The School of Hard Knocks has no physical location but it has millions of students and just as many teachers, but most aren’t even humans. There are no books and there are countless tests. It’s the toughest and best education you can get. Sometimes it costs you money, but other times it’s free.

People often find it difficult to graduate with a good grade, let alone a 4.0. However, in this article I will help you gain the best education and graduate the School of Hard Knocks with flying colors.

Recognize your teachers

First, you need to figure out who or what your teachers are. It can be a person, object, or event. They all can teach you valuable lessons that cannot be acquired anywhere else. Recognizing your teachers will help you stop and think so that you can get the most out of each lesson. Even the littlest of events can teach you the biggest lessons. The same goes for negative events. They may seem difficult to endure but there’s so much to be learned. Practice pausing and assessing a situation when it arises, then ask yourself these two questions: What is the reason for this? And what can I learn from it?

Study & do your homework

You also have to be your own teacher as well. Not all the information you need is going to present itself. You are going to have to seek it out, wherever it may lie. Sometimes it’s book, on the internet, or even within yourself. Do some extra studying and homework to get one step ahead of the rest.

Fail

In the school of hard knocks, it is good to fail. It is encouraged and necessary to achieve success. More often than not, failure provides you with new knowledge that success wouldn’t have provided. In the school of hard knocks you have to take chances, make mistakes, and fail, if you don’t you’ll be left behind.

Skip the parties and other time wasters

Don’t get caught up in negative things like drugs and alcohol. They don’t do anything for you but waste your time, energy, and money. There’s millions of other positive ways to have good time. Also don’t get caught up in “drama” that won’t even matter in 20 years, 2 years, or even in 2 weeks. Your time is precious.

Get a tutor

You are going to need help to graduate from the school of hard knocks. Create some contacts online with successful people, ask them questions and get advice. Even if you can’t actually contact the successful person you want, read as much about them as you can. Study their style and road to success, and replicate parts of it.

Keep notes

This is something you should literally do. Get a notebook to write down all your successes and failures so that you can better learn from them. In this notebook you can also jot down ideas and dreams. Getting things on paper is one step closer to manifesting them.

Make friends

Again, you’re going to need help to achieve success. Make some contacts with positive and successful people. It is quite easy to do so online. And also don’t be afraid to use your contacts to benefit you.

Always be ready for a pop quiz

Life is a tough teacher, it can give you a pop quiz when you least expect it. A lot of the times you’ll be tested before you have even learned anything. Always try to be ready for it. Stay sharp and don’t get complacent.

Work hard

You need to work hard to get yourself to a better place. The harder you work, the more satisfying the reward will be.

If you follow these rules, you’ll be graduating from the School of Hard Knocks at the top of your class.

Photo by justintosh

“A man is what he thinks all day long.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our minds are constantly working, so much so that we have countless thoughts each hour and day. For all the things we think about, there are a lot that we neglect but are so important, vital to living the life we want.

Below is a list of 15 things to think about each and everyday. Thinking about these will only take 10 to 20 minutes. Some you’ll want think about in the morning and others you’ll want to think about at night.

1. The things you’re grateful to have

Think of the things you’re grateful for. Food, shelter, family, friends, a car, all the big and small things many aren’t fortunate to have.

2. The things you’re grateful NOT to have

Each of us can come up with something we’re grateful not to have. Perhaps you’re grateful not to have a disease, enormous debts, or perhaps you’re happy you don’t have a lot of money.

3. What you want to do today

Quick thoughts about the daily goals you want to accomplish and the plans you’ll need to take to get them done.

4. What the future holds

Think about what tomorrow, the next month, or even the next five years will bring you.

5. Think about one of your fears

We all have fears, some are big and some are small. Focus your thoughts on one.

6. Think of a way to face that fear

Think of one way in which you can face your fear. Even if it’s something small it’ll bring you one step closer to fear’s face.

7. One new thing you’d like to do

Think of something new you’d like to try. Do this every day you possibly can, you’ll never have too many goals and dreams.

