"How" do you MEASURE UP?

If you stop to think about it, it is truly scary how much of our days/lives are wasted on "Measuring" ourselves against a plethora of factors with the goal of understanding our true worth!

We are constantly taking measure of our "perceived" value, worth, attractiveness, likability, success, etc and constantly judging ourselves against external variables!

Now, some might say this is natural and a way of competing and charting progress - and that has some truth to it indeed.

What I wish to impart on you is that the notion of constantly measuring yourself against external factors is a "NO-Win" Situation!

We like to advocate "Win-Win" situations and this is clearly the opposite!

Why? Because NO MATTER how great you are, how attractive, thin, fast, rich, beautiful, intelligent you are - there will ALWAYS be someone MORE "X" than you! It is inevitable!

In the case of a Tiger Woods - he is on Top now - but like every other SuperStar athlete, singer, actress -- at some point EVERYONE gets passed by another person.

And if you base your whole life and value on being "Numero Uno" -- this cannot be a very happy experience on the downside of your talents!

If you are basing your entire Net Worth, Self-esteem, and Values on this type of Measurement, is it not clear that you are setting yourself up for eventual and inevitable failure?

To clarify - We STRONGLY BELIEVE in striving for excellence, growth, success, and to reach the heights in every single endeavor you undertake! This is a given and we do not mean for you to EVER cease in your pursuits with all the passion and effort you can muster!

Absolutely not! ALWAYS drive for Tiger Woods-like excellence and accomplishments!

All we are trying to make you aware of is that to base your own self-worth and values on constantly measuring yourself on "external factors" will only lead you to disappointment and sadness.

So keep striving to be the BEST at whatever it is you seek to do -- throw EVERYTHING at it and Do Not let up --- just make sure you are measuring yourself ABOVE and BEYOND the materialistic and external factors that so often define "success" in our culture!

Try to gauge where you stand in the following categories:

Friendship --- Are you a good friend, sister, brother, husband, wife, etc? Are you there for your "brothers and sisters" so to speak?

Compassion -- Are you compassionate and understanding with others in your life?

Kindness -- Where do you stack up when it comes to being kind to others and helping others in need?

Support -- How do you measure in the "supporting" people in need category? Are you supportive or detrimental to other's goals and wants?

These are just a few examples of what I mean by choosing carefully what you use to Measure Up in this crazy world!

Bank accounts, nice cars, big houses -- all of these are lovely and important in this world.

However, are these the types of things that you will let drive YOUR happiness factor? Do you think these things will truly bring you JOY?

Remember -- history is paved with people of phenomenal wealth, opulence and material possessions who died alone, unhappy, and miserable!

Balance your choices -- and THINK CAREFULLY the next time you take stock in your "value" on this earth -

What "Measures" Are You Using for "success"????

Keep Striving for Excellence -- it is yours if you can just envision it -- and Stay Strong!