Dare to live without limits Week of 9/07/20

Taking leads to dependency; learn to be self-reliant

Give a person a fish and they will eat one meal. Teach a person how to fish and they will eat for a lifetime.
Do you seek how much you can take from life, or do you strive to see how much you can make? What’s the difference? You take what someone else offers. You make for yourself by creating the circumstances you desire.
Taking, although tempting, is harmful because it creates a dependency. Those who only eat when someone provides a fish are totally reliant on others for their well-being.
People with a sense of entitlement are takers. They feel they are owed something without having to work for it. These people have a victim mentality in that they do not believe they are responsible for their circumstances. Instead, they passively wait for things to happen rather than making them happen.
You gain control of your future by learning how to fish. This means you are willing to work for your goals instead of waiting for them to be provided. Self-reliance is true independence. Being responsible for your well-being enables you to choose your path and direction. It provides true freedom to build the life you desire.
No one owes you anything. It’s up to you to make the life you want. Be willing to do whatever is required for as long as necessary to attain your objectives. Concentrate on your goals. Maintain a positive can-do, will-do attitude.
Never blame other people or circumstances. You are responsible for your life. You are responsible for making the circumstances you want. Learning how to fish involves acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to attain your objectives.
Not everything you attempt will work out as planned. When this happens, it’s your responsibility to fix it. Don’t complain. Figure out what steps are required to get back on track. You learn more from mistakes than when all works out perfectly.
Making excuses for failure inhibits your accomplishments. Excuses justify why you can’t, or won’t, reach a goal. It’s impossible to make a situation work in your favor while you are conjuring up explanations for falling short.
Make things happen today by cutting free from the past. Lamenting about what you could have, should have, or would have done limits future successes. Learn from the past to repeat successful behavior, while eliminating mistakes.
Doing what you love to do facilitates making things happen. Enjoying your pursuit boosts your enthusiasm. Life should not be a constant grind. Looking forward to each day accelerates accomplishment.
Pursuing your passion also generates happiness, which propels you forward. A positive mindset knows no limitations and heightens your ability to make things happen. Use your self-talk to constantly reinforce all that is possible.
Spend at least 20 minutes each week learning something new. Utilize your knowledge, skills, and abilities in moving forward. Anything lacking in these areas can be acquired, or you can seek out the advice of experts. “No excuses,” should be part of your foundation.
Don’t procrastinate. Be proactive each day. Utilize your time productively, it flies by all too fast. Capitalize on mistakes by using them as stepping stones. Get right back up whenever you trip and fall.
Let go of fear because it is so detrimental to your progress. Fear is vanquished by doing what you are afraid to do, and going where you are afraid to go. Ignore naysayers. It doesn’t matter what other people say, think, or do.
Don’t waste any time looking for something to take. Instead, strive to make your own life rich and rewarding.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2020 Bryan Golden