How to Get Anything You Want in Life!

Mar 11 2008

Published by Mike OD at 9:42 pm under Health, Simplicity

photo by vaxzine

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure. - Mark Twain

Every successful man I have heard of has done the best he could with conditions as he found them, and not waited until the next year for better. - Edgar Watson Howe

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. - Benjamin Franklin

What do we want out of life? Whether it is to help others, be healthy, lose 20lbs, build more muscle, start your own business, build a castle in Scotland, or anything….it’s all possible but only if we take the steps to get it done!

Have a Clear Picture of What You Want - It could be a getting healthier than you are now, starting your own company, a way you want to live your life, a new computer, or just planning a trip to go somewhere you always have wanted to go. But you have to know what you want as specific as possible. Saying “I want to be happy” or “I want to live on the beach” isn’t going to get you there. Take your dream and make it as specific as possible such as “I want to write a book about the importance of health and fitness while living on Myrtle Beach in SC”. Now that is specific! Only when you know what you clearly want can you develop the action plan to get it.
Plan What Needs to Get Done - After you have a specific goal such as “I want to lose 20lbs in 2 months”, now can you move forward and plan what needs to be done daily, such as knowing what meals you have to eat and what exercise you need to do. If you do not take action daily, you will just let everything stay the same and “hope” you get progress (that never works). It doesn’t have to be complicated, just a couple things you need to do daily. Take time to plan every day and you will get done what you need to do, unlike many who just are going through life with no real direction and wonder why they are not “rich” or “happy”. (nothing wrong with smelling the flowers…just don’t get lost in the forest or walk off a cliff in the process)
Your Worst Enemy is YOU - That’s right, it’s not other people it’s you. Who worries about what others think? Who thinks about how many different ways you can fail? Who tells you that you cant do it? Who distracts you and keeps you from doing the important tasks at hand? Who is forcing you to eat all the wrong foods or never find time to exercise? I think you get the hint. Take control of your own mind and your worst enemy can easily turn into your best friend. Tell yourself that you are going to make it happen. Remind yourself that there is no such thing as failure, just actions that need to be taken and the lessons to learn from them. Remember that those that take no action get no results. You can do it….if you think you can…no, make that if your KNOW you can! Failure no longer exists in your world…just actions and results to learn from…and then more actions as the cycle repeats daily.
Get Rid of Distractions and Negative Energy - Look at your day and the people you surround yourself with. How do you spend your time? (we have the same amount of hours in a day as the people who have gone on to do great things in all walks of life) Are they adding anything to your goals or just taking away from your time and positive attitude? Time to make some hard decisions and get rid of the distractions that don’t do anything, and stay away from people who are not helping in any way. You will be surprised at what can happen if you focus on important tasks only and be around positive people who are successful daily too. Anything can happen!
Don’t Have “Paralysis by Analysis” - Keep it simple people. So many of us (like myself) can get caught up in all the little details which don’t matter hardly. What matters is action taken! If your goals are fat loss or muscle gain, then follow the simple steps in each of those posts. Whatever your goals are be specific and keep it simple. Worrying too much about details that don’t matter or trying to get it 100% right the first time may just never get you anywhere. Take action, learn from whatever results you get and then take more action based on what you learned. This is no failure, there is no success….there is just action and no action. Which one are you doing today?
Enjoy the Journey Every Day! - Success and happiness in life is not about reaching some destination or getting just one thing, it’s about the daily journey we all take. Look at something you bought because you thought it would make you happy….and why is it buried in the closet for the last 6 months? Most people are not happy with their journey so they assume items and things will bring them happiness. Too bad that is just temporary and then you need more and more and still will never find that happiness that comes with living every day in alignment with your inner spirit. You have everything you need to be happy right now, your MIND. Appreciate what you have around you again and find your mission in life. We all want to be happy and feel purpose, that is just life’s journey. While we can set goals daily, remember that it’s still about the journey every day.
The Worst Action to Take is None At All - Start today! Find your clear vision, make your daily goals, get rid of the distractions in life, get around positive people and just start enjoying the journey of life! That action could be just to go take a walk in the woods for a couple hours, happiness is available to us in many forms and available right NOW! No excuses, no failures, just a lack of any action. So….what are you waiting for?

