I think ultimately we all want peace and contentment more than anything else.

Of course, there are other things we want. And the truth is that we need to actualize some of these other things if we want to achieve deep and lasting peace.

Of course, the satisfaction itself comes mainly, if not exclusively, from actualizing our other needs, such as the need for growth, contribution, stimulation, and importance.

All of these things mean that we must master our mindset: our beliefs, habitual thoughts, and expectations. We must be committed to personal development. Only if we are developing personally will our lives develop materially.

Here are five tips for creating a greater peace, motivation, and mastery mindset.

1. Accept only self-pity and positive self-talk.

This is a tough question. Most of us engage in self-flagellation, to one degree or another. This emanates from our set of beliefs; our mindset.

Make an active and habitual practice of looking for yourself and congratulating yourself on your abilities, virtues and achievements.

In general, acknowledge, praise, and congratulate yourself, just as you would a child you love.

Oh really. Make it a conscious, active and habitual practice. You will be amazed at how this practice alone will tremendously change your usual mindset, feelings, and emotions. Increasing your state of being, motivation, joy and fulfillment.

At the end of each day, list three to five things you did well. Also add one thing that you will do better next time. Always keep the ratio biased at least 3 to 1 towards the positive.

2. Never compare yourself to others.

We all have our own path, our own brain, mind and personality. Another person’s path has nothing to do with our validity, ability, or journey, apart from the empowering lessons we can learn from their lives.

Learn from others, but never compare yourself to others.

Use the lessons of others for personal development and success. But never compare yourself to another.

Believe in yourself. Be aware of and grateful for your strengths, while you are determined to constantly grow and improve.

3. Accept, even celebrate, that life will absolutely have disappointments and pain. They are the fuel for self-improvement.

We all want to grow. To work things out. And to import. We all want to create and experience personal success.

Success equals changes. positive change. Growth.

If WE are not growing and developing, our lives cannot grow and develop.

When do we grow more? Heck, for most of us, most of the time, when do we grow up?

When we experience obstacles, disappointments and pain. When we run into setbacks, we fuel motivation and determination to change and improve things. And only when we change for the better, our results change for the better.

Hack your mind to reveal obstacles, disappointments, and yes, even pain. Know that they are not permanent. Nor are they an indication of any fault on your part. See them and feel them and beautiful opportunities to seize and accelerate personal development. They bring us closer to being the person and the success we are destined for.

4. There is no failure except in not starting or not continuing.

I passionately believe this is true. Whatever our results, we just fail to try or give up.

Stay true to your ultimate purpose, mission, and vision and adjust your strategies and tactics as wisdom dictates.

Changing direction is not necessarily a failure or negative. Don’t give up on your dream, but stay true to your soul. If you are truly destined for a different path than the current one you placed yourself on, accept it and move passionately towards the new path.

Be generous, loving, kind and compassionate to yourself. Have and hold yourself to high standards, but with loving compassion and optimism that will capitalize and prevail in all circumstances. Treat yourself with the love, patience and compassion that a wise and altruistic old man would treat the beautiful soul of a child.

5. Love yourself. Believe that you are perfect. But that you will become more perfect every day and that the journey never ends.

Keep this image of yourself. Love, support, praise, and please yourself constantly as you would the child or friend you love the most or as you would be loved and supported by a loving, more experienced, and wiser person who would love you.

But also keep the thirst for personal development and success burning within you. We are all works in progress. Perfect as we are today, but driven to an even higher level of perfection today and tomorrow.

There you go. Five habitual practices that will help you achieve everything you seek: love, peace, prosperity, growth, stimulation, and probably anything else your soul desires.

Cheer up friends.