In high school, my English teacher had everyone bring in a self addressed envelope. She gave us some paper and told us to write a letter to our future selves. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I realize now that she was doing us all huge favor. She was giving a gift to our future selves.

After we wrote the letters, she took them and said she would mail them in five years, just as most of us would be graduating from college.

I will never forget reading that letter when it came back to me, exactly five years later as she had promised. It was a rare chance to reflect honestly on the passage of time and on my own personal growth over that formative period in my life.

This is an incredible exercise to do no matter how old you are. Writing a letter to yourself gives you insight and teaches you valuable life lessons that will stick with you long afterwards. Think of it as a time capsule.

1) Cultivate gratitude.

One of the best things for your emotional health is to practice gratitude regularly. It reduces stress and helps you realize what you have. If you’re going to write a letter to yourself, an expression of gratitude is one of the wisest things you can include.

This letter is a message in a bottle. When you open it years from now, you likely have forgotten what you wrote. So give yourself a gift relive some of the same thoughts that you feel today..

Fill it will positive affirmations and appreciation for the person you are. When it’s time to open it up, your future self will thank you.

2) Increase self-awareness.

Do you ever go back and scroll through your old Facebook posts? It hurts, doesn’t it? Like listening to a recording of your own voice.

It’s uncomfortable, it’s a healthy discomfort, because you’re confronting your own shortcomings. You’re embarrassed by your own naivety and your lack of self-awareness. This is actually a good thing, because it shows you how much you’ve grown.

When I opened my own letter after five years, I was blown away by two things– how much I had changed, and how little I had changed. It’s incredible how we can grow and shape who we are, but we are still fundamentally and unalterably ourselves.

All of your quirks and thought patterns will show up as plain as day. You take one step closer toward understanding exactly what is is that makes you authentically YOU.

3) Create your future.

Where will you be in five years? Who do you want to become?

Maybe you’re stuck in a dead-end job, or you just graduated and you’re uncertain about your future. It can start to feel like your best days are behind you.

This exercise helps get your thoughts out of the present and keeps you focused on what is yet to come. Sit down and address a letter to yourself in 3, 5, or 10 years and tell me that you don’t feel hopeful and excited for your future.

Let your mind run wild. Think big and give yourself permission to be wildly ambitious. What principles will guide your life? What do you hope to accomplish? How are you going to do it? If you vividly imagine your future in concrete terms, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

4) Appreciate the passage of time.

One day, your life is going to end. This is hardly a revelation, but it’s human nature to avoid thinking about it. We can be so consumed with our demanding jobs and fast-paced lives that we fail to see the bigger picture.

Rather than think day-to-day, we can gain so much if we challenge ourselves to comprehend years and even decades. Experiencing life this way brings patience and confidence to every action. I challenge you to try to think farther ahead. Sending a message to yourself forces you to do this.

It’s contradictory, but this also brings urgency to every action. When the thought of death and getting older are present, it becomes easier to realize the shortness of life. You have to hurry to get the most out of it.

5) Give yourself a memory.

Are you about to go to college? Getting married? Moving to a new city? If you’re starting out on a brand new journey, there is no better way to commemorate it than by writing a letter to yourself. Like a snapshot of your life at a point in time, it will be nostalgic to look back and see what you were thinking at this pivotal moment in your life. Were you worried about something stressful that turned out to be no big deal? Or maybe you regrettably forgot to stop and smell the roses?

You could even make this an annual tradition– write a letter to yourself every year, but don’t open it for another five years. This way, once the first letter “matures” in 5 years, you have a constant stream to read and to cherish every year for the rest of your life.

—

How to Do It

One simple resource is FutureMe.org (futureme.org). This site lets you send an email to yourself and have it delivered at a future date.

For a seamless experience that is a little more hands-off, try Five Year Letter (fiveyearletter.com). When you sign up, you will receive a real physical letter in the mail that guides you through the process. Then you mail it back in the prepaid envelope and wait.

