11 wise sayings about life lessons and what they mean

07/06/2025 by

Today, dear reader, I offer you 11 wise sayings about life lessons, along with some observations on what I believe they mean for your life.

I hope you find this valuable and interesting.

WISE SAYINGS ABOUT LIFE LESSONS
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Wise sayings about life lessons:

1. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. ~English Proverb

When visiting a foreign country with a different culture from your own, the best way to get along with the local people is to respect their culture and customs.

Essentially, it’s all about respecting and adhering to their way of life, as far as reasonably possible.

Respect people and they’ll appreciate it.

Learn a little bit of their language and you’ll connect with them. They won’t mind if you don’t get all the words and pronunciation completely correct. It’ll probably make them smile a little, and they’ll appreciate your effort.

Treat people with respect and they’ll treat you with respect. It’s that simple.

2. Be contrary and be known. ~Arab Proverb

If you want to get noticed, a ‘me too’ approach to life is unlikely to take you very far. When you’re just like everyone else, how can you stand out in the crowd?

If you want to get noticed, then you need to offer something a bit different, surely?

To stand out in the crowd, you’ll need to dress differently, have an unusual hairstyle or offer something new.

Go against the accepted thinking of the day and you’ll get noticed.

Suggest something that goes against the received wisdom of the day, and people might listen if you back up your observation with a reasoned argument.

Be different, be contrary, and you’ll get noticed.

Back it up with real substance, and you will make a permanent impression on public consciousness.

Elvis Presley was like nothing that went before him; neither were The Beatles.

These were people who had a look, style and approach all of their own. They made a genuine impact, and they changed people’s outlook on life permanently.

In other words, they made their mark, and you can too.

3. A beautiful thing is never perfect. ~Egyptian Proverb

There’s no such thing as perfect, certainly not when it comes to people.

We’re all imperfect in some way.

However, that’s what makes us interesting as individuals. It’s also what makes it easier for other people to live with us because no matter how good we are in some way, there are also ways in which we are not quite so good.

So accept your imperfections. Work to your strengths, minimise your weaknesses and do the best you can with whatever you have at your disposal. If you do that, you can succeed.

4. There’s no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out. ~Russian Proverb

How often do people refrain from asking a question for fear that they might look a little stupid? Does that ring a bell with you, dear reader?

We’ve probably all done it at some point in our lives, wouldn’t you agree?

However, it’s rather silly if you think about it.

None of us can know everything, can we? There will always be gaps in our knowledge, that’s for sure.

So if you don’t know something, surely it’s better to find out? It’s better to ask a question, even if you appear foolish momentarily.

People might laugh, but so what?

Intelligent people ask questions, and it’s better to look like a fool momentarily than proceed in ignorance. You may look like a fool for not knowing but you’ll look like an even bigger fool if you screw up because you didn’t ask.

Never, ever be afraid to ask a question if you don’t know.

That way you’ll learn. In any other way, and you’ll never learn. Remember: Intelligent people ask questions.

5. Experience is not always the kindest of teachers, but it’s surely the best. ~Spanish Proverb

Education is a wonderful thing, I’m sure you’ll agree.

However, the best teacher by a country mile is the School of Hard Knocks at the University of Life.

Making mistakes and getting your fingers burned teaches you lessons you’ll never forget. And those lessons are invaluable.

That’s what they call experience, and experience is indeed a valuable commodity.

Experience is the basis of all wisdom.

It’s also an essential element in finding out what you’re good at and what you enjoy.

And if you can find that sweet spot where what you’re good at coincides with what you enjoy doing, then you really will begin to shine. So shine on, my friend.

6. Having two ears and one tongue, we should listen twice as much as we speak. ~Turkish Proverb

How often are we so keen to get our point across that we don’t listen to what the other person has to say? That’s a mistake.

Listening is one of the most important skills you can develop.

To quote Stephen R. Covey, “Seek first to understand and then to be understood.”

To understand someone else’s point, you must listen first.

Listening is not the same as hearing.

Hearing is simply being aware of the sounds going on around you.

Listening is absorbing what is being said and considering it carefully.

Listening requires both your ears and your brain to be engaged simultaneously.

Naturally, you want to feel that your perspective matters.

If you listen to people first, not only will they appreciate it, but they’ll also start listening to you. If you’re showing them respect, then they’ll do the same to you.

By listening to each other, we can begin to understand each other.

And if we understand each other, we have the basis for getting along together.

So listen more and talk less.

In this way, the world might just become a better place. Let’s hope so anyway.

7. It’s better to die than to live on with a bad reputation. ~Vietnamese Proverb

Some time ago, a friend of mine was working for a retailer and foolishly did something dishonest. The result was that he lost his job and damaged his reputation in the process.

Only when he began to realise how much damage he’d done to his reputation did he begin to realise how foolish he’d been.

Damaging your reputation can have serious consequences, and you can often feel the impact of that for many years after the original indiscretion.

So, protect and value your reputation.

It’s one of the most important commodities you have to offer.

Whether you’re in employment or self-employed, you’ll always be judged on your reputation. A bad reputation can lead to harsh judgment.

8. A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. ~Greek Proverb

Your legacy in life will be based on what you’ve done for other people, regardless of whether you’ve benefitted from it yourself.

That’s how you’ll be remembered.

A civilised society depends on each of us making a contribution toward the greater good. We cannot just leave it all to someone else.

If you want your grandchildren and their children to enjoy a well-ordered and civilised society, then you must be prepared to do something the result of which you may never see. The payoff for you will simply be the knowledge that future generations will benefit from your altruism.

Leaving something that enriches the lives of future generations would be a real and genuine legacy, wouldn’t you agree?

9. God gives the nuts, but he doesn’t crack them. ~German proverb

You can’t expect everything to be done for you.

At some point, you have to do something for yourself.

If everything is done for you, you’ll never learn; you’ll never develop new skills, and you’ll never be able to deal with life.

So don’t try to avoid the chore, embrace it with enthusiasm and recognise that it’s in your own best interests to act.

10. A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion. ~Chinese Proverb

Criticism can be uncomfortable, so it’s easy to be swayed by the majority view. However, how can we be sure that the majority view is correct? Perhaps they’re all wrong.

Just because a lot of people think something is so, it doesn’t mean that they have a monopoly on knowledge and common sense.

Rather than simply following the herd, it’s much better to consider a situation carefully, weighing the various possibilities, and then form your own opinion or make an informed decision.

