The Realgoalgetter Blog

Time Management - Schedule Some Downtime For Yourself

2009-11-15T13:51:00.006-08:00

I had a nice break earlier today. I watched the movie Independence Day with Will Smith. After being inspired (as this movie always does), I thought about how taking breaks make me more productive, even with the downtime.

It is important that you take time for yourself. Whether it's exercising, reading a book, or watching a movie you want to see. Studies even show that exercising each day can make you more productive and teach you how to manage your time better. After all,you probably have to fit that exercise in somewhere, right?

If you only can take a small portion of time, do it for yourself. Make sure you work your downtime for yourself in between pressing deadlines or major projects at work. We can get totally carried away sometimes.

In your life there are many different areas we all need to maintain balance with. You have health, financial, family, spiritual, social, professional, and intellect. You do not have to spend equal amounts of time at each day, but make sure each gets it's appropriate share of time.

Take care of each in it's own time. When one of these areas is neglected, it can cause difficulties in other parts of your life, and distract your focus from your real goals.

If you neglect your health, then you and your family can suffer. Neglecting your financial problems can make it difficult for you to concentrate in other areas.

Neglecting your time for yourself can prevent you from re-energizing. So stay balanced. Schedule time just for you, whatever personal acitivities that may include.

See your next time.

Are You A Positive Thinker? Test Yourself!

2009-09-07T07:46:00.007-07:00

Self-Improvement - How to Tell If You Are a Positive Thinker? Take This Test! By B. K. Smith

Self-improvement requires adjusting your attitude and becoming a positive thinker. You've probably heard that statement a hundred times before. And it is true.

"If you are going to think: Think big." - Donald Trump

In fact, as you practice using positive thinking, you will find that things begin to change for you. Sometimes the change is so gradual you don't notice anything at all, until one day someone else points out that you seem different. They may ask if you've gotten a new outfit, changed your hair, lost weight, or started dating someone new?

Tapping into positive thinking not only makes you happier, it also makes you more attractive; the kind of person others want to be around. There are some common signs of positively charged people.

How to Tell if You Are a Positive Thinker?

Check out the following list to see if any of these sound familiar, and help gauge your progress and see what you have to look forward to.

You Know You're on the Right Track When:

1.) Your long drive to work flew by so fast, you questioned why it ever bothered you in the first place.

2.) You spent twenty-two minutes waiting in line at the bank, on your half hour lunch break, and your day wasn't ruined and your life didn't end.

3.) The gas station attendant gives you the wrong amount of change back; you point it out with a friendly smile and he happily corrects the mistake.

4.) The long awaited repair part for your vehicle finally arrived at the dealership after two weeks on back-order, only to discover it was the wrong size. You are so patient and understanding about the mistake, when the dealership calls, they give you a significant discount on the repair service.

5.) Throughout the day, when you catch a reflection of yourself in a mirror, you're smiling and you don't think you look like an ugly duckling.

6.) You don't hear the timer go off and dinner in the oven gets burnt to a crisp, yet somehow you quickly throw something together that turns out better than you originally planned.

7.) Unexpectedly you find yourself with generous free time on your hands, and lots of enjoyable things to do with it, including the energy needed to do them.

8.) You realize the last time you let yourself think "I can't" was while thinking: "I can't believe how blessed I am to have all these wonderful things happening to me!"

Well how did you do? Did you recognize yourself in any of these? Or are you looking forward to the day you do?

Regardless of your current level, a key to keep in mind is that the most positive, powerful, life changing thing you can meditate and think on is the Word of God. In Psalm chapter one it says that those who meditate and obey God's Word are blessed and whatever they do prospers.

Make no mistake about it; positive thinking has the power to change your life. As you continue to use this technique in your life, you will find you don't have to put much effort into achieving what you want. Positive thoughts put the law of attraction into motion and begin to manifest abundant success in your life.

May your thoughts be positive and your life full of growing prosperity!

And now, get a free life changing "How to Attract Prosperity" download. Plus enjoy Christian and self-improvement resources along with motivational videos. Check this out: http://www.GrowingProsperity.com

B.K. Smith seeks to provide resources to help you prosper in all areas of life - including your spirit, soul, body, finances, and relationships.

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From Famished To Famous - A Great Goals Success Story

2009-07-25T14:46:00.006-07:00

Here's a great article submitted by The Fire Flies For The Heart
Organization. Enjoy

She's On Her Way!

Eilleen was born in the tiny town of Timmons, Ontario in Canada.
She grew up used to bitter cold and a gnawing stomach. There
were days on end when bread and milk was the entire diet for her
and her 3 younger siblings. She learned to hide her poverty and
hunger from friends at school but it didn't ease the suffering.

About the only thing that could do that was her music. When life
was more than she could handle she would retreat to her bedroom
with her guitar, singing and writing until her fingers ached. The
music fed her soul even while her stomach was growling.

Her talent was recognized early and this little tomboy was shuttled
all over to perform in clubs, bars, and anywhere else they could
get her booked to make some extra money. Yet Eilleen never
really thought music was her future.

When she could no longer stand the poverty she managed to
convince her mother to leave their father and head for Toronto.
The shelter they stayed in for a long time provided the first regular
meals she had ever experienced.

Eilleen got her first job when she was 14, working at a McDonalds.
Later, she spent summers working as the foreman of a dozen-man
reforestation crew in the Canadian bush, where she learned to
wield an axe and handle a chain saw as well as any man. She was
tough because she had to be tough.

Then things got tougher. Both parents were killed in an auto
wreck and suddenly she was the parent to her siblings. She
managed to survive by getting a job singing at a local resort. The
experience was invaluable - giving her exposure to every aspect of
theatrical performance. It prepared her for what was to come.
In 1990, her siblings were grown and 23 year old Eillen was on her
own. The first thing she did was change her first name to an
Ojibway Indian name meaning "I'm on my way".

Shania Twain was indeed on her way. She has turned the world of
Country/Pop music upside down, winning many awards along the
way. Unless you live on another planet, you have probably heard
of her!

One of her songs really sums it up. She has this to say about the
irresistible I'm Gonna Getcha Good! "There is a typical Shania
attitude in the lyric, a definite female confidence. It's all about a
girl who knows what she wants, she not only knows how to get it,
but she's going to get it good."

All of us make a choice everyday how we are going to live our
lives. No one would have been surprised if little Eilleen had simply
become another person sunk in poverty - trapped by the reality of
a hard life.

Shania Twain, however, saw her future differently. She was not
content to stay where she was - determined to pay whatever price
necessary to achieve her dreams. Each hard thing did nothing but
strengthen her resolve and determination, teaching her how to
press through to success!

She learned to do the hard things. She learned how to spot
opportunity in every situation. She learned how to ask for what
she wanted - and just keep asking until she got where she
wanted to be. She learned how to fail, then pick herself back up
and do it again.

As Shania has now shown you the way to success...and now as
you create your own success, remember that you will succeed if
you choose to keep on trying!
______________________________

Beyond their magical beauty fireflies have a great lesson for us. Does the energy you expend radiate through the world, lighting the way to all you want in life? Fireflies for the Heart was created to teach you how to glow like the Firefly.

Self Talk, Are Your Thoughts Normally Positive Or Negative?

2009-04-25T11:17:00.001-07:00

Positive Self-Talk

One of the most powerful influences on your attitude and personality is what you say to yourself. It is not what happens to you, but how you respond internally to what happens to you, that determines your thoughts, feelings, and your actions. By controlling your inner dialogue, or your “self talk,” you can begin to assert control over every part of your life.

Your self-talk determines the majority of your emotional life. The words that you use to describe what is happening to you, and how you feel about external events, will trigger the emotions of happiness or unhappiness that you experience.

When you see things positively and you look for the good in every situation and in each person, you will become a very positive and optimistic person. Since the quality of your life is determined by how you feel moment to moment, you should make it a habit to only think and talk about what you want and keep your mind off of what you don’t want.

You are constantly faced with challenges, difficulties, and problems every day of your life. They are unavoidable and one of the inevitable parts of being human. But as you draw upon your resources to respond effectively to each challenge, you grow and become a stronger person.

When you look back over your life, you’ll see that you are the kind of person that you are because of all the difficulties and problems that you have had to overcome in your life. Without those setbacks, you could not have learned what you needed to know to developed the character and strength that you have at this point in your life.

Much of your ability to succeed comes from the way you deal with life. Having a positive mental attitude is indispensable for success and happiness. It is the key to success in business, and it is vital to building strong relationships with other people.

Everyone wants to be around a positive person with a cheerful attitude towards life. But no one wants to be around a negative person who is always pessimistic about everything. Your ability to develop and maintain a positive mental attitude, no matter what the situation may be, will play a critical role in any success you achieve.

One of the best ways to define a positive mental attitude is having “a constructive and positive response to adversity.” It is only when you are confronted with a setback or adversity that you really know if you have a positive attitude or not.

Anyone can be positive when things are going well. It is only when things are going against you, that you are able to demonstrate to yourself and others, that you have a positive character and personality.

One of the common characteristics of all high achieving men and women is that they recognize the inevitability of temporary setbacks and disappointments. They accept them as a normal and natural part of their life. They do everything possible to avoid problems, but when they come up, successful people learn from them and rise above them. They continue to move forward towards their goals.

Optimistic people develop the habit of talking to themselves in constructive ways. Whenever they experience adversity of any kind, they immediately describe it to themselves in a such a way that it looses its ability to trigger negative emotions. They are able to exert a sense of control by how they describe any event or situation to themselves.

There is a natural tendency in all of us to react emotionally when our expectations are frustrated in any way. When something we wanted and hoped for fails to materialize, we feel a temporary sense of disappointment and unhappiness. We feel hurt and disillusioned. We react just as though we had been punched in the “emotional solar plexus.”

A person who is positive and optimistic is resilient and bounces back fast when he or she encounters a problem or setback of any kind. He or she responds quickly to an adverse event and interprets it as being temporary and only external.

An optimistic person takes full control of his or her inner dialogue and counters any negative feelings by immediately reframing the event so that appears positive in some way.

Since your mind can hold only one thought at a time, either positive or negative, if you deliberately choose the positive thought to dwell upon, you keep your mind optimistic and your emotions positive.

Since your thoughts and feelings determine you actions, if you keep your words and thoughts positive, you will automatically be a more positive person and move more rapidly toward your goals.

It all comes down to the way you talk to yourself on a daily basis. When a problem or difficulty comes up you must learn to change your language from negative to positive. For example, you should learn to use the word situation instead of problem.

A problem is something you wrestle and struggle with. It represents a potential loss and difficultly. A situation, on the other hand, is just something that you deal with. The event is the same. But the way you interpret the event to yourself is what makes it sound and appear completely different.

An even better word to substitute for problem is the word challenge. When you are faced with a difficulty of any kind, instead of saying, “I have a problem,” you should say, “I have an interesting challenge facing me.”

The word challenge is inherently positive. It is something that you rise to and that makes you stronger. It is again the same situation, only the word that you are using to describe it is different. As a result, your emotional response will be different as well.

The best of all possible words for any event or situation is the word opportunity. When you are faced with a difficulty of any kind, instead of saying, “I have a problem,” you should say, “I am faced with an unexpected opportunity.”

Within ever difficulty or problem, there lies the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or benefit. If you focus your attention on finding out what the valuable lesson is, you will always find it.

You should start your day in front of a mirror saying affirmations, such as “I like myself,” “I am the best,“ and “I can do it.” These are personal and positive affirmations that will build your levels of self confidence and self-esteem. You should say these affirmations out loud in front of a mirror at least 50 times a day.

By doing this, you will be driving these new positive thoughts deep into your subconscious. At first when you do this, you’ll feel kind of funny doing it, only because your mind over many years has been programmed with so much negativity that it will take time to reprogram your mind with these new positive affirmations.

The hallmark of the truly successful and happy person is the ability to be objective and unemotional when caught up in the inevitable storms of daily life. The high achieving individual has the ability to continue talking to himself or herself in a positive and optimistic way no matter what the situation is.

They are always calm, clear, and completely under control. As a result, they are able to exert a far greater sense of control and influence over their environment, and are less likely to be angry, upset, or distracted by problems or difficulties.

The starting point of becoming a more positive person is to monitor and control your self-talk every minute of the day. Keep your thoughts and words positive and consistent with your goals. Keep your mind focused on what you want and on becoming the person you want to be.

Remember that it is impossible to learn, grow and become successful without adversity and difficulties. You must rise above them in order to become a better person. So, welcome each difficulty as a learning experience and look into the situation to find something good or beneficial in it.

Always, keep your thoughts on your future and on your goals. Constantly think about the person you want to become. When things go wrong temporarily, respond by saying to yourself, “I believe in the perfect outcome of every situation in my life.”

Resolve to be cheerful and pleasant in every situation. Resist every temptation to respond to a situation negatively. View disappointment as an opportunity to grow stronger, and talk to yourself and others about it in a positive and optimistic way.

When you practice positive self-talk, and keep your words and your mental pictures consistent with your goals, nothing can stop you from being the success you are meant to be.

Copyright© 2005 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved worldwide.

Joe Love draws on his 25 years of experience helping both individuals and companies build their businesses, increase profits, and achieve total success. A former ad agency executive and marketing consultant, Joe’s work in personal development focuses on helping his clients identify hidden marketable assets that create windfall opportunities and profits, as well as sound personal happiness and peace.

Read more articles and newsletters at: http://www.jlmandassociates.com

Happiness Is Not An Accident, Just Be Happy!

2009-03-05T04:19:00.004-08:00

Happiness--A Critical Life Skill You Can't Do Without

Wayne Dyer tells us, "Change your thoughts and you change your life." Few people would argue with such ancient wisdom. However sometimes it is easier said than done.

I have spent years actively learning strategies to develop an authentic positive mindset and eliminate negative thought patterns. It's an ongoing process. Much like developing a physical muscle, you can't coast on your progress. Muscles atrophy when they're not used, both physical and mental muscles.

The good news is that there is a wealth of resources available to help. From uncovering limiting beliefs to dissolving fears, from choosing deliberate focus to envisioning a successful future, the tools are plentiful and accessible.

It's helpful to remember that happiness isn't an accident--it's a skill that can be learned, one that can help you feel better, resist depression and greatly improve your relationships and your life. A great place to begin building your happiness skill is to build your optimism muscle.

Psychologist, clinical researcher and bestselling author Martin Seligman has spent 25 years studying optimism and pessimism. In his book, Learned Optimism, he states that pessimistic thinking can undermine not just your behaviour but your success in all areas of your life.

"Pessimism is escapable," he writes. "Pessimists can learn to be optimists."

By altering your view of your life, you can actually alter your life, he says. The first step is to recognize your "explanatory style." What do you say to yourself when you experience a set back?

When you find yourself caught in pessimistic thinking, use the following strategies offered by Price Pritchett in his book, Hard Optimism: How to Succeed in a World Where Positive Wins, to build your optimism muscle.

Recognize and Dispute Pessimistic Thoughts. Don't allow your mind to run on autopilot with negative thoughts getting free rein to spread unhappiness. When you notice the negative thoughts, refocus on past successes, emphasize your strengths, look for what is good about the situation, and identify solutions.

Don't Accept Problems at Face Value. When trouble hits, give yourself a short period of time to let the initial shock wear off, then switch your attention from worst-case to best-case thinking. This reframing counters the tendency to overestimate problems and underestimate your ability to handle them successfully. Positive reframing creates space for optimism, nurtures hope, and adds to your resilience.

Make Hope a Habit. Hope helps move us in the direction of our goals and ambitions. Research proves that hope improves our chances for success, increases happiness, and is good for your health. Hope energizes and mobilizes us, serving as a catalyst for action. Because hope links directly to our confidence level, it inspires us to aim higher, put forth more effort, and have more staying power.

Practice "Spiritual Optimism." Joan Borysenko, psychologist, speaker and author of several books, including Fire in the Soul, encourages people who experience feelings of despair and hopelessness in times of crises to remember it takes courage to live, and that we can find that courage by facing our fears, finding support and using prayer or meditation.

A critical belief that underlies all of these points is the existence of choice. You are free to choose the focus of your attention, your interpretation of a situation, and your actions. By choosing to focus, interpret, and act on situations in a positive and optimistic manner you create a joyful, successful life that continues to build a positive momentum. What more can you ask for!

I invite you to share your thoughts on this topic. What strategies do you use to build your optimism muscle? What makes you happy? To join the discussion, visit my blog.

by Sheila Betker

Sheila Betker is founder of Freedom to Dream, a company dedicated to connecting women with their true life's purpose and helping them build the life of their dreams. To sign up for a free 10-part ecourse entitled, Living Your Dream Life: Step By Step Guide to Living Your Life on Purpose, visit: Freedom To Dream.

Say No With Grace And Compassion (When You Need To)

2009-03-03T07:00:00.002-08:00

There are times in our life when we just need to say "NO" to a request from someone wanting some of our time or effort, or take us into a situation we just don't want to be in.

Here are a few ideas that can take you out of that situation and let them know that you do care about them, so they don't get the wrong idea.

Say No With Grace and Compassion

The hard part of saying "no," especially to friends and family, is that you simply don't want to hurt someone. After all, you think, they wouldn't have asked if they didn't really need or want it, would they?

And, as social beings, most of us want to be helpful. Helping is part of survival for the family and community. It's bred into us at home, and reinforced in school, on T.V. and in all sorts of literature.

Also, we've been trained to consider saying "no" to be rude. Unacceptable. Provocative. We get that notion reinforced by the number of people who show anger or disappointment when we say it. Additionally, we get anxious when people are angry or disappointed with us. We feel guilty when someone obviously feels rejected.

If that weren't enough, many, many folks take "no" as a challenge or as a starting point for negotiation. In fact, salespeople are specifically taught to take "no" as the opening salvo in a battle to get to "yes." (Of course, if you are a parent, you already understand the challenge process and tactics from in-depth experience.)

Add all of that to the abiding human need to be needed, and you've got a whopper of a problem about saying "no."

Nevertheless, for whatever reason -- and just not wanting to do it is good enough -- you have to say "no." So you want to do it well. You want to be firm and believable. You want to have your "no" be accepted and unchallenged. You want everyone to walk away feeling good about it. Or at least without any resentments or damage to the relationship.

So, here are a couple of techniques you can use to put yourself in a good frame of mind and mode of communication to be both compassionate and graceful in refusing a request or offer:

• Smile. Smile a genuine, grateful smile of appreciation for having been asked to be of help. Say "no" in with a tone and attitude that reflects the gratitude of your smile.

• Imagine having to saying "no" to someone you love and really want to help. Picture it in full color detail. See that person's face and allow yourself to feel your affection and good will for him or her. Practice various ways of saying "no" while in that caring state of mind. Use the same image in the real situation as well as in practicing.

Try practicing variations on some of the following to find your own "no" voice. Get a variety of friends to practice with you and give you feedback on how you're doing. (One practice partner is not enough -- you need to practice with several people who have different perspectives. And, by the way, if someone you ask to help says "no," accept the refusal graciously.)

Ways to phrase refusals:

• Generic: "Thank you for thinking of me, but no, I just can't. Let me suggest someone else who might."

• Generic: "Sorry, but I just don't have the time right now. I think X might help out. Do you want his phone number?"

• Generic: "I'd like to help, but I'm not able to now. Is there another time that I could work with you on that?"

• Invitations to do something you don't like, by someone you do like: "Thanks, but the truth is I really hate baseball (or ballet or opera or whatever). Let's plan to do something we both like, some other time."

• When asked to do something that's just plain wrong (cheating, fraud, harmful lies, etc.): "No, I'm not willing to do that, and I'm concerned that you might be harmed (get in trouble) if you do that. Are you open to other suggestions?"

Take the time to write out a list of refusals of your own, similar to the ones above. Make sure to practice them so that you can deliver them calmly and kindly in the real situation and so that you are always prepared to say "no" effectively.

Be warned: no matter how compassionate and caring you are, some people won't take no for an answer and you'll still end up with a power struggle. Some people will be hurt. Some people will be resentful. And sometimes relationships will end when you don't give the other person what they want. You can only do your best.

by C.S. Clarke

C.S. Clarke, Ph.D. is a psychologist and publisher of http://www.Superperformance.com a Performance Impact, Inc. property. http://www.Superperformance.com publishes human performance and self-improvement articles, link directories, e-books, and many other tools for improving human performance and productivity, for career development, and for personal achievement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C.S._Clarke,_Ph.D.

No Fear, No Fear, No Fear, Say Yes!

2009-03-03T06:49:00.001-08:00

In a culture full of reasons to say "no", it takes a lot of courage to find ways to say "yes".

We're taught to say "no" from a very young age, after all. For most of us, our first word was "no'', and it quickly became our favorite word. As toddlers and teenagers, we used "no'' to differentiate ourselves from our parents, peers, and surroundings.

It's how we began to control what was happening around us, or at least, how we tried to control that. It helped us over those early developmental hurdles, and gave us our earliest sense of our personal boundaries -- and that's a lot of significance bound up in such a tiny word!

The problem isn't that "no" in and of itself is somehow bad; indeed, giving yourself permission to say "no" as an adult can keep you out of an awful lot of trouble.

The problem is that "No" begins to take on a life of its own. Too often, that life is yours.

Life is change, and "no" becomes a way of slowing down that change, or trying to stop it altogether. It is a shield we use to protect ourselves from having to experience anything new or different.

Rather than riding the wave of change into a life full of exhilarating possibilities, we use "no" as a tether to keep us safely confined to the kiddie pool.

Using "no" to protect ourselves from change is like a kitten poking its head under covers assuming it's completely hidden.

Change is going to happen, whether you say "no" to it or not. And, just like that kitten, assuming that "no" protects you from change is one sure way to have it pounce on you and bite your tail.

Let's be honest here: We usually say "no'' out of fear, and some fears are entirely reasonable. It's sensible to say "no'' to jumping off a bridge or "no'' to cake if you are diabetic. These "no's'' aren't the ones that keep us from living lives of incredible satisfaction and happiness.

It's those silly, neurotic fears like fearing rejection, or of looking stupid, or being wrong. It's the fear of commitment, the fear of speaking out, and the fear of facing our truest, deepest desires.

The list is nauseatingly long, and we've all bought into some of these at least once. These fears have shaped our lives, often to our detriment and sometimes to the detriment of those around us.

So the next time you're faced with something new and exciting and all those little neurotic fears start rioting inside you, what does it take to fight down a "no" and say "yes" instead?

In a word: Courage.

Like the Cowardly Lion (an archetype for the fear-ridden) we need to find our courage. Unlike him, we know that we have to face our fears, and find our courage within.

Inside each of us beats a brave, fiercely courageous heart, willing to take on a challenge if it means that life afterward will be more authentic, happier, and free.

What better challenges to tackle than the fears that keep us chained to our tiny, boring, closeted little lives?

Do yourself a favor: Right now, identify and tackle at least one of those inner fears. Find a reason to say "yes" today, and every day. You've only your inner coward to lose!

by Rev. Dr. Alesia Matson

Rev. Dr. Alesia Matson is co-founder of Reasons to Say Yes! a community of like-minded souls who are determined not to allow internal fears to limit or inhibit the broad range of joyous experiences available to them in this life. She teaches and writes articles on meditation and self-improvement, and is the author of 7 Mysteries: Contemplative Arts for the Modern Mystic. Contact her at alesia@reasons2sayyes.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Achieve Your Goals Faster Using These 5 Steps

2009-01-12T18:47:00.003-08:00

Image via Wikipedia5 Ways to Focus and Stay on Task

Each day, there are dozens of tasks that are calling your name, both at work and in your personal life. With life being so busy it’s easy to lose focus on the big picture.

How many times have you gone to bed wondering what you actually accomplished that day? Or have you ever felt like your day was somehow wasted?

To avoid these feelings, you can try a few different methods to get yourself back on track. Rather than bemoaning your wasted time, resolve to regain your focus and get back on task.

Confucius Says...

There’s a famous quote about focus by the great philosopher Confucius: “If you chase two rabbits, you catch none.” True, there might be people who are able to multitask and do it relatively well; but more often than not, people who split their attention between two different tasks have a more difficult time completing both tasks well.

Here are five ways to maintain your focus and stay on task:

1. Eliminate the distractions. Get rid of the barriers that are causing you to avoid getting things done – it’s that simple! Forget about checking email every five minutes; those emails will still be there when you complete your task. Make a list of distractions and eliminate!

· Turn off the phone and let the voice mail take over.
· Close the blinds in your office.
· Turn off the music if you find yourself singing more than working.
· Simply closing the door to your office can give you more privacy and more focus.

2. Prioritize your work. Rather than working on projects simultaneously, take one thing at a time, focus on it, and worry about all the other projects later. Ultimately, you’ll get a lot more done and you’ll finish it more quickly. You’ll also be recognized for the high quality that you deliver when you’re free from distractions.

· Find a way to prioritize that works best for you. Choose either the project that has the earliest deadline or the one with the least components so you can finish it quickly and get it out of the way. There are pros and cons to both systems so tackle it whichever way works for you.

3. Tell everyone to respect your time. There are many nice and respectful ways to tell people to back off. If you’re finding yourself in a time crunch and can’t seem to get away from others, consider letting them know that you need time to finish some important tasks. There are a lot of different ways to do it – just make sure you do!

· Set times that you’ll accept phone calls and even visitors. Tell them to contact you by email and then set a regular time to check your email.

· Set business hours during which people can expect you to return their calls or emails.

4. Set some limitations with your internet access. The internet is wonderful but it can be a huge time waster, especially if you work at a computer all day long. Hone your focus with some self-imposed rules.

· First, close all those windows you’re not using. Avoid MySpace or Facebook, quit searching on eBay, and leave messenger alone while you're on the job!