So there you have it, no matter what your dreams and goals are they are all within reach. You just have to take the steps to go make them happen. Start every day with some reflection, time alone to go over your vision of what you want to happen and what steps you need to make. You are (or become) what you think about. Get your mindset as your friend as soon as the day begins. No more will you ever say “I can’t” or “I won’t”…those no longer exist in your vocabulary. Start each day with a positive saying such as: (or you can come up with your own version depending on what you want to do or areas you think you need help reminding yourself of staying positive)

I am going to make today count. Nothing that happened in the past matters for today. I will do the things I need to without being distracted. I don’t care what others may think. I am doing something to improve my health every day. I can do this and I will do this.

Make your goals known in the comment section, get it out there for everyone to see….and then go get it!

PS. If you want recommended reading on find daily happiness and living in the “Now”, see the book “The Power of Now” by E. Tolle. (It’s deep stuff, but really packs a punch once you just understand and apply what he is talking about daily…then happiness is every day!)

17 Responses to “How to Get Anything You Want in Life!”

# Kevinon 11 Mar 2008 at 11:34 pm

Ok this is by far one of the best posts I have seen in a while and I admit, I strugle a lot of with issues that have a lot to do with personal choices I think I can’t make and focusing on specific goals. I am definately working on being a happier person and not letting other people get in the way of that happiness. Honestly, i’ve already surrunded myself around new friends who have made a huge impact on focusing where I want to go. Recently, I decided to go into personal training, fitness and wellness (following what I have a passion for) despite what other people have told me to do. Now, im going after the girl I care about most ( young love yes, but hey, im following what my heart is telling me).

I thinkif people stopped and listened to their instincts, heart, brain, feelings, whatever you want to call it. We would probably find more happiness. Because life seems to be one big game where we need to believe and trust in ourselves more and search for what we desire more.

Ok, enough with my little “zen” rant. Excellent post MOD if I didn’t know better I’d swear you were one of those Rosicurcian fellows like my brother.
# Scott Kusteson 12 Mar 2008 at 8:18 am

Great stuff MOD. I think the first point is definitely the most important (perhaps why you put it first)…you have to know what it is that you want. You can’t just want to “be rich”…you have to define “rich” and then set a plan in motion to reach “rich.” And on the last point, I always say “I’d rather regret things I did than regret things I didn’t do.”

Also important to not get wrapped up too much in the future….so many people are busy planning their retirement that they forget to enjoy the present moment. And finally, just get started. Pick a direction and go. You covered it all, just wanted to reiterate what I think are the most important things.

Nice post!
Scott Kustes
Modern Forager
# Mike ODon 12 Mar 2008 at 8:57 am

Kevin - Sounds like you are doing what you want to do in life, and that is what matters. Our biggest enemy is fear…fear of the past…fear of the future…funny how there is never fear in the present moment. One can use the mind to make good judgements when you need to, but overall learning to shut off the mind and experience what you are doing (or as they call it present moment awareness) is the true key to ongoing happiness. Enjoy your journey! And as for the Rosicurcian part….No I originally grew up in Boston, never been there.

Scott - Everyone wants to be rich…but few actually get there (not that money=happiness). The power of a clear vision is all it takes. No regrets in my book…as that would only mean I am still living in the past. As for retirement…I say I retired 5 years ago when I mentally checked out of the corporate world attitude…and now I just do things to make me happy without all the pressures people worry about for the future.
# Allisonon 12 Mar 2008 at 2:24 pm

Nice MOD! Really nice.

