Steady and Sustainable

When you're too busy to take a break, that's when a taking a break will do you the most good. Sometimes you reach a point at which the fastest way to go forward is to slow down a bit.
When you rush through your work, never pausing to catch your breath, you're likely to make all sorts of mistakes. Then you'll have to spend time later correcting those mistakes, so the time you gain by hurrying is quickly lost and then exceeded by the toll it takes.

Consider taking a break, clearing your mind and energizing your body. The work will still be there when you get back, and by getting away from it for a while you'll be in a much better position to handle it effectively.

It's great to be ambitious and eager to get the job done. Yet there is nothing to be gained by working until you drop.

The more you focus on the deadline itself, the less likely you are to meet it, so put your focus on getting the job done at a steady and sustainable pace. Instead of worrying about running out of time, completely let go of the worry and make calm, deliberate use of the time.

Don't put yourself behind by attempting to go too far too fast. Move at a pace that enables you to be your best, for that is what will move you ahead most quickly.

-- Ralph Marston

You Could or You Can

You could curse and complain about your feebleness, or you can get busy and make yourself stronger. You could seethe with resentment about the past, or you can make the choice to let go and move forward.
You could worry endlessly about what might or might not happen, or you can take steps to successfully prepare yourself for anything that comes along. You could make a long list of all the things that will perhaps go wrong, or you can accept the fact that there will be obstacles and decide to deal with them as they come.

You could hide away from the world inside the walls of your comfort zone where nothing challenges you. Or you can make use of every second of your precious time to explore and experience, to get cold, wet, and dirty, and to feel wonderfully alive.

You could let the smallest defeat turn into a big, imposing excuse for giving up. Or you can learn from what went wrong and then step enthusiastically forward with your newfound knowledge and determination.

You could smugly blame all your troubles on something or someone other than you. Or you can take a long, deep breath, then take full responsibility, and feel how empowering it is to be in total control.

There are lots of things you could have been, could have done, could have seen, could have known, and could have experienced. Yet nothing compares to the wondrous places you'll go when you do what you know you can.

-- Ralph Marston

Amaze Yourself

Jump right out into life and make your own special splash. Forget about what conventional wisdom says, or what is normal or comfortable, and listen to your passion.
One of the worst things you can do is to create lifelong regrets out of missed opportunities. The momentary discomfort of venturing into new territory is nothing compared to all the treasure you'll discover when you choose to step forward.

There is so very much richness that you can create out of the things that are already available to you in abundance. Visualize your own special version of life's richness and delight in making it happen.

Today is not a day to sit around and watch. Today is a day to live fully and enthusiastically and courageously.

You have it in you; there is no doubt. Choose to let it out.

Amaze yourself with the new and great and wonderful things you do. Today is an opportunity that you definitely don't want to miss.

-- Ralph Marston

Frustration

Look carefully and thoughtfully at the things that frustrate you. In each of them you will find real and workable ideas for positive growth.
Frustration occurs when you realize, sometimes painfully, that things are not working nearly as well as they could be. Follow that realization to its natural conclusion and you will find a clearly marked pathway for improvement.

Great inventions, successful companies and immense fortunes have been built through positive responses to frustration. Indeed, frustration has always been a major catalyst for creating value.

People frustrated with the way things are, can develop insatiable appetites for making the world better. Frustration can get you thinking and acting, building, creating and persevering toward a positive purpose.

Frustration is the feeling of knowing it can be better, and the greater the frustration, the more positive and exciting are the possibilities. When you are feeling frustration, remind yourself what a truly great blessing it can be leading you toward.

When you know without a doubt that things can be better, you've already started the process of improvement. Go ahead, feel the frustration, and let it give you a powerful positive push.

-- Ralph Marston

Your Over It

You may have wasted the entire day, week or month up to this point. Yet that's no reason to continue with the unproductive, negative pattern.
No matter what has gone on before, you can make the most of right now. Any prior ineffectiveness cannot stop you from being truly and purposefully effective in this moment.

You may have made a lot of mistakes and errors in judgment on your way to where you are. But that has nothing to do with where you can choose to go from here.

Don't worry about getting over the past. You are over it because you are here right now.

Right now, your best dreams beckon. Right now, there is plenty that you can do.

Can you feel the incredible freedom and opportunity that this moment represents? Take hold of that freedom, seize this precious, promising moment and live the life you are meant to live.

-- Ralph Marston

A Little Taste

Give yourself a little taste of accomplishment. And you'll find yourself wanting more.
Decide that you're going to finally take the first step toward a truly beautiful and meaningful dream. Soon you'll be running quickly and enthusiastically toward it.
Experience how great it feels to provide someone else with something of real value. You'll discover useful and positive things about yourself that you never knew before.
Stroll along the shore and get your feet wet in the ocean of fulfillment. Before long you'll be diving all the way in.
Seek to comprehend and to express what it means to you to be fully alive. Remember the reasons and purposes that make you who you are.
Take a little taste of life in all its richness and meaning. And give yourself an insatiable appetite for truly being your best.
-- Ralph Marston

There will be days so dreadful that you may regret ever getting out of bed, and there will be days so beautiful that you'll wish they would never end. You can make something good and valuable out of all of them.
Some people you meet will make you instantly feel that you've known them for years. Others you meet may make you want to get as far away from them as quickly as you can.
All kinds of people are equally worthy of your kindness, respect and consideration, and have their own valuable gifts to offer. Remind yourself often of that.
There will be stretches of time when you'll feel you can't get anything right, and there will be periods when everything you touch seems to turn to gold. Don't allow either extreme to get the best of you or to compromise your precious integrity.
You'll experience times of boundless joy, and moments of overwhelming frustration. You'll discover places of extraordinary beauty, and regions of terrifying ugliness.
Through it all, remember that whatever you may encounter is virtually insignificant when compared with what you choose to do with it. Always choose the best response, no matter what comes your way, and each day you'll rise a little higher than you were the day before.
-- Ralph Marston

Thought of The Day

Seek to understand before you attempt to judge. Opinions formed in haste can often be the source of great trouble and needless hostility.
Take the time to think and to plan before you act. Though it is essential that you do take action, it is best when you've carefully thought it through.
Replenish what you need before it runs completely out. You'll avoid wasted time and effort as well as much anxiety and expense.
Think about your true purpose before making any commitments. You're much more effective and fulfilled when following a path that resonates with who you sincerely are.
Look carefully and thoughtfully at where you're going long before you actually get there. Not only will you be more fully prepared once you arrive, you'll avoid any wasted effort spent getting to where you don't even want to go.
Many things in life can be dramatically more enjoyable and productive when you have the forethought to do certain other things first. Think, consider, plan and prepare before you do, and then you'll be able to truly delight in the doing.
-- Ralph Marston