days ahead.
In this book, I’ll be offering ten basic concepts that have helped me get to where I am now. Really, these are just common sense things that you probably know already, but it’s amazing what can happen when you actually put them to use. I’ll offer examples of what each of them has done for me, and I will share tips and observations that will help you see why this stuff can help you get out of whatever rut or bad situation you are in and on track to change your life for the better.
Here’s a quick outline of what’s ahead as I share my own story and as we embark on what I hope will be a successful journey together, because as much personal growth as I’ve had, I’m still a work in progress too.
No. 1: DECIDE YOU DESERVE THE BEST
Make the decision that you are worthy of happiness and fulfillment and that only you are responsible for your own life.
No. 2: LET GO OF YOUR PAST & RISE TO YOUR FUTURE
Acknowledge where you’ve been and then focus on where you want to go.
No. 3: GO WITH YOUR STRENGTHS
Build your life around your talents and interests.
No. 4: LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
Deal with setbacks and see failure as a learning experience.
No. 5: DEAL WITH YOUR DEMONS
Overcome fears and insecurities.
No. 6: DEVELOP A PLAN AND ACT UPON IT
Create a step-by-step plan for achieving short and long-term goals based on principles and values.
No. 7: FOCUS ON CONTROLLING WHAT IS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL AND LET GO OF THE REST
Be proactive not reactive, making adjustments as you go.
No. 8: TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
Pay attention to the mental, physical and spiritual elements of good health.
No. 9: PREPARE FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND EMBRACE THEM
Keep preparing and growing so you are ready to jump on opportunities, even in hard times.
No. 10: PRACTICE FORGIVENESS & GRATITUDE EACH STEP OF THE WAY
Forgive yourself and others and express gratitude daily to stay on track.
Remember that to get where you want to be, you will have to face the realities of where you are now and then do whatever hard work is necessary to lead you forward. If you do all of that, it will have been well worth the effort. In addition to a promising future you will have the added benefit of knowing that you deserve all the good things coming your way because you truly earned them.
CHAPTER ONE
FOR LESLIE AND FOR YOU
T HE HEADLINE IN the New York Daily News reporting my sister’s death told only a small part of her story:
NICK AND AARON CARTER’S SISTER LESLIE DIED FROM DRUG OVERDOSE, WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SEVERAL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: POLICE REPORT
The 25-year-old singer had moved to family’s home in upstate New York to kick habit
Leslie died on January 31, 2012 in Mayville, New York where she was visiting our father. She left behind her 10-month-old daughter Alyssa and her husband Mike along with the rest of our family. It’s difficult for me to even write about her death. I doubt that the grief and the hurt I feel will ever leave me. I’ve always wanted the best for my family. I love all my siblings, and though our relationships have been complicated, I’ve tried to help each of them many times. I’ve given them money and other material things, but I realize now the best thing I could have done for any of them was to give them this book.
The greatest gift you and I will ever receive is the realization that we can and should take responsibility for our own lives. We can rise above anything that has happened to us because we have the power to choose how we respond to those events. We should never waste time waiting for someone else to make us happy when we have that ability ourselves.
After my own long struggle in which I sometimes played the victim and blamed others for my challenges, I’ve discovered there is nothing more fulfilling and rewarding than stepping up and doing whatever it takes to claim the life you want.
UNLOADING BAGGAGE
My siblings and I grew up in an unconventional family. We were not
In this book, I’ll be offering ten basic concepts that have helped me get to where I am now. Really, these are just common sense things that you probably know already, but it’s amazing what can happen when you actually put them to use. I’ll offer examples of what each of them has done for me, and I will share tips and observations that will help you see why this stuff can help you get out of whatever rut or bad situation you are in and on track to change your life for the better.
Here’s a quick outline of what’s ahead as I share my own story and as we embark on what I hope will be a successful journey together, because as much personal growth as I’ve had, I’m still a work in progress too.
No. 1: DECIDE YOU DESERVE THE BEST
Make the decision that you are worthy of happiness and fulfillment and that only you are responsible for your own life.
No. 2: LET GO OF YOUR PAST & RISE TO YOUR FUTURE
Acknowledge where you’ve been and then focus on where you want to go.
No. 3: GO WITH YOUR STRENGTHS
Build your life around your talents and interests.
No. 4: LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
Deal with setbacks and see failure as a learning experience.
No. 5: DEAL WITH YOUR DEMONS
Overcome fears and insecurities.
No. 6: DEVELOP A PLAN AND ACT UPON IT
Create a step-by-step plan for achieving short and long-term goals based on principles and values.
No. 7: FOCUS ON CONTROLLING WHAT IS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL AND LET GO OF THE REST
Be proactive not reactive, making adjustments as you go.
No. 8: TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
Pay attention to the mental, physical and spiritual elements of good health.
No. 9: PREPARE FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND EMBRACE THEM
Keep preparing and growing so you are ready to jump on opportunities, even in hard times.
No. 10: PRACTICE FORGIVENESS & GRATITUDE EACH STEP OF THE WAY
Forgive yourself and others and express gratitude daily to stay on track.
Remember that to get where you want to be, you will have to face the realities of where you are now and then do whatever hard work is necessary to lead you forward. If you do all of that, it will have been well worth the effort. In addition to a promising future you will have the added benefit of knowing that you deserve all the good things coming your way because you truly earned them.
CHAPTER ONE
FOR LESLIE AND FOR YOU
T HE HEADLINE IN the New York Daily News reporting my sister’s death told only a small part of her story:
NICK AND AARON CARTER’S SISTER LESLIE DIED FROM DRUG OVERDOSE, WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SEVERAL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: POLICE REPORT
The 25-year-old singer had moved to family’s home in upstate New York to kick habit
Leslie died on January 31, 2012 in Mayville, New York where she was visiting our father. She left behind her 10-month-old daughter Alyssa and her husband Mike along with the rest of our family. It’s difficult for me to even write about her death. I doubt that the grief and the hurt I feel will ever leave me. I’ve always wanted the best for my family. I love all my siblings, and though our relationships have been complicated, I’ve tried to help each of them many times. I’ve given them money and other material things, but I realize now the best thing I could have done for any of them was to give them this book.
The greatest gift you and I will ever receive is the realization that we can and should take responsibility for our own lives. We can rise above anything that has happened to us because we have the power to choose how we respond to those events. We should never waste time waiting for someone else to make us happy when we have that ability ourselves.
After my own long struggle in which I sometimes played the victim and blamed others for my challenges, I’ve discovered there is nothing more fulfilling and rewarding than stepping up and doing whatever it takes to claim the life you want.
UNLOADING BAGGAGE
My siblings and I grew up in an unconventional family. We were not
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