How did you get to be so wise?
# Scott Kusteson 12 Mar 2008 at 2:31 pm

Allison, he’s Irish and drinks a lot of Guinness. Need I say more?
# Drewon 12 Mar 2008 at 2:45 pm

Great post. More on Tolle, by the way — Oprah has him on for a weekly webcast every Monday night for 10 weeks. She’s trying to increase the awareness of the world, apparently. Last one viewed by 1MM+ people.

If you can get over her interrupting the master, it is a good introduction to his concepts. You can download them through iTunes or Oprah.com (audio or video).

BTW, is it an odd coincidence that so many people who are into IF are also into Tolle? And paleo? And happiness research (best book on this I’ve read recently — The Paradox of Choice, by Schwartz)?
# Ben Moskowitzon 12 Mar 2008 at 3:24 pm

Drew, my guess is that knowledge gets imparted from generation to generation, and it’s only natural to look back to what our ancestors did to find true physical well-being.

…and the closer you get to well-being…the closer you are to “natural” happiness…

Awesome post!
# Mike ODon 12 Mar 2008 at 3:43 pm

Allison - Scott is right, Guinness makes you wise!

Drew - Thanks for the heads up on Tolle, didn’t know that about him and Oprah. I know he has a new book out, haven’t read it as I am still just trying to still apply daily more of what was in his last book (that whole read more/paralysis by analysis thing I am trying to avoid). Yes I think it just feels more natural to eat what we were intended to eat, not be obsessed with food and wonder about the bigger things in life. Once we quiet the obsessive “ego” and its need to control things, I think it gives way to experiencing some bigger life energy that we are all part of and connected to in some way. If you like Tolle, also check out my top fav author along those lines, Anthony DeMello….his stuff is real deep and a real slap in the face (in a good way of course).
# Chris Longleyon 12 Mar 2008 at 3:45 pm

Another great post!

Only found this blog last week, but so far every post has been right on the money.

Good stuff!
# Mike ODon 12 Mar 2008 at 3:50 pm

Chris - Thanks and welcome! Hope it helps you succeed in your business and personal ventures.
# Kevinon 12 Mar 2008 at 4:42 pm

Guinness huh… hmmmmm
# Allisonon 13 Mar 2008 at 2:49 pm

Guess I won’t be wise like MOD until they develop a gluten free Guiness…crap. Good thing he shares his smarts with the rest of us! Seriously good stuff here. Thanks!
# Mike ODon 13 Mar 2008 at 3:21 pm

Allison - Ha. I believe they do have some gluten free beer out there, although I can’t tell you how good it tastes. Guinness is my “weekend cheat”…but if I have more than a couple I can tell cause my joints start to hurt worse. Might have to test the theory of one Guinness as the new pwo drink of champions.
# Mike ODon 13 Mar 2008 at 4:03 pm

Ok…now the question is….did everyone get their clear vision and take action TODAY?? If not…..why? No…forget the why…there are no more excuses….don’t worry about what you didn’t do….everything can start over right now, clean slate and move in any direction you want it to! Act now and never look back and think what could have been!
# Allisonon 13 Mar 2008 at 7:59 pm

MOD - the LAST thing I need is a new cheat item.

What action did I take today?
I printed out this post to stick on my wall for daily inspiration.
# Mike ODon 14 Mar 2008 at 11:22 am

Great job Allison! Anything is possible…just have to know what you need to do and take action!
# Maryon 09 May 2008 at 10:00 pm

Hi Mike,

Funny about the Guinness - I’m Irish - but I don’t drink, but I love the Guinness jokes anyway!…I’m also gluten free.

My goals are to get to my goal of 150 and then evaluate that weight. I was that weight about 9 years ago and It looked and felt good, because I do some weight training. Otherwise that weight would be too heavy.

I am very curious to read your daily blogs during the challenge! I also LOVE your emphasis that this journey of IF should be a happy one…It shouldn’t be that we just white knuckle it every other day…

Today was a peaceful happy day.

Mary

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