Think for yourself; don’t allow the herd to impose their thinking on you.

11. Every ass loves to hear himself bray. ~Proverb of Unknown Origin

As the old saying goes, empty vessels make the most sound.

However, just because someone can talk a good game doesn’t mean they can play a good game.

People who are truly skilled at something will demonstrate it through their actions, not their words. They’ll leave the talking to other people.

You’ll never impress anyone by singing your own praises.

However, you’ll win them over if you can demonstrate your effectiveness through the results you deliver.

So go on, show people what you can do.

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Here’s why the only disability in life is a bad attitude

07/05/2025 by

It has been said that the only disability in life is a bad attitude. For me, that rings true, at least to some degree.

Let’s explore the idea.

Have you faced numerous challenges in your life, dear reader?

Maybe you’re feeling a little bit sorry for yourself?

Life hasn’t been fair to you recently, possibly?

If life’s unfair, you might feel that you’re entitled to have a bad attitude. Everyone’s doing fine but you, so why shouldn’t you let the world know that you’re not happy, right? We all feel that way occasionally, don’t we? I do, that’s for sure.

However, if you’re trying to get people on your side with a negative attitude, then you should reconsider. No one will be joining you at the pity party. You won’t find anyone sympathetic to a bad attitude, I assure you.

If there’s one genuine disability in life, it’s a bad attitude.

It’s a fact that negativity never impresses anyone, ever. Other people have enough problems of their own.

It doesn’t win people over; it will simply alienate them. You’ll be pushing them away rather than gathering their support and winning hearts and minds.

Life isn’t fair. If it has never been, and it never will be. That’s a fact, unfortunately.

You’ll find that life doesn’t care about what you want. It doesn’t care about what anyone wants.

It doesn’t care about any sense of entitlement you may have.

Nor does life care that you feel that you should have a bigger piece of the pie.

In my experience, life is what you make it. Nothing happens by accident unless you’re very, very lucky. And no one is consistently that lucky.

Your attitude will define the life you enjoy or don’t enjoy.

It’s not about what happens to you. Stuff happens to everyone.

Yes, it’s true, some people bear a greater share of life’s challenges than others. However, ultimately, your life will be defined by how you respond to everything that happens to you.

the only disability in life is a bad attitude
Attitude is everything
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Positive beats negative:

No matter how tough life gets, a positive attitude will take you further than a negative one ever will.

A positive attitude is the most powerful response to life’s misfortunes.

It says you can knock me down as many times as you like, but you won’t keep me down. I will get up, and I will keep getting up until I reach my destination.

Now, that sort of attitude does impress people.

Life responds positively to those with a positive attitude. I can tell you that from personal experience.

You’ll find that a positive attitude will always win people over. Show them that you can rise above everything life throws at you, and you’ll have their respect.

In the embedded video below, Matthew Jeffers, a senior acting major at Towson University in Maryland, shares an inspiring message with the letter he wrote to the Baltimore Ravens, his favourite NFL team.

The letter was entitled “A Reason to Win,” and it’s all the more impressive when considered against Matthew’s struggles with Skeletal Dysplasia.

The ultimate lesson is that life won’t cut you any slack just because you’re feeling sorry for yourself.

Attitude is everything:

Yes, it’s true. Attitude is everything. If you believe you can, you will; if you believe you can’t, you won’t. It’s that simple.

Many people experience tough lives, and however hard your life is, there’ll be plenty of people out there whose lives are far tougher than yours. Many people experience disabilities of varying degrees of severity, but, as Matthew Jeffers observes, the only real disability in life is a bad attitude.

So if you’re feeling a bit dispirited right now, take a good, hard look at yourself and think about the positives you have in your life, rather than constantly focusing on the negatives.

This video will inspire you, so take a look at it now. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

The only disability in life is a bad attitude:

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Either way, was this article interesting and valuable, dear reader?

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35 Quotes by CS Lewis that are thought-provoking

07/03/2025 by

Today, I thought it would be interesting to explore some quotes by CS Lewis.

Clive Staples Lewis was a British writer and lay theologian. At various times, he held academic positions in English literature at both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England.

CS Lewis is probably best known for his works of fiction, especially The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy, as well as his nonfiction works.

Lewis wrote more than 30 books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions of copies.

He was a successful man, and, as I always say, it’s a good idea to listen to successful people.

So here are 35 quotes by CS Lewis. I hope you find them both interesting and thought-provoking.

Enjoy them all, and please feel free to share them with your friends.

Quotes by CS Lewis
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Quotes by CS Lewis (1-15):

  1. We are what we believe we are.
  2. Joy is the serious business of Heaven.
  3. No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.
  4. Miracles do not, in fact, break the laws of nature.
  5. An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason.
  6. It’s so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see one.
  7. Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.
  8. I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy.
  9. You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.
  10. With the possible exception of the equator, everything begins somewhere.
  11. Reason is the natural order of truth, but imagination is the organ of meaning.
  12. How incessant and great are the ills with which prolonged old age is replete?
  13. The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.
  14. I think that all things, in their way, reflect heavenly truth, the imagination not least.
  15. Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Quotes by CS Lewis (16-25):

  1. The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.
  2. Let’s pray that the human race never escapes from Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere.
  3. Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.
  4. Always prefer the plain direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them.
  5. Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.
  6. Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
  7. The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.
  8. Thirty was so strange for me. I’ve really had to come to terms with the fact that I am now a walking and talking adult.
  9. This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.
  10. Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.

Quotes by CS Lewis (26-30):

  1. Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn’t mean anything else.
  2. What we call Man’s power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument.
  3. A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience that is not slavery.
  4. If I find in myself a desire that no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
  5. History isn’t just the story of bad people doing bad things. It’s quite as much a story of people trying to do good things. But somehow, something goes wrong.

Quotes by CS Lewis (31-35):

  1. Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitely’ when you mean ‘very’; otherwise, you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.
  2. We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.
  3. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.
  4. ‘The Lion’ all began with a picture of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself, ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.’
  5. Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.
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1 question to ask: Why is my life so bad right now?

06/29/2025 by

Why is my life so bad right now? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Perhaps you feel you deserve something better from life? Perhaps your life isn’t all you’d like it to be. Do you want more, possibly?

Does today’s question resonate with you, dear reader?

You look around and see people enjoying the sort of life you’d like, and you can’t help but wonder how it’s all working out for them but not for you.

