1. They DON'T make the same mistakes over and over. (Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein)
They DO self-reflect and accept full responsibility for past behaviors and are willing to learn from mistakes.
2. They DON'T dwell on the past; wasting time feeling sorry for themselves or their circumstances.
They DO take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, having an inherent understanding of life. When a situation turns out badly, they are able to emerge with self-awareness and gratitude for the lessons learned.
3. They DON'T become complacent and stagnant.
They DO embrace change and welcome challenge. An environment of change and even uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.
4. They DON'T waste energy on things they can’t control. They don’t complain about such things as traffic, lost luggage, weather, or other people.
They DO recognize that certain factors are beyond their control, and recognize the one thing they can control is their own response and attitude.
5. They DON'T become jealous or resentful of other people’s success.
They DO have the ability to work hard for their own success, and possess the strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success.
6. They DON'T give away their power to others to make them feel bad or inferior.
They DO understand they are in control of their actions and emotions, knowing their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond.
7. They DON'T people-please, or go out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image of strength.
They DO strive to be kind and fair and to please others where appropriate, but are unafraid to speak up. They are able to accept the possibility that someone will get upset and will navigate the situation, wherever possible, with grace.
8. They DON'T feel the world owes them anything.
They DO enter the world prepared to work and succeed on their own merits, throughout life.
9. They DON'T fear alone time, or depend on others to make them happy.
They DO enjoy, even treasure, the time spent alone; using it to reflect, plan, and be productive.
10. They DON'T fear taking calculated risks or failure.
They DO weight the risks and benefits thoroughly, fully assessing potential downsides and worst-case scenarios before taking action. They are willing to fail again and again, if necessary, as long as the learning experience from every “failure” can bring them closer to their ultimate goals. Every failure is a chance to improve.
11. They DON'T expect immediate results.
They DO understand that genuine changes take time and know that they are in it for the long haul”. They apply their energy and time, celebrating each milestone and increment of success along the way.
