Homer Speaks the truth

Homer Simpson has said some pretty cool things, which is very impressive given he is portrayed as being a Neanderthal. But never the less one of his best was when he crashed his car, after doing something else idiotic,  and he yelled "why do my actions always have consequences ".

The consequences of our actions don't always directly have an effect on us but our actions do have consequences, and they can be either positive or negative to us or others. The best result of our actions is one that both benefit others and ourselves.

Now I actually started this post before the events of the 2day FM station prank call incident and the tragic massacre in the US. So in light of that fact I say with all sensitivity, that our actions will always have a consequence, and our forethought doesn't and won't always allow us to envisage the consequence of our actions. The prank was one of any number that these kinds of stations play all the time and never did they think that something like this would happen. Though I am not saying either that they are at fault for the suicide that occurred after the prank, but that there is and always will be an effect, result, an outcome, a Consequence of every action. Consequence - the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier

What happens most of the time is, we see the end result of earlier actions but we don't always get to see the preceding actions that culminate, at times, in the final tragic act. And even saying "final tragic act" isn't correct, as it doesn't finish their, because obviously  now we have the effect of those actions on those that it has affected and so on and so forth. But it doesn't always have to be doom and gloom, some actions will have good or positive consequences and in the end we have the ability to decide whether we are going to make it positive or not despite the earlier action.

In this post I'm not taking into account any form of mental health or psychiatric illness, I am however taking the easy road and putting everyone on a level playing field when I say that we have control over our actions and the ability to control the path our life takes, in spite, despite and regardless of what has happened to us.  If examples are needed, then you really don't need to look much further than Nelson Mandela. The man spends 27 years in prison for sabotage, whatever is meant by that, but instead of becoming a bitter man with revenge at the forefront of his thoughts and actions, he instead becomes one of the most inspirational and recognisable people that has walked the earth, and as history now shows he went on to be the president of South Africa and one of the world’s most influential people.

This following passage was credited to Nelson Mandela and although he did use it in his Inauguration speech it was actually written by Maryanne Williamson, and is just an awesome passage and it also makes an appearance in one of my favorite movies "Coach Carter".



Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

 

There are endless other examples, but rather than give more I will just finish with, be the example and the inspiration rather than looking for them, it’s definitely in all of us.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Live and let live

Stand up and be proud of who you are and never stop pushing yourself to achieve what you want out of life. This is your life after all and being happy and creating a life that gives you that happiness is a worthwhile achievement.
I believe and I say "I believe" that life is less about a predetermined destiny or finding your purpose, and more about creating your destiny and purpose. And I think we can all help each other to create their ideal life rather than impose our will on others in an attempt to create our ideal life for them. People would much rather be their on creators, and there's no doubt that a little guidance and a helping hand from time to time is handy, but its no doubt more fun doing it the way you want even if you do stuff up from time to time.
The biggest problem seems to come from either trying too hard to not screw up or being to scared to make a mistake that we do relatively nothing and just go with the flow. There is also the other side of the coin where we do make a few mistakes and get told how stupid, dumb, or useless we are and how we are never going to be anything. For some reason we would rather believe this than believe in ourselves and our ability to succeed as I guess it must seem easier at first to not have the stress about  trying achieving anything and if others think your nothing special then why not just fade into the background and amble along.

But what happens when you stop believing the rubbish spouted by others and decide that you are more, and want more? People are always going to doubt themselves and others, and it seems to be an inbuilt mechanism to save us from heartache, but instead it leads to more heartache if you find that day to day your not doing what makes you happy. It takes a bit of a leap of faith, it's scary not knowing what's out there or what's the end result ( it would make life easier if we knew the score before the game started, but I reckon not as much fun, or frustrating) but like with most things having belief and faith in yourself can be something that can be worked on until it feels natural and going for what you want is less daunting and more exciting regardless of the result.
Now no doubt we don't always want to come up short, but so long as once we've had a hissy fit and condemned the world and all it's inhabitants ( which is all fair and reasonable as it must be their fault not ours) for your misfortune, you take the time check where it went wrong and assess If this is what you really want, and if it is then set a new course and go at it again. And again, and again until you get there, always remembering not to waste too much time feeling sorry for yourself but instead always looking at where you came up short and changing it until you hit the mark.

