A Wonderful Skill To Possess

"Once we start thinking of setbacks as Stoic tests, we may discover that instead of dreading them, we look forward to them. Besides giving us a chance to develop our skill in dealing with them, setbacks give us an opportunity to display the skill we have thus far developed. Much as a tennis player can take pride in her playing ability, we can take pride in our ability, when set back, to find a good workaround without becoming angry, anxious, or despondent. It is a wonderful skill to possess—and one that relatively few people do possess."

-- William B Irvine

The Little Choices Do Matter

"Successful people are those who understand that the little choices they make matter, and because of that they choose to do things that seem to make no difference at all in the act of doing them, and they do them over and over and over until the compound effect kicks in."

-- Jeff Olson

At Least You Have Tried

"Take a risk a day—one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you’ve done it.  Even if it doesn’t work out the way you wanted it to, at least you’ve tried. You didn’t sit back … powerless. Watch what starts to happen when you expand your comfort zone."

--  Susan Jeffers

Being A Builder and Creator

"Regardless of where you work, whether on Wall Street, at a food pantry, or within the walls of your own home, being successful in your work means being a builder and creator of something greater than yourself. It means taking the reins as a contributor and value creator. Rather than just punching the time card or biding your time, you are actively engaged in fulfilling a mission. You are contributing in ways that add tangible (monetary, measurable) and intangible (attitude, morale, energy) value. Others hear and respect your voice, you receive recognition, and you command a salary that allows you to live with abundance. You either have security in your current job or are secure in knowing you can continually support those you are responsible for. You are, and are seen as, someone who can continue to add great value, either in a deeper way within your current position or in a new or higher-level position."

--  Ryan Gottfredson

Don't Forget Your Small Wins

"Also consider your achievements, however small they may seem. All too often we forget small wins along the way and focus on parts of our working life that didn’t go to plan. You can rectify this by reflecting on small achievements and celebrating along the way, which is an important process as this primes your thoughts towards achievements, which over time can make achieving goals part of your everyday life (building your confidence in the process)."

-- Gemma Leigh Roberts

How To Traveled A Noble Path

"Mind you, hard work guarantees nothing in realms of creativity. (Nothing guarantees anything in realms of creativity.) But I cannot help but think that devotional discipline is the best approach. Do what you love to do, and do it with both seriousness and lightness. At least then you will know that you have tried and that—whatever the outcome—you have traveled a noble path."

-- Elizabeth Gilbert 

Those Simple Daily Disciplines

"Simple daily disciplines—little productive actions, repeated consistently over time—add up to the difference between failure and success."

-- Jeff Olson

How Do You See Yourself

"“We see things not as they are, but as we are,” wrote Immanuel Kant. Your self-image is the lens through which you see the world. If you cannot see yourself being successful at something, you will probably talk yourself out of trying. Or, if you can see you have a talent for something, you may find all sorts of inner strength and external help. All your decisions are based on what you see you are capable of and, also, what you think you deserve."

-- Robert Holden

The Better You Think

"THE BETTER YOU THINK, the better results you will get and the more successful you will be in every area. The most important measure, the only measure of the quality of your thinking, is the results you get, the consequences of what you decide to do as a result of the decisions you make."

-- Brian Tracy

Our Mindsets Determine Our Success

"When we do not see our mindsets as being a key part of our lack of success, we generally incorrectly blame either external factors (e.g., don’t have enough money, time, or resources) or the wrong internal factors (e.g., intelligence, abilities, or personality). This misdiagnosis is problematic for at least two reasons. First, blaming these factors is closer to an excuse than a solution, because we generally cannot control these factors, at least not as easily as our mindsets. Because these factors are largely outside of our control, we hide behind them as an excuse for giving up, accepting a fate of living below our potential. We fail to recognize that others with less ideal circumstances and abilities have reached the levels of success we are seeking. Second, even if we can influence or change these factors, focusing on them instead of our mindsets means that our mindsets will likely to stay the same and continually prevent us from thinking, learning, and behaving in ways that will lead to greater success."

--  Ryan Gottfredson