S.M.A.R.T. Weight Loss

5 Secrets Of Setting And Reaching Your Weight Loss Goals
By Bill Urell

Good intentions for weight loss are wonderful. Like a whole lot of folks, I swore I would start to exercise more, go on a diet, and lose those extra pesky pounds for good. Months later, I'm still deciding on the 'best' diet for me, and paying the monthly gym dues for visits that I am 'just about' to get around to.

What's the hold up? I had the best of intentions to lose weight and keep it off. I never got started. According to the experts, I failed because I didn't have a specific, workable, weight loss plan.

Studies in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people with firm action plans were more likely to engage in goal driven behavior, (eg.weight loss). In my case, I wanted to lose weight and start a healthier lifestyle. But as you can guess, this isn't as easy as just writing down "Lose weight and exercise more", and sticking it on the bathroom mirror.

Developing an action plan is a process you must go through, really think about, clearly visualizing what you want. By answering the following questions, you can create your own weight loss and exercise action plan.

What are my goals? What, exactly, do I want to achieve? Get those ideas out of your head and on to paper. That helps to make them concrete and doable. Who doesn't like checking off lists when they get done?

There are five specific things you should keep in mind when writing down all of your weight loss goals:

1. Make your goals specific. Don't say you 'need to lose weight' or I'm 'going to lose weight', say you will do it. For example: "I will lose 15 lbs and take a walk every evening."

2. Make your excercise and weight loss goals measurable and specific. 'I'll walk on the treadmill three times a week for a half hour at a speed of 3.5 miles an hour'.

3. Write down your chosen goals. Create both short term and long term goals for losing weight. Keep a chart or journal to track progress and give yourself some encouragement as you reach your weight loss milestones.

4. Set deadlines. Make your weight loss goals not only measurable, but time specific. Set your weight and exercise goals realistically. It's hard to pursue goals that can never be attained. Unrealistic goals that never seem to be reached can add to your stress level.

5. Give yourself emotional reasons for continuing to lose weight. What moves you to action? Imagine your feelings when you succeed. What will your reward for achievement be? Write it down and plan for it.

When should you begin? How about right now! It's decision time. You can continue to dream about a healthier life style, starting to lose weight and looking better, or you can do something about it today. You can stay stuck in your rut, or you can make a change. You can put off your happiness until another day, or you can begin doing positive things now, that you know you are capable of doing.

The choice is yours. It's easy to fall into the trap of 'someday.' Someday I'll lose those extra pounds, but right now I have so many other things to take care o'f. The truth is, you will always have things to take care of, people to see, and places to go. You have to make time for a better life for yourself because you are worth it.

Now that you know how to set up a specific, goal oriented, weight loss action plan, there is nothing stopping you!

Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles that promote healthier lifestyles. Visit us and claim your FREE E-Cookbook, as a welcome gift. http://www.online-weight-loss-resources.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

What Do You Think?

Stop Trying To Motivate Me!
By Peter Hunter

Motivation is seen as something to be supplied to the workforce in discrete lumps by paid third party gurus.

The "motivated" workforce is then sent back to exactly the same conditions that demotivated them in the first place.

Why not spend that time and money figuring out what demotivated them in the first place, and just stop doing it. Stop Trying To Motivate Me!

Some years ago while working with an NHS Primary Health care trust I was in conversation with one of the ward sisters.

In the course of the conversation she revealed that she thought she should be doing more to motivate her staff, but with a roll of her eyes, she told me how difficult it was to find the time to get through the normal business of the ward without doing anything extra, like motivation.

I did not feel there was any value in remonstrating with her at the time since her perception of what was required of her was deep rooted and supported by an entire industry that agreed with her idea that motivation was something that she was responsible for handing out in discrete packages.

We have been brought up in an age where motivation is seen as a commodity that can be bought and distributed to the workforce in the same way as candy.

The Ward Sister held the common view that motivation was something that came on prescription and it was her job to hand it out at frequent intervals, except that like aspirin, did it really matter too much if you missed a dose.

In her case having missed one dose, missing the next one did not seem so serious until missing out on motivation became the norm.

This view, that motivation can be applied in discrete lumps by management, is a common one that is supported by the industry from whom we purchase speakers, workshops and techniques to infuse our workforce with this mysterious management candy called motivation.

What we seem to have missed in this rush to spray the latest brand of motivation on the workforce, is the follow up.

We rush out of the motivational workshop ready to do battle with giants, then we all assemble underneath a large banner that says "Now What".

The reason we feel that the workforce needs motivating is because the environment they work in has demotivated them.

But as soon as we have applied a dose of motivation to the workforce we put them back into the same environment that demotivated them in the first place.

A more effective use of the workforces time would be to find out what is going on in the workplace that demotivates them, then stop doing it.

This would avoid putting the workforce back into the same environment that caused the problem in the first place and would in all probability avoid the need for an injection of motivation in the first place, because the workforce would not be demotivated.

The nurses on the ward were not demotivated because the sister failed to give them motivational talks.

They were demotivated because the sister would not consult them before allocating the off duty, they were demotivated because the administration would not give them enough pillow cases to cover all the beds, they were demotivated when they had to look after healthy people because there were not enough ambulances to take them home, they were demotivated when wards were closed by accountants who could count numbers without seeing the real cost.

Nurses are one of the most highly motivated groups of people on this planet. They become nurses because they want to be able to care for people.

For this they go through a long and taxing process of education and training until when they finally qualify they are fitted for the task and proud of their ability to carry it out.

They are the most motivated people on this planet.

Then when they go to work they are not allowed to apply for the holidays they want because they have not been on the ward long enough. They are not allowed to park next to the hospital because the administrators have taken all the spaces and instead they have to pay to park in the public car park. They are not allowed the basic tools that they need to do their job because the budget allocation for that year has been used up.

It would not matter how many motivational talks they received.

While the same conditions persist that first caused their frustration they will always return to the source of that frustration and the same banner that says after motivational training, "Now What"

The nurse is one example, in one industry, in one sector. That example is by no means unique.

The view of Motivation as a commodity to be dispensed at intervals by paid third party gurus prevents Managers from accepting responsibility for the way their own staff feel about what they do.

Peter A Hunter
Author of "Breaking the Mould"
http://www.breakingthemould.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Focus On Results - Not Money

Focus On Results - Not Money
by Darryl Gee

Are you in sales management for the money? Of course you are - and that's fine but you must not lose sight of what will get you the money you are after. Developing the plan, implementing the plan and monitoring results - while being merely aware that you are making money. Winning starts with a passion for the task at hand. To be an effective leader you must love the challenge of devising and implementing strategic plans.

Money absolutely motivates me. It allows me to live the quality of life that I desire and to provide for my family. I don't like to think about it, that is I prefer to "know" I am making money. This awareness puts me at ease and allows me to focus my thoughts on the task at hand - driving sales results.

Almost every position I've had offered a commission as incentive. I used it as a barometer to help me set goals - that's it. I don't dwell on the fact that I earn $100 from each sale my team makes. I do dwell on what is necessary to make the sale. I have an awareness that money is being made, but it does not consume my thoughts. Reason being money the great motivator that it is, can be a distraction if you are constantly counting it. How can you focus on providing excellent customer service if every customer represents a dollar sign?

Now don't get me wrong, counting money is an excellent way to keep score but not during the heart of the battle. When you are on the front lines your mind should be focused on implementing your strategy.

We get emotional about money. Very emotional. How much we are making can cause us to get excited or it can depress us. 100's committed suicide during the stock market crash of 1929. Day traders have lost great sums and went on killing sprees. These people were passionate about one thing - money. The loss of which left them nothing to live for. Others looked at the score and trudged on - focusing on doing those things that would help them succeed.

There are few championship teams that are undefeated. They lose games, sometimes several in a row, yet they make the playoffs, the finals and are victorious. They don't dwell on the score, they focus on the fundamentals that will help them to succeed. They focus on their passion for the game. As fans we are disappointed in athletes who are focused only on cash, because we want them to love the game.

The passionate driven manager is too busy to worry or get excited about his income - he is devising strategy, reviewing results and coaching sales people. He knows he is doing the right things to get him to his goal so he isn't worried about income. He's not counting, he's doing.

I recently saw a Mike Tyson fight in which he lost. Being from Brooklyn, I took it personal. I take pride in watching Tyson, despite his legal woes (no one is perfect). However, I was disappointed when in the post fight commentary, Tyson exclaimed "I only did this for the money. I need money for my bills."

While there is nothing wrong with wanting and needing money, there is something wrong with allowing it to cloud your judgment. There is something wrong with allowing it to take your focus off of the fundamentals that help you achieve your goals.

Mike Tyson should have been focused on his victory in the ring. Planning how to counter his opponents strengths and exploit his weaknesses. Instead he was driven to make money - and this arrested his focus, denying him the ability to train properly and deliver a victory.

The money is there. It will always be there but the passion is what we have to continually cultivate. If there is passion for the task the money will come, because the task will have been done properly. Remember, to be an effective leader you must focus on devising and implementing strategic plans - and the money will follow.

Copyright 2005 - Darryl Gee

About The Author
Darryl Gee has 18 years of sales and management experience. He shares his entrepreneurial and corporate management expertise on his website http://www.madmanager.com and the madmanager message board at http://www.madmanager.com/forum

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Days Of Your Life

What Do You REALLY Want to Devote the Rest of Your Life To?
By Gary Simpson

Bzz. Bzz. Bzz. That's the sound of your alarm clock going off again.

You open one eye, peer at it. Ugh. You look at the clock again. Yep. 6.00 am. You can't believe it. It hardly seems like you just laid your head on the pillow. You stretch, yawn, contemplate calling into work "sick" like you do every other morning.

You stretch some more then all of a sudden you find yourself sitting on the edge of the bed. Out you get. You trudge wearily into the bathroom, turn on the shower and step under the water. It fully awakens you and you start to think about the day ahead. Work.

You get out, towel dry, have some breakfast while you glance at the morning newspaper. Then, it's time. Time to start your journey to work - along with several million others.