· Establish certain times each day to use these fun things and just focus on what you have to do. You’ll quickly accomplish more!

5. Have confidence in your abilities. This may seem like a really small thing when it comes to focusing and getting back on task, but believing that you can get everything done that you set out to do puts you in a positive frame of mind and you’ll be less distracted with stress and worry.

· Have confidence that you can complete each task with ease and believe in your ability to deliver. If you’ll just have the confidence, you’re sure to have the focus!

Now that you’ve been introduced to five ways to focus and stay on task, it’s up to you to take action and learn how to focus your thoughts. If you’ve got to get stuff done, follow these steps so you can put yourself – and your goals – first!

Benefits To Goal Setting For 2009

2009-01-04T20:34:00.006-08:00

If you are not already setting goals or making New Year's Resolutions then you should really get busy and complete this very important life task. This past week I have been reviewing my 2008 results and making 2009 plans.

Goal Setting has always been an important skill for me to have and I believe in it entirely. Goal Setting is a technique that can be very powerful and can result in some great returns in all areas of your personal and professional life.

It can exponentially increase your productivity inside the time frames you have available. However, you must be very specific and avoid generalities in your goal setting strategies.

At a very simple level, goal setting lets you determine where it is that you want to go in life.

On a more complex level, goal setting can be a vision that is long term and comes with the motivation to change your entire life.

When you know what it is that you want to achieve you can set goals and focus on taking the steps to make them a reality.

When you set goals that are clearly defined you’ll be able to measure them and feel proud as you achieve each one.

Forward progress for small goals is crucial so that you can find motivation for your bigger goals.

Some of the non-material things that you accomplish when you set goals include:

• An increase in your improvement level.
• An increase in satisfaction for what you accomplish.
• A feeling of pride for achieving personal and professional goals.
• An improvement in your self-confidence.
• Fewer attitudes that are holding you back from being happy.

Studies show that when people effectively set goals they suffer less from anxiety and stress. An increase in self-confidence can help you to concentrate more fully on both your personal and professional life.

Not to mention that you successfully achieved what you went after . . . (GRINS).

We have a FREE Ebook version of "The Power Of Setting Goals" available from our Free Ebooks And Reports section of the RGG Ezines page. Just scroll down and download it FREE.

Your New Year's Resolutions - How Are You Doing With Them?

2009-01-04T06:33:00.009-08:00

Cover of Go For It!New Year’s Resolutions – Resolving to Make Things Happen

Every January 1st, millions of individuals make a pledge to themselves to make specific changes in their lives. By February, most people's goals have begun to languish, if not altogether dissolved. They pledged but didn't commit.

What makes New Year's resolutions so very hard to keep?

Why does it become so difficult to keep the momentum going?

Oftentimes, the problem is simply that our goals are too lofty, too unrealistic, too out of reach. We set ourselves up for failure by setting goals that are very difficult to achieve. Sometimes we go too big without preparation and good planning.

So how can you beat the odds and keep your New Year's resolutions? The best way to succeed in keeping your New Year's resolutions is to come up with a personal plan. Construct a strategy for success.

Here's how to make things happen. Resolutions are just goals. The only difference is the "vocabulary" you use.

Spend some time contemplating your goals before acting. Many individuals tend to operate out of a vague sense of dissatisfaction with the way things are going in their lives.

Achieving your goals often demands that you take a time out from your life to seriously examine your life trajectory.

Be honest about what you want. What do you really want? When answering these questions, you will have to put aside the needs of your family members, friends, and personal relationships. You must be honest with yourself.

Also ask yourself, "What has kept me from achieving my goals"? What are you most afraid of? This period of contemplation is paramount to realizing your goals.

If you simply act before thinking, chances are you will begin the process of realizing your goals unprepared. You will run into obstacles and abandon your goals when the going gets tough.

By contemplating your desires and motivation beforehand, you are more likely to be prepared to encounter the obstacles and challenges you will probably face.

You should concentrate on one resolution at a time. Many people tend to make numerous resolutions, or lump several resolutions into one large category.

Be specific about what you want.

Write it all down.

The power of articulating and putting down in print your resolutions can be surprisingly powerful. It is very important that you be as specific as possible.

Don't make a promise to spend more time with your family or become a more healthy person.

Instead, pledge to spend two more hours a week with your family. If weight loss if your goal, resolve to lose two pounds a week. Be specific and realistic.

Set up a system of accountability designed to keep you on track. Many people abandon their New Year's resolutions because they simply forget the pledge they made at the start of the year.

Setting up a system of personal accountability ensures that you keep your goal at the front of your mind. Create a nurturing support system made up of friends and family members.

Research shows that people who are successful at realizing their goals feel a sense of responsibility to keep going. They made a pledge to themselves and others, and feel more pressure to keep their resolution.

Communicate your intentions to friends and family. Tell them about your New Year's resolutions. Explain what you are trying to accomplish, and why. Enlist their support. Encourage them to help keep you on task.

Also, you should not be afraid of exposing vulnerabilities or perceived weaknesses. Rather, you will find that most people will admire you for preparing to achieve your goals.

But remember that ultimately, success lies in your hands.

Make it as easy as possible to begin.

Another important consideration in working towards your New Year's resolutions is that you may need to start off small. Expect the process to be difficult, but still achievable.

Start by making small changes. If you are trying to lose weight, begin by integrating short exercise routines into your schedule.

The smaller you start, the better the chances that you will keep going. This will allow you to cultivate a sense of change in your life.

Drastic or massive changes in your life will be too difficult to keep going for a sustained period of time. Start off small, and keep going.

Be Passionate. Almost all individuals who successfully achieve their New Year's resolutions have chosen goals that they are passionate about. In order to be successful, you need to cultivate a sense of passion about your resolution.

If you are not passionate about achieving your resolution, you will be more likely to abandon it.

Passion creates determination. Determination creates persistence.

And persistence will almost always bring you to your goal.

After all you did make a "Resolution" didn't you? Didn't you resolve to accomplish your task?

Commit to it's execution and Go For It! (For more goal setting information check out our new Free Self Help Library section)

Expert's Secrets To Having Olympic Style Effectiveness Every Day

2008-11-24T15:58:00.002-08:00

Image by chazferret via Flickr9 Traits of Success - How Michael Phelps Won His Olympic Eighth Gold

Guest Author, Joan Clout-Kruse - Michael Phelps showed us the traits of success as he won his eighth Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games on August 17, 2008. Can you imagine the excitement and emotions going through Phelps, his family, and his teammates as he accomplished this Olympic record?

What about you? Do you have the traits of success just like Phelps? Are you as dedicated to your business and personal goals with the same zest as Phelps? Imagine what would happen to your goals if you were.

Do you want to achieve and exceed your goals? Take a look at the nine traits of success below and set up your own plan to raise the bar to "Go for the Gold."

9 Traits of Success

1. Work hard on your plan. We know that Phelps practiced many years to achieve the Gold record he has today. How hard do you work on your plan? You have to work on them every day and keep your list in front of you.

Your first step towards the Gold is to write down the tasks you want to accomplish for the month and then determine what activities you need to do to achieve them.

2. Prioritize your tasks. Focus on the most important tasks and do them first. I imagine that Gold Medal Winner Michael Phelps at a young age learned how to swim before he started competing with others.

Phelps at age 15 began competing in the year 2000 at the Sydney Summer Olympics. He didn't win a medal. Five months later he won a world record becoming the "youngest man ever to set a world record." After that he began breaking his own world records.

Phelps always had a plan. Win or lose he just kept on going. Do your tasks one step at a time. Stay focused, prioritize your tasks, and do each activity until you get it done.

3. Avoid interruptions or obstacles. Do your best to avoid interruptions or problems that might distract you from accomplishing your tasks for the day. Sometimes you just have to shut off the phone and avoid reading your email messages.

Decide if an obstacle must be handled right now or if it can wait until you finish the task at hand. Stay focused. Last year Phelps took a nasty stumble and broke his right wrist. He tripped on a patch of ice while climbing into his friend's car in Michigan.

He was in despair after the fracture was discovered and he said, "It's over. I'm finished." During his rehabilitation he was confined to kicking in the pool with a kickboard and it strengthened Phelps's legs. He had a rough training cycle, but he did it.

The training made Phelps's kick stronger than ever and he was able to "kick his way to victory." He had a mission to win. Do you have a mission to win? Stay focused.

4. Learn what you need to know to complete your tasks. Sometimes we get stuck achieving our goals because we don't know how to do a step in the process. Can you imagine what it was like when Phelps was a child and the first time he had to go into the water?

He comes from a family of swimmers so he had ready-made swim coaches to help him along the way. It is important to find the answers you need from friends, mentors, colleagues and research.

We usually slow down, procrastinate, or avoid the next task when we don't have the answers. Don't let that happen to you. Be proactive and learn how to finish your task.

5. Stay focused on the solution, not the problem. When I was interviewing some Silicon Valley entrepreneurs a few years ago for a book I was writing, Cesar Plata networking guru, had an interesting philosophy on handling problems.

"Problems?" he said. "I have endured many personal and financial struggles but I never saw them as problems," he self-assuredly told me. "I see them as unmet challenges.

When something doesn't work you try another way until you achieve the results you want." Stay focused on the solution and soon you will have the answer.

6. Be responsible for your actions. If you get stuck, if your plans don't work, don't blame others. Don't blame the world.

Take charge of the situation.

Decide what YOU can do to move forward. There are no Stop signs-you have the GREEN light. "With so many people saying it couldn't be done," Phelps said upon winning his eighth Gold medal, "all it takes is an imagination, and that's something I learned and something that helped me."

Phelps didn't listen to others when they said it couldn't be done. Be responsible for your actions and your dreams can come true.

7. Be a team player. "Without the help of my teammates this isn't possible," Phelps said. Even solo professionals have a team: friends, associates, assistants, colleagues, mentors, coaches, and many others. Listen to your team. Support them with your wisdom and guidance as they support you.

8. When it gets tough, work one more day. Phelps said, "Nothing is impossible." When he broke his wrist, he kept on going. He never gave up. He practiced one more day, then another, and another.

He kept on breaking records. What records can you break? Can you work one more day even in tough times and improve on what you already accomplished? Never give up.

9. Although passion is listed last on this list, it is really first. You must be passionate about what you are doing in order to succeed. There is no doubt Phelps was passionate about his sport otherwise he would not have been able to overcome the obstacles that got in his way as he was reaching towards his goals.

Competitive swimming was his dream; it was his love. Nothing is impossible when we strongly believe in it. The passionate feeling that we have for something we love and believe in is like a feeling of mild ecstasy. It's a wonderful feeling. It drives us. It keeps up going.

Are you passionate about your dream, your business, and your actions? That is the key to "Winning the Gold."

Take these nine steps above and make them part of your life. They can help you achieve anything you desire.

If you get stuck, identify which step above have you bypassed then start working on it again. With a plan, your determination, and a passionate commitment you can achieve your dreams and goals . . . just like Michael Phelps.

Joan Clout-Kruse, International Low-Cost Marketing and Book Coach, is the author of one of the top weekly Ezine reports for small biz owners covering writing, marketing and publishing on anything words to make money and boost your business.

Sign up for her FREE weekly Ezine how-to articles today at Words4Money.com

The Key To Long Term Motivation Is Your Dream, Your Passion!

2008-11-19T17:14:00.007-08:00

Motivation is a popular topic when it comes to people's goals journeys. Usually when people run up against obstacles and brick walls, the success of their goals program is determined by their reasons for going for it in the first place.

Their dream, their motivational foundation, determines whether they continue on their path or just QUIT, and settle for second or third best.

IMHO, I have developed a number of habits which enable me or empower me to get things done. I believe that creating powerful habits is the key to a balanced, fulfilled life.

I crowd out the poor choices by consistently acting and moving towards my dream. That is not to say that I have perfected a strategy for staying on track yet, but, that I get back on track ASAP when I stray.

This article has been moved to the new site:

The Key To Long Term Motivation Is Your Dream

Remembrance Day - Lest We Forget

2008-11-11T11:51:00.003-08:00

Image by ViaMoi via FlickrThis morning I watched "We Were Soldiers" with Mel Gibson and a whole host of great actors. Watching this movie deeply reminds me of the sacrifices made by all of the men and women of the armed forces on my behalf during the many wars waged.

Even the act of tapping on these computer keys has been made significant. I can choose what I do with my life and it is because of people who have risen to the occasion and went to war to defend our way of life.

I am deeply moved each year on this day and any other day that I watch such great movies as this.

Thank you to the men and women of the armed forces who have given sometimes the ultimate sacrifice for protection of the very freedoms we enjoy each day. Thank you.

I will always remember. I will always remember. I treasure this freedom that has been paid for so dearly by so many.

Al

Are You Pumped About Life? Find Your Passion With These 6 Simple Steps

2008-10-26T09:12:00.004-07:00

Image by Motographer via FlickPump Up Your Passion In 6 Simple Steps - Guest Author JoAnna Carey, Carey'D Away Enterprises, LLC.

Love life. Lose track of time. Get caught up in the moment. Choose to be not only present but truly, utterly involved in the things you do. Sing, laugh, dance and play. Life really is too short to not participate passionately in every moment.

PUMP UP YOUR PASSION IN 6 SIMPLE STEPS:

1) Even when things seem to be going "wrong," look for the gem in each experience. Are you one of those people who take the same route to work every day? Do you always eat at the same restaurant? Do you choose the same parking space every time you visit your favorite haunts?

If you always do things the same way, you will always get the same results. Be willing to try something new. If you don't like what you try, you've got a perfect reason to try something new the next day. If you do like what you try, it will give you the confidence to continue to search for other things that add joy and passion to your life.

2) View each situation you encounter this week as an opportunity to live passionately in the moment. Here's an example: Your spouse or significant other is passionate about historic facts and monuments. You are not as interested in history but love to learn new things.

Therefore, when you travel together and visit notable places, your partner focuses on the historic significance and you focus on how this experience may apply to current events. By slightly shifting your perspective, you will be more able to become passionately involved in the moment.

3) Document some of the moments that stand out in your mind, either good or bad, and notice how your attitude affected the outcomes. Life really is about the journey. That is a difficult concept for those of us who are always striving toward a particular goal. Savoring the moment means allowing yourself enough time to celebrate each victory before rushing on to the next event.

When you're working diligently to live to your full potential, give yourself permission to accept a reward: take a day off work, have a nice dinner, visit a nearby attraction or park, plan a vacation, or throw a celebratory get-together. Above all, acknowledge that you accomplished what you struggled to attain.

4) Exercise regularly. An active lifestyle is vital to your well-being. If you are so busy that you won't schedule regular workouts, start by incorporating daily routines such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther away from buildings, walking instead of driving whenever possible, even pacing and stretching at your desk while on the phone.

Being busy is not an excuse to neglect your health. Exercise does not have to mean hours on an exercise bike or trips to the gym. Give yourself permission to improve your health and wellness without the guilt often associated with weight loss as the only objective.

5) Pencil in a few appointments with yourself! Amid today's culture of information overload and multi-tasking, taking time to "be" is a formidable challenge; grant yourself permission to schedule a few minutes of nothing! Be a trendsetter, write "alone time" in your calendar or take as many non-working lunches as you can for one whole week. Find at least 10 or 15 minutes each day to just sit quietly sipping your drink of choice.

Shun all outside input: no idle conversation, no telephone, no reading, no radio, and no television; the point is to just 'be" with yourself and your own thoughts. Use the time to think about where you have been, where you are going and how to live in the moment. This is not as painful as it may seem; difficult, and maybe a bit frightening, but you won't know if this can help you pump up your passion unless you try.

6) Laugh at yourself! Don't take life too seriously. Whether you are happy, sad, embarrassed, confused, or even indifferent, learn to laugh at yourself. It's impossible to know everything. It's impossible to always do the right thing. Being human means making mistakes, learning from the experience and moving on to a new lesson.

To live a life full of passion, you will have to let go of the need for perfection. When all else fails, look for a reason to laugh at yourself. Let go of the need to control what will happen next. Giggle, belly laugh, laugh until you cry -- but just keep laughing and your pumped up passion is destined to unfold.

Use these six simple steps to create a more passionate lifestyle. When you decide to pump up your own passion you also seize the opportunity to add joy to the lives of others. A smile, a compliment, a small gift, or a card can make a world of difference in every life that is touched. Spread joy and your passion will soar!

About The Author:

JoAnna Carey, aka "The Rat Race Relaxer," is available for radio, TV and print interviews. She's an energetic, young entrepreneur who merges her life experience and business success to perform enjoyable, influential presentations. She is the producer and host of her own weekly television program titled The Rat Race RelaxerT Show and the author of Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life. Contact Carey'D Away Enterprises, LLC; www.RatRaceRelaxer.com .

Money: Scarcity or Abundance Attitudes?

2008-09-19T05:31:00.009-07:00

Well, we have been talking a little bit about Money lately and so I wanted to share a brilliant post by Steve Pavlina the other day . . .

I don't know how I missed this post, I follow his blog regularly in my RSS reader, but I did come across it today and I had a huge 'AHA!' moment . . .

Many of us simply do not regard our money as "the value of services we provided" and do not visualize money goals properly. We do tend to let our current environment tell us how much money we deserve, and therein lies the problem.

Our "belief systems" have been allowed to grow from what others tell us, and not what we have consciously decided or reset in our minds, about how much is 'a little' and how much is 'a lot'.

If we have never had much money and do not earn large incomes, there are certain amounts that scare us, typically amounts of money that are above our "pay grade". Steve outlines a solution for increasing proper money awareness.

Check this post out here: Money And The law Of Attraction

Here is a little teaser from StevePavlina.com but you really have to read the whole article in order to grasp the concept.

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Is $500 a large or small amount? It depends on your perspective.

If you’re in a scarcity mindset, it might seem like a huge sum. If you have a wealthy mindset, it may be a tiny amount. That may be hard to believe, but it’s true.

I used to think $500 was a lot of money. It certainly seemed so when I would end a month with less than $100 total. If I gained or lost an extra $500, it could make a difference in my finances for months to come. An extra $500 was a significant amount of money.

But after shifting my mindset about money to invite more abundance into my life, $500 began to seem like a tiny amount. $500 represents the cash I might carry in my wallet. If I gain or lose $500, it makes no real difference in my finances. $500 is a fairly insignificant amount.

Once I got my mindset to this point (which I did mostly by imagining what it would feel like to be there in reality), it wasn’t long before my reality began to reflect it. I became a “vibrational match” for earning larger sums.

At one point having more than $100,000 in the bank would have seemed rich or wealthy. But now it just feels normal… like duh, I’m supposed to have that much cash all the time.

Some examples of financial relativity

Here are some examples to help shed more light on the concept of financial relativity.

A realtor thinks having $50,000 cash is normal

Shortly after Erin and I first moved to Las Vegas in 2004, we were chatting with a local realtor who said she liked to keep at least $50,000 cash on hand at all times (not for investment, just for her personal money).

Erin and I gave each other a quizzical look. We thought she must be very snooty or elitist to feel that way. Why would anyone need that much cash?

Eventually we realized that our reaction to her statement was precisely why we could never save up $50,000 in cash. We were pushing it away from us by assuming it was too much money to hold onto. Having $5,000 cash was . . . Read the rest of Steve's article: Money And The law Of Attraction

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Pursue Success With Passion and Purpose

2008-09-17T20:05:00.004-07:00

Guest Author Dennis Kelley - A while back I had lunch with a friend and we were discussing how unhappy he was at his job.

He doesn't like his boss and believes the company is mismanaged and the work does not stir his passions any more. He has been in the same industry for many years and worked his way up to a good mid-level management position.

He makes good money and they live a comfortable life. He has done a good job saving money for his family's future as well. When he started in this industry it was a good job and provided well for him and his family as they started out.

But, now he feels unfulfilled and realizes this is not what he really wants to do with the rest of his career.

Does any of this sound familiar?

I asked him what he really wanted to do ... what his passion is and if he had no restraints he would pursue with a smile on his face and a kick in his step.

He immediately knew what that was. As soon as he started talking about it his face lit up, his voice became clear and he became animated describing it.

So, I asked him what was holding him back from pursuing that path.

He started talking about all the reasons he could not do it: he wouldn't make as much money to start as he does now, he would have to relocate; it would require him to take some college courses to get ready and that would take time and the list went on.

While he was talking he started to realize what he was doing. How he was letting his fears hold him back. What he was doing was making excuses to himself and, letting himself off the hook from following his dream.

He knew exactly what he wanted and he knew that his wife and family would support him all the way. Yet, he still was not taking action to move him closer to what he wanted.

We talked about what it would take to get started. You see, it's not necessary that he achieve the entire goal immediately. What is important is that he knows what he wants, sets out specific goals to get him there and a timeline to make it a reality.

Then it is about taking the first step. Just knowing that he was working toward the goal would have made such a big difference to his mental state and allowed him to have focus and hope.

Deciding what you truly want from life and then not pursing it because of your fears, is a sure way to become frustrated and to keep you from getting all you want from your life.

My friend has been going through the motions in his career for the past several years because he feels he needs to - not because he wants to.

That is changing now. He has made a commitment to start taking the classes he needs and developing the rest of his plan for his definition of success.

It is time for you to do the same thing. If the definition of success you wrote out really does stir your passions and speak to your heart, then you need to ask yourself, "What is holding me back and why?"

Realizing what is holding you back is a major step you need to take in your journey. You can't begin a journey to get what you really want if you let your fears get in the way.

Take the time right now to analyze your success definition and decide what is getting in your way. Talk to someone you trust about your dream and work out what it will take for you to get it.

This will allow you to begin to identify your goals and build the plan to finally get what your heart desires. Don't let anything get in the way!

by Dennis A. Kelley,

Author The D. Kelley Group - http://www.AchievingUnlimitedSuccess.com

dennis@AchievingUnlimitedSuccess.com

How To Get Rich By Setting Career Goals Effectively

2008-09-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

How to Set Career Goals Effectively

Guest Author Edmund Tai - In this article I am going to specifically guide you on setting goal to earn extra income by establishing your own career whether it's home based, freelance, online or offline.

My purpose of enlightening you on how to set your career goals effectively here is to make it as simple as possible. There are 12 easy to do steps:

1. Determining how much extra money you wish to make.(a specific financial goal)

2. Setting a time frame or deadline to achieve that financial goal you have set above.

3. Identify a clear purpose of WHY you wish to achieve that financial goal. This is crucial as it will give you a constant motivation and direction to keep you focusing on your financial goal throughout the process.

4. Set aside a specific time daily dedicated for this project. Block it on your calendar and do not allow other matters to interfere you for the time you have set apart.

5. Start by identifying an area where you have passion, strong interest, or area that you have skills, technical knowledge or experience. This is important as it will ensure the end result of your project much more effective and efficient.

6. Tape into a pool of resources where you can take your time to search for your desired information and required business tools. You can join and search for the relevant resources on the internet.

7. Ensure that your selected idea fulfills the following criteria:

• Low start up capital and low operating costs (as low as possible)

• Able to use channel that reaches out to widest possible target market or global market. (example: Internet)

• Inflation resistant- select needs/products/services that are not very much affected by inflation.

• Able to run it with time flexibility.

• No employee needed.

• Low competition products/services, try to modify it so that it's different from others

8. Once you have found your idea, do a thorough research about it. Gather relevant information through the available resources on the web. Remember a successful person takes up 70-80% of the time planning and 20-30% of the time executing the project. Work Smarter not just harder.

9. Once you have gathered sufficient information, take some time studying it. Do not copy other people ideas blindly. Make sure you modify it with your own creativity and plan your own promotional strategy. This will ensure your business stands out in the crowd. For more ideas on promotional strategy, search in my website, www.elibrarybank.com under software/tools category.

10. Before you start to set up your business, get some advice or opinion from people that you know about your ideas. If possible, try also to get some technical advice or professional assistant from your social contact who have expertise in those fields.

11. Calculate how much start up cost you need and make sure that's within your budget. In my website collections, we have hundred of ideas that require very minimal start up cost.

12. After going through all the steps above, you are now ready to start and running your own part-time business. Make sure you join the right resource directory and stay connected with them for updates on money making ideas, tools and resources that will help you to achieve your success. It will save you lots of time in step 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11. You can visit my website or contact me if you want to learn more about how to set career goals effectively.

by Edmund Tai - Free resources download

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edmund_Tai

Do You Have Goal Setting Worksheets For Your Goal Setting Program?

2008-09-16T18:54:00.001-07:00

How Can Goal Setting Worksheets Help You?

Goal setting can be done in many ways. For example, you could simply think about it, make big plans or even use goal setting worksheets. Success is determined by a system that can streamline the process. Join me as you discover how goal setting worksheets can help you.

In any goal, there is always a way for its achievement. We can look at the success as a spectrum. On the one end, failure, and on the other, success. To achieve success then needs to do things different. After all, we see many people who have a goal, even if they haven't consciously thought about it. For example, those who want a Yacht, and want to retire to a sunny beech, but in most cases never do.

I truly believe that every goal you desire for the fulfillment of, you can achieve. However, tools are needed. You can't put on a new tire on a car, without effective tools, not can you succeed without the effective tools.

In goal setting, this is the goal setting worksheets. You see, from that spectrum of success, we can see less we do, less we get, and the more we do, the more we get. This applies in most cases but not all cases.

You could plan to make a cup of coffee, and make it into a 100 page business plan of how you will make the coffee. What we need is a simple way to do things. A goal setting system with goal setting worksheets that make this possible.

There are many places that offer goal setting worksheets, and some even offer comprehensive goal setting systems. These can be a great way to keep things simple, without having to fall short on the necessities of goal setting.

