Expect the best; convert problems into opportunities; be dissatisfied with the status quo; focus on where you want to go, instead of where you're coming from; and most importantly, decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and turning challenges into opportunities.
Denis Waitley's quote encourages individuals to adopt a proactive and optimistic mindset. By expecting the best and viewing problems as opportunities for growth, one can foster dissatisfaction with mediocrity and maintain focus on future goals rather than past setbacks. Happiness, as described, is portrayed as an attitude and a habit that is cultivated over time through consistent practice rather than a fleeting result or payoff.
In practice
Use this quote during a motivational speech to inspire attendees to pursue their goals despite challenges.
Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the "someday I'll" philosophy.
Winners have the ability to step back from the canvas of their lives like an artist gaining perspective. They make their lives a work of art - an individual masterpiece.
Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.
The easiest thing to do in the world is to neglect the important and give in to the urgent.
You are an uncut gemstone of priceless value. Cut and polish your potential with knowledge, skills and service and you will be in great demand throughout your life.
Positive self-expectancy is the first, most outwardly identifiable quality of a top-achieving, winning human being. Positive self-expectancy is pure and simple optimism: real enthusiasm for everything you do... [while] expecting the most favorable result from your own actions. There never was a winner who didn't expect to win in advance. Winners understand that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. And they know that you usually get what you expect in the long run.
Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
The only side effect of too much training is that you get into better shape. There is nothing wrong with that.
When you were built to be tall, you will endanger your position if you lower your perspective
Too many people hold a very narrow view of what motivates us. They believe that the only way to get us moving is with the jab of a stick or the promise of a carrot. But if you look at over 50 years of research on motivation, or simply scrutinize your own behavior, it's pretty clear human beings are more complicated than that.
The idea that only the swaggering, all-knowing, and ruthlessly ambitious succeed is a lie. One that has discouraged so many people with so much potential - and worse, encouraged many more to crash and burn.
There are three things, to my account, that I need each day. One of them is something to look up to, another is something to look forward to, and another is someone to chase.
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