How long must a string be...

How long must a piece of string be

before it can be tied into knots?

how long before one can see

that life's best lessons are from hard knocks!

Below are TEN of lessons from my own school of hard knocks:

1. It is better to be heard than to be taken for granted!

>  If you have a point of view, say it! If you have a question, ask! If you have feelings, express them!

2. Don't fear a fall, instead learn how to bounce back even higher!

>  Many decisions we make in life are based on our gut-feeling or intuition - but we take the decisions anyway. A few have proven to be bad decisions, but we learn and benefit anyway. There are many decisions, no matter how risky they have appeared in the beginning which have brought us closer to our dreams. Keep following our guts, they can turn out to be more right than we think!

Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure.
Thomas J. Watson

3. Never borrow anything you can't afford to pay or return !

>  Debt to Asset ratio must not fall below one, unless you are prepared to be declared a bankrupt! Always have viable exit plans from any debt or borrowing! Anything borrowed must be returned on time as promised!

4. Believe in the power of prayer and doa...and do not try to second guess God's plans for you!

> Pray with your action, and pray with your heart and soul. Ask for God's guidance and blessings to open the paths for you - then dive in with full confidence and trust!  God knows best. What ever the consequence of your actions, they happen for good reasons!

5. Focus on what you can influence - don't fret over what you can't control!

> Leave the politicking to the politicians. But make your vote counts. You can't control the traffic jam, but you can always choose the route to take!

One application of this principle is on changing people. Which one do you think you can change: yourself or other people? You can’t change other people but you can change yourself. So focus on changing yourself.

6. The Boss is always right. If he is wrong far too often, then it is you who should look for another job! 

> It is folly to continue fighting with your bosses, even if you think he is wrong. Let him know your views, and if he continue to be wrong in your opinion or not acting in line with your values, then look for another job.

7. Fight only with a worthy opponent!

> Never fight with anyone weaker than you are, because if you lose, it is more embarrassing and if you win, it is already expected anyway!

8. There is no free lunch!

> The Newton's law applies, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction!" If you think you have received a favor - start thinking of how to return it in your own way.

9. Tears can prevent a heart attack.

> Cry if you need to. Weep if necessary. Letting go is much healthier than bottling up all the emotions. Only real men are able to cry, shamelessly.

10. This is your life - make your choices and be accountable for them!

> “No one else can ever make your choices for you. Your choices are yours alone. They are as much a part of you as every breath you will take, every moment of your life.”

“You cannot manage your life if you do not manage your self. You cannot manage your self if you do not manage your choices. Manage your choices, and you will manage your life.”