For more happiness & success…face up to these 8 truths!

For more happiness & success…face up to these 8 truths!

via Inc.com by Elle Kaplan

Ask any successful entrepreneur how they got to the top, and they’ll tell you they had to face plenty of harsh truths and realities to get there.

This isn’t meant to be intimidating; it’s empowering! Plenty of ultra-successful people have had to face harsh lessons and obstacles in the moment, but you have the luxury of time and preparation.

It might be a little harsh, but learning these lessons now will allow you to greatly improve and continue on your journey to the top:

1. Negative thoughts bring negative outcomes.

Seriously, enough with the negativity. Positive thinking really can change not only our outlook on life but our outcomes in life. When our brains are focused on fear or anger our emotions take over and we lose our ability to think or act on other things.

The negativity takes over our brain and limits the many choices and options that we have to react to the situation. In contrast, according to Barbara Fredrickson’s theory of “broaden and build“, positive thinking leads our brain to broader thoughts of possibility and problem solving. The bottom line: get rid of the negativity – it is better for you and for those around you. Speaking of those around you, it turns out that this matters too.

2. Time to say ‘goodbye.’

You parents probably told you at some point that “you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.” Even though you probably rolled your eyes at the time, they were right.

Science says that negative attitudes are contagious. So don’t wait until a toxic person in your life has brought you so far down that you forget how to get back up. You need to surround yourself with people who inspire you, encourage you and help you realize your potential.

Life is simply too short to be friends with toxic individuals – and plus, there’s a lot of great people out there.

3. Success isn’t easy; it’s often painful.

Estee Lauder once said, “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”

If you want to accomplish something, as Nike says, JUST DO IT. The more important it is, the more intimidating and overwhelming the first step is going to be – and that is a good thing.

Channel this anxiety and stress into productivity and the results will be nothing short of rewarding. The individuals that dive headfirst into that vicious first step are not necessarily tougher or smarter than any of us, they have just realized that it produces positive outcomes. They have learned that the agony of starting something is unavoidable and procrastinating only lengthens their apprehension…

…keep reading the full & original article HERE