8. The things you didn’t accomplish yesterday

Think about the things you wanted to get done yesterday, but didn’t. Then plan on getting them done today.

9. Your greatest qualities

Every day think about the things that make you a great person. It’ll give you confidence and ambition to tackle anything.

10. What you don’t like about yourself

We each have something we don’t like about ourselves. Perhaps you are too fearful, too quiet, or too arrogant.

11. How you can change what you don’t like about yourself

Think of some ways you can change. Sometimes it doesn’t take as long as you might think.

12. How you can make someone else’s day a little brighter

Maybe send a friend a card to show you’re thinking of them. Maybe buy a coworker just because. Or even just complementing someone can make their day a little brighter.

13. Your life goals

You won’t be able to think of all of your goals in life because you’ll always be adding more to your list. However, think about your current biggest dreams and goals. You can’t forget what you’re aiming for.

14. How yesterday’s problems are today’s motivation

Don’t let the problems of your past prevent you from moving forward. Think of how you can use the problems to motivate yourself to change and resolve.

15. You only have one life

Think about this: you only have one shot at life. So make the most out of every second you have. Reminding yourself of this will help you seize each day.

Since the success of previous posts entitled 20 ways to change the world and 20 websites that can change your life, I’ve decide to compile a list of 20 ways YOU can change your life.

Change is all over, it’s omnipresent. Our lives and the world are always changing, whether we are aware of it or not. However the changes aren’t always what we want. This list will give you some ideas on how to change your life in a positive direction. Some are very simple and others take a lot of work.

1. Start a business

This is probably one of the more difficult ways to change your life. But if you become your own boss, you can control your own hours and control more of your life. Even if your business doesn’t succeed, you’ll have changed your life.

2. Start an exercise habit

Habits are difficult to break. If you can start an exercise regimen your life will change. You’ll be healthier, you’ll feel more productive which will motivate you to accomplish more, and exercise will help you live longer. Who wouldn’t want that?

3. Think differently

This may be the simplest way for some to change their life, while the most difficult for others. If you starting thinking about things differently and seeing them in a different way, that’ll bring immense change. Too many people make a big production out of the smallest things. When a difficult or negative event presents itself, take a moment and ask yourself questions like these:

- Is it really that bad?
- What can I learn from this?
- When will it blow over?
- Am I reacting the way I want to?

4. Get a new hobby

I’m sure there’s something you’ve always wanted to try. May be rock-climbing or surfing. Give it a go! Perhaps you’ll find a new passion, and in doing so, your life will change.

5. Read a good book

Books really do change lives, including mine. A few books that have made me think differently and grow include: Lord of the Flies, The 4-Hour Workweek, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Grab yourself some books and get reading. They might not all leave a lasting impression on you, but if one does, it’ll be worth it.

6. Meet someone new

You never know what can happen when you meet someone new. It can lead to great things, including great opportunities. If you’re shy, you can even “meet” many people online.

7. Watch a good movie

Just like a book, a movie can certainly change your life.

8. Volunteer

Your life will change along with countless others.

9. Do something different

If you can do something different each day or week to change things up a bit, you’ll be changing your life.

10. Go vagabonding

If you want to see different places and in a new way, try vagabonding.

11. Go on vacation

Don’t want go vagabonding? Then take a vacation. Go somewhere that’ll inspire or motivate you, and let your mind free.

12. Get a pet

Dog, cat, turtle, whatever animal you may like. They can bring a lot of enjoyment to your life. If you can handle the responsibility then get a pet.

13. Face a fear

Face whatever it is that you fear. Even if you can’t conquer it right away, at least give it a try.

14. Go green

Become a little more environmentally friendly.

15. Lose a bad habit

Habits are hard to break, whether they’re good or bad. Lose a bad habit like smoking and your life will change for the better.

16. Reduce negativity

Free your life from negative people, events, and negative thoughts.

17. Switch your career

If you’re bored with your current career, switch gears and get a new career.

18. Do a good deed

Do something nice for different people throughout your day and week. The good karma will bring positive change to your life.

19. See the sun rise

It’s free and can give you a whole new perspective on life and our earth.

