We live in a universe of free will, and so it isn’t possible to develop a “formula” for success that will be perfect for everyone. If there was such a formula, some brainiac in the 5,000 years of human history would have discovered it centuries ago! There are, however, some important Dos and Don’ts on the way to personal happiness and success.
Dos:
* Find a desire and then go with it.
A desire is something that lights you up, that gets you out of bed in the morning, refreshed and eager to get going. It’s a connection to who you really are. All desires are divinely inspired.
How do you find that desire? Look back over your life. Is there something you have always wanted to be or so, but you never thought you could ,or should? Take 5 minutes out of every day and start. You’ll find that you will have more and more time to do the things you love.
If you can’t find that desire, then go to your mentor or counselor and get some help. It’s the most important work you will ever do, and worth every penny you spend. You pay the bills every month; so why not spend something on yourself?
* Express yourself
Self expression is the key to happiness, and happiness is the key to success. The most successful and happy people in the world are those who aren’t afraid to tell the world about who they are. Every time you inhibit yourself, you cover up your Light. Every time you say, “no one wants to know about me,” you become less. Believe it or not, the world wants to know who you are, so tell them!
This self-expression may be writing, speaking, music, performance art, graphics design, quilting (my friend Denise has a very successful quilting business), or anything at all that shows the world who you are.
Wherever you are – even if you are in a bad place – find a way to express it. There are millions of people feeling just like you right now, and they are eager to have someone share with them, and touch them.
* Always be honest and open with yourself.
Honesty and openness with yourself will open you up to who you are at the deepest and most fundamental level. This is something that many people forget! Here is where you take the first steps on your path to personal power.
The key to self-expression, and uncovering your light, is personal integrity. This means personal honesty and openness. You don’t have to adhere to anyone else’s standards. You don’t have to do something because “everyone else is doing it.” And you don’t have to spend years studying and meditating.
Being true to yourself is all that matters. That simply means acknowledging how you are feeling, and that it’s OK to be feeling what you are feeling. Now all you have to do is express that feeling! That’s how great artists and business people become successful in any area of life. If you don’t understand this yet, you will when you begin
Don’ts:
* Don’t compare yourself to others, unless that person inspires you.
The single biggest roadblock on your path to power is to look at someone else and say, “wow, they are so much better than I am. I’ll never be as good.”
* Don’t rigidly follow 10 step formulas designed by someone else.
Take what inspires you from others, but design your own 10-step program, one that is designed around your desires and your personal way of self-expression.
* And finally, don’t believe others when they say “you can’t” or “it’s unrealistic,” or “that’s dumb.”
The most important person you need to please is YOU!
You are a magnificent being with your own unique voice. It’s time to start expressing that voice!
Expressing who you are and what you are feeling will put you firmly upon the road to your personal power. Amazingly, it will give you self-confidence and it will just feel “right.”
Kenneth MacLean is the author of 8 inspired books and two Flash movies. He is a very happy person who lives with his wife of 30 years (and their 3 cats) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Visit Ken at kjmaclean.com.