Of course, you could do it yourself, as long as you remember to open it– and you have to resist the temptation to open it too soon. Don’t forget to date it!

What To Write About

• Give advice. Use the second person to make it more personal and direct.
• What are your professional goals? Your romantic ones? Intellectual? Financial? Spiritual? Personal? The more specific you are, the more likely you are to see improvements.
• What causes you the most anxiety about your future? What keeps you up at night?
• What have you done wrong? What is your biggest regret?
• What are you excited for? What does your ideal life look like?
• What was your favorite book this year? How did it affect you?
• Who are the 5 most important people in your life, and why?

This is just a starting point. The important part is to just be sincere and thoughtful. Write your letter, send it off, and then forget all about it so that it can surprise you later. Your future self will thank you.

Until then, go live your life! It is only what you make it.

Scott Hughes is a writer and entrepreneur in Philadelphia. His project, Five Year Letter (fiveyearletter.com), helps people write letters to their future selves so they can get the most out of life. Email him at scotthughes.us@gmail.com.

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Having a positive attitude can be tough — especially if you’re going through a tough time. But maintaining an optimistic outlook can have many benefits, including health benefits such as: increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of stress, better psychological and physical well-being, reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and better coping skills during hardships. Because of the many benefits positive thinking offers, it’s worth the time and effort to attempt to see your world through a positive perspective. Here are some of the best ways you can maintain a positive attitude:

1. Be open to positivity.
Even though we might be aware of the benefits of positive thinking, sometimes we can be resistant to it. For years, I struggled with positive thinking because I thought that positivity meant simply sweeping all of the negative stuff under the rug and pretending everything was great. Positivity is not about pretending. It’s about seeing what’s happening around you and striving to make the best of it. It’s much easier to become a positive person if you allow yourself to be open to the idea of positivity.

2. Be aware of your thoughts.
Our minds are amazing things — so amazing, in fact, that sometimes we’re not even aware of what we’re thinking. (Just think about how you sometimes drive home from work without even paying attention to where you needed to go.) Sometimes our minds have a default setting and it’s important to make sure the default isn’t a negative one. To do that, pay close attention to what you’re thinking. Being mindful of your thoughts gives you an opportunity to shift them in a more positive direction.

3. Surround yourself with positivity.
It is very easy to become negative if you’re surrounded by negative people and engaging in negative activities. Take a quick inventory of how you spend your time over the past week. Who made you feel good? Who didn’t? What did you enjoy doing? What would you rather not have done? The more time you spend with people and activities that make you feel positive and enthusiastic, the easier it will be to maintain a positive attitude.

4. Focus on the present moment.
One of the ways negative thoughts creep into our minds is when we worry too much about what could happen in the future or dwell too much on what has happened in the past. If we want to stay positive, an essential step to take is focus on what’s happening right now. When you allow yourself to stay fully in the moment, negativity has a much tougher time making its way to the forefront of your mind.

5. Cultivate gratitude.
It’s probably not the first time you’ve heard the importance of gratitude in living a more positive life, but it’s a vital aspect of having a positive attitude. It’s almost impossible to be negative at the same time you’re being grateful so if you want to be positive, focus on what you’re fortunate to have in your life right now. If it’s useful to you, make a list of what you’re most grateful for and keep it in your purse or pocket so you can take a peek at it when you feel negative thoughts arising.

———–

As the founder of PositivelyPresent.com, I’ve spent years striving to live a more positive life and even for me it’s still a struggle at times. Positivity takes practice — and some (like me!) require more practice than others — so don’t get discouraged if you’re struggling to stay optimistic. When you find yourself struggling, remind yourself that every single moment is a chance to start fresh, to choose to focus on the positive aspects of any given situation.

Want more insights on creating a more positive, present life? Check out Dani DiPirro’s 

new book, The Positively Present Guide to Life. For more insights on positive living, visit PositivelyPresent.com, and to learn more about Dani and her work as a graphic designer/illustrator, check out DaniDiPirro.com.

