Take Charge of Your Life

Be a doer, not a watcher. So many temptations lure you into sitting on the sidelines of life, just watching: riveting TV shows and movies, websites, social media. We emerge blinking and wondering where the time went. Turn off the distractions. Map your dream. Take one step toward it every day.

Your time is your most precious asset. Do not give it away carelessly, and don’t fritter it away. Learn to say no to requests for your time that don’t get you closer to your dream. Don’t let time get away from you. Wake up before everyone else and feed your dream first.

Learn to ask for what you want, and not to feel hurt when you’re rejected. “No” is just the beginning of the conversation. Every successful person has been rejected many times along the way. Keep going. Perseverance is the most important quality that will get you to success.

Never stop educating yourself. Life is a continuing education class, and you have to keep up with the reading. Read, read, read, books that delight and thrill you, books that challenge you, books that infuriate you, books that don’t make sense to you. Read across genres. Become the most knowledgeable person in your field. And stay ahead.

Unless you absolutely have to, don’t ask successful people for money. Instead, ask them for advice. Find someone who is where you want to be, do your homework about her, make a list of three short questions, and ask her out for coffee to go over your questions.

Learn social skills. Don’t be shy when you should be friendly and forthright. Don’t be domineering of someone else’s time. Don’t get drunk or high in professional situations. Be kind and respectful to everyone. Remember people’s names, and say them when you’re speaking to them. Listen when others are talking, and reflect back to them what they said so they know you did. Minimize sentences that begin with “I.” Do random favors for people above and below you on the hierarchy.

Be the hero of your own life, not your own worst enemy. Take care of your health, nurture your family, force yourself to smile and uplift those around you even when you don’t feel like it. Have at least one close friend you can gripe to, where you can let off steam. Don’t burden everyone with your problems. Elevate them with your joy.

Forgive others’ slights of you. They were probably going through their own battles that you know nothing about. They are just as imperfect as you are. Don’t gossip. It’s petty and beneath you.

Live your values. A part of your life should always be devoted to improving your community. Do not make excuses for avoiding this obligation.

Most of all, be positive. You are blessed with life. Be grateful every day. Learn to create your own happiness and how to contribute constantly to the happiness of those around you.