You can think about a cup of coffee and make it without plans; however, you can't just leave your life goals to such chances. They must at the very least be written down on paper. Even if you don't have a goal setting system, simply writing it down, will improve the likelihood that you will achieve that goal.

If we look at that success spectrum again, we will find that there are things we can do to either make it more likely to manifest in our lives, and decrease the time to achievement. Achieving both of these is a science and an art in goal setting.

It needs smart goal setting. And smart is all about finding solutions that makes life easier, cut down the time to achievement, and increase likelihood of success. This takes time, and even with a full on system, you may find that you can tweak the goal setting systems to meet your needs.

Goal setting worksheets are great for many reasons. Once you use them over time, you will find them become second nature. And then your goal setting will take on a new meaning. With you setting goals and achieving them on almost a daily basis.

By Koz Huseyin

Find out more about smart goal setting and the goal setting worksheets I use, and get your free eBook worth $7, where I give you the 10 best goal setting ideas. Get your copy by visiting: http://www.howtogoalset.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Koz_Huseyin

Practice Positive Self Talk - Believe In Yourself!

2008-09-15T21:21:00.006-07:00

Self Improvement - What Are You Telling Yourself?

Guest Author Krystal Kuehn - Did you ever listen in on your self-talk? Most self-talk messages are an evaluation of some kind. We evaluate our work, feelings, experiences and our lives. We determine what is good or bad; and what is acceptable or to be rejected.

Many people evaluate themselves negatively. They might call themselves "stupid," "lazy" or some other unbecoming label. Maybe that is how you talk to yourself as well. You might not think anything of it at the time or even realize that it is actually damaging to your self-esteem.

From the time we are born we are evaluated, judged and labeled. We receive both positive and negative feedback about our performance, traits, and habits. We are told what we did right and what we did wrong.

We constantly receive messages of approval and disapproval. All of this shapes our identity and determines what we believe about ourselves. Eventually, we repeat to ourselves the messages that we've heard and now believe.

Both positive and negative messages have a tremendous influence on a person's self-esteem as well as their attitude. Think of a time when you were encouraged and strengthened to believe in yourself as a result of someone's positive feedback and faith in you.

Conversely, imagine a time when you lost your confidence and felt like giving up because you believed a negative message of criticism and defeat.

No one likes to be negatively evaluated, judged or put down. Yet, it is all too common to focus on what is wrong with ourselves and others instead of what is right; and, to overlook strengths and worth.

As a result, many end up feeling that they fall short. And, they spend their lives trying to live up to certain standards in order to feel good about who they are and what they are capable of.

Everyone needs to feel intrinsic value and worth. Everyone has strengths, assets, potential, intrinsic beauty and worth. If we look for these things and all that is good in ourselves and others we will find them.

We can make a conscious choice to set aside our negative evaluations, judgments and criticism. We can compliment instead of criticize, defend instead of blame, build up instead of tear down, and accept and love instead of judge or reject.

Much of whether or not we will do these things depends on the kinds of messages we listen to and believe.

We don't have to replay those old messages that leave us with negative labels and discouraging self-talk. The only way to stop listening to them is to begin listening to messages of encouragement and hope.

We want to hear the truth in love. Messages of simple acceptance of who you are, messages that help you see yourself as valuable, special, and worthy, and messages that build you up to believe in yourself can become louder and louder as we begin to speak them to ourselves and others.

by Krystal Kuehn

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a licensed professional counselor, author, teacher, and musician. She specializes in helping people live their best life now, reach their full potential, overcome barriers, heal from their past, and develop a lifestyle of health, happiness, and love.

Krystal is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a marriage and family counseling center and BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning self-improvement and personal growth site where you can find hundreds of free resources, online workshops, video presentations, insights, and inspiration.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krystal_Kuehn

How Do You Organize Your Day Around Your Goals?

2008-09-13T05:13:00.003-07:00

Goal Setting, to Do Lists and Day Planners Considered

Guest Author - Lance Winslow - Ask any organized person if they have a system to help keep them on the track to success and they will probably laugh at you, but then explain how they keep their schedule going using a day planner, PDA or perhaps a To Do List.

Some folks do all this and more, and they are the most successful people amongst us. Why, because they know how to set goals and what they must do to achieve those goals.

They have an advantage over other folks because they write it all down and keep track of it all. The bigger picture, their life's goals and all the little micro-goals that are necessary along the way.

They treat all goals as if they are the main goal and fight to stay up with their assigned tasks that will lead them to these goals. Perhaps, when you see someone with a PDA, To Do List or a day planner in tow, you will realize that you are looking at a successful person.

No, not all of them are totally successful, but they are all on their way, because keeping tabs on the mini-goals of each day is how you keep up the pace to achieve the bigger goals, the ones, which really matter and ultimately decide your success in life, career or sports.

You can either set yourself up for failure by doing nothing or taking it easy without incrementally moving forward each day, or you can strategically plan your successful journey using all the tools at your disposal. Please think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Vocabulary Words To Live By for Healthy Relationships

2008-09-02T20:38:00.004-07:00

Read a great piece today about Words To Live By. Somewhere in my past I found it, wrote it out, and then promptly misplaced it. It isn't mine, but anonymous. Anyway, here it is. I thought it has merit and maybe you will enjoy it too.

Words To Live By

It’s not always easy being in a relationship. Friends and lovers aren’t always going to agree with everything you say or think, but that’s a good thing. Hearing someone else’s point of view is the best way to educate your self and to remind yourself that you aren’t always right.

Besides, loneliness is much worse than compromise. For long, healthy relationships, these are 10 words to live by:

1. Trust:

If you can’t trust someone, do you really want them to be in your life? Make sure you earn their trust by being open, honest and a good listener and friend.

2. Honesty:

If you are always honest, then you prove you can be trusted. Honesty might be tough sometimes, and though the truth can hurt, knowing it can only make you better and stronger as a person, and a friend.

3. Time:

As in, take the time to listen to your friends. Spend time with those you love, and take time out of your busy day to remind them just how much they mean to you.

4. Forgiveness:

Forgiveness has a double benefit: You feel stronger for being the better person, and those who have wronged you feel better knowing that you have been able to forgive their sins. It’s a time tested trait that everyone needs to learn.

5. Compromise:

No one always gets their own way. The ones that do probably don’t actually have any true friends, just hangers-on. A trait of true friendship is understanding that you aren’t always going to get your way, though sometimes you will. Give a little, get a lot.

6. Agree:

As in, agree to disagree. Why keep fighting over something that will never be resolved? Get over it, forgive and move in with the knowledge that even through troubled times, you can still make your friendship work.

7. Communication:

Communication is essential for understanding what is going on inside someone’s mind. No one knows what you are thinking until you let tell them. Keep the lines of communication open at all times, and you’ll be stronger for it.

8. Listen:

Being a good listener is being able to listen without judging. If a friend needs to get something off their chest, just be there for them, and let them do the talking. When you need the same, they’ll be there for you.

9. Love:

Learn to love without prejudice and without guilt. True love sees no borders and knows no boundaries. By the way, Love is a verb, you do it so you can feel it.

10. Learn:

Learn from your mistakes in your past. Learn how to love. Learn what makes your friends happy, and learn what it means to truly be a good friend.

There is no greater feeling than being loved and respected by those who surround you. And being a true friend is the gift that keeps on giving.

-------------------------------------------------

Thanks for listening . . .

Al

Goals! How To Hold Your Focus When Life Challenges Arise

2008-08-26T20:53:00.007-07:00

Goals! What Do You Do When Life Gets in the Way?
- Dale Stuemke

Is life fighting against your goals as hard as you're working to achieve them? Sometimes it seems like it. You have an important goal and a good action plan, but you find yourself distracted, you can't focus. What's going on?

Situation One: Life Throws You a Curve Ball

This really isn't unusual, but it can certainly stop our progress. It can also cause doubts about whether we can really complete the plan and reach our goal. Let's look at this, I have a suggestion or two for you to use to defeat the distractions of life.

Have you ever had life really can get in the way of your goal achievement? I've experienced it many times. In fact, life seems to really go after me after I've set goals!

Sometimes we set work plans that turn out to be a bit too ambitious. Other times we will experience something that is just totally unexpected. Often something happens that disrupts more than just our goal plan. There can be health issues that pop up and require our total attention. There also can be other emergencies that throw themselves into our lives at the most inopportune time.

My wife and I had one of those inopportune events. We came home after being gone for a long weekend to find that a water pipe had broken and had run water into our home for three days! All of a sudden we were living in a hotel and dealing with the insurance company, contractors, and all sorts of problems we hadn't planned on. Life really did get in the way!

When something like that happens, you really need to accept the fact that your priorities have temporarily changed. Once you understand what the new priority requirements are you can make some adjustments to your work plan. This is really no different than when you find something in your work plan that doesn't produce the results you expected. You adjust the plan to fit the situation.

But remember, you are not throwing your goal out! The reason you are adjusting your plan is to keep the goal in place, even if its achievement is somewhat delayed.

Situation Two: No Curve Ball, Just Life

It's pretty easy to understand how you need to adjust to dramatic events in your life. But, what about life just taking its normal course and still distracting you from your goal? What about the more "normal" distractions? How do we deal with them? That's a little different topic and can require different tactics!

We need to learn to use specific techniques to hold our focus and overcome "daily life" distractions.

There are at least two different types of distractions. The first is where you've established your work plan, but, after diligently trying to follow it, you just can't fit it and the rest of your life into the 24 hours you get each day. You find yourself letting things that should be lower priority take time from your work plan. The second case occurs when your work plan is just too aggressive.

You need to carefully examine the situation to see which of these is the case. If lower-priority activities are the problem, you'll need to push those into their proper place. If your work plan is truly too aggressive, you'll need to carefully rework your plan so it fits into your life properly.

That sounds like an over simplification, but it really is that simple. We can try to find all kinds of reasons why our problems are different, but they probably fit into those two categories...unless...

What about the times when you are just struggling with maintaining your focus. You know what that's like as well as I do. Maybe you find yourself procrastinating instead of taking the actions you know are needed. Maybe you're starting to doubt whether you can really do it. You might be thinking "Yeah, those others did it, but can I?"

I'm going to suggest that you learn how to talk to yourself. Really!

Start by writing your goal statement onto an index card. Make sure this is a positive wording of your goal. Next, be sure you have that card with you at all times. Read your goal statement aloud, with excitement and energy.

Do this at least three times a day. Early in the morning, in the middle of the day when you're in your routine, and the end of the day are the best times. (If you really want to add power, read it seven times at each of those three times!) When you do this, you will be helping your brain keep its focus.

You will literally reprogram your brain to believe that you can achieve that goal. Your subconscious mind will be listening. It will hear your goal, and it will hear your excitement. Do this every day, and your subconscious mind will gradually keep you focused.

Does that sound preposterous? Try it for 21 days. Then look at the results, you'll be pleasantly surprised!

by Dale Stuemke

I'm a husband, father, and grandfather. Through work in product development and marketing I've learned that goals are achieved with a good plan, focused effort, and commitment. Humans are designed to be achievers. Visualizing the future and achieving goals to make it a reality is uniquely human! I'm still dreaming my future into existence and setting goals to make it happen. Get my free report today and Launch Your Goals!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Stuemke

Mission Statement Revisited - Do You Have One For Your Life?

2008-08-10T18:58:00.002-07:00

How to Write a Mission Statement - Transform Your Core Values Into a Personal Mission Statement By Beth C. Hood and James J. Hood

You may expect your business to have a mission statement, but do you have a mission for your life? Is there something you want to accomplish, or something you care about deeply? Have you ever put it into words, into a personal mission statement?

Being able to state your own personal mission will help you clarify what your values are and what your real purpose is. Most people who have achieved greatness have been guided by a personal mission, even if they never wrote it down.

Your mission is like a T-shirt that you wear around. It tells everyone what you are about. Most important, it is a reminder of why you are here on Planet Earth.

You can keep your mission inside, but writing it out gives you better clarity and focus. A mission statement should be simple, distilled down to one sentence or, better yet, just a few words.

Your mission statement doesn't have to say anything about how you will accomplish this mission; you'll do that later, in your vision statement. Your mission may change depending on whom you are with and what you are doing, or just naturally over time as your interests evolve.

You'll likely have a different mission for each of the areas of your life that are most important to you. So that's where we'll begin, by looking at your personal core values:

1. Prioritize your personal core values Are your friends more important to you than family? Does fame seem more interesting than education? How does having fun compare with working hard? How about inspiration versus financial security? Your personal values are the things in life that mean the most to you.

Some people value inner peace, love, or family above all else, while others would put money, career, or education at the top of their list. There is no "right" list; they're like fingerprints; everyone's will be different. It's really helpful to discover what your core values are, since they will act as a compass, guiding you to what you really want in life.

You can better focus your time and energy toward achieving your goals when you begin to base your decisions and actions on your values.

Here is a shortened list of some top core values to get you started. Put the values in order, starting with the most important. Love, Health, Wealth, Comfort, Fun, Happiness, Success, Learning, Peace, Family, Adventure, Security, Friendship, Inspiration, Freedom, Service.

You can make notes next to any that may need a little more clarification. And you may want to check out more comprehensive values lists on the internet. One of our favorites is compiled by Steve Pavlina.

As an example, here is James' list of values: 1. Inspiration 2. Consciousness 3. Passion for what I do 4. Optimism 5. Love (of life and for others) 6. Marriage 7. Health 8. Family 9. Friendship 10. Empowerment (of others) 11. Sincerity 12. Generosity 13. Financial Security 14. Balance

2. Give each of your personal core values a mission Next to each life value, write out a quick mission statement. We like to begin mission statements with the phrase "to be".

Here are a few of James' mini mission statements: Inspiration -- To be inspired by life and to inspire others. Optimism -- To keep a positive outlook on life. Marriage -- To have a happy, committed, loving marriage

3. Write your primary personal mission statement Now it's time to come up with your primary mission. This is the one main mission that keeps you really jazzed about life. Here are a few different ways you can write your primary mission:

a. Pick the most important mission from those you already created.
b. Combine a few of your individual missions into one cohesive mission.
c. Come up with something completely different from your other missions that better describes your primary purpose.

As an example, here is James' primary mission: To inspire people to create the lives of their dreams.

How did he come up with it? After seeing how many areas of his life his value of inspiration affected, James decided to use that as his primary mission and build on it. He took a look at his other values and saw that empowering others and having a positive outlook on life were in the top ten as well.

Ultimately he chose a primary mission based on his passion-- a feeling that resonated in his heart-- which is what we want to encourage you to do too. We have found many approaches on how to write a mission statement, but through our experience, this method of turning your life values into your personal mission statement has proven to be the most effective and easy way.

You are never too old or too young to have a personal mission statement, and we'd like to encourage everyone to write one. It is ensured to give you clarity on your sense of purpose, and greater success in achieving your future goals and dreams.

Want to find out how to put your mission statement into action by turning it into a personal vision statement? Download a free e-chapter with fill-able pdf forms which walks you through the process step by step.

Beth C. and James J. Hood are the authors of Where's the Map? Create Your OWN Guide to Life after Graduation, the first of a series of interactive guidebooks designed to help you and your kids find, focus on, and achieve your goals. Subscribe to our blog for helpful advice for students, graduates, and parents about life after graduation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_C._Hood

Staying Motivated, Do You Employ Game Time Strategy?

2008-07-15T21:20:00.001-07:00

Here's How Tiger, Oprah, And Spielberg Stay Motivated
by Mike Litman

I want to share with you a powerful principle that I've used to change my life and that you can use to unleash your greatness.

Tiger Woods knows this.

Bruce Springsteen knows this.

Oprah Winfrey knows this.

Name someone great and you can bet dollars to donuts they know this as well.

Before I share this insight with you, I want you to know you don't always have to be on your 'game' and great.

"Mike, did you just say I don't always need to be 'great'?" Yes I did and let me explain.

I want to share with you the principle of what I call GAME TIME.

Let's look at the world class golfer Tiger Woods.

If you ever watched Tiger Woods play golf in a tournament, you saw an intense, fierce, focused athlete who is concentrating very intently on winning.

For those 3 or 4 hours of the tournament that day, Tiger Woods is 'someone else' and here's what I mean.

If you saw Tiger Woods 5 hours after the match with this wife at the movies, do you think he'd be so intense, so focused, so determined?

The answer is no way, he'd be relaxed, laughing, having fun.

Why this change in Tiger Woods from focused to laughing?

Because he understands the POWER OF GAME TIME. He understands that he only has to be GREAT and 'on' during the moments the game is on. Here's an example.

Let's say you're in sales and you prospect 4 hours a day or even 30 minutes a day. That's your ‘game time.’

You need to be focused, organized, have a plan and prepare. Have you ever seen a rock star on stage and they’re so energetic, running around and the crowd is going wild?

Check them out 4 hours after the concert - are they acting like that? No chance, they're acting their normal self.

Here's what you need to do.

You need to ISOLATE the times during the day that you need to be at your best. Maybe time with your clients, with prospects, working on a project at work.

For Tiger Woods, his game time is his gold match.

For Bruce Springsteen, it's when he's on stage at a concert.

For a great chef, it's when he's preparing a meal.

Isolate that time and then ask yourself this question:

If I was going to be powerful, focused and ready to win during game time, what actions would I take today, how focused would I be, and what would my next 2 action steps be?

It's funny, you don't need to be 'on' 24 hrs a day; find the 20% of your day that's GAME TIME.

When Steven Spielberg is directing a film, he changes into this focused, intense director. When is your GAME TIME today? Isolate it. Turn up your ENERGY and enthusiasm. And then give it your all.

Discovering your game time moments and maximizing them will bring you immense and quick rewards.

You can be as great as Tiger, Oprah, Spielberg, Michael Dell and the rest.

Talk to you soon.

Mike Litman is the co-author of the #1 Best-selling book Conversations with Millionaires. Over the last 3 years, Mike has unleashed the greatness of tens of thousands of people worldwide. Networking Times Magazine called Mike Litman ‘a modern day Napoleon Hill’ and at the age of 30 he’s already shared the stage with well-known speakers such as Mark Victor Hansen and Bob Proctor.
www.mikelitman.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Have The Courage To Say Yes!

2008-06-12T19:16:00.001-07:00

Is Winning Everything? Depends On Your Definition Of Winning!

2008-05-14T06:55:00.005-07:00

Picked up the following video from a tip from tkulser of Aweber on Twitter - Just had to pass this on, had me in tears.

WOW! How do I follow that? What an example of true winners . . .

Brainstorming, Cultivating Belief In Your Goals

2008-05-08T13:27:00.009-07:00

Following up on the last post, I have been asked how to create belief in your goal, if at first you are not sure you can do it. Yes, how do you create certainty for yourself? Or is it a leap of faith?

I think Belief is a critical requirement to getting what you want. I believe you must believe your goal is attainable or you will not make the efforts necessary to achieve it.

Here is how I generally start out.

Remember, I do believe that you have to have the Belief that you can do it and more importantly, that you will do it! Belief And Commitment combined . . . are unstoppable. This is why people with a cause are so persistent.

So first, give yourself a cause.

Choose one goal and commit to it's achievement. It seems that this is always the starting point isn't it? It must be something that you feel you can not live without, or you must develop that feeling for it to work. Remember, reasons first, then action.

Did you choose one?

Are you commited to making it a reality in your life? Did you decide that you must have it and absolutely will have it? Is it do or die? Are your reasons for having it, strong enough to propel you forward right now and compel you to action when you may not 'feel' like it?

If not, then choose another one, this is no time to waste your energy on something you are not serious about.

OK. Aggressively research and brainstorm all the ways you can get this goal.

Write them down quickly as you think of them. Use shortforms and abbreviations if you have to, but keep the flow of thought going for as long as it takes. This is a tremendously important part of the process.

Set out some quiet time for this, no interruptions allowed. Let others know that you are doing something of the utmost importance and you are not available for this time period. (Could be 1-2 hours)

Also, do not consider any negative thoughts while you are in the flow. Keep the positive momentum flowing and stay in the zone. There is plenty of time for exploring the negative after you finish with all of your positive ideas.

Finished? OK now, remember those negatives that kept coming up throughout the above?

What challenges or problems will come up when you start taking action? What do you see happening or preventing you from getting what you want? Are there any limiting factors or bottlenecks that may delay or stop your progress?

Write these down also. You have to know what may stand in your way, so that you can address it within your planning. It is not good or bad, just what is.

Be honest with yourself, if you think it, write it down. There is no such thing as unimportant thought. It is all important, vitally important!

Next, come up with solutions that will take care of these problems.

Write down multiple answers to each problem. Stay positive and focused on your target. Write down everything that comes to mind.

All those things that could keep you from succeeding, come up with tons of ways to deal with them. This will give you unstoppable confidence and belief in your ability to have what you want.

Break down your solutions into action steps, into small workable tasks that you can complete quickly. Break each step down into 5 smaller actions. Then break those down into 5 smaller ones. Keep breaking down tasks until you have absolute belief in yourself that you can and will do it, right now, today!

In fact, Break them down until they are ridiculously simple!

Small, simple actions are easy to accomplish, and when these particular actions are put together, they equal the goal result that you want. Again, together they equal the goal result you want!

Belief becomes automatic because you "know" that there is nothing standing between you and the next simple little step, and so on to your goal.

All that is left is to work your plan. You created it, you are commited to it, you must do it, so just do it, and go get your goal. Start with the first step and complete it right now, today. So what are you waiting for? Go For It!

Are you still here? Go get that goal! LOL!

No plan is perfect so there will inevitably be obstacles and distractions, little things which will stand in your way for temporary periods of time. When this happens, just break these down.

And start again . . . and again. Stay flexible and adjust your approach when these occur. Believe, and have faith in the long term.

Adjust your plans and actions as necessary until you have what you want. The result is in the bag, it is a sure thing, all that will change are the strategies, and the timing. You will prevail. This is true.

If this is a major complex goal, you will want to work it backwards through smaller goals, and then break them down into action steps.

Focus on the solution instead of the fear or doubt. This strategy will work for any goal you pick.

Focus on what you want continuously, with passion, and with absolute faith, knowing that you have absolutely done everything necessary and are entitled. Act with that level of belief, and certainty that causes miracles to happen!

Believe it! Now . . . go make your own miracle!

I hope that helps. See you next time.

Life's Treadmill - Easy To Get On, But Can We Ever Get Off?

2008-05-04T09:51:00.002-07:00

Are You Bored With the Treadmill of Life?
By Gary Simpson

Every week for years and years you get up in the morning, go to work, come home, pay the bills, get up again, go to work, come home, pay the bills. Sound familiar? You're on what I call "the treadmill of life."

Unless you are happy with this existence you had better start doing something to change it. Because, if you don't, in ten years time, and with a few more wrinkles and some more gray hair, you will still be getting up, going to work, coming home and paying the bills.

You see, most of us get into this routine. Pretty much we fall into it, obliviously. Everybody else is doing it. It's just the done thing. Or is it?

Well, who wrote the script?

If this is "normal" for you then I can almost guarantee that after years and years of doing it you will one day wake up and wonder why you keep doing it.

Maybe it will be next year, maybe in a few years, maybe it will take another ten or twenty or thirty years. Hey, maybe you are wondering about it right now! Are you?

What are you going to do about it? What is the defining event that will allow you to jump off the treadmill? To answer that, you need to know why you are on the treadmill in the first place.

I can categorically state that 100% of people who are on the treadmill do it to pay those darn bills that seem to appear almost magically every day in our letter boxes.

Let me put you to the test. If you had no bills to pay and could exist comfortably without money would you still you get up every morning and tootle off to work? Well, would you?

Do you have something else that you would rather do with your time? Do you enjoy battling the highways and the subways with hundreds of thousands of other commuters?

What are you going to do about it? To replace your income will open up your life to a whole new spectrum of options. Think about it.

But how can you achieve such a thing? How can you replace your income? How can you get off the treadmill that will command your life until you retire?

Just think - when you "retire" with that nice little super-annuation and retirement benefit - then you can REALLY enjoy yourself. Heck, maybe you can even take that ski trip that you have spent all your youth waiting for.

Have I got you thinking? I hope so! Don't wait until all your youth and health has been spent in the system before you realize that there could have been so much more to life.

To learn how you can get off the treadmill click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Do You Have What It Takes To Persevere? Develop Persistence.

2008-04-28T20:32:00.002-07:00

Perseverance - How To Quit Quitting

** The Definition Of Perseverance

From a dictionary: "Persisting in or remaining constant to a purpose, idea or task in spite of obstacles." Notice it doesn't start, "Wisely persisting..." Perseverance can clearly be a both a good thing and a bad thing. Remember that when you find yourself wanting to quit something. Quitting might be the wisest choice.

Of course, the problem with the idea that you should quit when something isn't worth the effort, is that it's often used as a rationalization. It comes to mind when the effort is difficult, but really is worthwhile. It's confusing at times, so how do you wisely persevere? There are three important aspects to consider.

Keys To Wise Perseverance

1. Self awareness: Notice when you look for excuses, rather than truth. Are you letting fear or laziness cause you to quit or procrastinate? If honestly watching yourself is difficult, explain your reasoning to a friend. Close friends may be more likely than you to know when you're rationalizing. (Think about it from the other direction and you'll see this can be true.)

2. Costs and benefits: To wisely persevere, you need to see the costs and benefits of what you are doing. If moving to Hollywood to become a star is going to cost you your business or family life, you have to see that clearly before you decide. An honest and good decision requires honest and good information.

3. Motivation: Once you've made a decision, and you're sure you made it for the right reasons, you have to motivate yourself. In fact, perseverance requires that you regularly re-motivate yourself. Write goals down, do daily affirmations, and whatever else you have to do.

