The Next Version Of You

By Shazad

“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?”

Epictetus

As the end of another calendar year approaches, many people start contemplating their New Year's resolutions or the goals they want to set for 2025. If you find yourself in this situation, you're not alone. Like many individuals, you may have experienced the cycle of setting goals only to struggle with achieving them or sticking to your resolutions. However, there is a more effective way to approach this new beginning that significantly increases your chances of success. Let me show you how.

First, you need to recognize that identity is key to our personality and habits. We have an imagined version of ourselves, and we engage in behaviors that align with that identity. This could be a person who is young or middle-aged, tall or short, light-skinned or darker-complexioned, active or lazy, persistent or complacent, and so on.

To better understand your identity, make a list of all the characteristics that you believe describe your personality today. Write these words or phrases on a sheet of paper without judging or altering anything. Once you’ve finished, review your list from beginning to end to ensure it accurately reflects who you are today.

“But don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth”

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi

Next, to form new habits or become something different we have to act and think differently. If we want to become a healthier, more active, and resilient person, we need to become that through a process. This means doing, saying, and thinking like the person we wish to become and less like the person we believe we are today. There will be a struggle inside your mind between the current/old you and the New You. You have to let that play out and observe your thoughts. To make the best of the transformation journey, write down all the words and phrases that describe the person you want to become sometime in the future and be realistic with the time frame like perhaps the next 2 years. Look at this page daily to remind yourself what you wrote and sincerely want.

"The universe doesn't give you what you want in your mind; it gives you what you demand with your actions."

Steve Maraboli

Now the fun part begins. You have a starting point (the current version of yourself) and a destination (the better version of yourself). The habits, routines, and mindset are the vehicle that take you from start to your desired state. The clarity of knowing who you are today and the detailed description of knowing where you want to end up is powerful. Simply having goals like “Get Healthier” or “Quit Smoking” and so on are weak and bound to fail because they are not strongly attached to an identity you want to have. When you think of your habits and routines aligning with the New You that you are seeking to become, it all makes much more sense and is far more motivating than something on a calendar or on social media posts.

Make a detailed list of the things you believe you need to say, think, and do in order to become the person you envision as your future self. Each day when you wake up, review those habits and remember that the future version of yourself is emerging from within you. Your transformation will naturally involve shedding bad or unhelpful habits to create space for the essential lifestyle changes required to move forward.

You may not notice changes on a daily basis, but you will certainly feel yourself becoming better, stronger, and happier each week as you build good habits over time and draw closer to your future self. Conduct monthly and quarterly check-ins to evaluate your progress in areas such as health, sleep, mood, and happiness levels. If you find that you are not making progress in a particular area or feel that you're not advancing quickly enough toward your desired self, consider making adjustments to your daily routine. Think of these adjustments as a 'tune-up.'

There is no need to set habits at the beginning of the year and stick to them rigidly like a robot. It is beneficial to adjust, replace, and optimize your routine over time to better suit your needs than the initial template you started with. As you gather more information and make progress toward your goals, new techniques, tools, and mindsets may emerge, enhancing your journey and potentially speeding up your progress.

Don’t wait for January 1 to begin your journey of transformation. Start your Human Transformation roadmap now by assessing where you currently are and where you want to be. Identify the best practices, habits, and mindset that will lead you to your ideal future. Approach each day with purpose as you work towards your goals. I’m confident that by aligning your identity and habits consistently, you can achieve a better place by the end of next year. Remember, a New Year signifies a New You waiting to emerge! We’d love to hear how you’re doing, so feel free to write to us. Good luck on your journey! on your journey!

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What is Your Potential?

By Shazad

“What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar – and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges? Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and comfort he never would have developed into the mighty Hercules. And even if he had, what good would it have done him? What would have been the use of those arms, that physique, and that noble soul, without crises or conditions to stir into him action?”

Epictetus. Discourses

Many people discuss the concept of potential and what it means to "live up to your potential," but what does that really entail? How can you tell if you're beginning to understand your abilities? Additionally, how can you avoid going overboard or experiencing burnout? Let’s explore these ideas together.

I like to use this definition from the Cambridge Dictionary English which defines the word “potential” as:

“someone's or something's ability to develop, achieve, or succeed”

What are you meant to do or become? This is something you discover by living life to the fullest. The possibilities are vast, and many individuals are said to have 'reached' their peak in various fields such as sports, business, art, or education. However, many others are still on that journey of discovery, which is often more exciting than actually achieving a specific goal.

What are you meant to do or become? This is something you discover by living life to the fullest. The possibilities are vast, and many individuals are said to have 'reached' their peak in various fields such as sports, business, art, or education. However, many others are still on that journey of discovery, which is often more exciting than actually achieving a specific goal.

There’s a risk involved with seeking potential and fully committing to a goal. However, I believe that this risk is worth taking. It’s known by various names such as burnout, overwhelm, and obsession. This is the risk that all great achievers face in their pursuit of reaching their true potential, and it’s something you must consider if you wish to join their ranks.

To become elite in a particular field, you will need to sacrifice your time and resources, and at times, set aside important relationships. As long as you approach this journey with sincerity, humility, and a clear plan, your inner circle will appreciate your commitment.

It’s crucial to avoid grinding away in your 40s and beyond as you did in your teens and 20s. A shift in methods and resources is necessary as you age, allowing you to prioritize a well-rounded life. This approach helps you avoid burnout and fosters meaningful relationships.

