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Personal Development Quotes

    “There is no enlightened one.  There is only the one who is seeking further enlightenment.  Proper Being is process, not a state; a journey, not a destination.  It’s the continual transformation of what you know, through encounter with what you don’t know, rather than the desperate clinging to the certainty that is eternally insufficient in any case.  Always place your becoming above your current being.  That means it is necessary to recognize and accept your insufficiency, so that it can be continually rectified.  That’s painful, certainly—but, it’s a good deal.” ~ Jordan Peterson, 12 Rules for Life (Page 362)

      “With any loss comes gain.  If things don’t work out my way, the consolation prize is a lesson I can keep close to me for the rest of my life.  Those lessons encourage more self-awareness, which in turn strengthens my most important relationship—the one with myself.” ~ Humble the Poet, Things No One Else Can Teach Us (Page 273)

        “None of us knows how strong we are until being strong is the only option we have left.  We spend so much of our lives avoiding discomfort that we don’t realize that in those uncomfortable situations, our best selves emerge.” ~ Humble the Poet, Things No One Else Can Teach Us (Page 63)

        Leo Babauta Quote on Not Making Exceptions—Ever

          “Exceptions lead to more exceptions. It’s really easy to justify not doing [a] new habit (or doing an old habit you’re trying to quit) by saying, ‘Just one time won’t hurt.’ Except that it will, because now you think it’s OK to make exceptions. And now you don’t really trust yourself to stick to your promise to yourself. It’s much more effective to not make exceptions — catch yourself if you’re thinking about it and trying to justify it, and remember your motivations. When I quit smoking, I told myself Not One Puff Ever (NOPE).”

          Leo Babauta, Zen Habits

          Beyond the Quote (Day 6)

          The habit changes that I have had the most success with incorporating into my lifestyle have been the ones that I have been the most strict with myself about.  When I started drinking coffee black, I told myself No Cream or Sugar Ever.  When I cut out donuts from my diet, I told myself Not One Bite Ever.  When I stopped drinking alcohol, I told myself Not One Sip Ever.  When I committed to going vegan, I told myself No Meat or Dairy Ever.  Like Babauta, I made sure there were no exceptions or ‘gray-areas’ to these habit changes—and while that might sound harsh and intense, I actually feel like it made the habit change process easier.

          Read More »Leo Babauta Quote on Not Making Exceptions—Ever

          Stephen Cope Quote on Being Yourself and How You Can’t Be Anyone You Want To Be

            “You cannot be anyone you want to be.  Your one and only shot at a fulfilled life is being yourself—whoever that is.  Furthermore, at a certain age it finally dawns on us that, shockingly, no one really cares what we’re doing with our life.  This is a most unsettling discovery to those of us who have lived someone else’s dream and eschewed our own: No one really cares except us.  When you scratch the surface, you finally discover that it doesn’t really matter a whit who else you disappoint if you’re disappointing yourself.  The only question that makes sense to ask is: Is your life working for you?”

            Stephen Cope, The Great Work Of Your Life

            Beyond the Quote (Day 4)

            If your life isn’t working for you, then who is it working for?  Are you working to please yourself or someone else? Are you fulfilling dreams that are uniquely your own or dreams that were bestowed upon you by your parents? Do you feel a sense of growth and contribution when you work or do you feel a sense of dread and purposelessness?

            Read More »Stephen Cope Quote on Being Yourself and How You Can’t Be Anyone You Want To Be

            Proverb About Small Steps Versus Giant Leaps and Having An ‘All-Or-Something’ Mindset

              “It is better to make many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.”

              Proverb

              Beyond the Quote (Day 3)

              When it comes to following through with new goals or resolutions, don’t be an all-or-nothing; be an all-or-something.  An all-or-nothing is the type of person who is either all-in or all-out.  Either everything they planned is unfolding perfectly and is being executed flawlessly, or it’s not and they place blame, come up with excuses, and quit.

