Still others use trifles to escape from reality of hard work and perseverance and to deviate ones attention from pressing and yet life-changing events. And others focus on unimportant to justify their current poor predicament. Of course, it’s more convenient to focus on insignificant yet easy endeavor rather than focus on vital yet difficult undertaking.

Whatever purpose it serves, trifles are wastes of time that should be relegated to trash without hesitation.

Accept things that can’t be changed

Dwelling on things beyond your control is disastrous. Just imagine trying to change weather, past, your physical looks, or where you’re born?

I remember an elderly man who died unhappy and broke. While still alive, he questioned his father’s will (certified to be genuine) which he declared as unfair. He fought his siblings, went to court, annoyed his own lawyers, and agitated his wife and children. In end, he lost all $1 million inheritance money due to lawyer’s fees and court appearances.

People end up in psychiatrist’s couch because of this sad predilection. A lot of stresses, neurosis, and conflicts arise by trying to change unchangeable.

Learning to accept things way they are is a virtue. Although initially difficult, acceptance has its reward – peace of mind. Move on

After ignoring trifles and accepting unchangeable, moving on is next important step. The focus should be on life-changing goals, on things that matter. Moreover, one should focus on things that can be improved and resolved.

Life is change. Life is in constant motion. Stopping its motion is like allowing a river to stagnate and die.

Have a life. Move on!

Thought #3: “It is mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

We all do it—we hear an idea, and we immediately attach ourselves to an opinion about it without really giving it time it takes to form a reasoned conclusion. The problem with smart people is that we tend to use our intelligence to argue in defense of our chosen opinions. We’d be a whole lot wiser if we did less arguing and more thinking!

The next time someone makes a suggestion you don’t like or states an opinion you disagree with, try this: Wait three minutes before denouncing it. Now, this doesn't that you should just sit there, fuming or smug or disinterested. Instead, “entertain” thought. Ask questions. Show interest. Be open, engaged and nonconfrontational. When your three minutes are up, you can feel free to express your original opinion. More often than not, your original opinion will have changed a bit because you have spent some time holding a thought without attacking it.

The trick here is to separate thought from thinker. Are you sure you don’t dislike thought because you dislike thinker? We all have people in our lives who push our buttons. Take high road. Entertain thought. Your eventual rebuttal will be more easily accepted after you’ve shown that you have carefully considered concept. Try this at work, try it with your friends, try it with your family. This is a surefire path to excellence.

Thought #4: “What lies in our power to do, also lies in our power not to do.”

Ah, yes. Those bad habits? You can change them. If you had initiative at some point to do something, you can choose to stop doing it. This goes for overeating, smoking, drinking too much, and all usual bad habits.

It also hold true for things we don’t even think of as habits anymore—watching too much television, driving instead of walking, reading nothing but celebrity magazines, gossiping, spending too much time shopping, etc. If you haven’t always done it, you don’t have to continue doing it. You do have power to make changes.

Thought #5: “Well begun is half done.” We all understand that setting a goal, doing research, and making a plan will increase likelihood that our chosen task will be successfully completed. Whether it’s a home improvement project, a vacation schedule, or a tricky new recipe, proper preparation will save us a lot of time and effort.

Start using Aristotle’s ideas today to help you become an excellent human. Make your best acts your best habits. Learn something new each day. Entertain contrary thoughts. Begin to undo bad habits. Prepare yourself for excellence.

Aristotle would be so proud.