Motivation - The Defining Moment Of Self-Improvement

For any aspect of self-improvement, there has to be a reason for you to start and keep going. That is your motivation - the reason for doing what you do. In order to attempt any sort of improvement in your life, you need to be motivated in some way to get started. Strategies for self-improvement start with defining what it is you want to achieve and then charting a course through which you can effect the improvements or changes. These do not have to be drastic changes - they could be something as simple as making time for yourself to write in a journal each day or something to improve your health, such as quitting smoking.

Motivation comes from within. It is something that you want to do for you. This is what keeps you going, getting up each day and going off to work. Children are often the motivating force behind parents saving money, when they would ordinarily blow it on something frivolous. You know that you will need money for your children's higher education or to give them the extras that they want, such as toys and brand name clothing. This is the reason that you work each day, maintain a home and spend time enjoying each other.

If you don't have something to look forward to or see some sense of gratification in what you do, then there is no motivation to get doing it. Just meeting with colleagues helps you get a sense of who you are and your place in the world. Socialization, confidence and improvement are three main aspects of life. When you enjoy life, you can be motivated to achieve great things. Achievement does not have to be something that everyone recognizes. It can be something as simple as learning to make a quilt or to use a saw to create beautiful woodwork. The end result is the feeling of accomplishment that you have in yourself.

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The Embarrassment of Self Development

For a long time I yearned to improve myself; my true inner self, but something was holding me back. I made a lot of excuses back then; I didnt have time; I was too tired; I wasnt sure what direction my search should take. However, the truth was I felt embarrassed about opening myself up, especially to those close to me. All that changed when I went for a stroll along a Danish beach.

I went to Denmark for a short camping holiday. I stayed on a small island in the North Sea. It was beautiful, very peaceful; just what I was looking for. On about the third or fourth morning I went for a stroll along the beach. The beach stretched the entire length of the island, about 20km and it was about 2km wide!

After about an hour or so, I came across a young woman who was doing some type of oriental martial art. She was all by herself and seemed totally absorbed in what she was doing. Maybe this is not so strange, but what really seemed incongruous (and darn right silly to me) was that she was wielding a Samurai sword. I really did find myself thinking how silly she looked and actually became a little annoyed. My first thought was: What a poser. Did she really love herself so much she thought other people would want to see her performance with a sword? I found myself wishing she would lose her footing and fall down, and then I could say: thats what happens when you think so highly of yourself. But she didnt fall over; she kept moving, slowly and gracefully.

I continued walking along the beach. I tried to enjoy the remainder of my stroll but I kept thinking about the young woman and her sword! Why are some people such exhibitionists? I kept muttering to myself. I was no longer casually strolling along the beach, looking out to sea; I was marching, hunched over, looking at the sand beneath my shoes. I had become self-absorbed; lost in my not-too-pleasant thoughts. I was brought back to this world when I almost walked into an elderly couple. I apologised profusely. They smiled back and said not to worry; they hadnt been looking where they were going either. They were a sweet old couple, with weather beaten but healthy looking faces with open smiles. It was clear that they were very much in love with one another; they each had a hand resting on the others waist. I dont see too many elderly couples who still walk together with their arms about each and so they appeared a little odd. But what was really strange was that neither of them was wearing any clothes!

I was embarrassed, naturally. But the elderly couple werent. They were in no hurry to move on and they began to talk to me. They told me they were Danish and came often to the island. They asked where I was from and had I been before. They went on to tell me that they had been together 42 years and had 2 children. They also told me many things about themselves and asked many questions about myself. And soon, I forgot about their nakedness and felt at ease, and enjoyed our little conversation.

After a time, the old man said that they must be getting on their way and so we said our goodbyes and continued our separate walks; not once did they make any attempt to explain why they were naked. As I thought about the old couple I couldnt help but smile. They were so gentle and at ease with the world. I knew that they were what I wanted to be; free. Totally free from what others may think of them, totally free of any inhibitions to live the life they wanted. My mind then turned toward the young woman I had seen earlier. I knew, of course, that she was not an exhibitionist seeking attention. She was also free. She was doing what she wanted because it made her content. In truth, the annoyance I felt when I first saw her was not for her but for me. Annoyed because I was embarrassed, about what others might think, to do what I really wanted in life.