Here's a question for you to think about... Who wrote that script?

All of you are on the treadmill. You are all singing the mantra: "It's off to work we go!" Sure you are. Don't despair. I've been there too - for many years I did just that. I went to work to pay the bills to go to work to pay the bills.

It's called the "rat-race." You go to work to pay the bills week in, week out, month in, month out, year in, year out and you do it for decades. You do it like a robot until one day you ask yourself why. Why am I doing this?

Eventually you just can't take it any more. You have to make a change. Sometimes it is a subtle change. Sometimes it is a drastic change.

The truth is, we spend so much time working for everybody else just to keep our noses above the water line. I ask you again - who invented this system? Who commands that we keep repeating this over and over again? Obviously it was people a lot smarter than the robots who keep trudging the same path every day.

Another question - are you so infatuated by the safety of the system that you are prepared to trade the rest of your life for it? It's a glum existence but for so many, it is a safe existence. So they keep doing it. Are you one of those people? I was - once.

Eventually "the system" will decide that you are too old or too worn out for you to be useful to it any more. That is when you get "retired" or "pensioned off."

Now, in your old age and failing health you are allowed by those who control the system to enjoy yourself. You have finally "paid your dues." For the next few years you can really enjoy yourself. Finally, you can do all those things that you have always wanted to do all your life. You might even be lucky enough to last another ten or twenty years. Realistically you will last as long as your body allows.

If you have planned well along the way you might even own your own home. Of course, you will have to watch your meager budget. It has to last you the rest of your life. If you overspend one week then you might have to watch how much food you can put on the table next week. Occasionally, you might really be able to lash out and take you and your spouse or a friend to watch a movie.

Is this where you are headed? Am I describing the treadmill of your life?

Millions of others are doing exactly the same thing. They say that there is safety in numbers. Is there? Or is it all a big con? The system is all-powerful. Or is it? Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions? If you haven't done so yet, you will one day. And you will remember my words. Indeed you will.

What if you opted out of that system? I did. I can almost hear you saying: "Yeah, sure. How can I possibly do that?" You can. There are ways. Most things are possible. How much pain is enough for you?

Let me ask you this: "What is stopping you?" The bills? The children? Responsibility? The mortgage? Your credit card debt? All of the above? I know that.

I'll tell you what is really stopping you. Two things:

1 - Fear - the fear and uncomfortability of stepping out of your comfort zone.

2 - Uncertainty - the uncertainty of not knowing what else you can do.

Tell me I am wrong. Fortunately, if all these things are swirling through your mind I have a solution. I have created a system called "Journey, Life and Destiny" which will guide you through the maze.

So, let me leave you with these thoughts. What do you REALLY want to devote the rest of your life to? Do you want to continue participating in the humdrum rat-race of life like all the other robots? Or, would you prefer to create a destiny for yourself governed by your own set of rules? It all boils down to a simple choice. Rat-race versus personal destiny.

Do nothing and the choice has already been made. Others will choose your destiny for you. It's as simple as that.

Bzz. Bzz. Bzz. That's the sound of your alarm clock going off again. GET UP! You'll be late. The boss won't like that. Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.

About the author:
Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice." To learn more about your destiny click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Too Nice For Your Own Good?

Are You Too Nice For Your Own Good?
By Royane Real

How can anyone be “too nice”? Isn’t being “nice” a good quality to have in a relationship?

When niceness is a sign of genuine respect, kindness and interest in another, it is a wonderful quality to have. When the “niceness” is a by-product of low self-esteem, passivity, or desperate loneliness, it can be a liability, and can make other people feel uneasy.

Have you ever met a person who never expresses their real preferences, opinions, or desires, even in the smallest matters? When someone asks them, “Where do you want to go tonight?” they reply, “I don’t care, anything is fine with me, where do you want to eat?”

A person who won’t state their opinion or preference may think they are being nice, but this is not niceness, this is a form of fearfulness, and a lack of self-respect.

Some people develop the trait of never asking for what they want because they were raised in a family where expressing wants or opinions was discouraged, or even disallowed. They may have been literally taught that they shouldn’t speak up, that they shouldn’t want anything for themselves, and that everyone else’s opinion mattered more than theirs did.

A child who grew up in a family where they weren’t allowed to express their needs or opinions, may grow up believing that this is how the whole world wants them to behave, even after they have become adults. They may find it difficult to take the initiative in any situation involving other people. They may feel uncomfortable or fearful expressing their desires. They may even feel they are being “bad” if they ask for anything.

Although they may think that being extremely passive and refusing to make decisions is their way of “being nice”, it isn’t always fun having a person who is this self-effacing as a friend.

It can be tiring for the other person in the friendship to have to make every decision just because their passive friend won’t make any. In relationships that are healthy and satisfying, both people share responsibility equally when making plans and decisions.

If you believe that being nice means never asking for anything for yourself, it’s important to learn to pay attention to your needs, to respect yourself, and to ask for what you want and need. Take your turn making decisions with others. Make your needs and preferences heard.

If you find your wishes are always being ignored, take a close look at why this is happening and see how you can change it.

This article is taken from the new book by Royane Real titled "How You Can Have All the Friends You Want – Your Complete Guide to Finding Friends, Making Friends, and Keeping Friends" If you want to improve your social life, download it today at http://www.royanereal.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Thinking on Your Feet

Five Secrets to Thinking on Your Feet
By Ed Sykes

Many times we are put into situations where we are asked a question and need to give an answer on the spot, or “think on your feet.” It could be a sales or customer service situation, your manager asking you for a progress report, a request for your ideas on a new community project, or a job interview.

During these times we can feel the pressure. Our heart begins to race, we start to sweat, we feel our knees knocking, or we want to hide under a rock. This is because sometimes the answer we give could mean that big sale, the customer being satisfied, a promotion or raise, or that dream job.

The following are five secrets to help you master your “thinking on your feet” skills:

1. Listen

Many times when we are in a high pressure situation where we are so nervous we really don’t hear the actual question. Been there, done that. To make sure we understand the question and give the right answer do the following:

• Breathe slower (Benefit: Relaxes body and mind)

• Look directly at the questioner. (Benefit: Increases comprehension)

• Ask questions (Benefit: increases clarity and shows you are listening)

2. Pause to Organize

It is okay to pause. Pause to gather your thoughts. When you pause you look and sound poised and in control. Remember, there is power in silence.

3. Repeat the Question

This has several benefits:

* Buys you time to think.

* Communicates a complete piece of information.

* Allows you to take control of the question by rephrasing the question to a more positive light if needed.

* Enables everyone, if in a public setting, to hear the question.

4. Focus on One Main Point and Support It

The number one reason why we sometimes freeze up when asked to think on our feet is because we have so many ideas running around in our minds. We don’t know which idea to mention.

Here’s the solution: Go with the first idea that comes to mind and say it. By sticking with that one point you can focus on two or three supporting points. You sound more direct and confident when giving your answer.

5. Summarize and Stop (SAS)

End your answer with some SAS (Summarize and Stop). Give your answer, summarize, and stop. Don’t apologize and don’t ramble on beyond the finish. Try this trick: repeat the essence of the question. For example, you may be asked, “Why did you stop the project?” In your summary you might say, “And that‘s why we decided to start another project.” Then stop.

Give your answer, let them know the end is near by saying:

“In summary…”

“In conclusion…”

Then simply stop. Remember SAS.

Apply these techniques so that you can become a master at “thinking on your feet” and give great answers. You can practice these skills by joining Toastmasters. In their meetings they have an exercise called “table topics,” in which you can practice this skill in a supportive environment.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

You Can't Buy Time

You Can't Buy Time
By Marie Roker

Our daily lives are inundated with a crammed to-do list. We are often rushing throughout our day trying to keep up with ourselves. Although technology has improved and simplified our lives, we are as pressed for time as past generations. Often your day seems so full, and you are so pressed for time that it is impossible to get in all there is to do, and yet a little quiet thinking will show that the important things can be easily put into two thirds of the day, and the remaining third is free for rest, or play, or both.

You can feel normally pressed for time; and because of this pressure you can arrange in your mind what best to leave undone, and so relieve the pressure. If one thing seems as important to do as another you can make up your mind that of course you can only do what you have time for, and the remainder must go. You cannot do what you have time to do so well if you are worrying about what you have no time for.

We hurry through life, slowing down just to consume our free time with television, the internet or magazines and newspapers. If you feel like life is passing you by and you do not have the time to do the things that bring you pleasure in life, then you need to examine what is holding you back from managing your time better. Is procrastination taking up most of your day?

Our supply of time is a daily miracle. You wake up in the morning, and your life is filled with twenty-four hours. No one can take it from you. No one receives either more or less than you receive. You alone decide how to spend your time. You can not get into debt of time, you can only waste the passing moment. No matter how you try to stretch it or change it, there will always be only 24 hours in a day. Time can not be hoarded.

Before you can start to focus on how to get more out of your day, you need to be clear on how to use your time more efficiently. Your problem isn’t "not enough time". It can’t be, because all the time you experience is the time that you create. You create all the time that you experience.

When you feel that you do not have enough time, have a look at what is happening. Every second something big passes by: YOUR LIFE. Your happiness and fulfillment in life is determined by how quick you are to recognize the things you need to change, and how quick you are to act upon them.

We worry more about how to make money instead of how to use our time wisely. Time is more valuable than money. Although money can buy you many things, it can not buy you more time.

Questions

What is your attitude towards the value of time?

In what areas of your life are you wasting time every day?

If you had less than 24 hours a day to do everything, what would you change or do differently?

Are you borrowing time from tomorrow by overextending yourself? In what areas of your life are you borrowing time from?

Do you feel that you are leaving something undone which you would like to do when you have "more time”?

If you’re always in a hurry, or are feeling too much time pressure, what can you drop from your schedule?

Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach and Author of Successful Thinking for a Successful Life: How to Banish the Unhealthy Thoughts and Habits That Limit Your Success. Her Successful Thinking™ program is an affordable coaching resource that offers support and encouragement when there are roadblocks to success. You can find out more about the program at http://www.thinkandbesuccessful.com or sign up for her free Be Inspired newsletter at http://www.smartbeecoaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Plan Your Work - Work Your Plan

Plan Your Day and Stick to Your Plan
Copyright 2005 Inez Ng

How many times have you remarked to someone that there are not enough hours in the day? The sad truth is, not matter how much you wish it, it is unlikely that you can get more than 24 hours in each day. So, the trick to time management is really how you get the most out of the hours you have. One way to do that is to become an exceptional planner of your day. It is not very difficult - just takes some basic knowledge and a lot of discipline. As a coach, I can help you with both, but the knowledge is what I'll cover right now.

Set aside time to plan

This is really the first step. You have to make planning a habit, and do the task religiously. I set aside an hour on Sunday mornings to plan my week. In order for me to make sure that the week goes according to plan, I have to have "a plan" to start with. In the beginning, it may take you longer than an hour, but once you've done the planning for a while, you'll get more efficient at it. You will also feel much more focused when you have identified what you want to accomplish for the week.

Schedule at least one week at a time

Some people only plan one day at a time, but I think that you need to be more forward looking than that. So, I suggest you focus on at least one week at a time, but also review what may be coming up in the next month while you are considering what to prioritize for the next week. The more proactive you are about your life, the less often you will find yourself having to react to unforeseen situations.

Identify your "big rocks" for your week

If you don't know what I mean, you have to read Stephen Covey. He made a masterful illustration using a bucket, some sand, and several rocks of various sizes. He explained that the sand represents all the busy work that we have to do, like answering the phone, reading email, filing away papers, etc. The rocks represent all the important things that we have to do, such as setting goals for the year, launching a new project, creating a vision for your team, etc. The bucket represents all the time we have for all the demands of our lives.

What happens with most of us is that we fill up our buckets with the sand first, and then we can only put a few rocks on top, and there's no more room for the rest. What he suggested is that we put all our rocks into the bucket first, and then fill in all the available spaces with the sand. And miraculously, everything fits in our container!

This is the philosophy you need to employ when you schedule your week. Identify all your big rocks, and block out the time to handle these first. Then worry about the sand afterwards. We have to make sure that we handle the important stuff first, and not let the busy work consume our days.

Think 24/7

I am not suggesting that you plan to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But I am suggesting that you account for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in your schedule. If you neglect to consider Saturdays and Sundays because those are your "days off", you may find on Sunday night that you have not handled any of the household chores that you needed to get done. Or if you are planning on having a dinner party on Saturday night next week, you had better block off some time Friday or Saturday to straighten out the house, or go to the market.

Plan personal and play time

Don't think that a schedule is only for work, this is a plan for your life. So, make sure that you block off time for exercise, or "date night" with your spouse, or cheerleader time for your kids' games in your schedule. Remember that the goal is to have time to handle everything that's important to us, not just things that are important concerning work. If you want Friday to be a mental health day, block that off. You don't need to put in any more details than that. But you know that if you don't plan for it, it won't happen.

Leave some contingency time in your schedule

You know better than to expect that your days all go exactly as planned. Just when you are about to really focus on that important analysis you needed to do, your boss calls you into a meeting where your expertise is desperately needed, and your schedule is shot. So, don't cram every hour of your day with activities. Leave some contingency time for you to catch up when the unexpected happens.

Discipline, discipline, discipline

Once you have your days scheduled, you need to exercise discipline and stick to what you planned. Do everything you can to eliminate distractions and really focus on what you have to do. You will be amazed how much more productive you can be. So, close that email program, turn the phone ringer off and let voicemail handle the calls, close your office door for an hour of so. Then when it is time for you to handle email, and phone calls, and drop-in visitors, give all your focus to those activities then.

About the Author:

Leadership coach Inez Ng helps busy professional and entrepreneurs get better results quickly. Learn more about coaching with her at www.RealizationsUnltd.com
Check out her ebook packed with tips and strategies on saving time on email at www.easyemailstrategies.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Power of Right Thinking

The Power of Right Thinking
By John Miller

Self-depreciation never won a single battle of life. It has, on the contrary, killed ambition, weakened the will, and incapacitated thousands from noble work. Many people have spent their whole life with a negative character and outlook. The daily, and perhaps hourly, streams of false suggestions pouring into their minds overwhelm them.

Many tormented by fear and timidity do not realize how a flood of negative thoughts daily affect them. They hedge themselves in with suggestions of limitation, incapacity, and unworthiness. They constantly think not of how they will succeed, but of how they will surely fail.

In developing the habit of positive thinking--of seeing only the best in yourself and others--of regarding yourself as capable of great things--it is well to bear in mind that our thoughts really make us what we are. What you did yesterday makes you what you are today, and what you do today determines what you will be tomorrow. Suppose you put these practical questions to yourself:

-Does negative thinking pay?

-Is it desirable for me to encourage thoughts in my mind that break down, hinder, and incapacitate me for good work?

-Do I want negative thoughts that inevitably bring discontent, unhappiness, and ultimate failure in their train?

Your answer will be, of course, that you do not want them. But such thoughts work insidiously, and will find an entrance into your mind if you are not extremely vigilant. The surest way to keep them out, however, is to fill the mind completely with vital positive thoughts, to think constantly of yourself as a person of unlimited possibilities, growing daily in mental and spiritual power, equipped for great things, and moving forward toward a triumphant destiny.

The habit of right thinking, when firmly established, becomes a source of attraction. Good thoughts soon become great thoughts, and the mature mind attempts even the impossible. The power of a single thought at the beginning of a day can hardly be estimated. It can change despondency into hope, and fear into courage. It can arm the nerve for great and noble deeds. It can strengthen a weak and timid. It is possible for it to set in motion an influence that will reach the ends of the world.

An excellent way to furnish the mind with material for right thinking is to commit to memory some of the sayings of great people and to ponder them at leisure. This assists in establishing a standard of truth, and at the same time furnishes the mind with many nourishing and useful thoughts. Here are some examples:

"The confidence which we have in ourselves gives birth to much of that which we have in others.''--La Rochefoucauld.

"Courage in danger is half the battle."--Plautus.

"We should not let others do our thinking for us. Our individuality is too precious to be so sacrificed."--unknown

A person who thinks right has reason to feel proud and walks abroad with "the sparkle in their eye." There is no weakness, no timidity, no hesitation, since to them - right is might. They have learned to make their thoughts selective, by aid of which they take the good and reject the bad. They know, too, how to fit each thought into its proper place, make correct inferences, and form well-considered judgments.

This clear and positive thinking is constructive in its character; it builds new power and discloses ever-widening fields of usefulness. Wrong or negative thinking is destructive; it produces nothing but paralysis, fear, hopelessness, and heartrending failure.

Right thinking means cheerful thinking. It means that you are an intellectual optimist, who sees nothing but good in yourself and in those around you. Your thoughts go out to clarify and brighten the lives of others.

How shall you exclude fear thought from his life? Certainly not by affirming such sentences as "I have no fear," "I am not weak," "I do not lack ability," "I am not a failure." Remembering that only positive thoughts are constructive, you will avoid even the use of negative symbols as "weak," "fear," "lack," "failure." You will say, rather, "I am self-confident," "I am strong," "I am able," "I am a success." These affirmations will be made both silently and audibly, always with deep conviction and earnestness.

Remember, however, that these affirmations must be confirmed by actual performance. When you say "I am courageous," you must demonstrate it in your daily life. You may say "I am hopeful, powerful, buoyant, cheerful," but if you then proceed to sit down in a corner by yourself and bemoan your fate, you are simply deluding yourself. It is not sufficient that you believe what you affirm; you must be it, live it, and act it.

Everyone who aspires to right and lofty thinking should shut the door of their mind against negative thoughts as they would against the bitterest foes. Negative thoughts work their way cunningly, by plausible excuse and subterfuge, until they hold you in their death-like grasp. They subdue, discourage, weaken, intimidate, and at last brand their victim as a failure and outcast. To harbor negative thoughts in your mind is to entertain an enemy.

Right thinking constructs, strengthens, and ennobles. It knows no limitations, and reaches out daily for new conquests. It is a power unto itself, growing through its own use. Our habits of thought must be governed by fixed principles.

One clear-cut, positive suggestion made in good time may frighten off a thousand petty negative thoughts. The thing we repeat frequently enough in our mind comes to acquire undisputed authority. We should not seek to perform some one great act of courage, but courageously perform all acts, however small, of our every-day life.

Pascal says: “Let us persist in our aim to think right, and to do right, knowing that "true courage consists in long persevering patience. Let us more earnestly direct our thought toward the lofty and sublime. Above all let us seek the best sources of inspiration, that the great thoughts of other men may become our thoughts, and that we may rise into the fullness of our rich inheritance.”

Educate. Encourage. Empower. Are you ready to enrich your life?
www.self-improvement-tips-articles-books.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Break Procrastination's Grip

Break the Grip of Procrastination
By Betty Mahalik

Perhaps no single human behavior is as universal as procrastination. Even the most productive among us occasionally fall prey to its grip. And there are few things that rob us of more joy, productivity, freedom and achievement than procrastination. My purpose today is not to discuss all the reasons we procrastinate, but to offer some simple but powerful techniques for breaking its hold on us.

Perhaps as you read this, you're procrastinating on writing a report, exercising, starting a project or cleaning off your desk. So, read on, and apply any or all of the steps listed below, and start making things happen.

1) Ask yourself which project, task or result will have the greatest payoff for you if you act on it now. Once you've decided on a focus, go to step 2.

2) Ask yourself what you could produce or complete in the next 5 minutes toward that project. Usually it's a matter of taking one or two small steps that breaks the deadlock of procrastination.

3) Once you've identified those small steps, pick one and do it. Then do the next.

4) Stay focused on the results you're aiming for. Most of us get derailed because we smother ourselves in the minute, forgetting to look up at the goal we were after in the first place. Especially if it's a big project, keeping that vision in mind can be very motivating.

