Gift of Appreciation‏

"In the midst of our holiday “madness,” we often forget that what most people want, more than anything else, is to be truly appreciated by us. The best gift we can give to the people in our lives is the gift of our true appreciation and love."

Mike Robbins, author and speaker

Things to reflect:

What gifts am I giving this season?

Who do I appreciate?

Do they know?

Zeal

"Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work body and soul."

- Charles Buxton, author

Things to reflect:

Who do I know that best typifies this quotation?

How much of myself do I give to my work?

Power of action

"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps
different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all."

- Norman Vincent Peale

Things to reflect:

What actions have bolstered my confidence lately?

What actions am I avoiding or delaying?

Take action today.

Cross off one more item on your to-do list.

And do one thing that you have been procrastinating about.

Giving

"You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it."
- Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize winner

Things to reflect:

How much do I give?
What do I give?
Why do I give?

Give more of yourself today.
Give graciously and gratefully.

Chinese Saying

自负是进步的敌人。
自大是成功的流沙。

Overconfidence is the enemy of progress.
Arrogance is the quicksand to success

Chinese Saying

祸生于得意，一谦得回益。

Unfortunate arises from arrogance / self-contentment
Beneficial to remain humble

Handling Defeats

"See that any time you feel pained or defeated, it is only because you insist on clinging to what doesn't work. Dare to let go and you won't lose a thing except for a punishing idea."

- Guy Finley, author and speaker

Things to reflect:

Am I willing to let go of what doesn’t work?

If not, why not?

Consider your recent defeats and how those defeats are related to your approaches
and strategies.

If your strategy appears flawed, or has led to defeat more than once, let it go.

Adapt, adjust or replace that strategy!

chinese saying

再富有的人也买不回自己的过去。
年华一去不复返，事业放弃再难成。

No one, even the rich, can buy back one's past.
Youth, once gone, will not be returned.
Aim, once given up, will not be fulfilled.

Be happy

"Be happy, it is one way to be wise."

- Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, French novelist

Things to reflect:

How happy do I choose to be?

What contributes to my happiness?

Consider happiness today.

Choose to be happier today.

Give and take

"The creativity and positive energy you put forth come backto you many times over. So do the hurt and destruction.Which would you rather get back?"

-- Ralph Marston, author

Things to reflect:

Which would I rather get back?
What will I do today to put more positive energy into the world?
Does "an eye for an eye" still apply?

Chinese saying

以铜为镜，可正衣冠
以人为镜，可知得失。

Use a piece of bronze as a mirror to dress oneself.
Use someone as a mirror to guage oneself.

Chinese saying

长者须是指导者, 协商者。
却不该事命令者。

The senior should play the role as a guide, a negotiator, but not an commander.

Collaborate

"No one wants advice, only collaboration."

-- John Steinbeck, author

Things to reflect:

Which do I offer more often, advice, or an offer to collaborate?

Try something radical today.

Try to go without giving advice.

Offer to help, assist or to collaborate, but don’t offer third
person, hands-off advice.

Reflect on the lessons learned from this experiment at the
end of your day

Chinese Saying

人的真谛是理想和希望。
立志没有所谓过期。

Goal and hope are the truth of life.
There is no expiry date to our ambition.

Chinese Saying

人生莫依倚，依倚事不成。
莫等闲， 白了少年头， 空悲却切。

Do not rely on others, relying on others will not bring success
Don't waste your time.
You can't regret about the time wasted when you are old.

Your thoughts

"You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

-- James Allen

Things to reflect:

Which thoughts are aiding my progress?

Which thoughts are getting in my way?

Be more conscious about your thoughts today, recognizing that they are creating your future.

Goals and Dreams

理想是人生的太阳。
梦就是期望的一种现实。

The goal is the sun in one's life.
The dream is the realization of one's hope.

The Gift of Appreciation‏

"In the midst of our holiday “madness,” we often forget that what most people want, more than anything else, is to be truly appreciated by us. The best gift we can give to the people in our lives is the gift of our true appreciation and love."

- Mike Robbins, author and speaker

Things to reflect:

Who do I appreciate?

Do they know?

A simple sincere thank you is more worthy than another thing in the world?

Promise and Performance‏

"We promise according to our hopes and perform according to our fears."
- Francois de La Rochefoucauld, author and essayist

Things to reflect:

Is this what I do?

What can I do to reduce my fears to bring my performance in alignment with my promise?

Taking Action

"The problem in my life and other people's lives is not the absence of knowing what to do, but the absence of doing it."

- Peter Drucker, management expert and author

Thing to reflect:

What do I know I need to do?

When will I do it?

Why not right now?

Your Future Success!‏

"Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourself a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in
overcoming obstacles."

- Helen Keller, writer

Things to reflect:

Am I focusing on today’s (or past) failures, or my desired future?

How have I dealt with obstacles in the past?

Is failure a stepping stone for you towards success?