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Oh, how different the world would look…

    Picture quote about learning to be still from Ryan Holiday

    “How different would the world look if people spent as much time listening to their conscience as they did to chattering broadcasts?  If they could respond to the calls of their convictions as quickly as we answer the dings and rings of technology in our pockets?  All this noise.  All this information.  All these inputs.  We are afraid of the silence.  We are afraid of looking stupid.  We are afraid of missing out.  We are afraid of being the bad guy who says, ‘Nope, not interested.’  We’d rather make ourselves miserable than make ourselves a priority, than be our best selves.  Than be still… and in charge of our own information diet.”

    Ryan Holiday, Stillness is the Key (Page 36)

      “The way you feel when you awake early in the morning and your mind is fresh and as yet unsoiled by the noise of the outside world—that’s space worth protecting.  So too is the zone you lock into when you’re really working well.  Don’t let intrusions bounce you out of it.  Put up barriers.  Put up the proper chuting to direct what’s urgent and unimportant to the right people.” ~ Ryan Holiday, Stillness is the Key (Page 35)

        “Before we can make deep changes in our lives, we have to look into our diet, our way of consuming.  We have to live in such a way that we stop consuming the things that poison us and intoxicate us.  Then we will have the strength to allow the best in us to arise, and we will no longer be victims of anger, of frustration.”  ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, via Stillness is the Key (Page 34)

        James Allen Quote on Strengthening the Mind

          “As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking.”

          James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

          Beyond the Quote (98/365)

          The connection between careful and patient training and physical improvements is, in my estimation, much more firm than the connection with training and mental or emotional improvements. One of the main reasons for this might be that physical improvements are tangible—we can see the them, feel them, and are constantly being reminded of them.  Every time we look in a mirror or take a selfie on our phone or see pictures that were posted—we are reminded. 

          Read More »James Allen Quote on Strengthening the Mind

          Why is Consistency the Key? Because It Beats Talent, Good Intentions, Luck, and Even Quality.

            “Consistency beats talent. Consistency beats good intentions. Consistency beats luck. Consistency even beats quality.”

            Unknown

            Beyond the Quote (96/365)

            When does consistency beats talent?

            Well, you have to be consistent enough to bridge the talent gap.  The fact that somebody is ‘talented’ in a certain area implies that they have innate aptitudes, abilities, or skills that start them ahead of you.  But just because somebody has a head start doesn’t mean that they are always going to win.  In fact, this is the basic premise for every underdog story you’ve ever heard.

            Read More »Why is Consistency the Key? Because It Beats Talent, Good Intentions, Luck, and Even Quality.

              “We aren’t victims of life—we are life.  We have power over our efforts, which gives us power to adjust our sails depending on which way things are blowing.  Self-pity serves as a barrier to those sails and sets us on a one-way path downward.  Our problems may not be our fault, but they are definitely our responsibility, so ask yourself how well excessive self-pity and seeking pity help with that responsibility.  The more we exercise our power to turn our days around, the more the tools to help us will find us.” ~ Humble the Poet, Things No One Else Can Teach Us (Page 261)

                “Social media is a playground for our insecurities and self-pity.  It not only makes us feel like we’re not enough, but it chips away at our confidence, encouraging us to lash out in uninspiring ways.  I don’t want to feel insignificant in comparison to others, and I don’t want to belittle others to make myself feel better, so I took responsibility to reduce how often I expose myself to those triggers, which are highly addictive.” ~ Humble the Poet, Things No One Else Can Teach Us (Page 225)

                  “Power and blame go hand in hand, so if we want to find the power to improve our situation, we’re going to have to take responsibility, no matter how much others did us dirty.  Taking the time to see how we contribute to our unfortunate circumstances is the first step to turning things around.  Comparing ourselves to others and spending excessive time on social media only fuels our self-pity, and the more aware we are of those triggers, the better off we’ll be.  Pointing fingers and taking offense are also the language of self-victimization, and we need to recognize when theirs becomes a habit we can’t kick.  The secret to dealing with much of the bullshit life throws us is self-sufficiency, which means finding ways to own the bullshit, even when there are plenty of other people who should be sharing the blame.” ~ Humble the Poet, Things No One Else Can Teach Us (Page 220)