 

 

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Most productivity tips boil down to clever ways of forcing yourself to do things you don’t want to do. How exhausting! It’s so much more peaceful – and so much more effective – to motivate yourself instead of forcing yourself.

Think of one goal you’d like to achieve, but you’re having trouble motivating yourself.

You care. That’s why you chose this goal in the first place. Motivation is basically remembering why you care and how much you care.

So read these 18 ideas with your goal in mind, and think about how you could apply one of them today to remind yourself why you care and how much you care.

#1: Create a vision board

Get a piece of poster board, cut up a bunch of magazines, and create a collage of images and words that remind you of why you care about your goal. Then hang it in a place where you’ll see it often.

#2: Create a desktop or smartphone background

It’s like a digital vision board. Find or create an image that reminds you of why you care about your goal, then set it as your desktop or smartphone background so you’ll see it all the time.

#3: Set an alarm as a reminder

Set an alarm to go off every morning with a reminder of why you care about your goal. I use my iPhone for this, and I set it to play nice, peaceful music with a message that reminds me of how I want to feel.

#4: Use an app

There are apps specifically designed to remind you of your goals. For example, there’s Project365 for a goal of taking a photo each day, Gratitude365 for a goal of feeling grateful each day, and DailyWater for drinking enough water each day. See if there’s an app that could help you with your specific goal!

#5: Write a reminder

Write a reminder to yourself of why you care, and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day.

#6: Create a symbolic reminder

If you have a shared space, you might not want others reading your reminder to yourself. So instead, you can create a symbol that reminds you of why you care, and put that somewhere you’ll see it every day.

#7: Leave your equipment out

The equipment you use to help you achieve your goal can remind you why you care. For example, I leave my Dance Dance Revolution dance pad out on the floor where I can see it all the time, to remind myself of my goal to play DDR 3 times a week. Leaving it out has the added benefit of making it easier to do, since there’s less setup.

#8: Jewelry

Buy, create, or commission a piece of jewelry that reminds you of why you care, then wear it. I have a Soul Mantra necklace made by Liz Lamoreux to remind me of my overall goal for the year.

#9: Daily check-in

Find a partner and ask each other these questions every day:

• Why do you care about your goal?
• Is there anything I can do to help you or support you today?

That combination of support and accountability will work wonders.

#10: Daily writing prompt

The introvert’s version of the daily check-in! Write your answers to these three questions every day:

• Why do I care about my goal?
• What can I do today to take one step toward my goal?
• What support do I need?

Even if the answer to the first question is the exact same every day, writing it out over and over helps motivate you.

#11: Trip over your motivation

Put your motivation physically in between where you are and where you need to go. For example, if being outside reminds you of why you care about your goal, put your work station in the shed, so every time you walk between your home and the shed, you get a taste of being outside.

#12: Surround yourself with people who motivate you

If art reminds you of your goal, live with artists!

#13: Bookmark your motivation

If there’s a web page that reminds you why you care, bookmark it and make it your start page. If there’s an email that reminds you why you care, in Gmail you can bookmark that individual email and add it to your bookmarks bar, so when you click to Gmail it takes you to that reminder of your motivation instead of your inbox.

#14: Write a love letter to yourself

When you’re feeling motivated, write a love letter to your future self, telling yourself exactly what you will need to hear to help you feel motivated again. Then, put the letter in a place where you’ll remember to read it when you need it.

#15: Read a book

Read a book that reminds you of why you care.

#16: Watch a movie

Watch a movie that makes you feel motivated.

#17: Visit a friend

Hang out with a friend who reminds you of why you care about your goal.

#18: Get a tattoo

One of my life goals is to open my heart up to love. So I got this tattoo on my wrist (where I’ll see it every time I type) to remind me to ask, “Is love available even here?”

Over to You

How could you take just one of these 18 ideas and apply it to your own life and your own goal?

