PROGRESS — SMALL WINS MATTER, AND THAT’S ALL YOU CAN DO ANYWAY — From “Drop the ME and Focus on the OTHERS” Book by Di Tran — 2022
“One step forward is better than standing still. Standing still today is a step back for tomorrow,” Mom taught us. Humans require progress in life and the drive to move forward naturally. “Son, life is hard, and you will face many times when you are stuck, unmotivated, and face conditions that yield no desirable results. Understand that this is still a result and still progress. What is unacceptable is no result, which only exists when you stand still. Progress, Son. Progress is needed and important in life, and more importantly, progress toward value added to life and community.” From this, I have learned to do each of the following daily: learn at least one new piece of information, read something new, write one new item, speak to one other person, work toward improvement in one area, and do all of these with a focus toward the goal of value-added. Each of these actions amount to small progress, a small win, and a small accomplishment for the day, but combined, they generate happiness, self-value, and a focus on others. An accumulation of these items makes the me of today a better version of the me I was yesterday, and a great deal better than the me from years ago.
“The same concept applies to our business, professional, and personal lives, Son. Everything needs progress, and requirements of the delivery of progress exist everywhere, even when we do know it. Providing the community, others, and the self the added value of progress is a step forward they need each and every day,” Mom stated. People have asked me the hypothetical question, “If you die today, would you regret anything?” Possibly as a result of my application of this guiding principle, I am not sure that I would regret anything. For the past 20 years, I have often worked three to five jobs, seven days a week. I have maximized my time to add value to the community, and I can attest that I have received a great deal back from others. I am unsure if I even have the time to think much about myself to regret or worry. Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, confirms this. In his book he states that when you live life to the fullest, you are too busy to worry or think about regrets.
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