When you repeat something regularly you gain expertise and mastery. This is one reason why adopting good daily habits is so important. Eventually you move from proficiency to mastery; from a conscious state to unconscious state. When you develop a habit skill you will become so proficient it will not require any conscious thought. Such habits create a state of flow which is where real genius emerges.

One of the strategies recommended by Robin Sharma (http://www.robinsharma.com) is to take a media fast once a week. Robin suggests, once a week, the entire family take a fast from cell phones, iPads, computers, T.V. for just one night. He even has a basket in the kitchen where the media devices go that one night. Media fasting gives families a chance to talk to one another without any media distractions. Media fasting reduces stress and anxiety, an unfortunate byproduct of excessive media exposure.

Most do what they do for a living because they were told to. A parent, or some other significant presence in their young lives, influenced them to pursue the job they have. Is it any wonder those “most people” hate what they do for a living and are unhappy? When you are climbing someone else’s ladder, you are not following your dreams in life, but someone else’s dream. Only when you pursue your dream, only when you climb your ladder, will you find happiness in what you do for a living. Life is very short. It’s gone in a blink. It’s time to start climbing your own ladder.

Neuroplasticity is a fancy name for brain change. Every time you engage in a new habit you change your brain. Habits, therefore, can change the physical structure of your brain, making it better and more efficient. Every new habit improves your brain. The more habits you have, the more efficient your brain becomes. Habits are important because they reduce the consumption of glucose (brain fuel). The brain is an energy hog. It uses 20% of the entire body’s glucose reserves. If you are running low on glucose reserves, your brain slows down and your thinking is impaired. Habits prevent this from happening. When you add a habit, you actually reduce the brain’s need for glucose, which lowers the demand for glucose, making your brain work better and this improves your ability to think.

“Real happiness requires meaning.”  Dr. Mark Rowe – Real Happiness in your life: http://youtu.be/mlaS1u7K6Ys

You don’t pursue happiness. Happiness is a byproduct of taking action, of pursuing your main purpose in life, a big goal or a life dream. Happiness is the journey, not the destination. In order to realize happiness you must begin your journey by taking action.

“The world’s most exceptional athletes and high achievers are not goal-setters, they are dream-setters.” Dr. Greg Wells, author of Superbodies – Peak Performance Secrets From the World’s Best Athletes

A goal is only a goal if it is 100% achievable and requires physical activity. A goal’s purpose is to move you forward, every day towards the realization of your dream.

“When you push yourself to the edge, your edge expands.”  Robin Sharma

Successful people push themselves to the edge. They step outside their comfort zones. They challenge themselves. Only by pushing yourself to the edge will you grow. Pushing yourself to the edge means taking risk. You will make mistakes. You may fail. It is an uncomfortable place to be. But only by pushing yourself to the edge will you learn new things. Growth occurs, not by staying within your comfort zone, but by moving outside that zone into the “uncomfort’ zone. The “uncomfort” zone is where all the successful people hang out.

Being an employer or supervisor comes with many responsibilities. Two of the most important responsibilities are to be a mentor and protector to those under your supervision or employment. You have an obligation to help subordinates grow. When you hire any employee, it is the employer or supervisor’s responsibility to do everything they can to ensure that that employee succeeds at their job. On occasion, despite all of your mentoring efforts, an employee may not work out. The job may not be right for them for whatever reason. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the employer or supervisor to help that employee find a new job where his or her skills and talents will be better applied. The fact that you hired an employee who did not work out, is your fault. You hired them. They did not hire themselves. Always remember: whoever is under your supervision is under your protection too.

Make a habit of dripping happiness wherever you go. Complement others every chance you get. Look for reasons to praise your employees and subordinates. Appreciate your spouse for doing their “job” around the house. Everywhere you go, everyone you see, make it a daily habit to drip a little happiness on them. The better you treat people, the better people will treat you.

Circumstances are temporary, made permanent by our daily habits. Just because you were born into impoverished circumstances, does not mean you are stuck in poverty permanently. As John Maxwell said, “success in life comes not from playing a good hand but in playing a poor hand well”.