This is your life, and whether you believe that you will back again, or go to heaven or hell, or that this is it, then live the life that will make you happy, and let others to do the same.

Expect the best because you know or at least you should know you Deserve the Best.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Helen Keller

They never gave up!

Just when you are about to give up and think it’s just all too hard and not worth the effort, think again. Giving up never helped anyone, re-evaluating, learning from our mistakes and having another crack has however proven to be a successful recipe. As Winston Churchill once said “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”

Not just throughout history but even right now there a people like you and I trying to succeed and coming up short, failing, coming up against external and internal barriers, and yet they keep on moving ahead knowing that the only way to succeed is to keep on going, or as Sir Churchill also said “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP.”

Here is a number of people who haven’t had it all their own way, and yet they kept on going, and despite any number of reasons to give up, they found a way to push through and not only become successful but become inspirations.

We start with two Aussies:

Tovah Cottle

Tovah Cottle is a 31-year-old former international model turned soon to be internationally renowned fashion designer. She began her modeling career at 14, and by 16 she was addicted to heroin, which stemmed from becoming addicted to opiates that she was prescribed at 14 to deal with migraines.

Her drug use led to many mistakes including a conviction of drug and armed robbery offenses in her early 20s. She spent 27 months in jail, but it changed her life for the better. While in prison instead of feeling sorry for herself she used her time and passion wisely and set about becoming a fashion designer. Tovah was mentored by a prison chaplain, who was also a former TAFE fashion teacher. This reignited her passion for the fashion industry and encouraged her to enroll in a fashion course.

In 2010 Tovah won the coveted Triumph Inspiration Award in Sydney, and travelled to London in September 2010 for the international round of competition.“It was all timing. I was really keen to stop. It was just going to jail at the right time. Jail wasn’t a negative experience for me at all.’’

Tovah’s inspirational story was recently shown on ABC’s Australian Story (May 2012)

Gerry Harvey

Starting life in the Australian bush in New South Wales Gerry Harvey came from a family with money however he admits that his father got little of that money as he was "Scoundrel" who ended up broke resulting in his family struggling each week to survive.Living in a garage he left school at 15 only to go back after securing a scholarship. Working in a bank during the day and studying for University at night he very quickly worked out that this was not going to reward him enough. At the time the average wage was $8.00 a week.

The "Harvey Norman" retail store had its beginnings back in 1961 when Gerry Harvey and Ian Norman teamed up to start selling electrical goods. Business was good and the stores grew in number under the "Norman Ross" name until the infamous Australian businessman Alan Bond bought them out and in his infinite wisdom fired both the founders in the early eighties.

Harvey and Norman soon started again, by opening the first "Harvey Norman" branded store in 1982. Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. became a publicly traded company in 1987 when it was listed on the Australian stock exchange.

Gerry Harvey remains the Chairman of Harvey Norman Holdings and continues to grow the business. The Australian billionaire is regularly featured on the BRW rich list in Australia. Harvey has an eclectic mix of business interests that include the "Byron at Byron" tourist resort and spa in Byron Bay and a stable of thoroughbred racehorses that number in the hundreds. He also owns a 50% share of the "Magic Millions" horse auction house that sells many of the most expensive yearling racehorses sold in Australia.And now for the rest of the world:

Abraham Lincoln: As a young man, Abraham Lincoln went to war a captain and returned a private. Afterwards, he was a failure as a businessman. As a lawyer in Springfield, he was too impractical and temperamental to be a success. He turned to politics and was defeated in his first try for the legislature, again defeated in his first attempt to be nominated for congress, defeated in his application to be commissioner of the General Land Office, defeated in the senatorial election of 1854, defeated in his efforts for the vice-presidency in 1856, and defeated in the senatorial election of 1858. At about that time, he wrote in a letter to a friend, "I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on the earth."

When Bell telephone was struggling to get started, its owners offered all their rights to Western Union for $100,000. The offer was rejected with the pronouncement, "What use could this company make of an electrical toy."

Babe Ruth: is famous for his past home run record(and cigars, and drinking, and women), but for decades he also held the record for strikeouts. He hit 714 home runs and struck out 1,330 times in his career (about which he said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run

Carl Lewis: After Carl Lewis won the gold medal for the long jump in the 1996 Olympic games, he was asked to what he attributed his longevity, having competed for almost 20 years. He said, "Remembering that you have both wins and losses along the way. I don't take either one too seriously."

