Books: Author Suggests Steps to a Successful Life

Author Karla Brandau recommends that Americans celebrate the freedom from oppression as well as the freedom to be -- to lead a successful life.

Expert in success attitudes, Karla Brandau, author of Wake Up The Winner Inside (available on Amazon.coms) recommends Americans celebrate freedom from oppression this Independence Day as well as the freedom to be. The freedom to be is to take control of one's personal life as part of the fabric of success.

Brandau says, "From the time I was five years old, the fabric of my being made me believe I could be anything I wanted to be. It was so woven into my belief system that it never occurred to me there might be limitations on my freedom to become. I boldly went forth seeking my fortune and weaving the fabric of my future, taking advantage of the policies and practices of a democracy that make it possible for individuals to be free to follow their dreams."

Freedom is defined as the right or the capacity of self-determination in an expression of individual will. Self-determination is a precious gift and for a person to have the freedom to determine what he or she will become as an expression of individual will, is priceless.

Nineteenth century philosopher, John Stuart Mill, in his work, On Liberty, was the first to recognize the difference between liberty as the freedom to act and liberty as the absence of coercion. The Twentieth century philosopher, Sir Isaiah Berlin, gives us more insight into liberty and freedom concepts and calls "freedom from" negative freedom and "freedom to" positive freedom. For example, individuals should have freedom from oppression and should have the freedom to develop one's potential.

French philosopher, Claude Adrien Helvétius clarifies further: The free man is the man who is not in irons, nor imprisoned, nor terrorized like a slave by the fear of punishment... it is not lack of freedom not to fly like an eagle or swim like a whale."

As free individuals celebrate the freedom to, they can concentrate on boldly weaving the fabric of a successful life by:

1. Performing a job that excites passion and growth. Even though everyone dreams of the 'perfect' job, it doesn't exist. However, if a person can love and be passionate for at least 80% of their job, they'll do well.
2. Experiencing satisfying work relationships. Work relationships experience daily conflict as decisions are made. Seeing the conflict as a process to improve the product or service gives a healthy glow to differences of opinions and grows satisfying work relationships.
3. Balancing life's elements. The old saying, "All work and no play makes Jane a very dull girl" is still applicable in the 21st Century. There are many facets to life and enjoying personal relationships, taking up a hobby, or doing community service help rejuvenates the psyche in strange ways and permits individuals to return to work invigorated.

In today's world, it is entirely possible to fly like an eagle, swim with the whales, and have a hobby because of the freedom to be. Citizens of the United States are only limited by their vision of the future.

For more information on success attitudes visit www.KarlaBrandau.com and for tips on competence, visit http://karlabrandau.blogspot.com.

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