A personal credo should be clear and specific. When you read it, it

A personal credo should be clear and specific. When you read it, it should provide you with a stronger sense of self and a stronger sense of purpose Personal Credo

Definition A credo is a set of beliefs that drives thoughts and behaviors. A personal credo is one which is created by the individual, and not just one accepted from other people The word “credo” comes from the Latin, and literally means, “I believe.”

First Add a Personal Affirmation Statement Many successful people use a customized personal creed. They think very seriously about the kind of person they want to be, write it down and then read it aloud at least once a day. This guides everything they do in life and moves them daily towards the life they want. For example: I am wise, loving and kind. I love people and they love being around me. I invest my time in improving myself, helping others, and making the world a better place. Money comes to me easily and I have more than I need. I am healthy and fit, and look and feel fabulous. Every day brings me blessings beyond measure

Religion The most common source of a creed is religion. Many people have a favourite verse in the bible that guides them in their daily living. Popular verses include: - “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” - “Work with all your heart, soul and mind, as working for God and not for men.” - “Forgive not seven times, but seventy-times seven.” - “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

Literature You could use a poem or verse that you find a powerful guide to living. The following is something I use as a philosophy of life, a way of thinking, taken from a poem attributed to Mme Grifsters: You gotta dance like nobody’s watching Dream like you will live forever Live like you’ll die tomorrow And love like it’s never going to hurt.

Music The lyrics of songs can move us deeply and make us want to be better people and do good things. You could use a line or a whole verse as a personal creed. The following is one that I like. “May you always walk in sunshine, Slumber warm when night winds blow; May you always live with laughter, For a smile becomes you so.”

Wise Words from People Sometimes the impact on us of what someone says is so profound that it can change us and the we live forever. These could be the words of a spouse, child, colleague, or friend. - “You’re the greatest dad in the world!” - “Leave every person feeling better for having met you.” - “Brighten every room you walk into.” - “Walk like you own the world.”

Inner Conviction Like Mother Teresa, you may have had one of those crystal clear revelations that tell you without a shadow of a doubt what you must do. - “Nobody in the world should have to die alone.” - “Every child must feel wanted.” - “Live each day as a gift.” - “The world is a better place for my having lived today.”

Chance I was browsing in some little shops while waiting for a friend one day, when I stumbled across a wall plague. The words on it have become my personal creed and have changed the way I live. Think deeply Speak gently Love much Laugh a lot Work hard Give freely Be kind

Writing Your Credo Start each line below with “I believe.” 1. Write down five specific things you believe about one or all of these topics: religion, politics, nutrition, a particular sport, sex. 2. Write down five specific things you believe about one or all of these topics: asparagus, birds, sweatshirts, small appliances, personal hygiene.

4. Write down three things you WISH you believed in (no limits). 5. Write down two things you USED TO believe in, but don’t any longer (no limits). 6. Write down what you believe is THE MOST AMAZING thing or event in the known or unknown universe, or simply in your own personal experience.

7. Use these lines to construct a poem that starts, “I believe ” 8. Revise: start adding in WHY you believe these things for all or every other line. See what happens to the poem. Remove some of the “I believe” statements to create a list-like tone. Check on your choice of verbs, words, clichés, unintentional repetitions, predictability. Strive for your own, unique voice in every possible way