47 Secrets of Success
By Christopher Westra (Version 1.0) - Feel free to share with others (keep intact).

Intro: This is my personal list of ideas, habits, and techniques that have
worked for me in my life. In the list I give lots of links to other
resources. Success is not just wealth, but health and peace and
happiness.
Please enjoy the list and take those secrets that work for you!

1. Change your schedule once in a while. What’s the difference
between a rut and a groove? A groove is shallow and a rut is too deep.
Try exercising at a different time. Experiment with getting up earlier,
and then having a nap. You may find a new groove, but don’t keep it too
long!

2. Accept and really feel your emotions. Let
yourself feel your feelings. As you feel them, they will
transform into other feelings and you can let them go.
See this fun
Kokomo Emotions Video Here and pick up
your free Positive Emotions and Negative Emotions lists.
You can also see a quick video on the eight steps of
Emotional Transformation.

3. Set SMART Goals for your life. S.M.A.R.T. goals are goals that are
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented. Time
Oriented means that you want to achieve the goal by a certain time or
date. Set your SMART goals in writing and watch your success soar.

4. Enjoy nature. Go outside and see the world. Smell the pines. Hear
the leaves rustle and crunch under your feet. Watch the sunrise and the

also need time to quiet and still our mind. Meditation has helped millions
to focus energies, develop spiritual insight, and just calm down. You can
just set aside time to be still and think. Here are three
free guided
meditations you can use. You get a meditation timer also.

10. Accept your trials and hard times. Difficult times come to all of
us. Trials are a part of life and are part of why we are here. Accepting
this actually makes it easier to handle them. Some of our greatest
accomplishments will come from overcoming hard times. I’m writing this
at a time when I’ve been very sick from Lyme disease for 4 years.
ByChristopherWestra–

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11. Take initiative in your life. I’ve got a pin-on button that says, “If
It Is To Be, It’s Up To Me!” I used to wear it to classes and groups. I
keep it by my desk to remind me. I’ve taught my boys to take action
toward their goals. If you want a job, or a relationship, then take action.
If you want to be an author, start writing. Take some
Forward Steps.

12. Spend time with the young and the old. Yes,
mix with even the very young and the very old. Young
people and old people need our help. We have been
young and we will be old. Associating with young and
old people will enrich your life also, and give you depth
and perspective.

13. Use your powerful imagination. Practice using your imagination


18. Try new experiences. Get a degree or read a
new book. Try skydiving, rock climbing, or sailing.
Doing new things helps you to grow. You also become a
more interesting and well-rounded person. You will
increase your career success in any field, and you’ll just
have a lot more fun, too.

19. Eat simply. Your energy and vitality will improve when you eat
simple fruits, vegetables, tender greens, and grains. Limit animal
products for your own health, for the sake of the animals, and so we
have enough food to feed the whole world. See the
Harmony Earth 30-
Day Energy Diet.

20. Put first things first. In this day of too much information and way
too many things to do, we must prioritize if we want true success. Some
things are fun and interesting, but other things are essential. Do you
have 400 things you think you need to do in a day? Me too. I can only
do about 40. Make sure you get the important things done first.

21. Listen to your inner voice. You will be led and guided to visit
certain people, read particular books, and follow specific courses of
action. Follow your heart and its intuition, rather than your head. Keep
your life simple enough that you can hear your inner voice.

22. Smile. You can influence your mood and your health with a smile.
Check out this
SMILE site by my friend Sun Star. Listen to some of his
interviews and see some of his world-famous pictures.

race for charity. Find online places to give and help others. One of my
favorite places to help is
Kiva.org. The money you donate (100%) goes
to fund small businesses in third world countries. And, they pay it back!
Then you just donate the money to someone else.

28. Pray. Whatever your personal view is of God, you can pray. Most
people believe in a Higher Power who cares about them and wants to
help them. We can ask for help when we need it (and we certainly do).
Here’s a link to the world-famous
Serenity Prayer Video.
ByChristopherWestra–
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29. Read good books. Your life will be much the same five years from
now (as it is today), except for the people you meet and the books you
read. Great books have absolutely led me to success in life. Two of the
most impactful books on my life have been
Psycho Cybernetics and The
Science of Getting Rich.

30. Go to bed early, and get up early. Yes, I know this isn’t very
popular. We are biologically programmed to sleep during the dark hours
of the night. Staying up late and then sleeping late works against our
pineal gland’s functions and throws our hormones off. One doctor told
me that an hour of sleep before midnight is worth two hours after. I
know it’s tough, but try to get a couple hours sleep before midnight.

31. Live in the now. Be present and engaged in the work or play in
front of you. Most of our favorite activities ARE our favorite because

going without food for a meal or two. Fasting helps your spirit to be
stronger than your body. You develop discipline and moderation and
these traits spill over into all areas of your life, leading to success. I kept
some notes during one
long fast for health reasons.

37. Face what you fear. When you face what you fear,
you find out that it’s rarely as bad as what you imagined.
When you fear, you are using your imagination in a
powerful way, but a negative way. Take small steps in
facing fears, when necessary, but do face them.
Overcoming fears will expand your mind and your success
opportunities. Check out this hike I went on to Angel’s
Landing, with cliffs on either side.

38. Allow mysteries. Give up on having to know everything. Learn to
enjoy the unknowns and be OK with it. One day we will know more, but
we are here “under the veil” for a purpose in this life. Relax and enjoy
your life and your service.

39. Simplify your life in many ways. Simplify your clothing or your
hairstyle. Simplify your recreational activities. Simplify your diet.
Simplify your chores and your work. People may tell us to do more,
more, more, but we may be happier by simplifying.

ByChristopherWestra–
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40. Focus on what you CAN take with you. Yes, you can’t take
money or material items with you when you pass to the next sphere of
life. But you can take your relationships with others, and your personal

Time For Your Life: 365 Stepping Stones.

45. Take time to play. Find some active play that relaxes you and
refreshes you. It may be golf, skiing, racquetball, hiking, or ultimate
Frisbee. My play is running in the mountains. I look forward to it all
day. If you can, have several favorite play activities. That way, if you
can’t do one, you can still do another.
ByChristopherWestra–

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46. Show others that you care. Remember birthdays and holidays.
Buy flowers and small gifts. Ask questions about their life. Send cards
and notes. Send someone one of these
Make Your Day Light Cards
today.

47. Remember that you chose to come here to this earth. In
difficult times of your life, remembering your choice will help you gain a
new perspective. Your existence didn’t start when you were born. You
are here for a purpose. Make the most of your choice!

About Christopher Westra
I live in Gunnison, Utah with my wife
Casandra and our five boys. Writing, reading,
connecting with others, and mountain running
are some of my favorite activities.
Since leaving my counseling job at the prison
in 2005 I’ve written 11 books and created
three online education programs. I also love