I came to a stop and stared out to the grey North Sea. I knew that I must break free, not from the world or people around me, but from me; myself. Without the thought crossing my mind I began to undress. I can honestly say I felt no shyness that day when I removed my last garment. I felt no different than when I undress to take a shower. I left my clothes behind and walked into the sea. I didnt stay long, less than a minute, the water was freezing. But the dip had felt like a baptism. I walked back out and picked up my clothes. I did not dress but made my way back down the beach from where I had come from.

A while later I passed the young woman. She was sitting crossed legged with the sword across her lap, looking out to sea. When I stepped across her line of vision she looked at me and smiled.

I smiled back.

Robin OBrien is founder and editor of www.selfimprovementtechniques.com and www.winchester-tourist-information.com

Why Creating a Resolution Fuels Motivation

By means of something different, everybody is motivated. For any kind of goal, that is the similar. Since their high school reunion is around the corner, someone may want to lose weight, while another may want to discard those extra pounds to get into the mood. Some reasonable goals, incentives, or even the character of the person is typically, what motivates a person to do what he or she does. In order to get good grades, one person may be motivated, or strive, because they need a high GPA, while another person may be motivated to earn high marks since they will get money from a parent.

Whether you are looking to lose a few pounds, exercise more to get in better shape or to get your house structured, creating a sense of purpose is the key to motivation. Motivation is difficult without having a sense of purpose. Without a reason, your goals are not clear and your outcome that you are working towards will be harder to reach. Many different things may motivate a person, but the reason why they are motivated is typically because they have some kind of purpose.

Oftentimes, when a person creates a firm sense of purpose, or a clear reason, then the end result is easier to reach. Clear goals and understanding why you want to motivate yourself can often be the simplest way to get motivated to do nearly anything. When you get ready to work on achieving a goal and understand your purpose for doing so, it will make easier you achieve you goal. Think about what motivates you and then you can easily find ways to help yourself along the way.

Make a list of small things that you could use for motivation. These could be rewards or incentives that could range from a new book to a new dress.
On creating a sense of purpose that can help you motivate yourself, there are a few key tips. When you do not feel motivated to do something, you can create a sense of purpose by thinking of want you want to achieve.

It could be something very small, such as washing your car, or something much bigger, such as purchasing a new house. Whatever your idea is, you require having a clear purpose in mind. Perhaps your purpose for achieving this goal is to better yourself, many it will improve the lives of others or perhaps it is a way to be more efficient or make more money. Your purpose is a significant way to motivate yourself.

In addition, without a clear purpose, your motivation will drop when your work becomes difficult. You lose sight of why you are doing whatever it is that you are striving to accomplish. You can easily give up and you no longer have in sight what your end result can or will be.

Understanding your goals, your reason for what you are working for all creates a clear sense of purpose. This makes motivating yourself so much easier and helps you reach your mission much faster and easier than without a clear purpose.
Another great motivational tool is by rewarding yourself for reaching your small goals along the way. After you have thought about your reason for wanting to do something, consider what you would get pleasure from a reward. Often, small rewards can motivate and help make your end goal easier to achieve.

Having a clear purpose for an outcome gives you the clearness you need to become motivated. Motivation is near impossible to achieve without this clarity. Understanding purpose which means, who, what, where and why of your motivation gives you the key self-assurance needed to meet your goals.
Writing a list or journal of goals will help you reach your end result is another way to keep your purpose in mind and to keep yourself motivated.

If you want to exercise more, possibly keeping a journal of what kind of exercise you do and how long will help you maintain a clear picture in your mind. By looking at your exercise log, your motivation and purpose could be spurred each day. You will start by making small changes each day, if you are trying to attain a large goal, such as losing twenty pounds. These small changes are your goals that will cause you to your successful weight loss.

I hope you have gotten some good ideas from this article and that you are able to use them. I want to thank you reading. Go ahead and look around to find additional helpful tips and information at http://www.selfhelpzone.com/

Nishanth Reddy is an author and publisher of popular Self Help Blog. For more information on motivation, goal setting and success and visit: www.selfhelpzone.com/category/motivation/

Do You Value Yourself?

We all live. We all work. We all wish to have a family, have children, retire peacefully and then pass away. Is that all in our life? What is the true value you put to your life? What are you? What do you want to achieve so that you make a difference in the world? What memories you want to leave? These are questions all of us must ask. Billions of people in the world lead a routine life and pass away. Is that enough/ Can we not do something better? How to make ourselves valuable?