Habit is the most powerful secret of success. Practice watching yourself to make self-awareness a habit. Practice analyzing costs and benefits objectively, and practice motivating yourself. By the way, there are many good motivation techniques, so if what you're doing doesn't work - go read up on them and try something else. That's perseverance.

By Steven Gillman

Steve Gillman writes on many topics including brainpower, weight loss, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. Learn more and get free e-courses at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

All Blame Is A Waste Of Time - Quote

2008-04-25T14:57:00.002-07:00

"All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you.

The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration.

You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy."

-- Wayne Dyer, Teacher

5 Simple Success Lessons From The Tortoise

2008-04-23T20:11:00.005-07:00

I was reading in my journal today (yes I have once again started to make entries), and I ran across a favorite entry of mine from long ago. Remember the old fable or story about the hare and the Tortoise?

The story where they raced each other and everyone expected the Hare to win because he was faster than the Tortoise. The moral of the story was slow and steady wins the race.

I tried to find out where I first found it so I could give proper credit but I was not successful. So, here is the piece I wrote down anyway because it touched me at that particular time in my life.

If anyone knows who wrote it, let me know so I can link to the credits. Thanks.

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Success Lessons From The Tortoise And The Hare

Here are 5 Simple Lessons of Success:

1. In Life, we may have our own limitations like not being able to run as fast as others, but even though we have our own limitations, we do have all we need to finish the game of life, that is to finish the race.

2.In Life, we may also be the underdog against the opposition, but there is always a potential in us to win and to succeed against the opposition.

3.In Life, when we start our race, our goals, our ambitions . . . as long as we don't stop, give up or quit and we just keep going, we just keep plodding along, we will get to the finish line and we will succeed. Consistency is the key, stay the course no matter what.

4.In Life, you don't have to be someone "gifted", you just have to be yourself to succeed.

5.In Life, the moment we think we are better than others or have a superior advantage, we become arrogant and it will hinder our success.

* END OF EXCERPT*
----------------------------------------

Just a reminder that all we need in life to win is already within us. We are perfect just as we are and have unlimited potential. So . . . Go For Your Dreams! Yes. Go For It Now!

See you next time.

Realgoalgetter Website Changes

2008-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Realgoalgetter Website is still undergoing some changes. We are now just a few months shy of our 5th birthday coming up, November 2008.

The Realgoalgetter Ezine is four years old as of a few days ago, April 1st. The Realgoalgetter Blog itself was actually started in May 2004, so it is also almost 4 years old. We lost the initial blog information through some difficult technical problems and restarted in January 2005. C'est la vie.

Over these few months, we will present a new look and format, as well as an increase in goals and goal setting related information offered on site. We are presently testing different formats and themes.

We are still in the middle of deciding how best to go about these changes.

Hopefully we will be able to affect this with minimal disruption to the site itself. I apologize if some of the links get messed up during this period of time.

Please bear with us while we improve our site's resources, and thanks in advance for your patience.

Al Smith, Realgoalgetter.com

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!

2007-12-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

For all those who celebrate the Christmas Holidays, I just wanted to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. I will not be posting much from now until just after New Years.

Like many others, I will be enjoying all the holiday season has to offer. Family, Friends, Fun, and Food. Thanks for a great 2007, and let's try to make 2008 even better.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Al Smith

What Is Your New Year's Resolution for 2008?

2007-12-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

2008 New Years Resolution - Enjoy Life More
By Fabio Marciano

Have a Happier Year in 2008. That is your New Years Resolution and here is how you are going to achieve it!

One of the most popular New Years Resolutions that people make each year is to enjoy life more, and be happier with their life. There are always so many things that you have to do each day that sometimes it is hard to enjoy life more, and to be happier. Here are a few ways you can be happier in the year ahead.

Find the Good in Every Situation

Always try to find the good in any situation. Yes, things will always go wrong. You might have to sit in traffic every day, or the meeting you have will run late. But instead of focusing on that part of your day, why not focus on the better parts?

If you think about the happier parts of your day, or the things that went well, you will find that you will be happier than if you focus on all of the bad things that happened.

Change Your Outlook

Most people expect things to go wrong, and therefore when they go wrong, are not surprised. Instead of expecting things to go wrong, start thinking of happier things and all of the good things that can go right in your life. It is incredible what the power of positive thinking can do, and if you change your outlook you will be surprised at how much better things can get.

Plus, if you start thinking of all of the good things that you want to happen, you will subconsciously start working towards them, and will be able to succeed in meeting your goals.

Make Time For Things You Enjoy

Of course you have many commitments that you have to get done each day such as work, running errands, etc... but also make sure you take a little time each day for yourself.

Make sure that you get to spend some time doing something that you really enjoy. Even if it's only for a half hour or an hour each day, make sure you take the time to make yourself happy. Even just this short amount of time each day will make you happier overall, since you will be able to relax and do what you want to be doing, instead of what you have to be doing.

Prioritize The Important Things

This way you will not stress out on the little things. For example, going to work each day is obviously a high priority, and something that you have to do. On the other hand, if you do not get to dust the house on the day you planned, it is not the end of the world, and is really not worth stressing out over.

You have to learn to be flexible and realize that many times things do not always get done when you want them to, and sometimes it is more important to take time out whether to spend time with loved ones or just relax and get things done some other time.

There are many different ways to have a happier life in the year ahead, and to enjoy your life a lot more. If this is your new years resolution, just keep reminding yourself to make time for yourself and your family, and you will be a lot happier no matter how much you have to get done.

Just by focusing on the happier parts of life will go a long way in making you a lot happier and will make you able to enjoy things a lot more! So follow the above advice and enjoy life more this year.

Michael Clayton has dedicated himself to changing thousands of lives by helping people find their greatness and true potential starting every new year through his free Newsletter.

If you're looking for goal personal planning success, but you don't know how to achieve it, then Fabio has just completed his brand new report you'll want to get your hands on, "New Years Resolutions Help".

Get it free here: New Years Resolutions Help

Do you want to learn all about goal personal planning success and how to create successful habits and goals? Download Fabio's new FREE ebook here: New Years Resolutions: Enjoy Life More

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fabio_Marciano

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Breathe Life Into Your Day . . .

2007-12-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

Words to Live By - Six Ways to Breathe Life into Your Day
By Joy Fisher-Sykes

We’ve heard the instructions many times over. There is such familiarity that many people can almost recite them verbatim. In fact, these directives are so crucial; they are printed on placards and demonstrated visually by the staff. They are so important that they can’t wait until you are airborne to share.

I’m talking about the life-saving instructions on what to do in case of an emergency that airline passengers receive on every flight before they’re airborne. Given without fail around the globe daily, millions often sit back and ignore flight attendants by reading a magazine, speaking to a neighbor, or simply becoming annoyed at the disruption of quiet.

The highlight of the instruction says:
Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will fall from the ceiling in front of you. If you are traveling with small children, place the mask on yourself first, then place a mask on the child.

Who would have thought for decades the airline industry has been sharing with millions of people a valuable life lesson.

A Life Lesson

At first blush, this directive seems absurd. After all, when you travel with a child, an adult’s natural inclination says children first. Period. No matter the circumstance. However, consider that our emotional side is not always logical.

Ponder the life lesson to be learned here. If you do not put your mask on yourself first, if you’re not breathing, how in the world can you ever help that child, yourself, or anyone else?

Learn to Breathe

Many of us choose to give our oxygen away all the time. How many times have you felt the “pressure” and a sense of not being able to cope, not able to breathe? Did you take a deep breath or did you just trudge along depleting your reserves to none? A life on empty has nothing to offer to either you or others.

When we fail to see the value of taking care of self before others, we fail to see we can be of no good to anyone unless we choose to take the first breath. Sound selfish? Perhaps, however, it is the only way you can survive. Remember, lack of oxygen causes death – to the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Six Ways to Honor Yourself Daily

What holds true for life in the air holds true for the life we lead on the ground. On a daily basis practice these life- saving strategies to breathe life into your day.

1. Value Time

Time is your most precious commodity that can never be replaced or replenished. Be selective about how and with whom you choose to spend your time. Make every minute count because each is precious.

2. Cut the Umbilical Cord

Lighten your load and learn to let go. Stop dragging around the troubles of everyone in the world. Constantly trying to solve problems for others not only weighs you down, it denies others the opportunity to learn that they can survive and thrive.

Experience breeds personal growth and power. Allow those you love the opportunity to grow. Know that sometimes the best gifts you can offer are your constant love and support and allowing others to resolve their own problems.

3. Maintain Strong Bonds

The real value in relationships is maintaining a connection. Whether you are near or far, don’t allow the busyness of life to let time slip away. Make a conscious effort to connect with friends and family on a regular basis.

4. Choose Your Friends Wisely

You become the people with which you choose to surround yourself. Be very selective with whom you choose to spend your time. Time is a precious commodity you can never get back. Once time is gone, it’s lost forever. Refuse to spend time with others who choose not to honor you.

5. Be Courageous

Have the courage to step up and say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done. Possess the courage to practice what you know to be true. Question not whether everyone likes you all of the time (because they never will). Instead, ask, “Does it really matter if those who choose to disrespect and dishonor me don’t like me?”

6. Celebrate

Celebrate every breath you take and every memory you create. Life is a meant to be a daily celebration. Celebrate all of life’s victories – large and small. Don’t let the calendar dictate special occasions. Every day use the fine china, crystal, and silverware. Celebrate today because life is so precious, and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Take nothing for granted and celebrate all life has to offer.

Follow these simple life strategies and you’ll find you can breathe a whole lot easier. This valuable life lesson – take a breath - is not to be taken lightly.

Ignore it and you’ll find yourself depleted of oxygen, weary and worn. Practice it and you’ll breathe new life into your day and have an appreciation for life that all can follow. Now those truly are words to live by.

Joy Fisher-Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and success coach in the areas of leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail her at mailto:jfsykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call her at (757) 427-7032. Go to her web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive the free ebook, "Empowerment and Stress Secrets for the Busy Professional."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joy_Fisher-Sykes

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Power Up For New Year's

2007-12-16T02:17:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to share another post from Shane And Peter's Blog which is perfect timing for those of us reviewing this year's results and planning next year's goals.

Take some notes, I certainly did and maybe get a beverage and sit down with it for a while. Check out 2008 Goals, Scare Yourself.

Now back to today's article . . .

New Years Resolutions - 7 Keys to Victory
By Brian Walsh

Whether you call them unproductive patterns, limiting beliefs, or simply bad habits, for some reason, as a new year approaches, many of us resolve to make some changes. The resolve part is easy. How do we actually execute a successful change campaign?

A few times a year, a hypnotherapist colleague and I conduct self-hypnosis workshops. An integral component is goal-setting. The following recommendations are part of that.

1. Realistic & a Slight Stretch.
Be reasonable in what you choose to change. You're the one who has to implement this plan. Examine your motives for this change. Is it for yourself, or to please others? Make your target just a bit beyond what you think you are capable of.

2. Be Clear.
As it says in the book, The Law of Attraction, make a list of what you don't want as a step in creating your list of you do want. Form a WRITTEN affirmation that is positive. Avoid the use of negative words (don't, won't).

3. Be Specific & Flexible.
Avoid comparative words (less, better, more). One of the main advantages of establishing goals is that they provide motivation and direction. If you fall short of your stated goal, don't beat yourself up. Celebrate what you have achieved.

4. Paced & Measurable.
One of the reasons many people don't bother with setting goals is that the process to achieve them often seems daunting. This is easily overcome by chunking goals into smaller units. For instance, monthly or even weekly mini-goals can be more palatable.

5. Announce Your Goals.
Find friends or colleagues who will support you in your objectives. Share your plans and timelines. Now, your reputation is on the line.

6. In Your Face.
For the most part, the mind processes information visually. In addition to whatever words you use to describe your goals, begin cutting out representative pictures from magazines.

Paste them on posters and put them all over your world. That means bedroom, bathroom, car, desk, and anywhere else you can think of. Information that is captured by your peripheral vision is not usually analyzed by the conscious mind.

This means that as you walk by your posters, your peripheral vision will convey that data directly to your subconscious mind, thereby reinforcing your goals.

In addition, even if you haven't been trained in self-hypnosis, you can relax with soft music and visualize your goals. Make your visualizations as vivid as possible.

7. Changing Habits.
Many people think that it takes 21 to 30 days to form a new habit. Actually you can establish a new habit in only 5 days.

What takes up to 30 days is the release of the old habit. Once the new habit is formed, it competes with the old habit for dominance. Every time you exercise the new habit it gets stronger, and the old one becomes weaker. The reverse is also true.

Following these recommendations will improve the odds of succeeding in your resolutions for 2006. Happy New Year.

Brian Walsh, International speaker

Dr. Brian E. Walsh is the author of Unleashing Your Brilliance

He was a part-time journalist and broadcaster before joining a major international company. For much of his 30-year career he was involved in human resources, specifically training.

While living in the arctic, Brian studied anthropology and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), which prepared him for working with other cultures. He was then transferred to China where he served as his company’s GM.

After his return to Canada, he elected early retirement to further his earlier interest in NLP and hypnotherapy. He returned to formal study, and within four years had achieved his Ph.D. His dissertation, which focused on accelerated learning techniques, inspired his passion and his book, "Unleashing Your Brilliance".

Dr. Walsh regularly conducts workshops on accelerated learning. He is a master practitioner of NLP, an acupuncture detoxification specialist, an EFT practitioner, and a clinical hypnotherapist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Walsh

Don't wait for New Year's. Start cultivating those positive habits today! Be ready to hit the ground running in the new year.

Al Smith,
aka The Realgoalgetter

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Is Life Keeping You?

2007-12-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

Is Life Keeping You From Getting Anywhere?
By John Halderman

Are you too busy with what you are doing to change or get ahead?

Are you so distracted with life that you have time to pay attention to what you want in life?

Can you even remember what you want any more?

The routine tasks of daily life can so easily use up all of your time that they become the main part of life.

When was the last time you spent time thinking or contemplating what you want in your life? For most it has been far too long.

Are you aware that your daily activities are your predominate habits? A habit is an automatic thought, routine or behavior. They become so ingrained in you life that you build interpretations, thinking, behavior, and defenses around them, protecting the status quo.

Have you noticed how protective you can be about what you do and think, even if you are not really sure why. How you will defend anything even if it is really not in your best interest. You will actually personalize and protect your habits no matter how negative, debilitating and restrictive they become.

Sometimes, what habits prevent you from doing is far more damaging than the habit itself. Many habitual routines cause you no harm other than sapping your time and energy that could be utilized for your personal growth and development.

We have all heard of how effective use of our time leads to results. Well, there are always results in your life; everything you do has a result. Even when you think you are doing nothing, you are getting the results of the doing 'nothing'. And part of the result is, what you are not doing while doing the 'nothing'.

If you sit and watch TV instead of washing the dishes, the result is - the dishes are not washed, and of course you accomplished TV watching.

This goes on all day, with you getting appropriate results for all of your actions and apparent inaction.

The question becomes, how long are you going to continue to let what you do all day long prevent you from the life you desire? You can't continue to do everything you do now and expect different results. You must make some adjustments.

Change what you are doing and what you are doing will change. Your results will change and so will your life. It takes effort on your part. Who said the life you want is easy? I'm not saying it is hard either, not any harder than what you are doing now.

The challenging part is in getting yourself to alter what you are now doing to allow for what you want. You have gradually built your life to what it is today, whether you did so intentionally or not.

You then need to make any adjustments that are needed to support what you want. It will take effort at first, as your ego mind will want to fight to preserve the status quo. It will take determination and self-discipline on your part at first to override the existing habits.

This can only take place when your inner drive is sufficient to back your efforts. Only when you become fed up with what you no longer want and you become deeply desirous of what you do want will you have the needed mental and emotional drive.

You will need to insert into your day, some things that support what you want. You need to be moving in the direction of your dreams, not just once in a while, but each day.

Take a look at what you want in your life - what activities would lead to them becoming reality for you? Put these into your daily schedule and help them become your habits. Even if small, they will begin to have an effect.

If you were in baseball and wanted to be batting over 300, don't you think you should be doing a lot of batting practice? Of course, that's obvious right! Then why don't you do any practice for what you want?

You have allowed yourself to be consumed by your habits, you must change that in order to get what you want. And what you have in your life is directly related to how much time and attention you have given it. Give an appropriate percentage of your time with what you do want.

Spending all of your time doing things that are not part of what you want your life to be and then complaining about it changes nothing. All you are doing is accentuating your unhappiness.

Another key part of this is to know what you want unfiltered by the ego. There is a lot deep in your mind that is covered by the activity of the day. Schedule time in your day for contemplation of some sort, as well as the specific activities.

Meditation is good or any quiet undistracted dedicated thinking 20 to 30 minutes at least once a day. Contemplative thinking is something most of us do not do enough of, as we are so busy running around just doing what we are in the habit of doing.

It is so easy to allow ourselves to get in the rut of just wishing of something rather than taking steps towards making it happen.

And very important, you must stick with it, just doing something for a short term or once in a while will not effect change. What job, business or college degree can you be successful in if you only do it once in a while?

If you want it to be a part of your life - make it a part of your life!

Change your efforts and your results will change.

John Halderman writes and speaks with intent on helping you get effective results with your personal growth. For self-improvement tools, tips and resources for living a satisfying life get the "Effective Personal Development Newsletter" and a bonus report http://www.activepersonaldevelopment.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Halderman

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Before You Set Any Goal . . .

2007-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

Before You Set Any Goal Question Everything
By Oliver Fix

If there was a way to have everything you want and need, effortlessly and gracefully and you could indeed be happy and satisfied every moment of your journey, would that be worth reconsidering some of your most cherished beliefs and spending some time looking with new eyes and considering your life from another perspective?

This was already the first step in setting your goals: spend time developing the vision of the outcome of your life. Seek alternative views and explore how people you admire are doing it. Start dreaming up your preferred way of operating and don’t be shy.

Here is something about beliefs: They define what we allow ourselves to experience. Science determined that we do not actually perceive the world as it is, but only as we are able to see it through our own specific glasses/filters. We mostly perceive what we believe to know…

The implications of this are fascinating. What we have experienced so far is due to the beliefs we held. Someone with a different belief system would have experienced the events in your life differently and would have drawn different conclusions and taken different actions! This means beliefs are primary and whatever happens is secondary to how we are affected.

So, before we set our goals and as we are building our vision of how we want to live and who exactly we want to be, we need to become aware of our current beliefs. Some of them may not have been working in your favor in the first place, prompting your desire for change.

Our society seems to hold some of the following beliefs very deeply. Read them and feel if they hold any power over you: ‘You have to work hard to get what you want’ ‘There isn’t enough for everyone- it’s either you or someone else’ ‘You have to be pretty or outwardly successful to be loved and accepted’ ‘Your worth depends on how well you do for yourself’ Etc…

Chances are that you have been affected by these and other rather limiting and fear based beliefs and that they have not given you the happiness and satisfaction you know you want and are seeking to attain.

So, are you ready to have it easy? Are you ready to envisage a life based on love and abundance, where you ‘know’ you are OK and taken care of and where you allow yourself to thrive with ease and grace? Or is this idea intimidating, far-fetched or ‘unrealistic’? Who would you be if YOUR life was easy and satisfying?

Contemplate the following questions and write a list of at least 10 items for each question:

1. What would you do if money, age or skill were no issue? Make a note of any ‘Yeah but…’ responses on a separate list, so they don’t keep you stuck.

2. What would you do if you could not fail?

3. What is most important in your life? And in what order?

Once you have a clear idea of what it is you really want, relish in in the imagination of having it. Imagine vividly and in detail how it would feel if you had your ideal life, being who and how you really want to be, doing what you love to do and getting everything you ever desired!

Do not worry about how it is going to come about. Note and temporarily park any arising worries on your ‘Yeah but…’ sheet. You can deal with them later. Indulge in how you want it in great detail. Pretend it has come to pass already. Your unconscious will not know the difference and will from then on assist you in bringing your desires into reality. Let this magic work for you.

So, once you have fully captured your ideal scenario, write it up, make a photo collage or a drawing, or find any other symbolic way, which reminds you of your new self and desired state often and powerfully.

Next take the ‘Yeah but…’ list and put your creativity to work. Allow yourself to find solutions to the seeming impossible and allow yourself to be surprised by how proficient your unconscious is at generating solutions, now that it knows where you want to go! There might even be events or circumstances, which previously seemed difficult and somehow now prove ‘just right’!

Once your vision is clear, truly connected to your original desires and in line with your core beliefs of choice you have made a goal for all the forces to conspire in making that goal a reality!

About The Author, Oliver Fix, Olympic Gold Medallist in 1996 and Olympic Medal Winning Coach in 2004, offers coach / consultant services that can propel you and your company into this outstanding level of success.

Find out more on his website: http://www.oliverfix.com and contact him at: oliver@oliverfix.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

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3 Simple Steps To Getting Exactly What You Want!

2007-12-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Goal Setting - Get Exactly What You Want!
By Josh Brown

I am writing you from the quaint sea town of New Bern, NC where my wife and I are catching some much needed R&R.

Lately many of our students have been telling us that their biggest goal is to leave their current 9 to 5 J-O-B and start investing in real estate full time. They no longer want to be tied down by corporate rules and structure.

While I was on this trip I realized that if my wife had not left her job last week, we could not be here right now. She simply would not have been able to take time off. So, how was she able to retire at 24? The answer is quite simple…

She took a few of the success principles Lou and I preach to our students daily and took action on them!

My wife was able to leave her job because she took decisive action!

When she realized she wanted to leave her current job, she sat down and analyzed the situation; made realistic goals for herself; and started taking action on those goals!

In other words, she developed a smart plan for success then took action each day to ensure success. You must constantly move yourself forward even if it is only a small step each day!

Tiger Woods does it! Donald Trump does it!

Developing a plan so you can clearly see your objectives and taking action daily towards those objectives is the key to any successful endeavor. Very few people are successful by accident.

1. You must have a strategy for success!

2. You absolutely MUST take decisive action on a daily basis!

3. You must surround yourself by people who will support you and/or help you on your road to success!

Using these 3 simple steps you can create huge progress toward your business and life goals!

My wife was able to retire from her job at 24 by applying these 3 simple yet powerful steps to her life! Give them a try you won’t believe the results!

I hope this quick note will inspire you to make the necessary changes to create huge results! Have a great weekend!

Josh Brown

President, Investor Wealth Academy, Inc.

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Perspective. Is How You Look At It Really How It Is?

2007-11-29T20:08:00.001-08:00

It took me a couple of reads to get this . . . Yowww. My brain hurts. (Grins) It definitely has an effect on your perspective.

Points and More Points of View
By Sheri Rosenthal

Have you seen Michael Moore’s movie Fahrenheit 9/11? The fantastic lesson in this movie, as I see it, is the opportunity to see how many ways you can write history while an element of truth is still present in each story and point of view. For example, after watching this film, I can easily say how much of a dope President Bush is, yet if someone who liked the President would make a film, the story would be completely different.

Selective use of “information” is what creates the story either way. It is important to keep this in mind because this is the same method we use to create the story of our lives!

President Bush may have gone to that elementary school the day the bombing occurred, but did he really sit in there like that? Where did that clip come from and who filmed it? Is that really the bigger picture of what happened? Who knows? I certainly don’t.

He is sharing a piece of information which may be truth, but the context is gone. Even if we could have been there to actually see what happened in the classroom itself, would there be agreement amongst us as to what “really” happened? I think not!

I imagine us all as computer programs that are constantly in the process of qualifying, analyzing, pigeonholing, and assessing everything we perceive with our senses. The mind is a wonderful gift of being human, yet we do not put this gift in the “proper” context.

Just because we run something we perceive through our mind/computer doesn’t mean the conclusion the program comes to is the truth. The conclusion is simply the result the multiple permutations the program goes through based on learned formulas.

In other words all the stuff you “know” and what you believe you have experienced (from your point of view of course) is qualifying what you are currently seeing and experiencing in every moment! How can the conclusions of a slanted computer be accurate? It simply cannot.

Based on this, I recognize that everything I perceive and run through my program is no longer the truth. It is truth from my point of view of course, but not “the truth.” By “the truth” I mean simply “what is,” without the world of concepts superimposed upon it.

Once you put concepts upon the “what is” you distort it and make it into something else – a story. Of course, the cleaner the information in your program is the easier it will be to move through your life seeing what is, rather than seeing what you want to see!

I am guessing right about now that you are wondering how you can possibly walk through the world without your mind telling you what’s going on, but you can do it!

If you can practice just seeing, without the judgment and commentary from your mind (better known as thinking), you will find that you must use your feelings and heart to interact with the world. The trick to doing this is having total detachment from the mind; otherwise you will feel all kinds of emotions based on what is in your subconscious mind even if you “think” you’re not thinking!

To gain clarity about your life, it’s necessary to see all points of view for what they are. Detach from all the concepts and agreements you’ve made about everything in your story or anyone else’s story.

Go ahead - take a chance and experiment with perceiving life from a different point of view!

Dr. Sheri Rosenthal is a master Toltec teacher and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Toltec Wisdom. Having trained with don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, she currently takes students on spiritual journeys, works with personal apprentices and enjoys being extremely happy. You can reach her at info@sherirosenthal.com or at http://www.sherirosenthal.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

The Power Of Positive Habits
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Now you can with "The Power of Positive Habits," the new book that #1 NY Times best-selling authors Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, John Gray Ph.D. are all raving about!

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The Power Of Positive Habits

Are You Being Authentic? How Do You Know?

2007-11-26T16:58:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Ways to Live Authentically
By Ann Ronan

1. Know your purpose
Are you wandering through life with little direction – hoping that you’ll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

2. Know your values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals - – check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn’t align with any of your top five values – you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

3. Know your needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? List your top four needs and get them met!

4. Know your passions
Honor those things that make your heart sing. Whatever it is, do more of it!

5. Live from the inside out
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind.

6. Honor your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three – if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths.

