Comments on: The Survivor Mindset, Or How To Create More Favorable Circumstances

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:12:49 +0000

I hear that. I'm a patterns and practices kind of guy and success leaves clues. J.D. Meier's last blog post..Lessons Learned from Santa

By: Aileen Journey

Aileen Journey — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:45:32 +0000

One thing that makes a big difference in the ability to overcome obstacles is the belief that any problem can be overcome or any goal can be reached. The belief that there absolutely is a possible, perhaps creative, way to solve any problem or attain anything that's desired means that a person keeps being willing to look for the solution. It's the looking and reworking of the issues and obstacles and the trying of new things when old ones fail that support a person in being persistent enough to get wherever they want to go. Aileen Journey's last blog post..Cult of personality

By: The Survivor Mindset: How Role Models Create Opportunities | Work Life Balance | Time Management Tips | Wake Up Early

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:33:06 +0000

[...] the last post we were talking about the the survivor mindset and the value of viewing life as a game you could play to win. For those just joining us, the “survivor mindset” is simply a term I was using to [...]

By: Cath Lawson

Cath Lawson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:46:10 +0000

Hi Dave – This was an interesting post. I guess it is all a game in some ways. And probably the getting for giving thing is true too. I’ve had some shit luck sometimes but I’ve been lucky in lots of ways too – and when I’m lucky, I just remind myself that my life hasn’t been totally bad and I’m far luckier than a lot of people.

Cath Lawson’s last blog post..10 Ways To Immortalize Yourself

By: Girl On The Right » Blog Archive » These Shoulders of Mine

Girl On The Right » Blog Archive » These Shoulders of Mine — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:35:52 +0000

[...] I read this yesterday, and it really spoke to me. I have often wondered how some people become drug addicts, or how people like my father die of a broken heart (at the bottom of a bottle) while others just withstand the abuse, year after godforsaken annus horribilis. People who treat life as a game discover they have the option to play to win rather than just take the cards that life hands them. While some things happen as a result of random chance, there’s a lot that can be done to increase the odds that favorable things will come their way. Samuel Goldwyn once said “The harder I work, the luckier I get,” and that’s what playing to win is all about. [...]

By: Maria | Never the Same River Twice

Maria | Never the Same River Twice — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:31:50 +0000

This is really good stuff, Dave. I didn't have a traumatic childhood, but I did lack some resources, which inspired me to become more resourceful. Like James, I've learned to look around and assess a situation before acting. I've also learned to think about the resources that are available to me, as well as the obstacles I may have to overcome - and resources doesn't necessarily mean money. Maria | Never the Same River Twice's last blog post..By: Changes That Stick: How to Make Lasting Changes | Never the Same River Twice

By: Stephen Hopson

Stephen Hopson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:33:39 +0000

Wow, Dave, that was awesome. Like you, I am a survivor of…shall I say…overcoming obstacles? While my family didn’t exactly implode, I certainly had some difficulties to deal with while a youngster. I certainly agree that in a way life became like a game but not in the usual sense of the word or to use aover used cliche but it’s true.

Somehow your mind, if you allow it to, finds a way to get to the other side of the bridge. For instance, from the time I was a young kid/teen, I always found a way to prove my father wrong whenever he said I couldn’t do anything because of my hearing disability.

I remember once I excitedly told him I was going to apply for a job at a gas station down the road from my house to which he replied,”Steve, you’re deaf, they’re not going to hire you.”

Well, that did it. I marched off defiantly and got the job! Unfortunately a few weeks later I got fired because I was caught goofing off with the boss’ son playing marbles. Oh boy. But the point was made. Mylife continued to be a patern like this for years until I got to the point where I no longer needed to prove anything to anyone because just about everything I had set out to do, I had achieved successfully.

Even my Dad now in his 70’s no longer questions anything I say I’m going to do whether it’s setting up a new business or whatever.

Great article! I was definitley inspired today. By th eway, I have two questions for you. When are you going to interview me? And I have just launched a new online business that I want to tell you about. Are you game?

Stephen Hopson’s last blog post..End of the Week Gratitude Theme #55

By: kjams

kjams — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:37:58 +0000

Great post … I have a similar story and outlook on life … keep on keepin’ on — you rock!

By: chris Zydel

chris Zydel — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:13:55 +0000

I've been a therapist for a long time and I've watched some of my clients (who have been severely traumatized) approach the world from an attitude of entitlement . They expect to be given to and they feel like they deserve special treatment because of what they have suffered. And of course, this strategy often ends up backfiring in a big way cause it's ultimately a passive position. You assume that others are automatically going to take care of you. I really like how you took charge of your destiny through the concept of "givers get" and how you created resources for yourself by giving to others first. By doing that you took action and put yourself in a position of power allowing you to very effectively meet your own needs. Which is a great game plan even if you don't have a difficult family background! Thanks for the great post! chris Zydel's last blog post..PAIN FREE CREATIVITY: YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO SUFFER FOR YOUR ART

By: mohan

mohan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:44:02 +0000

good post...I like the concept taken.this will give us a happy way of life... mohan's last blog post..Infosys to freeze hiring, says signs aren’t good