Walt Disney: was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. In fact, the proposed park was rejected by the city of Anaheim on the grounds that it would only attract riffraff.

Charles Schultz: had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff and Walt Disney wouldn't hire him. I guess we could claim that as a clanger on Walt’s part, but I bet he didn’t dwell on it for too long.

Fred Astaire: After Fred Astaire's first screen test, the memo from the testing director of MGM, dated 1933, read, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." He kept that memo over the fire place in his Beverly Hills home. Astaire once observed that "when you're experimenting, you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, that you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion." And here is the reward for perseverance: "The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it's considered to be your style."

Sidney Poitier: After his first audition, Sidney Poitier was told by the casting director, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" It was at that moment, recalls Poitier, that he decided to devote his life to acting.

Jerry Seinfeld: The first time Jerry Seinfeld walked on-stage at a comedy club as a professional comic, he looked out at the audience, froze. He stumbled through "a minute-and a half" of material and was jeered offstage. He returned the following night and closed his set to wild applause.

Norma Jean :In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, told modeling hopeful Norma Jean Baker, "You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married." Norma Jean was better known as Marilyn Monroe.

Harrison Ford: his first performance as a hotel bellhop in the film Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, the studio vice-president called him in to his office. "Sit down kid," the studio head said, "I want to tell you a story. The first time Tony Curtis was ever in a movie he delivered a bag of groceries. We took one look at him and knew he was a movie star." Ford replied, "I thought you were spossed to think that he was a grocery delivery boy." The vice president dismissed Ford with "You ain't got it kid , you ain't got it ... now get out of here."

Michael Caine: his headmaster told him, "You will be a laborer all your life."

Charlie Chaplin: initially rejected by Hollywood studio chiefs because his pantomime was considered "nonsense". Now described as the most creative and influential personalities of the silent film era and in 1999 the American Film Institute ranked him as the 10^th greatest male screen legend of all time.

The Beetles: Decca Records turned down a recording contract with the Beatles with the prophetic evaluation, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on their way out." After Decca rejected the Beatles, Columbia records followed suit.

Elvis Presley: In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after one performance. He told Presley, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

Beethoven: handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him "hopeless as a composer." Beethoven wrote five of his greatest symphonies while completely deaf.

Van Gogh: sold only one painting during his life, and this to the sister of one of his friends for 400 francs (approximately $50). This didn't stop him from completing over 800 paintings.

Theodor Seuss Geisel: 27 publishers rejected Dr. Seuss's first book, To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.

John Creasey: an English crime novelist got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books.

Henry Ford: While Henry Ford is today known for his innovative assembly line and American-made cars, he wasn't an instant success. His early businesses failed and left him broke five times before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company.

F. W. Woolworth: Before starting his own business, young Woolworth worked at a dry goods store and was not allowed to wait on customers because his boss said he lacked the sense needed to do so.

Soichiro Honda: The billion-dollar business that is Honda began with a series of failures and fortunate turns of luck. Honda was turned down by Toyota Motor Corporation for a job after interviewing for a job as an engineer, leaving him jobless for quite some time. He started making scooters of his own at home using materials left behind and scavenged from the second world war and was asked by neighbors to make scooters for them.

Akio Morita: Founder of Sony. Sony's first product was a rice cooker that unfortunately didn't cook rice so much as burn it, selling less than 100 units. This first setback didn't stop Morita and his partners as they pushed forward to create a multi-billion dollar company.

Bill Gates: Gates didn't seem like a shoe-in for success after dropping out of Harvard and starting a failed first business with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen called Traf-O-Data. While this early idea didn't work, Gates' later work did, creating the global empire that is Microsoft.

Harland David Sanders: better known as Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, Sanders had a hard time selling his chicken at first. His famous secret chicken recipe was rejected 1,009 times before a restaurant accepted it.
Albert Einstein: Einstein did not speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was intellectually handicapped, and anti-social. Eventually, he was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. It might have taken him a bit longer, but he caught on pretty well in the end, winning the Nobel Prize and changing the face of modern physics.

