I’ve been re-reading a book I read over 10 years ago and wanted to share something I read. These are called the 5 Secrets Every High Achiever must know. I’ve also added some notes after each bullet.

1. It takes less energy to keep on climbing than to stop and hang on a ledge – Sometimes we think we do ourselves good by stopping and taking that needed rest. What this is saying is that you’re going to use up more energy getting started again after stopping than if you had kept on going. Plus, you’d get to your destination quicker.

2. It takes less energy to go for the top than to wallow in the valley of frustration and anguish – Have you ever felt down or depressed about something? Has that feeling lasted more than one day? If you said yes, you know that the more you wallow in it the worse it gets. Moving again as quickly as possible gives you a burst of energy and optimism that carries you forward. Next time you feel that way, do your best and hardest to do something. You’ll see how quick you feel better.

3. It’s easier to contribute to life than to lie around – What this means is that as you contribute and give, you’re energy increases, you’re excitement increases and your zest for life increases. Have you ever gotten too much sleep? You’ve looked forward to a Saturday morning when you could sleep in and boy do you ever! In fact, you sleep in more than you wanted. How do you feel the rest of the day? You’re dragging, aren’t you? That’s because your body only needed a certain amount of hours to recharge. When you got past that amount of time, you actually used energy continuing to sleep. So you will find that it’s easier to get going than to lie around.

4. It’s easier to grow than to decay – There is no stopping. You’re either growing or you’re decaying. If you’ve ever exercised before you know that as you use your muscles, they first get sore than they grow stronger. When you stop your program for an extended period of time, it’s much harder to get your muscles built up again. That’s what this point is saying. Even if you have to cut back on your program, don’t completely stop. The little you can do will at least keep you moving in the right direction.

5. It’s easier to prepare than to procrastinate – Procrastination is a dream killer. In fact, I use self-talk to help me get past it. It’s called "Putting Yourself Into Action Now" and it really works! When you prepare, you stay sharp. You use your skills and you get better at what you’re trying to do. When you procrastinate, you’re using energy trying to convince yourself why you should be doing something else! It’s like an amateur golfer who wants to play pro someday. She knows that she has to get out there and prepare by perfecting her swing. It’s the same with everything in life. You have to prepare to win.

If you learn and practice these 5 secrets, you’ll be better in all you do for it.

I believe in you!