This document provides quotes and guidance on effective communication, maintaining a positive attitude, and overcoming obstacles. It emphasizes viewing challenges as opportunities, focusing on solutions rather than problems, and maintaining a gratitude and determination. Tips for effective communication include avoiding defensiveness, assumptions, and focusing on shared interests rather than personal agendas. Overall the document promotes positivity, perseverance, and respect in managing life's difficulties.

1. (G)ood (O)rderly (D)irection
Tools for effective communication, conflict resolution and life
management
---Hunter Nash
(c) 2015

3. Quotes
“Do whatever it takes to tip the odds in your favor” - George Paul
“We are only as sick as our secrets” - George Paul
“I am better than my situation” - George Paul
“Show me who you hang with and I’ll tell you who you are” - George Paul
“In life they may throw you to the wolves, but come back leading the pack”
- Oscar Bosh
“Not to have is no reason not to get” - Oscar Bosh
“Sometimes rejection is direction” - Maya Angelou
“I might not remember what you said, I might not remember what you did,
but I will remember how you made me feel” - Maya Angelou
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in
harmony” - Mahatma Gandhi

4. “Happiness is a decision we make every day” - George Bernard Shaw
“I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who move ahead in this world
are the people who look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t
find them, they create them” - George Bernard Shaw
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his
goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude”
- Thomas Jefferson
“The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me” -
Ayn Rand
“The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of
opportunity” - Ayn Rand
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If
you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will
destroy you” - Jesus Christ
“There’s no dark that can overcome a flame” - Melissa Etheridge

5. “My situation does not necessarily define my character” - Hunter Nash
“Circumstances describe, they don’t define” - Hunter Nash
“Complacency and impulsiveness lead to missed opportunity and lost
dreams” - Hunter Nash
“Each day is a new opportunity to change your life” - Hunter Nash
“Obstacles are just new opportunities to find new solutions” - Hunter Nash
“A setback is only a setup for a comeback” - Unknown
“Learn it. Perfect it. Master it.” - Unknown
“Protect me from the envy of those who envy” - Unknown
“We are better than the seasons we are grown in” - Unknown

6. Mantras
“Do not do less than necessary, nor the bare minimum needed. Do more
than was ever expected”
“Do not allow a situation to automatically dictate your actions”
When facing a challenge: “There’s no dark that can overcome a flame”
“I will not allow anyone to be responsible for my emotions”

7. Attitude
Gratitude is critical. View challenging or difficult situations as a positive, as
an opportunity find solutions and to better prepare for success.
When facing a challenge, ask the questions: “What is the purpose of this for
me?” “What can I accomplish?” Never allow difficulty to get in the way of a
positive attitude.
Challenges should prompt determination to succeed or to solve a problem(s)
rather than frustration, anger, or a sense of defeat.
Don’t focus on the problem itself, focus on the solutions.
Think of difficult situations or people as motivators rather than an
annoyance, frustration, or an enemy to fight.
Remember to view obstacles as an opportunity to seek better solutions.
Each new day is a new opportunity. Positivity is waking up with enthusiasm
for the day ahead.
Expectations should never be based on assumptions or random desires, but
on facts, available resources, and a realistic view of one’s capacity to effect
results. Reality is the arbiter, not one’s wishes.

8. Concern for or acceptance of the perceptions or opinions of others should
never influence one’s choices or decisions.
Feelings about or perceptions OF the immediate situation or problem
should not dictate choices and decisions. Think before you act. Evaluate
instead the available options, resources and solutions.
Take advantage of each opportunity. Don’t hesitate.

9. Effective communication and conflict resolution
Conversations should be focused on communicating ideas rather than
voicing complaints.
When working with others it is the project and the solutions which are
critical, not the various personalities.
Disagreements should never be viewed as a personal threat or chance to
get one’s way but rather opportunities to find positive solutions.
Relationships are between individuals. Each has his or her own roles, lives
and values. Respect and honor this.
Defensiveness always builds resentment and frustration, creating negative
perceptions.
Avoid unrealistic expectations and avoid assumptions. Key to relationship
building, effective communication and, where needed, conflict resolution is
a shared concern for and respect of the opinions and interests of others.
Well chosen, respectful words and actions help facilitate effective
communications. Over emphasis on personal reward, receiving credit, or
laying blame is counter productive to achieving results.