An S² person – one that is tasting sweet success and satisfaction in her life – is much like the Little Train that kept chugging up the mountain, little by little, one turn of the wheel at a time, keeping her thoughts only on “I think I can, I think I can.”
So what does this mean for you?
Often, success comes in very small, almost unnoticeable, increments. Those giant leaps and bounds are saved for Hollywood screenplays. Your small, deliberate, and persistent steps s-l-o-w-l-y become great successes.
An S² person – one that greets success and satisfaction with a daily smile – knows both the philosophical and practical benefits of refusing to hold on to negative thoughts and emotions. The mind, body, and spirit that harbors negative emotions become a breeding ground for sickness and illness.
So what does this mean for you?
Each day you hold on to anger, fear, regret, guilt, and the like is another day that the grip of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness slips away. Let go of the past!
Do you remember the pessimistic Lilliputian character from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels famous for the phrase, “We’re never going to make it.” He was not an S² person – one whose life is overflowing with success and satisfaction. S² people know the simple truth that achievement is, first and foremost, being optimistic and opportunity-minded. If you think something can’t come to fruition, you are probably right.
So what does this mean for you?
Don’t let the times you tried and failed take over your perspective on the future. Reset. Start thinking that things will be different and better.
An S² person – one that is riding the wave of enormous success and satisfaction in her life – knows the value of analysis, then commitment. Making decisions that will significantly impact her life are not taken lightly. She makes the time to determine the course of action that will give her the greatest odds of success. Additionally, she knows that once her mind has been made up, she must move forward with stern resolve – and continue with vigor when the going gets tough.
So what does this mean for you?
When faced with a tough situation and decision, do your homework and analyze the cost/benefit of each decision. Then, make your decision and go full-steam-ahead. But, you must be willing to stick with your decision through thick and thin.
An S² person – one enjoying amazing success and satisfaction in his life – understands the importance of dreams. No, I am not talking about those fantastical events that happen while in deep slumber. I am talking about those phenomenally grandiose ideas that grab you by the heart and scream, “You must do this!” Dreams, and the process of dream-realization, are the fuel of life. S² people realize that without dreams life becomes mundane and “just another day of the same ol’ stuff.”
So what does this mean for you?
Go back to your childhood when you had big dreams of what you could accomplish in life. Then – no matter what anybody else says – let those dreams come alive again in your life. You won’t regret it.
Would you like to become an S² person and begin to realize colossal successes and satisfaction in your life? If so, your first move may be to step out of the soft and fluffy comfort zone you have created for yourself and take a few risks. No, you don’t have to cash out your 401k and start a scuba diving company in the Bahamas, but it may be time to add some pepper sauce to your life.
So what does this mean for you?
Take a personal survey of your propensity to take risks. If you are living in the “risk-free zone”, it would serve you well to break out and take your mask off. A delicious life is seasoned with the unknown. Risk is living. Come alive!
An S² person – one that is experiencing wondrous success and satisfaction in his life – is writing his life story, daily. While he may never put his life into autobiographical print, he is conscious of making sure his life is worthy of such an endeavor. If written, would anyone want to invest the time to read your autobiography?
So what does this mean for you?
Stop trying to avoid the minutia of life. After all, the little things are what life is actually made of. Start enjoying getting your hands dirty.
An S² person – one that is experiencing wondrous success and satisfaction in his life – is writing his life story, daily. While he may never put his life into autobiographical print, he is conscious of making sure his life is worthy of such an endeavor. If written, would anyone want to invest the time to read your autobiography?
So what does this mean for you?
While climbing Mt. Everest, becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or receiving the National Mom of the Year Award may not be your goal, creating a life story full of fun, challenge, and interest should be.
An S² person – one that is blessed with success and satisfaction beyond measure – realizes that trying to please everyone will most certainly leave him very displeased. Being kind, generous, and genuinely concerned about the needs of others is admirable and necessary to living an extraordinary life, however, seeking to please others, at your own expense, is not a wise strategy. This approach will leave you uncertain and wavering; questioning your own reasons and purpose.
So what does this mean for you?