For most people, the 40s represent the second half of life, a period where you must focus on playing smarter, not just harder. It’s a time to optimize your journey and smooth out any rough edges as you strive for higher levels of achievement. Unlike sports heroes who may reach a peak and retire, truly great potential seekers can continue to grow in their field throughout their lives. They possess the wisdom and mental resilience to keep developing until the very end.

This shift in mindset is essential when you have a family, responsibilities, and a life outside the hustle of your youth.

I hope this inspires all readers to not just start but keep going pushing themselves into higher states of achievement. You have it within you as a human being to learn, grow, and excel. You can discover it and Live Awesome! The Sky is NOT the Limit!

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How To Perform Like a Champion And Live Calmly

By Ahsan

Have you ever felt like you were getting anxious and stressed from all the things coming at you?

Have you also felt the opposite, where you felt relaxed and stress-free?

How did you perform in the negative state versus the positive state?

All people everywhere perform differently depending upon their mental state.

Being relaxed is usually accompanied by being less busy in your head, like when you go for a walk in nature, play with a baby, or watch the sun setting and notice that the sky is not only red but purple as well.

One way I relax is by listening to podcasts. I recently came upon a podcast featuring Psychologist Dr. Dicken Bettinger, who used a memorable expression to describe being frenetic.

He referred to the mental state we sometimes hear of as being on the Hamster's Wheel as: "static in the attic?"

When your mind is overthinking and ruminating on all the things coming at you, and you are in a mental replay, life gets "frantic!"

Don’t do that!

I thought you would enjoy reading even more clever expressions that describe "static in the attic."

Here are 25 expressions that convey the feeling of being mentally stressed or overwhelmed:

1. In a fog

2. Running in circles

3. Caught in a whirlwind

4. Overthinking everything

5. Tangled up in thoughts

6. On edge

7. Burning the midnight oil

8. Feeling scattered

9. In a mental maze

10. Stretched thin

11. Drowning in worries

12. A mind full of clutter

13. Walking on a tightrope

14. Caught in my own head

15. Spinning my wheels

16. Juggling too many balls

17. Suffocated by stress

18. Like a hamster on a wheel

19. In a pressure cooker

20. A storm of thoughts

21. Mental overload

22. Running on fumes

23. Treading water

24. Feeling like a deer in headlights

25. A mind racing a mile a minute

These expressions capture the state of mental stress and feeling overwhelmed by thoughts and, therefore, your emotions.

On the other hand, here are 25 expressions that convey mental equanimity and being present in the moment:

1. Grounded in the now

2. Unshakeable resolve

3. Calm amidst the chaos

4. Centered and focused

5. Steadfast in purpose

6. Embracing the present

7. Resilient Mindset

8. Clear-headed and composed

9. In control of my thoughts

10. Stronger than the storm

11. Mind like a steel trap

12. Living in the moment

13. Focused like a laser

14. Anchored in reality

15. Inner peace

16. Present and aware

17. Standing tall

18. Unwavering determination

19. Deeply rooted

20. Attuned to the moment

21. Fearless in the face of adversity

22. Embracing challenges

23. A pillar of strength

24. Steady as a rock

25. Mindful and intentional

These expressions highlight the ability to remain present and engaged in the moment.

So, you will no doubt want to remember some of these expressions.

But first and foremost, ensure you know the truth: Whatever you feel, you are thinking in the moment. It's not due to your circumstance.

All your stress, tension and upset are created by your personal thinking, not by circumstances or people.

These negative feelings are like the check engine light of your car that tells you YOUR car and not cars around you need to do something:

Namely, diffuse extra thinking so that internal wisdom can surface and new and fresh solutions become apparent.

In other words, these off or negative feelings are a gift!

A gift to those who understand the true nature of mind, consciousness and thought.

The way to live calmly like a champion is to drop into the present with less static in the attic.

The implication of doing this is that you will do better at the sport of life and not get tense when you have to make the winning point with the few seconds left in the game.

Be here, not there, and enjoy life everywhere!

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How To Rise in the Fall

By Shazad

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

Michelangelo

As the year comes to an end and fall sets in the Northern Hemisphere, the leaves are changing colours and falling off the trees. The flowers are almost gone, and the grass is preparing to hibernate for the next few months. While it may be tempting for you to also slow down and relax until the end of December, you must resist the urge! All the big goals and achievements you set for yourself in January can still be accomplished. We can still make this year a success by focusing on 3 key things to finish the year strong so we can celebrate on New Year’s Day!

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

Benjamin Franklin

The first step is to assess your current situation. Rate your progress in life on a scale of 1 to 10 for Health, Wealth, Relationship, Personal Development, and Adventure. Where do each of these aspects stand in October? Be completely honest and don’t gloss over anything.

“We are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.”

E. O. Wilson

Make a list of 3-5 important things to focus on for a successful year. It's not about achieving perfect 10/10 but rather, making significant progress in those key areas. Improving your health from 6/10 to 8/10 or relationships from 7/10 to 9/10 would be satisfying. Don't forget to prioritize fun and adventure to enhance your overall satisfaction with life.

“Execution is not just about getting things done, it’s about getting the right things done.”

Jeff Weiner

The third step is the most interesting and is all about execution. Spend 7-10 days working on each of the 3-5 items you chose as the most important for 2024. Do this with an intense focus on each item. Drop everything else that is non-essential. Figure out if you can discard it, delegate it, or delay it until next year. You have to free up time, energy, and possibly some more resources like money to achieve your important items for the year, so be ruthless with everything else.

