It's easy to find someone to tell you what you want to hear, but your true ally is one who tells you what you need to learn.

1. Take time to know yourself. "Know thyself" said Aristotle. When you know who you are, you can be wise about your goals, your dreams, your standards, your convictions. Knowing who you are allows you to live your life with purpose and meaning.

2. A narrow focus brings big results. The number one reason people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go instead of how far they have come. But it's a series of small wins that can give us the most significant success.

3. Show up fully. Don't dwell on the past, and don't daydream about the future, but concentrate on showing up fully in the present moment.

4. Don't make assumptions. If you don't know the situation fully, you can't offer an informed opinion.

5. Be patient and persistent. Life is not so much what you accomplish as what you overcome.