Have you ever noticed this to be true?
The best things in life for me are those things are not things at all. People and experiences make the biggest mark: a wonderful relationship, time with family, or a fantastic vacation that stays in my mind for years.
It seems funny to me that we spend so much time on this planet chasing "things" that we lose focus on what matters most. I mean, what's the point of having that fantastic new home if you sleep in it all alone? Or drive the nicest of cars but are too ill to take it out for a spin?
Last week I was fortunate enough to meet an incredible guy named David. He's one of the wealthiest people I've ever met, and one of the richest guys I've come across.
What's the difference you ask? Well, I've known many wealthy people (the type with all the material resources you could imagine), and then I've met truly rich people who have one thing in common: they have balance.
David has all the monetary success you could ever imagine, yet what made him special in my eye is that he wasn't driven by money; it was more about his relationships. His wife and children mean the most to him inside. He works out every day, watches his diet, and here's the real kicker, he doesn't care what other people think of him. Even though he has all the money anyone could want, need, or desire, he drives a modest car and lives in a modest home, for that's all he says he really needs.
David told me stories of how "keeping up with the Joneses" made him live up to other people's expectations, and how he now chooses to simply live up to his own expectations instead. What a great thought, huh? It got it got me to thinking as well, and to ask this question that I share with you now:
How would I live my life differently, if I lived it only for me? I mean, do I have to wait until I'm wealthy before I begin to enjoy the simple pleasures that surround me each day?
Imagine the freedom we'd have, not attempting to impress anyone other than ourselves. Imagine the free time we'd have in our minds, dreaming of what inspires us?rather than wasting time attempting to please everyone else.
I suppose the lesson to be learned here is that this freedom can be ours . . . and already exists before us. We simply need to accept its challenge.
The challenge is this: For one month, make a conscious effort to do what pleases you. Be proud of your success (but don't brag), wear the clothes that make you comfortable and happy, eliminate the fear to dance, take that risk you've been holding back, and whatever you do . . . Keep smilin'
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated - send to: GregReid@AlwaysGood.com
About The Author
Gregory Scott Reid GregReid@AlwaysGood.com Speaker and two-time #1 best-selling author, The Millionaire Mentor and Wake Up: Live the Life You Love www.AlwaysGood.com
I'm almost always a calm and collected person. Or at... Read More
When did you last do that? When did you last... Read More
Life is a process of beginnings and endings. In both... Read More
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
Life coaching has become fashionable in recent years and there... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
Many moons ago. Talking to people was something I avoided... Read More
Our bodies are made of pure energy. With Quantum physics... Read More
Whether it is irritability or unmitigated rage, anger is an... Read More
None of us like to think of ourselves as victims.... Read More
How often have you heard yourself say, "I've got so... Read More
This story is being offered in response to a request... Read More
Is it possible to make a strong "business case for... Read More
I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette... Read More
The war, taxes, the economy, increased health problems, crime on... Read More
As a person who has been around the coaching profession... Read More
Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More
We don't change. I imagine such a statement could find... Read More
I turned 29 last week, and if statistics are right... Read More
What do you do when fear shows up? Do you... Read More
The fall harvest comes upon us once a year. The... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
Each of us has our own set of personal values;... Read More
We've all been through training events-workshops, seminars, and courses that... Read More
There is one important point that is often missed in... Read More
Michael was raised in a home where anger was used... Read More
How many more servings of the daytime self-help salad will... Read More
Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more... Read More
Dogs distrust hot air balloons. I gathered this tidbit as... Read More
He's been around since the dawn of humanity. His profession... Read More
God must love Top Ten lists because she made so... Read More
Playing Our Part:Sir Michael Costa was conducting a rehearsal, in... Read More
In this article we would like to help you explore... Read More
I thought I'd begin this article by stimulating your mind... Read More
I was talking to one of my coaching clients and... Read More
I was thinking this morning about the importance of the... Read More
"The more I want to get something done, the less... Read More
Many of us will do anything to avoid another's anger,... Read More
I turned 29 last week, and if statistics are right... Read More
If you are anything like me, you may have noticed... Read More
How to Control Your Anger: Retreat and Think Things OverJim... Read More
How often do you hear a parental voice in your... Read More
When we see people do things we cannot do, or... Read More
What makes attitude so important? Why not just learn some... Read More
A few months back I had a disturbing dream. In... Read More
One of the ironies of mindfulness is that it's still... Read More
Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks,... Read More
In the 1950s Abraham Maslow published a book entitled "... Read More
Okay, you have read some books on body language and... Read More
IntroductionThe question for leaders in organizations today is how do... Read More
Most of us find coaching employees to be an effective,... Read More
If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More
The other day I decided to skip cooking dinner and... Read More
If you work with people, as a company owner, manager... Read More
In principle, we don't want to give up coaching employees.... Read More
Seeking improved performance at work? Wishing you could finally achieve... Read More
Whether it's making a prospecting call to a promising business... Read More
In the movie, "The Gladiator," Emperor Commodus' rose to power... Read More
Having found a coach you feel comfortable and excited about... Read More
At a recent networking meeting Jana asked for a recommendation... Read More
For adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), details are a... Read More
Disappointment is an inevitable part of home-based business. Clients won't... Read More
What is an ego? Well, in case you didn't know... Read More
The name of the game is CHANGE -- that's true... Read More
Do you ever find that when a friend asks for... Read More
Along the path from where you are now to millions... Read More
Coaching |