By Robin OBrien
Water is found in all living things but it is never contained. Somehow, somewhere it will escape and flow where it wants. To find true happiness you must allow your mind to escape and flow like water.
It was once thought that all life on earth needed 3 things: light, warmth and water, but today scientists have found living organisms deep within caves that never receive light and even bacteria buried deep in the sub-zero ice caps of Antarctica. Life doesnt need light or warmth but one thing is now known to be essential: water.
Water cannot be contained. Sooner or later it escapes and travels on a journey of its own inclination. A river flows, not in a fixed route, rather it follows the contour of the land and, if the landscape changes, the river changes course. The river follows the easiest route, the path of least resistance. Its course may change many times, it may even reach an impasse and form a lake, but eventually it finds its journeys end: the sea. Even man-made waterways, such as canals, dont contain or control water. Glass contains water but cannot keep it. If you ever look at a truly old piece of glass you can see that it has lost its smoothness: you can observe that the surface has what appears to be ripples, like ripples on a pond. The ripples always follow one direction: downward, towards gravity. A pane of glass will actually form a droplet of glass that eventually drips; it just takes a couple of thousand years to do so.
Your journey of self-improvement, to be successful, must be like that of a river. The yearning to improve your inner self is the spring from where your wide river of self-fulfilment will come.
Along the way your journey will take many turns. Youll encounter what seem to be insurmountable obstacles that loom like mountains, but like water youll find the valley or canyon to flow around the obstacles. At times the river will disappear, deep underground. Youll lose sight of it, perhaps for a long time. But, it must resurface eventually, as all rivers do before they reach journeys end.
Your journey will not always be a smooth one. Youll encounter rapids and you may even have to take enormous leaps of faith before tumbling down to where you want to be: but like a waterfall, when you reach the next step along the journey your power and energy will be many fold. You will also experience many stagnant pools along that path where the flow of the river is almost imperceptible. But flow the river does and it will flow freely and cleanly.
The journey will be a rewarding one. Your spring, that tiny step toward self-fulfilment, will turn into a river, perhaps even a great, mighty and wide one. And you wont be alone. A river is not a single entity; rather it is formed by a meeting of many springs: a meeting of minds. Your journeys end will be a confluence of water.
Dont try to constrain your river of self-development. Dont build canals to take the river where you think it should go, or aqueducts to take you over obstacles. Let the river of you journey find its own route. Can the greatest man-made canal ever compare to any river. A river moves, changes, adapts and grows bigger. The water in a canal moves slowly, the course it follows never changes, and it never will grow bigger or wider. Do you want your journey to be that of a canal or a river?
A river follows the path of least resistance. This isnt laziness: it is just expending energy where it is really needed. Your journey must explore every field, valley and wood. Dont expend energy on getting to your destination; spend your energy on exploring the world around you. All rivers eventually flow out to the sea. They all reach journeys end and you will too.
Robin O'Brien is a successfully webmaster and founder of http://www.selfimprovementtechniques.comwhere he provides help and support. You can find more self improvement tips on his site.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Create Your Own Luck And You Will Never Fail
By Jaz Lai
Why is it that some people succeed at things while others fail? Is there such a thing as creating your own luck?
The answer is quite simple, those who succeed chose to 'do something' and do it now rather than later.
For example, imagine that 100 people read the exact same book that I did. I benefited from what was written and implemented the information in it to my advantage. Yet the other 100 people managed to come up with 100 different reasons why the book either wouldn't work for them or how it didn't fit their situation. The point being, everyone has choices available to him or her. They can choose to make money or choose to make excuses, its really as simple as that! People who make excuses just leave more opportunities open to those of us who do want to succeed. Those who don't sit idly by and use golden opportunities to their best advantage all have one thing in common, they just got started and don't make excuses about why they can't!
There are thousands of reasons why you can't make a start today. The timing may not be right or you may be too busy today to make a start. Most people who do succeed are usually at the busiest time of their lives, so the real question here is, are you too busy to make money? Or maybe your computer is too slow or needs updating? Possibly the software you are using isn't right to start your internet business? People like that keep telling themselves "once I get this new software or computer then I'll start.... " and go along on their merry way looking for even more plans. All the while they are waiting, they are letting golden opportunities pass them by. These people are never going to make money with that attitude because the time will never be right. So once again the real question here is when is the right time to start making money?
Others wait until every one around them is making money from working hard on a realistic plan, then call them 'lucky'? There is no such thing as being 'lucky' in this situation. We all make our own luck by taking an opportunity with both hands and 'doing something' with it! How many books have you read this year? How many ideas have you implemented from your newfound knowledge? Be truthful now! If you buy a book, make it your goal to implement at least one idea you have found.
Take some responsibility for yourself. If you don't 'do something' nobody will jump up and do it for you. By being responsible for your own success, you will find that your goals and ambitions aren't really that far from you. Ask someone who is successful and they will tell you the same thing because it's true. If you are having trouble being successful, be aware that you have the tools and opportunities. All that you need is to 'do something' about it. Create your own luck.
Jaz Lai is an Internet Business Expert where he created $10,045 sales just by sending out 5 emails without any list or product. Further recommended resources, Click here www.onlineearningmakeeasy.com/free-report
Why is it that some people succeed at things while others fail? Is there such a thing as creating your own luck?
The answer is quite simple, those who succeed chose to 'do something' and do it now rather than later.
For example, imagine that 100 people read the exact same book that I did. I benefited from what was written and implemented the information in it to my advantage. Yet the other 100 people managed to come up with 100 different reasons why the book either wouldn't work for them or how it didn't fit their situation. The point being, everyone has choices available to him or her. They can choose to make money or choose to make excuses, its really as simple as that! People who make excuses just leave more opportunities open to those of us who do want to succeed. Those who don't sit idly by and use golden opportunities to their best advantage all have one thing in common, they just got started and don't make excuses about why they can't!