Pace Smith (The Pathfinding Coach) helps sensitive spiritual nonconformists live wild crazy meaningful lives. She’s also a teacher, a speaker, a writer, a Sufi dervish, a bi poly trans gamer geek, an open-source Reiki healer, and a tournament-level Dance Dance Revolution player. Download her free eBook, Find Your Path Now, to STOP living on autopilot and START living the wholehearted, unconventional life you were meant to live.

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The key to training your brain is to keep it active. Watching TV is not going to stimulate your brain enough in order to keep it active. Playing computer games can be helpful, but it really depends upon the game you are playing. The ones that take persistence are often the better ones. It has also been shown that the ones that scare you will often activate your mind in a way that is hard to recreate indoors. All you need to do is keep your mind active in some way, and your brain will train itself.

Here are seven ways you can keep your mind active with the help of modern technology:

1 – Learning how to touch type on a computer

This is done through a subtle combination of habit and mind to hand coordination. People who touch type can often close their eyes and type full sentences perfectly. This is not because they are a genius, but because they have gotten into the habit of recognizing which finger hits which button and where.

Touch typing itself becomes less and less helpful in training your brain as the years go on, but learning the habit of touch typing and doing it when you are not yet at 45 words per minute is very good for keeping your mind active.

The mind to hand coordination factor will also help you to stimulate your mind. You will find that the talent will translate into other things. For example, veteran writers are often a lot quicker when it comes to learning the piano, because their brain already has good mind to hand coordination. Soon enough they will not need to look at the keys once they have memorized where they all are (the same way they had to when they learnt how to touch type).

2 – Completing logic puzzles on a tablet or PC

There are memory puzzles but they are not going to help you as much as people think. Just being able to recollect things will not automatically make your memory better. Memory is more than just recollection, whereas logic puzzles will actually tax your mind in a very beneficial way. This is where computer games may even come into play. All of those strategy games may come in handy if they are not actually a linear railroad disguised as a puzzle game.

3 – Improving recollection with flashcards on a tablet or PC

Do not simply try to memorize the things on flashcards and then have them flash up on your PC or laptop. You need to use flashcards as reminders for concepts and processes; otherwise the benefit you will get is negligible.

For example, you could flash up water, and some people may recall H₂0, two hydrogen attached to one oxygen. But, if you want a real benefit then you should use the flashcard to help you recollect a process. So, for water you could assign the amount of bonds in the molecule, the types of bonds they are, and why these bonds have formed with these atoms (such as how hydrogen can only have one bond in most circumstances).

4 – Read a book on an e-reader

Reading does help to keep your mind sharp. It is true that academic knowledge does not mean that a person is smart, but if that person is well read then there is a higher chance of their brain being sharp than if they are not well read. An e-reader is all that is needed, and you simply need to find a few minutes per day to use it. Try reading during your bathroom breaks.

5 – Complete math problems on your Smartphone

Mathematics is something you can do if you want to keep your mind sharp. However, there is not much opportunity for math in the regular run of things. However, if you have a Smartphone then you can add a bit of fun into the process by downloading a few math based games. Some of them are good for running through a few math concepts and others are good for just being addictive games.

6 – Learn a new language with headphones and an MP3 player

Learning something new is going to keep your mind very active. You will find that learning new words for a language is helpful, but not perfect. However, learning how the words fit together and how sentences are formed is very helpful. Memory and recollection are good things (nobody is denying that), but it is the learning of new patterns that really helps to keep your mind active.

That is why learning a new language is a passive manner, such as with an MP3 player and headphones, is going to help your mind stay active. As you slowly begin to put together the patterns involved with new sentence syntax you will start to feel the benefit. Try learning a language that is not too dissimilar from your own, as you will be able to mix your current pattern recognition you learnt with your native language, with the patterns involved with other languages.

7 – Teach with PowerPoint displays and a projector (if you can afford one)

Teaching is often the best way to cement the knowledge in your head. You will find that creating PowerPoint displays in order to present the knowledge in your mind is quite a challenge. This will help to keep your mind sharp, and if you can afford a projector then what is to stop you from actually presenting the PowerPoint that you have made?