5) Keep a list of easy-to-do projects that will produce a quick, visible result. Sometimes we simply need the satisfaction of a small win to fuel us toward greater achievement.

6) Remember times when you broke through procrastination and even beat a deadline? A coaching client of mine recently completed two huge projects in a matter of days. Now when she gets mired in "I don't know if I can do this," thinking, I remind her of her recent accomplishment, and it sparks her motivation.

7) Stop worrying about whether you "feel" like it. As Shakespeare said, "our doubts are traitors." Instead go back to steps 1 and 2 to decide what is most important, then act on it.

8) Celebrate your successes along the way. Did you complete a project this morning that you had to get done? Give yourself a small reward. The old saying "nothing succeeds like success" applies here. But usually we get so busy on the next task or project that we don't stop to savor the satisfaction of our accomplishments.

9) Create a guideline to remind you. In the Best Year Yet program we create guidelines--standards of behavior--to guide us through the year ahead. A guideline that repeatedly shows up on my BYY plans is "Act on it now."

10) Do something counter-intuitive. Need to break a mental block? Get up and do a few minutes of stretching or walk around the block. Trying to write and the well is dry? Get a paper and pen and simply write the first thing that pops into your head. Keep writing until words begin to flow again.

Get laughing. Laughter has a way of clearing mental debris, and the endorphins released have a way of getting you in action. Sometimes the logical thing to do is the least logical. Give it a try.

As I often confess, these weekly messages are more for my benefit than anyone else's. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm ready to tackle the rest of my to do list!!

***********************
Quote of the Week
***********************

"Procrastination is the fertilizer that makes difficulties grow." ~~Unknown

Betty Mahalik has been coaching small business owners, independent professionals and leaders who want to achieve more but stress less, since 1996. Her background includes several years in the broadcasting and public relations fields prior to starting her own firm in 1987. She is an accomplished public speaker and corporate trainer specializing in communications, goal-setting and leveraging your strengths. Since 2001, she has written a weekly motivational message, free to subscribers, titled Monday Morning Coach. Visit: Dynamic Solutions and check it out!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Spin Your Wheels. Succeed!

Spin Your Wheels To SUCCESS!
By Michael Nicholas

Have you ever gotten caught on a slippery road and felt the wheels under you spinning and going nowhere?

Well, you don't really need to be in a car to know what I'm talking about because this scene has been played out metaphorically many times as well.

It's the feeling of not getting to your destination and it's an unpleasant result... Spinning your wheels is being out of control and getting nowhere while trying to get somewhere.

And when you apply this to reaching success it's not only frustrating, but it can also crush your spirit to move on and upward.

But let me tell you a secret of success that is in every revolution of a spinning wheel. This is something that is difficult to see while you are trying to navigate toward success.

It's like a thick fog or night blindness and it wants to throw you off course so you lose your way. It's a false/positive state of mind that wants to lead you down the wrong road to failure where you may easily think it's time to give up. After all it's quite easy to stop the engine and park it...

BUT... wait a minute... What if all the while your wheels were turning you were moving toward success little by little and didn't realize it? What if you were moving in revolutions that didn't feel like you were moving at all but you really were?...

And what if you didn't stop your wheels from spinning BUT kept them going in that same very direction you set out on?... Well this is the road to success, my friend, and YOU are on it...

At first being on the road to success may feel like you are going nowhere... This is where the weak give up and move to something else many times repeating the scenario over and over never getting anywhere.

They just think they are spinning their wheels and give up way too early. But if you have a goal you want to accomplish... something you really feel strong and dedicated about - don't yield to the false/positive feelings of failure.

Why? Because the feelings of failure WILL come greet you... That you can be sure of. But pay no mind to failure because it's not a reality unless you accept it. Many times it's only the fear of failure - so just ignore it.

These feelings are just part of the journey leading to your success. However, if you keep on driving toward your goal without taking your eyes off of the road, but stay put even when things look, feel and taste like a losing battle... Your reward for riding through the storm is SUCCESS.

And yes it's been there the whole time... but this destination does not come easy to those that give up.

Remember this...

When it looks like nothing is happening... look again, give it time and even more time... Then when you have stayed the course your journey requires... that's when success is right around the corner.

Therefore, one of the real secrets of success is when it doesn't seem like success... it can still very much be you are on a successful journey leading right to it.

So don't cut yourself off and just spin your wheels... Spin Your Wheels To SUCCESS!

(c) By Michael Nicholas

Michael Nicholas publishes his weekly newsletter, Success Triggers, featuring tips for online marketers worldwide. If you want to trigger your online success, come join Michael and receive FREE gifts that can help boost your online marketing starting today. ===> http://www.SuccessTriggers.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Persistence

Persistence
By Devon D. Harris

When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road you’re traveling seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup
And he learned too late when the night came down
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things go wrong that you mustn’t quit

-Author Unknown

I was in the ninth grade when I first heard those words. My friend Wally Small recited them in front of the class and they had an immediate impact on me. That was the year I started running track and during practice, as I struggled through the last two hundred meters of my intervals, under the bright afternoon sun, dust swirling from the occasional light breeze traversing the field, my muscles aching from the lactic acid build up, my lungs bursting as I gasped for breath; I would repeat to myself the only words I remembered from that poem....

”Give it your hardest hit but never quit.”

If we ever hope to realize our dreams and truly reap the fruits of our labor, we must develop the ability to endure in the face of the challenges and adversity that life will throw our way.

Persistence does not recognize failure

Lack of persistence is one of the biggest reasons for failure. People simply give up and, in the history of the world, no one has ever been defeated until defeat was accepted as reality. As Winston Churchill said in a speech at his Alma Mater, “Never give in; never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”

Unfortunately, most people give in even before they get started. They will come up with a great idea but right away think of all the reasons why it wouldn’t work - and quit.

No matter what your field of endeavor, you will always face obstacles. Things simply won’t go as well as planned or expected. But if you don’t quit, you may achieve your goals. Back in 1988 when our team got started we were sure that corporate sponsors would be knocking down the door to back this hot new idea.

Very quickly, however, it became apparent that that wasn’t going to happen. So we began selling T-shirts. You may remember them. They declared us “The hottest thing on ice!!” There were many nights that I pulled up beside a couple on the dance floor, whipping out a shirt and completing the transaction before the song was over.

Even more recently, as I prepared to compete in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, I was faced with the old age problem of funding. It was January 1997 and I can still hear my coach’s voice saying “Devon, if you don’t get sponsorship by June, you will only be chasing pipe dreams and you should quit. Well, instead of quitting I set up training camp in Evanston, Wyoming (www.evanstowy.org) and started to coach myself.

I delivered pizza at night after about eight hours of training during the day. I was experiencing major setbacks but I had found a way to keep the dream alive. June came and there was no sponsorship. July, August, September, October, November, and December came, and there was still no sponsorship. It wasn’t until January, one month before the Olympics, that the Utah based long distance company, Tel America (www.telamerica.com)came on board and provided the financial support that I needed.

It all happened because I didn’t quit.

Persistence denotes belief in yourself

Persistence is a very good measure of your belief in yourself. It speaks volumes of how confident you are in your ability to succeed. Only a person who is confident in their ability to succeed will persist. The more you persist, the more your confidence and your belief in yourself intensifies. That in turn increases your desire and motivation, and drives you to persist even more – which reinforces your self-esteem and belief in yourself. It is an upward spiral.

Persistence builds on itself

Persistence is the ability to endure in the face of adversity. Every single act of persistence builds and cultivates success habits which become ingrained and ultimately guarantee your success. Each act of persistence strengthens you and increases your ability to persist even more; until you become the most persistent, determined person you know. You will simply become unstoppable. As they say “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in not giving up.”

Keep on Pushing!

Copyright (C) 2004 Devon Harris
All rights reserved worldwide
www.devonharrislive.com

Devon Harris Bio

• Born Christmas Day, 1964
• Raised in Kingston, Jamaica
• Graduated from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in England
• Served as an officer in the Jamaica Defense Force
• Selected to membership on Jamaica’s first Olympic Bobsled Team
• Competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics – Calgary, Canada
• 1992 Winter Olympics – Albertville, France
• 1998 Winter Olympics – Nagano, Japan
• Disney based the popular movie, Cool Runnings, on the story of the 1988 Bobsled Team

Presently, Devon is an athlete ambassador for Olympic Aid, an athlete-driven humanitarian non-profit organization using sport and play to enhance child development and build community capacity. He resides in New York City and travels the world as a motivational speaker, offering a captivating message of inspiration and hope. His personal philosophy, like that of the Jamaican Bobsled Team, is that he will not permit others to define the limits of his success. www.devonharrislive.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Goal Setting for Life

Goal Setting for the Journey of Life
By Gary Simpson

Suppose you wanted to take a trip somewhere. What is the first thing that you do? You would get a map showing your destination, of course. Now you can see clearly how to get to where you want to go.

Next comes the planning phase. You wouldn't just get in your vehicle and drive or hop on a bus or a train or plane and hope for the best. No. You would plan a route. Fundamental to that would be the fact that you need to recognize your starting point.

You cannot choose a direction before you know exactly where you are. So, to arrive at a destination point we need to know the point of origin. Only then can we fill in the gaps between.

Say, for instance, that you want to get to town F and you are starting from town A. Your first check point is town B. After that comes towns C, D and E. By monitoring your route along the way you can be assured of reaching your chosen destination.

Sometimes along the journey we take a wrong turn. When this happens we need to check our map. If we don't, we just keep going in the wrong direction. Naturally this happens most often when we either don't consult our map often enough or we simply don't have a map. Checking the map allows us to "get back on track."

It is a fairly well known fact that all airplanes are "off-target" most of the time. However, minor adjustments along the way ensure that the plane travels along the general flight path until it arrives at its location.

Failure to make a one or two degree adjustment could cause the plane to be hundreds of miles off course. The same happens with the steering wheel of a car. Failure to make adjustments will see you end up in a ditch on the side of the road.

But what about your life? That is the biggest journey of them all. Why do so many people just blunder their way along without any plan? So many people have no goals, no plan, no checkpoints - nothing. Yet they expect to arrive at some fanciful destination called success.