By following the simple yet effective method outlined above, I believe you will be able to make the most of the time remaining in the current calendar year. You will also be able to welcome the New Year with a greater sense of accomplishment by aligning with the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. There's no better feeling than fulfilling your intentions and making progress towards becoming the person you aspire to be, or at least getting much closer to that ideal by December 31st.

As a Bonus: Start working on a list of 2025 Goals and Ambitions by writing them out in late December to motivate you for the New Year. Just start making a list of everything you want to have, become, or experience and then spend some time in January refining it to just the 3-5 Most Important things that you will commit to for another year of Awesome Adventures! Good Luck.

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What Is Stressing You Out?

By Ahsan

If I were to ask you this question, what would you say?

I suppose it would depend on the moment I asked you. If you were getting going in the morning, you might think of everything you must do that day at work or the people you must deal with once you arrive.

A student may answer that their assignments and exams are piling up and they are stressed out. A mother might say she is stressed out by her kids and all the demands they put on her in a day on top of taking care of her responsibilities at the office and for her parents.

A golfer might say that the pressure of putting into the hole from four feet away causes unusual stress.

In other words, something must be stressing you out, and many things are quite understandably stressful, like situations, people we interact with and life itself!

I believe President Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." He was probably stating that life is bound to be stressful and to be happy despite it, one needs to use the inner strength of one's mind to JUST BE HAPPY.

Abe was on to something.

The question "What is stressing you out?” to ascertain your personal list is a good one, but the better question to ask yourself is not this one.

The better question is: What do you allow yourself to get stressed by?

This question is the best question you could ask yourself today and every day because it will likely remind you that people and situations are not the actual cause of our stress.

If we allow others to upset us and cause us tension, we become puppets on a string and slaves to these people.

If we allow situations and circumstances to make us feel stressed, then we will never live happily or joyfully. We will only enjoy brief moments when everything seems to be going well and fear what is around the corner.

Life is a gift, as a friend recently commented. He has terminal cancer and knows that his days are numbered. Fortunately, he also lived his life saying for years that he is the happiest person alive because he has a purpose and never allows others to influence his behaviour. He chooses to be happy.

Life is a gift, and you do have a choice to make. That is the choice to view life as an experience that can trigger a stress response or an exhilarating experience where you grow and thrive. You can choose to ignore and reframe the event into something that can be useful and even fuel your progress in some way.

The other day, I listened to a song that asked the following question: Who set the world on fire?

The next verse was: It was me who set the world on fire!

To me, the song's words meant that life or the world is not in our control. Things are bound to happen that we don't like, but it is really up to us how we take it all in. Do we stay happy regardless or become stressed out?

Dear friends, live this life that could end at any time with a new way of responding and thinking.

Your ability to think is also a gift.

When you feel stressed, tense, or upset, you are thinking about your circumstance and/or the people you tango with on a daily basis. That is the root cause of your levels of joy and anxiety in life.

Choose happiness and joy and relaxed thinking so you can sink more putts and smell more roses along the journey of life.

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Thinking Into Success

By Shazad

“Success in both business and life is not a destination, but a journey,

one that starts in the mind”

On September 30, 2024, a long-awaited event occurred. Atiq Ahmad, the President of AA Group of Companies, launched an amazing business book called “Thinking Into Success”. It was years in the making, and it was a great pleasure for Ahsan and me to be part of the writing team that shaped this great chronicle of Mr. Ahmad’s business and life journey so far.

“Good thoughts bring a life of cheer, bad thoughts make misery near”

The book contains very personal stories and life lessons that Atiq wants to share with his audience to inspire, motivate, and sincerely guide them so they may also begin their business journey. Atiq meets many great people in his life and shares the valuable wisdom he learns from each of them, as well as his experience of becoming the successful business owner he is today.

“No wall of doubt and fear can stand before a person with an unshakeable belief in

his Creator and supreme self-confidence”

This one stands out in a world with no shortage of books to buy and read because it’s very compelling and based on the true story of a highly successful man who achieved so much. Atiq’s journey is far from over as his businesses continue to thrive, and his empire grows with more service offerings for a diverse audience. We hope that all of you will get your copy of this excellent book, which will inspire you as it did us. Please use this email to get your copy: thinkingintosuccess2024@gmail.com or www.aagroupofcompanies.com/contact/

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How Tough Are You When You Get A Soft Life?

By Ahsan

“Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.”

Zig Ziglar

No one likes to be in a tense or difficult life situation, like losing a job because of a lousy economy or, being down with the seasonal flu. All of these adversities make life something more than this thing we hope goes smoothly.

A life without problems and challenges might be nice, but when these bumps come along, we should actually feel some relief.

Why on earth would I suggest looking at them with a sense of relief?

Because you know that every time you came through adversity, you learned something about being tough; you learned how to tackle the situation so that when the same kerfuffle happened again, it was less of an issue, and you realized that you had more in you than you thought.

What could be better than starting as “average you” and emerging from adversity as "awesome you!"

As the saying goes, hard times produce tough people, and easy times produce soft people.

Let others be afraid of life, hoping things go smoothly so they never have to face hardships.

Let us be truly awesome in the sense that we know that we have had many challenges that we overcame and hardened ourselves like diamonds transforming from coal. We took on life with a brilliance and attitude that made us shine in the end.

“Life is just one damn thing after another!”

Mark Twain

When life gets tough, you learn about self-confidence, managing the unpredictability of life and your capability to get through problems. A challenging life situation is a good thing. You benefit from tough situations.

Everyone wants a good life, but not everyone will handle it by thinking about adversity and its benefits, as I described.

Just imagine if you have never read this article or heard about the benefits of a tough life situation in some other way how you might just suffer quietly or become depressed about life, as many other people do.

