Quotes
“If you want to be interesting, be interested.” — Anonymous
"Being dependent on only one person or one solution for success is your fault." — The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone.
“We tend to believe in the ironic notion of wasting time; we don’t want to waste time pursuing something that might not work. but we’re more than happy to waste time doing things that will either keep us stagnant or move us backward.” — Real Help by Ayodeji Awosika
“We lead our lives so poorly because we arrive in the present always unprepared, incapable, and too distracted for everything.”—Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters on Life.
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.” — Anangsha Alammyan.
“Every answer is a no until you ask.” — Teronie J. Donaldson (Yup, that’s me - cool, right?)
Notes/Observations
Learning to monitor your self-talk is perhaps the most underrated step for success in any creative field.
I recently caught myself with self-doubt and gave myself a mini pep talk. After a while, I was good to go. But it made me wonder how often I let negative self-talk win the day.
Articles
Watched
Book of the Week
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz.
The Four Agreements are:
Be Impeccable With Your Word.
Don't Take Anything Personally.
Don't Make Assumptions.
Always Do Your Best.
I reread this book often, particularly the first agreement, BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD.
The First Agreement emphasizes the power of our words and the importance of using them with integrity and impeccability. It invites readers to recognize the tremendous impact our words have on ourselves and others and to make a commitment to speak in a way that promotes love, truth, and positivity.
Ruiz explains that being impeccable with our words requires us to be aware of the words we choose to express ourselves. This agreement encourages us to use our words to uplift and inspire rather than to engage in gossip, negativity, or harmful speech. By choosing our words carefully, we can create a harmonious and nurturing environment for ourselves and those around us.
Ruiz also highlights the significance of the words we use internally in our self-talk and thoughts. Being impeccable with our inner dialogue means being mindful of the way we speak to ourselves. It entails replacing self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk with empowering and compassionate words. This shift in our internal dialogue can transform our self-perception and enhance our overall well-being.
Living by the first agreement can be challenging, as it requires constant self-awareness and discipline. However, Ruiz provides practical tools and exercises to help readers cultivate the habit of being impeccable with their words. By consciously aligning our words with our intentions, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and authenticity in our lives.
Impacts of Practicing the First Agreement: (My Actionable Takeaways)
By practicing the first agreement, individuals can experience transformative changes in various aspects of their lives:
Improved Relationships: Being impeccable with our word strengthens our relationships by fostering trust, deepening understanding, and promoting effective communication. Our words become a source of support, encouragement, and love, fostering healthier connections with others.
Increased Self-Awareness: The first agreement encourages us to observe and reflect on the words we use internally and externally. This self-awareness allows us to identify negative self-talk or harmful speech patterns, enabling personal growth and self-improvement.
Enhanced Authenticity: When we align our words with our true selves, we become more authentic in our interactions with others. This authenticity attracts genuine connections and helps us live in alignment with our values and principles.
Emotional Freedom: By practicing impeccable speech, we free ourselves from the burden of guilt, regret, and negative emotions caused by hurtful words. This liberation allows us to experience emotional well-being and cultivate inner peace.
The entire book is incredible, and each agreement is profound, but you must read it to see which one resonates with you the most.
Let me know your thought on this book and which agreement resonates.
Strategy
Experience has taught me that mindset matters.
You can either think it’s too hard and quit.
Or
You can work on yourself until you’re closer to the best version of yourself.
Mindset first, Skillset second.
Try out self-talk, break down what you want to do in the smallest steps possible, then take action on those steps. You are way more capable than you think.
Question
In what ways has negative self-talk stopped you from achieving a goal? What will you do about it in the future?