Why is my life so bad right now?

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Who’s at fault?

If you feel this way, then you’re not alone; that much is certain.

However, if you do feel this way, do you ever wonder who’s at fault for your life failing to meet your expectations?

Perhaps you feel the fault lies with your parents or the teachers you had at school?

Maybe you feel the fault lies with your boss or your employer.

They didn’t provide you with the proper training, or you didn’t get the breaks when there was an opportunity for promotion? Someone else got the promotion simply because they were well in with the boss, right? Perhaps you feel that you were a better candidate than them, and yet they got the job? Life can be so unfair, right?

Well, my friend, I have to tell you that if your life sucks, there’s only one person you can blame. Just look in any mirror, and you will see that person staring right back at you.

We’re responsible for our own lives, and our lives will always be what we choose to make of them.

Yes, you may have had a few bad breaks in life. Yes, perhaps your parents and/or teachers could have been better. So what? Life’s still what you choose to make it.

I’m not suggesting that anything is easy, and, of course, there will always be challenges. Nevertheless, there will always be opportunities for the enterprising and fleet-footed, too. And you can choose to take some of them or not.

You have to decide what it is you want. You have to work out how to get what you want. Then, it requires determination and a lot of hard work on your part to achieve your ultimate goal.

An endless stream of opportunities:

Life is truly an endless stream of opportunities that you can choose to take or not. Look for ways to add value to the lives of others, and you’ll soon see that there are opportunities there for the taking every single day.

By providing a service and adding value to others’ lives, there’s always money to be made.

Continue to educate yourself and acquire new skills, and you’ll be able to add more value to others.

Add more value, and you’ll get paid more.

Manage the money you make wisely, and you can build your wealth over time. It can be done, and people do. So, why not you?

However, there are no shortcuts. Nothing ever happens by chance.

On rare occasions, you might get lucky, and something will fall into your lap. However, mostly you’ll have to work very hard to get what you want. You have to go out and make things happen, I’m afraid. That’s life, unfortunately.

Life and relationships:

It’s the same with relationships, too.

Find someone whom you’d be happy to have as a friend, even without intimacy, and you’ll have the basis for a healthy relationship.

Friendship and trust are essential to a good relationship. As does commitment and a willingness to put in as much as you take out.

It all starts with really knowing what you want.

Know your ‘Why?’

If you know your ‘Why?’ then that will give you the motivation you need to keep going until you get to where you want to be.

If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.

That said, you have to be positive. You have to be prepared to make a few mistakes. You must also be ready to learn from those mistakes.

Never fear mistakes:

On the road to success, a few mistakes are inevitable.

However, as learning opportunities, mistakes are truly invaluable. You’ll learn much more from any mistakes you make than you will from any successes you enjoy.

That said, never allow yourself to be driven too far off course. Keep your eye on the prize you want. And never accept an answer unless it’s the one that you want.

Don’t be discouraged:

Above all, never, ever let people discourage you from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.

It doesn’t matter what other people think; the only thing that matters is what you think. It doesn’t matter whether they believe you can do it, as long as you feel you can do it.

You can be whatever you want to be, as long as you want whatever it is you think you want.

Everything is possible for those who never give up until they reach their desired destination. Life is what you make it. I can tell you that from my own experience.

You must also remember this, though: life’s not a rehearsal.

You only get to go around just once. Well, as far as we know.

So, make your life the best it can be and make the most of being you. Remember this: you’re as good as anyone and better than most.

There’s a price to be paid:

You can have the life you want, but not without hard work and commitment. There’s a price to be paid, and that price will be paid in blood, sweat, and tears. You don’t get anything for nothing, and the price must always be paid first.

If you don’t want to pay the price, then the life you lead will always fall short of your expectations. Sorry if that bothers you, but it’s a fact.

Where to start?

Don’t ask yourself, why is my life so bad right now?

A better question is, what actions do I need to take to start improving my life?

Start by making a list, setting some goals, and then you must get going.

It’s never too late to improve your situation. It’s never too late to improve your life. And it’s never too late to be all that you could be.

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11 top tips for improving quality of life now

06/08/2025 by

Searching for some tips for improving your quality of life, dear reader?

Life’s never been easy, but it seems to get tougher with each passing year, doesn’t it?

We’re all constantly juggling the conflicting demands of work and family, trying to squeeze in a little ‘me time’ whenever possible.

It’s that elusive thing known as work-life balance. Most of us aspire to it, but few manage to achieve it.

How would you describe the quality of your life right now?

This is a question we all ask ourselves from time to time.

A reader recently asked me if I could offer some tips for improving the quality of life. It’s a subject close to my heart, so I am only too happy to oblige.

So here are 11 memorable tips which I hope will help you improve the quality of your life:

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Top tips for improving quality of life:

1. Keep it simple

There really is a lot to be said for simplicity. Complexity can be stressful. So keep everything in life as simple as possible. Ditch the clutter, buy only what you really need and can actually use, and learn to appreciate what you have rather than fretting about things you think you’d like to have but don’t right now.

Nothing matters much, and actually, very few things really matter at all.

If you’re lucky enough to have family and a handful of genuine friends, plus food on your table and a roof over your head, then what more do you need?

Keeping life simple will reduce your stress levels, and that’s important.

2. Treat people with respect

I believe that only people matter.

Yes, having a nice house and a decent car is excellent, but as human beings, we’re social animals.

People are not solitary animals like cats. We live in groups, and we need other people in our lives. And the key to having friends is being a friend and treating other people with respect.

Treat everyone as you’d prefer them to treat you.

Not everyone will appreciate that approach, of course, but the ones that matter most will, and surely that’s what counts.

Treat people with respect, and generally, other people will treat you with respect. And if we could all treat each other with respect, then the world would be a better place, I’m sure.

3. Actions speak louder than words

We’re judged by what we do, not by what we say.

Anyone can talk a good game, but not everyone can deliver real results and do so effectively.

If you want to impress people, then it is only your actions that will count. If you excel at what you do, then you will be well on your way to achieving success.

4. Ask questions

Intelligent people ask questions.

Never be afraid to ask a question or to request clarification about something.

If something doesn’t sound quite right, then don’t be afraid to challenge it.

Ask questions and you’ll learn; fail to ask questions, and a life of ignorance lies ahead of you. And only a fool would proceed in ignorance.

5. Look forward; never back

The past has gone, and it is important only insofar as the lessons it has taught us and the memories it has given us.