We make ourselves by giving. When we make others happy, we become happy. When we do something unselfishly, we feel good. Most of the problems in our life arise because of absence of giving. Marriages are getting broken for small reasons, because neither the husband nor the wife wants to give in. Both have their demands that must be met, otherwise separation.

Every child wants admission in the best college. Every person wants the best job. Everybody wants the best comfort. All of us want. What about giving? Few of us do that and that is our problem for dissatisfaction in our own life. We are slowly losing our self-esteem because of our own behavior.

Once we begin giving, we will be rebuilding our esteem. Try to help those around you. Tolerate few nuisances. Forgive others for their faults. Do not hurt people with harsh words. Do not act in a manner that destroys a life. Contribute to the world so that the world remembers us for our goodness. All of us may not become saints, but we can surely follow in their footsteps.

Pause - Yield - Choose: Your Three Powers for Happiness and Vitality

Copyright 2006 Tom Russell

When I was a young man of seventeen I learned to fly airplanes. My first flight as a student pilot taught the value of the PAUSE.

On my very first lesson the instructor put me at the controls. Great tension possessed me as we lifted off and I wrestled the plane up to an altitude of a few thousand feet. All of a sudden Wally said to me, "Tom, the airplane was made to fly itself. Relax. Cooperate with it."

For the first time in the flight I noticed my state. I was gripping the controls with everything I had. I was gritting my teeth. I was a wreck but was completely unaware of it until Wally had me PAUSE.

The PAUSE brings you back home to your released state. It returns you to the natural flow of life that "flies itself." Strain and struggle are replaced by easy taps on the controls. You and daily life work in harmony to produce spiritual flight.

Here's how to apply the pause: Simply let go and know where you are. Often a deep breath arrives to refresh you. See as much as possible about your present state and the world around you. Be aware of both your environment and yourself as an integral part of it. Hold this new state for as long as you can.

The Power to YIELD

Picture a man walking a path to the top of a high mountain. At a certain point a small boulder comes crashing toward him. Stunned, he reaches down with both arms and stops the boulder. It jars him terribly. A moment later another boulder heads his way. He does the same thing. But with the approach of the third boulder a new and higher idea comes to him. At the last moment he simply STEPS ASIDE. He YIELDS. The boulder passes right by.

This is how we can deal with difficult and obnoxious people. They are on the prowl for a fight and when you don't give it to them they fall forward from their own momentum. It is amazing how powerless difficult people become when you consciously let them win. They are so ready to fight!

More importantly, YIELD is how to heal emotional hurts and conflicts that often lie deep in the mind. You are the calm spark of awareness that sees the turmoil without entering it or manipulating it or demanding that it go away. Release your efforts to handle them. Let them run their course and go where they want to go while you seek insight and understanding into precisely what is happening.

As author Vernon Howard so beautifully said once, "The problem is not the thought; the problem is the thought about the thought." Mental gymnastics are powerless to relieve deep-seated pains. It is the Light itself that heals us, not machinations of the mind. The spirit knows precisely where to go and what to do. No mistake, no blunder, no grief is too much for it. Life with a capital "L" has an amazing power to renew itself if allowed to work without interference.

The Power to CHOOSE

To choose is to refuse to catch the ropes thrown at you from every direction. For example, people often throw negative ropes by their facial expressions and by their quick little remarks. The TV itself is a giant rope-tossing machine. But the power all of these rope tossers possess derives from one thing: YOUR DECISION TO CATCH THEIR ROPES! You can choose in favor of yourself. You can stay in your own intelligent zone of independence and free flowing energy by letting the ropes fall right to the ground.

It was a great relief to me when I realized that a large part of my problem was my demand that rope tossers stop tossing ropes at me. I finally understood that they are never going to stop. The ropes they throw are a result of the life-level they inhabit. The people who run the media are never going to stop. Sleeping people who have no interest in self-development are going to spend their entire lives tossing ropes. It was my demand that they stop that created anguish.

Most importantly, I can choose to refuse the thought ropes thrown within my own mind. Guilt, anger, worry -- these are all thought ropes that linger in our minds because we catch them. What a pleasure to see a tossed rope that says something like, "You'll never make it, you're too old to change, you had your chance but missed it" and simply let it fall into nothingness.