This post is written by Amy Cowen. She is a professional editor and writer at A-writer.com. She specializes in topics of interest to techno geeks and networking enthusiasts.

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We all feel it from time to time.

We feel demotivated. We know we have to do the work. We even know what to do, but we just aren’t doing it.

Heck, we even supposedly have a passion for it! Yet, the drive, inspiration and willingness aren’t there.

Getting the work done can be tricky. It’s easy to learn how to do it, but it’s hard to actually take action. Here’s my little guide.

1) Remember your WHY and feel it

For every piece of work or art created, there is a WHY behind it.

What is yours?

From time to time the work tends to overwhelm us. We lose focus and the vision gets blurred. It’s important to always remember the WHY, the reason and the passion that is driving you.

Go back to it. Breathe. Relax. Meditate. Hold on to the WHY tightly and allow it to motivate you behind every action you take everyday.

2) Take it step by step

It’s often easy to feel overwhelmed whenever we think of the big picture. We think that we need to do a whole lot of things before we can achieve a certain result.

This is where we overwhelm ourselves. It’s important to take a step back and simply look at things step by step.

You have to do one small little thing at a time. Then keep repeating the process. Before you know it, you’d have done something big.

So take it slowly. Focus on what’s ahead of you and not what the big picture supposedly demands from you.

3) Keep it simple always

As a writer and blogger, I tend to overwhelm myself thinking that I need to learn all the different tactics in order to gain readers and make money.

They work, but I’ve learn that you have to keep it simple. That is why I simply tell myself that I write to ensure that I am adding value to my readers. Nothing more. Nothing less. That comes first. Everything else after that can be used.

The idea of keeping it simple first would allow you to work on a consistent basis along with your WHY. To keep thinking of the tactics out there would only make you feel lost.

4) Drop it all and take a break

Sometimes though, you have to take a break. I am not talking about a simple breather, I am talking about dropping it all and taking a break.

Don’t be afraid to do this. By taking a break, you’ll be going back to life itself. This is where you will be re-motivated as life will bring you the answers your textbooks, teachers or your work cannot do.

5) Re-inspire yourself all the time

Inspiration doesn’t last. The high you feel that one time can only take you so far.

If you want motivation, then put in the effort to get re-inspired. Read up on your favourite writers. Watch inspirational movies. Go to a concert. Read a book. Talk to a friend.

This SHOULD be part of your work.

Inspiration should be grabbed. Don’t sit around and wait for it.

6) Just do it

And eventually, you’ve to get rid of all excuses and do the work.

Feel that much uncomfortable and start doing it anyway. The sense of accomplishment will get you going.

Special bonus for Pick The Brain Readers!

I hope you enjoyed the article! Wanna find more ways to be happy and motivated?

Then you’re going to want my book. It’s free! Here it is:

12 Things Happy People Don’t Give a F**K About!

Time to shed the crap in life and start being happy! This free book is only available through this link to Alden Tan.

Alden Tan keeps it real at his blog and writes about motivation in unconventional ways. His two main passions are Bboying and writing. Check out his free report, 12 Things Happy People Don’t Give a F**k About!

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Sometimes time and energy seems inversely proportional to the work done. We all have experienced it – unfinished projects pile up while your creativity and desire to tackle them are carelessly hiding in a top secret place, sipping on cocktails and refusing to come back.

Is this fair? Of course not. Can you do something to avoid it? You most certainly can! Here are 15 simple tips on how to do boost your writing productivity:

1. Have a schedule

Productivity is not about working harder, but working smarter. You can only spend a certain number of sleepless nights before figuring out that this is not improving your writing results.

What you need is a simple old-fashioned calendar. Allocate work hours in it; write down your projects’ deadlines and everything in-between. Once you have it all written down and nicely scheduled, it will be easier to focus on your different projects at defined times.