The future’s where we’ll spend the rest of our lives. Therefore, we should always be living in the present and looking to the future. And above all our focus should be on forging the future we really want.

Live your life by looking through the windshield, not the rearview mirror.

Remember, the future has yet to be written, but you’ve got the pen.

6. Create your own future:

We can’t change the past, but we can influence our future.

We can have a vision of what we want to achieve and how we’d like our lives to be. We don’t have to accept what is given to us. We can go out and get the things we really want.

It takes hard work, of course, as well as determination and discipline, but it can be done, and lots of people do. So why not you?

Create the future you really want, and don’t just settle for anything that comes along.

7. Don’t be afraid to change direction if necessary

There will be times in your life when you head off in a particular direction only to find that it doesn’t turn out to be quite what you imagined it would be.

There’s nothing wrong with that, as no one gets it right every time.

From time to time, you’ll make mistakes, or perhaps you’ll misjudge a situation. However, once you realize something is not quite right for you, then don’t be afraid to change direction, if necessary.

Just take it on the chin, change direction, and move on.

Don’t worry about what others might think. They’ll think whatever it is they think, but who cares? It’s your life, not theirs.

It’s only what you think that really matters.

If you’re not happy with a situation, then it’s better to take action than to live a life that’s a miserable existence because you’re worried about what other people might think.

8. Face your fear and just do it

From time to time, we all face challenges in our lives.

They can often seem daunting and more than a little scary.

However, if our lives were easy, we’d never grow as people.

By facing up to a challenge, we learn and grow. That’s how we build our character. That’s how we toughen up.

Yes, we’ll make mistakes, but it’s always better to have a go and fail than not have a go at all.

Face a challenge and achieve a result, and you’ve done something of which you can be truly very proud.

Face a challenge and get an outcome you didn’t want, and at least you’ve learned a valuable lesson. That’s how you build experience. And if nothing else, you can be proud that at least you had a go.

Fear is the body’s natural way of warning us to proceed with caution. It’s natural to feel fear, but courage is our ability to act despite feeling that fear.

Have courage and face every challenge as it comes. However hard it might appear at first, you’ll be glad you did.

9. Look after your own well being

You can’t enjoy life to the full if you have health problems, can you?

So take care of yourself and look after your health. Eat sensibly, drink in moderation, get plenty of exercise and avoid things like tobacco and other recreational stimulants.

You might think it doesn’t matter, but it does.

One puff on a cigarette won’t kill you, but the effect of regular smoking will have a cumulative, detrimental effect on your health.

You might think ‘you can handle drugs,’ but that’s the wisdom of a fool.

Regular use of recreational drugs will affect you over time. And it is only a matter of time, trust me.

If you don’t look after yourself, then no one else will.

10. Learn to manage your time effectively

Time is our most precious resource.

And we all have exactly the same amount of time, 168 hours each week. It’s how we choose to use that time that matters most.

Just because someone wants a piece of your time, it doesn’t follow that you should just give it to them. Allocate your time very, very carefully.

If something doesn’t need to be done, don’t do it. If someone else can do it, let them do it. If it can wait, let it wait. And if it absolutely must be done now, then get on with it.

It is all about your priorities and those actions where you and only you can add the most value. Identify those things that will allow you to be most effective, and they will form the basis of your priorities.

11. Have fun; life’s too short

We all need to ensure that we take time out for ourselves occasionally.

We all need a little ‘me’ time; time to recharge our batteries and relax.

Work is important, of course, as it gives you a sense of purpose in your life. However, it’s essential that you relax and have a little fun too.

Life’s far too short to be constantly working.

So, having a hobby or pleasurable pursuit is a very good idea, as is spending some quality time with the people who matter most to you. Have some fun and make sure that you have it regularly. Your health depends on it.

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21 quotes by women that will make you think

05/30/2025 by

Today, let’s explore some quotes by women. In my opinion, not enough credit is given to women’s thinking and ideas.

The late, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said:

“If you want something said, ask a man, but if you want something done, ask a woman.”

Certainly, if you want anything done, it’s probably better to ask a woman. In my experience, they’ll do a good job for you, and it will be done as promised.

However, women are perfectly capable of saying profound things, too. Sadly, men usually aren’t always listening, but that’s not a reason to ignore what some exceptional ladies have to say.

To prove the point, here are 21 quotes by women.

Quotes by Women
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Quotes by Women:

  1. I was smart enough to go through any door that opened. ~Joan Rivers
  2. You can’t give up! If you give up, you’re like everybody else. ~Chris Evert
  3. I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life ~Louise Hay
  4. In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different. ~Coco Chanel
  5. One cannot accomplish anything without fanaticism. ~Eva Perón
  6. Done is better than perfect. ~Sheryl Sandberg
  7. If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. ~Erica Jong
  8. The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. ~Peggy O’Mara
  9. If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one. ~Dolly Parton
  10. Knowing what must be done does away with fear. ~Rosa Parks
  11. Power’s not given to you. You have to take it. ~Beyoncé
  12. A surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence. ~Sonia Sotomayor
  13. The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. ~Amelia Earhart
  14. You can’t please everyone, and you can’t make everyone like you. ~Katie Couric
  15. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement. ~Golda Meir
  16. You are the one who possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness. ~Diane von Furstenberg
  17. The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves. ~Barbara Corcoran
  18. I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. ~Lucille Ball
  19. If you think taking care of yourself is selfish, change your mind. If you don’t, you’re simply ducking your responsibilities. ~Ann Richards
  20. One of the secrets to staying young is to always do things you don’t know how to do, to keep learning. ~Ruth Reichl
  21. Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create. ~Oprah Winfrey

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How to Make Money Online for Beginners

05/27/2025 by

If you’re wondering “How to Make Money Online for Beginners,” then read on.

Making money online has become easier than ever. There are many ways to earn extra cash from home, even if you’re a beginner.

You can start making money online by freelancing, taking surveys, selling items, or creating content.

These options don’t need special skills or big investments.

Freelancing is a great way to use your talents. You can write, design, or code for clients. Taking online surveys is simple and quick. Selling stuff you don’t need anymore can bring in some cash. Creating content like blogs or videos can lead to income over time.

The key is to pick something that fits your skills and interests. Start small and learn as you go. With practice and effort, your online income can grow.