Find your own core purpose and motivations in life, then behave in ways that align with those essentials. But, don’t forgo all that is important to you for the sake of making other people happy.
An S² person – one very familiar with success and satisfaction in his life – is keenly aware that danger and opportunity are two sides of the same coin. He realizes that in all danger is an inherent risk and that the only way to become S² is to embrace the risk and take advantage of the opportunity.
So what does this mean for you?
Sitting and waiting for the “sure thing” to find its way into your life is a sure-fire way to get a sore bottom. Get going!
An S² person – one that is authentically living with success and satisfaction in his life – is continuously refining the person that he is. Not so that he can gloat and say, “Hey, look at Mr. Wonderful.” Instead, he is always working to become his most authentic and genuine self so that life itself will be a place of comfort and peace.
So what does this mean for you?
Do not pursue success. Instead, make your inner self a place that success will come to nest.
An S² person – one that is authentically living with abundant success and satisfaction in her life – knows that the journey is not traveled alone. Each step of the way she is assisted by people she can trust to help her find her potential. These people have been intentionally brought into her life to be cheerleaders, accountability partners, and mentors that help to create an S² support system.
So what does this mean for you?
If you aren’t actively creating a group of friends and colleagues that are impressive, not impressed by you, you should be. Your quality is reflected by the quality of the people you surround yourself with.
An S² person – one that is experiencing plentiful success and satisfaction in his life – is always on the recruiting trail. He realizes that S² people are exceptional at living in environments of character-based people to learn, gain and grow from.
So what does this mean for you?
Sure, having silly and goofy people in your life can add much-needed humor, but befriending people of character adds quality that surpasses a good laugh. Make some serious-minded friends.
An S² person – one whose levels of personal success and satisfaction seems to set mark after mark – relishes in his ability to listen… and say nothing. He realizes that true wisdom is often displayed in what is not said. He simply doesn’t feel the need to fill the airwaves with blah blah blah.
So what does this mean for you?
The next time you feel like telling the world of your knowledge, wisdom, and insight, don’t. Instead, touch your lips together and listen.
An S² person – one that seems to be a magnet for success and satisfaction – makes sure that even daily minutia is taken on with intensity and passion. When he realizes that he is going through the motions, he gives himself a quick pep talk and refocuses on “being now and great.”
So what does this mean for you?
Don’t wait for the thrill of the grandiose to inspire you. Instead, bring internal inspiration to the insignificant.
An S² person – one with abundant success and satisfaction in his life – is very, very aware of the value of time. He knows that time is at the center of all happenings. He continuously strives to simplify his life, ridding himself of the things that simply don’t matter and are just a waste of his precious time.
So what does this mean for you?
Actually, it’s quite simple – cut out of your life the things that don’t bring value. Too often we are pulled in so many directions and commit to things that provide no return on our time investment. Ask yourself, “If I had one month to live, what activities would I fill my time with?”
An S² person – one that is encountering abundant success and satisfaction in her life – is true to her core. She knows who she is and who she isn’t. She knows what she wants and what she doesn’t. She knows what she likes and what she dislikes. And, she is true to what she is. There is no falsehood in her being.
So what does this mean for you?
Figure out who you are. Then, be yourself. Stop worrying or trying to please others – you just need to make sure that you are pleasing to yourself and are true to your core values and beliefs.
An S² person – one that is relishing in fanciful success and satisfaction in her life – knows that all the best things in life are the result of choosing to work through problems and obstacles; not pretending they don’t exist, looking away and hoping for a better tomorrow.
So what does this mean for you?
At the end of the rainbow is a pot of gold – really. But, finding the end of that rainbow takes work. Realize that built into all life’s struggles are character-building effort. There is no shortcut to the pot of gold.
An S² person – one that is enjoying unbelievable success and satisfaction in his life – knows that the appreciation and recognition of the many blessings in his life are what holds the actual value.
So what does this mean for you?
Don’t take things for granted. Even the smallest blessing has inherent magnificent value. But, you must first recognize it. If you don’t see the value, it won’t bless your life.
S² people – those experiencing incredible success and satisfaction in life – are in continuous “beta mode”, meaning they are in a stage of continuous growth and development. They are always working and trying to improve and get better. Beta is not a stage; it is a state.