There are thousands of reasons why you can't make a start today. The timing may not be right or you may be too busy today to make a start. Most people who do succeed are usually at the busiest time of their lives, so the real question here is, are you too busy to make money? Or maybe your computer is too slow or needs updating? Possibly the software you are using isn't right to start your internet business? People like that keep telling themselves "once I get this new software or computer then I'll start.... " and go along on their merry way looking for even more plans. All the while they are waiting, they are letting golden opportunities pass them by. These people are never going to make money with that attitude because the time will never be right. So once again the real question here is when is the right time to start making money?
Others wait until every one around them is making money from working hard on a realistic plan, then call them 'lucky'? There is no such thing as being 'lucky' in this situation. We all make our own luck by taking an opportunity with both hands and 'doing something' with it! How many books have you read this year? How many ideas have you implemented from your newfound knowledge? Be truthful now! If you buy a book, make it your goal to implement at least one idea you have found.
Take some responsibility for yourself. If you don't 'do something' nobody will jump up and do it for you. By being responsible for your own success, you will find that your goals and ambitions aren't really that far from you. Ask someone who is successful and they will tell you the same thing because it's true. If you are having trouble being successful, be aware that you have the tools and opportunities. All that you need is to 'do something' about it. Create your own luck.
Jaz Lai is an Internet Business Expert where he created $10,045 sales just by sending out 5 emails without any list or product. Further recommended resources, Click here www.onlineearningmakeeasy.com/free-report
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Mind Set Of Success - In The Beginning, There Was A Thought
By Richard Kimball
Thoughts are the starting point to all that we do, both good and bad, either success or failure. People underestimate the power of thought. Thoughts are things. They are energy. Every thought leaves its trace upon our minds.
What we let into our minds and hold onto governs what our circumstances and our actions are.
Each individual has the seeds of success within him. The seeds of success are the thoughts that they carry around with them. We are all the product of our own thinking and beliefs.
"Every thought seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage of opportunity and circumstances."
James Allen As a Man Thinketh
Sustained mind control is one of the most difficult endeavors one may undertake but it is also one of the most rewarding.
Create and control your thoughts and you can become what you want to become. A person can live the way they want to live when they learn to think what they want to think.
You are what you think about most of the time. A person who is seeking success and a higher life, strives to keep their mind on the positive and the constructive. We gradually grow into what we are holding in our minds.
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. And with our thoughts, we make our world.
Buddha
If you want to make positive changes in your life, you need to begin with what is in your mind. Our thoughts are the tools with which we build our lives.
The key is to keep your mind on the big picture and the goals leading to it. Think only of what you want, not on what you dont want.
Replace negative thinking, unproductive worrying, and thoughts of fear with positive, imaginative, and constructive thinking.
Your life is controlled by your thoughts. Your thoughts are controlled by your goals.
Earl Nightingale
A great way to keep your mind on what you want is to carry a goal card with you. The goal card lists the top goals you are working on. Just thinking of your goal, particularly, the end result, keeps your mind productive and under your control.
Keeping your mind busy with productive matters will prevent negative thoughts from creeping in.
If you fail to control your own mind, you may be sure you will control nothing else.
Napoleon Hill
Mind control is a result of self-discipline and habit. You either control your mind or it controls you.
Napoleon Hill
A controlled, focused mind pays attention to thoughts, words, actions, and plans. A person who lets their mind wander aimlessly around will never achieve lasting success.
Hold your ideal in your mind until it becomes a mental habit. Focus on it to the exclusion of all other things until it becomes a reality.
Slowly but surely, sustained positive thinking creates an irresistible momentum. People begin to notice a change in you. More opportunities come your way. You feel more confident. Gradually your outer environment begins to grow in the likeness of your inner environment.
Richard Kimball is a successful entrepreneur, artist, and teacher. His latest project is to share the universal principles of success so that others can achieve prosperity and the fulfillment of their dreams.Website: Building A Successful Life
Thoughts are the starting point to all that we do, both good and bad, either success or failure. People underestimate the power of thought. Thoughts are things. They are energy. Every thought leaves its trace upon our minds.
What we let into our minds and hold onto governs what our circumstances and our actions are.
Each individual has the seeds of success within him. The seeds of success are the thoughts that they carry around with them. We are all the product of our own thinking and beliefs.
"Every thought seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage of opportunity and circumstances."
James Allen As a Man Thinketh
Sustained mind control is one of the most difficult endeavors one may undertake but it is also one of the most rewarding.
Create and control your thoughts and you can become what you want to become. A person can live the way they want to live when they learn to think what they want to think.
You are what you think about most of the time. A person who is seeking success and a higher life, strives to keep their mind on the positive and the constructive. We gradually grow into what we are holding in our minds.
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. And with our thoughts, we make our world.
Buddha
If you want to make positive changes in your life, you need to begin with what is in your mind. Our thoughts are the tools with which we build our lives.
The key is to keep your mind on the big picture and the goals leading to it. Think only of what you want, not on what you dont want.
Replace negative thinking, unproductive worrying, and thoughts of fear with positive, imaginative, and constructive thinking.
Your life is controlled by your thoughts. Your thoughts are controlled by your goals.
Earl Nightingale
A great way to keep your mind on what you want is to carry a goal card with you. The goal card lists the top goals you are working on. Just thinking of your goal, particularly, the end result, keeps your mind productive and under your control.
Keeping your mind busy with productive matters will prevent negative thoughts from creeping in.
If you fail to control your own mind, you may be sure you will control nothing else.
Napoleon Hill
Mind control is a result of self-discipline and habit. You either control your mind or it controls you.
Napoleon Hill
A controlled, focused mind pays attention to thoughts, words, actions, and plans. A person who lets their mind wander aimlessly around will never achieve lasting success.
Hold your ideal in your mind until it becomes a mental habit. Focus on it to the exclusion of all other things until it becomes a reality.
Slowly but surely, sustained positive thinking creates an irresistible momentum. People begin to notice a change in you. More opportunities come your way. You feel more confident. Gradually your outer environment begins to grow in the likeness of your inner environment.
Richard Kimball is a successful entrepreneur, artist, and teacher. His latest project is to share the universal principles of success so that others can achieve prosperity and the fulfillment of their dreams.Website: Building A Successful Life
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Personal and Professional Development
By Kevin Christopher
Personal and professional development is an area in which everyone needs to improve.