Key Takeaways

  • Online money-making options include freelancing, surveys, selling items, and content creation
  • Choose a method that matches your skills and interests for the best results
  • Start with small, achievable goals and gradually build your online income over time

DISCLAIMER: This article presents money-making ideas which many other people have exploited successfully. However, there are no guarantees in life and you must do your due diligence on any specific idea before you make any significant commitment to it. Money can be made online, and plenty of people do, but you must proceed in a professional and business-like manner

Understanding Online Monetization

Making money online involves different ways to earn income through internet-based activities. It can be done part-time or full-time, with various methods suited for beginners.

Basic Concepts of Online Income

Online income comes from digital transactions where people pay for goods, services, or content over the internet. It often starts with building an online presence through a website, social media, or digital platforms.

Key elements include:

  • Digital products (e.g. ebooks, courses)
  • Services (e.g. freelancing, consulting)
  • Advertising revenue
  • Affiliate marketing

Beginners can start by selling items they no longer need on online marketplaces. This helps learn the basics of online transactions and customer service.

Popular Online Business Models

Several business models have proven successful for earning money online. These range from simple to more complex strategies.

  1. E-commerce: Selling physical or digital products through online stores.
  2. Print-on-demand: Creating custom designs for products like t-shirts or mugs.
  3. Freelancing: Offering skills like writing, design, or programming.
  4. Content creation: Making money through blogs, YouTube videos, or podcasts.
  5. Online coaching: Providing expertise in a specific field.

Beginners often start with freelancing or content creation as these require little upfront investment. As skills grow, many move to more advanced models like e-commerce or creating digital products.

Setting Up Your Foundation

A strong foundation is key for making money online. Pick the right platform and build a solid online presence to set yourself up for success.

Choosing the Right Platform

Selecting the best platform is crucial. Many beginners start with popular sites like Fiverr for freelance work. These platforms connect you with clients looking for your skills.

Social media can also be a great starting point. Instagram and TikTok are perfect for visual content creators. LinkedIn works well for professional services.

For selling products, consider marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. They provide built-in audiences and easy setup.

Your own website gives you full control. WordPress is user-friendly for beginners. Shopify works well for online stores.

Building Your Online Presence

A strong online presence helps you stand out. Start by creating professional profiles on chosen platforms. Use clear, high-quality photos and write an engaging bio.

Consistency is key. Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Share valuable content related to your niche.

Interact with others in your field. Comment on posts, join online communities, and network virtually.

Consider starting a blog or YouTube channel. This shows your expertise and builds trust with potential clients or customers.

Use social media to promote your services or products. Share behind-the-scenes content to connect with your audience.

Content Creation and Monetization

Making money online often involves creating and sharing valuable content. This can take many forms, from written articles to videos and audio recordings. The key is to produce high-quality material that appeals to a specific audience.

Starting a Blog

Blogging is a popular way to make money online. To start, choose a niche that interests you and has potential for profit. Pick a catchy name for your blog and set it up using a platform like WordPress or Squarespace.

Write helpful, engaging posts regularly. Focus on topics your readers care about. Use keywords to help people find your content through search engines.

To make money from your blog, try these methods:

  • Place ads on your site
  • Write sponsored posts for brands
  • Offer digital products like ebooks or courses
  • Use affiliate links to earn commissions

Build an email list to stay connected with your readers. This can help you promote products and services later on.

Creating a YouTube Channel

YouTube offers a platform to share video content and earn money. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and start making videos. Use good lighting and audio to ensure quality.

Consistency is key. Post new videos on a regular schedule. Engage with your viewers by responding to comments and asking for feedback.

To monetize your channel:

  1. Join the YouTube Partner Program
  2. Use affiliate marketing in your video descriptions
  3. Get sponsorships from brands
  4. Sell merchandise to your fans

Remember to follow YouTube’s guidelines to keep your channel in good standing.

Podcasting Essentials

Podcasts are audio shows that listeners can download and enjoy anytime. To start, choose a topic you can talk about for many episodes. Get a good microphone and recording software to ensure clear sound.

Plan your episodes in advance. Write outlines to stay on track while recording. Edit your audio to remove mistakes and add intro music.

Monetize your podcast through:

  • Sponsorships from companies
  • Listener donations via platforms like Patreon
  • Selling your own products or services
  • Offering exclusive content for paying subscribers

Promote your podcast on social media and other platforms to grow your audience. The more listeners you have, the more money-making opportunities you’ll find.

E-commerce and Selling Online

Selling products online can be a great way to make money. There are several methods to get started, from setting up your own store to using existing platforms. Let’s explore some popular options.

Launching an Online Store

Starting an online store is easier than ever. Pick a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce to build your website. Choose products that match your interests and target audience.

Create eye-catching product pages with clear descriptions and high-quality photos. Set competitive prices and offer various payment options.

Promote your store through social media and email marketing. Consider running ads to reach more potential customers.

Don’t forget about customer service. Respond quickly to inquiries and handle issues promptly to build trust and loyalty.

Utilizing Dropshipping

Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding inventory. When a customer places an order, the supplier ships it directly to them.

To start, choose a niche and find reliable suppliers. Popular products include clothing, accessories, and home decor.

Set up your online store and add products. Adjust prices to ensure a profit margin.

Focus on marketing to drive traffic to your site. Use social media, content marketing, and paid ads to reach potential customers.

Be transparent about shipping times and handle customer service professionally to maintain a good reputation.

Exploring Print on Demand

Print on demand is great for selling custom designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters.

Create unique designs or hire a designer. Choose a print-on-demand service like Printful or Printify.

Set up your online store and connect it to the print-on-demand service. Upload your designs and set prices.

Market your products on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Show off your designs and engage with potential customers.

Consider offering limited-edition designs or collaborating with artists to keep your product line fresh and exciting.

Freelancing and Service-Based Earnings

Freelancing offers beginners a flexible way to earn money online using their skills. It allows people to work on projects they enjoy while building a client base.

Offering Freelance Services

Beginners can start by identifying their strengths. Writing, graphic design, and programming are popular freelance skills. Web development and virtual assistance also have high demand.

Freelancers should create a list of services they can offer. For example, a writer might offer blog posts, product descriptions, and social media content. Setting competitive rates is key. New freelancers often start lower to attract clients.

It’s important to deliver quality work on time. This helps build a good reputation. Happy clients often lead to repeat business and referrals.

