Far too often we choose the known risk instead of the unknown risk even when the known risk has much greater downside and far less upside the unknown risk. Finding new areas of growth and unprecedented achievement means getting comfortable being uncomfortable as step one, the next step is where most never get too and is even more needed, step two is going beyond discomfort and truly letting go of control. 

When convicted, there is only one result, the outcome of that conviction. If our conviction about what we are doing every day is strong, then our results will be great. Without strong conviction, our performance will be off. 

The more valuable someone feels, the more valuable they will be. Their performance will increase in direct proportion to the external and internal value they feel. 

Conflict is primarily created by exclusion. When someone feels they are excluded, or their ideas are excluded, or their needs are excluded, then conflict will be present. Conflict itself is not bad, but left unattended turns into contention. Contention is always wrong and never helps. 

If you can achieve community unity combined with inner peace, you are done, you have already won. 

You can understand someone, and totally disagree with them. Understanding does not equal agreeing. 

Agreeing often means changing your principles, beliefs, and values. You can come to an understanding without coming to agreement. 

Is there a difference between who we are what we think?

There isn’t.

Who we are is a product of what we think combined with what we do, because that is who we are being. 

Extreme confidence is evidenced by true humility. 

Low self-esteem and arrogance have no place in either. 

Even when you disagree, support them anyway. 

Even when you assume they are wrong, support them anyway. 

You don’t need to support anything that is wrong. You still need to support them as a person.

Support doesn’t mean helping them off a cliff, it means being there for them, correcting as needed, finding solutions, listening, and then making sure they know you are available. 

Here’s a few strategies to become the best victim you can be: 

1. Make everything, every interaction, every situation about you. 
2. Assume the worst in everyone else. 
3. Blame others for your feelings. 
4. Belittle others for having a different perspective. 
5. Find evil intent in the faults of others, while denying your own responsibility.
6. See your reality as more real than another’s.   
7. Anytime someone disagrees with your delusions of victimhood shame them for not listening and not showing empathy or compassion. 
8. Don’t ever show gratitude when others adjust their schedule or plans to accommodate your victimhood. 

It is crazy how similar being a victim is to being a narcissist.