The most successful people continually strive to improve themselves. Personal and
professional development carries over in each aspect of your life. There are personal
skills that you may learn that will help you in professional situations. Likewise, there are
professional skills that will help you in personal situations. Anyone who is career
minded and wants to advance in their chosen field or change the field in which they are in
should look carefully into personal and professional development to see how this could
assist them in accomplishing their goals.
Personal and professional development starts with identifying the areas in which you
want to excel but currently are not. Take a long look at where you are now and where
you want to be. This is the first step in personal and professional development. Then,
discuss your goals with your employer. This is a great way to get feedback on areas of
your career. It accomplishes to goals. First, it puts your employer on notice that you
have goals and ambitions and that you are ready and willing to make changes to
accomplish those goals. It also allows you the opportunity to get valuable feedback and
possible assistance from your employer. Perhaps there are classes your boss can
recommend and ways that you can improve. This insight can be invaluable to your
personal and professional development.
Find ways to accomplish your personal and professional development. This is a great
time to look into classes that will help you advance in your career. Management courses,
motivational classes and practical advancement classes will all help you in your
professional career and you will also learn valuable tools that will transcend your
professional life and help you with your personal life as well. Personal and professional
development is a continuing process. Regularly evaluate where you are and where you
want to be and make an effort to get there by setting short term goals.
Parenting classes are a great way to assist in your personal development. However, they
also teach certain skills such as anger management, negotiation and patience that will
help in your professional life, especially in a managerial or supervisory position. Do not
discount the benefits of personal experience that can be translated into the professional
world. Often the skills learned in personal life will help you greatly in your professional.
Personal and professional development goes hand in hand. It is rare to find someone who
has it all together in their home life but is a mess in their professional life or vice versa.
Most people have specific areas that need improvement and you can see the affects of
these deficiencies in both areas of their life.
Seeing personal and professional development in your life will also instill a sense of self
worth and higher self esteem. It will give you the confidence that you need to be able to
ask for that raise or submit your application for a better job. You will begin to see your
life improving professionally, which will often lead to a more stable and worthwhile
home life. People who have a chaotic personal life will often be distracted and edgy at
work. Personal and professional development definitely is related and one area
influences the other quite often.
Kevin Christopher is a member of Success University your online personal development and motivational courses faculty. For access to personal development and motivational courses online visit Success University to continue your learning and development.
Personal and professional development is an area in which everyone needs to improve.
The most successful people continually strive to improve themselves. Personal and
professional development carries over in each aspect of your life. There are personal
skills that you may learn that will help you in professional situations. Likewise, there are
professional skills that will help you in personal situations. Anyone who is career
minded and wants to advance in their chosen field or change the field in which they are in
should look carefully into personal and professional development to see how this could
assist them in accomplishing their goals.
Personal and professional development starts with identifying the areas in which you
want to excel but currently are not. Take a long look at where you are now and where
you want to be. This is the first step in personal and professional development. Then,
discuss your goals with your employer. This is a great way to get feedback on areas of
your career. It accomplishes to goals. First, it puts your employer on notice that you
have goals and ambitions and that you are ready and willing to make changes to
accomplish those goals. It also allows you the opportunity to get valuable feedback and
possible assistance from your employer. Perhaps there are classes your boss can
recommend and ways that you can improve. This insight can be invaluable to your
personal and professional development.
Find ways to accomplish your personal and professional development. This is a great
time to look into classes that will help you advance in your career. Management courses,
motivational classes and practical advancement classes will all help you in your
professional career and you will also learn valuable tools that will transcend your
professional life and help you with your personal life as well. Personal and professional
development is a continuing process. Regularly evaluate where you are and where you
want to be and make an effort to get there by setting short term goals.
Parenting classes are a great way to assist in your personal development. However, they
also teach certain skills such as anger management, negotiation and patience that will
help in your professional life, especially in a managerial or supervisory position. Do not
discount the benefits of personal experience that can be translated into the professional
world. Often the skills learned in personal life will help you greatly in your professional.
Personal and professional development goes hand in hand. It is rare to find someone who
has it all together in their home life but is a mess in their professional life or vice versa.
Most people have specific areas that need improvement and you can see the affects of
these deficiencies in both areas of their life.
Seeing personal and professional development in your life will also instill a sense of self
worth and higher self esteem. It will give you the confidence that you need to be able to
ask for that raise or submit your application for a better job. You will begin to see your
life improving professionally, which will often lead to a more stable and worthwhile
home life. People who have a chaotic personal life will often be distracted and edgy at
work. Personal and professional development definitely is related and one area
influences the other quite often.
Kevin Christopher is a member of Success University your online personal development and motivational courses faculty. For access to personal development and motivational courses online visit Success University to continue your learning and development.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Success : A cause and effect
By Dr Phil Hariram
Felix Dennis, the publishing Tycoon reckons that to be rich you need confidence and unshakeable belief. It also helps to have tunnel vision, a thick skin, stamina and a capacity for hard work.
So why is it that there are individuals who from an early age possess these qualities when most others do not? All these qualities or the opposite develop in childhood. Here are some statements I hear. I am useless at sport. I am not artistic. I cannot do that.
The feeling of insecurity so many people carry through life was developed in childhood. Lay the blame at the door of parents who knows little or nothing of child psychology. People who go through life as failures have failure instinct instilled in their minds when they were children. When a child comes into being, it is like a piece of clay placed in the hands of parents to mould as they wish. What that child will be as an adult depends largely on the input of parents. You are fortunate if your parents instilled into you self belief and a positive mental attitude that you are capable of achieving anything you put your mind to.
What about schools? They are great for the intellectual teenagers. The educational system inspires vision that nurtures their natural talents creating the environment to excel. It does not provide the same opportunities for the non-intellectuals. Many do not reach the academic level expected by the school and are deemed failures.
The fact is every individual with failure deeply ingrained in their subconscious mind can change and become the success they always wanted. Ben Sweetland said, A man may plod along for years without accomplishment when sometime unexpectedly a powerful thought will seep into consciousness and a leader is born.