Joining Freelance Marketplaces

Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit are popular platforms for finding freelance work. These sites connect freelancers with clients worldwide.

To get started:

  1. Create a detailed profile
  2. Showcase relevant skills
  3. Set up a professional photo
  4. Write a compelling bio

Beginners should apply to many jobs at first. This increases the chances of landing work. It’s okay to start with smaller projects to build experience.

Reading client reviews and job descriptions carefully helps avoid scams. Freelancers should only take on projects they can complete well.

Portfolio Building Tips

A strong portfolio shows potential clients what a freelancer can do. It should highlight their best work.

Tips for creating an effective portfolio:

  • Choose 5-10 top projects
  • Include a variety of work samples
  • Write brief descriptions for each project
  • Update regularly with new work

For beginners without client work, creating sample projects can help. A writer might draft blog posts on topics they enjoy. A designer could create mock logos for imaginary companies.

Freelance copywriters can earn between $19 and $45 per hour on platforms like Upwork. Rates may vary based on experience and project type.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to make money online. It lets you earn commissions by promoting other people’s products. This method works well for beginners and experts alike.

Starting with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is easy to start. You don’t need your own products or services. Pick a niche you like and know about. This could be fitness, tech, or cooking. Research your chosen niche to find out what people want.

Next, create a website or blog. This is where you’ll share info and product links. Use a simple platform like WordPress to build your site. Make sure it looks good and works well on phones.

Learn about SEO to help people find your site. Write helpful content that answers questions in your niche. This builds trust with your readers.

Finding Affiliate Programs

Many companies offer affiliate programs. Amazon Associates is a good place to start. They have lots of products to promote. Look for programs in your niche too.

Affiliate networks like ShareASale and CJ Affiliate have many options. They connect you with brands looking for promoters. Sign up for free and browse their offers.

Check the commission rates before joining a program. Some pay per sale, others per lead or click. Pick programs with fair rates and good reputations. Read the terms carefully to know what’s expected.

Promotion Strategies

Create helpful content to promote affiliate products. Write reviews, how-to guides, and comparison posts. Be honest about the pros and cons of each item.

Use social media to share your content. Build a following on platforms where your audience hangs out. Pinterest works well for visual products. Twitter is good for quick tips and links.

Try email marketing to connect with your readers. Build a list of subscribers who trust your advice. Send them useful info and product recommendations.

Make your affiliate links clear. Tell readers when a link earns you money. This builds trust and follows rules. Use eye-catching buttons or banners for important links.

Track your results to see what works best. Try different strategies and improve over time. With patience and effort, affiliate marketing can become a steady income source.

Online Courses and Digital Products

Creating and selling digital products can be a great way to make money online. This method lets you share your knowledge and skills with others while earning income.

Creating and Selling Online Courses

Online courses are a popular way to teach others and make money. Pick a topic you know well and break it into lessons. Use video, text, and quizzes to help students learn.

Platforms like Teachable make it easy to set up and sell courses. You can also use sites like Udemy or Coursera to reach more students.

Think about what people want to learn. Popular topics include:

  • Cooking and baking
  • Fitness and health
  • Languages
  • Tech skills
  • Business and marketing

Make sure your course gives real value. Happy students may tell others, helping you sell more.

Designing Digital Products

Digital products are items people can download or use online. They’re easy to create and don’t need shipping.

Some digital product ideas:

  • E-books
  • Templates (for websites, resumes, etc.)
  • Printable planners or worksheets
  • Stock photos
  • Music or sound effects

Choose products that fit your skills and interests. Make them look good and work well. Quality matters!

Marketing Your Digital Products

Getting the word out is key to selling your products. Use social media to share tips and show your expertise. This can help people trust you and want to buy from you.

Start an email list to tell people about new products. Give away some free stuff to get people interested.

Ask happy customers for reviews. Good reviews can help others decide to buy. You can also team up with other creators to reach more people.

Remember, selling takes time. Keep improving your products and marketing. With effort, you can build a steady income from digital products.

Investing in Stocks and Cryptocurrencies

Investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies can be a way to grow wealth over time. These markets offer different opportunities and risks for beginners looking to make money online.

Stock Market Basics

The stock market allows people to buy shares of public companies. To start, open an account with a brokerage firm. Many offer free trades and educational resources.

Research companies before investing. Look at their financial reports, growth potential, and industry trends. Diversify by investing in different sectors to spread risk.

Consider low-cost index funds for beginners. These track broad market indexes and offer built-in diversification. Start with small amounts to learn the ropes.

Set a budget for investing. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Be patient and think long-term. The stock market has historically grown over time despite short-term ups and downs.

Cryptocurrency Fundamentals

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use blockchain technology. Bitcoin and Ethereum are popular choices for beginners. To buy cryptocurrency, create an account on a reputable exchange.

Crypto is highly volatile. Prices can swing wildly in short periods. Only invest what you’re willing to lose. Research projects thoroughly before buying.

Store crypto securely in a digital wallet. Choose between hot wallets (connected to the internet) and cold wallets (offline storage). Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Stay informed about regulations. Crypto laws vary by country and change often. Be aware of tax implications when buying, selling, or trading digital assets.

Making money online has many options for beginners. There are ways to earn without investment and methods for regular income. Students can find opportunities too. Some strategies can even help you make $100 or more per day.

What are some beginner-friendly ways to earn money online from home?

Beginners can start with online surveys to earn small amounts. Another easy option is selling unused items on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Freelancing is great for those with skills in writing, design, or programming. Platforms like Fiverr connect freelancers with clients looking for various services.

Can you make money online without any initial investment?

Yes, it’s possible to earn money online without spending anything upfront. Freelancing platforms often let users join for free.

People can also start a blog using free platforms or offer services like virtual assistance without any initial costs.

What are some legitimate methods for making regular income online?

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to earn consistent income. Bloggers and content creators can promote products and earn commissions on sales.

Creating and selling digital products like ebooks or courses can provide ongoing revenue. Subscription-based services or membership sites can also offer steady monthly income.

Are there any secret platforms that are effective for online earning?

There aren’t any secret platforms. Most effective ways to earn online are well-known. The key is finding the right method that fits one’s skills and interests.

Popular platforms like Upwork, Etsy, and YouTube are widely used but still offer good earning potential for those who put in the effort.

How can students make income through online activities?

Students can tutor or teach English online. Many platforms cater specifically to student tutors.

They can also do freelance work like writing, graphic design, or social media management. This allows for flexible hours around their studies.