How we think about situations makes a difference to the quality of our lives, so we can live in well-being even when things don't go our way! That’s what the truly strong people do.

Stay strong in mind, consciousness and thought.

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Life Is A Verb

By Shazad

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Nelson Mandela

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Get a Life!” You may have even said that a few times to someone in a state of excitement or frustration. But what does that even mean? Life is not an object or noun that can be neatly defined and put into a box. Life is not something we write down in a few paragraphs or even a short book. Life is the very act of existing 7/24 and learning to surf the waves of whatever comes our way. How do we do that?

“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him.”

Viktor Frankl

The first thing to understand is in the title and that’s the most important thing. Life is a verb. It’s an action or behaviour so you can consider it the process of being, growing, and living. There’s nothing to “Get”. It’s all about becoming something. Truly self-aware people become their authentic selves and achieve the full potential of their mission in this world…or they die trying to achieve it and get pretty close.

“The first step: Don’t be anxious. Nature controls it all. And before long you’ll be no one, nowhere—like Hadrian, like Augustus. The second step: Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy.”

Marcus Aurelius

The next thing to understand is you need to get off the hamster wheel and step away from the Rat Race. Humans are not rodents; we’re not meant to be on the Go and ruminating on things constantly. You have to take a break, collect your thoughts, evaluate the situation, and then plan your next step in important aspects of your life. Don’t overthink or get stuck in a mental loop but don’t rush into a tunnel or run towards a prize. It could be a Mouse Trap! Take a breath, look around, get some quality sleep each night, and move forward with confidence rather than anxiety.

“The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

The third aspect of life is that it’s supposed to be challenging, at times. You are supposed to struggle, sweat, and even get knocked down at times. Maybe some suffering is in your history or your future and that’s unfortunate but understandable. These things happen to the best people and often more than once in a lifetime! The great legends and heroes of history and perhaps our family are those that get right back up, dust themselves off, and keep moving forward, or die trying. There’s great honour even in the attempt to stand up again after a loss or some major struggle. This is true courage and leadership. No one should expect angels or God to do everything for them without the need for a person to work, get tired, and grow some muscles in the process of living up to their true potential in life. Just like a gym, your life in this world is the place we work things out, stress our minds and bodies, and then appreciate the daily progress. We do this to get to the best version of ourselves. So that we can become who we are meant to be in the process of living.

No one is going to hand you or me a complete and ready-to-go kit that says, “Here’s your life. Now go and enjoy it while it lasts.” Instead, you will have to take the 3 ideas above and craft your own story about what your life is going to look like from now on. How are you going to feel, learn, and grow each day? What Mission are you trying to fulfil and who is on your Team to help you achieve that mission? How are you going to become more resilient so you can get back up after the known challenges and unexpected blows come your way? Make a plan and learn to keep moving forward. Life is meant to be experienced which includes some pleasure, some pain, many lessons, and a lot of growth! That’s how you Live Awesome!

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The True But Lost Lesson From Pinocchio

By Ahsan

“Frame your thoughts like this— you are an old person, you won’t let yourself be enslaved by this any longer, no longer pulled like a puppet by every impulse, and you’ll stop complaining about your present fortune or dreading the future.”

Marcus Aurelius

Everyone knows the childhood story of Pinocchio! It is a story about the little boy, his father, the shoemaker, and the cricket. And when Pinocchio lied, he could not hide it because his nose would grow longer!

The lesson of the story was not to lie. Right?

I would say that is one of the lessons, but the real lesson is much more important, and many people will understand it as adults even though they missed it when they were kids.

Recall for a moment that the shoemaker, Geppetto wanted to have a son. So he took a block of wood and carved from it a boy puppet. The puppet was a marionette, the kind of puppet that moves with the strings that the puppet master moves. All the puppet master does is jerk the string, and the puppet responds on command. The puppet has no choice but to do the master's bidding.

But as stories go, something miraculous happens, and one day, the puppet becomes a real boy!

When Pinocchio becomes a real boy, he no longer has strings. He is free to do what he wants.

He is free, he has the ability to be who he wants to be, and he has his own mind, consciousness, and thoughts.

From there, the young boy gets into many interesting situations and adventures.

So, how does all this relate to you as a grown person who may have missed Pinocchio's profound meaning and lesson as a kid?

Please give it a think. What is it?

Well, I'll tell you, won't I? Come closer.

The subtext of the original story was that Pinocchio wanted to break away from the strings

and become a real boy.

Pinocchio's various adventures or misadventures show him going right through and back from what would appear to be Hell and experiencing a metamorphosis in the process. A rebirth. A classic old you vs. the new and wiser you transformation after being led by the strings that control you.

This is what life entails. At some point, you realize you can be so much more, but some strings control you.

Those strings are the beliefs, habits, and thinking you have picked up along the adventure of life that does not help you live the best life. You and I must cut those strings and emerge as the person we can and should be.

Be Free of strings!

So, The Adventures of Pinocchio is a story much deeper than "Don't lie," "Pay attention to your moral compass," and "Do the right thing." It's about a hero who experiences symbolic death and rebirth through life's lessons and ultimately changes.

We all have strings that need to be cut to move how we want to. Cut those strings!

Cut, snip, release and grow.

All of us have some strings.

The main string is thinking. Our thoughts determine how we live and experience life. We live life from moment to moment from personal thinking. The content of the thinking matters, but what matters most is knowing that we are thinking into what we experience and call that our life.