2. Prioritize your To-Do list

To-Do lists can be useful but also overwhelming. If your list is not organized by priorities and deadlines, instead of helping you take care of tasks more effectively, it will only make you feel confused and frustrated.

3. Create a routine

Sitting down to write often requires willpower. If you create a steady writing routine, you will no longer need to wait for inspiration to hit or struggle with beginning. Writing will become a habit.

Think of what makes you dive into the writing flow – having cup of coffee or maybe walking your dog first. Whatever it is – turn it into a daily ritual. This way you will train your brain to switch to writing mode faster and more effectively.

4. Write even when you don’t have to

This is connected to the previous tip – once you have a daily writing routine set, you will want to stick to it. Forming the habit of writing regularly improves your skills and requires much less discipline and determination.

That’s why, even if you are currently free, sit down and write. It may be a simple draft or arranging various ideas on a topic you recently found interesting. Or you could update your portfolio. Anything – as long as you don’t let your new habit slip away.

5. Collect all your ideas

Often ideas for new articles or projects come up to us out of nowhere. Have a notebook with you at all times to write those down. Take the time to look through and arrange your notes. Sometimes the most brilliant pieces come to life when different topics are combined.

6. Break projects down into smaller chunks

Often we struggle with writing because the project ahead seems too big and complicated. No matter whether it’s writing a book or a just a book reviews – it may seem equally daunting if you don’t know how to begin.

Make a mind map of your main points and you will have a much easier time handling it. You can begin with the ending if you want to. Lots of things require a base to build on. Luckily, writing is not one of them.

7. File your research

It’s a good idea to organize and keep your research for every project you work on. Often we come across materials that are not immediately useful but would be great for a different job.

You may want to bookmark your research into topic folders or use a different system. OneNote and Evernote are also quite convenient programs, for example.

8. Leave editing for later

Perfectionism could be quite exhausting. If you revise and refine every single word while writing, your smooth line of thinking may escape. Write everything down first and polish it later. You could also use a spell checking editor online.

9. Don’t eliminate distractions, but plan them

In a perfect world, once you get all energized and inspired to write, everything else will seize to exist until you are done working. Realistically, that’s never the case. Very often your work on a project will involve less writing and more communication with clients, as well as other distractions.

It’s pointless to let those annoy you. Include them in your schedule. Give yourself an extra hour for interruptions. Allocate those at times when you feel least creative, if you can.

10. Have frequent breaks

You can only truly focus a limited amount of time. It is not productive (or healthy) to force yourself further. Take frequent breaks to have a cup of tea or simply spend 5 minutes outside getting some fresh air. This way you will preserve your energy and use it better.

11. Exercise

It may initially sound far from writing, but exercise is actually one of the best things you can do for your writing. Sports will keep your brain well supplied with oxygen and more capable of creative and productive work.

12. Have writing systems

Shortcuts can save you tons of time. Consider using writing prompts or checklists, for example. Use those when you arrange your ideas and when you edit your finished material.

13. Switch your thinking hats

Modestly put, the original idea of Edward de Bono’s six thinking hats was to separate logic from emotions, imagination from information. Using his system for effective thinking will definitely sparkle your resourcefulness and efficiency.

14. Focus on your reader

Don’t forget your ultimate goal – to help or entertain a specific audience. Give that audience a face and converse with them: what does he (or she) need and hope to achieve? Direct your writing to that person – not to a faceless mass – and you will focus more easily.

15. Have a “Ta-Da!” list

At the end of the day, you may have done a lot more than you have on your To-Do list. It’s worthwhile and motivating to acknowledge that. This is where the “Ta-Da!” list hops in. Write down everything you accomplished, mark your progress and plan for the next steps.

About the author:

Julie Petersen is a young blogger and writer, who features the latest blogging and writing trends in her articles. At present time she works at Essaymama writing service as a writing consultant and a blog editor. You may see her publications and contact her via Linkedin.