Conclusion

PAUSE, YIELD, CHOOSE are never contradictory because they are three different powers that you can use at different times. Sometimes it's best to work with YIELD. Other times it's more profitable to turn your attention toward a refusal to catch ropes. When things are hectic remember the PAUSE. But at a higher level these powers combine into one dynamic force. As your skill grows in their application you'll find that they fit together and work in perfect harmony. Your awareness of their existence guarantees their development.

Tom Russell is the host of www.SuperWisdom.com and the author of "The Power of Vertical Thinking" and "Seven Secrets to Light Up Your Essence." His free newsletter, The SuperWisdom Ezine, is read by subscribers in more than 40 countries. You are cordially invited to visit the website and subscribe.

7 Tips to Staying Motivated While Working From Home

Copyright 2006 Sandra P. Martini

Youre doing it. For years youve wanted to work from home and you are finally doing it. You are no longer an employee who has a J O B; you are now a business owner, self-employed, ruler of your own destiny AND you have inherited all the responsibilities that come with owning a business:

* You are the manager * You are the marketer * You are the service provider/widget maker * You are the bookkeeper

And the list goes on. We often get so busy running our businesses that we forget why we started them in the first place.

So what does a small business owner do to stay motivated while working from home?

1. Remember the why.

Take a step back to remember the reason you went into business in the first place. What was your inspiration? It helps to focus intently on how you felt when you first realized you wanted to be successfully self-employed. For me, it was the sense of freedom and independence that I knew would come with success as an entrepreneur.

2. Give yourself a deadline.

If youre procrastinating about a project, you may be motivated by the self-imposed pressure of a deadline. Try giving yourself a deadline that you wont want to back down on: send an email to friends announcing a new product launch, email your client with a due date for that big project youre working on, take reservations for your first teleclass, you get the idea.

3. Maintain a support system.

One of the hardest parts of being a solopreneur can be the sense of isolation. When things go right (or wrong), we no longer have the water cooler to go to. Be sure there is someone who you can share with, someone who is available for a quick motivational chat when you need one.

4. Keep the goal in sight.

A simple, yet effective motivational tool is to keep your goals in sight literally. Ive taken a picture of my dream house and made it the background wallpaper on my computer. One glance at it is a megadose of motivation for me!

5. Take a nap.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, taking a powernap is one of the best ways to rejuvenate your body AND mind. So the next time youre feeling overwhelmed or low, slowly and intently read each of your goals and then go take a powernap. Let your subconscious work on ways to manifest those goals while you rest.

When you wake, youll be raring to go!

6. Reward yourself.

When faced with a large project, unpleasant task or anything that overwhelms you, plan a reward for once its done. The reward can be as simple as a quiet bath with candles or as exciting as a professional sporting event. Just be sure to plan a reward that YOU want and will enjoy!

7. Take a break.

Youve most likely never worked harder than when you are first starting your own business. In addition to actually doing all the work, you need to work on marketing, invoicing and other overhead or non-billable tasks.

Dont get caught in the trap of all work and no play. Be sure you take days off and breaks throughout the day to rejuvenate and gain some perspective. Whenever Im stuck on a project, I grab one of the dogs and go for a walkby the time I return to the office, things have usually sorted themselves out in my head.

It doesn't matter how successful your home business is or how much you love to work from home; both new and established entrepreneurs face the motivational dilemma at some point and while some of the above motivational strategies may seem conflicting on their face giving yourself a deadline versus taking a break for example they all have their place in the life of a successful entrepreneur.

Online Business Manager Entrepreneur, Sandra Martini, publishes the 'Effective Entrepreneur' weekly e-zine. She also coaches small business owners to more efficiently manage their businesses while increasing profits and having fun. Sandra's coaching programs are available via teleconferencing, emails and telephone calls. For more information or to sign-up for Effective Entrepreneur, visit www.online-biz-coach.com today.

When Motivation Counts

Have you stopped to think just how short life really is? Do you realize that every day you spend worrying or feeling bad about yourself is one more day that you are putting off being happy? If you are ever to get the most out of life, now is the time to start. Is there a dream, purpose, or accomplishment you have desired for a long time? Then now is the time that motivation counts!

What are the components of a life worth living? Many people would say that their relationship with their spouse and their children are an important part of what makes their life worthwhile. Do keep this in mind, though. Family life and marriage are not always easy. It requires that you put time in with those special people. It requires you to learn to be patient and keep your cool, too. Right now is the time to get motivated and start taking that weekly date with your spouse. Right now is the time to start having dinner with your kids and talking about their day. Now is the time motivation counts!

