4 Ways to Make the Most with What You Got

As we move through life, there are times when we look around and think that everyone has received more gifts and opportunities than we have. We see a fancy car going by and think, “What does he/she have that I do not?” Or, we hear about someone’s great inheritance and wonder why they got all the money and you (or me) got very little.

Interestingly, if we look around, we can note that opportunity abounds but that we are often afraid to take the chance. Seeking our unique self means that we have to do more than shop at some very expensive clothing stores or buy the fanciest car. Instead, we need to force ourselves to move forward on actions that fulfill our values and make us feel like we are living to our fullest.

These four steps can assist you in achieving your goal.

1 – Clarify what you stand for

It’s very easy think we are living life on our terms until something major happens. As one of my clients, who has experienced the worst kind of cancer, said, “All those things I complained about before (the cancer) are not important.” As this tale points out, we need to think carefully about what we value. Once we have identified those important things, then it is much easier to move forward to realize our goals.

2 – Enjoy the ride

Too often, we yearn for happiness and dislike the bad times. Life, however, is both. Enjoy the good and the bad. The bad times are particularly good because the bad experiences get us to truly think through what we want. Then, as we drive to work, home or school, we look around and enjoy what we see, even it is miles and miles of cars.

3 – Take stock of yourself

One of the hardest points in life is learning what skills you have. A good friend will work to inform you of your strengths and weaknesses. Likewise, make yourself do things you don’t like to do. I did that early in my career and found that public speaking, which I had avoided like the plague, was a true strength for me. Go to school and strengthen yourself. Then, put these skills to work to achieve what you value.

4 – Work for mastery

It is too easy to watch TV or movie stars be successful on the screen. In real life, mastery demands time and effort. Don’t begrudge the effort. Instead, work to become masterful and life will become easier all around.