“If only…” These two words paired together create one of
the saddest phrases in the English language.
Here are ten choices that ultimately lead to this phrase of
regret, and how to elude them:
1. Wearing a mask to impress others. – If the face you
always show the world is a mask, someday there will be
nothing beneath it. Because when you spend too much time
concentrating on everyone else’s perception of you, or who
everyone else wants you to be, you eventually forget who
you really are. So don’t fear the judgments of others; you
know in your heart who you are and what’s true to you. You
don’t have to be perfect to impress and inspire people. Let
them be impressed and inspired by how you deal with your
imperfections.
2. Letting someone else create your dreams for you. – The
greatest challenge in life is discovering who you are; the
second greatest is being happy with what you find. A big
part of this is your decision to stay true toyour own goals
and dreams. Do you have people who disagree with you?
Good. It means you’re standing your ground and walking
your own path. Sometimes you’ll do things considered
crazy by others, but when you catch yourself excitedly
losing track of time, that’s when you’ll know you’re doing
the right thing. Read The 4-Hour Workweek .
3. Keeping negative company. – Don’t let someone who has
a bad attitude give it to you. Don’t let them get to you.
They can’t pull the trigger if you don’t hand them the gun.
When you remember that keeping the company of negative
people is a choice, instead of an obligation, you free
yourself to keep the company of compassion instead of
anger, generosity instead of greed, and patience instead of
anxiety.
4. Being selfish and egotistical. – A life filled with loving
deeds and good character is the best tombstone. Those
who you inspired and shared your love with will remember
how you made them feel long after your time has expired.
So carve your name on hearts , not stone. What you have
done for yourself alone dies with you; what you have done
for others and the world remains.
5. Avoiding change and growth. – If you want to know your
past look into your present conditions. If you want to know
your future look into your present actions. You must let go
of the old to make way for the new; the old way is gone,
never to come back. If you acknowledge this right now and
take steps to address it, you will position yourself for lasting
success. Read The Power of Habit .
6. Giving up when the going gets tough. – There are no
failures, just results. Even if things don’t unfold the way you
had expected, don’t be disheartened or give up. Learn what
you can and move on. The one who continues to advance
one step at a time will win in the end. Because the battle is
always won far away and long before the final victory. It’s
a process that occurs with small steps, decisions, and
actions that gradually build upon each other and eventually
lead to that glorious moment of triumph.
7. Trying to micromanage every little thing. – Life should be
touched, not strangled. Sometimes you’ve got to relax and
let life happen without incessant worry and
micromanagement. Learn to let go a little before you
squeeze too tight. Take a deep breath. When the dust
settles and you can once again see the forest for the trees,
take the next step forward. You don’t have to know exactly
where you’re going to be headed somewhere great.
Everything in life is in perfect order whether you understand
it yet or not. It just takes some time to connect all the dots.
8. Settling for less than you deserve. – Be strong enough to
let go and wise enough to wait for what you deserve.
Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you
have ever been to stand up taller than you ever were before.
Sometimes your eyes need to be washed by your tears so
you can see the possibilities in front of you with a clearer
vision again. Don’t settle.
9. Endlessly waiting until tomorrow. – The trouble is, you
always think you have more time than you do. But one day
you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to work
on the things you’ve always wanted to do. And at that point
you either will have achieved the goals you set for yourself,
or you will have a list of excuses for why you
haven’t. Read The Last Lecture .
10. Being lazy and wishy-washy. – The world doesn’t owe
you anything, you owe the world something. So stop
daydreaming and start DOING. Develop a backbone, not a
wishbone. Take full responsibility for your life – take
control. You are important and you are needed. It’s too
late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something
someday. Someday is now; the somebody the world needs
is YOU .

I hope this article will change lives...

This is really good..I particularly like no 6...thanks for sharing.