So what does this mean for you?
If you’re waiting to arrive at that perfect place in your life, you’re going to be waiting a long, long time. Instead, commit to getting better and realize each attempt is just that – an attempt to improve upon the one before it. Go beta!
An S² person – one that is experiencing terrific success and satisfaction in her life – has developed the ability to smile at adversity. Is she unaware of the doom that may loom? Of course not. But in spite of hardship, she realizes that how she reacts to difficulty is most important. The width of her smile will undermine the depth of her trouble.
So what does this mean for you?
Recognize that adversity is part of life. And when, not if, it shows up at your front door make sure that you greet it with a smile.
An S² person – one that is experiencing tremendous success and satisfaction in his life – knows that he must remove pebbles from his shoes before they cause blisters. Let’s face it, we all have small problems that arise regularly in our lives. But if those snags, or “pebbles in our shoes”, are left to fester, they will grow into much bigger problems.
So what does this mean for you?
Avoiding an issue or problem doesn’t make it go away. Instead, it will grow larger and larger until you’ve got a big problem on your hands. When you notice a small problem in your life, address it swiftly before it becomes a crisis.
S² people – those experiencing extreme success and satisfaction in their lives – know that the sweet spot of life is experienced when they are completely absorbed in an activity of true passion. That absorption, in turn, rewards them with a time warp that slows everything down and presents them with the most precious element that life has to offer – presence.
So what does this mean for you?
Live in the now. Too often – and we’re all guilty of it – we spend our time either thinking about something that has already happened or something that is yet to happen. We very seldom find ourselves being right here, right now, totally present with what is happening in our lives. So, let the past be the past, let the future be the future, and totally absorb yourself in just this moment in time. That, is where life is.
S² people – those enjoying peak levels of success and satisfaction in their lives – know that life will have stretches of smooth road interspersed with periodic potholes. Do you? They also realize that it’s during those pothole periods that their character is tested and their future is shaped. Do you?
So what does this mean for you?
It is easy to have a smile on your face and a song in your heart when all is well — anyone can do that. It’s during times of trouble and tribulation that S² people really shine because they commit to staying positive and energetic. Don’t expect life to be easy and flowing all of the time. Instead, buckle up when trouble surfaces and tell yourself that you won’t get dragged into the muck.
Friends,
S² people – those that are experiencing wondrous success and satisfaction in their life – are always willing to take the risk to make a fantastic future. They realize that they must embrace risk to find the financial, emotional, and spiritual security they desire. An S² person is keenly aware of the paradox that comfort-seekers are actually reducing their overall security by trying to be so secure. The only way to learn how to fly is to go the edge, spread your wings, and jump.
So what does this mean for you?
Take some risk. If you don’t, tomorrow will be much like it is today. If you want more in your life you’ll have to step out of your comfort zone and try something that makes your hair stand up and your heart pound. Go get some real thrill in your life.
The brain is wired to be curious and creative. S² people – those experiencing high levels of success and satisfaction in their lives – commit to being continuously curious and find creative outlets and solutions to the daily challenges they face. Unfortunately, as people grow up and “mature” they stifle or deny their natural curiosity, and creativity seems to diminish.
So what does this mean for you?
Rekindle and feed your curiosity and creativity by making it a new habit to ask “Why is it done that way?” or “How could that be different in order to be better?” Live and thrive in the realm of “Why?” When you stop just taking things for granted your brain will be happier and you will be amazed at how many opportunities and creative solutions will show up in your life and work.
What interesting times in which we find ourselves. I found myself waking up today feeling like I was caught between a dream and reality. I think you know what I mean. And what I was left with was, “it is what it is and I must adapt.”
Adaptation is the single element that allows living things to survive. For those that don’t adapt to the challenges of their surroundings or circumstances, they just fade away and someone that can adapt will fill their role and survive.
So what does this mean for you?
It’s simple. Despite the muck we may find ourselves in, find the good, the positive, the joy, the love and get it in your head that you will adapt and emerge – with others – from this tunnel better, stronger and more capable. Together.
