September 2, 2008

If I Knew Then What I Know Now   If I knew then what I know now, I would have:   Realized that perfection is a myth and good enough is good enough. Made the first move more often. Saved more. Spent less. Paid myself first. Not bought so much stuff that really was useless. Spent less time at the office and more time with my family. Been more assertive. Taken more risks. Developed deeper friendships. Played more. Not been a people pleaser so much of the time. Been less of a pushover. Embraced personal growth sooner. Not given in to caution so much. Said "No" more often. Worried much less. Not sweated the small stuff. Been quicker to step out of my box. Not played it so safe so often. Managed conflict and not run from it. Learned from all my mistakes. Walked with confidence always. Made healthier choices. Set written goals early on. Trusted my instincts more often. Set boundaries. Said affirmations daily. Utilized the law of attraction. Let go of guilt. Forgiven sooner. Kept a positive attitude, regardless. Laughed often, even if there was nothing to laugh about. Dreamed big. Lived BIG.    That's my list.  Now, it's your turn.   If you knew then what you know now, you would have...      May your observations help you guide your future.     "Losers live in the past.  Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future."             Denis Waitley   "These days people seek knowledge, not wisdom.  Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future."            VernonCooper   "We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience."             George Washington   "I've come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy."             Tony Robbins   "20-20 Hindsight" is my latest The Mentor's Mind column.  What would I have done differently in the dental field if I knew then what I know now?  Find out here.     Remember when you were young?  You thought you knew it all.  No one could tell you anything, especially your parents.  You'd roll your eyes every time you heard their words of wisdom. I see it with my own children.  Now that you're older, though, I bet you realize that you didn't know everything back then. You had to learn it on your own and often through the school of hard knocks.  And that's not so bad.  That's when the lessons stick!    Maybe I should add eating an apple every day to my list.  According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, those who have a large apple or a cup of apple juice or applesauce a day are 21% more apt to have a slimmer waist and 37% less apt to have high blood pressure.  Now if they could only make apples taste better.   Oh, if I only knew then what I know now.    Have a fantastic week and listen to your past to profit your future.   Stephanie     We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com