1)  Free yourself from “shoulds” – Live your life on the basis of what is possible for you and what feels right to you instead of what you or others think you “should” do.  “Shoulds” distract you from identifying and fulfilling our own needs, abilities, interests and personal goals.  Find out what you want and what you are good at then take action designed to fulfill your potential.

2) Respect your own needs – Recognize and take care of your own needs and wants first. Identify what really fulfills you. I am not talking about immediate gratifications or what “feels good” in the moment either. Of course it may feel good to sit around all day, over-eat and watch TV. But it will not help your long-term objectives in the least bit. Respecting your deeper needs and disciplining yourself to avoid immediate gratification will increase your sense of worth and well-being.

3) Set achievable goals – Establish goals on the basis of what you can realistically achieve, and then work step-by-step to achieve those goals. To strive always for perfection will only increase stress.

4) Talk to yourself positively –  Stop listening to your “cruel inner critic.” When you notice that you are doubting or judging yourself, replace such thoughts with self-accepting thoughts. Use what is called a “pattern interrupt.” When you catch yourself dwelling on the negative or being too harsh on yourself, immediately say (in your mind) “stop.” Then, replace the negative thought and dialog with positive thought and dialog.

5)  Test your reality – Separate your emotional reactions, your fears and bad feelings, from the reality of your current situation.  Most problems are relative.  Remember what Socrates said:  “If we all put our troubles in a pile of each of us must take our fair share we’d be content to keep our own.”

These 5 easy steps for long term success have been brought to you by the Sunshine Coast Karate Team.