“The Seven Decisions for Success” at Any Age

I read this several years ago, and it was very helpful in my life and career. The Mighty Men is a group of 50+ men. Many of us are retired, and others are at a regular job. What I have learned from my recent retirement is that this is just as relevant to me now as ever.

God willing, I have another 25+ years here on earth. What am I to use as a guideline for success in my “Second career”? I love this because it is timeless, and pertains to me NOW. Some of it says I will start now. We are used to thinking now should have been when I was 20 or 30. Now is now. If I have learned something at the age of 64 that is beneficial for the first time, then I am blessed to have finally learned.

Dave Deger

Taken from the book:

The Traveler's Gift

Book by Andy Andrews

The Seven Decisions for Success

The Buck Stops Here. 

From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past.  I understand that by accepting responsibility for my past I free myself into a bigger and brighter future of my own choosing.  Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my boss or my peers for my present situation.  If I allow myself to blame others then I will forever be caught in a web of my past.  I will not let history control my destiny.  The buck stops here.  I am in control of my destiny.

I Will Seek Wisdom and be a Servant to Others.

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively seek it out.  My past can never be changed, but I can change my future by changing my actions today.  I will change my actions today.  I will no longer feed my doubts and fears with materials that sabotage my mind.  I will choose my friends with great care.  I am who my friends are.  I share their opinions and habits.  If I choose to associate with those that I admire, I am destined to soar.  I will be a servant to others.  As I humbly serve others, their wisdom will be shared with me.  

I am a Person of Action. I Choose Now.

Beginning today, I will create a new future by creating a new me.  No longer will I dwell in a pit of despair, moaning over lost time and opportunity.  I can do nothing about my past.  My future is immediate.  I will grasp it in both hands and carry it with running feet.   I am a person of action.  I inspire others with my activity.  I am a leader.  Leading is doing.  To lead, I must move forward.  My activity will create a wave of success for people to follow.  Fear no longer has a place in my life.  Never Again!  I do not fear failure, for in my life failure is a myth.  Failure only exists for the person who quits.  I do not quit.  I am a person of action

I Have a Decided Heart. My Destiny is Assured.

Today, I take my first step towards my future.  For too long, my feet have shuffled more backward than forward as my heart was gauged by the direction of the wind.  Criticism, condemnation and complaint are creatures of the wind.  Today I will exercise my power to control my future.  My course is charted, my destiny assured.  My hopes, my passions, my vision for the future are my very existence, as a person without a dream never had one come true.  I have a decided heart.  I will not wait.   

Today I Will Choose to Be Happy.

Beginning with this very moment, I am a happy person, for now I understand the concept of happiness.  Happiness is a choice.  Happiness is a chemical reaction to my thoughts and activities.  Today, I will choose to be happy.  I will greet each day with laughter.  Within moments of awakening, I will laugh for seven seconds.  Laughter will fuel my existence and I will laugh throughout my day.  People will be drawn to me because I have laughter in my heart.  I will smile at everyone I meet.  It is impossible for the seeds of depression to take root in my thankful heart.  I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.

I Will Greet Today With a Grateful Spirit.  I Will Forgive Myself.

For too long, I have locked away every ounce of forgiveness I have.  I have found most people unworthy of this valuable commodity and I have kept it all to myself.  That crippled seed has yielded bitter fruit.  NO MORE!  At this moment, I understand that forgiveness only has value when it is given away.  By the simple act of forgiveness, I release the demons of my past, about which I can do nothing, and create in myself a new heart, a new beginning.  I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.  

I Will Persist Without Exception.  I am a Person of Great Faith.

I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind, the power of choice.  Today I choose to persist without exception.  No longer will I be blown here and yon like a leaf in the wind.  I know the outcome I desire.  I stay the course.  I do not quit.  I will persist despite exhaustion, without exception.  I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory.  I am a person of great faith.