Life’s Little Instructions :: Intangibles

It is time for another edition of Life’s Little Instructions, based on the calendar from H. Jackson Brown, Jr..

This week the focus will be on the intangibles that help guide us towards success in all our endeavors.

Life’s a stove; cook on all four burners.

This is a tip that I may look at a little bit different than some, as I like to consider the size and power of the burners as well the need to use all four burners. In the recipe of life, we have the ability to juggle many things and for some the four burners may represent your physical health, mental health, spirituality, and relationships with others.

At times one aspect of your life may require more attention, which is when you move that “pot” to the largest burner with max power. As that “pot” begins to cook, you can move that to a different burner and focus on another area that needs attention. If you only pay attention to one burner, you will find that the other components of your life suffer.

Measure your wealth by the things that no one could buy at any price.

There are countless things that can provide you with great wealth yet you will never be able to purchase - family, confidence, integrity, and honesty are just a few.

It is very easy to get caught up in the belief that your wealth is measured by material possessions or the size of your bank account. However, true wealth is often found in the hidden treasures that many of us take for granted on a regular basis. Embrace these treasures and enjoy the wealth in your life.

Hope and ideas are two things that always matter.

Examine any successful entrepreneur and you are likely to find a strong sense of hope and an abundant source of ideas as key components of their success.

Challenge yourself to constantly let your mind explore new ideas and possibilities, as you never know when you will discover the next great idea. As you come up with ideas, maintain the belief that you will achieve a positive result and do not let anything stand in your way.

Good character is not hereditary or permanent. It needs to be created every day.

Think of someone that you consider to be a role model. Chances are that person is one with good character - but that doesn’t mean it is effortless. While it may not always be apparent to the outside observer, being a person with good character does require hard work and the conscious decision to make the right choices.

Remember, hard work causes most everything to grow.

There will certainly be times in your life where the seeds that you plant will not grow no matter how hard you work. However, more times than not your hard work will be rewarded with personal and professional growth.

Success does not come easy. It requires commitment, determination, and hard work - don’t let the fear of failure prevent you from working hard to reach your goals and plant the seeds of success.