If you're single, you don't have to give up hope. You can know that fulfillment, too. The person you eventually attract will depend a lot on the person you are. A good rule of thumb is to be the person you desire to make your mate. In other words, do you want someone who is patient and loyal? Honest and humble? Virtuous and hard-working? Then be those things yourself. Then get out there and meet people. Or go online. With today's internet options, there is no reason everyone can't find Mr. or Ms. Right. But now is the time to get motivated and work toward that dream. Motivation counts now!

Another thing that makes life worth living is having the ability to have fun. This can mean having enough money to take vacations and the like, and with motivation, you might be able to have the money you want. However, if you don't learn to relax and enjoy what you have, the money itself might never really bring you the fun you crave. An easy-going, up-beat, contented attitude goes farther than money when it comes to having fun. If you don't have this type of outlook, then now is the time to get motivated and become more positive. Now is when motivation counts!

Almost everyone is required to work in order to have food on the table and a roof over their head. If your job makes you miserable, then even with a great family and lots of fun, you're going to be putting in forty hours a week of misery. How can you improve this picture? Do you need to look for a job in a different line of work? Or would a successful work-at-home business be perfect for you? If your income or work tasks are unsatisfactory to you, then it's time to push yourself a little to make a change. Motivation counts now!

So when does motivation count? Maybe a better question would be, when doesn't it count?

For more personal growth articles visit: www.personalgrowthunlimited.com

5 Tips To Supercharge Your Motivation

Motivation is the driving force behind life-enhancing change. It comes from knowing exactly what you want to do and having an insatiable, burning desire to do whats necessary to get it. It keeps your dream on track as it is the power of motivation that keeps you going when the going gets tough.

Heres 5 top tips to help you supercharge your motivation:

1. Create a picture board and fill it with images of your desired goals. The car you want to own, the house you want to live in, the area where you want to live yes, theyre the obvious ones. Others could be pictures of holiday destinations, trophies, first-class travel tickets, clothes you want to buy, fine restaurants you want to frequent whatever you can think of that gets your pulse racing.

2. GET ANGRY. If you want to change your life for the better then get angry about where youre at now. Having a blas attitude towards change isnt whats needed and it wont create a strong desire within you. So ask: Why do I want to change? Is it because youre FED UP with debts? Does your job DRIVE YOU CRAZY? Is your life DULL AND PRECITABLE? Are you SICK AND TIRED of doing the same thing week in week out? Are you BORED BEYOND BELIEF by the dull, uninspiring, unhappy people you associate with? THEN GET ANGRY ABOUT IT. And I mean REAL ANGRY. Write it all down, all of the frustrating, unrewarding, miserable lot of it that makes every day a dull slog until your final days. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?

3. Speaking of your final days, start to appreciate the value of time. Time is one of the most precious resources you have and it is also a NON RENEWABLE resource. You can either use it fully or squander it. If you want to create change youre going to have to invest a lot of time to make it happen. Start to reduce the time you waste on irrelevancies: Television, newspapers, lie-ins, weekends spent shopping, partying, dining out, visiting an endless line of relatives and friends these wont help you get what you want and all of them will rob time from you. Valuable time that you can use much more effectively by investing it in YOU. Remember this: You have a finite amount of time here on Earth. You dont know how much time you have no one does. But its how you use the time you have that counts. So make your time count and that means starting from right NOW.

4. Conformity. Are you a mindless little sheep whos way too timid to pursue your own way? Do you have to follow where everyone else goes, doing exactly what everyone else does and therefore, who gets the same levels of happiness as all the other little sheep? Seriously, does this describe YOU? Are you too frightened to be different than all of the other sheep because they wouldnt like it if you decided to follow a different path? So you dutifully trot along following all the other sheep because if theyre doing it then thats how it is right? But if you do what everyone else does youll just get what everyone else gets. Do you want to be a mindless, timid little sheep who blindly follows all the other sheep? Or do you want to be a leader, a warrior who possesses the courage to be uniquely you and to do what you want to do and make your dreams happen? If so then this means you have to be more like a tiger than a sheep. Do you really want to be a sheep? I mean, havent we got enough sheep already?

5. Fear your fear. Fear is the force that is determined to stop you in your tracks and rob your dreams from you. But it can only do this if you let it. Are you going to let this cruel destructive charlatan trample on your dreams, steal your happiness and crush your spirit? Imagine this thought haunting your final days: I didnt do the things I wanted because I was too frightened to live. And by then, itll be far too late to conquer fear. Refuse to let fear spoil your life and start taking action now!