Your true emotions, feelings and experience of life is all coming from your internal thinking; not from external situations and the people around you, although that’s what you think is the true cause.

When you begin to understand that you have strings and live reactively to thoughts, you can catch yourself doing the thinking and choose to cut it out.

Cut it out! Snip.

Be the real boy or girl you want to be.

Just like the baby elephant, which is held by a string or rope that he can easily walk away from, we, too, have strings attached to us from childhood that fasten us to the ground with iron chains.

But the chain is just a rope that can be cut with the knife of awareness and new and fresh thinking.

We might like to break away from the strings and beliefs jerking us around.

You have the ability to live in well-being. There is nothing wrong with you. All you need to do is realize what was discussed above.

If there is one thing I am excited about in my life, it's helping people actualize their potential to live more joyful and meaningful lives. Learning this was very helpful to me.

Was this explanation of Pinocchio helpful to you? If it is, would you do me a favour and share this article with a friend who needs to cut some of their own strings so they can Live Awesome!

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Why Learning Never Ends

By Shazad

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."

Albert Einstein

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Mahatma Gandhi

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”

Socrates

It’s back-to-school time for young and older kids every September. Parents have been preparing their little ones for the new year of learning skills and making friends. Older students have been preparing themselves with the right notebooks, software, and trendy clothes. Soon this will be a distant memory as everyone graduates with their degree or diploma…but it doesn’t have’t have to be this way.

I believe the purpose of school and higher education is not simply the memorization of facts, formulas, and well-known works of literature. The true purpose should be to develop the ability to consume, learn, explain, and think critically about a variety of topics. It’s not enough to just memorize key facts about a moment in history or know state capitals and historical leaders. We need to understand the critical moments of history and why certain decisions were made. It’s important to also understand the many connections between seemingly unrelated things that brought about significant changes in healthcare, science, transportation, and literacy. There’s so much to explore and so much to think about, like why it took so long for certain social changes to occur and what were the conditions for a revolution happening at the time it did. Why didn’t humans figure out some obvious facts about the universe until very recently? Who were the actual authors of certain books, plays, and rules of law? I could go on and on with the many questions that come to mind, and so could you! That’s the joy of learning – it leads to more great and curious questions about the things we think we know or have at least come across.

Education should be viewed as the beginning of our intellectual journey rather than having an end date or a formal completion like graduation day. We should consider Phase 1 complete when we officially graduate with a diploma or bachelor's degree. There's so much more learning, thinking, and growth that is possible and necessary to become a well-informed and educated person. By considering human existence as an ongoing education process, we continue to study, think, and question the world around us as well as our own thought processes. Why did we think certain things in our 20s that clearly don't align with who we are in our 40s? How will our thinking, attitudes, and feelings change in another 20 years? What's influencing us? How much is the learning media or format shaping our education and where is it more harmful than beneficial? There's so much to understand, consider, and navigate in today's elementary schools and universities. For this reason, we can never say, "I'm done with school," because what does that even look like?

Ancient philosophers also remind us that learning and changing ourselves through education should lead to greater wisdom, which leads to true happiness in life. If the aim of our pursuit is simply a better-paying job, a piece of paper to hang on the wall, and some bragging rights about attending an Ivy League school, we've missed the point. On the other hand, if what you seek is a better understanding of the world you live in, your place in it, and ways to constantly improve throughout life, you've "graduated" to a higher level than most people. Some would even say you are soaring to new heights. Don't stop now—there's so much more to know and become!

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Ship Happens! Learn How to Navigate It.

By Shazad

“To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it.

But we must not drift or lie at anchor.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

You are a captain whether you realize it or not. You have many ships in your life and are expected to take the wheel to steer through them all at some point. How are you going to do it? What am I even talking about?

Human beings seek connection, collaboration, and love, which are all part of life and are defined by friendship, companionship, kinship, and relationship. Do you see where I’m going now? There are many “ships” to being a human and interacting with others. You have to be a pretty good ‘sailor’ to follow along and a much better ‘captain’ if you want to be considered a success in any field. Remember it’s a process and not an event. There is no defined point in life where you are declared a “Winner” as a husband/wife or as a friend. You are constantly working on improving and resolving things as they come up like a sailor out at sea.

Faith is a part of our inner reflection and overall spiritual life. Managing things like discipleship, worship, and hardship are some of the words to describe the various states we are going through in this aspect of life. How we think about something bigger than us, what our role is in society and the big-picture view of things can help with the navigation.  Realizing that enlightenment is not something you reach and stay at. Rather, you keep seeking and discovering new aspects of it much like the captain of a ship who is headed for a new continent. He doesn’t know how large it will be or what the shape of the shoreline will be so it’s possible for him to spend his entire life trying to map it out as carefully and accurately as he can.

Whenever we enlist the help of others in a group, we are engaging in activities that can be described as membership, apprenticeship, and leadership. By continuously improving our abilities to manage people and our connections with them, we all get to move forward and achieve the ultimate prize that every team seeks. Championship!  The goal of being part of a group of other great human beings is not the defeat of other teams out there like some kind of Sailing race. It’s the ability to keep playing the game at the highest level and have fun along the way. That Elite Sailing team that enjoys going out to sea together and giving it their all is the one that keeps Winning in the true sense of the word. Chances are very good that they are considered reigning champions as well! Perhaps even living legends by other teams. That’s a pretty good reputation!

The next time you look at water, remember that there is an ocean of opportunity for you to shine in all aspects of your life. Grab the wheel, wave goodbye to the port, and set sail! You got this!