Write yourself a plan. Mark in the checkpoints - A, B, C, D, E, F and so on. Monitor your progress. Measure it against time. If you do this you will be so far in front of the masses who not only have no idea where they are going but have no idea where they are.

Remember, be realistic about your starting point and your destination point. Filling in the checkpoints just becomes a matter of course then.

Take the "Journey of Life" and don't forget the roadmap. It's so much easier when you know where you are going.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Asking The Right Questions?

Are You Asking The Right Questions?
By Marie Roker

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you - Matthew 7:7

Do you sometimes get frustrated because you feel as if you don't get the answers you desire? Well, maybe it's the questions you're asking. Asking the right questions has the power to elicit positive changes in your life. It's not just in your tone, but your words also. If you want to influence someone, you must demonstrate to them that you are a confident communicator.

Which of the following questions is most likely to get a "yes" from you?

"You wouldn't want to help me, would you?" or "I need your help with something. What days will work for you?"

The first question gives the other person the opportunity to dismiss you. The second question offers an option and requests a solution. If you ask a negative based question, you will get a negative response. If you a positive based question, more than likely you will get the response that you are looking for.

Make sure you are asking for what you want instead of what you don't want. Often our words and actions betray our thoughts and intentions. You have to be open to receiving in order to get what you want. The one way to alter the results you get in your life is to alter the way communicate what you want.

Ask people questions that will invite more information from them or pique their interest to seek more information from you.

This applies to your life too! By asking yourself the right questions, you will change your focus and build your self awareness. If you're asking yourself: "Why am I such a loser?" or "Why do bad things keep happening to me?" you are inviting more failure. You have to make the shift in your thinking.

This often requires that you examine what you want to accomplish in life and then focusing on how to achieve it. Ask yourself: "What can I accomplish today that will have a positive impact on my life?" or "What’s possible in my life right now?

Before you ask a question of yourself or others think about the outcome you would like to receive as a result of the question. Ask solution based questions and you will get the results you want. Always be enthusiastic and excited about the response you will be getting.

It takes time and practice to develop your ability to ask positive questions. As you develop this ability, you will be empowered to make better choices in your life.

Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach an Author of Successful Thinking for a Successful Life: How to Banish the Unhealthy Thoughts and Habits That Limit Your Success. You can find out more at: http://www.smartbeecoaching.com She also offers the Successful Thinking™ program, an affordable coaching resource that offers support and encouragement when there are roadblocks to success. You can find out more about the program at http://www.thinkandbesuccessful.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Motivation: No Finish Lines

Motivation: No Finish Lines
By Jeff Herring

There is a saying that goes something like “getting to the top is easy, the hard thing is staying there once you get there."

There’s a reason the above statement is so true. It has to do with this interesting little quirk we humans have: our belief in finish lines. Deep with in our brains we have this belief that once we arrive, we can relax.

Now there are times in life when there are finish lines: 10K races and marathons, dog and horse racing tracks, and at Nascar races.

The problem is we apply this thinking to so many areas where there really are no finish lines: getting in shape, dieting, growing in your profession and especially marriage and other relationships.

Now in no way am I saying that we can't enjoy our achievements and pause to smell the roses. It's just that it's so tempting to stop and only smell the roses and not much else. I once supervised an intern who then took a job in the program. The first thing they said after they got the job and then graduated with their degree was "I"ve been reading so much in school that I'm not going to read anything for a year."

Wrong answer. When we imagine finish lines where there are none, we fall prey to something I call arrival syndrome.

Signs of Arrival Syndrome

The belief that you have "arrived" (with accompanying trumpets).
Coasting
You stop doing the things that got you where you are.
You do significantly less of the things that got you where you are.
Slipping backwards, losing the ground you have gained.
Other people noticing that you are slipping back but you deny it.

How to Avoid Arrival Syndrome

Discard the belief in finish lines
Pause to njoy your successes, just don't stop there.
Learn CPR. That stands for consistent, persistent and resistant. Consistant in the actions you take, persistent in your efforts to continue to grow, and resistant to the notion of resting on your laurels.
No matter how good things get, always remember to ask the queston: "how can we make this even better?"
Take notice of the mile posts of success along the way. This builds momentum and keeps you going.

This one is so simple and obvious, yet so many times we don't do it: keep doing the things that got you where you are. And if you really want to be different, do even more of the things that got you there.

It's often difficult to balance the enjoyment of all we have achieved with the commitment to continuing to learn and grow. Here's one tip that can be helpful: unless you see a white line painted on the ground in front of you, there are no finish lines.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Time Management: Stay Motivated

Time Management: How to Stay Motivated and Get More Done by Burt Carlson

If you can motivate yourself at will to get any task done, you'll have taken a huge step towards managing your time better. There are several practical ways to increase your motivation.

There are a couple of facts to remember about human beings in general. One, newness is a great spur to motivation. Think about when you took up a new job. Everything was fresh and you applied yourself to your work with great enthusiasm.

But that wore out after a few weeks or months. You settled down into a routine and work become dull and uninteresting again. That's because you lost your sense of newness.

The second thing to remember is that while the human mind can accomplish a stunning range of tasks, the same mind is also easily distracted. Some studies show that the average person's attention span does not exceed 35 minutes or so. Others claim it's even less.

This tendency to get distracted easily is a key reason why we often have a hard time motivating ourselves to do a task.

With that in mind, here are 8 things you can do to get and stay motivated.

#1. Recognize your penchant for getting distracted. Take short breaks every half an hour or so; walk away from your workstation. Experiment and find out the optimum length of time you can work before you need a break. You'll find your motivation goes up during the time you stay at the task.

#2. To satisfy your need for freshness and change, alternate between two tasks. If you keep at a single task for too long, you're almost certain to lose motivation.

You can even exchange specific tasks with another colleague, if your work situation permits it.

#3. It has been shown that soft music, especially baroque music, is a great aid to work. If possible, arrange for background music at your workplace.

#4. Make your work environment more appealing by using humorous posters (like those 'Dennis the Menace' posters) to make you smile. Have several available and once in a while, change the posters.

#5. On a related note, potted plants can be great stress relievers. Place one or two around your workstation. Do water them as needed; wilted plants are no good!

# 6. Create a list of the most important tasks you need to do the next day. Prioritize the list. And keep working in the order of your priorities. Being able to check off the most important items for each day is in itself a terrific motivator.

#7. Anytime you feel the stress getting to you or if you feel particularly distracted, just lean back in your chair and close your eyes for a minute or two. Hum a favorite tune softly. If you can't relax in your chair, go to the restroom and do so.

#8. Implement a reward system for yourself. Decide in advance what you'll reward yourself with when you complete certain tasks. It could be as small as an inexpensive trinket from a gift shop or a chocolate bar. It could even be a stroll in a nearby park.

Don't neglect the reward routine. It's one of the best motivators there is.

About the author:
Burt Carlson is a top corporate executive whose passion is helping people get more out of life by managing their time better. He has written on time management skills, overcoming procrastination, time management at the workplace and many other topics.

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Discipline of Self-Discipline

The Discipline of Self-Discipline
By Gary Ryan Blair

First you establish your goals, and then you enforce a strict set of disciplines necessary to cross the finish line of achievement. Every act of self-discipline moves you toward your goals, and every exception takes you off course.

You may be tempted to pooh-pooh away this statement as something so obvious, however before you do, ask yourself this important question: "Based on my goals set, am I ahead, on or below target?

The answer to that question is directly tied to your willingness and ability to remain focused on the key actions necessary for success.

The FACTS are simply this; you are either buying or selling. If you are on, or better yet ahead of target than you are a seller. You have sold yourself on the importance of discipline and have stayed focused in spite of the world of options and temptations that circle you all of the time.

If you are below target than you are a buyer. You have bought the same excuses that have led so many others down the pathway of mediocrity. The things you buy are procrastination; lack of discipline and whatever else is your poison of choice.

Remember this absolute rule of discipline; "If you don't discipline yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others". Don't believe me, huh? Chew on this, run up your credit cards real high, be late on a few payments and see how quickly those companies are to teach you a thing or two about discipline.

I repeat, "If you don't discipline yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others".

To CREATE HISTORY you must become a seller. Sell yourself on the power of your goal; your vision for what is possible. To REPEAT HISTORY all you have to do is continue to be a buyer. Buyers consume not only products from the store but also excuses from their minds. It, meaning success and failure all begins within the parameters of your own mind and the disciplines of your behavior.

We are all walking, talking power struggles: head vs. heart…intellect vs. emotion. Many leave the steering to their emotions and merely bring their intellects along for the ride. Your goals or your excuses, which is running the show in your life?

Contrary to popular belief, freedom does not arise from "letting it all hang out;" freedom is the result of a personal triumph over excuses and bad habits. Excuses such as procrastination are like toxic waste to your potential.

To experience true freedom, you must prove to yourself that you are the master of your own destiny. Never are you less free than when you are held hostage by your excuses and lack of discipline. When lack of discipline and excuses rule, enslavement and mediocrity, not freedom, follows!

Bad habits are the gravitational pull of your emotional life, and overcoming them is not easy. Change is challenging. Surrender is tempting, and it gets tastier with practice. The good news is that it takes less energy to remain disciplined than to regain it.

The only bad news about self-discipline is that it is so easy to give up. Every compromise in behavior (nice word for excuse) greases the wheels for another compromise. Make a personal "no exceptions policy," and stick to it.

Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. Self-discipline requires you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results.

There's a season for sowing, a season for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which.

Winners prepare and anticipate behind closed doors. Lay the groundwork for success carefully: Effective preparation and self-discipline are closely allied. Do your homework. Since most people are rarely well prepared, you will often succeed by default. When opportunity presents itself, burst out of the starting gate, sprint to the finish line, and take home the prize.

Do what needs to be done. Quality living requires you to make difficult choices and sacrifices; it demands that you do the hard work first. You cannot arrive at true success without making the trip.

