Team Buffett,

I'm writing this as I sit on a plane heading to a conference with my wife, Melissa.

I was reflecting - at this moment - on the questions:  What is different about my life now?  Why do I feel more centered now?  Why do I feel more on purpose now?  Why do I feel like I'm surfing above the chaos?  Why do I feel more successful in the game of life, as compared to times past?

Then I started thinking about the decades of grueling work, the programs, the journaling, the counseling sessions, the countless books, the accountability groups, the Stagen work, the long days and nights of work, the GOT program, etc., etc. etc.

I had the realization that all the difficult work has FINALLY begun to pay off in life satisfaction.

What I realized is that I'm finally beginning to excel at some simple things, which I'd like to share with all of you:

1.  Clarity of my values and purpose.  These have become the true north of my life. It took a lot of thinking and work, but that investment paid off.

2.  Being surrounded by solid people that are important to me, and feeding these relationships, by giving them time and commitment. I had to make this an objective in order to finally achieve this one.

3.  Being un-attached to the outcome.  I found that virtually ALL of my frustrations occurred when I wasn't accepting life and people AS THEY ARE, instead of how I wanted them to be.  I've worked on several very large business transactions as of late.  By remaining completely un-attached to the outcome, I can actually be present and have fun (while also increasing the probability that they actually occur).

4.  Being un-offendable.  There are countless reasons why all of us should get offended each day, but for me, it's a waste of time.

5.  Taking care of health and fitness.  Enough said.

6.  Getting clear on how and when I use technology, and how and when my family uses technology.  The research is clear on this, i.e. how managing/limiting technology can lead to fulfillment.

7.  Focusing on simplicity in all aspects of life.

8.  Internalizing PRONOIA.  I truly believe Guy Finley's quote: "Only good things happen to those for whom GOOD is ALL things."

9.  ...and lastly...removing toxic family members, friends, and business associates from my life.  This takes work, but the rewards are HUGE. Here is a simple article to get you started.  I realized that I had been a VICTIM, by keeping these people around.  LINK:  Simple article on toxic people: http://www.inc.com/drew-hendricks/8-ways-emotionally-intelligent-people-deal-with-toxic-people.html

All the best,

rick

Quote of the Week:
"Dream as if you'll live forever.  Live as if you'll die today!"    James Dean

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Rick Sapio
Mutual Capital Alliance, Inc.
"Leveraging relationships and capital, through an alliance of like-minded individuals and companies, to accomplish worthwhile goals."
Our Address:
Plaza of the Americas - North Tower
700 N. Pearl Street, Suite 910
Dallas, TX  75201-4112
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