10 Tips For Being The Best You Can Be

What do Susan Boyle, Paul Potts and J K Rowling all have in common - apart from they happen to be British? Their success did not come about overnight, or easily. Not for any of them came instant fame, and recognition in the spotlight.

"The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished,
or the luster of it will never appear"
Daniel Defoe

No matter how frustrated, troubled or dispirited on the surface, deep down everyone I have met is truly extraordinary. However hidden, the human spirit, the diamond is always there; in you, in me.

For many of us, these times are rough. Perhaps now we can come to know and appreciate more fully our capacity for endurance and the brightness of our human spirit. What is more, we can take the polishing more into our own hands.

Here are some tips you might like to consider:

1. Know what you want

Maybe you have a talent you have longed to express and develop. If not, you probably know how you would like to be experiencing your life - perhaps with more happiness, better communications with the ones you love, greater fulfilment in your work.

Knowing is deeper and stronger than wishful thinking or hoping. It is a conviction so solid that you can base your life on it.

"There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self."
Benjamin Franklin

2. Engage with your intention

Daily nurture your vision - see, feel, hear how you will be experiencing the fulfilment of your the life you want, both inwardly and in the world. Use your imagination.

J K Rowling's Commencement Speech at Harvard is inspiring and real:

Watch Part 2 here and Part 3 here.

3. Practice your passion - take action

If you have a talent, keep working with it. If you would like to be happier, do things that make you happy. Better communications? Be willing to learn, practise, improve - and make mistakes from time to time. Your intention will speak volumes. Fulfillment? Adjust your attitude.

"Nothing will work unless you do."
Maya Angelou

4. Raise your energy - turn up the heat

Love yourself and be grateful for all you have in your life, right now. Pay attention to your blessings. Look up. Learn to forgive and laugh at the mistakes you make along the way. Each day, feel the enthusiasm for your vision, as if it has already happened. Stay open for the remarkable to take place. It will.

"There are two ways to live your life - one is as though nothing is a miracle,
the other is as though everything is a miracle."
Albert Einstein

5. Gather positive people around you

At the very least, spend time with people who are supportive and for you. Enrich yourself by getting to know others who are actively creating the best for themselves, and learn from them.

"If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm.
Life does give back in kind."
Norman Vincent Peale

6. Get rid of what is unnecessary

Clear the clutter! Live lean with only that which you need around you. The feeling of freedom you gain will liberate you closer to what you really want.

7. Organize yourself for success

Find ways of dealing with life's necessities so that you are not distracted by them. Only agree to do what you will actually do. Learn to say no to what does not fit for you.

"If we did all the things we are capable of doing,
we would literally astound ourselves."
Thomas A Edison

8. Set no time limits

Learn to live in the present moment and respond to your intuitive guidance. There are times when to act; times when to hold. You will get to know which is which.

"We have time enough if we will but use it right."
Johann Wolfgang von Geothe

9. Believe in yourself - believe in your vision

Feeling doubtful? In these challenging times, young children may teach us something. As adults, we can also be persistent in going for what we value.

Consider the words of Imogen, walking with her father in the park, and Stephanie, her tv heroine:

So I'm in the park with my just-turned-three-year-old daughter when she asks:

Daddy, can I have an ice cream?
I don't think we have time. We've got to go soon.
There is always a way, Daddy.
What?
Stephanie says, there is always a way!
Who says?
STEPHANIE!

"A visionary is one who can find his way by moonlight, 
and see the dawn before the rest of the world."
Oscar Wilde

10. Treasure yourself

Do the things that show you care for yourself: eat foods that serve your body; drink plenty of water; get enough sleep; exercise regularly; make time and space for fun; stay focussed on your vision and intention. Taking care of your health is a wise investment of your time and attention.

"The diamond you are, you wear within you.
You can call on its beauty and power when you want to stand forward and dazzle."
Random Soul 7

If you would like a free pdf copy of the revised Clear Results Self-Assessment, let me know. I would love to hear from you, either as a comment here or contact me at Clear Results: [e-mail].

Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy

Comments

[smarttart001]

Anne, you are a GEM. I'm fairly new to HuffPo, but consider finding it to be a wonderful gift, because of Bloggers like yourself.

I've "Favorited" you and look forward to reading more - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for this wonderful read.

Have a Fantastic Day!!

[2garen]

Ann :
You will be given as a gift to a woman I have not seen for over 37 years. A person I went to school with. After all these years the subject came up about how some of us are brought up with low self esteem. I have only talked on the phone with this woman and will meet her for lunch in a few days. I only got to share with this person how we all must be nice to ourselves so we are truly capable of being nice to others. The second thing I got to share with this person is how she was lied to many years ago and now is the time to put that lie to rest. It is about attitude of gratitude and holding to true love and laughter now.
Things can change with the blink of an eye so making each moment count.
Thank you for your kind words and l pray we can continue to spread the real important things like your article to others.
you are the bomb!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear 2garen,

Thank you very much for your kind comment and words. I am very touched with what you say about your former school friend. I hope your meeting with her is very heartfelt and rewarding for you both.

With love and best wishes to you,
Anne

[taoist]

Very good! I must put this in a place i can read often and share with friends. Thank You!

[Einstein44]

I felt a warm fuzzy in my heart after reading the article...Great points! Keep inspiring us ! Thank you very much!!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Einstein44

Thank you very much for your comment. I certainly hope to inspire you some more in the future - doing my best!

Blessings to you,
Anne

[missmaryherself]

Anne,

Tried to email request for the self-assessment you offered, but gmail says the address you gave is not recognized. Suggestions?

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

missmaryherself

Thank you for asking! Quite a few readers have been able to reach me. This is the address: clearresul­[e-mail] It should work ok. I hope you can get through this time.

Best to you,
Anne

[earnandsave]

Nice!

[SparkleGirl]

All fantastic points Anne! I do try to practice most of these daily, but a refresher like your wonderful article is always a good thing to come across. At times, I can become easily overwhelmed and freak out just by looking at all of my "to-dos" (running my websites, promotions, writing a humorous memoir, launching a blog, etc.) - So, I take a few minutes, sit back, relax and feel gratitude for all life has given me thus far, and wonder what great things still lie ahead.

Thanks for the break :) Now it's time for me to head back to the task cleaning my closets ... giving to charity (whether clothing, money or time) also does a person good - and helps with the clutter/or­ganization issues!

Stay Sparkly,
~ Lee

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Lee,

Thank you very much for your comment. Truth be told, it is through writing what I know works for me that helps me to remember. Writing is a joy for me. That another such as yourself benefits from the reminder is an added joy.

Yesterday evening, having spent a couple of hours with a dear friend, I went outside and just said: thank you - not for anything in particular but just the feeling of wonder and gratitude. It was a very nice moment.

Stay sparkly? Great idea!

I appreciate your thoughts.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[pozmomia]

Thanks, Anne. The most useful, insightful and entertaining posting I've ever read on Huffpo. Seldom do I walk away from spending as much time as I did listening/watching the videos and reading your post and say to myself "that was well worth that 35 minutes of my life".

Thank you again.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear pozmomia

What a lovely way to wake up this morning and read your comment - thank you very much. I am touched that you spent 35 minutes on my post. And I am delighted to know that it gave you something useful.

I appreciate your letting me know.

Blessings to you,
Anne

[Dan McDonough]

Hi, I am 72, I have had a great life, I had jobs with (2) Employers.
I had any & all the talent any one person in my profession Would need +.
I had 12 years in the USMCR, Skills in Management, Etc

That said, I had to fight tooth & nail for any Praise or a pat on the back,or Any Well Guy.
I knew in my own Mind I WAS THE BEST,Employee & worker.