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“The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering”.  – Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee, an influential martial artist, teacher, actor, film director, a master of self-mastery.  In his work and life, he lived true to his philosophies and teachings, and in my mind he is immortal.  He has left countless simple, inspirational, and powerful wisdom that remains with us today, and will continue to influence generations to come.

As a fan, I want to share with you the 12 timeless truths that I’ve learned from Bruce Lee and believe we can all learn and apply it to our daily lives, as we create our own legacy.

1. “Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely yours.”

Throughout your life, you’ll be inundated with information and people telling you what you should or shouldn’t do.   Take everything with a grain of salt and decide for yourself what works for you.  In life there are countless ways of doing things, there’s no right or wrong.  Learn from others and discover what works for you and make it your own.

2. I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you are not in this world to live up to mine.”

It is our birthright to live a life that brings us joy.  What brings us joy is to do what we love and not live out someone else’s expectations.    To think we can win the likes of everyone is unrealistic, because you’ll always have people who will be for or against you, so why not be true to yourself and do what you love and live up to your own expectations.

3. “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

Pick one thing you want to get good at. Do it well, instead of trying to get good at multiple things all at the same time.  I find that when I focus on one thing, it increases my productivity and my efficiency in mastering the skill at an exponential rate, whereby I can then use it more effectively in creating a positive impact in my life.

4. “Don’t set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water.”   

Change is a constant in life.  It’s important to learn how to explore and dance with change. Embrace it.  Be flexible in order to make the best of the circumstances in life. This leads to Bruce’s next famous saying:

5. “ To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.

When you can adapt to circumstance around you, you can create opportunities.

6. “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”   

We are all unique in our own way, so just be you and do you.  It adds to the great mix of diversity in the world.  Stop comparing yourself to others, as there will always be someone who is better than you or not as good as you in something.  Life gets easier, when you love yourself and be yourself.

7. “Seek to understand the root. — It is futile to argue as to which single leaf, which design of branch, or which attractive flower you like; when you understand the root, you understand all its blossoming.”  

This is about creating self-awareness and reflecting on your core values to make sense of what it is you attract and create in your life.  It is about choosing your thoughts and actions deliberately to create the fruits that you desire.

8. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”  

To achieve what it is we want in life requires us to take action.  We can’t just rely on what we know or think positive thoughts hoping the universe will give us what we desire.  It’s a combination of cultivating the right mindset, and taking resourceful actions to create the life we desire.

9. “The function and duty of quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential.”  

You are the constant in your own life.  If something is not going the way you want, you need to get real with yourself.  It is your duty to look within to discover what is keeping you stuck or holding you back.  The new awareness is your key to achieving your full potential.

10.“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life.  There are no limits.  There only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”  

As human beings, it is in our innate nature to grow and want to expand.  The reason we are here is to live out our purpose.  When we put limitations on us, we stifle our growth and nothing changes, life becomes stale and eventually we die with the music inside of us. The world is your oyster.  Choose to live out your purpose.

11. “Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal.”

 To reach your goal, you need to take action.  Make it a practice to do something each day to get you a step closer to your goal.  Don’t wait. Just start.  Ask yourself, what is the first thing I need to do?  What is the one thing I can do right now? Start small, start somewhere.

12. “It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.”

This is about applying 80/20 rule to our life. Identifying the 20% of activities that are the most important to focus on that yields the most results so that you can save and spend your energy doing things that matter to you.  You can start by examining different areas of your life. What habits help improve your life?   What relationships help enhance your happiness?  What thoughts occupies your ming throughout the day? Are they empowering or disempowering? What can you do to hack away the negative to make room for the positive?  What activities at work help you improve your productivity and showcase your performance?

What is your favorite timeless truth from Bruce Lee?

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Theresa Ho is a life coach and the founder of Rejuvenate Your Essence.  Check out her free 10 Part manifesto series to live life on your own terms.

The post 12 Timeless Truths to from Bruce Lee, Master of Self Mastery appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.

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