Problems are signs of progress

“Understand that most problems are a good sign. Problems indicate that progress is being made, wheels are turning, you are moving toward your goals. Beware when you have no problems. Then you really have a problem... Problems are like landmarks of progress.” - Scott Alexander

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” - Duke Ellington

Never forget - a mistake is evidence that someone has tried to do something. Therefore, do not get discouraged by them but rather continue to encourage those who dare to try. With encouragement, many people can achieve wonders if they persist and persevere.

However, fear those that dare not try, worrying of making mistakes.

"People who make no mistakes lack boldness and the spirit of adventure. They are the brakes on the wheels of progress" - Dale E. Turner

What do you think?

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Don't lose your courage

"Courage is knowing what not to fear." - Plato

Definition of Courage
According to the Oxford dictionary, courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. It is strength in the face of pain or grief.

We do need lots of courage
We need lots of courage to stand up for what’s right when we stand alone. Or to do what’s right despite disapproval. Or even to take risks that are for our own good. Many people dare not ask for further explanation when the question sounds stupid. Indeed, it also takes a lot of courage to admit you don’t know certain thing or don't even know what you’re doing.

Well, what would your life look like if you had absolutely no fear?

Let's take a look at this story:

There was once a man who was suffered from a deadly illness. Knowing that he will die soon, he was the first to join the military when his country was in a battle with the enemy. Hoping to die in battle, he would fight in the front line, exposing himself without any worry for his life. Eventually they won the battle and he was still alive!

His commander was extremely impressed with his bravery which contributed much to the victory, decided to promote and award him with medals of bravery and honor. On the day of presentation, he was looking very down and unhappy. Curious, the commander asked him the reason why and was told of his deadly illness. "How could I let such a brave soldier die?", the commander thought. So the commander hired the best doctor and finally cured the soldier.

But from that day onwards, the once fearless and brave soldier was no longer seen at the front! He would always avoid danger and tried his best to protect his life instead of risking it!

When you remain in your comfort zone, you can be like the soldier eventually holding you back from moving forward. Thus, don't lose your courage to do what is necessary! Break the chain and free yourself.

“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” - Dale Carnegie

"A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward." - Jean Paul Richter

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.

Photo 1 by Carl M. taken from this source
Photo 2 by Photo-Gedden taken from this source

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Be the first to say Sorry

"An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything." - Lynn Johnston

Many find it hard to say sorry because they have to admit that they are wrong. However, apologising is essential and the only way to resolve issues.

Be the first to say Sorry. When you realize you've made a mistake, make amends immediately.

Don't be afraid to say "I am sorry." Remember to say sorry when you hurt somebody.

Say 'SORRY' at the right moment. A Sorry at the right time can bridge many misunderstandings. If the other person is still angry, they might not be ready to hear it. Also take note that a mumbled apology may leave you worse off than before.

There are many ways to apologize. Here are some examples:

"I'm sorry I lost your Music CD."
"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"I'm sorry for all I put you through"
"I'm sorry I hurt you. What I did, I regret"

"Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past." - Tryon Edwards

What do you think? Do you have any tips on how to say sorry?

Photo by FUNKYAH taken from this source

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Life's Obstacles

We learn and grow most when we face the most extremes of weather, obstacles, political parties, and points of view. Obstacles are power generators. We should look upon problems and obstacles as test questions or challenges.

Obstacles are those pesky things that hinder us only when we lost sight of our goal. The only sure guard against troubles and obstacles is a long term goal.

"Sometimes things which at the moment may be perceived as obstacles -- and actually be obstacles, difficulties, or drawbacks -- can in the long run result in some good end which would not have occurred if it had not been for the obstacle." - Steve Allen

"Others can stop you temporarily - you are the only one who can do it permanently." - Zig Ziglar

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now.

With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” - Mark Victor Hansen

"It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance and sweeps away all obstacles." - Claude M. Bristol

Defeat may test you; it need not stop you. If at first you don't succeed, try another way. For every obstacle there is a solution. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The greatest mistake is giving up.

Let's learn to consider obstacles as an opportunity to grow stronger and more competent. So keep going regardless of the obstacles.

I would appreciate it very much if you do share how you overcome obstacles.

