Dare to Live Without Limits Week of 2/8/2021

Do you see your life through a positive or negative lens?

The way you see your life influences your decisions and direction. Some people are happy with their lives. They see opportunities. They welcome each new day as another opportunity to pursue their dreams. Others look at their lives as filled with problems. They slog through the drudgery of each day.
You want to be aware of how you are feeling and why. Going through life without a grasp of your emotional state is frustrating. You want to do more of what makes you happy and less of whatever frustrates you. Making positive changes requires recognizing what needs to be adjusted and how.
Viewing your life positively makes each day more enjoyable. You are happy with your life when following your desired path. Pursuing your interests is rewarding. If you are not happy with your direction, you can change it. There’s no need to suffer. Your path can be changed at any time.
You have created a narrative which defines your life. This narrative contains reasons for your success, or excuses for failure. The direction of your life follows your narrative. In order to change your life, your first have to change the story you tell yourself.
You are not defined by your circumstances, nor are you a victim. Instead, you are free to take action to influence, or change your circumstances. If you are unhappy about any aspect of your life, determine what needs to change, and then take positive action.
Capitalize on your strengths, aptitudes, and desires. Concentrate on what you are capable of doing. People who consider their lives rewarding are usually doing things they are good at and enjoy. It’s easy to view your life in a positive light when you are having fun.
Don’t obsess over your weaknesses. Everyone has their own aptitudes. Stressing over what you can’t do leads to frustration. Never use a weakness as an excuse for not pursuing positive changes. You do what you can.
Look at your life based on your goals. Don’t compare your life to others. What someone else has, or doesn’t have, has no impact you. Evaluate your situation based on where you want to be. Happiness is built upon achieving your objectives.
If you feel as if you are stuck in a rut, push to leave your comfort zone. Reaching out for something new and different leads to rewarding experiences. It’s an effective way to add spark to your life.
New knowledge adds energy to your life as well as opening new potential paths. Education is a lifetime pursuit, so keep learning. The more you know, the more you can accomplish. Endeavor to devote at least 20 minutes each week learning something new.
If you feel you are not making enough progress, question and challenge your limiting beliefs. These are any beliefs which constrain your accomplishments by providing any excuses for procrastination or failure. Some examples are, “I’m not ready,” “It’s too soon,” “I know it won’t work,” “I don’t know how,” and “People will laugh at me.”
Disconnect from negative people who discourage you from making desired changes. Find positive people who are where you want to be and can provide positive, constructive guidance. There are many people who have successfully improved the way they see their lives.
Pay attention to what’s happening with you. How you see your life matters. Assess where you are right now. Any aspect of your life you find lacking can be improved by taking the appropriate positive action. The happier you are with your life, the more you’ll accomplish.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2021 Bryan Golden