7. Take time to play
Give yourself time to recharge doing things you love to do or by just doing nothing.

8. Be aware of your self-talk
Are you blocking your potential? Check out your first thoughts when you wake up. Are they supportive, encouraging or positive? Choose the kind of chatter that’s goes on in your mind. Become aware of the negative messages you give yourself. Gently catch them and turn them into positive affirmations.

9. Surround yourself with inspiration
Keep a success journal. Write down your four or five greatest strengths and post them where you can see them. On the last Friday of each month, write down all your accomplishments both big and small.

10. Serve others
When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit – your essence.

Ann Ronan, Ph.D., RScP is a Religious Science Practitioner. Join her in an ongoing Science of Mind Study Group by telephone http://www.authenticlifeinstitute.com for more info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Need A Productivity Boost? Try The Four D's Habit!

2007-11-24T18:47:00.001-08:00

Be More Productive . . . Instantly!
by Dan Robey

Imagine how your life would improve if you were instantly more productive.

You could get more done at the office every day and maybe earn a promotion, or make more money as a result of your ability to produce more sales.

Whether you are a sales person, a CEO, or a housewife, being more productive every day can dramatically improve your life.

OK, right now you are probably saying...sounds great, how can I be instantly more productive?

It's really quite simple. To be instantly more productive you need to acquire a new habit called the 4-D habit.

What is the 4-D habit?

The 4-D habit increases your productivity instantly by helping you prioritize daily tasks and get more done in a shorter period of time.

Here is how it works.

Each day we are all faced with new tasks that must be acted upon. Your boss calls you and asks you to prepare a sales report, your child calls and asks you to help him or her with a difficult school project, your husband wants you to find a better deal on car insurance.

How you act upon the tasks you are presented with each day determines how productive you will be. Make it a habit to apply the 4-D's as listed below to each task.

Number One

Do it now - take immediate action, perform the task right away.

Number Two

Dump it Now - this task is simply not important enough for your time. Dump it and move on.

Number Three

Delegate It - this task can be performed by someone else, give that person or persons the task. Many people make the mistake of trying to perform all the tasks they are given. The ability to properly delegate is what turns managers into CEO's.

Number Four

Defer the Task - This task must be done by you, but it can wait. Use the free time you have gained by not performing this task right away and perform other high priority tasks instead.

Get in the habit of applying the 4-D decision making tool to every task presented to you and watch your productivity soar!

About the Author:

Dan Robey is the author of the Best-Selling book "The Power of Positive Habits" now published in 22 countries worldwide. There are dozens and dozens of scientifically researched postive habits that can change your life in Dan's book. To learn more and subscribe to a complementary e-course on Positive Habits go to: www.thepowerofpositivehabits.com

*NEW!* -- Audio Motivation

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Are Your Goals Exciting?

2007-11-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

Are Your Goals Exciting?
By Jim Donovan

This may sound like a strange question, but are you really excited about your goals? Of course, I'm making the assumption that you have already invested the time to think about what you want your life to be like and identified some of your goals in several areas. If not, please do this immediately. If you don't know where you're going, how will you know when you get there.

Having written goals will change your life; I guarantee it! Spend some time thinking about what you'd like your life to be like. For the sake of this exercise, let's set goals you'd like to have accomplished one year from now. Of course, you can set shorter and longer goals as well.

What would you like for your relationships? How about your health, career, and finances? How about your mind and emotions? What would you like to experience? What would you like to do, be, or have? Invest some time now to identify these things and write them down. This will greatly increase the likelihood of your accomplishing them.

If you want to know more about this, there are lots of books, including mine, to help you. That's not really the topic of this story, however, I'm asking you now to revisit your goals, particularly your short-term, six month to one year ones.

Do they make you want to jump out of bed each day eager to get going? Recently, I was feeling "less than great." I was even bordering on becoming depressed, something I rarely experience. I felt unmotivated, and wound up being pretty sick for several weeks.

Upon closer examination, and because I agree with Plato that an unexamined life is not worth living, I realized one of the things that I had done was to reset some of my short-term goals to be "more realistic."

I think I believed what I was hearing about the current economic situation. Of course, some of what "they" are saying is true. Some people are experiencing an economic downturn. Interestingly enough, the Horchow Catalog, a collection of some of the highest priced, one-of-a-kind items you can find, is expecting another year of double-digit growth.

This is as compared to a 1 or 2% for the rest of the catalog industry. They were quoted as saying that "there are always well-healed people willing to pay for fine things." Obviously, not everyone believes in the economic downturn!

What I had noticed about myself was that in the interest of being realistic, I had lowered my expectations. While this may seem like a reasonable thing to do, in reality, it left me totally uninspired and feeling pretty unmotivated about my goals.

For example, if you have a goal of making enough money to "pay the bills" how exciting is that? Is that going to make you jump out of bed in the morning saying, "oh wow, I can't wait to get going, so I can make money and pay the bills!" I doubt it.

When I understood what I was doing, I immediately set new goals. I set goals that were way beyond my reach. Goals that were huge enough to really get my juices going.

Now, when I think about my new, bigger goals, I get excited just imaging what it would feel like reaching them and what my life would be like having accomplished them. I get jazzed just thinking about my new income goals, for example.

And even if I don't fully reach it, I know I will go way beyond what I might have accomplished and will feel better along the way. After all, isn't feeling good what it's all about.

Now, go get your journal, and let's start setting some new goals for the coming year. Following is a simple exercise to help you become clear about your goals and begin creating the life you've always wanted.

1. Write what you don't want. This will help you get clear about what you do want. Afterwards, you may want to throw this list away.

2. Write what you want. List everything you want to do, be, and have for the upcoming year and beyond.

3. Write each goal in the form of an affirmation. Do goals in all the major areas of your life - spirituality, health, relationships, social, career, things, and money.

4. Next to each one, write why you want this and how you will feel when you have accomplished it.

5. Write at least one action you can take right now to move toward your goal. What simple step can you take immediately (today)?

Each day, read your list of goals, concentrating on the feelings associated with having them. Feelings like freedom, value, love, secure, safe, prosperous, etc. The more you can feel the feelings your goal will produce, the faster you can draw it to you.

After you reread your goals and are feeling the good feelings associated with having them, ask yourself, "What is the next action I can take to move toward this?" Do this daily and watch your life change.

If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Click here ==> www.jimdonovan.com/ebookoffer.html

Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.JimDonovan.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Shield Yourself From Crippling Negativity

2007-11-14T20:37:00.001-08:00

Are You a Trash Can for Others' Negativity?

Carmen, a client of mine, told me at the end of one of her sessions, “I’m no longer willing to be a trash can for others’ negativity.”

“Wow!” I said. “I’m delighted to hear that! And I love that metaphor!”

Carmen is a lovely, warm, intelligent and compassionate young woman in her late 20’s. Coming from a very narcissistic mother, Carmen learned early in life to be safe from her mother’s anger by listening to her mother’s complaints. She learned to put aside her own feelings and be a mother to her mother.

Of course, no matter how much she gave to her mother, it was never enough. It wasn’t until Carmen started her inner work that she discovered was narcissism was.

Early in our work together, Carmen discovered that most of her friends were just like her mother. “ I sit and listen to them complain or listen to them brag. They are never interested in me at all. If I say anything about myself, they always bring it right back to themselves. Why are so many of my friends like this?”

“Because you are willing to listen without speaking up for yourself. There are many self-absorbed people, narcissistic people with entitlement issues, who just love it when someone is willing to listen to them.

As long as you are willing to listen their complaints and support their self-centeredness, they will continue to do it.”

“But if I speak up, I won’t have any friends.”

“Well, you might not have many friends for awhile, but eventually you will find new friends – people who really care about you. When you are willing to care about yourself instead of putting yourself aside, you will attract people who care about you.

But this will take time. You need to be willing to lose others rather than continue to lose yourself. Do you think you are ready to do this?”

“Yes! I don’t want to be a trash can anymore. I don’t want people dumping their negativity onto me anymore.”

How do you feel inside when you allow others to dump their negativity - their complaints, their anger, their self-centeredness and sense of entitlement onto you? If you really look inside instead of pushing your own feelings into a closet, you will discover that you feel really lonely with these people. There is no mutual support, no sharing of love, no mutual giving and receiving.

You give and they take, and you end up feeling drained and lonely. Yet you hang in there for fear of being alone with no friends or no partner.

If you are really honest with yourself, you will find that it’s not worth it – that you deserve better than to be a trash can for others’ negativity.

It takes faith and courage to speak up for yourself. It takes courage to say to your friend who is dumping her negativity onto you, “This doesn’t feel good. Whenever we are together all you do is complain or talk on and on about yourself. You are never interested in me at all, and this is no longer okay with me. Either this needs to change or I don’t want to spend time with you. It’s not fun for me and I just end up feeling used and drained.”

When you become willing to speak up for yourself, you will discover who really are your friends and who was just using you. Some people may say, “I’m so grateful you told me this. I didn’t realize I was doing this. I want to stop, and I would appreciate your pointing it out to me next time I do it.” Others will go into denial and say, “That’s not true. I listen to you all the time.” Others will just get angry and go away.

It’s a great way to discover who your friends really are!

By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" and “Healing Your Aloneness.” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or email her at margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone Sessions Available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Audio Motivation

Time Is A Valuable Asset - Are You Giving It The Attention It Deserves?

2007-11-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

Time - Your Most Valuable Asset in the War against Procrastination

Research shows that people spend most of their time and effort working on activities that have nothing to do with the success of their projects.

I'm convinced that procrastination is the main reason people fail to live richer lives.

If you want to get serious about eliminating the habit of procrastination, you can start right now by recognizing that your most valuable asset is time.

Learn how to use your time efficiently. Make sure that people know when you don't want to be interrupted-don't blame other people when you don't have enough time to finish a task.

When you miss a deadline, plan how you're going to finish the remainder of the work instead of making excuses about why you didn't get it done on time. - Then do it.

Procrastination is a No. 1 cause of stress.

Do you ever wonder why the most successful entrepreneurs-people like Bill Gates, for instance-always seem so relaxed in interviews and public appearances?

They work harder than most of us and they make billion-dollar decisions that the rest of us will never have to face in life, yet they never seem stressed out, worried, or depressed. Why not?

Research shows that high stress levels are caused when too many things are left undone. That's why habitual procrastinators always complain about chronic fatigue-putting things off creates enormous stress in our lives, which manifests itself as fatigue.

Break down your long-term goals into manageable segments and milestones. Without measuring your progress on long-term goals, you can easily delude yourself into believing that you're making good progress when you're just spinning your wheels.

Setting project milestones is a good way to measure your progress and stay focused.

Reserve some time each day for working on your long-term projects.

Spend most of your time on the things that need to be done this week, but try to spend some time each day on work that helps you make progress toward your long-term goals.

The tasks that help you achieve long-term goals are easy to leave undone. They don't seem urgent in the way that telephone calls seem urgent, but they usually represent our most important goals in life.

In many cases, these larger goals get pushed off the radar screen by the countless distractions and "urgent" but unimportant things that demand our attention throughout the day.

You need to spend 75 to 80% of your time on jobs you have to wrap up this week.

But dedicate the rest of your time to projects that need to be finished in the next six months. Have you set milestones for these projects? How are you measuring your progress on each project?

Always ask yourself: What have I learned about the consequences of procrastination, based on the decisions I made-or failed to make-yesterday?

Never lose sight of what's most important in life.

Ask yourself every day: If I only get one thing done today, what must that one thing be?

Then . . . get it done.

Whatever it takes, DO IT!

----------------------------------------

You can listen to this article. The audio has been recorded here.

Talk to you next time.

Ever Have The Feeling That You're Underqualified?

2007-11-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

Yowser!

Sometimes I feel dwarfed by the quality of information that is being posted around the net by people much smarter I . . .

What the heck am I doing here when there are already so many much better qualified people writing such good stuff?

Well, that bit of self talk really did me some good huh?

Anyway here is another great post over at Zen Habits about Habit Change. And it is thorough and expertly written. Check it out if you have any habits that need changing.

Talking myself out of doing what I enjoy will always motivate me to do more, yeah . . .

OK, I'm over it now. (the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy that is) I'm back!

If you don't understand what I am getting at, that's OK. Sometimes I don't even understand me.

But . . . I'm going for it anyway!

Productivity Laws - Consistency and Smart Purposeful Action

2007-11-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

I noticed a couple of great posts on Life Hacker this morning and just had to share them with you.

One reveals how Jerry Seinfeld has used The Law Of Consistency in his long outstanding career and the other shows you how to use The Laws Of Productivity to increase your goal results exponentially.

By the way Life Hacker is one of my favorites, subscribe to their feed for regular updates. Check them out, they are awesome posts!

Jerry Seinfeld's Productivity Secret

6 Rules To Work Less And Get More Accomplished

How To Say "NO" When You Need To

2007-11-03T10:39:00.002-07:00

You’ve Been Lied To: Time Can’t Be 'Managed'

2007-11-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to point you over to another new resource by Dave Navarro. Check out his new "30 Hours A Day" time management site. I've known Dave for a few years now and he always gives great value.

He is giving away a FREE 25 page report "How To Turn Your 24 Hour Day Into a 30 Hour Day", and a FREE portion of his new program coming in December - some great audios which will teach you some real "time management" skills.

While you are over there just sign up for his time management ezine. I always love reading Dave's ezines, he shoots straight to the heart of a strategy and shows you great super effective shortcuts!

Here is a small excerpt to let you know what to expect from his style of writing.

-------------------------------------

You’ve Been Lied To: Time Can’t Be “Managed”

All right, maybe “lied to” is a little harsh … but I wanted to be sure I got your attention. Maybe “socially misinformed” is closer to what’s happened.

There’s a reason that you (and so many others) feel like time management is so hard … it’s because time cannot be managed. It can’t be slowed down, or sped up, or stockpiled or saved … it’s always ticking away. You can’t control it … or even manage it at all.

Don’t get me wrong, though – I’m not saying that “time management” is a scam – far from it. It’s just a poor choice of terms because it implies that you can have leverage over time … which you can’t.

What you can manage, however, are the results you get from your time. You can manage those like crazy. And when you get it right, you can do practically anything.

In other words, it’s not about “time management” … it’s about results management. It’s about getting more done in the same amount of time … and that’s how you get to your “30 Hour Day.”

( if you haven’t picked up your “More Time” kit, go to www.your30hourday.com right now. )

-------------------------------------

I had an opportunity to review Dave's work on another project some time ago. Here is what I said about Dave's products then, and it still holds today.

"Dave takes volumes of information, organizes it, and breaks it out into easy workable systems that anyone can implement. His worksheets are so easy to use because they are set up in a checklist system that helped me get the information out of my head, organized, and down on paper.

Also, I enjoyed the live examples and stories he told to give the ideas clarity. It was very easy to picture from his descriptive writing.

At times I've practiced most of these strategies, but never have I been able to put them all together into such a "no brainer" system. With this program I have been able to proactively put together a system to insure that I will always have the time and energy for everything I want to accomplish every day all day long.

It is like having a manual at your side ready to review any time you need assistance. It reminds me of the old saying about how good McDonalds' training system is. "Don't worry if you burn the fries, just turn to page 6 and follow the directions." Meaning - If I get off track, I can just refresh my approach by going back through the program.

I believe that with enough leverage, you can move mountains. Dave shows you how to get it."

Al Smith

Say No To Procrastination . . .Go Get Your Goals Now!

2007-11-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

I always like a good article on Procrastination, especially if it includes tips on mastering and overcoming our tendencies to procrastinate. Denise is short and to the point in this article today, and it has 10 tips for avoiding procrastination and get you motivated to take action.

Say No to Procrastination

The word procrastination comes from the Latin Pro - in favour of and Cras - tomorrow. Is that you? Are you putting things off?

What has procrastination been costing you?

• Your health
• Your relationships
• Your energy
• Your finances
• Your career
• Or is it just plain wasting your time

You are not alone, would you be surprised to know that nearly everyone procrastinates one way or another!

You need to ensure that whatever it is you are procrastinating about is something you really want, need or have to do. Sometimes we tell ourselves we are procrastinating when sometimes we are just plain tired or haven't got the concentration at that moment.

Make sure you recognize the difference.

Remember procrastination means 'putting things off', not just delaying things. When you delay things you are saying you will do it later, that is different to avoiding the task altogether.

I started to do that myself. I had a job that really needed doing and not only did it need doing I wanted to do it, to get it out of the way - but I was just too tired and I knew that if I did it whilst I was that tired - I wouldn't do it properly.

I did ask myself: Was I procrastinating (putting it off) or was I really tired? Well I had a good rest, got up and did the job, documented my accounts perfectly - all reconciled and no mistakes! Done!

Tips to keep motivated and avoid procrastination
1. Tell yourself you will do the task and keep your word to yourself.
2. Reward yourself for completing the task
3. Know that you can get into good habits by completing the task
4. Chunk down the task into small pieces
5. Set time limits
6. Look away from the fact that you need to be perfect
7. Visualise how you will feel once you have completed the task
8. Find the inspiration which will make you begin the task
9. Ask yourself how quickly you would do the task if you were doing it for somebody else.
10. Just set a time and do it

by Denise Vogel

How much do you want to change your life - do you believe you haven't got the answers - you do! Together we can find these answers. I am the person who can help you. I have been a life coach for 2 years, training with the Coaching Academy, one of the top coaching schools in Europe. My passion is people who want to get the most out of their lives.

For more information, go to my website: Denise Vogel and see how we can work together to get the most from your life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Vogel

How To Fall In Love With Your LIfe

2007-10-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

How to Fall in Love With Your Life
By Dan Goodwin

Ask yourself honestly this question - Are you in love with your life as it is right now?

Most of us can say that we love parts of our life - those parts we can’t wait to get involved in, and pour our time and creative energy into. Then there are other parts we don’t so much love, but just like, accept or tolerate.

Often we can find ourselves blindly hurtling down paths in various areas of our lives without much thought or planning or any particular aims. Without taking the time now and again to assess where we actually are in our lives, and whether or not we're heading where we want to be heading, we can end up with that heart-sinking moment we when suddenly look in the mirror one day and ask - “How did my life end up HERE?”

If you're not in love with your life right now (and very few of us are totally…), how would like it to be different? What would it take to for you completely and utterly fall in love with every part of your life?

Your life is a partner you're going to be with for the rest of your days. Doesn't it make sense to make that partner as lovable and as pleasurable to spend time with as you can?

Take some time to write, draw or otherwise create a picture of your life as it would be when you’re completely in love with every part of it, your vision of how you’d love your life to be.

One way to make this exercise more vivid and powerful is to write it in the present tense, as if you already have this life you love. Immerse yourself in it as deeply as possible, use all of your senses to describe your life.

Be honest and specific, you may want to divide it into different areas like Relationships, Work, Finances, Health and consider them each separately. Get into details and measurable aims.

For example don’t get drawn into vague statements like “I want to be a famous writer”. Instead state what kind of writer you are, what you’ve written, what you’ve published, where your work is published, how much you earn from it, who reads it and where and how you create.

We all have the choice to live as we wish. Every day is made up of a series of tiny choices, and the occasional bigger one.

And we all have imaginative and resourceful minds capable of being highly creative and then putting that creativity into practical action.

So start small, choose just one thing today, one part of your life you're not in love with. Then use your abundant creativity to start coming up with all the possible the things you could do to get closer to where you want to be in this part of your life.

Don’t censor or restrain your imagination, just write freely all the different things you COULD do, however viable they seem at this time.

Once you've got a long list, ask yourself - "And what ELSE could I do?". Ask this question again and again until you've completely exhausted all your ideas.

Then, from your list, pick three options that appeal to you most, and write down the first step you need to take for each and a date and time when you’re going to put it into action. Then do it!

Review your progress regularly and then work on a different area, each time aiming to fall more in love with your life. Remember once again, your life is the partner you’re going to be with for the rest of your days. It’ll benefit you greatly to make it as loving, and as lovable, as you possibly can.

Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin is the author of “Create Create!”, a FREE twice monthly ezine for people who want simple and powerful articles, tips and exercises to help them unleash their creative talents. Sign up right now and get your FREE “Explode Your Creativity!” Action Workbook, at http://www.CoachCreative.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Goodwin

Things That Can Prevent The Good Life

2007-10-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

10 Things Between You and A Great Life

1. Unfinished business:
Free yourself from the past by identifying and cleaning up your unfinished business. Call an end to whatever you started - a project, a diet, a feud, a commitment - by dumping it, delegating it, or doing it.

2. Ignoring the Present:
Today is a result of all the Today’s that came before it. A well lived present will naturally produce wonderful future. Save a dollar today, and you’ll have a dollar tomorrow. Eat 500 calories less today, and you’ll lose weight tomorrow. Only what you do TODAY can affect tomorrow.

3. No Priorities:
Never trade what you want at the moment, for what you want the most. If you just react to the next thing that gets your attention, you’ll never have enough time for what is important. Don’t schedule your time around your priorities…schedule your Priorities around your time.

4. Betraying yourself:
Telling lies to yourself is the most hurtful form of disrespect. Write out the ways in which you have been untruthful to yourself, and how you can change that. “I will no longer pretend that what I put into my mouth doesn’t matter.” “I will no longer pretend that overspending my budget is ok.”

5. People Pleasing:
If you always say yes even when you want to say no, you will find yourself unhappily going through the motions of living, giving control of your time, energy, and spirit to anyone who asks for it. Free yourself by learning to quietly assert your boundaries.

6. Accepting Energy Drainers:
Everyday crisis and problems ARE NOT “just the way it is”. Choose to put life on your schedule. Make a conscious choice to simplify your tasks, organize your environment, and set up your life to support how you want to live.

7. Complaining Instead Of Asking:
You will only get as much as you ask for. Complaining is passive, not active. Choose to consciously educate people on what you need by making a request instead of complaining.

8. Low Reserves:
Without reserves to back you up, you will make decisions based on your LACK –lack of money, lack of time, lack of energy. And that will cause you to make mistakes, and miss opportunities. Systematically eliminate things from your life until you have a built-in reserve of time and money; then build from there.

9. Hiding your weakness:
Let your weakness help you be more truthful. Educate people. "I’m really impatient; please let me know if I skip over something you don’t understand." "I’m not good with secrets; please don’t tell me anything that you don’t want me to repeat."

10. Wishing Instead of Planning:
START! Do something! If you just sit around *wishing* that things would be better, it’s not likely that they ever will be. As my mother used to say, “wish in one hand, pour peas in the other…see which fills up faster.” Create a plan, and get into action.

=============================

Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates specializes in helping people who are ready to create a simpler, less stressful, more joyful and meaningful lifestyle. Get information on her programs and services at http://www.reallifecoach.com or call 480.998.5843.

Audio Motivation

How To Be Happy Now!

2007-10-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

I received this article in my email today and wanted to pass it on to you. After you read the article check out Miami's Blog article Happiness And The Mexican Villager. Every once in a while I need to be reminded to enjoy everything I do right now, to take time for myself right now, instead of continuously building an empire for tomorrow. Enjoy!

Begin With A Blank Page

If you could begin your life all over what would you change
given the chance to wave a magic wand and start from
scratch?

What if you had no ties, no burdens, no limits, no
memories, and no past?

What would that life look like? If the answer that comes
to your mind is different than what you are doing, why is
that? Why are you not doing what you want? Is it
because of someone else? A spouse, a parent - children?

I think the ultimate test is to close your eyes and place
yourself on your deathbed. (Fun, huh?) Now, look back at
your life as you are currently living it. What will you
think then? Will you be satisfied you lived completely?
Or will you wish you had done differently?

Here is a clue.

Very few, if any, of our senior citizens look back on their
life and say, "I sure wish I had spent more time at the
office!" I do not think anyone says, "I wish I had watched
more TV!"

This is what they say. "I wish I had been bolder. I wish I
had given more. I wish I had tried harder to see
more, do more and feel more." People wish that they had
lived more.

I know I have held back on some dreams and goals because
of our two boys. However, as my life progresses and learn,
I realize there is no reason to hold back. Just think -
if I hold back I am teaching them to hold back. Where does
that leave them - and their kids, and theirs?

On the other hand we have not been exactly standing still
either.

We have done our best to live our dreams. We
built a sailboat and lived aboard for 7 years traveling
about 15,000 miles. We lived in the snow in Aspen Colorado,
and on the beach in Hilton Head South Carolina. We lived on
an old brick mill in Long Island, and on the dock in Palm
Beach Florida.

We have written books and music, acted in
the theater, and home-schooled the boys. We have built a
horse farm, and businesses! Yet, there is so much more
we want to do!

It is a balancing act. We all must have sufficient
finances to support a comfortable lifestyle, (although
most of us tend to spend way too much on that!)

Part of this balancing act is understanding what we
are passionate about doing so that work becomes a joy
instead of a job.

Is this not a major reason of
lost dreams and goals? Many people find work, call it
a job and make a living at it.

But they begrudge every
minute of it, going as far as using the job as a reason
for playing the martyr. Find something else!

There are many, many teachers of the attraction
philosophies of "making a life". With as many opportunities
today in every field imaginable, somewhere, something is
calling to you.

Another part of the puzzle is to include those close to
you in frank and open discussions in what it is you desire.

Too many of the clients I have coached have kept their wants
and needs bottled up inside them forever! They decided for
the other person in their lives there was no interest in
whatever it was they themselves wanted to do! How absurd!

How can we possibly know what someone else wants or
desires without asking?

