If It Is to Be, It’s Up to Me
Repeat after me, “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” I do not recall where I first heard that phrase, but it makes for a good mantra. As life becomes apparently more complex and technology takes an increasingly central role in society, it is easy to forget that we are the captains of our own ships.
Is everything under our control? Absolutely not and it would be foolish and arrogant to think so. However, more things are under our control than we might ordinarily believe. We can lose weight by dieting, shape up by exercising, increase our knowledge by studying more, improve our careers by working more diligently etc. There is a lot we can do to improve our lives.
Unfortunately, many times, we fall into a trap of faulty thinking. We believe that somehow, someway, with no effort put out on our own behalf that things will change for the better. Sometimes this might be true. Yet, there is a lot more we can do than just sitting around and waiting for tough times to pass.
Though there is no one size fits all success formula, there are some basics we can employ in the pursuit of our dreams. First, we must approach anything we do ethically and with a high level of energy. Assuming that is our foundation, we must focus our energies on a specific goal. Energy utilized in a disperse fashion, rather than that which is focused, is often energy wasted.
In addition to our ethics, energy and focus, there are a few more things we can do to aid us in our quest for achievement. I will mention three of them, which we shall look at in depth in future columns:
1. We need to develop a healthy relationship with time. Often, things take longer than expected.
2. We need to develop a high tolerance to frustration.
3. Though we must be goal oriented and make plans to accomplish our goals, it is also important for us to be lateral thinkers who can adjust our plans based on factors not under our control.
Remember, “If it is to be it’s up to me.”
Image courtesy of [jscreationzs] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
*Authors note: You might see this column pop up online in a newspaper, under the name Both Sides. I am publishing this column here first at CYInterview.com. For a bunch of years, I have been writing newspaper columns. Since my columns have received a good response on CYInterview, I thought I would share it with you. Hope you enjoy.
You can reach me with your questions and comments at Jay@CYinterview.com Like today’s column? Check back frequently.