Sir Isaac Newton: He never did particularly well in school and when put in charge of running the family farm, he failed miserably, so poorly in fact that an uncle took charge and sent him off to Cambridge where he finally blossomed .

Socrates: Despite leaving no written records behind, Socrates is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the Classical era. Because of his new ideas, in his own time he was called "an immoral corrupter of youth" and was sentenced to death. Socrates didn't let this stop him and kept right on, teaching up until he was forced to poison himself.

Thomas Edison: In his early years, teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." Work was no better, as he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. Even as an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

Orville and Wilbur Wright: These brothers battled depression and family illness before starting the bicycle shop that would lead them to experimenting with flight. After numerous attempts at creating flying machines, several years of hard work, and tons of failed prototypes, the brothers finally created a plane that could get airborne and stay there.

Winston Churchill: Nobel Prize-winning, twice-elected Prime Minster of the United Kingdom struggled in school and failed the sixth grade. After school he faced many years of political failures, as he was defeated in every election for public office until he finally became the Prime Minister at the ripe old age of 62.

Oprah Winfrey: Most people know Oprah as one of the most iconic faces on TV as well as one of the richest, successful, and generous women in the world. Oprah has gone on to be a success despite enduring a rough and abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was "unfit for tv.

Fred Astaire: In his first screen test, the testing director of MGM noted that Astaire, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Astaire went on to become an incredibly successful actor, singer and dancer and kept that note in his Beverly Hills home to remind him of where he came from.

Jeanne Moreau: As a young actress just starting out, this French actress was told by a casting director that she was simply not pretty enough to make it in films. Moreau went on to star in nearly 100 films and win numerous awards for her performances.

Lucille Ball: During her career, Ball had thirteen Emmy nominations and four wins, also earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors. Before starring in I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball was widely regarded as a failed actress and a B movie star. Even her drama instructors didn't feel she could make it, telling her to try another profession. She, of course, proved them all wrong.

Oliver Stone: This Oscar-winning filmmaker began his first novel while at Yale. A project that eventually caused him to fail out of school. This would turn out to be a poor decision as the text was rejected by publishers and was not published until 1998, at which time it was not well-received. After dropping out of school, Stone moved to Vietnam to teach English, later enlisting in the army and fighting in the war, a battle that earning two Purple Hearts and helped him find the inspiration for his later work that often center around war.

Steven Spielberg: he was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location, only to drop out to become a director before finishing. Thirty-five years after starting his degree, Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to finally complete his work and earn his BA.

Stephen King: The first book by this author, the iconic thriller Carrie, received 30 rejections, finally causing King to give up and throw it in the trash. His wife fished it out and encouraged him to resubmit it.

J.K. Rowlings: before she published the series of Harry Potter novels she was nearly penniless, severely depressed, divorced, trying to raise a child on her own while attending school and writing a novel. Rowling went from depending on welfare to survive to being one of the richest women in the world in a span of only five years through her hard work and determination.

Michael Jordan: a man often described as the best basketball player of all time was actually from his high school basketball team. Jordan didn't let this setback stop him from playing the game he loved and winning 6 Championship rings with the Chicago Bulls (3 with Aussie and Perth boy Luc Longley) and he has stated, "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Being successful and having the life you want and deserve is not just for some, but for everyone, and for anyone willing to stick their neck out have a go, not give up, not look for excuses and battle on no matter the odds. The thing is you will find that there will always be people out there to give a helping hand especially to those willing to help themselves. Those who are at where you want to be will always being willing to help out, because they know what it’s like to be in the same position and somewhere along the way they have no doubt had a helping hand. Be willing to ask and even more so to accept help and advice from those who have the credibility to do so.

"Remember you will not always win. Some days, the most resourceful individual will taste defeat. But there is, in this case, always tomorrow - after you have done your best to achieve success today."

Maxwell Maltz: was a motivational author and creator
of the Psycho-Cybernetics

Expect the best for yourself, because you deserve the BEST!

A tribute to One Tough S.O.B

On the 10th of March 2012 the courageous six year battle with bowel cancer of a inspirational son, brother, uncle, friend, and  plain old good guy came to a well deserved end.

 Francesco "Frank" Plati my uncle and good friend was diagnosed with bowel cancer in the latter part of 2006. Frank was far from a celebrity and definitely never wanted or expected any fuss to be made over him, but the way he went about battling his cancer was an inspiration and a credit to the courageous and tough S.O.B that he was.

"Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway"
John Wayne

He took a 2 year deadline and was able to push into his sixth year before being reprieved from his battle and given his ultimate rest.

His courage and positive attitude throughout his entire battle should serve as inspiration to all who were privileged to have known him, and hopefully the impetus to them all that no matter the situation you should always take it on with courage, unwavering self belief, positivity and to never give up.

Eulogy of Frank Plati:

Passage from Ecclesiastes:

A good name is better than fine perfume,
   and the day of death better than the day of birth.
² It is better to go to a house of mourning
   than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
   the living should take this to heart.

On behalf of my Nonno and family I would like to welcome and thank you all for joining us to celebrate the life and the  courageous journey of Francesco” Frank” Plati. I would also like to thank them for the privilege and honor of delivering this eulogy.

Born on the 27^th of March 1954 in Nordo di Pace Calabria to Giovanni and Stella Maria Plati, 3^rd child of 5 and first son of 3.

Zio Franks inspirational life almost ended before it had a chance to begin, when at the age of 2 he almost lost his life. Suffering from a severe case of croup he and being in a little village in the mountains of Italy, there was some grave doubt that he would get through it. But even at the age of 2 he already had the fighting spirit that would serve him well in the years to come.l

At the age of 3 Zio Frank along with Nonna and the rest of the family embarked on the aptly named ship, the Australia bound for Fremantle to meet up with Nonno to start his life as a true blue Aussie. From Fremantle they jumped on the back of a Ute and headed down south to Kirup.

At the age of 17 with the blessing and consent of Nonno, Zio Frank packed his bags jet setted to Puckapunyal in Victoria and swapped his spanners for some armoury, joined the army and spent the better part of 9 years serving his country. He no doubt was born with the courage and fighting spirit he died with, but I’m in no doubt that these qualities were fortified during his time in the army and was undoubtedly a valuable and valued member of the military.

After leaving the army Zio Frank went to work as an automotive mechanic, which would then lead to him establishing his own business AutoSprint. Even through his battle he continued to work and as much as possible he tried to support his loyal and supportive friend and business partner Gary, And to you Gary from myself and my Family we sincerely thank you.

Ladies and Gentlemen it is at this point that I would now like to speak of what I believe is the true essence of who Zio Frank was. In late 2006 Zio Frank had some tests done as a result of ongoing pain around his abdomen. Early in 2007 we were gathered at Nonnos, not sure of the exact reason for the occasion but there were a number of us there to have dinner when someone asked him about the tests he had had. As nonchalantly as he naturally was he stated that “its cancer”. At this point you could of heard a cockroach pass wind as he just went about his business, it was dinner time, time to eat it’s no big deal.

His battle had begun. Now if you ever want someone to do or achieve something give them all the reasons why they can’t do it and then sit back and marvel as they penetrate the impenetrable, move the immovable and achieve the impossible as was the case with Zio Frank when he was told that he had a 22% chance of making it to 2 years. Well no surprise he went passed 2 years and then 4 years and then was in to his 6^th year before he was finally given a reprieve from his inspirational battle.

Over the 5 years of surgical procedures and numerous treatments that in themselves could have killed most, he never complained, never sought sympathy, never backed down and continued to be positive. He at times concerned himself more with the welfare of others rather than his own, and this was undoubtedly the measure of the man that he was.

In the last week you couldn’t help but be anything but proud and inspired by his effort, courage and by his conviction to his unwavering faith in God. I can't ask you not to be angry, upset, frustrated, or confused at what you so him go through, but i will ask that you not let his courageous battle be in vain and that you keep his memory and spirit alive by remembering the courageous effort he put up.

Zio Frank at ease, and may you Rest In Peace!

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."
 "

Steve Jobs

Success from Failure

“The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure”

John C. Maxwell is the author of an excellent book called “Failing Forward”.  I was lucky enough to come across this book about four or five years ago now and have read it about half a dozen times. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular at the time but as soon as I picked this book up I knew it was a book I needed to have.

This book really redefined the way I looked at the words, fail, failure and the likes. It was the first time that the word fail was used not as a negative and something to be embarrassed or ashamed of, but something to embrace as a learning experience on the way to becoming successful.

