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“Excellence can be attained if you: 1) Care more than others think wise; 2) Risk more than others think is safe; 3) Dream more than others think is practical; 4) Expect more than others think is possible” — Unknown

Excellence is a value that has lifetime benefits. We can incorporate it into our work, our relationships, and the martial arts. In fact, the martial arts should be a place where the importance of excellence is taught regularly.

But what defines excellence? In the quote above, four attributes are identified as indicators of excellence: a) caring for others; b) taking risks; c) dreaming; and d) having high expectations. When combined, these attributes will create excellence in any area of your life.

But it is important to remember that excellence isn’t the same as perfection. No one is perfect. Trying to achieve perfection is often very discouraging, but pursuing excellence can be exciting and brings about its own rewards.

For example, students who pursue excellence achieve higher grades and are able to get into college. Employees who pursue excellence generally receive higher pay and are employed longer than those who don’t. Entrepreneurs who value excellence tend to have more successful companies. Martial artists who seek excellence are more likely to earn their black belt. In addition, individuals who pursue excellence in their relationships tend to have happier and healthier home lives.

Many people know that applying excellence will improve their lives, but they are fearful that they can’t make the necessary changes. Thomas Watson,the founder of IBM once said, “If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.” Excellence is a choice you have to make, but once you’ve made it, the results will be tremendous.

There is no area of your life that won’t benefit from an attitude of excellence. Challenge yourself to find an area in your life that would improve if you applied the principle of excellence to it. We’re confident you will be pleased at the results and that you will begin applying excellence to other areas as well.

“Give naught, get same. Give much, get same.” — Malcolm Forbes

With the holiday season in full swing, people are feeling the spirit of generosity. Giving, including gifts to loved ones, friends, neighbours, and to those less fortunate, abounds. Not only is this the most profitable time of year for retailers, but it is also the time when most charitable organizations receive the majority of their donations. This time of year spurs us to show our love, appreciation, gratitude, and fondness for others, as well as encouraging us to help those in need.

But why should our generosity only be shown during a few days out of the year? An ancient proverb states, “He who allows his day to pass by without practicing generosity and enjoying life’s pleasure is like a blacksmith’s bellows — he breathes but does not live.” Generosity towards others helps us truly enjoy the life with which we have been blessed.

However, generosity is more than just spending a little money on a loved one, or giving a few pounds to a favoured charity. In fact, meaningful generosity is often devoid of money. The martial arts instructor who is generous with his time to help students achieve their best, the friend who is generous with encouraging words to one who is down, and the plumber who donates labour to help repair a sink drain in an elderly person’s home are all examples of generosity that can have an immense impact on others.

These seemingly ordinary acts of generosity allow us to have an impact on future generations. Our example then becomes a model for others to follow. This is why John Quincy Adams once said, “The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality.” Our generosity today will produce positive benefits now, and in the future.

As you celebrate the holidays with your friends and family, make a commitment to develop a generous attitude toward others every day of your life. Don’t limit your ability to truly enjoy life and to positively impact the lives of others — now and in the future — by saving your generosity for a few days in November and December of each year.

Bad Traits to Avoid If You Wish to Achieve Your Goals

A lot of people stay unsuccessful or have alternating experiences with success and failure, simply because they do not know that they have many bad traits. Bad traits pertain to habits and personal characteristics that ultimately lead to failure. Some of the things you've been so used to doing for several years may be the main reason why you struggle much.

The Basic Bad Habits

Laziness is one of the negative habits that a loser has. The worse thing is, lazy people usually do not want to get rid of the problem. If you want to achieve your goals, you need to understand the value of hard work and perseverance. Some of the greatest people in the world are known to work way more than those who did not leave a mark. The greats work longer hours, sleep less, eat less, wake up earlier and suffer more than anybody else. It takes sacrifice to reach your goals. The most important thing to know is that everything you have ever wanted is just outside your comfort zone.

Another bad habit that people have dealt with for several years is fear. They fear things and events without even trying. Some people are even afraid of success subconsciously in a way that they refute any opportunity that can make them great. Some people do not realize that they just do not or cannot handle the bigger responsibilities that achieved goals come with. You should understand that once you reach a certain goal, it can mean that the bar has just been raised for you to accomplish more.

Personal Bad Traits

Selfishness is a bad trait that you need to get rid of to achieve your goals. There are individuals who do not want to get help from others because they do not want to share their expected success. What's sad is that most of them do not actually reach their goals. There is so much joy and celebration for every success that can be shared between several individuals. There is even so much money in the world for everyone to stay rich. Even if you may be better off doing some things yourself, still you cannot do everything.

Being Negative

Pessimism is a trait of losers. Losers always find a reason to lose, even if the situation or opportunity is already presenting itself. In most cases, pessimism is tied up to fear. Seeing things in a negative light will result to bad results too, most of the time. If you start your day negatively, everything else will already seem bad, so you will focus more on the little things that do not matter and let them bother you, instead of keeping your mind on your goals.

Seeking Help

The first step to treating bad habits to achieve your goals is to look at yourself as a confident, capable and strong individual. You are responsible for whatever happens in your life. Although problems are bound to happen, you know that you always have the ability to stay successful in life as you choose. Minor setbacks are supposed to be a means for you to become better and stronger.

Write a list down indicating all your weaknesses and bad traits. Next, put the opposite trait for each. The opposite traits are now your new characteristics to be adopted. Start practicing one good trait per week or month, then add another one for consistency. Over time, you will realize that success follows you because of your positive aura.