Bruce Lee was an iconic figure in martial arts and the movies, having reached the peak of his popularity in the sixties and the seventies. He was a great martial artist and had even developed his own style of fighting called the Jeet Kune Do. Aside from being a top fighter, he also had some great philosophies on life and making the best of out of every day. Here are his 4 top quotes on life:

1. “It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.”

A lot of people think that the key to improving their lives is to add more stuff to it. The problem here is, there is usually a lack of time or energy to back up these new interests or hobbies. The result is a half hearted attempt at too many things without excelling in just one particular area. Try to focus on just the bare essentials and do away with the unnecessary stress and anxiety all the extra stuff brings. A de-cluttered life results in de-cluttered mind.

2. “As you think, so shall you become.”

The mind is a very powerful tool. It not only shapes our thoughts, it shapes who we are and what we become. You may not be aware of it but who you are now is the sum of all your thoughts. Knowing this, it makes sense to build yourself up in your mind daily with encouraging and positive thoughts. More than that, you should also check how you think on a normal day and see if this is in line with your life goals and self-image. Simply put, your thoughts become you so be careful what you think of.

3. “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”

Thinking is generally a good thing. It provides you with a sense protection and security knowing that you are considering all angles before deciding to do something. It paints you as a careful person, having sound judgement and able to act rationally. Over thinking, however is a bad habit that you need to chuck out of your life. Remember, the more thoughts in your head, the harder it is for you to get a move on and act. Sometimes, you have to go with gut feel. And sometimes, it is just better for you to just go ahead and do it.

4. “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”

Sometimes, being yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. There is always someone you look up to and hope to be like. You can go ahead and act like this person, dress like this person and talk like this person but you will always come off as substandard version of as that someone else. Better to just be you because you are the best at it rather than try hard to portray someone else. Otherwise, you will just come off as phony. Remember, sincerity and genuineness are traits that are hard to come by these days. Make it easier for other people and for yourself and just be you.

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

1 Comment

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  By John@Jeet kune Do Training, January 24, 2012 @ 3:06 pm

  Aside from a martial artist, and actor, Bruce Lee was a philosopher. You’ll find he used accuracy in the way he phrases his ideas.

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