10 Simple Truths Smart People Forget (Page 3)

8. The problems we have with others are typically more about us.
Quite often, the problems we have with others—our spouse, parents, siblings, etc.—don’t really have much to do with them at all. Because many of the problems we think we have with them we subconsciously created in our own mind. Maybe they did something in the past that touched on one of our fears or insecurities. Or maybe they didn’t do something that we expected them to do. In either case, problems like these are not about the other person, they’re about us.

And that’s okay. It simply means these little predicaments will be easier to solve. We are, after all, in charge of our own decisions. We get to decide whether we want to keep our head cluttered with events from the past, or instead open our minds to the positive realities unfolding in front of us.

All we need is the willingness to look at things a little—letting go of what was and what should have been, and instead focusing our energy on what is and what could be possible.

9. Emotional decisions are rarely good decisions.
Decisions driven by heavy emotion are typically misguided reactions rather than educated judgments. These reactions are the byproduct of minimal amounts of conscious thought and primarily based on momentary ‘feelings’ instead of mindful awareness.

The best advice here is simple: Don’t let your emotions trump your intelligence. Slow down and think things through before you make any life-changing decisions.

10. You will never feel 100 percent ready when an opportunity arises.
The number one thing I persistently see holding smart people back is their own reluctance to accept an opportunity simply because they don’t think they’re ready. In other words, they believe they require additional knowledge, skill, experience, etc. before they can aptly partake in the opportunity. Sadly, this is the kind of thinking that stifles personal growth.

The truth is nobody ever feels 100 percent ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow emotionally and intellectually. They force us to stretch ourselves and our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first. And when we don’t feel comfortable, we don’t feel ready.

Just remember that significant moments of opportunity for personal growth and development will come and go throughout your lifetime. If you are looking to make positive changes in your life you will need to embrace these moments of opportunity even though you will never feel 100 percent ready for them.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Kathy P.

1:32PM PDT on Aug 16, 2012

thank you so much for this. I needed to hear a few of those

August 16
send a green star

Sarah M.

3:59PM PDT on Jul 10, 2012

thanks

July 10
send a green star

Lika S.

1:05AM PDT on Jun 22, 2012

Oh, amen to #1... My mom (and my sister to an extent) just think they're OH SO SMART, because they got straight A's in school. My sister can't keep up with her own housekeeping, nor can she hang on to a boyfriend.

Straight A's means you have high intelligence, which doesn't always mean you're smart enough to live your life to the fullest extent.

I'm also having a problem with #8. Most people think that it's my problem that I don't always like my mother. Well, she sexually abused me in the past. So no, it's not about me, it IS all about her, thank you. I just get sick of people trying to tell me that caring mothers get on your nerves sometimes.