From Chad

It’s a great name for a band but horrible way to live. This is message 553 and day 20 in the New Year Resolution Challenge and this message is dedicated to one of the good ones Bern Bertsche. It is a wise aphorism that bad company corrupts good morals. Bad company is a a great name for a rock and roll band but an awful life choice. Jim Rohn use to say a person is the average of the five people the...

The message encourages seizing potential and privilege, emphasizing the advantages of modern life and the importance of gratitude. It highlights the opportunities available and the need to make the most of them.

Chuck Norris, a legend at 84, embodies the principle that winners lose more than losers. A story from his book illustrates this, where he avoids a fight with a man who later recognizes him, choosing to win by losing and avoiding conflict. This principle applies beyond sports and sales, extending to relationships as well.

W. Clement Stone’s advice to repeat “do it now” fifty times daily instilled a sense of urgency in John Maxwell, highlighting the power of speed and action. Procrastination can hinder progress, while swift action provides mental freedom and a competitive edge.

The complexity of human emotions and identity is explored, drawing parallels between the movie InsideOut and Psalm 139. The message encourages self-marveling at the vastness of one’s inner worlds and finding wonder in the complexity of life, guided by a divine composer.

The New Year Resolution Challenge is halfway through, with two weeks left until January 1st. Use this time to reset, refocus, and recommit to your goals.

Dramatic growth requires consistent effort, not just knowledge or intention. Schedule, start, plan, and prioritize working on your goals to achieve them.

Commitment to initiatives and creations attracts providential assistance, as illustrated by W.H. Murray’s quote. Embrace your divine spark and take the first step, as God awaits your action.

The New Year Resolution Challenge encourages starting resolutions early to build momentum and strength. Commit to becoming the person you want to be, not just to specific habits or goals, and reinforce this commitment with positive self-talk.

Self-confidence and self-image are built on trust, which comes from predictability and keeping commitments. To improve self-image, follow through on your words and actions.

The most important relationship is with yourself. Are you a good friend to yourself?

You can fool others about your efforts, but not yourself. The only person who truly matters in your journey is you, and you must be honest with yourself about your progress.

Hope is a crucial virtue for flourishing, as evidenced by scientific research and its etymological connection to prosperity. To prosper in the new year, cultivate hope by holding on to possibilities, maintaining positive expectations, and learning from others’ experiences.

Algorithms, or “if-then” sequences, control our daily lives, from electronics to our behavior. Understanding and programming these algorithms wisely is crucial for achieving New Year’s resolutions and taking control of our lives.

Talent is not the key to success; strategy, systems, and training are. With the right approach, anyone can overcome perceived limitations and achieve their goals.

Jim Kwik, labeled the "boy with a broken brain” after a childhood accident, overcame learning difficulties through training and strategies. He now teaches others that life is a training game, not a talent game, and anyone can improve with the right systems and drills.

Start your day with a routine, even if the rest of the day is unpredictable. This will give you confidence and help you feel in control.

Routines, discipline, and predictability lead to contentment, which is a key driver of happiness. Tomorrow’s topic will be how to use “bookends” to establish routines.

Discipline is about controlling energy flow, not just about rules. Identify one area where you need to start, stop, or continue a discipline and take action today to build momentum for the new year.

Habits are powerful tools that can shape our lives, either positively or negatively. Starting a new habit, no matter how small, can lead to significant changes over time.

Getting enough sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being, as it improves memory, creativity, and mood. Prioritizing sleep, even if it means going to bed early, can lead to better performance and success in life.

Johann Hari’s book, *Stolen Focus*, explores how our environment is dissolving our attention. To reclaim focus and energy, we must create a world of focus, not just live in the one created by attention economics.

Incorporating a daily gratitude list, focusing on blessings and positive aspects of life, can significantly increase happiness and overall well-being. Expressing gratitude for what we have, are, give, love, and smile about can transform our attitude and outlook on life.

Stoic philosophy emphasizes emotional stillness but lacks peace, which is considered a gift from God. A recipe for peace involves celebrating blessings, asking for help, leaving concerns with God, and meditating on good things.

Problems are not inherently negative, but rather the way we respond to them shapes their impact. To gain perspective on our challenges, we can imagine them from a cosmic scale, such as the vastness of space, to realize their insignificance in the grand scheme of things.