Most people are not successful because they settle or opt to lead an ordinary life. They undermine what they can achieve and are comfortable with whom they are and the position they are in. But being extraordinary is not reserved for the powerful, the rich, the privileged or the famous.
A lot of us have vivid dreams and ambitions. The only thing that separates and distances us from our goals is what we have settled for.
Most of us are wired to think ordinarily and have the perception that our dreams cannot be achieved. Some of us think that success is for the lucky few.
Well, that’s not the case. Anyone can stop living an ordinary life if they make the decision and focus on becoming extraordinary.
There are no magic bullets to living an extraordinary life; such a life is neither mysterious nor magical. It is a natural consequence of applying basic fundamentals every single day.
To live an extraordinary life, you must be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Comfort is the enemy of progress. Never chose comfort over growth. You must make sacrifices; clock in long hours at work, make amends with your enemies, read frequently, work out harder and be more consistent to your commitments.
Whatever you focus and set your mind and energy on, you will no doubt achieve, as long as you have the will and self- drive.
The first step to self-development is to take a bold step and face your fears. When you face your fears, you make a commitment to self-development and self-investment.
Next, you must re-define who you are. People we deem extraordinary cannot be narrowed to one profile, but they are made out of some crucial ingredients:
1. They focus on the things that matter
Most people focus on accumulating more – more property, more stocks, more money and so on. What they fail to understand is that these things do not guarantee our happiness. Abundance can backfire anytime.
Extraordinary people know the intrinsic qualities which bring true satisfaction. They focus on themselves and the things that bring about personal development. They are content with the “being” their best self instead of “having” the best things”.
2. They are tolerant
What separates average people from extraordinary people is their tolerance for the unideal. They can tolerate discomfort and uncertainty.
Extraordinary people face obstacles that hold them back from reaching their ideal lifestyle. They are confident that although some things may seem uncomfortable at first, doing these things will lead to better comfort in the long run.
3. They are selfless
Extraordinary people appreciate the fact that personal development starts with being selfless. They do not mind serving others. They are a beacon of positivity who strive to do whatever they can to uplift, motivate, inspire, support and help. They are a shining light to those they encounter; they understand that a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
Extraordinary people focus not only on themselves, but also keeps the needs of others in mind.
It’s providing value to others, that brings value in return after all.
4. They are grateful
It’s only natural to want more, and to want in the soonest possible time frame. It’s the human condition. But appreciating what we have is vital for self-development and self-fulfillment.
Looking at what you don’t have can easily make you bitter, envious and stuck. But working from a point of happiness by finding satisfaction in what you have already, will keep your mind clear to focus on what can multiply that happiness.
5. They surround themselves with positive people
To quit living an ordinary life, you must separate yourself from ordinary people. Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky. Such people will drag you down with them. Surround yourself with people who have positive energy, those that bring out the best in you.
People who seek constant growth and wisdom will uplift you.
Aim to be around such people and make them your mentors. Soaking up the wisdom of others and implementing it in your life is how you keep moving forward.
6. They think different
As a man thinketh, so he is. You should guard your thoughts. They determine your quality of your life and your happiness. Extraordinary people cancel ordinary thoughts and shift their mindset to greater things.
They ignore negative thoughts whenever they come to mind.
They replace the “I can’t” with “I can,” or “I’m not good enough” with “I’m good enough.”
7. They plan their attack
Extraordinary people don’t just take action, they plan and then execute with precision You can’t win a battle without planning your attack.
Get into the habit by making a list of your goals the night before, and laying out the steps you’re going to take to achieve them. In this way, you won’t only wake up the next morning refreshed, you’ll wake up with a clear mind on what needs to be accomplished before days end.
And every time you achieve a goal, have a little micro-celebration. Whether you make a physical list that you can tick off, or give yourself little reward breaks before moving on to your next goal, positive affirmations are the best way to program your mind to enjoy hard work.
If you keep up this habit, who you are, and therefore your life, will change forever.
I’m in my 40’s and realised my whole life I’ve been following the lifescript. Now I am going to change things up. I want to live an extraordinary life.