What are some strategies for earning $100 or more daily on the internet?

To earn $100+ daily, people need to focus on high-value skills or services. Web development, copywriting, or consulting can command higher rates.

Creating and selling online courses or digital products can also lead to significant daily earnings once established.

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Goal setting and how to achieve them

05/18/2025 by

Goal setting is essential if success is your aim.

Consider this. What’s life all about?

Do you ever ask yourself that question?

Do you ever think seriously about goal setting?

Paying bills and drifting aimlessly through life is not living; it is existing, surely?

I don’t want to live forever, but I do want to live life to the full while I have the chance. Don’t you?

A life well-lived should include some notable achievements if you are to realize your full potential and leave a legacy behind you. And leaving a legacy does matter too, in my opinion.

However, achievements require proper goal setting if they are to be accomplished.

This article explores goal setting and how goal setting can be translated into achievement. It’s by accomplishing goals that you’ll get a genuine sense of achievement, and you’ll feel your life has meaning.

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Goal setting:

Why are some people successful and others not so?

Successful people are generally no more intelligent than unsuccessful people. It is a fact that many highly intelligent people remain unsuccessful throughout their lives. It’s not about whether you’re clever or not.

Successful people know what they want, and they’re determined to get it.

Successful people set goals for themselves based on what they want, and they pursue those goals with determination and persistence.

You cannot hit a target you cannot see.

You cannot turn your dreams into achievements without goal setting.

However, goals don’t set themselves, nor do they accomplish themselves. It requires effort from you.

So get started, identify what matters to you, set goals, keep going, and achieve your aspirations.

Goals must matter to you:

The act of goal setting alone does not guarantee success. Many people set goals that they fail to achieve.

Why do you think that might be?

The simple answer is that goals often fail because the goal setter didn’t want the potential prize badly enough. They didn’t fully know their ‘Why?’

For a goal to be achieved, accomplishing the outcome must matter to you. If you don’t regard the outcome as being sufficiently worthwhile, then you won’t have the motivation to see your goal through to a conclusion.

The goal must mean enough to you if the extra effort required to achieve it seems worthwhile.

Make no mistake, any goal worth achieving will require a lot of determination, persistence, and hard work. Nothing worth having ever comes easy, that’s for sure.

To quote Napoleon Hill,

“Desire is the beginning of achievement.”

You must have the desire, and the outcome must matter to you.

Change your thinking; change your life:

How we think matters. You can’t achieve much with negative thinking.

A positive mind with a genuine sense of direction will take you as far as you want to go.

There are no limits for anyone with enough self-belief and a real sense of what they want from life.

Believe you can, and you will. Believe you can’t, and you won’t.

The way your mind is currently programmed may be getting in the way of you getting what you want, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can change your thinking, and if you do, it will change your life.

Dream lofty dreams:

Don’t be afraid to have a vision for yourself that is truly inspiring. Don’t be afraid to have dreams big enough to be just a little bit frightening.

It is on the edge of your comfort zone that you’ll begin to feel you’re living life to the full.

And your goals should be big enough to stretch you and inspire the desire within you. Be realistic, of course, but don’t make goals too easy.

Anything easy will not give you a sense of achievement, that’s for sure.

Revisit your inner child:

Children have no limits to their dreams. Most children believe they can achieve anything they want in life. They’ll tell you they want to be an astronaut, Olympic gold medalist, or whatever.

As children, we all had grandiose ideas about what we might be in life. Indeed, I did. Perhaps you did too, dear reader?

The problem is, as we get older, life takes its toll, and we all get a little bit more cautious and a lot less ambitious, don’t we? We fear losing face if we are seen to try and then fail.

Self-doubt creeps in, and before long, we’re adjusting our ambitions downwards. Perhaps we won’t become astronauts; maybe we’ll settle for being bus drivers instead.

As human beings, we often fear failure and the perception of any resulting embarrassment much more than we genuinely desire success.

We don’t fully appreciate that any minor embarrassment that might result from getting an outcome we didn’t want is a lot less painful than spending the rest of our lives wondering what might have been.

Never fear failure:

We fear failure, and yet there’s no such thing as failure, just opportunities to learn and start again.

So, goal setting starts with pretending you’re a kid again and believing that anything’s possible.

Just sit down with a notebook and a pen or possibly your tablet computer and start brainstorming right now.

Write down your list of your 101 biggest dreams and goals.

Now don’t think about whether or not they can be achieved; just write them down.

Then, from that list you’ve written, identify the items that matter to you most.

And remember this: if the goal matters to you, then you will find a way to achieve it.

Goals only fail when they don’t matter enough.

Remember, life needs balance:

Knowing what you want and why it matters to you will help you achieve your goals.

However, never forget that your goals should promote balance in your life too.

In setting your goals, they should benefit you, but they should also benefit your loved ones.

If your loved ones can understand the benefits to them as well as to you, then they’re much more likely to support you in the achievement of your goals.

And you will need their support. No one ever achieves anything in complete isolation.

Never, ever lose sight of your loved ones when you’re making decisions and setting goals.

The art of goal setting:

Start by deciding exactly what you want to achieve and then make a firm commitment to it.  You must feel genuinely motivated by your goals.

Your goals should be

  • Specific,
  • Measurable,
  • Achievable,
  • Relevant, and
  • Time-bound

This is the so-called SMART technique.

Once you have goals, you must write them down. This will make them feel much more tangible.

You must share them with other people, too, especially your loved ones.

This approach will have a subliminal effect on you and help in the process of achieving your goals.

Then you must plan the steps you will need to take if you are to realize specific goals.

The planning process will almost certainly result in a big goal being broken down into a series of smaller goals and activities.

Then, once you have a plan, you can cross off each activity as it’s completed.

6 Steps to Goal Setting:

To summarize the goal setting process I use, a goal must be:

  • Specific
  • Time-limited
  • Written down
  • Include a plan
  • Accept there’s a price to be paid
  • In your thoughts every day

11 reasons why goals fail:

If goal setting is something you’ve tried with little or no success, then you might feel it would help you if you had a better idea of why goals fail. Fear not, dear reader; help is at hand.

In the embedded video, Vic Johnson from Goals2Go.com provides some interesting insight into motivation and goal setting. His words are wise, and they’ll make you think.

It’s a fairly short video, but well worth your time if you aim to improve your goal setting technique and set goals that will result in achievements for which you can be truly very proud.

