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Here's my question to you this month: what does success mean to you? There are many definitions of success, and different areas of our lives where we may be more (or less) concerned about being successful. Read on below...
These newsletters will help you make better choices for better health. The choices that you make today can either have a positive or negative impact on your overall health. Begin by choosing better. It is a step toward longevity.
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What does Success Mean to You?
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 Different authors may define the areas of our lives somewhat differently, but a list could include:
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health
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business/career
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academic
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financial
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relationships
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personal
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professional
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spiritual development
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service and contribution
How do you decide if you're successful? I think it's important to decide what success means to you, not to anybody else. And your definition may change over time, which is fine too. It is important that all areas of your life are in balance.
Setting goals to achieve your definition of success is key. Once you're clear about what you want, you need to be committed to achieving your goals, and to be mindful. Once you know what your goals are, it's important to live in the present, not in the past or future.
One question that can be used to define your level of success is, how happy are you? For example, financial success at the expense of relationships and health is unlikely to result in happiness.
Gratitude
I suggest taking a look at your current situation, and first giving yourself credit for all you have to be grateful for, and the parts of your life that are working well - or are successful. I highly recommend writing down 5 things you're grateful for at the end of each day. If you do this for 21 days, you'll develop the habit of thinking about things you are grateful for. Of course, it's best to continue this practice on a long term basis.
Setting goals
Next, if you've identified one or more areas of your life where you'd like to improve or increase your level of success, it's important to set priorities. Once you do this, it's best to focus for now on your highest priority goal.
Steps to achieving a goal:
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Be clear about what you desire. Use only positive language; 'wanting' is needy - that is not positive, and will keep you 'wanting', rather than achieving your goal.
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Imagine or visualize what your life will be like when you've achieved your goal.
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Act! Take action to reach your goal. Positive thought alone won't get you there.
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Detach yourself from the outcome. Do what you can to achieve your goal, but then just allow the outcome. Often, the 'Universe' has an even better plan for us which will become evident to us as long as we are detached from the outcome. Be concerned with the 'what', not the 'how'.
Another way to look at achieving goals is the 'Be, do, have' paradigm. Most of us were taught the opposite (have, do, be) - we think when we 'have' something, only then will we 'do' what we want and 'be' happy. In fact, the opposite is true.
Start by 'being' - another way to think of this is to 'act as if'. For example, if you set your sights on a promotion at work, the first step is to 'act as if' you already have that promotion - be that person. Do what a person in that job would do, such as take on more responsibility, dress the part, act the part, be the part. Then you will soon have the promotion.
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 Avoid perfectionism
You may think perfectionism will give you the best results, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Perfectionism creates unrealistic expectations - for yourself or others, or both. Then you judge yourself and others. On the other hand, if you accept yourself and others, for who and what you/they are, there is no need to judge them. You may wish to change yourself, but without judgment. You cannot change others - that's something only they can do, when they are ready and on their own terms. So letting go of the resistance created by judging will help both you and them. This is easier said than done, and entire books have been written on this topic, but this may give you something to think about.
You may think failure is a bad thing, but the only way we can really learn is by failing. Anyone who has never failed, hasn't done very much! The important thing is to learn from our mistakes.
You are enough now
No external success will make you feel successful or 'enough'. That can only come from within. It's easy to say, but just how do you convince yourself? Back to the 'be, do, have' paradigm. Know that you are enough now, no matter what problems or challenges you face. Everyone is enough, and you are no exception. Once you accept yourself as you are, any changes you feel you would like to make will be much easier. Guaranteed!
Famous people define success:
"Success is liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou
"The more you're actively and practically engaged, the more successful you will feel." - Richard Branson
"Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals." - Deepak Chopra
"Success is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration." - Thomas Edison
Here's to your success!
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 There are a number of Nature's Sunshine supplements that can successfully help you to be healthy. You can find information about these products and purchase them in our online store:
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Disclaimer: The suggestions and recommendations in this newsletter are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic. The information is accurate and up to date to our knowledge, but we are not responsible for any errors in our sources of information.
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Have you ever been to a funhouse and looked at yourself in the mirror only to see someone you did not recognize? That is how I saw myself for many years until I went to Ramila for emotional release therapy.
- Patricia R., Ottawa
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