If you believe you are a failure, how will you be successful? Some individuals do not believe they deserve success. Failure has become a habit. Remember the old adage, Habit is a cable. We weave a thread each day and at last we cannot break it. Do not believe this. It is nonsense. Change your belief and change your life.
Some individuals believe in luck. With my luck, it will never happen. Thomas Jefferson said, I am a great believer in luck and the harder I work the more I have of it.
The difference between success and failure is a state of mind. W. Clement Stone with $100 built a personal fortune of $100million. The great man believed in positive mental attitude. He said, There is little difference in people but that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is attitude. The big difference whether it is positive or negative.
There is no point re-inventing the wheel. Follow the path of the great and successful icons past and present. Thomas Alva Edison never saw failure as an option. In his quest to develop the light bulb, he said, I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that did not work.
In the heavyweight arena, a young man burst unto the scene shouting, Im the greatest. Im the greatest. Cassius Clay, now Mohamed Ali was unknown. He had a powerful and positive belief. I'm the greatest was chiselled into his subconscious mind. He not only became the greatest boxer that ever lived but was voted the greatest athlete of the twentieth century. Did he ever have thoughts of failure? I doubt it.
Have belief. Use a positive belief system as the cornerstone to propel you to where you want to be.
Visualise what you want to do or be. Create motivation that stimulates momentum. Then take action. Success will be your. The stronger your belief, the greater will be your success.
Always keep Napolean Hills statement at the forefront of your mind, Anything the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.
Dr. Phil Hariram is a representative of Success University. He started life in Guyana. Overcoming several obstacles, he was accepted into Glasgow University to study Medicine. He had a dream. He made it come true. So can you. www.no1homebasedbusinesssuccess.com
Felix Dennis, the publishing Tycoon reckons that to be rich you need confidence and unshakeable belief. It also helps to have tunnel vision, a thick skin, stamina and a capacity for hard work.
So why is it that there are individuals who from an early age possess these qualities when most others do not? All these qualities or the opposite develop in childhood. Here are some statements I hear. I am useless at sport. I am not artistic. I cannot do that.
The feeling of insecurity so many people carry through life was developed in childhood. Lay the blame at the door of parents who knows little or nothing of child psychology. People who go through life as failures have failure instinct instilled in their minds when they were children. When a child comes into being, it is like a piece of clay placed in the hands of parents to mould as they wish. What that child will be as an adult depends largely on the input of parents. You are fortunate if your parents instilled into you self belief and a positive mental attitude that you are capable of achieving anything you put your mind to.
What about schools? They are great for the intellectual teenagers. The educational system inspires vision that nurtures their natural talents creating the environment to excel. It does not provide the same opportunities for the non-intellectuals. Many do not reach the academic level expected by the school and are deemed failures.
The fact is every individual with failure deeply ingrained in their subconscious mind can change and become the success they always wanted. Ben Sweetland said, A man may plod along for years without accomplishment when sometime unexpectedly a powerful thought will seep into consciousness and a leader is born.
If you believe you are a failure, how will you be successful? Some individuals do not believe they deserve success. Failure has become a habit. Remember the old adage, Habit is a cable. We weave a thread each day and at last we cannot break it. Do not believe this. It is nonsense. Change your belief and change your life.
Some individuals believe in luck. With my luck, it will never happen. Thomas Jefferson said, I am a great believer in luck and the harder I work the more I have of it.
The difference between success and failure is a state of mind. W. Clement Stone with $100 built a personal fortune of $100million. The great man believed in positive mental attitude. He said, There is little difference in people but that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is attitude. The big difference whether it is positive or negative.
There is no point re-inventing the wheel. Follow the path of the great and successful icons past and present. Thomas Alva Edison never saw failure as an option. In his quest to develop the light bulb, he said, I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that did not work.
In the heavyweight arena, a young man burst unto the scene shouting, Im the greatest. Im the greatest. Cassius Clay, now Mohamed Ali was unknown. He had a powerful and positive belief. I'm the greatest was chiselled into his subconscious mind. He not only became the greatest boxer that ever lived but was voted the greatest athlete of the twentieth century. Did he ever have thoughts of failure? I doubt it.
Have belief. Use a positive belief system as the cornerstone to propel you to where you want to be.
Visualise what you want to do or be. Create motivation that stimulates momentum. Then take action. Success will be your. The stronger your belief, the greater will be your success.
Always keep Napolean Hills statement at the forefront of your mind, Anything the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.
Dr. Phil Hariram is a representative of Success University. He started life in Guyana. Overcoming several obstacles, he was accepted into Glasgow University to study Medicine. He had a dream. He made it come true. So can you. www.no1homebasedbusinesssuccess.com
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The Ultimate Keys to Success
Copyright 2006 Cedric Licuanan
There are only 4 steps to fulfilling happiness and success.
1) Specialized Education and Knowledge
The first step is to acquire specialized education, knowledge, and training in the field that you intend to succeed.
LEARN TO SUCCEED.
In other words, you must LEARN first, in order to SUCCEED next. Your mind and knowledge must ALWAYS grow upwards. Once we stop learning, we die mentally.
Someone tells you to build a house. So what do you do? Where do you start? The mentality of an unsuccessful person might cause them to respond, 'I can't build a house, I've never done it before, and I don't know how.'
However, the mentality of a successful person will cause them to respond, 'How can I build this house? Although I've never done it before, where can I start learning how?'
It all boils down to an extremely powerful 3-word question:
'HOW CAN I?'
Basically, a successful person will find a way to 'Figure it out.' He or she will do what it takes to acquire the specialized education and knowledge used in the house building and construction industry, and figure out, 'How can I?'
The successful person will also leverage his or her time by tapping into the knowledge of other successful people in the industry, hopefully experts in the house construction field. They say, 'No man is an island', or 'Two heads are better than one.'
As the successful person works on acquiring the assistance of other successful people, the otherwise daunting task of building and constructing a house is well on its way, while the unsuccessful person didn't even get the task off the ground.
Quite a difference that three-word question makes, doesn't it?
Not 'I CAN'T!', but instead 'HOW CAN I?'
'Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.' - Malcolm Forbes
2) Specific Goals
The second step is to commit to specific, attainable, time-bound goals. As soon as you commit to your goals, it is important to simply share your goals with a supportive loved one.
Everybody talks about goals, and goal setting. There is an incredible amount of material on the purpose and reasoning for setting goals. There is just a tremendous amount of information available about goals, but the most important ideas that stand are as follows:
'SMART'
Specific: Your goals must not be too general, and broad. Make your goals laser targeted and targeted.
Measurable: Your goals should be able to be benchmarked and calculated.
Attainable: Your goals should be obtainable and achievable within reason.
Reasonable: Your goals should be appropriate and consistent with the future that you have planned.
Time-Bound: Your goals should have a deadline - not just 'whenever I feel like it'.
You MUST have a burning desire in order to successfully attain your goals. Too many people have shortchanged themselves and their lives by setting goals for themselves, and not following through with those goals. That 'burning desire' does not seem to exist for certain goals that we set in our lives, heck I'm guilty of that same sin! However, with a strong burning desire, anybody could accomplish any goal that they set their mind's to.
No more excuses! 'If it has to be, it is up to me'. You have to take ownership and responsibility for your life. You have to stop the Blame Game.
The two main obstacles to setting goals is your personal Fear and Doubt. You may fear that you may fail, and therefore doubt that you could overcome these obstacles towards success.
F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. Doubt is the EXACT opposite of faith.
Avoid these 2 obstacles AT ALL COSTS!
Write down your Goals on Paper! 'I will.....' Always have your SMACT goals written down, easily viewable every single day. Review them first thing in the morning, during the day, and finally right before you go to bed.
Review your goals daily!
'Repetition is the Mother of Skill'. The repetition that gets accomplished when you focus on your goals every single day is incredibly powerful.
Use Visualization!
Always close your eyes and picture yourself actually achieving your goals. Picture the reward that you will receive as well as do everything that you can to pretend to 'feel' that incredible sense of accomplishment. Try to mentally connect that feeling with a sense of accomplishment of the past.
'What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.' -Zig Ziglar
'You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be.' -Mark Victor Hansen
3) Focused Persistent Planned Action
The third step is to set up an action plan with FOCUSED PERSISTENT ACTION towards your goals. 'Plan your work, and then work your plan'. Start out with baby steps at first, then work your way up to large strides. Everyone starts somewhere!
The single most characteristic that is DIRECTLY related to success is Persistence. The ability to continue moving forward regardless of the obstacles placed in front of you is the essence of the characteristic of Persistence.
Every person has a limit to how much resistance they could handle before giving up, and the main difference between the successful and the unsuccessful is the amount of resistance that a person is willing to endure.
If Persistence is the number one action taken towards extreme success, the unfortunate action of giving up too quickly is the number one reason for dramatic failure. For example, imagine yourself taking part in a long-distance run in your city. At the very first sign of fatigue, you have 2 simple decisions: 1) You give up and stop now 2) You persist and continue forward.
If you chose the first decision.....well, there's not much to be said about this first decision. If you did not finish the race, then unfortunately you have to chalk this one up as a failure.
However, if you chose the second decision, your chances for success just dramatically increased.
MA=MR MASSIVE ACTION = MASSIVE RESULTS
'The race goes not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.' -Anonymous
'Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.' -Dale Carnegie
'Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.' -Thomas Alva Edison
4) Excellence
The final step is to do what you do extremely WELL. If you are going invest the time and effort taking action towards your goals, you might as well try to be good at what you do. Heck, why not become an expert at it also? When a person stands out in the crowd as well-known 'expert', AMAZING things happen in their lives!
Being able to excel at something is usually due to either progressive repetition, or pure talent.
When a person starts to succeeding in business, she notices that if all she did was focus on the characteristic of Excellence, she would succeed indefinitely.
Whenever she found herself having some down time: Waiting in line, waiting for the movie to start, commercial breaks on TV, etc. She would simply take out my wallet and read this document. This tiny act would literally take only 20 seconds, but it helped her TREMENDOUSLY. When your brain and mind gets exposed to positive messages repetitively, eventually the message sinks in. You want to have this 'Excellence Mindset' in all that you do. You want to be able to be able to excel and succeed in all the tasks of a successful person.
Become an Expert It is VERY important to 'become the Expert' in your particular industry. You want to be able set up a reputation for yourself as the 'go to' person. In other words, other people in your chosen industry always seem to turn to you with their questions and concerns, etc.
'Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe. Dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible.' -Anonymous
'Excellence is never an accident: it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.' -Unkown
'Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.' -Pat Riley
In Summary, 1) Do everything you can to attain the specialized education and knowledge in your field 2) Set specific goals and timelines 3) Put your goals and plans into PERSISTENT ACTION and finally 4) Do what you can to EXCEL in your activities!
Utilize the 4 Ultimate Keys to Success in ALL your endeavors, and get ready for an incredible ride in the months and years ahead!
Cedric Licuanan is a thriving Chicago-Based Internet Marketer. He has focused on helping people achieve what they want out of life and currently maintains several success-driven websites. Learn How to Drive Massive Amounts of Targeted Traffic to Your Website! http://www.dynamiconlinesuccess.com/ http://www.dynamicwealthnow.net/
There are only 4 steps to fulfilling happiness and success.
1) Specialized Education and Knowledge
The first step is to acquire specialized education, knowledge, and training in the field that you intend to succeed.
LEARN TO SUCCEED.
In other words, you must LEARN first, in order to SUCCEED next. Your mind and knowledge must ALWAYS grow upwards. Once we stop learning, we die mentally.
Someone tells you to build a house. So what do you do? Where do you start? The mentality of an unsuccessful person might cause them to respond, 'I can't build a house, I've never done it before, and I don't know how.'
However, the mentality of a successful person will cause them to respond, 'How can I build this house? Although I've never done it before, where can I start learning how?'
It all boils down to an extremely powerful 3-word question:
'HOW CAN I?'
Basically, a successful person will find a way to 'Figure it out.' He or she will do what it takes to acquire the specialized education and knowledge used in the house building and construction industry, and figure out, 'How can I?'
