I have learned

I have learned: - that my most important mission is to be kind to myself and others - that being alone often provides a sense of great fullness - that when I feel disappointed in someone, it's usually due to my expectations rather than their actions - that when dealing with professionals, if I'm not clear about what I want, I'll wind up with what they want - that it saves time to always put my watch, keys, and wallet in the same place every day I have learned: - that a relationship without commitment is just an acquaintance - that true leaders listen more than they speak - that dogs hold the secret to being happy and loving, but I haven't learned how they do it yet - that blame evokes defensiveness and that defensiveness reduces awareness - that true leader makes decisions by using their hearts as well as their minds I have learned: - that real power comes from my ability to focus - that life is easier when my handbag is organized - that promises are sacred - that what we are driven to get isn't always what we want - that spending time daily in deep relaxation is not an option for personal growth, it's a requirement - that if you don't do everything you can right now, you'll have more to do later I have learned: - that it's important, along the road to our dreams, to stop and re-examine the map just to make sure we haven't gotten lost - that fear, when managed, promotes excellence and creativity - that when I am at my most vulnerable, I am most ready to grow. - that a compliment thought but not shared is a missed opportunity - that there are people who love us dearly but just haven't taught to show it the way we want them to I have learned: - to question all assumptions - to always have a contingency plan - that the path to success is not as difficult to find as it is difficult to follow - that we all have innate talents that are not being utilized - that there is no dress rehearsal for life - that words can be used to hurt and heal - to look for possibilities, not limits I have learned: - that the problem with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was - to measure success from within, not against others - to appreciate my parents now, before they are gone - to always carry something to read - that learning is a life-long journey - to not stop with the first "right" answer - that it's not how much we know, but how quickly we learn I have learned: - that my job on earth is to live my life fully - that success happens more easily when you're influenced by the right people - to live fully, moment by moment - that reaching out to others brings joy - that our best contacts come from unexpected sources in unexpected places - that a smile or a gentle touch is often more satisfying than anything I can say I have learned: - to take at least one action toward my goal everyday - that a strong focus eliminates more obstacles than any problem-solving strategy ever could - that leadership comes from the heart, management from the head - that others respond directly to my moods - that failure is the result of giving up - that the best way to learn anything is to teach it - that success comes from doing that we love and loving what we do I have learned: - how to invest my time rather than spend it - that simply and continually putting one foot in front of the other allows miracles to happen - that delegating responsibility without accountability is a prescription for frustration and failure - that hugs say things when words are insufficient - that 30/10 rule really works. Commit 30 minutes to learning something new each and every day, then spend 10 minutes deciding how to apply it to life I have learned: - that appreciating my partner's greatest traits is the key to long-lasting love - that huge mountains are climbed by taking little steps - that loving an under-appreciated person changes them forever - that the main way to express love is to show attention - that a compliment thought but not shared is a missed opportunity