Thomas Edison once was quoted as saying “I haven’t failed I have just found 10 000 ways that won’t work”. Thomas Edison was able to realize when he had made a mistake or done something that would be regarded as a failure and learn from it and come up with something that does work.

Two good passages from the book sum up the way successful people look at failure.

• “Don’t waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failure and go on to the next challenge. It’s ok to fail, if you’re not failing, you’re not growing  “

H. Stanley Judd

• “Failure is the hallmark of success. It can be the starting of a new venture,

such as when a baby learns to walk; it has to fall down a lot to learn the new skill. Failure is also the mark of success you’ve worked for. When a pole-vaulter finally misses in competition, it shows how far he’s come. That failure becomes the starting point for his next effort, proving that failure is not final”

Dave Anderson

The great thing you get from this book and the central message to come out is that it’s ok to mess up, make mistakes and its ok to try something and fail. This message is completely the opposite of what we are taught growing up and especially when at school. Instead of being made to feel that we should be fearful of failing, or making mistakes and in turn not being having the confidence to try anything because of that fear of failure, we are instead given the freedom to make mistakes, try something and fail, and have the ability to learn more from our failures than we ever would by tip toeing around and trying not to make a mistake and not trying anything. And God forbid if we did screw up, because then we would feel so bad that rather than own up and learn from the experience we feel we need to cover it up so no one knows it was us, or hopefully no one realizes we’ve failed. So it teaches us that if we mess up, take responsibility, own up, learn and move on, and that out of the experience we can learn to be successful.

In anything we do there is a chance that we are going to fail, whether its in business, a relationship, at school, or university, or anything you attempt, but the important thing to remember is to not be afraid to have a go, if you come up short, learn and get as much as you can from the experience and even more importantly, DON’T GIVE UP! The ability to be successful is in learning from our mistakes and perseverance. NEVER EVER QUIT!

Remember Expect the Best because you Deserve the Best!

This work by expecthebest4u.blogspot.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Set The Bar High

The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss

It, but that it is too low and we reach it

Michelangelo

It’s not that achieving what your after is a bad thing but I guess what Michelangelo was getting at was that we either underestimate ourselves and our abilities or we most probably don't  believe in or trust ourselves enough to go beyond what we perceive is our limit.

I don’t see it as a problem if we set the bar at a reasonably low level to start with so we can build our self confidence, self belief and gain some experience at hitting our targets so we can know the feeling of being successful.  But, the next target should at least be in the pipe works if not already set and it has to bigger and better. Once you have built up some momentum there wouldn’t be anything better than to keep it going and smash your next target. It’s a bit like in sporting terms being in the “zone” or going through a “purple patch” while you are in it better keep on going and reaching higher and striving harder.

Now this might seem a little pessimistic but you won’t always get it right, you will screw up, fail, miss the mark, say and call it whatever you want but there will be times things won’t go exactly to plan and success will seem to have eluded us. This is where we get up off the floor, dust ourselves off and go again, but this time look at what went wrong and don’t repeat the mistake, simple. It may seem a bit too simple but it really is as simple as that, make a mistake, learn from the mistake, don’t repeat the mistake or mistakes, and go out and become a success. Back when I was playing soccer I remember our captain at the time giving his pre game talk and even though it was only a pre season game he said that winning was a habit so even a pre-season game was important to win to get in the habit of winning.  A bit like I said before about building momentum and going with it, so even if initially you start setting your goals low but keep bumping them up higher as you reach them you’ll get in the habit f being successful and you will keep striving for that feeling.

“There are two tragedies in life, the first not achieving everything you want, the other is achieving everything you want, and the latter is the biggest tragedy”. A lecturer quoted this during a class one day when I was at University and he said it was a quote from Freud, but then I have also read some where that it may have come from someone else. Doesn’t really matter who said it just that they nailed it and that it shows that we are at our best when striving for success.

Remember to always expect the best for yourself, because you deserve the best!

How to Achieve Goals!

 

Learn How To Set And Achieve In Any Goal Using A Simple 3 Step Program. Never Settle For Anything Less Than Success. Set And Achieve Every Single Goal, Every Single Time.

http://tinyurl.com/7z79js4
[Open in new window]