Would it not be tragic to spend
your life in a city for all your life, working at a job you
despise because you thought your spouse wanted that life,
even though you wanted to live in the country and be a
farmer?

Then one day you overhear your spouse tell her
best friend all she ever wanted to do was live in the
country? Don't laugh - I have seen this happen!

Sure this is a bit far fetched - but you would be amazed at
what I hear!

Make an attempt today to start with a brand new page of
your life. Create your life story how you want it.

If there are others in your life to be involved, have them
do the same exercise. Then compare what your notes. If
this matches your current life, congratulations! You are
one of the few. Now make it better.

However if your written life stories sound like someone
completely different, then you are living a life of
conflict.

Here is the good news. Your life is your life.
No one can take that away from you. You are not indentured.
You are not a slave. You are free to go, do, and be whoever
you wish.

It might not be easy, but it sure might be worth it. I coach
people daily who are changing their lives.

There are so many things to be grateful for, and so many things open to
us. We owe it to all the ones before us who gave us this
opportunity to take advantage of it.

Today.

Miami Phillips has spent the last decade teaching
business owners and others the secrets to living
a full and successful life. Try:
http://www.miamiphillips.com

Install Positive Habits And Live Big!

2007-10-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Where Are Your Habits Leading You?
by Jack Canfield

You are an accumulation of your habits. From how you get out of bed, how you shower, how you dress, how you walk, sit, and talk, how you respond to the world, how you act in front of others, and how you think; you're living out your habits.

Habits are necessary. They free up your mind so you can concentrate on how to survive day to day. You don't have to think about how to drive your car so you can be on the look out for danger while you are driving. You don't have to think about how to walk so you can concentrate on where you're going.

Unfortunately, habits can also keep you locked in self-destructive patterns, which will limit your success. To become successful, you will need to drop bad habits and develop new ones that are in line with the life you want to live.

People don't suddenly appear in the life they want to live, habits determine their outcome!

What are the habits you have that are keeping you from achieving your goals? Really be honest with yourself here... Are you always running late? Do you return phone calls within 24 hours? Do you get enough sleep? Do you follow through on your promises? Do you plan out your day?

Imagine what your life would be like if all those habits were their productive counterparts.

What would your life be like if you ate healthy meals, exercised and got enough sleep? What if you saved money, stopped using credit cards and paid cash for everything? What if you stopped procrastinating, overcame your fears, and began networking with people in your field? Would your life be different? I bet it would!

So, my suggested action step for you is to write down some productive habits you could adopt and visualize in your life, step wto is to 'act as if' you were living these new habits right now!

I'd like to help you get moving toward creating more successful habits, so I'd recommend you develop four of your new success habits each year, one for each quarter.

Once you pick the new habit you're ready to adopt, next you'll want to create a method that will support your new habit.

Here are some ideas... You could write it down on a card that you keep with you and read several times a day. You could make it a part of your daily visualization. You could also enlist the help of an accountability partner who has habits to change.

It's important to make a 100% commitment to your new habit, so be specific about the steps that you're willing to take in order to drop an old habit and adopt a new one. Don't be vague about how you will change your habits. Spell it out for yourself so you can recognize situations that motivate you to act out your new habit.

Just developing four new habits a year will dramatically shift your life to be more in line with your vision. And the more in line it becomes, the easier the other habits are to replace because your perspective is shifting and you can see more clearly how your old habits aren't serving you anymore.

Make the decision. Make the commitment. Then watch your new, positive life unfold!

Jack Canfield, America's Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Do You DayDream?

2007-10-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

Self Improvement: Destiny or Journey?
By Eldon Taylor

How high is up?

Have you ever asked yourself, "Just how high is up?" or "Just how successful is successful?" or "Just how good is good?" Have you ever thought about the different "Yous" within yourself? Most of us have, at some time, considered our own path to personal growth and desired to improve upon improvement.

There is a simple, yet powerful, way to evaluate many personal characteristics and thereby gain additional access to who we are and what we truly wish to be. If life is essentially a school, which I believe it is, then we not only have our course work cut out for us but our objective for which our "learnings" specifically prepare us.

Get a piece of paper and try this little exercise.

First, write down all of your strengths, all of those characteristics about yourself that are good. Begin with the obvious, perhaps you’re very honest, or friendly, or cooperative and so forth. After you have completed this list, write down some characteristics that you would like to improve.

Perhaps you wish to overcome some fear or stop being jealous, or end gossiping or release anger and so forth. So, you’d like to be more courageous or more accepting and trusting, or more confident and so forth. Now, with both of these lists completed, think about yourself as having four inner aspects (IA) of the same you.

The first IA is your actual self--who you are, what you do, etc.

The second IA is your concept of an ideal-self. The ideal-self for most of us is just that, an ideal—but usually too ideal to be realistic. "Under no circumstances will I ever become angry," may be one such ideal.

Okay, the third IA is the ought-self. The ought-self is that collection of things typically foisted upon each of us during maturation. The collection of "you ought to do this" and "you ought to do that" statements we all have heard particularly from our parents and family members.

Last, but not least, is our desired-self. The desired-self is attainable, not so ideal as to be impractical as a goal.

With these four IA’s, take another sheet of paper and write down characteristics that apply pressure to how you feel about yourself, positive or negative, under each IA heading.

That is, use a separate column or sheet of paper to list the items (including feelings) that you may have about each category. When you’re done, compare the categories.

The question, "How high is up" has no answer unless there is some reasonable estimate as to the ceiling. Personal improvement is much the same. Self-examination can assist all of us in obtaining reasonable goals and that can provide at least some clear steps on the way to our ceiling.

Fantasizing your way to your goals.

I related the research that showed one could obtain the same gains from imaging exercise as from exercising in a study I reported upon in my Wellness book (which is free to download in our e-book library at www.innertalk.com) where basketball players improved their free throw shots as much by practicing mentally as the group that shot free throws everyday of the thirty day study.

Current research tends to suggest that the scripts we fantasize, that is, our daydreams, rehearse our worldview and in that sense predispose our experience. Repeating themes such as those around "getting even" and/or emerging victorious at someone’s expense, probably tend to create scenarios in many peoples lives that may lead to violence, anger, and so forth.

In short, our mental daydreams may become rehearsed scripts seeking an opportunity to be played out.

By contrast to the above scenario, whenever I have spoken to a successful person, a champion athlete, or anyone else truly at the top of what they do, they have informed me repeatedly and universally that their daydreams were about their success.

You can choose what to daydream about and you can end a daydream if it’s not something you want rehearsed and thereby a part of you.

Knowing this, it is incumbent upon each of us to think about the goals we wish to achieve. Look back at your lists, and set up a day-dream that is truly self-serving — one that rehearses your success and achievement according to your goals—your highest best.

To your best and thanks for the read, Eldon

Eldon Taylor, Ph.D. is the author of over 200 books and self improvement programs. He is a Diplomat in the American Psychotherapy Association and received the 2005 International Peace Prize for his work in teaching self responsibility (http://www.innertalk.com/eldon/index.html).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

-----------------------------------------------

Action Step - Are you fantasizing or daydreaming about your goals?

Did you do the exercise? Do it later if you don't have time at this moment. But, do give it a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you write down.

Go ahead. Daydream once in a while, it's good for you . . . You can have all the advantages and wonders of being childlike without the disadvantages of being childish. I love a good 'daydream'. Go for it!

See you next time.

Al Smith

Audio Motivation

When To Focus On The Small Picture . . . Overwhelm

2007-10-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

5 Tips to Eliminate Overwhelm & Accelerate Action
by Beth Tabak

"You can't swing and think at the same time." Yogi Berra

The more you get up to bat the more you develop skills. Each time at the plate is another opportunity coming your way. The more you take action the more you will advance. Whether the game is your sport, career, business, home, or taking a risk one thing is clear.

The more you take action, the greater your skills become, and the more you achieve. Below are 5 tips to eliminate overwhelm and accelerate action.

1- Maintain a Clear Path~ Imagine mowing your lawn by just wandering around mowing wherever you see grass at any given moment. Can you imagine how long it would take? Studies are now acknowledging multi-tasking to be multi-debilitating.

The more you create a clear track of what needs to be done while fully focusing on one thing at a time, the faster you can move forward on it. See the resource below for help with this.

2- Microstep to Success~ Overwhelm is paralyzing. Start by microstepping. Take tiny steps to progress. Do what you know you can do (even if it seems ridiculous). I know I can clean out 1 drawer. I know I can put on my workout clothes and walk to the street. I know I can sit down with pen and paper for 15 minutes to ponder my book idea or begin a business plan.

Microstepping will move you forward, build momentum and confidence.

3- Set Time Deadlines~ Setting deadlines when you begin a task helps maintain pace. It prevents the regret of, "where did the day go?". Time is a valuable asset to be cared for. When beginning decide how much time you will allow, and focus to complete within that time.

Set times during the day to manage tasks that would normally interrupt you such as e-mails, phone calls, and co-workers. When interruptions are inevitable, set a boundary by deciding the time you will allow for the interruption.

4- Schedule the Significant Stuff First~ We are so responsible that we cast aside the things that will make the biggest impact in our lives. Or maybe it is fear that holds us back. In any event, add the important things to your schedule as a priority and move towards what you want.

5- Systematize~ Consistently look to create systems to save time. Remember how time is saved by having a system to mow the lawn. When something new goes in a cabinet something old comes out. Return calls and check e-mails at scheduled times daily. Throw junk mail in the trash immediately.

Give your items a home so nothing is ever lost. Schedule blocks of time to handle tasks in the various roles you hold. Automate. Keep a running list of items you need and errands, then handle at once. Systematizing with regard to a person's strengths and passions is even more advantageous.

Resource~ You are welcome to use the complimentary Get Things Done Task List. Send a blank e-mail to GetThingsDone@aweber.com , confirm your request in the follow-up e-mail, and you should receive it in minutes.

This is the time to step up to the plate. Put the breaks on overwhelm and accelerate action by taking the first step. Starting Now!

Beth Tabak is a Business & Life Coach, columnist, & owner of Starting Now. She coaches small business owners and professionals who think big to step out in a bold way to grow beyond limits, stand out in the crowd, and experience the vastness of their capabilities. Move beyond limits at http://www.startingnowcoaching.com.

The Power Of Positive Habits
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The Power Of Positive Habits

Do I Like Who I Am . . .

2007-09-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Before we get to today's message, I just wanted to announce that The Current Realgoalgetter Ezine is now posted online. It's got some pretty good stuff in there, but then again I am a little biased . . . LOL! Now over to today's topic.

Do I Like Who I am When I'm There?
By John Carvana

It’s about being authentic. It’s about being true to oneself about oneself regardless of where you are, who you’re with or what’s going on around you. It’s about setting a standard for yourself that being who you really and truly are is a non-negotiable, inflexible, unwavering condition in your life. Authenticity! As the younger generation would say, “It’s about keeping it real”. In this case you are it!

But why is being authentic so important one might ask. As a baby-boomer, my father and my grandfather clearly did not indulge in such reflection. They were too busy defining themselves through their work and doing what men do. Why has the idea of being authentic become so important now?

Well, being authentic has always been essential even prior to my grandfather’s time. However, due to continually improving technology, mounting economic shifts, and their impact on redefining male - female roles and relationships in the workplace and in the community, being authentic for most people is a practice frequently left undone.

What may have seemed like time wasted activity has become essential to defining one’s sense of behavior, ethics and identity.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~ Judy Garland

The first step in this process is the hardest part. It involves taking an honest assessment of who you are at this very moment. Right now! There’s no need to delve once again in the past. The past has passed and there is very little you can do about it other than to either ignore it, repeat it or learn from it. HINT: choose the latter! What’s done is done and it cannot be changed. But you can, if necessary, redirect your present and redefine your future.

Begin by asking yourself these basic questions:
-“What do I want?”
-“What do I value?”
-“Am I getting what I want? If not, what’s stopping me?”
-“Am I ready, willing and able to change to get what I want?”

The trick here is you have to be absolutely honest with yourself about yourself. If you are unable at this time to be completely honest then chances are you are experiencing a sense of separateness and isolation within you that will manifest itself as stress, confusion, anger and, essentially, fear.

Why? Because you are not being who you really are. You have surrendered / submerged / sacrificed your essence (your “Who”) and that is what is preventing you from being authentic. You are, in reality, living life by default and not by your own design or in accordance with the intentions that your Creator has for you.

"I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Helen Keller

Are you living your purpose? Do you know what your purpose is? Or are you too busy going through life to take time out to be who you really are and to define what you truly want and deserve? You can make a choice to live by design…your design…or by default. Contact me if you want support achieving more.

John P. Carvana has almost thirty years experience in the field as a career service practitioner and is the founder of Level Playing Field (LPF) Consulting. He is certified as a Career and life Purpose Coach with an added background in organizational training and development. His niche includes motivated individuals over thirty years of age who are in either a career or life transition. John’s specialty is to lessen the gap between where the client is and where they want to be. He has helped hundreds of clients achieve their goals.

A dynamic speaker, John addresses local, regional and national audiences on topics intended to improve their personal and professional development. To learn more about his coaching services, or to schedule John for a speaking engagement, call 209.479.2165 or click http://www.discoveredpurpose.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Carvana

Where Is Your Vision Hiding?

2007-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

This article by Catherine Franz really describes how a vision for your life may be knocking on the door of your mind and how important it is to listen when it does.

It hit me just right when I read it the second time, I love to hear about someone's personal life journey. This is real stuff and it is nice to know that we are all in the same boat! We all look calm on the outside but many of us have furious currents at work under the surface.

What potential message are you receiving that you dismiss before really investigating what the message is telling you. Our visions do not always come to us ready made and crystal clear.

Sometimes we have to interpret our mind's work, I mean really think about what our sixth sense may be saying to us. Sometimes it takes weeks if not months to clarify what is the right road for us.

Take some time this weekend to listen to your mind's work. Stop and record possible significant directions or hints of a more joyful, passionate future. Here's the article.

Embrace Your Overall Vision: It May Be Hiding in the Strangest Places By Catherine Franz

Thinking back on it, my lifestyle change journey really began about eight years ago. But I didn't become aware of it until about three years ago when I consciously decided I needed to lead a "lighter" life and started by cleaning out the medicine cabinet.

It seems so simple now, but it took three months before I could let go of the contents of that 14 x 16 inch space. Every time I went in that cabinet, a more honest assessment yielded more trash. Soon it became easier to be honest about the clutter of my life, at least the old stuff.

Memory stuff was not so easy -- things my parents gave me, my ex- husband, old boyfriends, friends -- I'm sure you get the picture. Of course, the kids' stuff was the hardest. But practice does make perfect, and in time I was able to make hard choices about what was really important to me.

Slowly but steadily over the next three years I conquered the rest of my house -- purging and cleaning every corner, cabinet and room.

Happy with what I'd accomplished, by fall of 2005 I was ready to focus on other life shifting goals. It was as if cleaning out the medicine cabinet and the rest of the house was the catalyst for other, bigger changes.

And the messages to make changes were all around me. Early in November 2005, I started hearing them. "It's time to really shift." I heard Dr. Phil, television's well-known therapist, say whenever I clicked on his show.

I didn't watch him very often but when my intuition said tape it or turn on the tube, I did, and there was the same message, "If it isn't working for you, change it." The timing was always impeccable. Of course, he expressed the message in different words.

But even with these coincidences, I heard the bold words but didn't take any action. Then the messages started bombarding me. Small, soft, large and loud. They kept coming. In early December, while in a meditative state, I heard it.

This time very clearly, very direct AND very, very loud, and firm. "Its time to really commit and get bold. Its time to reinvent yourself, Catherine."

All I could do was give a throat chuckle. The message scared the heebie jeebies out of me. Over the space of the week my feelings transitioned into, "Okay, I'm open, what do you mean by that?" I asked even though I had a good idea what it meant. The vision of selling everything and changing my environment to be much lighter, more Zen-like.

I've needed to lose a lot of weight (that was always a goal). But this time it was different, it wasn't the weight at all. It was, "Get healthy. There's a lot in store for you, and you need to be healthy in order to get there."

The picture got clearer as each week progressed. Key items appeared, I got nervous, questioned it, mulled over it, ran and tried to hide for a few hours from it, shared my doubts with my best friend, Brenda. The doubts faded but my lack of trust in myself didn't totally go away. I kept wanting all the answers. I want to know exactly what I was to do and how to do it.

The New Year is here now and I know what I need to do, although I still have no clue of what it all means. The thoughts of measuring up to the vision is still a little nerve wracking. Doubts come and go but only when I really don't want to eat healthy or exercise.

One step, now, is all I can focus on. Eat healthy now. Exercise now. Sell one piece of furniture now. Its replacement will come. I know all will come at the right time. And I think that is the only thing that keeps me in the "now" of working towards wherever this "reinventing Catherine" message is leading me.

I hold on to the vision that has been there for the last few months as I really like its picture. Yesterday, I spent some time working on my 2006 Attraction Board. It had been in the works since early November but the pictures weren't clear. Yesterday, while in the craft store things began to mesh.

This week I plan on test-driving new cars, deciding on which one I like, and placing its picture on my Attraction Board so that the universal laws will bring it to me.

When messages come of steps that you want to take, allow yourself to go through the emotions, but don't get stuck in the feelings. Keep the door open because the message you receive may only be a partial picture.

If you block it because it seems too big or impossible or unimportant, then the next message, the one that explains it or gives it additional clarity, won't get through to you. Even profound decisions often mask themselves as many simple choices -- like cleaning out a medicine cabinet -- and only take a few moments to make.

So be ready. Keep the doors open to the possibilities and listen -- messages can come from the strangest places -- a television program, a child, a piece of music, a memory or your own behavior. It really isn't difficult. It is a decision though. It is a choice.

Catherine Franz, is a syndicated columnist, author, radio host, International speaker, and master business coach. http://www.abundancecenter.com

Win-Win, Is It All It Is Cracked Up To Be?

2007-09-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

I was rereading an article by Josh Hinds that I especially liked and had printed out. I really try to live my life practicing this principle.

Look For The Win, Win!
Josh Hinds, Copyright 2005

Always be on the lookout for the win, win in all endeavors - I'm absolutely convinced that if we look hard enough at any given situation we can identify a win, win result in it. So what's the big deal about looking for the "win, win" you ask?

Admittedly, I know a lot of people (some are personal friends of mine) that go day to day in their business dealings (and personal lives for that matter) looking for opportunities that only benefit themselves directly.

Now I am not saying there's necessarily anything wrong with this. Even so, I can't help but imagine that their personal level of success would multiply if they only took the extra time to explore ways to ensure that the opportunity was equally beneficial to all parties involved.

There's something magical about focusing on win, win scenarios. When we're fortunate enough to develop ourselves to the point where we are always looking for these types of opportunities it's as if they come out of the woodwork :-) The fact is people like to deal with those that don't have the "what's in it for me attitude", wouldn't you agree?

Believe me, I'll be the first to admit that there are plenty of people who have done very well for themselves without adhering to the win, win approach. However, I wonder if one might really consider them successful?

Keep in mind that success has so many facets to it. Just because someone has attained material wealth for instance does not make him or her successful nor non-successful.

It is all in the eye of the beholder I guess you might say. For me personally, I measure my level of success by how much I can give back to others -- and that's worth thinking about.

To your success, Josh Hinds :-)

Josh Hinds specializes in helping people set and achieve their goals and live the life of their dreams. For expert advice on goal setting visit http://GoalsSuccess.com now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Another Way To Get Things Done Faster - Modeling or Mentorships

2007-09-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about my blog post earlier and thought of another way I get things done perhaps with a simpler and faster strategy. I'll share it with you here, but it is not new information, many use this strategy to speed their journey to their goals. I think Tony Robbins was one of the first to popularize modeling and mentoring for me.

I follow the expert's advice about going to those who had more experience in what I want to do and ask for help. You would be surprised how many people will help you if you would just reach out to them.

--------------------------------
Are you lost as to what to do next? Have you plateaued? Want to get to your goals faster? Save time and energy by modeling other successful people who have gone before you. Ask yourself some empowering questions.

Who is already getting or who has already achieved the results I want? Who can be my hero? What are they doing or What have they done that I can model. How can I interview them, How Can I get access to how they did it, and what do I need to do right now to secure this information from them?

Do I know them? If I don't know them, how can I meet them? How can I get together with them? How can I get to know them? What value can I provide to them so this can be a win-win situation for all involved? Have they documented their journey so I can study their thought processes somehow?

Find books, audio tapes, CD's, or videos of people who have been successful with the goal you want. Immerse yourself in the details of how they overcome every obstacle that presented itself to them for solution. Focus on solutions instead of problems.

Learn what others have done before you. Most of the time, this gives us shortcuts to our goals. Model their thinking and how they approached the goal, and you will always have the road to your goal laid out before you.

Read their map, make your plan, and follow your heart.

See you next time.

Al Smith

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A Simple Goal Setting Strategy - Keep Your Fingers On The Pulse Of Your Life

2007-09-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Well, September is here already and the first eight months of 2007 are now history.

How is your history reading? How are your goals coming for this year? Are you where you wanted to be by this time? At the end of September, nine months into this year, three quarters of 2007 in the past, how will you be doing?

It is time again to analyze what you've done and what you haven't, to see where you need to adjust your strategies to win your prize. There is still plenty of time to pack in some concentrated effort to get you where you want to be by the end of this year.

Some of my goals are right on track and some are not. After taking a hard look at what I want, I will not pursue the ones which no longer make sense to me. At the same time, I will recommit and intensify my efforts to those that are. And I have added some to my list.

It is the same every year. Once you start on the path, and you are actually in the fight, there are some things that stand out as incongruent with your higher purpose. I do not beat myself up over it. I just adjust and move onward to more of the right things.

This is simple goal setting strategy at work. Plan, organize, execute, followup and adjust as necessary to happily achieve what's important and fulfilling to you. Always moving inexorably towards your major focus. Follow your life's purpose at all times and you will joyfully travel your challenge strewn path through life.

Embrace the challenges. They will make up some of your best memories and give you some of the best stories to tell after you successfully negotiate them. This I know to be absolutely true.

I hope that you are getting the results that you want. You never know how close you are to the prize until you look up and see it right in front of you.

Recommit to those goals that are still important to you, and redouble your efforts. Discard those goals that don't make sense anymore and focus on where you want to be at the end of this year. We don't want to get emotional over what we need to get rid of in order to clear and concentrate our energies.

As always, Go For It!

Al

Getting Emotional Is Key To Getting Results!

2007-09-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

First, I just wanted to point out a great article post over at The NLP Weekly Website about "Conditioning Yourself" for maximum effectiveness during sometimes difficult habit changes. Check it out, there is some good info there. And on another blog to go along with that post, Steve Pavlina makes a good case for the use of Overwhelming Force to create results.

Next, I loved the quote in our article today about how powerful emotions add to the effectiveness of your goal setting program. When I was younger, I had a lot of trouble setting proper goals because I couldn't decide which goal to commit myself to. As if I wouldn't be able to change once I commited myself to a certain direction . . .

Anyway the quote to which I am refering is "Focus less energy on setting the perfect goal and spend more time preparing yourself for ultimate success."

I certainly could have used this information earlier! (or maybe I wasn't quite ready to see it's importance back then)

Top goal achievers all agree on one thing. We must get very emotional about our goals or we are wasting our time setting them. How emotional are you about your present goals?

Do they really move you to action, or are they leaving you stagnant? Are you excited about your life? If not you have some work to do in this area.

This is an awesome article today from an expert who knows and practices his stuff. Make some notes about how you can start to apply this in your goals program today.

Emotions are tremendously powerful when it comes to getting ourselves to take action.

Just something to think about today. Enjoy!

Going Beyond Goal Setting
By Kevin Eikenberry

I just Googled the phrase “goal setting”, and found approximately 3,600,000 web pages that relate in some way to that phrase. This shouldn’t surprise us, because conventional wisdom is that goal setting is an important skill.

It is easy to document both through anecdotal evidence as well as through research that setting goals can help us achieve more. There are hundreds of books, tapes, speeches, workshops, and websites that will provide us with tools and processes to set goals.

One would think for something as important as goal setting, with as many tools as there are available, that everyone would be a goal setter. This however isn’t the case.

While I could fill a book with the reasons why, there is one that is very important.

People don’t set goals now because they didn’t achieve the ones they set in the past.

They’ve followed the goal setting process they learned or read about, but the seminar or book stopped at the wrong time. The seminar stopped with the setting of the goal. That is like ending the game after the first play, then going to sit on the sidelines, while the goal is out on the playing field.

My advice to you, if you can identify with what you’ve just read is to stop worrying about goal setting. And start focusing on goal achieving.

In other words, stop worrying about which goal setting model to use, or which software to track your progress with. Stop making the goal setting process the focus, and start putting the focus on goal achievement.

Here are three things you can do to put our focus on goal achievement and drastically increase your success:

1. Get sick and tired. It is often said that people really begin to reach new health goals when they become “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Achieving a goal means that you want something different than you have now.

To build your ongoing and sustaining drive to achieve the new item, knowledge or situation, you must become disgusted and dissatisfied with the current situation. This doesn’t mean that you should become bitter or grumpy.

Rather it means to develop a healthy dissatisfaction with the way things are now (current profitability, the cycle time for new product development, or your inability to find a bathroom in Brazil).

2. Get (and stay) excited about the result. To sustain the challenges, setbacks and disappointments along your way to goal achievement, you must have another motivation as well. You must really want the benefits that will come to you when the new goal is achieved.

Build a clear and compelling picture in your mind of what you will feel, sense, see, and believe once your goal has been achieved. Focus on the results you will gain from the goal, rather than just the goal itself. This is important because in the end this is what you are after, not “just” the goal itself.

