.

Pick your battles. If it’s not a big deal, let it go. You don’t always have to be right. But if it is something important to you or that you feel will help someone, tell the truth.

Are you smart?

Being good at school is not the same as being smart. You can memorize the right answers but not understand how something works. I was very good at memorizing growing up. But I mistook memorization and good grades for being smart and knowing something. I knew the right answer, but I didn’t always know how to get there. I wasn’t thinking critically, and there is a big difference between knowing an answer and knowing something so well that you not only know the answer, but how to get the answer, can explain it in different ways, and understand the concept.

Remove the clutter while adding healthy habits

Make one big decision that leads to others.

Create healthy habits and remove bad habits.

Pair two tasks to increase productivity (like, I’ll listen to an educational podcast or audiobook when I drive to my appaointments).

Create rules for yourself.

Pre-commit to your goals.

Use select accountability partners to reach your goals.

Requirements for success

“The three things you need in life to be successful are: hard work, stick to-it-ivness, and common sense.” – Thomas Edison.

My modified version: The three keys to success are diligence (working hard, smart, and with an end goal in mind), persistence (not giving up, OR knowing when it is right to let go), and pertinent intelligence (not just book smarts or common sense, but intelligence in the field of study that you are pursuing).

What are you doing today to lead to your success tomorrow and beyond? What quick wins can you get to build momentum? And what are big action steps you can take that may take a while to see the result, but are still incredibly important?

This too shall pass

“This too shall pass.”

Tell yourself this often to stay level headed. Tell yourself this in good times and in bad. Make sure that you’re doing the right thing today to set yourself up for a better future tomorrow.

Just because things are good today doesn’t mean that they will remain good tomorrow. If you get lazy and don’t follow through with your duties then things will turn around for you in a way that you don’t want.

The same is true if things are bad today. It will get better, but only if you’re doing the right things to correct your situation. Don’t just give up. Losers throw their hands up in the air and give up. Winners know when to cut their losses, when to pivot, and when to try again.