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How To Think Well Even If You’re Stressed Or Angry

By Ahsan

“You have power over your mind, not outside events, realize this and you will find strength.”

Seneca

Imagine a moment when you felt a lot of tension and stress. Perhaps it was during a meeting at work, after reading an unpleasant email, or just missing the exit on the highway, causing you to be late.

Each scenario just presented would have caused your mind/thinking to look for an immediate solution. Your reactions at the moment would be very natural, wouldn't they?

The quality of that solution, however, may have been anywhere from okay to excellent and perhaps downright awful. The best solutions to problems rarely come from frantic and upset states of Mind. Instead, they come from a calm mind.

Calm Mind > Calm Thinking > Good Solution

This is how you will access an excellent solution to any problem that causes you stress or upset. When you are tense and upset, your access to high-quality thinking is diminished, even extinguished. It would help if you stayed calm. Period.

The problem is that the Mind, when upset, does not necessarily think straight.

Your upset Mind may throw several ideas at you, and that is when you might say, "I can't make up my mind." Or you may be stuck in the emotion of upset and say, "I can't think straight!"

Your Mind generates your solutions to problems and produces “well-considered thoughts” that either become good solutions that dissolve the upset or play havoc on your emotional wellness because the thoughts are reactionary and low-level.

That’s why there is a saying: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY STAY CALM!

The Paradox Of Less Thinking

Life has many paradoxes, one of which is that the more you think, the less you find that thinking to help solve your problems. I bet you have always seen high-quality solutions to your problems when you were removed from the situation a few hours or even days later.

That separation in time often leads to amazing solutions popping out of nowhere in your Mind. It’s as if when the dust settles, clear thinking presents itself when you least expect it, often when you are busy doing something relaxing.

Perhaps your relaxed mental state while going for a walk, taking a shower, playing with your dog or just staring out the window, watching the world go by, induced the magic of the Mind to offer a good thought/solution.

So, now that you agree that the best solutions to your problems come from a calm mind via clear thinking, how do you do it during that upsetting meeting, unpleasant email or being late from missing that &%* exit?

Here is how:

You need to practice awareness of your emotional state. Just notice the upset or tension coming up through you. As you do, say to yourself, I am getting upset, but I will not fly off the handle or run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Tell yourself I need to stay calm so my inner wisdom can surface.

As you read this, you might think, " This guy has no idea what he's talking about!” How can anyone be so present of Mind when an outside event they have no control over upsets them?

My response is you can say that if you like, but the fact is your reactions come from your response, not from the event that causes stress or tension.

Suppose you are mad, upset, or angry because of an outside event or person not behaving in an ideal way for your liking. In that case, it is only you who is reacting.

It's like the alcoholic saying that some person X drove me to drink. That is not true. The alcoholic bought the bottle, poured it into a glass, put it to his lips, opened his mouth, swallowed it and went on to finish the drink. They could have just as quickly resisted the low-quality thought and done something more effective than drinking.

You and I need to practice staying calm through conscious awareness of our emotional state so that our inner wisdom can eventually surface.

Try thinking less and relaxing more.

The gift of thinking operates very well. Are you?

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Create Your Own Legacy

By Shazad

“The life you’re living—that’s the only monument that counts. Who you are in this moment, how you treat people, how you treat yourself—that is the real legacy.

And it’s passing you by as you read this.”

Ryan Holiday

As a person ages and approaches their senior years, they start to think about their legacy. Some people get concerned about what will be said or written about them when they are gone. Other’s worry about the assets and money they have accumulated to hand off to the next generation. What if we could ensure a good legacy while we are still alive? It is possible.

Let start with a definition. I like this one for Legacy:

“the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.”

The above clearly implies that what we say and do become part of our legacy which is great news! By making better choices of what we focus our time on and things we engage in, we are created ripples in time while we are alive and these will hopefully, continue spreading after we are gone. Doing good things and participating in good causes with others on consistent basis is a great way to create a positive impact. We can even schedule things like a monthly donation to a cause, quarterly volunteer exercise, or daily check-in with family or friends to make sure they are ok.

If we want to make even more impact and thus have a greater legacy, we need to work in teams and communities. We can recruit our families, relatives, and friends in our efforts so that the impact is multiplied and we have engaged multiple generations of people across a diverse section of society. Hopefully, some of these people will also engage their circle of friends and relatives and do the same so that the benefits continue to multiply in all directions. Having group events to help some new immigrants or job seekers is a great way to do this. Scheduling blood donations with colleagues at work or from the community is another easy way to recruit people in a cause.

The third way to craft our legacy is to talk about it frequently with people we care about so they know what we are trying to do and why. It’s not about showing off or acting superior to others. It’s about inspiring others to be part of the good things we are committed to and also encouraging our network of friends to consider what legacy they are leaving behind so they can also design their lives with this in mind.

Legacy is not simply material possessions, wealth, or fame. It’s the hard to grasp things like feelings, Love, memories, and good vibes we send out when we are around and even after we have left this world. By focusing on our values and desire to do good while we are alive, we get to shape the legacy we are going to leave and ensure its’ an accurate story about our lives. What will your legacy be?

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What Are The Key Qualities Of A Successful Entrepreneur?

By Ahsan

I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is

not trying.”

Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon

Entrepreneurs are often perceived as fundamentally different from the average person, exhibiting distinct characteristics and behaviours that set them apart. They are known for their willingness to take risks, desire for autonomy, and their ambition for unlimited financial success. 

This ambition is not just about money, it's about the freedom and opportunities that financial success can bring. They also aspire to create a lasting legacy for their families.