Photo 1 by Harold Jarche taken from this source
Photo 2 by fazen taken from this source

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Competence Starts with feeling competent

"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are." - Forbes

It is important to have good self-esteem. Good self-esteem gives you the courage to try new things and the power to believe in yourself. It lets you respect yourself, even when you make mistakes. If you think you're important, you'll be less likely to follow the crowd who might be doing something dumb or dangerous. You value your safety, your feelings, your health - your whole self!

"A person's worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves." - Jean De La Bruyere

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on."

"Put all excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable." - Zig Ziglar

"To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives." - Denis Waitley

"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish." - Sam Walton

Photo by athenamat taken from this source

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Removing barriers to success

"It takes courage to make a fool of yourself." - Charlie Chaplin

Imagine all those who tried to fly before Wilbur and Orville Wright succeeded. They were considered fools by many. But they were right: humans can fly.

“There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them.” - Tom Krause

“Life's real failure is when you do not realize how close you were to success when you gave up.”

“Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.” - Roger Von Oech

“Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.”

Photo by marttj taken from this source

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Do you fear change?

"Everything changes, nothing remains without change."

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction” - Winston Churchill

If you're not enthusiastic about your job, you're in the wrong job. If at all possible change it. Too many are in the wrong job and know it, but wrongly think they're too old to change.

A change for the better always starts with a change of thinking. We can change ourselves by changing our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

An exercise in concentration: "Once a week, ask yourself: "Is this thing I'm doing right now helping me reach my chief goal?" If it isn't, change it."

To avoid getting old, welcome change. Keep busy. Keep interested. Keep optimistic.

Photo by Lazy_Lightning taken from this source

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Develop Good Qualities

See the good in people and try to develop those qualities.

Ten Success Qualities Most Wanted by Business Leaders:

1. Ability to lead and communicate with others.
2. Ability to compete.
3. Ability to plan and schedule your activities.
4. Versatility in your dealings.
5. Loyalty to your business.
6. Responsibility for time, money, property and opportunities.
7. Honesty in all things.
8. Truthfulness.
9. High moral character.
10. Adaptability to mental and physical pressures with the ability to bounce back.

“The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” - Ray Kroc

“Persons are judged to be great because of the positive qualities they possess, not because of the absence of faults”

“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men - Confucius

Photo by Spitzgogo_CHEN taken from this source

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Dream and Make It Come True

“Dreams are like stars... you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”

"If you can dream, you can do it." - Walt Disney

"If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true?" - Oscar Hammerstein

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

"A goal is a dream with a deadline" - Napoleon Hill

“The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you.” - Tom Bradley

Photo by stewickie taken from this source

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The Road To Success

“Success is a journey, not a destination.” - Ben Sweetland

“Success is not permanent. The same is also true of failure.”

“Success is largely a matter of holding on after others have let go”

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

“Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted” - David Bly

“To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you” - Tony Dorsett

“Choice, not circumstances, determines your success.”

“For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.” - Harry F. Banks

Photo by pixels.in.my.head taken from this source

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Conquer Fear

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

"Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fear is only as deep as the mind allows. Never fear shadows... they simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." - Louis E. Boone.

"Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it... that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear." - Dale Carnegie.

Photo by Nagyman taken from this source

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The Power of Hope

Start every day with an inspiring thought. "Great hopes make great men." - Thomas Fuller

Hope is one of those things in life you cannot do without. - LeRoy Douglas

Hope is the power that gives us the power to step out and try. "The important thing is not that we can live on hope alone, but that life is not worth living without it." - Harvey Milk

“Where there's life, there's hope.” - Terence. There's hope for every failure, as long as he doesn't blame others for his fate.

“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” - Albert Einstein

Photo by Quah YC (Ji Yan) taken from this source

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Be courageous in good deed

Courage is the willingness to do the things you know are right. Do the thing you fear, and fear will disappear.

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy - Dale Carnegie.

Courage is not the absence of fear; it's the conquest of fear.

Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.

Photo by Sir Garlichad taken from this source

Be a Leader

Ships are safer in the harbour but they are not meant for that purpose.

Dare to dream - dare to try - dare to fail - dare to succeed.

Leadership is like moving a string, you cannot move it by pushing from behind; what you have to do is to get ahead and pull.

You never know what you can do till you try. If you want to be a success, display enough courage to welcome failures.

"The key is to let people laugh at you. It will challenge you to break existing limits." - Founder Of Creative Technologies

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