Self-discipline is a habit. It is not situational, but it is applied situation by situation. Anyone can be self-disciplined on occasion, but to get consistently positive results requires consistency.

It is the day-in day-out practice of self-discipline that determines where you'll end up. After all, a lifetime is an accumulation of moments, days, weeks, months, and years.

What you do during each moment counts and influences the degree to which you judge your life to be a success. If you aspire to achieve your goals, you must be prepared to play every play as though the two-minute warning clock is running. Every move is significant. Every move counts!

Everyone struggles with self-discipline. The question is not "Do I…" but "Where do I need to exercise greater self-discipline?" The discipline you establish today determines the successes you'll enjoy tomorrow.

The strenuous life tastes better. When it comes to self-discipline, a key driver of success, EVERYTHING COUNTS!

Gary Ryan Blair

Gary Ryan Blair is President of The GoalsGuy. A visionary and gifted conceptual thinker, Gary is highly regarded as a speaker, consultant, strategic planner, and coach. Visit The GoalsGuy at http://www.GoalsGuy.com as well as their new lifestyle brand at http://www.GotGoals.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Self-Esteem Wellness Connection

The Self-esteem Wellness Connection
By Dr. Joyce Knudsen

Did you ever wonder how feeling good about yourself can affect your health in a positive way? Did you ever think about how NOT feeling good about yourself can also affect your health –in a negative way!

To have self-esteem is a lifelong need and from infancy through old age. Its beginnings are reflected in the smile between mother and infant, as it is manifested in the 50-year old who has just mastered her new computer.

Self-esteem begins with our bodies. Since mind and body are one entity, the smooth, interrelated functioning of our body parts and our brain chemistry provide the foundation for an inherent sense of wellness.

An Individual with high self-esteem has these qualities:

•Perceives himself in a positive way
•Is aware of his own abilities, potential and limitations
•Feels competent that he is in control of his own life
•Is confident and tends to deal with demands and stress in an assertive and effective way
•Feels loved and respected by others

An individual with low self-esteem has these qualities:

•Is more passive and dependent in reacting to stress and demands
•Feels he is not in control of his life
•Is more likely to conform to peer pressure
•Is pessimistic about his abilities
•Tends to be shy
•Tends to be depressed and anxious about the future
•Tends to experience difficulties in relationships
•Rarely assume positions of leadership

The well-established relationship between self-esteem and psychological well-being (e.g., depression, social anxiety, loneliness, alienation; may be an important factor in understanding the self-esteem/health relationship, according to research.

Life experiences produce emotional responses in all of us.. We are capable of a broad range of feelings and all of these feelings have implications for how we view ourselves, our relationships to others, and to the broader world.

To best cultivate a philosophy of emotional wellness, it is important to develop an awareness of who you are and how you gain acceptance and understanding of your feelings and ways of expressing your feelings that are respectful to yourself and others. This process begins by realizing that you are a special, unique being worthy of respect and love.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Ask yourself questions. How do you see yourself?

----Stressed, confused, excited, lonely, sad, angry, or peaceful?

How long have you felt this way?

Is that feeling likely to change? Are you okay with how you are feeling?

SELF-ESTEEM SUGGESTIONS:

1. Set healthy goals, take enthusiastic steps, and accumulate meaningful accomplishments. Take control of your actions and lifestyle.

2. Cultivate the habit of looking at the positive sides of your self, people, and things in life.

3.Take deliberate steps to develop skills and talents to greater levels.

4. Take life's changes as challenges - opportunities for personal growth, rather than as problems which burden you.

5. Imagine successful events, even if you feel under-confident. Utilize meditation and/ or visualization.

6. Be realistic about your abilities; be optimistic about your possibilities. Accept yourself as a growing, ever-evolving being that is not 'stuck' in the past or present. Realize the power you have to develop in the way in which you choose.

7. Practice unconditional acceptance for your self and for others.

8. Work towards satisfying your needs in all eight wellness dimensions.

You have the power to feel in balance and be well and healthy. No matter how challenging life becomes, you can feel connected to yourself and others.

Joyce M. Knudsen, Ph.D., AICI, CIM
Originator of Distance Learning Programs for AICI
Distance Learning Examiner for DETC.

Dr.Joyce M. Knudsen is known for two specialties:
(1) International Home Study Certification Program for Image Consultants, Worldwide.
(2) As a Certified Behavioral and Values Analyst she provides assessments on personal lifestyle development, DiSC Classic, DiSC General Characteristics, Time Mastery, Indra, Team Dimensions and so much more.

Dr. Knudsen is the author of six books on the subject of self-image, a distinguished IMMIE Recipient, honored with the Award of Excellence for Education and was the very first Master Status Member (highest level of achievement) of The Association of Image Consultants, International.

Experience powerful new skills in dressing for success, business etiquette and social skills. You can read more about Dr. Knudsen on her web site at www.imagemaker1.com and you can test yourself to excellence on www.testingforexcellence.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

What Motivates You?

What Motivates You?
By Betty Mahalik

As a life-long student of personal development, I've attended dozens of motivational seminars, listened to hundreds of tapes, and read untold books on the subject of motivation . I've presented motivational seminars. And yet there is one elemental truth that seems often overlooked.

That is: no one can motivate you, because you have to do it to yourself. It's an inside job. And frankly it's less a function of "doing" than it is of discovering what your natural motivators are.

So the key to getting and staying motivated is finding out what excites you. What makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning? What speaks to your heart as well as your head?

Is it the thought of being able to call your own shots as an independent business owner? Perhaps you get excited about the idea of helping people design systems of whatever kind to help them work more effectively and effortlessly. Maybe you hunger for an opportunity to speak to others in a way that inspires and lights their internal fires.

Or perhaps being part of a team of people, working together to make great things happen, is what makes your heart beat faster. It could be that you love variety and any environment that generates it.

If your basic needs were met and your mind could freely roam where it chose, what subjects would naturally bubble to the surface? What things naturally generate a sense of energy and ease? What is as natural to you as "falling off a log?" These are questions that begin to tap the root of what motivates you.

In a recent conversation with a prospective client she told me she was thinking of getting out of her current profession as a self-employed professional organizer. As we talked she discovered that what she was really looking for was the opportunity to team up and partner with others to stimulate her creative juices and generate more business.

It didn't mean going back to work for someone else, although that was one option. Rather it was about transforming her idea of the ideal business environment for her. By the end of the call she had a renewed sense of possibility about her career. And she had definitely decided that going back to work for someone else, although "simple" in some respects, would not actually lead her where she wanted to go.

In this day and age when jobs and businesses are changing faster than ever before, when they "keep moving the cheese" (read "Who Moved My Cheese?" for the full explanation), those who create success for themselves will be those who find out what motivates them and follow that path.

It may not mean being your own boss, but even if you work for someone else, it means finding that place where you can most readily apply your innate gifts and talents and use your internal motivational fire to serve others. Once you know what motivates you, your career options are infinitely clearer.

There are many tools and assessments in the marketplace today that can assist you in discovering where your natural motivations lie. Contact me if you'd like more information on those I offer. Or simply begin to pay attention to what gets you excited.

Make a list of the things you most love doing and the environments you most enjoy working in. As you connect the dots, a new picture of your own motivators will emerge. And along with them, a renewed sense of the possibilities of "following your bliss".

This week, sit with the question, "What motivates me?" And listen closely for what comes up. You may be surprised.

Betty Mahalik has been coaching small business owners, independent professionals and leaders who want to achieve more but stress less, since 1996. Her background includes several years in the broadcasting and public relations fields prior to starting her own firm in 1987.

She is an accomplished public speaker and corporate trainer specializing in communications, goal-setting and leveraging your strengths. Since 2001, she has written a weekly motivational message, free to subscribers, titled Monday Morning Coach. To subscribe or learn more about Betty's coaching and training services, visit www.dynamic-coaching.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Truth About Overnight Success

Overnight Success - the Truth is Revealed
By Douglas Titchmarsh

Overnight success seems to be happening to a lot of other people all the time. A new popstar arrives in a blaze of glory and is an instant success. A hotshot businessman or online marketer suddenly appears, telling how they are raking in millions. So how come you aren't an overnight success? Why are you still working so hard at your business, your career or whatever else your personal view of success maybe?

Well here's the shocking truth about becoming an overnight success.... It doesn't happen overnight. Take some time out and lookup some of the apparent overnight success stories, and you'll find a common theme running along all of their stories. Almost without exception they were all working hard, exactly the same way you are, for some time before they acheived "overnight success".

Read or watch interviews with popstars who have suddenly appeared and you'll find they were playing small gigs, knocking on talent agents doors, entering contests for years before they were discovered. The highflying business owner or "new internet marketing guru" has a string of failures behind him or her preceding that one big breakthrough which launched them to guru status and the big earnings.

Dig even deeper and you'll find one other thing these success stories all have in common, they didn't give up. Sure they suffered knockbacks, failures and losses before they hit the bigtime and became known as an overnight success, but they kept getting back up and trying again.

So if you want to be the next "overnight success" you may have to work at it for a while, but most of all you'll have to make sure you never give up.

Douglas Titchmarsh is the owner of several websites including http://www.cashinonline.info and http://www.thediscountebookstore.com He also publishes the DEWDigest e-zine - subscribe by sending email to dewdigest-44@bizgoldhosting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

------------------------
Results Right Now Coaching
Dave Navaro has opened his coaching practice to serve more of the general public. I have known Dave for a few years now and he always exceeds your expectations, and goes the extra mile. If you have ever considered Coaching to speed your progress or get you off a plateau, do it now. -- Al Smith
Try a FR*EE Coaching Consultation Now!
------------------------

Motivation: Get Unstuck!

Motivation: How to Get Unstuck
By Jeff Herring

Have you ever felt stuck?

You know the feeling - you’re not happy with a situation, you know it could be better, you’ve even tried to make it better. But all of your best efforts still end with the “same old-same old” feeling - STUCK!

Well, you are not alone, it’s a very big club.

In fact, when I ask this question in seminars, just about everyone raises their hand. I have a strong suspicion hose who don’t raise their hand are the folks who would never raise their hand in public no matter what I ask.

