Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (Simple Way #3)

**************Everything within the quotation marks is from the book pictured here.

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"Simple way #3: Let Go of the Idea that Gentle, Relaxed People Can't be Superachievers.

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One of the major reasons so many of us remain hurried, frightened, and competitive, and continue to live life as if it were one giant emergency, is our fear that if we were to become more peaceful and loving, we would suddenly stop achieving our goals. We would become lazy and apathetic.

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You can put this fear to rest by realizing that the opposite is actually true. Fearful, frantic thinking takes an enormous amount of energy and drains the creativity and motivation from our lives. When you are fearful or frantic, you literally immobilize yourself from your greatest potential, not to mention enjoyment. Any success that you do have is despite your fear, not because of it.

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I have had the good fortune to surround myself with some very relaxed, peaceful, and loving people. Some of these people are best-selling authors, loving parents, counselors, computer experts, and chief executive officers. All of them are fulfilled in what they do and are very proficient at their given skills.

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I have learned the important lesson: When you have what you want (inner peace), you are less distracted by your wants, needs, desires, and concerns. It's thus easier to concentrate, focus, achieve your goals, and to give back to others."

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Shaddy speaks: For me NOT to be hurried, fearful, competitive, frantic (all of these lurking stealthily under my calm demeanor) is nearly unimaginable. Whenever I catch myself entangled in these emotions, I try to calm myself. Often, the peace remains with me for maybe a minute or two before I grip up again.

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Being uptight is natural for me. I'm always looking at the clock, defying time to advance. Why is that? Because I feel compelled to be doing something all of the time.

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I think my tendency is genetic. I think I could change into a more relaxed person, if I really wanted to. I know that I should slow down for health related reasons, but, I'm so used to the feeling of being energized by rushing that I'm somewhat addicted to it.

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How about you? Are you naturally hyped up or mellow?