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When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share it now. If you can do that for me, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you.

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What is grit and why is it important?

05/16/2025 by Leave a Comment

What is grit? I’ve heard this word a lot recently. And of course, the obvious supplementary question is, why is it important?

I’m referring to a term used in psychology to represent a positive, non-cognitive personality trait based on an individual’s perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular goal and a powerful motivation to achieve it. Allow me to explain.

What-is-grit
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What is grit?

Have you ever noticed that the smartest people are not always the most successful? Success can be defined in different ways, but for most people, their measure would usually revolve around money and prestige.

If we take money as the measure of success, then you’d think the smartest people would easily come out on top of that score, surely? Yet you’d be wrong.

We hear stories frequently about college professors who struggle financially, while at the same time, tradesmen like bricklayers and plumbers become millionaires. How can that be?

Surely the smartest people have a natural advantage? Well, no, they don’t.

The people with the real, innate advantage are those with this quality known as grit.

So, exactly what is grit?

It is an inner steeliness. It is courage and resolve. It is a strength of character. It is drive and desire. It is passion and motivation.

It is a willingness to persevere until the desired result is achieved. It is a determination to achieve a goal and a willingness to take calculated risks.

It is a fact that doing well in life depends on much more than academic ability and your capacity to learn quickly and easily.

Having those qualities is useful, of course, but in the absence of grit, you’d still be at a disadvantage.

Someone of average academic ability but with a shedload of grit will be better placed to achieve real success in life.

People with grit intuitively recognize that life is a marathon, not a sprint.

They’re willing to experience failure because they know that failure is a temporary outcome, not a permanent position. And they’re willing to fail and then start over using the lessons they’ve learned from the experience.

So what’s the key to success? It’s the need to get grittier!

Angela Lee Duckworth makes this point admirably in this excellent TEDxTalk video, and it’s well worth a few minutes of your time. It’s an interesting video, and I think she nails the point perfectly.

That’s what I think, but what is your opinion?

Could there be such an easy answer, or is it all much more complicated? I’d be interested to hear your views.

Grit: The power of passion and perseverance:

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What is grit? What is grit? What is grit?

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How to handle criticism at work effectively

05/16/2025 by

How to handle criticism at work? That’s a question most of us ask ourselves, at least occasionally.

Think about it. You’ve been working hard and trying to do your best, but someone still thinks it’s necessary, with a critical tone, to offer you some words of advice about the work you’ve just done.

Not a thank you; no recognition of the effort you’ve put in; just some caustic words about why they think your work is less than perfect.

Naturally, that makes you feel a little unloved, a bit defensive, and probably slightly irritated too.

Perhaps your critic lacks sensitivity?

Perhaps he or she fails to appreciate the value you’ve been adding to whatever you were doing at the time.

And of course, your critic may not have had visibility of the constraints you were working under or the pressures you faced at the time.

Regardless of the circumstances, it’s natural if you feel hurt when all people can do is point to something they believe is wrong, incomplete, or not as good as it could have been. If it doesn’t hurt, certainly it is irritating, in my experience. It can also seem overly harsh at times.

HOW TO HANDLE CRITICISM AT WORK
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The importance of criticism:

The problem when hearing criticism is that our defensive barriers tend to go up immediately. And once we’re on the defensive, we don’t tend to listen to the feedback we’re getting. We just concentrate on how we’ll respond in order to dismiss whatever’s being said.

This is unfortunate because if we did listen and reflect on what is being said, it’s just possible that our critic may have a valid point.

The importance of criticism is that it provides us with valuable feedback.

And how we react to any feedback depends on our attitude and how we choose to look at it.

We can get all hurt and defensive, or we can choose to give our critic the benefit of the doubt and assume that they’re genuinely trying to be constructive.

In other words, we can embrace criticism positively and seek to use it to our advantage. Certainly, this is the mature and grown-up way of dealing with any criticism we receive.

Honing our skills:

We must recognize that none of us is perfect and we’re all prone to making the occasional mistake. That’s human nature.

However, if our aim is to succeed, we have to become masters of our chosen craft or profession. We have to be very good at whatever we’ve chosen to do if we’re going to stand out in the crowd. We have to be the best.

Being the best requires the constant honing of our skills. That means we must learn from our mistakes and any inability that might prevent us from delivering the results required of us.

Learning is a lifelong process, and we should be constantly practising and developing our skills and improving on the results we deliver.

To do that, we must learn from our mistakes.

Some mistakes will be obvious to us, of course, but sometimes we’ll fail to recognize them. Fortunately, others don’t.

Criticism is feedback:

The underlying point here is that criticism is simply feedback, and feedback is essential if we’re to improve our skills and become masters of our craft or profession.

That’s why it’s important to listen. If we know where we fall short, then we can do something about it.

How to handle criticism at work:

If you find yourself on the receiving end of criticism, the first thing to do is to remind yourself that feeling hurt is quite natural. That’s simply an emotional response to a negative situation.

However, don’t take anything personally:

Criticism is rarely groundless, though it’s often exaggerated.

Give your critic the benefit of the doubt and assume their intention is simply to provide you with some valuable feedback.

Welcome that feedback. Don’t interrupt your critic with excuses. That will just make you look defensive. Don’t glower at them either because you might stop them from sharing that crucial insight with you.

The truth may hurt, but the sooner you hear it, the sooner you can fix whatever it is you’re doing wrong, assuming you are doing something wrong.

Listen and focus on hearing everything being said.

When your critic has made his or her point, say thank you.

That will show confidence, dedication, and grace too.

Then ask yourself honestly:

Is the point being made by your critic a fair one?

And you do need to be honest with yourself here.

If you conclude that your critic has a fair point, then you must embrace the lesson. Learn from it; resolve to do better next time, and be determined to improve.

That way you’ll go from strength to strength. You’ll gain the respect of other people, too, for your willingness to listen and learn.

If they are wrong:

However, remember this as well:

Critics are not always right.

If honest reflection leads you to the conclusion that your critic is being unfair or is just plain wrong, then just ignore the criticism.

Smile and move on. Never take it personally, and never let anyone discourage you from the pursuit of your aims.

Conclusion:

Criticism is just feedback.

Feedback is your friend.

Embrace it; learn from it; use it to your advantage, but never take it personally.

And if, following honest reflection, you think they’re wrong, then it’s perfectly reasonable to ignore it and move on.

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