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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Road to Character<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
by David Brooks<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u23f1 15 minutes reading time<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfa7 Audio version available<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a reason why so many wildly successful people preach about mindset and positivity. The recipe for success and for personal growth share one very important thing: mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wasn\u2019t it Michael Jordan, who is quite possibly the greatest basketball player of all time, who said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I\u2019ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I\u2019ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I\u2019ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n And wasn\u2019t it none other than Thomas Edison who said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNegative results are just what I want. They’re just as valuable to me as positive results. I can never find the thing that does the job best until I find the ones that don’t.\u201d There is another Thomas Edison quote that\u2019s equally inspiring, \u201cI have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t necessarily have to be excessively positive all the time, but when you face a challenge, whenever a setback knocks your plans back, whenever failure halts your progress, never sit down and quit. Reframe your mindset of how you view these events. Don\u2019t just think of them as challenges, setbacks, and failures. Think of them as learning and growth opportunities. These are your opportunities<\/em> to grow in life. Everything you go through makes you grow stronger and be better able to endure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On your quest to grow, it only makes sense that you shouldn\u2019t be weighed down by the past. So let go. Let go of the anger. Let go of the grudges. Let go of the negativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anger is one of the first things that should be let go. Yes, it\u2019s a necessary emotion, but letting it boil and fester isn\u2019t healthy. Anger leads to poorly-made decisions, to conversations you\u2019ll regret, and in the long run, it will even impact your health. That\u2019s right. Problems with sleep aren\u2019t the only issues you can get, pent-up anger can result in heart disease and digestive problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once anger is out of the equation, it\u2019s time to forgive. Letting go of resentment is a powerful thing. Remember that forgiveness isn\u2019t the same as forgetting. You\u2019re making your peace with the negative experience. You\u2019re giving thanks for the wisdom and lessons you gained from that pain. You\u2019re releasing yourself from that vicious cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, you didn\u2019t just <\/em>grow as a person. You\u2019ll find that you\u2019re happier, able to go through life a little lighter. When you start healing, this peace will have a profound change in your life. Your mental health will start thriving. It may help you overcome anxiety, depression, festering anger, and help you form healthier relationships<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Constantly learning is one of the best ways to not just mature, but to expand your horizons and experience new things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you decide to delve into a subject you\u2019re familiar with or you want to learn something entirely new to you, you\u2019re growing. Even the act of picking up a book and getting lost in a thrilling story, the simple act of putting yourself in someone else\u2019s shoes is beneficial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading allows you a glimpse of all the world has to offer: different, diverse cultures, different people, different experiences, and countless lessons and pieces of advice– all of which contribute to helping you become a more well-rounded person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people find learning a new language is a life-changer. You\u2019re opening yourself to a new culture. Others learn something new by picking up a new hobby or sport. It could be learning anything from web design to pottery or finally indulging in a golf session now and then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What this constant learning does is open you to endless, boundless, beautiful possibilities, mentally, emotionally, and physically. So head by the library, or purchase a book online, and get ready for your perception to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being too comfortable can lead to becoming stagnant? Real, life-changing, happy to wake up in the morning and happy when you go to sleep type of growth is only achieved through hard work and venturing out of your comfort zone, and frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figure out where you typically draw the line at the edge of your comfort and start peeking out. You don\u2019t have to jump out of an airplane right away. Start small, pick up a new hobby, try a dish you\u2019ve never had, say \u201cyes\u201d more than you say \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then consider escalating your risks to being more open to change– and you may find it quite exhilarating to do so! So travel to a destination where you\u2019ve never been, take a chance with your relationships, don\u2019t be afraid to speak up at work, ask for a promotion; just go for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is only so much you can do on your own before you reach a dead end, and that\u2019s okay! That\u2019s what others are here for– to help guide you, support you, and teach you the things you wouldn\u2019t have otherwise known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find areas where you want to improve and look for professionals and people who are successful in those areas. This is the fastest and most fail-proof way to learn something new. When someone teaches you something, you both <\/em>benefit from the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning from others doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be related to your job. You could apply the same principles to your friends and family. Learn and benefit from the way they think, their strategies, the way they view the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Personal growth and happiness cannot be achieved without others surrounding you. Nurture the healthy relationships you have, expand your social circle, and network and mix with successful people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A part of personally maturing is dependent on other people in the sense that you need them to provide feedback. As much as you try to grow, you\u2019re bound to have a blind spot. Family, friends, and co-workers can offer precious advice that can help you like no other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related<\/strong>: 8 Things to Learn on the Way to Becoming Successful in Life<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nChange Your Mindset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Let Go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn Something New<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone– Regularly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn from Others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Go After Your Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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