What truly distinguishes entrepreneurs from others is their unique mindset: thinking differently and act on their thinking.

Their thinking drives their actions and shapes their approach to life and business. Entrepreneurs are intensely focused on their goals, displaying unwavering dedication, and a relentless pursuit of success. They possess a resilience that propels them to overcome obstacles, work tirelessly, and consistently strive to build something meaningful that aligns with their values and identity. 

“Show me a person who never made a mistake, and I will show you a person who never did anything.”

William Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts

Entrepreneurs view life through a different lens, constantly seeking opportunities for growth and innovation. They embody leadership qualities that attract and inspire others to follow their vision. Entrepreneurs embrace challenges as opportunities for personal and professional development, always striving to create a better future for themselves and those around them. 

Their mindset drives their success, setting them apart as individuals who are not content with the status quo but continuously seek to impact the world positively.

“What do you need to start a business? Three simple things: Know your product better than anyone, know your customer, and have a burning desire to succeed”

Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s

One of the most admirable traits of entrepreneurs is their willingness to support and mentor others on their entrepreneurial journey. They see life as a collaborative adventure where they can empower and uplift those around them, fostering a community of like-minded individuals committed to creating a better future for themselves and others.

Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart but nothing worth doing is ever achieved by thinking alone. Those who think courageously into action by default think into success!

If this article inspired you to continue your journey as an entrepreneur or to start that rewarding journey, please share it with your friends and family.

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How to Avoid Regret in Life

By Shazad

“When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes.

Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.”

Paulo Coelho

Regrets are an unavoidable part of life, regardless of your health, wealth, or wisdom. We can learn from today's seniors and their experiences to avoid having major regrets later in life. Let’s dissect some key regrets to steer clear of these pitfalls in our own lives.

Regret #1: Other People’s Opinions

Many people waste their lives trying to please others and live up to their ideals of a good life, following trends, and seeking approval from their peer group. This approach is a recipe for failure.

Solution:

Decide for yourself whose opinions matter. Identify the 5-10 people whose thoughts and approval hold weight for you. The rest of the world’s opinions don't matter as much. Even within your trusted circle, feel free to disregard ideas that don't resonate with you. Write your own story and become your personal best, rather than living someone else's life.

Regret #2: Neglecting Health & Well-Being

It's easy to let our bodies and minds deteriorate by consuming unhealthy food, being lazy, and engaging in negative habits.

Solution:

Commit to your well-being. Think about what you want to achieve without pain, strain, or complications. Create patterns, routines, and daily habits that reinforce your well-being. Respect your body and mind; they will carry you far in life.

Regret #3: Ignoring Learning and Growth Opportunities

Solution:

Seek out opportunities to enhance your knowledge, wealth, and happiness. Take small chances frequently to gain confidence and learn from setbacks. Plan big goals and take calculated risks. Push yourself often, risk failure, and embrace the lessons along the way.

If you want to avoid these major regrets in your senior years, take a hard look at where you are in life and where you’re headed before reaching your senior years. It’s never too late to turn things around and live a more fulfilling life with fewer regrets. An extraordinary life awaits!

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Who Is Responsible For Your Success?

By Ahsan

You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that, I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.

Maya Angelou

We live in a world where we can see certain people enjoy very high levels of material success.

The names of billionaires are now household names.

Many people are held in high esteem because of their various achievements and success.

Regardless of who is successful and how they became successful,

have you ever wondered, how they became successful at what they do?

Is there a sort of recipe for success? Is it available for all to copy?

What is ultimately the reason for someone being successful or being the opposite, however, you want to define that?

When we look at how successful people achieved what they have, we may come to one of two observations.

One would be that through good planning and hard work, they earned it.

The other would be that from being at the right place at the right time, in other words getting lucky, they became successful.

Getting lucky is how lottery winners tend to become successful but the reality of life is that those who plan and work hard on their plan, starters, finishers, and action takers WIN the title of being called truly successful.

Not only do such people earn their success, in my books, they deserve that success!

If you and I are to be successful, we should take personal responsibility and expect nothing from anyone.

Any lucky breaks, wonderful upbringings, education from institutions, or street knowledge should be considered opportunities and bonuses, but not guarantees of future success.

There are plenty of people who had great childhoods, gold and pearls thrown at their feet and happenstance but due to their limited thinking, they never made it to the winner’s podium.

In order to be successful, let it be known as a fact to all and sundry, that your personal thinking is 100% causative!

You are 100% responsible for your success.

The thoughts you dwell on and place in your mind shape your life’s experience and results!

The plans you lay for yourself, the dreams you dare to dream, and the ultimate action on your plans and dreams will only ever come from your thoughts.

When people talk about positive thinking, getting rich by thinking, or being in the “now”, they are knowingly or unknowingly pointing to this phenomenon of thinking!

We have been given the gift of thinking.

Become aware of it.

But use it as the powerful force and tool that it was meant to be.

Allow it to grow into a positive force for your success.

Be grateful for this gift of thinking. Our Creator is our benefactor indeed.

You are a thinker.

Let your thinking reveal the path ahead, as you pursue the most awesome life possible.

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What is The Sum Total of Your Life?

By Ahsan

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

St. Augustine

We are all travelers on the journey of life. We may have different stops along the way, but our destination is going to be the same.

Here is what I am getting at, whether you are rich or poor, tall or short, successful, or not, you will one day be no more.

The time between now and then, or even from the time you came into the world until then is therefore the sum total of your life.

So if I may get you to ask yourself this question, what is the SUM total of my life?

In other words, given that your journey has not ended, what do you feel you have done, become, and achieved?

