Attractive packaging

When you package goods attractively, you get more money for them.  You know this is true.

Pay attention to your personal packaging because the world accepts you as you present yourself.

Nobody argues with who you say that you are.

You're lucky. Pay it forward.

“The secret to life is to be grateful for the many benefits you have received and dissatisfied with how many you’ve provided. – Dr. Mardy Groethe

I understand that my life is as good as it is because of the benefits I have received from countless others- made possible by freedom and free market capitalism.  I was lucky to be born in the United States in 1964.  

I could have been born in Mongolia in 855, or central Africa in 1720, or in Connecticut in 350 BC.  I was very lucky on day one of my life.  And if you are reading this, you are too.

I can never repay everyone who made this possible for me.  But I will work to at least keep my world a great place to live and flourish for my grandchildren and their children, and even make it better if I can.

Boys need fathers

“Young men need fathers.  Without fathers they flounder.” -Matt Rosenberg

In 2021 in Chicago there were 3561 shootings and 800 murders.  The neighborhoods with the highest rate of births to unwed mothers were the same neighborhoods with the highest murder rates.

Studies show that two biological parent households, regardless of race, had greater educational attainment, higher adult incomes, and lower rates of incarceration.

Persistence

“Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.”

By definition, great achievement is not easy.  If everyone was doing it, it would not be noteworthy and admirable.

Things that are not easy take time to learn and master.

You will try and fail.  Try and it will come out messy.  Try and feel uncertain.

Try and take far too long.  Try and be clumsy.  Try and look foolish.

It’s what you do then, that really counts.

Not happy with something? Good!

“And from the discontent of man, the world’s progress springs.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

When we aren’t happy (frustrated, upset, angry) that’s when we will do something to change it.

If we were comfortable with everything, then we wouldn’t be motivated to change anything.

It is from this mental adversity that our ingenuity and motivation comes from and grows.

What are you not happy with that is motivating you to make it better?

Do you do difficult things?

“Difficulty is the high fence that keeps out the weak, wannabees, and pretenders.  Most people won;t do it if it’s hard.” – Dr. Mardy Groethe

Not doing anything difficult is how to take the easy path and be comfortable – and to live an ordinary unremarkable life and die without finding out what you can really do.

On the other hand, if you are following your inherent talent, it may be difficult for others, but far less difficult for you.

What important or valuable thing do you/have you done that was difficult/tough/complicated?

The best year of your life – starting now

Make a decision that the next twelve months will be the best year of your life.

Making that firm decision and making plans gives you optimism.

What would have to happen?  What would it look like?  What do you have to do?

List your reasons – your motivations; the more the better.

You need a pen and paper to get started.

Then you need belief and action.

Go!

Everyone's a fraud – until they aren't

Fake it until you make it.

Act the part, until you become the part.

Learn, act and talk like the person you want to be, and soon enough, you are that person.

Do you believe in yourself?

Are you betting on you?

Do you invest in you?

Do you have faith in you?

You should.

Courage in the calm

Most people don’t get out of their comfort zone until something happens that forces them to.  When their back is against the wall, they (may freak out first and then) exhibit courage.

The people that make the most progress and use more of their potential, exhibit courage and take action before they are forced to.

Is that you?