Many times, we like to focus on the big, hairy audacious goals. But don’t forget that little things make a big impact!
Several years ago, the emerald ash borer made its way into Indiana and Ohio. At the time, the only evidence I saw that there could be a problem were signs warning us not to transport firewood across state lines.
Failure is success if we learn from it
Malcom Forbes in Brainyquote.com
That is the whole key to success. Success isn’t about doing everything right the first time. If it is that easy for you, then you probably aren’t living up to your potential. After all, how do you know what your limits are if you’ve succeeded at everything you’ve set out to do?
The challenge is to learn from it. We humans can get stuck at doing the same foolish thing over and over again. Addictive behaviors, negative thinking patterns and unhealthy habits can make us believe we can never escape from failure.
It reminds me of the verse found in Proverbs 26:11. As a dog returns to his vomit… what a repulsive image! Yet when we don’t learn from our failures and repeat unhealthy behaviors, whe are like the dog and the fool who returns to his folly.
Let’s learn from our failures. They don’t have to hold us down. We can use them as a springboard to success.
The other day, I listed to the Harvard Business Review Podcast interview James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. Here is a link to the podcast and transcript:
HBR Podcast: The Right Way to Form New Habits
More or less, the author promotes using small actions to create good habits instead of going all gung ho and overwhelming ourselves. It’s celebrating the small actions and victories.
This is a novel approach to goal setting and forming new habits. Too often, I think I have to have a new goal all figured out. But the author suggests starting small habits that enable the big one is the way to go. Do you want to read more books? Start with one page. Do you want to exercise? Pack your workout clothes the night before and have them ready in your car. Do you want to write a book? Start with one sentence… or a short blog article!
Keep striving and finding ways to start those good, new habits. The results will be worth it!
The past can feel like a clutter of regrets the wrong choices and burdens. It can be easy to play the what-if game.
Our life can become a cluttered room of past choices if we hold onto things. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Every new day gives us a clean slate. Instead of holding onto regrets, we can choose to learn from the past, let go of it and move forward.
Whatever your story, whatever your past, today is a brand new day. It is a clean slate. Start cleaning and make the best of it.
I get it. Some people don’t believe they are morning people. Some even like the term “Night Owl.” I’ve been around a few of the Night Owls when they have endured a morning. It’s like watching a bear come out of hibernation.
But how you start your day can affect the rest of it. If you wake up at the last possible minute, tear through your house, franticly looking for your glasses and car keys, the rest of the day is going to feel chaotic and out of control.
If today started out that way, it’s okay. We’ve all had some chaotic morning. Make a choice tonight to get the sleep you need and to give yourself enough time to wake up and start the day in a relaxed, intentional way. It beats having a wardrobe crises!
I’ve been reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. If you’re looking for the why and how to start your day out right, I’d recommend this book