I found the following article to be very clear, concise and useful.
The 10 Things in Life that You Control
by Jim M. Allen
There are just a few aspects of life that we can truly control, and it's useful to know just what those areas are. If you don't know, you'll spend a lot of time blaming others for your own failings. Try and exert too much control in areas you shouldn't and the universe will create some interesting ways to remind of your place.
So be prepared an learn the 10 things in life that you DO control:
1. What you do
Your actions are yours alone. You choose to make them or not make them and you are responsible for the effects of those actions.
2. What you say
Likewise, the words you speak (or write) are also consciously chosen. Like actions, they have an impact on your life and the lives of those you contact.
3. What you think
Yes, there are some subconscious thoughts that you can't control. But the things that you really think about, your beliefs, your ideals, etc. are concepts you have chosen to accept and believe in.
4. Your work
Many people like to overlook this one, it being much easier to say "Oh, I'm trapped in my job because I don't have a degree, experience, etc." Hogwash! That's simple a way of denying one's responsibility in having chosen the job in the first place.
It's your job and you chose it. If you stay (or go), that's a choice as well.
5. Who you associate with
There's a famous t-shirt that states: "It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys."
Your friends can either lift you up or bring you down. You make the decision which type of friends you wish to have.
6. Your health
Much of our health is a factor of genetics, environment, and exposure. Much more of our health is simply a matter of the things we choose: diet, excercise, drugs, sleep, routine physicals, check-ups, etc.
7. The environment you live in
Your house, the condition of your home, the town you live in, the amenities available to you are all things you can control, although some to a lesser degree (i.e., you decide to tolerate them or move someplace else).
8. Your finances
Having or not having enough money is a factor of what you make versus what you spend.
9. Your time
You choose how to "spend" your time and how much of your time to give to various activities. You'll never get more time than the 24 hours your given each day.
10. Your legacy
All your actions, words, and knowledge that you share while you are living become the gift that you leave when you are gone.
Jim Allen is a professional life coach, speaker, and writer. Get more great ideas in you email every week by subscribing to Jim's weekly newsletter, THE BIG IDEA, by sending a blank email to: mailto:Subscribe@CoachJim.com (©2001 Jim Allen & CoachJim.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
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Friday, August 17, 2007
The 10 Things in Life that You Control
Posted by DubLiMan at 10:50 AM
Labels: associate with, blaming, control, environment, finances, health, legacy, life, time, what you say, what you think, what you want, your work
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9 comments:
Excellent post...very good advice and very true. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could learn these things in our 20's instead of our 40's or 50's. Actually though I do believe my generation...I am 50...was just about the last most self-destructive...at least in our younger years. Shalom~Jackie
Excellent post...very good advice and very true. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could learn these things in our 20's instead of our 40's or 50's. Actually though I do believe my generation...I am 50...was just about the last most self-destructive...at least in our younger years. Shalom~Jackie
Well, I just got back from my vacation and have updated my site with fresh content, so I guess you can put me back on your list. Hope to hear from you soon
Hi Mel,
First, great post. I think we can all live happier lives if we focus on the things in life we can control.
Second, thanks for your comment on my site. I'm happy to exchange links.
Peace,
Clay
Hi mmp...thank you for stopping by...some of the graphics are my own which I make in various software programs...some are made from tutorials in Paint Shop Pro...and others come from various freeware share places... http://www.photobucket.com I signed up for a free account there and then upgraded to the $25 a year program. Because I do so much of my own work and also you can keep animation when you load your images from here. Hope this helps:)Jackie
This is a great article that I wish they went over with youth in school. Too many grow up saying "It's not my fault." and this article might really teach them to realize they are indeed responsible for what they think and do. Thanks for the article.
Trish & Shinade,
I wish I could figure out how to get the youth to read my blog. I do have the occasional reader who is in his 20s, but most of my readers already get it. I tried getting my daughter, 21, and her friends to read it. They liked some of the humor, but like most young adults, they think they have it all figured out. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of her. She is a senior in college and a wonderful young woman, and I adore all of her friends. I just can;t find the hook to draw them in; at least not yet.
GREAT post!!! ;-D
wow,...that is so true!!...great post
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