The world is waiting for your unique gifts. Why keep it waiting any longer?

Chris Green is the author of the new book Conquering Fear, a special program which will show you how to conquer fear and attract greater happiness, success and prosperity into your life. For more info, click here => www.conqueringfear.net

Exercise Tips: 25 Ways to Stay Motivated

We all know that exercise can be pure magic for the mind, body and soul. But how do you go from a sporadic, on again, off again exerciser to someone for whom exercise is a lifelong habit, as natural and necessary as going to work and eating regular meals?

Here are 25 tips from someone who has been on both sides.

1. The first thing to do is to ask yourself: Why are you exercising? Are you trying to get in shape for an upcoming event? Do you want to lose weight, sleep better, increase your energy, gain strength, add muscle tone and flexibility, or just feel a heightened sense of well being? If the reason you are exercising has anything to do with someone else (for example, your boyfriend says you need to lose weight or get in shape), you need a new reason (and, quite possibly, a new boyfriend).

2. Set goals. Set both a short term goal, to achieve in three to six weeks, and a long term goal, to achieve over the course of a year. Make sure your goals are achievable enough that they are not discouraging, but high enough that you have an incentive to tie your workout shoes each day. It is also important that your goals are specific and directly related to your specific motivation for exercising. For example, my main motivation for exercising is to consistently maintain my brighter mood and the calm, energized feeling that I get only from exercising, so my goal is to work out at least 5 days per week. My other motivation is to gain strength and cardiovascular endurance, so my other goals have to do with how long and how quickly I run.

3. Keep an exercise journal or log. Write down how your exercise is making you feel each day. How is your exercise benefiting your mood, energy levels, quality of sleep, weight, and so on? Do some exercises have more significant effects than others? Chart your progress in regard to your specific goals.

4. Take photos of yourself each month in your workout gear so you have a visual record of your results.

5. Make sure you are working out hard enough to release endorphins. Of course, you will want to talk to a doctor before starting any workout regimen, and you want to make sure that you are exercising at the optimum level for you, your body type, and your fitness level. I find that I am much more likely to continue with an exercise program if each workout releases those endorphins and immediately improves they way I feel.

6. Advertisements for fitness products (especially athletic shoes) can be tremendously motivating. Purchase a fitness magazine and make an inspirational collage of images, advertisements and slogans that speak to you. Post your collage where you will see it each day.

7. Make sure you are using proper technique. You want to avoid injury, above all, so check with a doctor or trainer if you experience any pain, or if you are not sure whether you are doing a particular exercise correctly.

8. Join an online community, such as WeightWatchers.com or Ediets.com, which encourages you to log and track your exercise each day.

9. If you enjoy working out with someone, call a friend to help hold you accountable for those daily workouts.

10. Join a group that combines fitness goals with charity fundraising. The Team In Training, from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for example, provides training to walk or run a whole or half marathon, or to participate in a triathlon or 100 mile bike ride, all while raising money for a good cause.

11. If you prefer to work out alone, give yourself something fun to do while you exercise. Find some good heart pumping music or listen to books on tape. A suspenseful audiobook may be all you need to get on those running shoes each day.

12. Identify the excuses you like to use and have a ready made response. If time is an issue, make sure your workout clothes are ready to go. If you have young children, get a good jogging stroller or set up a babysitting swap with another mom in your neighborhood: you can watch her children while she works out and vice versa.

13. Make sure you have the right gear, which can make all the difference in the comfort level of your workout. A good pair of shoes is essential. And weather resistant clothing or a membership to an indoor gym can help you fight off your own excuses when weather conditions are less than ideal.

14. Once you find an exercise that you particularly enjoy, do a Google search to find out more about any coaches or specialists that may be able to provide inspiration or special training, either through tapes, books, or online resources. If you are a runner, for example, check out JohnBingham.com.

15. Recognize that your will to exercise is going to fluctuate, and exercise anyway. Sometimes it helps if I promise myself that I can stop my workout after 10 minutes if I still want to. At that point, I am usually feeling so much better that I finish the workout.

16. Place a giant star on your calendar each day to indicate that you completed your workout. These visual rewards can be so motivating.

17. Change your routine as you reach new goals. Add zest to your workout and avoid the exercise plateau by increasing the intensity or the duration of your workout, or by trying a new workout or sport.