The successful person will also leverage his or her time by tapping into the knowledge of other successful people in the industry, hopefully experts in the house construction field. They say, 'No man is an island', or 'Two heads are better than one.'
As the successful person works on acquiring the assistance of other successful people, the otherwise daunting task of building and constructing a house is well on its way, while the unsuccessful person didn't even get the task off the ground.
Quite a difference that three-word question makes, doesn't it?
Not 'I CAN'T!', but instead 'HOW CAN I?'
'Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.' - Malcolm Forbes
2) Specific Goals
The second step is to commit to specific, attainable, time-bound goals. As soon as you commit to your goals, it is important to simply share your goals with a supportive loved one.
Everybody talks about goals, and goal setting. There is an incredible amount of material on the purpose and reasoning for setting goals. There is just a tremendous amount of information available about goals, but the most important ideas that stand are as follows:
'SMART'
Specific: Your goals must not be too general, and broad. Make your goals laser targeted and targeted.
Measurable: Your goals should be able to be benchmarked and calculated.
Attainable: Your goals should be obtainable and achievable within reason.
Reasonable: Your goals should be appropriate and consistent with the future that you have planned.
Time-Bound: Your goals should have a deadline - not just 'whenever I feel like it'.
You MUST have a burning desire in order to successfully attain your goals. Too many people have shortchanged themselves and their lives by setting goals for themselves, and not following through with those goals. That 'burning desire' does not seem to exist for certain goals that we set in our lives, heck I'm guilty of that same sin! However, with a strong burning desire, anybody could accomplish any goal that they set their mind's to.
No more excuses! 'If it has to be, it is up to me'. You have to take ownership and responsibility for your life. You have to stop the Blame Game.
The two main obstacles to setting goals is your personal Fear and Doubt. You may fear that you may fail, and therefore doubt that you could overcome these obstacles towards success.
F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. Doubt is the EXACT opposite of faith.
Avoid these 2 obstacles AT ALL COSTS!
Write down your Goals on Paper! 'I will.....' Always have your SMACT goals written down, easily viewable every single day. Review them first thing in the morning, during the day, and finally right before you go to bed.
Review your goals daily!
'Repetition is the Mother of Skill'. The repetition that gets accomplished when you focus on your goals every single day is incredibly powerful.
Use Visualization!
Always close your eyes and picture yourself actually achieving your goals. Picture the reward that you will receive as well as do everything that you can to pretend to 'feel' that incredible sense of accomplishment. Try to mentally connect that feeling with a sense of accomplishment of the past.
'What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.' -Zig Ziglar
'You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be.' -Mark Victor Hansen
3) Focused Persistent Planned Action
The third step is to set up an action plan with FOCUSED PERSISTENT ACTION towards your goals. 'Plan your work, and then work your plan'. Start out with baby steps at first, then work your way up to large strides. Everyone starts somewhere!
The single most characteristic that is DIRECTLY related to success is Persistence. The ability to continue moving forward regardless of the obstacles placed in front of you is the essence of the characteristic of Persistence.
Every person has a limit to how much resistance they could handle before giving up, and the main difference between the successful and the unsuccessful is the amount of resistance that a person is willing to endure.
If Persistence is the number one action taken towards extreme success, the unfortunate action of giving up too quickly is the number one reason for dramatic failure. For example, imagine yourself taking part in a long-distance run in your city. At the very first sign of fatigue, you have 2 simple decisions: 1) You give up and stop now 2) You persist and continue forward.
If you chose the first decision.....well, there's not much to be said about this first decision. If you did not finish the race, then unfortunately you have to chalk this one up as a failure.
However, if you chose the second decision, your chances for success just dramatically increased.
MA=MR MASSIVE ACTION = MASSIVE RESULTS
'The race goes not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.' -Anonymous
'Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.' -Dale Carnegie
'Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.' -Thomas Alva Edison
4) Excellence
The final step is to do what you do extremely WELL. If you are going invest the time and effort taking action towards your goals, you might as well try to be good at what you do. Heck, why not become an expert at it also? When a person stands out in the crowd as well-known 'expert', AMAZING things happen in their lives!
Being able to excel at something is usually due to either progressive repetition, or pure talent.
When a person starts to succeeding in business, she notices that if all she did was focus on the characteristic of Excellence, she would succeed indefinitely.
Whenever she found herself having some down time: Waiting in line, waiting for the movie to start, commercial breaks on TV, etc. She would simply take out my wallet and read this document. This tiny act would literally take only 20 seconds, but it helped her TREMENDOUSLY. When your brain and mind gets exposed to positive messages repetitively, eventually the message sinks in. You want to have this 'Excellence Mindset' in all that you do. You want to be able to be able to excel and succeed in all the tasks of a successful person.
Become an Expert It is VERY important to 'become the Expert' in your particular industry. You want to be able set up a reputation for yourself as the 'go to' person. In other words, other people in your chosen industry always seem to turn to you with their questions and concerns, etc.
'Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe. Dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible.' -Anonymous
'Excellence is never an accident: it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.' -Unkown
'Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.' -Pat Riley
In Summary, 1) Do everything you can to attain the specialized education and knowledge in your field 2) Set specific goals and timelines 3) Put your goals and plans into PERSISTENT ACTION and finally 4) Do what you can to EXCEL in your activities!
Utilize the 4 Ultimate Keys to Success in ALL your endeavors, and get ready for an incredible ride in the months and years ahead!
Cedric Licuanan is a thriving Chicago-Based Internet Marketer. He has focused on helping people achieve what they want out of life and currently maintains several success-driven websites. Learn How to Drive Massive Amounts of Targeted Traffic to Your Website! http://www.dynamiconlinesuccess.com/ http://www.dynamicwealthnow.net/
Monday, September 03, 2007
Yes, You Can Achieve Your Impossible Dream
By Jim DeSantis
Achieving a level of success, a level we can be comfortable with personally, varies with expectations and goals.
Often we compare our level of success with that of someone we admire or, in fact, someone we envy. We want what they have. We want to be where they are in life. We want it NOW!
This desire is what fuels public fascination with celebrities. They seem to live the abundant life of fame and fortune. What is not seen is their struggles to get there and stay there.