As you work towards your goal, the goal might shift, but as long as the desired results remain clear, you have improved the likelihood of achieving the end result you desire.

3. Start a plan and get started. Notice I didn’t say to lay out a complete plan of all the steps between you and your goal. If your goal is of any size and importance at all, it will require many steps, and it will be very difficult/impossible to identify them with any degree of certainty at the start.

Too many people think they need the perfect plan. They delay starting so they can get the best information. They want to talk to one more expert, read one more book, examine two more options.

Get started already! Give yourself a clear idea of a general approach, and some clear first steps. Allow yourself the luxury of knowing that the next specific steps will become clear as you stay on the path.

Doing these three things will drastically increase your success in achieving any goal you set.

Actually, let me say it more strongly. Until you have these three factors going for you in large (although potentially varying) amounts, you won’t achieve the goals you set.

You will lose momentum. You will lose focus. You will lose hope. You won’t be able to overcome the first setback.

And you will fall into the convenient and comfortable thinking that goal setting “doesn’t work” for you or that you need a new tool, a new technique or a new guru to help you set “better” goals.

Whether you are setting goals for yourself, the team you lead or for your organization at large, take this advice to heart.

Focus less energy on setting the perfect goal and spend more time preparing yourself for ultimate success. Stop worrying about the resolution, and start focusing on the resolve that will be required to succeed.

Doing this will bring you greater success, less frustration and will help you and your organization move closer and closer to your potential.

Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company.

To receive a free Special Report on leadership that includes resources, ideas, and advice go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/leadership.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

Another Perspective To Time Management

2007-07-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

Before we get to our article today, please check out the post at Steve Pavlina's Blog about making time for the very important but not urgent actions we need to take to really impact our life.

24 Hour Car Wash - OPEN
By John Di Lemme

I know that you are saying...

"John, what do you mean by 24 Hour Car Wash - Open?"

I am going to break down that exact title.

*24*

24 hours in a day. What do we all have in common? We all have 24 hours in a day. Specifically, we all have 86,400 seconds to maximize and predict our future each and every day.

The question you have to ask yourself is...

Are you taking advantage of the 24 hours, or is the 24 hours taking advantage of you?

Most people, after 65 years of 24 hours a day, are dead or dead broke - 97% of them.

What do the 3% do versus the 97%?

They all had 24 hours a day for them to take advantage of. The answer is they made different decisions and they were accountable for their actions each day and they focused on their Why. They focused on their daily goals, and they made things occur. The difference of the 97%er's versus the 3%er's is they took advantage of the 86,400 seconds over time.

See most people focus on working overtime.

Take advantage of time over working overtime, which means, 86,400 seconds, that is 24 hours open every day for you, in order for you to fulfill, sustain, manifest, and predict your future.

Now let's move forward to 24 hour car wash.

*Car*

What is a Car? A car is a vehicle that moves us, takes us from Point A to Point B. As an entrepreneur, the vehicle you are in right now is your business. Remember, you are always building your business; you are not working your business. People that have a job, work a job. People that build a business, entrepreneurs, build long term.

You have to start to understand the power that lies within your car, which is the business vehicle that you are in.

You drive it.

You steer it.

You control it.

It only goes where the driver drives it too. That is why you must take advantage of the time. You must understand the power that lies within the vehicle. You must absolutely predict your future to be a 3%er.

*Wash*

What does Wash mean? 24 Hour Car Wash. How many of you brush your teeth everyday? I know all of you do. How many of you take a shower everyday? I hope all of you do....

It's when you cleanse your physical body to rid it of the toxins and dirt that build up on the external part of your body. Yet, the most important part of predicting your future is the internal toxins and waste that build up. You must create the habit of personal development each day, to wash the negative toxins that the mind, heart, and sprit get bombarded by each day.

Not lightly....BOMBARDED...it's like a category 5 hurricane that comes through South Florida.....versus scattered showers.

There is a BIG difference. Your mind is bombarded each day. It is like a category 5 hurricane of negative words. Negative words are in the background while the radio is playing, in magazines, advertisements, billboards, newspapers, etc. 97% of what is in print and what your eyes see every day is and what your ears receive every day is negative.

You have to absolutely commit to washing those toxins away.

I believe you are a Champion. Therefore, you have to commit to 60 minutes minimum of personal development each day of your 86,400 seconds, and you must commit to one hour of personal development washing. When you combine those two things, you begin to use your 24 hours to your advantage.

Understand the power that lies within your vehicle, your car, the business you are building, and commit to washing your mind, heart, and spirit every day.

The 24 Hour Car Wash concept will change your life forever.

That is the goal.

Take advantage of it.

I look forward to hearing the results from it.

And remember......

Simplicity to Success Lies In the Basic Fundamentals

Creating 1000 Millionaires by the Day! John Di Lemme was a 24-year-old stutterer working in his family art gallery that dreamed of becoming a world-renowned motivational speaker. Desperate to achieve his goal, he answered an ad that allowed him to break free of the art gallery and build his own business.

Through his business, John built a massive marketing team of over 25,000 representatives in 10 countries and earned a seven figure passive residual income. Seven years later, John retired to Palm Beach, Florida where he continues to live the life of the rich and not so famous.

John has achieved great success as an international motivational speaker, accomplished author and multi-million dollar entrepreneur. His latest best selling book is “Find Your Why & Fly! – The Ultimate Success Factor.” John is also the co-host of an international television show and was a featured real estate investor on CNBC Power Lunch.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Di_Lemme

The Real Secret To Making A Change - Change Your Thoughts First!

2007-06-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

Eight Steps to Success in Life - Change Your Thoughts and You Can Change Your Life

Your thoughts are closely related to the real world around you. You may feel that your thoughts are a result of the world around you. Not true! By carefully choosing your thoughts you can control the world you live in and choose what you want to see in your life…

All human beings, including you are living in two different realities at one time – the reality of the physical world around you and the reality of the world of thoughts. You probably make the same mistake as everyone else which is to allow your thoughts to be controlled by the physical ‘reality’ you see around you.

You allow your inner mind to react to circumstances. As a consequence you are not able to experience the creative power of your inner mind. The true power of your inner mind is that you can create the circumstances that you desire. Your thoughts can be very powerful and can affect the reality around you. They will affect the way you perceive the world around you, the decisions you take, the way you act. All these things will lead to changes in the world around you.

Individual thoughts are quite weak, a bit like grains of sand. But if there are enough of them and they are well enough organised, your thoughts can become like a mighty sand dune that imposes itself on the landscape. The challenge is to ensure that your thoughts are consistent and focussed so that they add up to a single coherent whole.

The tragedy is that you may go through your life unaware of the majority of your thoughts and not recognising the way they affect your life. If you had to weigh up the thousands of thoughts you have each day and balance positive with negative, which way would the scales tip? Many of your thoughts are deeply held beliefs, fears, attitudes, hopes and worries that you may only experience as emotions when you react to circumstances.

One of the key steps in achieving greater success is to change your thoughts and align them with your desired direction in life. You need to start with a clear set of goals and adopt a positive mental attitude. If you constantly tell yourself that what you want will never happen or it’s too difficult for you, the chances are it will never happen. On the other hand, if you adopt that attitude that you can do it, all you’ve got to do is figure out how, you will…

The challenge is to learn how to direct as many of your thoughts as possible in the direction that you want to go. If you want more money but your present reality is that you don’t have enough money to pay your bills every month, it can be very difficult to maintain wealthy thoughts for a significant period of time each day.

It can be difficult to direct your thoughts where you want to go, but it is not impossible. It may help you to think of your mind like a garden – you want to grow the beautiful flowers of your dreams. Like any good gardener, you are going to have to do battle with the weeds that want to choke them and turn your garden into a wasteland every day. As you work at your mental garden, the weeds gradually loose their hold and your garden flourishes.

Changing your thoughts is an important step to success. You need to align your thoughts with the results you want in life.

by Kevin John

Would you like to learn more about eight steps to success in life? Download my latest e-book here Secrets of a Millionaire Mindset. Visit my website for more resources, articles, and support materials about success and personal growth.

Kevin John has spent many years helping businesses owners, aspiring business owners, and private individuals to develop the understanding and skills needed to achieve the success that they want. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_J._John

Procrastination Buster - Just Take Action!

2007-06-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Personal Success - How to Stop Waiting and Take Action

In the course of my work and life, I meet so many people who have big, amazing, earth-shaking plans that get me excited just listening to them. But when I ask them how they're progressing with those plans the answer is almost always the same. "Well, I just have to - (insert any excuse here) - and then I can get started."

There are a million reasons that go in the middle of that sentence, but the basic premise is always the same; these people are not taking action. I bet you could hear yourself saying something similar when you think about some of your plans. I know I have said similar things myself, many, many times.

So how do you break out of this pattern of procrastination? Here are five key tips to get you started on the road to your own personal success.

Tip #1 - Don't listen to yourself. Very few of us are actually insane, but we do all have voices in our heads. As soon as we begin to think about stepping out of our comfort zones, the voices of our highly efficient self protection mechanisms start chattering and telling us not to do it. They can come up with a million reasons why we shouldn't go any further, but they all boil down to one. Fear of failure.

You can't shut them up - it's impossible. But you can ignore them and that's what you must do to move forward. Instead of thinking about what might go wrong, just concentrate on what to do next and just start doing it.

Tip #2 - Perfection is a pipedream. One of the most frequent reasons for inaction is telling yourself that everything has to be perfect before you start or else the end result won't be right. So what? Nothing's perfect.

The best results arise from trying and failing, learning and adapting, doing and adjusting. If you wait for every single thing to be right, you'll still be waiting when you die. Embrace imperfection and learn to use it. Just start doing.

Tip #3 - Don't listen to others. The thing about dreams is they're very fragile things and they need to be protected. You already know that you can crush them with your own self-talk, but far more destructive are the opinions of others.

How many times have you told someone you know one of your plans, only to have them shoot you down in flames? They do it for only one reason; to protect themselves. They might tell you that they are protecting you, but don't believe them. They don't want you to achieve your dream because they are afraid that you might change, that they may have to acknowledge they were wrong and that they might be found wanting in the face of your success.

Just like the voices in your head, listen, nod, smile politely and then just ignore them. As I keep saying, just start doing.

Tip #4 - The bigger your dream the bigger the axe. If you want to build a roaring log fire in your front room, you can't set light to a tree. You have to cut that tree down and then chop it into pieces small enough to fit in your hearth and small enough to catch fire. Dreams are the same.

No matter how huge your vision, you have to start somewhere with a small manageable piece that you can do in one day. Instead of standing back and admiring your great big, wonderful shiny future, roll up your sleeves, wade in, pull out the first task and deal with it. Then go get the next one and the next and the next, until one day you look up and you find that you've done it. Just start doing.

Tip #5 - Yes, that’s right - Just Start Doing! This is the simplest to say but it's the toughest to do. A novelist who began his writing career, very late in life was once asked how he finally got started. "Well", he said, "I decided to stop sharpening my pencils and write something. Since then, I've never stopped."

Taking that first tiny step and actually beginning the first task is so liberating and empowering that you'll hardly believe how good it makes you feel. It is like walking on air. All the talk is finally over and you are at long last becoming the person you want to be.

Stop waiting - Just Start Doing

by Andrew Grant

Andrew Grant is a web entrepreneur, life coach and marketing consultant. He has written many articles on self growth and how to build a successful web business. Andrew publishes a FREE fortnightly newsletter, packed with valuable information for growing your wealth and growing your self. Visit http://www.money-and-mind.com to subscribe

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Grant

Audio Motivation

Positive Attitude Is Not Enough

2007-06-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

Just before we get to today's article on Attitude, I want to announce that the current Realgoalgetter Ezine is now online.

Positive Attitude is Not Enough

Contrary to the popular saying “attitude is everything” attittude is not enough. You can have the right attitude and all the motivation in the world and still wind up playing “dead atheist.”

You know, all dressed up and nowhere to go!

The key is that the right attitude must be followed by the right actions. That’s the bottom line of the doing part you mentioned in your question.

Renowned motivational expert Anthony Robbins says that one of the keys to success is to “take action.” In his work with getting people to take action, Robbins speaks often of “massive, intelligent action.”

I’ve taken that concept and expanded on it a bit, and created a concept called “CMICA (pronounced ka-mee-ka). CMICA stands for Consistent, Massive, Intelligent, Creative Action. Let’s look at each of these key factors below.

Consistent - For action to be successful, it has to be consistent. My friends in the health club industry tell me that January is the time of year when the most people will join a health club or gym. A very few will then show up and work out regularly. A few others will show up occassionaly. My friends tell me that most people show up once or twice and then are never seen again.

Seems like that’s how we often approach taking action. “Well, I did it a couple of times and it just didn’t work for me.” Yeah right.

Nothing other than small, consistent, daily actions will bring you the success you desire.

Massive - Massive action simply means to “do all the necessary things” to get you where you want to go. Not a few, not some, not most, but ALL necessary things required to get your goal.

A common question at this point is “what are all the necessary thinngs I need to do?” That’s a good question, which leads us to........

Intelligent - The great news here is that the wheel has already been invented. By this I mean that what you what to accomplish has probably already been done. Through the process of modelling, we simply need to find someone who has done or is doing what we want to do and model their keys to success. Rememer, if it’s possible in the world, it’s possible for you.

At the same time, don’t confuse activity with achievement. Make sure you are spending your time and energy on actions that get you closer the to your goal, and are not simply busy work.

Creative - If you want to really have some fun, be creative in your actions. While you are taking intelligent action, also ask the question “How can I do this in ways that have never been done before?”

Here’s a four step process to get your creativity going:

1) Precisely define your goal.

2) Identify efforts that have not worked in the past and drop them.

3) Come up with crazy, silly, bizzare, outlandish ways to achieve your goal, that you would never do, but are fun to think about.

4) Come up with creative ideas that will get you where you want to go. Sometimes the seeds for these creative ideas are in the crazy ideas. Other times, simply laughing at the crazy ideas will boost your creative juices for other solutions.

Action - Consistent, massive, intelligent, creative ACTION is the path to success.

Remember, trying is not doing. Doing is doing. Oh, and one last thing before I close: get out there and do it!

By Jeff Herring

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Audio Motivation

Are You Struggling To Achieve Or Are You Attracting Wealth Easily Into Your Life?

2007-05-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

ARE YOU ADDICTED TO STRUGGLE?

Which is more compelling: what's right with your life, or what's going wrong?

For most of us (almost all, in fact) what goes right in life sort of fades into the background. What often stands out more often is what's going wrong.

The Law of Attraction offers that what we focus on manifests more of the same. Restated, we tend to perform just about as well (or as poorly) as we expect we will.

Thomas Leonard, the founder of modern life-coaching, offered that "People do what they do because they have nothing more compelling to do." For many, struggle is what's most compelling.

"Make things harder on myself than they need to be!?", most people cry, "I'm just struggling trying to get ahead!" But, ah! There's that word again: struggle.

Are you addicted to struggle?

An addiction is defined of as "uncontrolled and compulsively engaging in an activity." Don't deny the addictive nature of struggle:

Where else BUT by setting up struggle in your life can you:

- Get the opportunity to get a repetitive flood of dopamine, a small "high", from each small "win"
- FEEL like you're getting ahead by overcoming the struggle you set up (ESPECIALLY if the struggles were unconsciously but purposefully set up to be easily defeated and even if long-term measures say you're stuck in your life)
- Prove (and reprove) your competence
- Justify it when you don't succeed ("look at all I have to overcome", "see how hard it is to get ahead", "you'd be struggling too if you had to overcome all I have to")
- Get attention from friends and family ("you think YOU have it hard.", "poor guy. he's had such a hard time of it."

Many of us wouldn't want to admit it, but isn't a life in which everything goes smoothly just kind of boring!? Isn't it much more compelling to strive, to struggle, to overcome adversity!? We get it all that and more by setting up struggle: the depression of struggle, followed by the high of success, THEN get to repeat it all again tomorrow.

HOW do you make things harder than they need to be? It can happen easily, even in the most intelligent, mature and enlightened of us:

- By insisting that if you're going to change your life it has to be large or else it doesn't count (or you won't do it)
- By insisting that you HAVE all the answers
- By insisting that you'll have to know all the answers before you'll start
- By complaining, associating with other complainers or otherwise focusing on the "struggle"
- By forcing yourself to do it the hard way (e.g. not taking alternative routes, insisting that success will only be accomplished by the ONE route you've locked your focus on)
- By not just taking steps and opportunities as they're presented, instead insisting that you won't move until the step YOU want comes
- By mentally making it harder than it needs to be (focusing on fears, lying to oneself, catastrophizing, black and white thinking, and others errors in reasoning)
- By insisting that you'll have to do it yourself ("I don't work well with others", "If you want it done right.")
- By focusing on organization (busy work) to the exclusion of just moving forward

Are you REALLY moving forward in your life or are you just feeding your addiction?

If you want to achieve success without struggle, you'll need to find reasons more compelling than those driving your current actions.

Life brings enough challenges with it, all on it's own. You don't need to feed your addiction to struggle to get ahead. "Change is inevitable," goes the saying, "Struggle is optional."

Experience the symptoms of withdrawal from the "drug" struggle. How can you make your chosen success - perhaps even with life being "okay" and without crisis -- more compelling than living a life of perseverance?

Join me at TLS and tell me how you're breaking YOUR addiction to struggling to succeed!
__________

Copyright © 2007, Mark Farmer

Reprinted from http://TotalLifeSuccess.com - the Web's leading success community featuring inspirational quotes, success articles, and tools to improve your life. To subscribe, visit http://totallifesuccess.com

Goal Work - Who Are You Spending Time With?

2007-05-17T21:41:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading a post over at Dave Navarro's Wealth Blog and I just wanted to pass the link on to you. Great article as always Dave!

Have a look at: Surround Yourself With The Right People, because I totally agree that who you associate with will determine how successful you will be in attaining your goals. After you finish reading his post come on back and read an exercise that will help you make the transition.

Goal Work - Who Are You Spending Time With?

Are You Associating With People Who Can Help You Get What You Want?

This is critical to your success. It may be time to pull out the old log book and detail how much time you spend with others and whether their interests align with yours.

Success Masters say they can tell you where you will be in 5 years by the books you read and the people you associate with. Here is an easy exercise to tell whether you will end up where you want to be, or at least what you have to do more work on.

Evaluate your time in the area of whom you spend it with and who has the most or strongest influence over you at this time. Be brutally honest with yourself. There is no good, bad, wrong, or right here, just what is.

Take it over the last week, or month, or year.

Write down all of the people you spent time with at work, or personally, friendships, significant other, mentors, associations, or mastermind group, and list them in any order. If you can, approximate how much time you spend each week with them.

Then, arrange them from top to bottom, with the top being the most time spent, and the bottom being the least time spent. Draw a line through the halfway point. The top half of your list probably accounts for 3/4 or more of your time, and this should be spent with relationships that serve each other's needs and goals, not those who have conflicting aspirations.

Are the people at the top half of the list those who support you, or have similar goals? If this is not the case, then you have some work to do in this area. Work to build relationships with those who can support you in your life's journey. (And the other way around) Get that top half filled with people in alignment with your goals and just watch the magic happen!

I am not recommending that you drop your present friends if they are not pursuing a same or similar path to your own. But . . . if they are real friends of yours, they will be happy that you are spending more time fulfilling your passion and will enjoy hearing about your successes, when you do get to spend some time with them.

In life, you must associate more with those who are moving in the same direction as you want to go, and whose goals align with yours. Even better if they are slightly ahead of where you want to be. If you choose not to heed this very important principle, your journey will be more difficult. Believe me, I know this from cold hard experience. As always, the choice is yours.

Good Luck, start the exercise now . . . (I always wanted to say that. LOL.)

Al Smith

If you continue to have difficulty with negative people in your life then you may have a long, hard road ahead of you. To keep your self esteem high, have a look at this article, Be Your Own Cheerleader

Accurate Thinking, Right Decisions And Consistently Taking Action . . . Key To Getting Your Goals

2007-05-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

Goal Setting and Getting: Consistency is the Key

If you are like most folks, by this time of the year you are either discouraged about your lack of progress toward your goals or you have given up on them altogether.

In either case, allow me to offer you two words: consistency and decision.

In graduate school, I was fortunate enough to be able to play racquetball just about every day. Racquetball is one of those games where you can play well, lose focus for just a second, and then play very poorly.

Consistency is the Key

We had a saying back then that applies in the present: Consistency is the key. Consistently focusing on doing the necessary things to achieve your goals will win out every time.

If your goal is to get in better shape, then consistently exercising and eating right will get you there.

If your goal is to save more money, then spending less on junk and consistently putting money in the bank will get you there. You either consistently blow your money on junk or consistently save it.

So if consistency is the key to goals, what is the key to consistency?

Decisions. Making the right decision, making the right choice over and over again over time equals consistency. The word decision comes from the word incision, which means to cut. So to genuinely decide to do something means to cut off any other possibility.

If you want to get into better shape, get the junk food out of the house, because if it's there you will eat it. If you want to save money, have it taken out of your paycheck and sent to savings before you ever see it.

There's one question to ask yourself often to keep you consistent and making the right decisions. What do you really want? Do you really want the short-term enjoyment of that candy bar or do you genuinely want the long-term enjoyment of being in better shape and saving money?

by Jeff Herring

Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Empire Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.

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Simple Steps To Successfully Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

2007-05-16T16:01:00.003-07:00

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs - 8 Simple Steps to Success

Limiting beliefs are those things you believe about yourself or the world that keep you from being fully effective and successful. They range from believing that everyone is better than you, to feeling you’re not good enough or not lovable, to believing that the world is very scary, and many more.

Breaking out from these beliefs is essential if you are to be truly fulfilled and release yourself from limiting what you do with your life.

Nancy Kline, in her book 'Time to Think', offers an approach that will help you break free from those limiting assumptions so you can achieve your goals. Follow these 8 simple steps and you CAN overcome your limiting beliefs and achieve success:

Ask yourself "What might I be assuming that is stopping me from achieving my goal?" (replace the words "achieving my goal" with whatever your actual goal is - e.g. to be able to stand up in front of an audience and give a presentation, to become fit, to look after my own needs, or whatever).

Then ask yourself, repeatedly, if there's anything else that you're assuming that's stopping you taking action, until you are sure you have uncovered all your limiting assumptions.

Now ask yourself, "Which of these is most in my way?" This will often be a belief about yourself, or about the way things are, that is damaging you and getting in the way of you achieving what you really want to achieve. For example, "People like me are not important", or "I am not lovable", or "It's not OK to make mistakes".

Once you discover what your real limiting belief is, think of the opposite position, e.g. "I am important", or " I am lovable", or "It is OK to make mistakes".

Now ask yourself, "If I knew that I am important (or whatever), how would I.....(whatever your goal is)?” For example, "If I knew that I am as important as everyone else, how would I approach speaking to a room of senior people?"

See how many creative ideas you can come up with. For instance in the example above you would feel confident and prepared, you would not worry about what your audience were thinking of you, only about getting your message across clearly and pleasantly, and you would walk away from the presentation feeling great about yourself and your achievement.

Now determine all the steps you need to take in order to achieve that. For example, you might prepare and rehearse the presentation, find ways to make what you have to say more interesting, such as adding in story examples, imagine yourself giving the presentation confidently and well, tell yourself that you can do it, recognise what you do well, and reward yourself afterwards for your achievement.

Write down the steps you will take, decide which action you will take today, and DO IT NOW!

Bonus Tip - to help you along the way, having done the above exercise, work out what is (or, if necessary, what will be) your new empowering belief about yourself e.g. "I am important", and repeat this to your self several times a day, so that you really believe it!

by Elizabeth Juffs

Elizabeth Juffs is an experienced Life Coach, specialising in working with people who are successful in some aspects of their lives, yet want to make positive changes to their confidence, career or work-life balance. She helps them build their self-confidence, reduce their stress, and gain greater control over their work and their lives, so they feel fulfilled, healthy and happy.
For further help in overcoming your limiting beliefs and gaining greater control over your life, sign up for her free newsletter and free report "How to Jump Start Your Life" at http://www.ejllifecoaching.co.uk/

© Copyright Elizabeth Juffs 2007.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Juffs

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12 Energy Renewers - Charge Up To Charge Ahead!

2007-05-16T16:01:00.001-07:00

Energy-Rechargers for Winners
by Patricia Wagner

Want more energy so you can live a more fulfilling life? Energy is life's fuel! According to Benjamin Franklin, "Energy and persistence alter all things."Buckminster Fuller believed that real wealth is ideas plus energy. He is famous for designing the lightest, strongest and least expensive manmade structure - the geodesic dome.

It can cover more space without inner supports than any other structureand it can be put together very rapidly. In Honolulu in 1957, a full house listened to a concert 22 hours after the delivery of the dome's parts. Buckminster Fuller made a remarkable contribution to architecture, but he needed energy to do it.

What could you achieve with more energy? Here are 12 energy renewers to help you achieve more in life:

Your physical health rechargers:

1. Eat and drink for optimum health. Be sure to eat well-balanced meals. Drink lots of water because dehydration can exhaust your body of its store of energy. If you're carrying extra weight this too can cause exhaustion. Take advantage of nutritional supplements since there are many key nutrients that may not be in the food you eat.

2. Spend time outdoors and improve your indoor light. Walk to a local park or lovely recreational area on a regular basis.Open the curtains and let in the sunshine. Purchase artificial lighting that mimics the spectrum of the sun.

3. Seek help when you experience medical problems. A number of medical conditions cause tiredness. Adrenal exhaustion caused by stress, low thyroid function, anemia and hormonal inbalances are some conditons that can cause exhaustion.