              Read More »Proverb About Small Steps Versus Giant Leaps and Having An ‘All-Or-Something’ Mindset

                “Generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and wisdom keep turning our mind to enlightenment like a flower seeking sunlight.  This brings genuine delight.  The more awake we are, the more connected we feel with other sentient beings.  The more awake we are, the more we want to help others achieve the same freedom.” ~ Sakyong Mipham, Turning the Mind Into An Ally (Page 210)

                The Power of Now [Book]

                  The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

                  By: Eckhart Tolle

                  From this Book: 50 Quotes

                  Book Overview: To make the journey into The Power of Now you need to leave your analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. Access to the Now is everywhere – in the body, the silence, and the space all around you. These are the keys to enter a state of inner peace. They can be used to bring you into the Now, the present moment, where problems do not exist. It is here you find your joy and are able to embrace your true self. It is here you discover that you are already complete and perfect.  Although the journey is challenging, Eckhart Tolle offers simple language in a question and answer format. The words themselves are the signposts to guide you on your journey. There are new discoveries to be made along the way: you are not your mind, you can find your way out of psychological pain, authentic human power is found by surrendering to the Now. When you become fully present and accepting of what is, you open yourself to the transforming experience of The Power of Now.

                  Buy from Amazon! Listen on Audible!

                  Not enough time to read/listen to the whole book? Check out the 16 minute Blinkist version of The Power of Now and get the key insights here for free.

                  Post(s) Inspired by this Book:

                  Extreme Ownership [Book]

                    Extreme Ownership Book
                    By: Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

                    From this Book: 22 Quotes

                    Book Overview: In Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin share hard-hitting, Navy SEAL combat stories that translate into lessons for business and life. With riveting first-hand accounts of making high-pressure decisions as Navy SEAL battlefield leaders, this book is equally gripping for leaders who seek to dominate other arenas. Jocko and Leif served together in SEAL Task Unit Bruiser, the most highly decorated Special Operations unit from the war in Iraq. Their efforts contributed to the historic triumph for U.S. forces in Ramadi. Through those difficult months of sustained combat, Jocko, Leif and their SEAL brothers learned that leadership–at every level–is the most important thing on the battlefield. A compelling narrative with powerful instruction and direct application, Extreme Ownership revolutionizes business management and challenges leaders everywhere to fulfill their ultimate purpose: lead and win.

                    Buy from Amazon! Listen on Audible!

                    Great on Kindle. Great Experience. Great Value. The Kindle edition of this book comes highly recommended on Amazon.

                    Post(s) Inspired by this Book:

                    1.  18 Quotes from Extreme Ownership That Will Help You Lead and Win
                    2. A Navy SEAL’s Checklist for Planning—from Jocko Willink and Leif Babin [Excerpt]
                    3. Jocko Willink Quote on How Your Greatest Strength Can Also Be Your Greatest Weakness (Beyond the Quote 165/365)

                      “Don’t reorganize the state until you have ordered your own experience.  Have some humility.  If you cannot bring peace to your household, how dare you try to rule a city?” ~ Jordan Peterson, via 12 Rules for Life (Page 158)

                        “You must determine where you are going, so that you can bargain for yourself, so that you don’t end up resentful, vengeful and cruel.  You have to articulate your own principles, so that you can defend yourself against others’ taking inappropriate advantage of you, and so that you are secure and safe while you work and play.  You must discipline yourself carefully.  You must keep the promises you make to yourself, and reward yourself, so that you can trust and motivate yourself.  You need to determine how to act toward yourself so that you are most likely to become and to stay a good person.” ~ Jordan Peterson, via 12 Rules for Life (Page 63)

                          “You need to consider the future and think, ‘What might my life look like if I were caring for myself properly?  What career would challenge me and render me productive and helpful, so that I could shoulder my share of the load, and enjoy the consequences?  What should I be doing, when I have some freedom, to improve my health, expand my knowledge, and strengthen my body?’  You need to know where you are, so you can start to chart your course.  You need to know who you are, so that you understand your armament and bolster yourself in respect to your limitations.  You need to know where you are going, so that you can limit the extent of chaos in your life, restructure order, and bring the divine force of Hope to bear on the world.” ~ Jordan Peterson, via 12 Rules for Life (Pages 62-63)