Someone once said - "Overnight success takes about 15 years." It might not take you that long depending upon the level of success you are trying to achieve and how many obstacles you must overcome. My own story is a case in point.
I was a factory worker when a chance meeting opened a door that would change my life. But, like any success story, I had to go through the door and be prepared to work towards success. I had to overcome many obstacles, many put there by others in broadcasting because I did not follow the traditional path they chose to follow. I appeared to be an overnight success, success handed to me on a silver platter.
My co-workers in the factory laughed at me, yet, within 9 months I was on Radio as a News Anchor/Reporter. Within two years I was a Television News Anchor. Within three years I was News Director/Anchor and I have won numerous journalism and community awards. I have interviewed the famous and the infamous. Not bad for a kid from the "across the tracks". Actually, the tracks were right across the street, fronting a steel mill, and the fence to a plastics plant was three feet from our side door.
I'll never forget the owner of the corner store. He told me - "you're a little bum...you're gonna end up in jail". He was still alive to see me Anchor the local TV News. Sweet.
My success was hard work but it was fun at the same time. How did I do it?
First, I was too dumb to figure out why I couldn't have my dream come true.
Second, I ignored negative people and focused on positive role models in books, in movies, and in my community.
If you want to be successful in a certain field, copy someone who is already successful in that field. Find out what they know and do it, without question.
Become too dumb to figure out why it won't work.
I copied Walter Cronkite and, years later, I would sit and talk with him, professional journalist-to-professional journalist, twice. Sweet.
Enough about me. Take a look at this young man:
Failed in Business - Bankruptcy.
Defeated for Legislature one year later.
Sweetheart/Fiancee Dies three years later.
Nervous Breakdown one year later.
Defeated in Election in the same year.
Defeated for U.S. Congress seven years later.
Defeated again for U.S. Congress three years later.
Defeated once again for U.S. Congress two years later.
Defeated for U.S. Senate seven years later.
Defeated for U.S. Vice President one year later.
Defeated again for U.S. Senate two years later.
After 29 years of obstacles he was elected President of the United States.
These were the struggles of President Abraham Lincoln!
If you had been faced with that many obstacles, would you have quit somewhere along the way?
In your own journey towards success, are you ready to quit because someone has convinced you that you can't do it?
Have you ever quit because someone convinced you that you were nuts?
Has anyone ridiculed your efforts, laughed at you, told you that youll never amount to anything?
Remember Abraham Lincoln and keep at it!
I did. You can too.
Jim DeSantis runs On Line Tribune Self Help Newspaper packed with Free articles, courses, and ebooks on a variety of topics. You are invited to submit your opinion on this or on any other topic to Jim's blog. If accepted, your opinion will be published as a Featured Article.
Achieving a level of success, a level we can be comfortable with personally, varies with expectations and goals.
Often we compare our level of success with that of someone we admire or, in fact, someone we envy. We want what they have. We want to be where they are in life. We want it NOW!
This desire is what fuels public fascination with celebrities. They seem to live the abundant life of fame and fortune. What is not seen is their struggles to get there and stay there.
Someone once said - "Overnight success takes about 15 years." It might not take you that long depending upon the level of success you are trying to achieve and how many obstacles you must overcome. My own story is a case in point.
I was a factory worker when a chance meeting opened a door that would change my life. But, like any success story, I had to go through the door and be prepared to work towards success. I had to overcome many obstacles, many put there by others in broadcasting because I did not follow the traditional path they chose to follow. I appeared to be an overnight success, success handed to me on a silver platter.
My co-workers in the factory laughed at me, yet, within 9 months I was on Radio as a News Anchor/Reporter. Within two years I was a Television News Anchor. Within three years I was News Director/Anchor and I have won numerous journalism and community awards. I have interviewed the famous and the infamous. Not bad for a kid from the "across the tracks". Actually, the tracks were right across the street, fronting a steel mill, and the fence to a plastics plant was three feet from our side door.
I'll never forget the owner of the corner store. He told me - "you're a little bum...you're gonna end up in jail". He was still alive to see me Anchor the local TV News. Sweet.
My success was hard work but it was fun at the same time. How did I do it?
First, I was too dumb to figure out why I couldn't have my dream come true.
Second, I ignored negative people and focused on positive role models in books, in movies, and in my community.
If you want to be successful in a certain field, copy someone who is already successful in that field. Find out what they know and do it, without question.
Become too dumb to figure out why it won't work.
I copied Walter Cronkite and, years later, I would sit and talk with him, professional journalist-to-professional journalist, twice. Sweet.
Enough about me. Take a look at this young man:
Failed in Business - Bankruptcy.
Defeated for Legislature one year later.
Sweetheart/Fiancee Dies three years later.
Nervous Breakdown one year later.
Defeated in Election in the same year.
Defeated for U.S. Congress seven years later.
Defeated again for U.S. Congress three years later.
Defeated once again for U.S. Congress two years later.
Defeated for U.S. Senate seven years later.
Defeated for U.S. Vice President one year later.
Defeated again for U.S. Senate two years later.
After 29 years of obstacles he was elected President of the United States.
These were the struggles of President Abraham Lincoln!
If you had been faced with that many obstacles, would you have quit somewhere along the way?
In your own journey towards success, are you ready to quit because someone has convinced you that you can't do it?
Have you ever quit because someone convinced you that you were nuts?
Has anyone ridiculed your efforts, laughed at you, told you that youll never amount to anything?
Remember Abraham Lincoln and keep at it!
I did. You can too.
Jim DeSantis runs On Line Tribune Self Help Newspaper packed with Free articles, courses, and ebooks on a variety of topics. You are invited to submit your opinion on this or on any other topic to Jim's blog. If accepted, your opinion will be published as a Featured Article.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Make Success Your Priority
By Audrey Burton
Overwhelm, distractions and the inability to say NO keep many people from achieving their potential. Too many opportunities paralyzes your ability to make the right decisions; Email prevents focus. Guilt and 'shoulds' keep us busy with activities that fill our days, but do not get us closer to success!
We are not machines, so these things will happen. The key is to prioritize what you will allow to use your time. What is most important to you?