A year after I retired the city of which I Retired From Requested !! 8 TIMES in writing for me to please come out of retirement, The Dept I had Built, Had totally fallen apart, Police, Fire & Public Works Equipment was not fit to be on the street,, The Police Chief, Fire Chief Building Dept Managers all agreed I should have been provided the Equipment & Support Nec ton operate the Dept I managed.

Again What A wonderful world it would it could & would

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

HI Dan,

Thank you very much for getting in touch and for your comment.

What an amazing life you have had. You do not sound to me like any shrinking violet! The community in which you live must be fortunate that you are there.

I appreciate your taking the time to show up here.

With warm good wishes to you,
Anne

[wmholt]

HI Dan,

Yes, I think that often great employees are totally overlooked by the companies that they toil so hard for. You knew you were the best, yet were unappreciated until after you retired.

I am from a different generation, so I've had probably 10-15 employers in my lifetime. The one that I enjoyed most was one where my work was appreciated and there was true respect for the individual and the contributions that he or she made.

I saw people do difficult work there, sometimes in poor conditions, and sometimes late at night or on weekends, but there was never any grumbling because management made sure that we knew that our work was valued. It was the best job I have ever had.

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Wow!
That was a dense and power packed piece!
I love the videos- so contrasting, fun and thought provoking.
Who but you would put JK Rowling at Harvard with a Kid's program, quotes from our greatest minds, whipped it together with a little Anne wisdom and viola!
Mastery.

Thank you. A real "keeper!"
Kari

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Kari,

Thank you very much for your comment. Your kind words are much appreciated!

There is no shortage of words of wisdom - living them is I think the real Mastery! All down to a little practice I think!

With love to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne- Deb and I just got back from teaching a workshop and feel just wonderful.

It now feels good to open to your blog- and to listen to JK Rowlings speech- she ROCKS - her humor and message of failure-- all of it is inspiring especially talking about failure in Harvard-

I have learned wisdom is in the shadow.

Joy and hugs,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Ed and Deb,

Bless our shadows for the wisdom they give us! You know I think there is value in all of our experiences - nothing needs go to waste. Sometimes the toughest can turn out to be the "best".

Thank you very much for your comment - always a joy to see you here!

Joy and hug right back to you - I guess they are always a two way street. How very nice!

Anne

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Anne,
As always you gave me a gem to savor. I adore that you gave us usable quotes and tools to put it into action.

Brava,
Eli

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Eli,

So good to have your comment- and Beauty here. Thank you!

You are the blessings.

With love to you,
Anne

[truthartbeauty]

nice piece but aren't paul potts and susan boyle the very definition of overnight success?

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear truthartbeauty

Thank you very much for your comment.

You are right that Paul Potts and Susan Boyle showed up overnight. However, they were quite a long time getting to that moment. I am not sure there are many who meet with instant celebrity and international success without something of a journey to get there.

With warm good wishes to you,
Anne

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

This is great!! Thanks for putting forth these distinctions for all of us. I will keep this in a place where I can see it regularly!

Jason

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Jason,

Thank you so much for your kind presence here. I appreciate your comment and the commitment you make in honouring the magnificence of who you are,

Blessings to you always,
Anne

[BZ49]

Dear Anne,

You have created here something so special, Anne. This, in itself, is a piece of art, crafted from a clear vision, and incubated with great care and kindness. Thank you for taking such time as needed to create a piece of art that will keep me fed in a soul food sort of way, for a long, long time.

Love,
Cara

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Cara,

Thank you very much for your comment I cannot tell you how much your words mean to me. Creating soul food is I think something I would like to do when I grow up!

Actually, when the cookery book I worked on did not get published, I decided I wanted to use the same strategies I used for creating nurturing food to create seminars workshops etc to nurture the spirit in people. One of these days, I shall tell you about the Guinness Trifle....

God bless you abundantly in every way.

Warm love to you and much appreciation,
Anne