When looking back in 2008, it is easy to look at where I went wrong and focus on the negative.  However, by taking those ‘failures’ and repositioning them as lessons learned, I am able to grow from the experiences.  That’s not to say 2008 was bad…I am grateful for the things I did accomplish and the personal growth that took place.

1.  You Are Who You Think You Are.

Too many people let their social environment tell them their identity.  They then let this identity dictate several areas of their life.  The truth is, it is YOU who determines the altitude of your life.  Your inner voice is controlled by you.  The things you want to accomplish are up to you.  You are ultimately responsible for the events in your life.

Lester Levenson, the genius behind the Release Technique, says that “we are always demonstrating (i.e. manifesting reality). To grow, we must take full responsibility for what we demonstrate.”

What are you demonstrating in your world? Maybe it time to change your thoughts and thereby change your whole world.

2. Surround Yourself With the Type of People You Wish to Be Like.

The old quote “if you run with the skunks, you will smell like them” is definitely true.  Even someone conscious of the effects of social conformity is still subject to the beliefs, thoughts, and frame of mind of their peer group.  If you are hanging around people who do not share your ambitions, then you will find it very tough to succeed in your endevors.  Surround yourself and model the people who are as you’d like to become.

3. Stop Playing Copycat.

I realize that the previous paragraph says to model people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish, and this may seem paradoxical…well in a way it is.  It is essential to model habits and thinking patterns of successful people, but you’ve got to be creating and innovating your endeavors as well.  A genius is defined as someone who thinks in new directions.  Find successful framework, but create your spin on it.

Look at celebrities.  Many are in the publics eye simply because they are in someway unique.  You aren’t going to get to the top being generic and always playing it safe.  Face it, being generic is boring.  Who wants to live like that anyway?

4. Do What Excites You.

Too many people hear their alarm clock go off at 6 AM and dread another day of work.  They drive in rush hour traffic for an hour to a job they hate.  This is no way to live.  That said, I admire people who sacrifice and defer gratification for the well fare of their family and to be responsible citizens.  However, so many people underestimate themselves and do things because they feel like they should.

Do you have a river of interest? How could you serve your fellow man in that interest and thereby reap a harvest for your work?