I am constantly spending my time reading and re-reading books that have resonated with me. It is always fascinating how your current circumstances will open your eyes to new messages. It seems as though you will always find the right message at the right time – if you are open to receiving it. I came across these 2 quotes in a book titled, “Creative Mind and Success” by Ernest Holmes. This is a phenomenal book full of incredible advice. The first quote is as follows:

“The world seeks strength; be strong. The world loves love; embody it; see the good in all people; let go of all else. People will feel your love and will be drawn into it. Love is the greatest power in the Universe; it is at the base of all else; it is the cause of all that is. Feel your love to be like a great light lighting the pathway of the world; it will come back to you bringing so many friends that there will riot be time enough to enjoy them all. Become a real friend and you will have many friends.”

Looking at some of my actions over the past month I have recognized tons of opportunities for improvement. That is really what life is about – identifying ways that you can make yourself better and make a bigger impact on the world. So I have two questions that I want everyone to reflect on over the next week:

1. What is one of the most meaningful relationships that you have (personal or professional) that you maybe have not given 100% over the past few months?
2. What is one small thing that you could do (card, email, call, etc.) to let that person know how much you value that person this week?

It is amazing how something as simple as an email or a quick call can make such a huge impact on a relationship. It is easy to fall victim to our societal crutch – busyness. Everyone is busy but people make time for things that are important to them. If there is a relationship that is important to you, go out and fight for it. Let that person know that you care about them. If you make a habit of this, you will always have more friends than you know what to do with.

The next quote deals with a common theme of my writing – confidence and a positive mental attitude.

“Every business, every place, every person, everything has a certain mental atmosphere of its own. This atmosphere decides what is to be drawn to it. For instance, you never see a successful man who went around with an atmosphere of failure. Successful people think about success. A successful man is filled with that subtle something which permeates everything that he does with an atmosphere of confidence and strength. In the presence of some people we feel as though nothing were too great to undertake; we are uplifted; we are inspired to do great things, to accomplish; we feel strong, steady, sure. What a power we feel in the presence of big souls, strong men, noble women!”

Have you ever met somebody that inspired you to take action on something? Somebody that you met that just lit a fire for you to make a difference or pursue a goal that was a bit scary to you? There are people that make all problems seem insignificant; people that do not recognize failure and are successful at everything that they do. These people are not lucky, they are just attracting this into their life through their attitude. You can become this person and you are going to start this week. I am giving you another action item that you can implement immediately.

1. Think of somebody that you know who is currently pursuing an important goal. Maybe they are looking for a new career, or trying out for the high school baseball team, or working on starting their own business. Make a commitment to reach out to at least one person this week and offer them unsolicited support and encouragement. Just reach out and say something like this, “Hey John, I know you are in line for that new promotion at work and I just want to let you know that nobody deserves it more than you. Whether you get it or not, you are a true inspiration to me and I am so excited to watch you continue to do great things in this world!”

I guarantee, at the very least, that you will make somebody’s day. Putting that kind of energy out in the world is inspiring and it works to reciprocate itself back to you.

I would love to hear everybody’s successes and questions with the action items this week. Shoot me an email at matthewrichardharris@gmail.com or tweet me @MatthewR_Harris. I love to connect with the people who are making a difference out there. Remember, you can change your life by changing your attitude. As always, I am in your corner, cheering you on.

Have a great week!

Matthew Harris