If so many folks feel this way, then why aren’t more people finding ways to get unstuck. The simple answer is that we are not taught how to solve this problem. There’s isn’t a course that I’m aware of called Getting Unstuck 101.

So we wind up doing the same things, that don’t work, over and over again and expect different results. It’s similar to what we do when we get our car stuck in the sand, mud or snow: if we don’t get out on the first try, we spin our wheels, digging the hole deeper and deeper and we get “stucker and stucker.”

Another good illustration of staying stuck can be found in a story called “What to Do When Your Horse Dies.”

If the horse you’ve been riding has died, then get off the horse!

But instead of getting off, we try:

•buying a stronger whip
•switching riders
•trying a new bit or bridle
•moving the horse to a new location
•saying “this is the way we’ve always ridden this horse”
•form a commission to study the horse
•visit other places where they ride dead horses more efficiently
•blame the horse’s parents
•complain about the state of horses these days.”

Why in the world would we try any of the above solutions with a dead horse? Yet we do it all the time. In our stubbornness, we keep trying to solve a problem with the exact same kind of thinking that created the problem in the first place.

How to Get Un-Stuck

Now for the good stuff - the tools and solutions. Here are just a few suggestions:

Albert Einstein said it much better than I ever could: “You can’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created the problem.”

We all can change our thinking by asking better questions.

Change the lame sounding-dead roach-victim whining “why does this always happen to me-it’s not fair-what did I do to deserve this” garbage question to “in how many ways can I creatively get unstuck while benefiting myself and others and enjoy the process?”

Use unusual, creative, silly, never-tried-it-that-way-before solutions. Remember that “every unattempted solution fails.”

Ask for help. I know this idea sounds so un-American-I can do it myself-I can handle it-I don’t need any one-proud and independent blather, but it works, just about every time. Just make sure you ask the right people: instead of asking those that are just as stuck as you, ask those who have been where you are and found their way to the other side.

A word of caution, however. While there is much to gain by getting un-stuck, there are a few things you must be prepared to give up as well. Things like:

•not being responsible/accountable for where you are
•no one expecting anything from you
•the helpless victim role
•the security and safety of the familiar

But if you are ready to give these things up, then let’s get going, it’s time to get unstuck and go live. It’s like the old saying, “a ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not for what ships are made.”

Happy sailing, and keep the change!

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Create Balance in Your Life

How to Create Balance Between Your Work and Life
By Karen Cross

Have you ever heard anyone say: "I wish I didn’t have to spend so much time with my family and friends" or "I really don’t like spending so much time playing and having fun" or "I shouldn’t spend time taking care of myself physically and emotionally" or "I just love spending long hours, evenings and weekends at work"? No? Me neither.

It’s usually quite the opposite. People talk about how little time they have for their family and friends, having fun, and taking care of themselves, and how much time they have to spend working.

The truth is, it’s not about there not being enough time; rather it’s about the choices we make on how we spend our time. When most of your time is spent at work or thinking about work, the result is an imbalance between your personal life and work life.

There is no question your workload is large, deadlines are tight, and responsibilities seemingly endless. As this is unlikely to change, it becomes even more important to have a good balance between work and life. It can be so easy to fall into the trap of working long hours in order to stay caught up or get ahead. Unfortunately, this is only an illusion because there’s always more work waiting when you "finish" the work you’re doing.

Here are 5 tips to help you create balance in your life:

1) Focus on what you are accomplishing rather than on all the work that still needs to be done.

2) Set priorities that put the things that are most important to you at the top of your list. For example, if spending more time with your children is important to you, then make a commitment to leave work on time.

3) Let go of work when you’re not there and focus on being present to the people and activities in your personal life.

4) Ask yourself what you really want. Is it a life filled with hard work or is it having fun and enjoying yourself.

5) Get support from someone else; someone who can keep you accountable to yourself and your commitments. This person could be a friend, family member, co-worker, or even a personal life coach.

You might be wondering if it’s possible to have perfect balance between your work and life all of the time. No. There will always be things that happen that pull your attention to certain areas of your life for periods of time. If you think of the various aspects of your life as making up a wheel, the key is that your wheel doesn’t look like a flat tire with work always dominating your attention.

So starting today, make a commitment to take one action that will create more balance between your work and life.

Karen Cross, BSW is a writer, speaker, life and career coach, and founder of Pathfinder Solutions. She specializes in coaching helping professionals make personal and career transitions, practice better self-care, create balance, and find greater happiness in their work and life. For a free copy of her "How to Propel Your Career to the Next Level in 3 Easy Steps" special report, call 250-714-0996 or email karen@pathfindersolutions.ca

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

------------------------
Results Right Now Coaching
Dave Navaro has opened his coaching practice to serve more of the general public. I have known Dave for a few years now and he always exceeds your expectations, and goes the extra mile. If you have ever considered Coaching to speed your progress or get you off a plateau, do it now. -- Al Smith
Try a FR*EE Coaching Consultation Now!
------------------------

Procrastination Has An Up Side!

The Up Side of Procrastination
By Gregory Bonney

If you are like me, you have a tendency to put off until tomorrow what you could do today. In his book, "The Time Trap: How to Get More Done in Less Time", R. Alec Mackenzie says procrastination is "... a close relative of incompetence and a handmaiden of inefficiency." Ouch. I hope that got your attention.

Mackenzie defines procrastination as deliberately avoiding an unpleasant task. So, he is not talking about forgetfulness, although I think the forgetful person may sometimes get accused of procrastination.

Chin-Ning Chu, author of "Thick Face, Black Heart: The Path To Thriving, Winning & Succeeding", takes a very different tact. She says, "When it is applied properly, procrastination can be a great asset." She goes on to explain that "Sometimes problems have a way of working themselves out.

The more we try to fix them, the worse they get. That is the time to procrastinate a little and let time do its work." As an example, if somebody is angry with you, maybe they need to be left alone for a while until emotions have cooled a bit.

However, assuming that we are talking about a situation where you do not expect a problem to just go away if you wait long enough, here is a list of guidelines which Mackenzie borrows from Norman Vincent Peale:

1. Pick one area where procrastination plagues you - and conquer it.

2. Learn to set priorities and focus on one problem at a time.

3. Give yourself deadlines.

4. Don't duck the most difficult problems.

5. Don't let perfectionism paralyze you.

These are a good set of guidelines, but they are missing one element that I think Ms. Chu has enlightened. She says, "In past decades, the idea that we need to change our negative attitudes to positive ones before we can succeed has been pounded into us. If you learn only one thing from reading this book, it should be that you can succeed the way you are."

The simple fact of the matter is that the guidelines and time management practices of Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Peale will only work if you have the right attitude. The fact that you are a procrastinator probably means that you already know that you do not have the attitude that it would take to follow such a formula for success. Oh, you might try it for a while, but eventually you will slide back into your old habits, because that is your personality.

Richard Branson has said that one of the secrets of his success is that he always has a Plan B. He calls this "taking care of the down side." Kirk Kerkorian is another very successful businessman who uses the same method.

Several years ago, I learned in a training course with Neal Whitten, author of "Managing Software Development Projects", how to apply this idea to the problem of procrastination. He said that if you tend to procrastinate, you should always have a Plan B.

The application is very simple. If you have a work assignment due on Monday, you know you really should plan to have it done by Friday. However, since you know that you tend to procrastinate, your Plan B might be to cancel whatever plans you have on Sunday and finish it then. Of course, you do not want to cancel Sunday's plans, so just the act of thinking of Plan B may motivate you to finish on time instead. If not, there is no reason to stress, because you have already made the plans.

Plan B is not generally the best approach, but in the end it is preferable to the task not getting done. In addition, you may sometimes find that the extra time you have taken has allowed you to come up with an innovative solution that is actually better than your original Plan A.

Of course, having contingency plans is something that is good for many other areas of life, so it is interesting that it does not get mentioned in a book on time management. The reason, I think, is that time management gurus see procrastination as so evil that they would never suggest that a person actually plan for it.

However, it is important to know yourself and take your own path to success rather than letting down yourself and others because you tried to live according to some standard that is not practical for you. In fact, part of being trustworthy is being honest with yourself. That might mean planning for your own procrastination and even at times using it as a positive strategy for success.

The author, Greg Bonney, is the owner of Bonney Information and E-Commerce and founder of ScoutCamping.com.

Copyright © 2005 Bonney Information and E-Commerce.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Fear of Rejection?

Rejection: Will It Define Your or Refine You?
By Jeff Herring

Let’s begin today by asking for a show of hands. Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by anyone, for anything, at any time.

C’mon, be honest.

OK, you can put your hands down now.

When I ask this question in seminars, nearly everyone raises their hand, except for those select few who never raise their hand in public no matter what you ask.

The bottom line is this: every one of us has felt the sting of rejection at some time in our lives. And although rejection can and does hurt, there is an important distinction to be made. Most of the people I have worked with have a more difficult time with the fear of rejection than the rejection itself.

From the teenage boy who hangs up the phone when the girl answers (did that more than once myself) to the adult afraid to ask for a raise, the fear of rejection stops many people from doing what they want.

When it comes to rejection or the fear of rejection, it’s just like many other challenges in life: it’s not what happens to you that matters as much as what you do about it. With rejection, we have the choice to either let it define us or refine us. Let’s take a closer look at each of these two options:

How to let rejection define you

Believe that FEAR stands for Forget Everything And Run. Most people get rejected once and give up.

Believe that the rejection reflects the sum total of your worth as a person.

After being rejected, never take a risk again.

Play the rejection over and over again in your mind. This helps keep it fresh.

Have a large and ongoing pity party. Even though you’re the only invited guest.

Take a tip from Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh and think: “Why does this always happen to me? Why, oh why, oh why?”

Practice being afraid to ask.

Believe that everyone knows you were rejected and are looking at you and talking about you.

Get stuck. Stay focused on the rejection and never worry about moving forward.

How to use rejection to refine you

Believe that FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Realize that most of what you worry about (false evidence) does not happen.

