“From now on, then, resolve to live as a grown-up who is making progress, and make whatever you think is best a law that you never set aside. And whenever you encounter anything that is difficult or pleasurable, or highly or lowly regarded, remember that the contest is now: you are at the Olympic Games, you cannot wait any longer …” Epictetus

Isn’t that a beautiful quote? And Epictetus said that famous quote some 2000 years ago.

We all want to cultivate better habits.

The problem is very few of us want to do the work to make those habits a reality.

We hope we get the new habit by some sort of magic.

That does not happen.

Ever.

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

Decide today, NOW to start your new habits.

Make a promise to yourself to start doing the things you want and stop doing the things you do not want.

It is a practice.

Why wait till the New Year comes?

Why not start NOW?

. Start with Your Life.

Are you a victim or the hero in your own life?

Observe yourself and see how you are doing in your own life.

If you are not the hero in your own life, start NOW to refocus the story of your life to banish anything that does not serve you.

You are the one responsible for altering the way you perceive things.

If you do not like your story, start changing it TODAY.

. Get rid of Unproductive Heavy Emotions.

Worry, anxiety and guilt are literally toxic emotions.

They deceive you into making you feel like you are doing something, but you are not.

They just exhaust your energy.

All these emotions are useless and circular.

The time to begin undoing this practice is NOW.

. Start seeing the Light in Every Situation

Looking at the worst-case scenario does not prepare us for anything.

In fact, it makes us literally useless.

Because while we are worrying about what might happen, we are incapable of doing anything else.

This endless, unproductive worry keeps us in a perpetual state of high alert.

So, why don’t we start thinking about the best-case scenarios?

It is equally plausible that we achieve the best things in life.

Change your view from looking at the worst to the best and live the joy of a hundred and more perfectly possible outcomes.

. Choose the People you surround yourself with

I have said this before and I will say it again.

The people around you either deplete you or energize you.

Spend more time with those who fill your heart and less time with those who leave you exhausted.

Choose NOW who you want to spend more time with.

. Choose to be Mentally Strong

When everything falls apart and you tell yourself that you are tired and want to give up.

Just wait.

Do not give up.

Challenges are meant to strengthen us – not the opposite.

If it feels the problems are there for forever and that there will never be light – HOLD ON. The fact is they are temporary.

You will outlast them.

Just wait and hold on.

Read more on the key traits of mentally strong people!

I leave you with this quote which says a lot about the importance of the present moment.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, CONCENTRATE the mind on the PRESENT MOMENT.” Buddha

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To Your Inspirations,

Banchi