Attitude and approach Archives

Self-fulfilling cycles

February 23, 2025 by Zero Dean

Whether directly or indirectly, what we choose to pay attention to can have a dramatic impact on not just how we feel, but on our life experience as well.

Expecting negative things to happen is not just more likely to draw our attention to their existence, it’s more likely to prolong it as well. This, in turn, can create a self-fulfilling cycle of negativity.

Energy is contagious. We tend to absorb and proliferate the type of energy we consistently pay attention to. Therefore it is imperative that we be intentional about where we place our attention and be conscious of how it makes us feel.

Rather than monitoring and confirming to ourselves how bad things can get before they get better, making positive changes efficiently is much more likely to involve focusing on the actions one can take to initiate positive change and then performing those actions as effectively as possible.

Remember this day

February 23, 2025January 1, 2025 by Zero Dean

Remember this day as a fresh start. A new beginning. A clean slate. An optimistic look forward. Remember this day as a day of hope. A day of unlimited possibilities. A day of immeasurable potential. Remember this day as an occasion to learn. A day to improve. A day to get things right.

Remember this day as an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life. A day to have a lasting positive impact on those you come in contact with. A day to lead by example.

Remember this day is a symbol. Because this day, this moment, and every moment that follows is an opportunity to not only be the type of person you want to be, but the type of person you want to be remembered as.

This day is not just a fresh start that comes but once a year, it comes every day — every moment you exist. This day is your life. And this day and all the days that follow are your legacy.

No one has more of an impact on this day and every day that follows in your life than you do. Make it a good one.

Originally published Jan 1, 2015

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As one year ends and another begins…

February 23, 2025December 31, 2024 by Zero Dean

As one year ends and another begins, let us move forward with an open mind, an open heart, and enduring hope for the wondrous possibilities that lie before us.

But let us do so wisely and without blinders on.

Because although the year ahead may be great, it will not be without its challenges. We will be tested in ways we cannot foresee. But with every challenge comes an opportunity for us to demonstrate our strength, patience, tolerance, and resolve.

Every surprise that the coming year has in store for us is an opportunity to show that we’ve grown. That we’re stronger. And that we are ever bridging the gap between the person we are and the person we wish to be.

Let us remember that it is through the process of overcoming challenges that we develop strength. And that every time we face temptation, heartache, friction, or failure it is an opportunity for us to act in ways that we can be proud of.

No matter what life has in store for us, let this be a year of love, encouragement, and forgiveness — of others and ourselves.

Let it see us act bravely, boldly, and taking consistent action towards our goals. Let it see us correct our bad habits and add to our good ones — making us healthier, happier, and more capable of living the kind of life we desire. Let is see us push forward into the new year knowing that we are not only capable of handling every adversity that lies ahead, we can do so in a way that makes us better.

And because we know that life isn’t always easy, let us remember to not just be there for those that we know, but also for those that we don’t.

Happy New Year.

Sincerely,
Zero Dean

Originally published: Dec 29, 2016

Wishes for the New Year

February 23, 2025December 30, 2023 by Zero Dean

May the new year bring you an abundance of amazing opportunities, beautiful moments, and joyful experiences. May your positive actions & attitude inspire others.

May you be brave enough to take on and overcome rewarding challenges. May you find yourself in high spirits & excellent health. May you love with all your heart and find peace in even the most turbulent of times.

May the love you give find its way back to you. And may you forever be filled with the hope & strength necessary to make your dreams a reality.

Sincerely,
Zero Dean

Originally published on: Dec 30, 2013

Like this post? Be sure to see others from the New Year category.

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Don’t wait to appreciate

March 30, 2021 by Zero Dean

It is perfectly acceptable to be proud of your progress on the way to your goal. You can enjoy your journey before you reach your destination. And you can be grateful your life as it is, plot twists and all.

Don’t wait to appreciate.

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Expertise and avoiding vs overcoming problems

March 28, 2021 by Zero Dean

I don’t consider myself an expert in anything. Everything I share online and write about in my books is a reflection of something I’ve had to work on to overcome, or in many cases, is something I’m still working on. No matter how much we think we know, there’s always room for improvement.

It is a mistake to think that just because you’ve learned a lesson that it won’t trip you up again multiple times in life.

What life experience provides isn’t necessarily a way to avoid problems, but rather, the confidence of knowing that you can overcome them.

What makes most stories interesting

March 24, 2021 by Zero Dean

What makes most stories interesting is that they don’t go as you expect them to.

The same thing can be said about life.

Learn to appreciate the plot twists of your life. They’re not the end of your story, they’re just an interesting part of it.

Self-compassion

March 22, 2021 by Zero Dean

I don’t know who needs to hear it, but this is a reminder not to be so hard on yourself.

Related:

Beating yourself up & tearing yourself down

Right, wrong, and progress

March 20, 2021 by Zero Dean

You’re not always right. And those who oppose you are not always wrong.

The world isn’t black & white. Sometimes both parties can be “right” (even if they share different views). And sometimes both parties can be wrong.

It’s frequently far more valuable to consider where you want things to go — and the problems you want to solve — than it is trying to prove who’s right and who’s wrong.

Challenges in life are inevitable

March 19, 2021 by Zero Dean

Challenges in life are inevitable. And things don’t always go the way we want them to. But we can reduce the negative impact that challenging experiences have on us by remaining focused on what is within our power to change and being open to the lessons that life has to teach us.

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What stress is caused by and why you should give a damn

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