Live the life YOU want to Live!

You all know that I am a raving Fan of Napoleon Hill. I subscribe to the Napoleon Hill Foundation newsletter which just shared this article today.  Some of you follow me on Facebook and my Optimist Island group. It is such a treat for me to share a daily inspirational quote to help my friends "jumpstart" their day with positive thoughts.

Enjoy the article, have a fun weekend and do something YOU enjoy!

Optimistically ~

Neil

How To Hurdle Temptation by Dr. Napoleon Hill Here's a sure-fire method to help you live the life you want to live. To develop a positive mental attitude, you must make a habit of transmuting every experience into definite action, promptly and decisively. That means you must have a definite philosophy, a clear-cut general standard of behavior, to guide your thoughts and actions under various circumstances. The most important rule you can make for yourself is this: never, under any condition, engage in any transaction which does not bring equal benefits to all persons it affects. Remember that for one person to gain, it is not necessary for someone else to lose. The only true measure of success is whether everyone concerned is benefited by it. The late Cyrus H. K. Curtis, founder of the Saturday Evening Post, defined success as "the ability to get everything one desires or needs without violating the rights of others." Through such standards of positive thinking and performance, you can achieve material success honestly, forthrightly and proudly. Let me give an example of how Curtis himself put this philosophy into action. In the early days of the Post, the business frequently was short of operating capital. But Curtis had decreed that he would not accept certain types of advertising. One Saturday, he and his son-in-law, Edward Bok, were opening mail with the hope enough money would come in to take care of the payroll later in the day. Suddenly Bok whooped: "Here it is! Enough for twice what we need!" Curtis looked at the check in the envelope and said, "Sorry, we can't accept it." It was from an advertising agency which, learning the Post was pinched, seized the opportunity to try to induce Curtis to run copy he had often rejected as objectionable. "We will operate the Post without this sort of advertising," he said, "and the time will come when this policy will pay off." And another time, when heavy debts threatened to crush the Post out of existence, Curtis' biggest creditor - a paper company - not only extended his credit but loaned him enough money to satisfy the other creditors. Thus Curtis was given a free hand to get his publication on a going basis. Many years later, another firm solicited Curtis' business by offering a lower price. Curtis rejected the offer. The company that stood by him in his day of need, he said, would count on his business in his day of prosperity - regardless of price! You will find your own decision easier to make if you have established certain standards of moral performance to which you adhere rigidly under all conditions. In a sense, you are making decisions in advance - before you actually need to make them. For you are rejecting certain courses of action as repugnant or unworthy. Thus you will find frequently, when a decision must be made, that it is one you made years ago when you resolved to live up to certain standards of behavior. Remember, that you can compromise with others - but not with yourself. Source: Success Unlimited. May 1968, pgs. 37 & 38.

True words from Napoleon Hill

One of my favorite authors of ALL TIME is Napoleon Hill. The message he shared in the 1920s is still relevant today. The following is from the Napoleon Hill Today and Yesterday website.  I hope you enjoy it!

When asked about happiness, Abe Lincoln said, “It has been my observation that people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”  That’s both the good and the bad news.

When things in life take a turn for the worse, we may not be able to change the outcome of the event, however, we can change our way of thinking about what happened, our attitude.  Victor Frankl teaches us in his classical book, Man’s Search for Meaning, that our attitude is ultimately the only thing we can control in life.

Living with physical ailments, poverty, war, hatred, and a thousand other negativities that may well be beyond our control can sometimes be an ugly fact of life.  But, how we think about these “facts” determines our attitude toward them in our personal life.  For example, if there is not enough food in the refrigerator to make a sizable meal for a family of four, do not complain but celebrate the fact that there is any food at all.  Go a step further, and serve what is there on your best dishes as if it were a celebration meal.  Finally, give thanks for the feast that is about to be eaten, and even serve it with candlelight.  Changing the atmosphere, by changing your attitude can greatly change your perception. 

Ever notice that when your perception changes, the very next outcome most often changes too?  This is the magic of attitude!  The magic of attitude is the very method by which we can always control our destiny.  Change your attitude, change your life.  If you think you can, or you think your can’t, you’re right!

Here are some excellent affirmations that W. Clement Stone used to keep his attitude on track.  You might try incorporating them into your daily routine too and see what difference word power can make!

• To be happy . . . act happy!
• I feel healthy . . . I feel happy . . . I feel terrific!
• Success is achieved by those who try and maintained by those who keep trying.
• Be courageous!
• With every adversity there is a seed of equivalent or greater benefit.
• What the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve.
• Direct your thoughts, control your emotions and ordain your destiny.
• Do it now!
Be Your Very Best Always,
Judy Williamson

A half-dozen of my favorite books

I read as many books as I can every year because I enjoy learning new ideas and refreshing other thoughts in my mind. I've noticed that at the end of every year for the past 30, I tend to read books that inspire me for the new year. So, my gift to you today is to share six of my favorites. I welcome you to share your favorites too!

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (published in 1937)    The title is misleading to people who have Not read it yet. When I ask my audience how many have read Think and Grow Rich, I always get a few "snickers" from those who think it's another book from The Donald.  It's nothing like his books. Brian Tracy (one of my favorite speakers and sales trainers) says "This is the best single book on personal success ever written; it made me a millionaire - starting from nothing."   Harvey Mackay, the New York Times Bestseller says "It's the classic of all classics."  Buy 2 copies and give one to a friend who needs a boost these days.

2. The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr Norman Vincent Peale (published in 1952)
This is THE greatest inspirational bestseller our our time. I read it in 1970 when I was just 14 years old. It gave me great hope while I was living on welfare with my family.

3. Lifetime Plan for Success by Dale Carnegie.   This book contains 2 bestsellers by Mr. Carnegie. How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936) and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (1944)     My guess is that most of you have read his books - but just in case you haven't yet, you may want to add it to your list.   I even gave a copy to my teenage son and asked for a book report on it.

4. Unstoppable by Cynthia Kersey    45 Powerful stories of perseverance and triumph from people just like you.  What a great read. She also wrote Unstoppable for Women.
There are so many inspiring stories in the book that I couldn't put it down!

5. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. I have a copy of Three Volumes In One which also contains The Greatest Secret in the World and The Greatest Miracle in the World.

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. I always smile when I look at this book because I was so "wowed" by it that I changed my license plate to WINWIN.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of you. I wish you and your loved ones plenty of smiles, memorable moments and good health.

Sincerely ~  Neil    The Mayor of Optimist Island