4. Get enough sleep. Be sure to get your proper amount of sleep. Experiment to see how much you need and then stick to it so you don't sabotage your energy by depriving yourself of needed sleep.

5. Exercise and practice proper breathing. Try to exercise at least three times a week. Don't forget that proper breathing is essential to your health too. Try breathing deeply instead of shallowly. At times for relaxation take deep breaths through your nose and then exhale through your mouth. Do this slowly and deeply. This can be very relaxing and energizing at the same time. It's a great stress reducer!

Your mental and emotional renewers:

1. Say goodbye to worry. Worry never helped anyone. It just drains away needed energy. Captain J A Hadfield got it right when he stated: "This art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of energy in our great men."

2. Choose inspiring people for friends. Your friends will either lift you up or drag you down, so choose them wisely.

3. Check your emotional health. Focus on others and learn to develop a positive attitude toward life. Being wrapped up in yourself is very limiting.

4. Work wisely. Work hard at your job or at your self-employment, but don't neglect your family or your need for recreation.

5. Don't waste your energy. Beware of energy-wasters like holding grudges, resentment and unforgiveness. Attitudes like these hurt you and contribute nothing worthwhile to your life. Weed those out for energy conservation.

6. Dream big dreams. Do you have a dream? Having one can help you to be more energetic. There's just something about having a goal that is energizing!

7. Rise above your own strength. The Bible is full of many promises to those who recognize their need. Here's one: Isaiah40:31 - "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

What's holding you back from increasing your energy? Try these energy-rechargers and win!

Patricia Wagner offers informative tips and f^ree newsletter to help you live a more energetic lifestyle. Check out http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com. She is also an artist and you can view her original paintings at http://www.artbywagner.com.

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Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
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Successful? Or Just Busy . . .

2007-05-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Busy, Busy, Busy
By Douglas Woods

Being busy has become a way of life for many of us. So much so that we begin to feel guilty if we find ourselves not being busy or we feel uncomfortable if we find we have nothing to keep ourselves busy.

If we see someone who is not being busy then we think they may be lazy or unwell. If we are not busy, we try to think of ways to look busy!

In our work, in our office, in our home, we like to be busy. We may complain that we have not got a moment to ourselves and yet, when we find that time, we feel guilty and feel we should be doing something!

In our minds we seem to be confusing being busy with achieving. Our efforts to keep busy seem to be replacing our drive to be successful.

Perhaps we feel that if we keep busy, at some point our efforts will magically bring success. Or perhaps we keep ourselves busy to take our minds off thinking about other things.

Yet, if you were to ask people what sort of life that would love to lead, how many would say they dreamt of a ‘busy’ life? Most of us would dream of a calm, peaceful and successful life, which is quite the opposite of a busy life.

Being busy is not a virtue, it is not a goal.

Being busy is what happens when we find ourselves adrift from what really matters in our life.

Being busy is what happens when we find ourselves working to the values and goals of others in our lives; our boss, our line manager, the company, even our parents, partners, children and, yes, even the other people living in our street.

Someone who looks busy may have the appearance of being successful, powerful, and influential but do they really feel that way? Usually not. Usually, the person feels flustered, annoyed, pressured and stressed. They feel as if they are not in control of their own time or their own lives and feel they are working to the demands of others.

Keeping busy takes people away from their own thoughts and visions. It takes them away from working toward their own success or their own purpose. Busy people have little time to consider ‘the big picture’, they are busy working on a little piece of a puzzle without knowing where or whether it fits.

People will say that they go to work and keep busy to earn money. This may sound fair enough but earning money is only a ‘reason’ for going to work. Having a ‘reason’ is not the same as having a ‘purpose’.

How many people would say that their purpose in life is to earn money? You may need to earn money, maybe lots of money, to achieve your purpose or live the life you want for yourself and your family but earning the money is not the purpose of life.

Being busy has effects upon ourselves that we do not realise. We stop talking to people; I mean really talking to them. Sure, we may talk about whatever thing we are each busy doing but do we really talk about anything else? How many of these people do we really know? We may know a bit about the work they do but do we really know anything about them as people? Do they know anything about us?

Being busy takes time away from other things and from other people. How many of us have heard our partner complain that they do not see enough of us? How many of us would like to spend more time with our children or more time for ourselves?

Being busy has effects upon our health, how many of us have felt stressed as a result of being too busy? How many of us know we are under strain but fear to slow down in case we are seen as lazy or not pulling our weight? How many of us can find the time to book that urgent doctor’s that we know we need but are just too busy to fit it in?

So, now, ask yourself these questions;

1) When I am being busy, whose purpose am I working for? Mine? My family’s? The company’s?

2) When I am not being busy, do I ever feel guilty, lazy or devious?

3) When I am being busy, how many people do I talk to? What do we talk about? Do I really know the people I talk to?

4) If I were not being so busy, what else could I be doing?

5) In the last week, how many successes have I had?

6) Could I become more successful without being so busy?

7) What benefits could it bring me and those close to me if I stopped being so busy?

Douglas Woods is a fully accredited Life Coach, teacher and counsellor. You can find out more about his work from his website, http://www.dougwoods.com

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Are You Right Or Wrong About Yourself?

2007-05-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

What You Think is Wrong With You May Be Something Right! By Julia Rogers Hamrick

I want to introduce you to a radical notion. Maybe what you think is wrong with you, is actually something that is right with you! Sadly, some of our unique and important personality traits are misunderstood and not accepted by ourselves or by society.

So many of the things we decide are personality defects are simply things that do not fit into our culture’s ideas of what and how we are supposed to be. They are characteristics that, if properly cultivated, may be our true strengths, but because they don’t fit easily into the world the way it is, they may not be valued in our society, and we may decide they are defects and judge ourselves as defective.

When you stop resisting about yourself that which you have judged, and accept it instead, you may find that, at the very least, you are now in position to transform it, since only when you are out of the realm of judgment are you able to channel Love, the only transformative force in the universe.

But even more exciting is that you may find, instead of a liability, you have a characteristic that is something to cultivate and celebrate! And it may even be a clue to your divine role and purpose on the planet!

For example, if you are someone who moves from career to career, job to job, and can’t seem to make anything “stick,” you may feel that you are a failure, and judge yourself as defective. If you have not settled on one thing and mastered it, but have tried many things, continually moving from one endeavor to the next, you may believe that something is wrong with you because, according to society’s values, you are supposed to find a career, get very good at one thing and work at it until you retire.

Consider, however, that the capacity to keep moving from one thing to another is a strength, and the willingness to attempt new things means you are flexible and adaptable and ready to re-group at a moment’s notice, always available to go where Spirit leads you. This is a valuable trait—an evolutionary trait—if not in the eyes of society, in the whole scheme of things. The Divine Design needs versatile people like you!

Some of your qualities may simply be problematical because they are misplaced—you are not in the right situation to utilize them. What if you are someone that tends to be loud and animated, and you work in a hospital or library or other place where being loud is a mismatch, but you’re having a hard time reining in your energy?

Can you think of any role in which being naturally loud and animated, a sign of someone channeling a large flow of energy, would be a plus? Besides being a stage actor, a comedian, or motivational speaker, perhaps those characteristics would come in handy for crowd control in an emergency, or for working with the hearing-impaired! Or perhaps you are meant to learn to channel that powerful energy for healing.

Instead of judging your characteristics as wrong, consider that you may simply be in the wrong situation to optimize those strengths.

Procrastination is a biggie for many of us, and a trait that we tend to dislike about ourselves. What is procrastination? It is the decision to defer action until you are internally moved to act. Granted, oftentimes procrastination is a rebellious reaction instead of a real choice.

Many of us have had overly coercive parents who did not honor our need to attune with the flow of Life Force within us and coordinate our actions with our own sense of what to do when, so we’ve unconsciously used procrastination as a way to try to take back our power.

Viewed as a strength, procrastination may be interpreted as a sign that you are unwilling to live your life according to an externally dictated schedule, and understand that waiting for energy to well up in you telling you it’s actually time to get a thing done is a way of aligning with divine timing.

When you stop vilifying this pattern and begin to utilize it for what it is, you can see that there are times when putting off action has been the right thing to do—and, you may find that you will choose to act promptly more often, once you free up your attitude about procrastination and stop reinforcing it through condemnation.

The list of possible misunderstandings about yourself is as long as the list of qualities you don’t like. Instead of fighting your innate tendencies, perhaps it is time to accept and use those qualities to serve in a higher way. Before you permanently judge that something about you is wrong and needs to be changed, try this:

Make a list of those things about yourself you find unacceptable. Use your imagination to come up with how and why those things may really be strengths in disguise. Brainstorm this—no answer is too far out when you’re brainstorming. The very thing you like least about yourself may be one of the most important tools you were given for carrying out your Spirit’s purposes here on Earth!

Certainly there are things about your personality that you don’t like that are simply adaptations to the dysfunctional situation on Planet Earth, and bringing these parts of you that may be out of balance into balance may be exactly what is called for. It is crucial you understand, though, that the only way to balance and transform these aspects of you is through Love—and love requires acceptance.

Your lack of self-acceptance means that you are out of alignment with Source, and out of the flow of Love. Love is the only force that can transform this or any other aspect of you, so self-acceptance is a must either way.

Self-acceptance is the key to your transformation!

Julia Rogers Hamrick has been a spiritual-growth facilitator for over two decades, and is the author of Recreating Eden: The Exquisitely Simple, Divinely Ordained Plan for Transforming Your Life and Your Planet. Julia writes about and leads seminars on proactive joy, and the relationship between frequency and experience. For more information on Julia and on recreating Eden, visit http://www.recreating-eden.com To read about Julia's own dance with Spirit, ego, and frequency, read Julia's blog http://www.recreating-eden.com/weblog/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Ezine
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
--------------------

I Just Did It!

2007-05-14T19:08:00.005-07:00

I Just Did It!
By Graham Harris and Julie Harris

I succeeded. I achieved my goal. I am successful. I set myself a target and did it. I wanted to do it and I have. I am really pleased with myself. I am so happy I want to tell everyone about my success. I did really well. I performed the best I have ever done. I performed to the best of my ability today. I feel great and am so proud of myself.

I did it.

Others said it was impossible. Others said I would never do it. Others said I could not concentrate for that length of time. Others said I did not have the courage. Others said I was useless. Others said I was not cut out for such a task. Others said I should be happy with what I’ve got. Others said just be grateful and stop all this success thinking. Others said I did not have what it takes.

But I know that is not true because I did it.

I am a success. I have proved that if I want something enough. If I put my mind to succeeding I can achieve. I just did it.

I know that I can do whatever I want to. The only thing that stops me is me.

The more I listen to others the more I move away from my goals and my dreams. I can achieve my dreams because I just did it.

The more I listen to the positive me. The more I tune into the part of my brain that wants me to succeed, the more chance I have. The more I can say. I just did it.

I just did it. I believed in myself enough to take a chance.

I just did it. I followed my instincts.

I just did it. I listened to my inner being.

I just did it. I listened to the brain that is inside my stomach rather than the one inside my head.

I just did it. I followed that part of me that I can only hear when I am quiet.

I just did it. I allowed myself to feel rather than think.

I just did it. I didn’t analyse I just went with the flow.

I just did it. I visualised what it was I wanted and went for it.

I am so proud of myself; I followed my path. I finally got it.

To truly get what I need all I have to do is listen to myself. Place one foot in front of the other. Trust the experience and accept whatever happens is for my benefit.

There I just did it.

Good Luck.

Graham and Julie
http://www.desktop-meditation.com

To improve your intuition, initiative and energy levels please go to: http://www.desktop-meditation.com It’s free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Goal Setting Revisited Again . . . Keys To Effective Goal Setting

2007-05-14T19:08:00.002-07:00

Goal Setting Guide - 10 Keys For Setting Effective Goals

Please don't just read this goal setting guide. Use these keys to set effective goals that get you to where you want to be.

To be effective goals need to:

Be written down - this sets the process in motion. Physically writing the goal down strengthens your commitment to make it happen. When you write your goal in detail, it crystallises the goal and gives you clear instructions to work with.
Have target dates by which you will achieve them - the destination date should be realistic yet challenging. Break you goal down into manageable stages. Put your target dates in your diary and review them regularly.
Be expressed in the present tense as though they were already real - Your subconscious mind will work to achieve whatever you put into it. You're more likely to achieve your goal if you state your destination as though it were already a reality.
Be reviewed daily - this keeps your goal at the forefront of your mind so that you are constantly aware of it. Your actions will line up with your focus and take you closer to achieving your goal.
Have a clearly defined destination - you need to know precisely where you are headed and how you will know that you've achieved your goal. What does achieving your goal look like? How does it feel? What will you have in your life that you don't have now?
Have a means of measuring progress towards achieving your goal - write down exactly what you need to do to reach your goal. Give each task a deadline. Break your goal into small steps and set markers along the way so that you can see your progress. This will help you to keep on track.
Have a defined support infrastructure - who or what is going to help you to achieve your goal? It isn't always easy to reach your goals on your own. You may need to acquire or sharpen skills. You'll need to invest time.
You may need to gather particular people who can provide help or information along the way. It helps to have people to give support and celebrate the journey.
Be set without limits - most people don't achieve a fraction of what they're capable of because they make excuses for themselves. No excuses.
Contain a tangible reward for achievement - the thought of a reward can help you keep going when the going gets tough.
Bypass resistance - it helps if you list potential obstacles so that you can develop strategies for overcoming them. If you have contingency plans, you will be able to move ahead and reach your goals, regardless.

Take some time out. Allow yourself to dream a little. Remember when you were a child and everything seemed possible? Remind yourself of what you really want to do and craft a plan to turn your dreams into a reality.

Set yourself SMART goals and dare to live the life of your dreams.

by Lynne Lee

When you subscribe to my free newsletter - The 5 Minute Life Coach, I'll send you a valuable free guide - Be Your Own Life Coach Now. This step by step guide will help you to start changing your life straight away. And each month, I'll send you a link to a valuable free eBook.

You'll find more coaching articles at http://www.christianlifecoaching.co.uk/
You can start transforming your life today.

Lynne Lee is a Christian life coach and spiritual mentor. She helps people to re-design their lives around what matters most.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynne_Lee

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What Do They Have That You Haven't Got? -- Attitude!

2007-05-14T19:08:00.001-07:00

Never Give Up On Your Goals!

What thoughts or emotions came over you as you read that? Never give up! Billionaire Philanthropist and Presidential Candidate H. Ross Perot said, “Most people stop digging three feet from the goldmine.” This is the wrong approach. There has to be certain aspects in place, such as goals, plans, visions, etc.

However, for the most part, when these components are intact, success will come to you sooner or later.

Many people don't like the whole later possibility aspect, yet it can't be ignored. The important thing is that your dreams and goals will come to pass if you do not give up along the way. If you stop pursuit, you lose.

Yet, if you adopt the attitude that I will not be denied, you really won’t be denied. I'm not an expert on this, but I believe obstacles show up to help us become more resilient.

Where you greatly desire to go, you can't be a wimp. You must be able to chew nails and breathe fire (figuratively speaking). Les Brown says it best. "You must trade in who you've been for who you must become."

Wow! What a profound statement. Think about it. Look into the future and be brutally honest with yourself. What type of person must you be in the future in order to truly BE who you greatly desire to be?

What qualities and characteristics does that person possess that you do not currently possess? What do you particularly like about that person? Are they friendlier, healthier, more confident, a better leader?

Thoroughly diagnose the ultimate you and the current you. When placed side by side, what changes must you make to become the ultimate you? Completing this exercise is very eye-opening.

One important thing that you will discover is the confident, resilient attitude that you really won’t be denied. You are that warrior that chews nails and breathes fire, and love’s every minute of it. Success requires a different mindset.

A big part of that mindset is developing a never give up mentality. It is possible for you to complete each task you begin with that mentality. Giving up robs you of the joy that’s sure to come as you check off tasks that you’ve completed on route to your goal.

Remember the words of Jack Canfield: “You deserve to have your life exactly the way you want it.” I believe that quote with everything within me.

The challenge is to believe the quote and realize that it may take a year, or two, or three for your life to be exactly as planned. The question is do you give up along the way? I have confidence in you that you will make it through to the end.

By Demond Jackson

Demond is the owner of Self Empowerment Network where visitors can get an accurate Personal Mission Statement. After the mission statement, please visit our Self Empowerment Goals section to develop your dream life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Demond_Jackson

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Procrastination - What It Is And What To Do When It Surfaces

2007-05-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here are two articles about procrastination by the same author. One neatly goes with the other.

Procrastination: Why We Do It and How to Change

PROCRASTINATION: You’ve known about it since high school or college, when everybody boasted about it. Everyone put off papers for a basketball game or a night on the town. It was OK—you only go through college once, right?

You left college, but did you leave procrastination? You are now accountable for procedures and personnel responsibilities more complicated and more consequential than any you shouldered in college. Have your habits and attitudes evolved to handle them?

TACKLING PROCRASTINATION:
1) Recognition. Be aware of the costs of procrastination and the benefits of reform.
2) Insight. Discover procrastination patterns in our work.
3) Enlightenment. Learn the ways other people have successfully changed their habits.
4) Action. Begin to use those methods to change our own habits.

THE COST OF PROCRASTINATION: Procrastination is a choice. Faced with some distasteful obligation, large or small, professional or personal, we choose to do anything but carry it out.

At first, its deadline is comfortably distant. There is no need to act because we have so much time. After some time passes, we realize that we are letting valuable moments slip by.

Yet we dread the task, disparage the goal, and continue to opt for more pleasing work. By this time, however, we cannot ignore the impending moment of accountability. We begin to think That Job is more difficult and more momentous than anyone realizes.

We begin to make excuses to ourselves or others, knowing well are only trying to gloss over a worsening situation. Eventually, we begin to lose confidence in our ability to make decisions, control our performance at work, and even lead worthwhile lives.

REASONS: FEARS AND FEELINGS BEHIND PROCRASTINATION: If the risks of procrastination are so high and the results so grim, why do we do it in the first place?

Often because, as we anticipate meeting a particular obligation, we are struck by fear and its corollaries:

1) Performance anxiety: fear of doing a poor job.
2) Dreading the outcome: fear of what will follow.
3) Disliking the task: fear of specific steps.
4) Boredom: fear of monotony.

You can start to control your time by controlling these fears. Face them honestly, define them. ask yourself whether they are rational—are they directly related to the obligation at hand, or are they rooted in anxieties about other aspects of your life?

Once you have reflected on them, focus on changing the circumstances that give rise to them. Take steps to overcome your fears and work towards your real objectives instead.

Copyright A.E. Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium

CEO of A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Make Procrastination Wait

Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They are quite clear:

-- Daily feeling of accomplishment.

-- Long-term sense of achievement.

-- Better performance.

-- Satisfaction with a job efficiently done.

-- Freedom from the tyranny of imposed tasks—more confidence about mastering future assignments.

-- Better professional image.

-- Higher self-esteem—belief that you can and will make decisions and take effective action. -- More control of your job and career.

1) Begin the task. Take some facilitating action as soon as you have made a decision. Once you have started, you will be on your way to meeting your obligation.
2) Don’t end a working session until you have actually done some work toward your goal. Handle a part of a job that you are comfortable with, however small. You will gradually build momentum and grasp the benefits of seeing your initial efforts through to completion.
3) Recognize your ineffective work habits and change them!

To control your time, plan it. Many options are open, use the one that works best for you.

Take care, and remember that all require commitment — commitment to planning responsibly, and commitment to the plan itself.

To plan constructively, follow these suggestions: -- Clarify your objectives. If you prioritize your values, goals, and activities, you will gain perspective on your career.

You can change a vague feeling of fear into a clear feeling of challenge by knowing what you actually want to achieve over the short-term and the long-term.

-- Focus on rational, important priorities. Don’t waste time over the trivial.

-- Outline a weekly work plan and daily to-do lists that integrate the tasks at hand and your long-term goals.

1) Set your own intermediate deadlines. Plan enough time for each phase of a large job and control your own work schedule. You will be more likely to meet staggered deadlines.

2) Post your deadlines visibly and tell a trusted colleague about them. You will thus make the deadlines “real” and have the personal support you may need to stick to your plan.

3) Give yourself time to make a mistake and learn from it. Remember: If you miss a deadline, others are not likely to go out of their way to help manage your emergency—unless you have a good record and have had the time to help them before.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Audio Motivation

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Make Good Choices, Commit To Your Decisions

2007-05-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

Before we get to today's article, I'd like to announce that the Current Realgoalgetter Ezine is now online. Enjoy!

Why And How To Make Making Choices That Are In Your Best Interest A Daily Occurrence

The dictionary defines choice as “the act of choosing; selection; the power, right, or liberty to choose; option; an alternative”. We sometimes hear ourselves or others say, “I have no choice,” when really what we mean is “I feel obligated.” There is always a choice.

Sometimes one must choose between two unattractive alternatives and often times making the choice that is best for you carries with it repercussions from friends or coworkers, but that isn’t the same as actually having no choice at all. I encourage and challenge you not to confuse hard choices with no choices.

Of course, before making your best choice, it’s necessary to know what is important to you so you can make choices that honor your values. Think of your values as the essence of who you are. They are the principles that you hold dear.

You already have your values, now you need to identify them so that you can orient you life, by making choices that are appropriate for you, around them. To that end, the following exercise will help you identify your top four values.

IDENTIFYING YOUR TOP 4 VALUES

Take some time and find yourself a quiet corner where you can concentrate. Read through the list below. Choose twenty words that resonate with you, that either thrill you or make you cringe. Feel free to add your own words to the list before making your choices.

Look over your list of twenty and narrow it to ten words. If you have difficulty choosing between two, look for one word that encompasses the meaning of those two. Then narrow the ten words to the four words that you feel fully represent your top four life values.

Print these four on index or note cards and put them in conspicuous places around your home and/or office as a reminder of what is most important to you. Refer to the list when you are making decisions so that you can be sure to make decisions that honor your values.

Abundance, Achievement, Adventure, Ambition, Authenticity, Beauty, Challenge, Charity, Creativity, Dignity, Enjoyment, Equality, Excellence, Expertness, Faith, Family, Freedom, Friendship, Fun, Health, Honesty, Honor, Hope, Humility, Humor, Independence, Inner harmony, Integrity, Joy, Justice, Kindness, Leadership, Learning, Legacy, Love, Loyalty, Nurture, Organization, Power, Recognition, Relationships, Religion, Respect, Respite, Risk, Safety, Security, Service, Sharing, Simplicity, Spirituality, Success, Tradition, Tranquility, Trust, Truth, Wealth.

If you don’t get that “aha” feeling that you’ve chosen exactly the right top four values, revisit this exercise in a day or two and then a week later to be sure of your choices. Knowing what you value most in life is the first step toward choosing what you want to add to or eliminate from your life in order to create your perfect life.

Three Tips for Making Good Decisions:

1. Make a list of the pros and cons of each choice and choose based on the quantity and quality of those elements.

2. Ask yourself just before you fall asleep what is the best choice to make and see what you are thinking in the morning.

3. Listen to your body. When you think of which choice you want to make in your head, how does your body react: are you excited, feeling woozy or sick, fearful? Your body often knows the right choice long before your mind does.

By Ruth Hegarty

Ruth Hegarty is a confidence coach who helps people increase their personal and professional confidence for greater self-esteem, happiness, and success.

http://www.ruthhegarty.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

--------------------
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Don't Wait For the Shark to Bite Your Leg Off

2007-05-12T20:26:00.002-07:00

This is a great article written by Craig Harper! Please take some time to really understand what he is saying here, it could mean the difference between living a life settling for what you think you can do . . . and living a life full of passion doing what you really can do and what you are really supposed to do!

Don't Wait For the Shark to Bite Your Leg Off

Have you ever noticed how many people survive some type of horrendous near-death experience (drama, trauma, accident, illness) or some other significant personal tragedy (sudden loss of a loved-one perhaps)... and then realise that they have some kind of previously undiscovered (or used) amazing ability, talent or drive to do incredible things with their life?

One of the most interesting studies in the field of behavioural science (for me anyway) is the dramatic way that people often change (personality, attitudes, thinking, behaviours, philosophy) following some kind of personal tragedy (often a near-death experience).

People who previously didn't have the skills, knowledge, confidence, drive or energy to scratch their butt (supposedly)... are instantly passionate, driven, competent high-achievers. Seemingly, overnight they become different people.They become dynamic motivators and teachers.

The follower becomes an amazing leader. The person who couldn't look you in the eye is standing at a microphone addressing the masses. They develop incredible programs and work on the streets with homeless people. They build orphanages for kids in far away places. They become outspoken, fearless activists and lobbyists for noble causes.

People who couldn't motivate themselves to get a job, become proactive go-getters. People who had their butt glued to the couch become inspirational role-models. People who never stepped outside their little box... never, ever return (to their box). People who were once bound by fear are suddenly fearless.

Sometimes, it's like they really are completely different people.

But the truth is, they are the same person doing different things.

That new amazing person was always there. But tragically, too many people live and die... never having met their own amazing self. Too scared. Too conservative. Too safe. Too sensible.

People who go through these amazing experiences come out the other side with no more talent, potential or intelligence. They come out with a different mindset. A different way of looking at life, the world and everything in it (including themselves).

Therefore, they create different.

Their world changes... because they change.

(I'm not typically into mantras or affirmations... but putting the words "my world will change when I change" on your fridge... might be a good reminder).

I hope you don't have to endure a tragedy or close-call before you decide to reveal and introduce your amazing self to the rest of us.

by Craig harper

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is an Australian motivational speaker, qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.

He can be heard weekly on Australian Radio SEN 1116 and GOLD FM and appears on Australian television on Network Ten's 9AM.
Motivational Speaker - Craig Harper

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Harper

Audio Motivation

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.