We read stories in Oprah's magazine and see on TV all these women who start multi-million dollar businesses while raising their 4 kids and their sister's 3 kids and all while volunteering at the school. Don't be fooled! You do not have the same life nor the same opportunities.
Here is what we don't see - her mom helps take care of the kids and cooks and cleans, her husband fronted the money, she didn't get more than 3 hours of sleep a night for 6 years, or her kids are completely out of control. Her priorities are not the same as yours and mine. Avoid comparing yourself to others - it is a dangerous trap, and you never know all the facts!
What are your priorities?
For me, raising my two girls as a single/only parent to be responsible, caring, contributing adults is my top priority. A distant second, is growing my business to a place where I work less and make more, and have lots of money for my retirement. Without raising my kids the way I want, it wouldn't matter how much money I had, I would be miserable. Besides, they will grow up and I will have a shift in my priorities then.
Setting your priorities is a very personal process. The big things are fairly easy; it's the every day stuff that becomes challenging. For example, I see many people who get asked to volunteer and say yes again and again, even though they know it delays the achievement of their goals. The little voice in their heads says, "Don't do it this time!", but they find themselves saying yes.
One of the hidden reasons behind this sometimes is that she wants to have a good excuse for not achieving her goals. "I've been so busy at the school/the networking group/the chamber of commerce, that I just couldn't build my business the way I wanted!"
Setting priorities is the first step. Put them on paper, then flesh out an action plan to accomplish your goals. For example, if it is your goal to exceed $50,000 in revenues this year, you will need to detail how you plan to do this, and get to work. The money will not fall in your lap, and you're not getting any younger! Once you have put your plan on paper, put it where you can see it and review it regularly.
When a new opportunity presents itself (that will absorb your time), delay your decision for an hour or a day - whatever time you have. Really think strategically - will this get me closer to my success as I have defined it? What will the benefit be and what will it cost in time and money if I say yes?
If you aren't making money right now, that needs to be your priority over long-term gains. You do need to keep longer term goals in mind, but don't find yourself spending all your resources on future gains - future gains won't pay the electric bill! Analyze opportunities as they present themselves:
1. How will this benefit me and my family in the short term?
2. Long term?
3. What will this cost me in the short and long terms?
4. What is that little voice in my head telling me?
Sometimes, you have to do the 'right thing'. If you are in debt and not taking care of yourself and your family properly, buck up and get a job. Pay off the debt and save your money so you can try starting your business later without being desperate.
Trust your inner wisdom, but at the same time, ask your 'trusted advisors'. Keep in mind that some of your advisors have their own agendas, and have a vested interest in the result.
Bottom Line: Having specific, written priorities keeps you focused on your plan, and helps you say NO when you need to!
Audrey Burton is a practical Small Business Coach. She eliminates business/marketing overwhelm and gets you excited to work on your business again! To sign up for her free, monthly email newsletter, visit her site: www.TigressCoaching.com
Overwhelm, distractions and the inability to say NO keep many people from achieving their potential. Too many opportunities paralyzes your ability to make the right decisions; Email prevents focus. Guilt and 'shoulds' keep us busy with activities that fill our days, but do not get us closer to success!
We are not machines, so these things will happen. The key is to prioritize what you will allow to use your time. What is most important to you?
We read stories in Oprah's magazine and see on TV all these women who start multi-million dollar businesses while raising their 4 kids and their sister's 3 kids and all while volunteering at the school. Don't be fooled! You do not have the same life nor the same opportunities.
Here is what we don't see - her mom helps take care of the kids and cooks and cleans, her husband fronted the money, she didn't get more than 3 hours of sleep a night for 6 years, or her kids are completely out of control. Her priorities are not the same as yours and mine. Avoid comparing yourself to others - it is a dangerous trap, and you never know all the facts!
What are your priorities?
For me, raising my two girls as a single/only parent to be responsible, caring, contributing adults is my top priority. A distant second, is growing my business to a place where I work less and make more, and have lots of money for my retirement. Without raising my kids the way I want, it wouldn't matter how much money I had, I would be miserable. Besides, they will grow up and I will have a shift in my priorities then.
Setting your priorities is a very personal process. The big things are fairly easy; it's the every day stuff that becomes challenging. For example, I see many people who get asked to volunteer and say yes again and again, even though they know it delays the achievement of their goals. The little voice in their heads says, "Don't do it this time!", but they find themselves saying yes.
One of the hidden reasons behind this sometimes is that she wants to have a good excuse for not achieving her goals. "I've been so busy at the school/the networking group/the chamber of commerce, that I just couldn't build my business the way I wanted!"
Setting priorities is the first step. Put them on paper, then flesh out an action plan to accomplish your goals. For example, if it is your goal to exceed $50,000 in revenues this year, you will need to detail how you plan to do this, and get to work. The money will not fall in your lap, and you're not getting any younger! Once you have put your plan on paper, put it where you can see it and review it regularly.
When a new opportunity presents itself (that will absorb your time), delay your decision for an hour or a day - whatever time you have. Really think strategically - will this get me closer to my success as I have defined it? What will the benefit be and what will it cost in time and money if I say yes?
If you aren't making money right now, that needs to be your priority over long-term gains. You do need to keep longer term goals in mind, but don't find yourself spending all your resources on future gains - future gains won't pay the electric bill! Analyze opportunities as they present themselves:
1. How will this benefit me and my family in the short term?
2. Long term?
3. What will this cost me in the short and long terms?
4. What is that little voice in my head telling me?
Sometimes, you have to do the 'right thing'. If you are in debt and not taking care of yourself and your family properly, buck up and get a job. Pay off the debt and save your money so you can try starting your business later without being desperate.
Trust your inner wisdom, but at the same time, ask your 'trusted advisors'. Keep in mind that some of your advisors have their own agendas, and have a vested interest in the result.
Bottom Line: Having specific, written priorities keeps you focused on your plan, and helps you say NO when you need to!
Audrey Burton is a practical Small Business Coach. She eliminates business/marketing overwhelm and gets you excited to work on your business again! To sign up for her free, monthly email newsletter, visit her site: www.TigressCoaching.com
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