20. Just live

If you don’t want to put forth any effort for positive change then you can just live your life. There will be changes so your life will never be the same.

You may think you know everything about yourself, including all your abilities and talents. But you don’t. You can amaze yourself with the tasks and achievements you can accomplish. A majority the time people underestimate and limit themselves. I know I always used to do it.

I decided to compile a list of 7 things you may not known about yourself. Maybe you did know some of these already or maybe you don’t believe any of these, but I guarantee that at least one is true.

1. You can change lives

Besides changing your own life, you can change the lives of hundreds, thousands, or possibly millions of people. Quite easily too. Just by doing simple gestures like smiling or kind things like holding a door for someone. Doing so will start a positive chain reaction that is difficult to break.

2. You can change the world

One person had the power to change the world. You also possess that power. You don’t have to be rich and famous to make a difference. Even the smallest actions can leave the biggest impacts on the world.

3. You have a sixth sense

I’m not talking about seeing dead people. I believe that each of us possess an extra “power” besides the five senses we were born with. Animals have extra abilities to sense weather, fear, and danger. So why wouldn’t we have an extra sense or maybe two?

4. You can have what you desire

One of my greatest pet peeves is when an individual seems something expensive like a car or a mansion, and says, “I’ll never be able to afford that in my lifetime”. Well with an attitude like that, obviously not. If you get your mind sent on something, and your desire grows more and more each day, you’ll be able to relax until you achieve what you desire.

5. You can be charitable

You don’t have to donate a million dollars to make a difference in a charity. Even $5 can help. If you don’t have money to donate, then give your time, ideas, blood, or whatever you can.

6. You can be famous

Andy Warhol said that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. Maybe you’ll get 15 minutes or much more than that. However, with the internet and new media, it has become much easier.

7. You have various talents and gifts

I believe that everyone is born with multiple talents and gifts. People just focus on one of their talents and are ignorant to the rest of the gifts they posses.

Has someone ever told you to “get a life”? My sister and I used to say it to each other all the time, even though we were joking around. However, there is an underlying meaning behind “get a life”. It expresses a desire to find your purpose in life and also to escape a rut that you’re stuck in. So maybe someone telling you to “get a life” isn’t that bad. If that person is serious, perhaps it’s time for reflection on what you’re doing with your life and where you really want to be.

If you do think it’s time to get yourself a “life” here are 8 ways that’ll help you do so.

1. Don’t waste time

We all have limited time on this earth, so don’t waste it. Skip the partying, skip the drugs, and the skip pointless drama. Way too many people, especially young people get caught up in events and things that lead to nowhere. You can be doing so much more with yourself.

2. Turn your passion or hobby into a career

Sometimes people tell you to “get a life” because they think you’re wasting time with a hobby or passion that’ll lead to nothing. Prove them wrong by turning your passion or hobby into a business or career.

3. Help others

This is a pretty straight-forward way of getting a life. Help people with their lives. Work at a charitable organization or just perform random acts of kindness. You won’t be wasting a second of your time. It’ll change lives, including yours.

4. Help the wildlife and the environment

This is similar to helping people. But if you aren’t a people person, then help those who don’t have a voice. Be their voice.

5. Find a job or career that you enjoy

This is difficult for some people to do, especially for those who don’t like to work at all. Find something that you really enjoy doing and you’ve got yourself a life.

6. Hang around with better people

Your friends might be preventing you from having the life you want. If they are always partying and doing negative things, they’re wasting your time. Hang around with people who are positive, productive, and are living the way you desire to. Their traits will rub off on you.

7. Follow your dreams NOW

Maybe you don’t have a “life” right now because you keep deferring your dreams and waiting for the right moment. That’s never going to come, NOW is the time. Perhaps you’ll have to quit your job to pursue your dreams. Then go for it. You can find a way to make ends meet, especially when desperation kicks in.

8. Get healthy

Getting fit and healthy can be an excellent way to get you out and about. You’ll be able to create many new positive habits. And you’ll have a reason to get up in the morning and a reason to feel good.