18. Hire a trainer. If you are in an exercise rut, consider consulting with a personal trainer for a session or two. You will learn new techniques and find fresh motivation, as well.

19. Try not to take more than one day off at a time. I have found this really important to avoid losing valuable momentum. If I take two days off, it becomes very easy to take another day, and then another day. That means that if your workout is only part of your weekday routine, weave it into your weekend routine, too.

20. Be gentle with yourself. If you miss a workout or two or three, get right back to your regular schedule. You will feel better instantly.

21. Choose an exercise that you are likely to do each day. Some experts say that walking is the best exercise simply because it is something that is easy to do on a continual basis. There is no need for special equipment, and you can do it absolutely anywhere.

22. If you are walking or running, get a good pedometer to help you track your progress.

23. Schedule your daily exercise on your to do list and in your planner. Think of it as simply something you need to do before your head hits the pillow.

24. Give yourself simple rewards. It is generally best if these rewards are not edible, since a food reward can be a tad demoralizing after you have just worked to burn so many calories in a workout. For long term goals, treat yourself to a new pair of athletic shoes or other fitness equipment. For short term goals, consider a new fitness magazine, workout video, or simply fresh flowers for the dining room table.

25. Try to think of exercise as something you do for yourself: a gift you give yourself, a way to stay balanced and focused, and time when you can be alone with your thoughts.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape at www.momscape.com . Visit today for the latest online Coupon Codes including money-saving shoe store coupons.

If You Can You Can Do Anything

I recently had an epiphany. Many may consider it a minor feat, yet for me it feels like a big accomplishment. I did something I didnt think I could do and I changed my own image of myself. I also learned something that can be applied to most everything in life.

I have never thought of myself as a swimmer. Sure, I took lessons when I was a kid just like everyone else, but I struggled with it. I did not find it easy. I thought everyone else was a better swimmer than me and I did not think I could do it. So I didnt swim. For years and years I just didnt even try.

But this summer I was inspired. I wanted to swim. Not just swim, I wanted to become a good swimmer. Being a Mommy is definitely inspirational and my inspiration to swim came from my two-year-old daughter. My beautiful little daughter inspired me. I took her to a mommy-tot class and she loved it. Every time she was in the pool she loved it. She seems to be natural at it, just the opposite of what I was. Her lessons have been over for weeks yet still every single day at 8:00 in the morning, she puts on her swimsuit and she is ready to go to the pool.

My family always enjoyed boating and water-skiing, but my lack of skill in swimming never seemed to be a problem, after all I could always grab the life jacket! But watching my daughter swim and feeling the joy she felt, I realized that my family was going to be a swimming family and as the Mom, I needed to catch up!

So, I decided I would start to improve my swimming skills by swimming laps. I asked the swim instructor when the lap lanes were mostly empty so I didnt interrupt any of the triathletes or the regulars and I just decided to do it.

At first I was tentative, I didnt know how I would do. After all, it had been 30 years or more since I did any serious swimming and even then I was never comfortable. So I started with a kickboard and I went across the pool a few times. But that got real boring, real fast. So I tried to swim and breathe and swim and breathe. I remembered how, I realized that I just needed to practice. The first time I made it all the way across without stopping I was elated. But the breathing was the scary part. So I concentrated on breathing and as I got better I realized that the trick with breathing in the water is not the Inhale but rather the Exhale-the releasing of all of the air in your lungs to make room to bring in more air. You have to release the resistance of the last breath in order to get the next breath. Soon I was able to breathe easily in the pool. Now I can swim lap after lap without any problems.

As I came home and told my husband (my best friend) every single, minute detail of my newfound passion, I excitedly declared, If I can breathe, I can do Anything! Wow, what a concept! And how true it really is based on everything that I have learned in life! We really are limitless beings, so of course, if we are breathing we are capable of just about anything!

So swimming gave me a great metaphor for lifeIf you can breathe, You can do anything! One of my favorite, late, great, mentors W. Clement Stone said, Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, It can achieve. Hes rightIf you can believe it (and you are breathing!) you can achieve it. It may take some work or practice and you may need to release some resistance but If you can Breathe, You can do Anything!

Karen Lynch is the creator of the motivation and inspiration website www.livethepower.com You can learn about using the power of your own mind by picking up a copy of a Free Ebook of "The Power of the Subconscious Mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy at www.livethepower.com/home.html