The point of this personal inquiry is not to come to a conclusion or judgment of how great your life has been so far, but rather to look at the entire start-to-end journey as one of adventure as compared to going to an all-inclusive resort where everything is laid out for you and planned with minimal surprises or wonder.

Might you and I with the power of this inquiry become inspired to view our life in a completely different light?

They say that the universe is some 14 billion years old and here is you and I appearing in it at this point. We must appreciate and give urgent attention to our brief appearance at this stage of life. Otherwise, whether your life has been one adventure after another or just one damn thing after another as Mark Twain commented on “life”, you may not get a chance to savour it because it will be over soon.

The total of one’s life can probably never be calculated but if it is audited from time to time, the life we do get to live should be more Awesome!

Dear friend,

And with this, I wish you: “May the road to the end of your journey become more inspired, strengthened, and fulfilling!”

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What Are You Really Striving For?

By Shazad

“And that man will have nothing but what he strives for;”

Holy Quran 53:40

“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

It seems like everyone is working on something or working toward something. Even those just trying to get through the day have that as their goal. When you stop and think about it, that’s all of us. The thoughtful question that arises is, “What are you trying to achieve?” Surviving is an acceptable short-term goal, but it's no way to live a life. Just trying to make it to the next dawn is neither inspiring nor fulfilling. So, what’s it all about?

It's important to have goals and milestones in life to find happiness. Some people are focused on material success, fame, and wealth, while others are more interested in personal growth and fulfillment. Whatever your perspective, it's crucial to regularly evaluate whether your approach is working for you. What made sense in your younger years may no longer be relevant as you get older. It's perfectly normal to change your goals and priorities as you mature and gain new experiences, so you can better align with the person you are becoming each day.

Here is a method to examine your current life and engage in some self-reflection:

1. Consider your daily routine and outline your objectives for the next month and the year's end.

2. Review the goals you set at the beginning of the year and their corresponding timeframes.

3. Identify areas in your daily routine that need improvement to be in line with your intended vision. Remove unnecessary activities and incorporate new ones to expedite your goal achievement, if feasible.

It might seem simple, but each of the three steps mentioned above can be quite challenging to contemplate and journal about. However, it's important to do so, as it's a great way to gain insight into your life and make necessary changes. Without regularly assessing your life, it's difficult to know where you're headed and why you're doing what you're doing. This can leave you feeling lost and directionless, which is not a desirable way to live. By clarifying things for yourself, you can take control of your direction and decide where to go next and how quickly you want to get there. Open your sails and let the wind guide you in the right direction. Take the helm and embark on the new adventures of your choosing!

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Most of Life Happens After School

By Shazad

"Don't GO through life, GROW through life." 

Eric Butterworth

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.”

​Louis L'Amour​

It's that time of year again! School's out! No more classes, teachers, or books for most students, from elementary school to university. It's all done, and it's time to enjoy summer vacation! Soon, all the school years will pass us by as we finish our diploma or master's degree. Maybe you'll go for a Ph.D. or two? And then you're done, right? It's over! Or is it? It can be much later for some people to figure out the basics of actually living a good life even if they have achieved a PhD by the time they are 25. What’s going on here?!

The truth is that formal education at the primary, secondary, or higher levels is just the beginning. We acquire basic tools and develop good habits to learn academic material, socialize, debate facts, and solve known problems. The Art of Living is truly mastered when we encounter unfamiliar obstacles, experience stress in ways we hadn't imagined, and face situations where the answers are not readily available in the back of the book or the teacher’s special notes.

Life occurs between school hours and after we graduate from the esteemed institution, whether we are dressed in our finest clothes or graduation attire. This post-education period is when we can put into practice what we have learned. We showcase to both ourselves and the world what it means to accomplish tasks without the pressure of pop quizzes and routine homework assignments.

The SHIFT hits the fan because we change into a more advanced routine that is going faster than school and that may not have fixed hours to be taking attendance or raising our hand to answer questions. We have to design our lives for a new reality and find ways to manage our time on our own. We get to figure out which books or articles we want to read and what thoughts we want to write in our free time - as limited as that may be.

It’s glorious and scary at the same time. It’s what we always said we wanted and sometimes a bit stressful because we get the full taste of what we asked for! It’s ultimately worth it because this is our time and the best time to Live Awesome!

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The Best Self-Care - Tip for Summer Break

By Ahsan

Have you ever felt like you are doing things for everyone else and wish you had time to do something nice for yourself?

We all get so busy taking care of others that sooner or later we begin to feel that our own cup cannot fill any any other .

So what should you do if you find yourself in this common situation?

The “problem”, is that helping others is who you are and it gives you such a good feeling and this prevents you from stepping away.

Perhaps, the best thing is to carve out sometime for yourself, where you do something at least once a week that you truly enjoy just for yourself!

Let’s call this the best selfless self-care tip of all times!

Ask yourself questions that will point you towards things that you probably should do but have not been doing for Numero Uno.

Here are a few questions:

What do you absolutely love doing outside of work?

When you have 10 minutes to yourself what do you find yourself , wishing you could do, be or have?

Who do you get lots of energy from simply by being in their company?

Where do you find yourself to be happiest in terms of a location?

How often are you doing any of the above?

The first few questions should generate a list of a few things that ring for you and the last question should point you to the conclusion that you must make time for these things so you get to enjoy life too.

While we get a giver’s high when we help others in our lives we might reach a point where we realize that we never prioritized ourselves too!

This life is not a rehearsal. The act must be played now before the show is over.

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