Life Inspiration: 12 Tips for Successful Living

1. Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to cripple a child. In other words, belief in yourself without responsibility leads to a sense of entitlement.

2. Raise your hand if you've ever been rejected for anything, anytime, anywhere. We all have. How would you like to have a nice little four-letter word for the next time you're rejected? It's: NEXT. Next sale, next job, next date, next whatever.

3. Beware of people who use their own emotional pain as a tool to manipulate others instead of as a motivation to change themselves.

4. Parents of teens need to watch out for NMK Syndrome: Not My Kid, as in "my kid couldn't have done ___" (fill in the blank). Well, yes, they could have. Even if you have faithfully raised them not to do certain things, kids still have the power of choice, which means they can make bad choices.

NMK Syndrome can blind you to something that needs immediate attention. Trust in your kids and in your parenting, and always check out what you hear.

5. When you receive a notice in your credit card statement that says, "Congratulations, because of your excellent payment history, there is no minimum fee due this month," it's not a time for celebration. You're still being charged interest. These people are not your friends.

6. It's a humbling and sobering experience to have a child who wants to be like you.

7. I've noticed more and more people doing what I call "caboose living."

Picture a three-car train. The engine in front we'll call facts/reality; the car in the middle is our thoughts, beliefs, decisions, choices and behaviors based on the facts; the caboose is our feelings. The facts/reality come first, then thoughts and behaviors followed by feelings.

Many folks try to run their life train with the caboose (feelings) in the lead. Feelings are interesting and important, but they cannot drive the train. Pay attention to your feelings, but let the facts/reality drive the train.

8. A successful marriage requires selective and strategic ignoring. The right things to ignore are little habits and irritating peculiarities that we all have. The problem comes when you select the wrong things to ignore.

9. I wonder if it's a bad thing to believe that football on TV is one of the first signs of fall approaching.

10. Most folks live with the illusion that worrying about something can actually make a difference. The only possible way that worrying can make a difference is if the worrying motivates you to take action to do something about the subject of your worry.

11.People often say, "Well, I'm just going with the flow." The problem with going with the flow is that many times the flow is lost and does not know where it is going.

12. Best quote I've seen since last time, by Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts: "At some point, though, a problem ought to be defined less by our ability to explain why it happens than by our willingness to demand that it happen no more."

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

Related News

Paying tribute to an inspirational printmaker - Times Colonist Paying tribute to an inspirational printmaker Times Colonist, Canada -9 hours ago The work of a print-maker who created clouds of interstellar visions in her art, and inspired hundreds of students in her art classes at the University of ... Hazel's an inspirational mum - Oxford Mail Hazel's an inspirational mum Oxford Mail, UK -1 hour ago Mother-of-two Hazel Scott, 34, from Wheatley, was named Most Inspirational Mother of the Year at Mother and Baby magazine’s 2008-9 awards, held in London. ... 3 inspirational books in time for holidays - San Angelo Standard Times 3 inspirational books in time for holidays San Angelo Standard Times, tx -14 hours ago Both are billed as inspirational gift books for all ages, especially teens and young adults, and both are filled with upbeat quotations from a variety of ... Who was the most inspirational leader featured in 2008? - CNN International Who was the most inspirational leader featured in 2008? CNN International -Nov 19, 2008 By Mike Steere LONDON, England (CNN) -- Who do you feel has been the most inspirational leader featured on The Spirit Of in 2008? Who is your pick? ... Sean Penn Stars In Inspirational Gay Rights Tale - NY1 NY1 Sean Penn Stars In Inspirational Gay Rights Tale NY1, NY -1 hour ago Sean Penn portrays the first openly gay elected official in America, San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk, in "Milk," a new film sure to be in the Oscar ... A look at the top 10 inspirational sports movies - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com A look at the top 10 inspirational sports movies The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com, PA -Nov 19, 2008 It's one of the top ten inspirational sports movies of all time. Not so long ago I came across something on the Beliefnet.com Web site about inspirational... Singling out some inspirational sports movies, from 'Titans' and ...The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com all 2 news articles ‘Inspirational Mr Gordon made us feel valued’ - Camden New Journal Camden New Journal ‘Inspirational Mr Gordon made us feel valued’ Camden New Journal, UK -2 hours ago He was an inspirational figure in everything he did.” Another former pupil said: “Holloway was a tough, tough school. Jeffrey didn’t treat you like a kid; ... Guest Viewpoint: Astronaut from Windsor is inspirational - Press & Sun-Bulletin Guest Viewpoint: Astronaut from Windsor is inspirational Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY -12 hours ago Wheelock, a Windsor native, graciously gave of his precious time and his exuberant energy to bring a very informative and inspirational message to children ... Ministry of Inspirational Therapy holds meeting - Monroe News Star Ministry of Inspirational Therapy holds meeting Monroe News Star, LA -12 hours ago The 18th annual membership meeting of the Ministry of Inspirational Therapy was held Nov. 13 at the NELBA building in West Monroe. Gloria Jones, president ... New Inspirational Celebrity Talk-Show, "Before the Big Break ... - MarketWatch New Inspirational Celebrity Talk-Show, "Before the Big Break ... MarketWatch -Nov 18, 2008 NEW YORK, Nov 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Right now, if you go to www.BeforeTheBigBreak.com, you can watch an exclusive interview with the Hollywood ...