Take a tip from the world of sales: studies show that most sales are made not on the first contact, but on the fourth, fifth or sixth contact. Keep swinging.

Keep in mind that just because someone says no right now does not necessarily mean they will say no in the future. They might, and then again, they might not. Ask again.

Learn from the rejection. Focus on how to ask more skillfully, asking the right questions, asking the right person, etc.

As stress management expert Tim O’Brien points out, practice the QTIP response to rejection. No, I don’t mean clean out your ears. QTIP stands for Quit Taking It Personally.

And now, my favorite response to rejection. How would you like a nice four letter word to use whenever you are rejected? Are you ready? Here it is: the next time you are rejected, say loudly to yourself, NEXT! The power of NEXT! is that it allows you to put the rejection behind you and focus on your present and future goals.

Remember, every one has been rejected. It’s a big club. Whether rejection defines us or refines us is our choice.

Which will it be for you?

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

------------------------
Results Right Now Coaching
Dave Navaro has opened his coaching practice to serve more of the general public. I have known Dave for a few years now and he always exceeds your expectations, and goes the extra mile. If you have ever considered Coaching to speed your progress or get you off a plateau, do it now. -- Al Smith
Try a FR*EE Coaching Consultation Now!
------------------------

Low Motivation? Carry On!

Hanging On In There - How To Carry On When Your Motivation Is Flagging By Kate Harper

"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult.... I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking." --- Og Mandino

It strikes me that beyond the difficulty of getting started, it is even more of a challenge to keep going, to carry on and hang on in there. How many times have you started a project only to abandon it part way through? How many unfinished works-in-progress are tucked away in various corners of the house and your workplace.

They are not exactly screaming at you to get finished, but the sense of them being there is very much like voices whispering at you. You see, the start was relatively easy. It’s the carrying on which will be the challenge.

How about you? What do you need to persist in? Have you got a project that you are part way through and you can feel yourself flagging? How do you need to motivate yourself to hang on in there?

If you feel that your resolve to see a project through is beginning to crumble, perhaps it is time to take a break, step back and remove yourself from the detail of the project for a short while. Sometimes just allowing yourself to have a breathing space, possibly by going out and taking a calming walk, can help to ease your sense of overwhelm.

Distancing yourself for a while, although it can seem like a negative step, can often help to get you over the hurdles of carrying on. Also reminding yourself, and those you may be working with, what the ultimate goal is, can often refresh your enthusiasm for the tasks in hand.

What essential task has been slipping down the to-do list? What are you resisting doing? It may not necessarily be a large or even difficult task, but in your mind it may have grown into a problem of gargantuan proportions! It’s time to assess whether the pain of putting it off is worse than the pain of facing up to it and doing it. The other question to ask is, ‘Can I delegate this?'

What do you really want to achieve for yourself? Today? This week? This month? This year? Next year and beyond? Do you have a vision of how you would like things to be? Do you know how you are going to get there? Have you taken the first steps? And are you hanging on in there? Is your vision keeping you going?

If it's not, then it's time to reassess your vision and choose another one that excites you.

When a task is beginning to create stress and distress, that is one of the times to give yourself a break. Doing something active will help to lower your stress levels, as well as increasing your fitness, so that you will be physically and mentally more able to cope with what awaits you. You can return to your task with renewed energy and vigor.

How did you come to be doing this project or task? Was it imposed on you by someone else, or did you choose to start it yourself? If it was given to you to do by someone else and you are struggling with maintaining your enthusiasm, how do you think you could get a sense of eagerness for the project? What do you need to inject some fresh interest?

If someone else is able to help you do this, then go ahead and ask them. The worst that could happen is they could say ‘no’! If this is something that you chose to take on, then the same applies. What drew you to this in the first place? Just remembering that may be all it takes to give you a jump-start again.

What can you be doing every day to help move the project along? How is your time most profitably spent? Do you need to learn something new to assist you with what you are trying to achieve? If you need a break from work, sometimes doing something totally unrelated and creative can refresh you.

Using your hands and mind in producing something purely for pleasure can calm you down and lower your stress levels. You will also end up with something you’ll enjoy looking at!

Sometimes carrying on seems to be the last thing you want to do. You may even think that you are putting in all the effort only to get nothing from it. Hanging on in there and seeing the project progress to the next stage and then the final stage can be tough under these circumstances, but if you really believe in what you are ultimately aiming to achieve, then it will not be for nothing.

Keep the end in sight. Hang on in there!

Kate Harper is based in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Check out her website http://www.harpercoaching.com

She works with people who are fed up with moaning about their lives and have decided to do something about it. If that is you, please take a look at Kate's website. Her special interest is in promoting Wellbeing through coaching. She is happy to work with people from any part of the world.

"The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult." Madame Marie du Deffand

Take your first step today and contact Kate.
http://www.harpercoaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Stop Self-Sabotage Now

Six Steps To Stop Self-Sabotage Now
Copyright © 2005 Eve Delunas, Ph.D.
Inner Vision Resources
http://www.innervisionresources.com/

Are you a captive of your past? Or have you released the past and liberated yourself from its hold on you? When you refuse to allow your history to imprison you, you choose a path of self-determination. Letting go of the past is your personal "declaration of independence" from anything in your earlier years that could limit your creative potential or prevent you from living your best life.

How can you tell if past events are still having a negative effect on you today? Here are three signs to look for:

1. Certain situations trigger extreme, out-of-control emotional reactions. It feels as if you go on "auto-pilot" and have little or no control over the way you feel or behave once certain internal buttons have been pushed. For example, Marta trembles with fear at the thought of asserting herself with her boss, who overburdens Marta with an excessive workload. Joe goes into a rage when he believes he is being accused of making an error, however insignificant. Ben is consumed with jealousy when he catches his girlfriend smiling at a stranger.

2. All of the logical solutions and practical approaches to changing your out-of-control reactions have failed. Your head may say "this is ridiculous" but you can't stop yourself from over-reacting with anger, sadness, fear, shame, guilt, or jealousy to a situation that just doesn't merit that kind of emotional energy.

3. You keep making the same unhealthy choices over and over again. Although you may vow that you are going to set a new course, your default mode is set on self-destruct. You can't seem to keep yourself from repeating the same mistakes-even though you know better. Elizabeth continues to have relationships with married men, despite of years of heartache from other married lovers. Mark lies to his manager and coworkers, although that behavior led to Mark's dismissal from his last two jobs.

What can you do if you are under the negative spell of your past? Here are some steps you can take which will neutralize the effect
that the past has on you:

1. Reclaim your power by refusing to think of yourself as a victim. This does not mean you deny the bad things that have happened to you. Rather, it means you embrace your wholeness rather than your brokenness. Everything you have lived has strengthened your psychological immune system. Recognize your capacity to thrive in spite of the hardships that have come your way, and watch your life begin to mirror your more empowered sense of Self.

2. Retire your need to blame anyone-including your self-for your present unhappiness. Blame only weighs you down with unnecessary baggage that inhibits you from moving forward. Release blame and feel yourself lighten up.

3. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Everybody makes them-that's how we learn. Stop berating yourself with your so-called failures, and use that extra energy to create the life you desire today.

4. Make peace with your past. If certain unpleasant memories still hold a high degree of emotional charge, let a qualified therapist assist you in healing those wounds to loosen the psychological hold those traumatic episodes have on you.

5. Change the thoughts you entertain about yourself. Monitor your mental landscape to avoid habitual, self-limiting ways of thinking. When you catch yourself engaging in old thought patterns like, "I don't deserve to be happy" or "I'm not good enough," deliberately choose new thoughts that feel better to you.

6. Stop using your past as a point of comparison to your present and future. No matter what you have lived before, today can be different. Instead of focusing on how your life has been, place your attention on how you want your life to be. Keep your eye on the road ahead rather than the one behind you, and watch your life take you to the places you have dreamed of going!

As you let go of your past, you free yourself to live the life you truly desire. Step into the Now, and discover the unlimited potential for joy that awaits you there.

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

Eve Delunas, Ph.D., psychotherapist, author, speaker, trainer
Offers proven strategies to help you rise above your limitations
and soar. Breaking the Spell of the Past--Book and Guided
Visualization CD set. Take a FREE QUIZ to find out if you are
SPELLBOUND by your past. Download a FREE guided meditation to
relieve stress and feel more peaceful. Sign up for a FREE monthly
ezine called AWAKENING INNER VISION: RESOURCES FOR ENLIGHTENMENT.
Go to: www.innervisionresources.com
Write to: mailto:eve@innervisionresources.com

------------------------
Results Right Now Coaching
Dave Navaro has opened his coaching practice to serve more of the general public. I have known Dave for a few years now and he always exceeds your expectations, and goes the extra mile. If you have ever considered Coaching to speed your progress or get you off a plateau, do it now. -- Al Smith
Try a FR*EE Coaching Consultation Now!
------------------------

Overcoming Life's Difficulties

When Life Gives You Waves, Learn to S.U.R.F.
By Frank F. Lunn

Would you like to learn a skill set and technique so powerful that you could learn to recycle every failure, disappointment, setback and discouraging situation into a steppingstone for your success? Would you like to go into every situation with confidence knowing you will have the skills to convert it into an experience with a positive benefit?

Imagine skilled and highly trained fighters going into a difficult and scary situation. They don't go looking for it, but when it comes, they are ready and prepared. They realize it will probably be very painful and even scary, but with their training and developed skill set, their odds are favorable.

You have an opportunity to use the same approach to adversities and difficulties entering our lives. We don't go looking for adversity; it finds us. We can’t necessarily avoid pain or suffering, but if we use our training, we have a better chance for survival and eventually find some benefit or lesson we can take and claim a victory.

Change, difficulties and adversity will happen. Your only point of control is the surfing skill set you develop to adapt and make the best out of whatever comes your way. It is not really what happens to you that matters as much as your response to what happens. Your response determines your outcome.

Think of change and adversity as waves of the ocean, then consider your response to those waves. Success is not necessarily in your talents and abilities, but in the choices you make in application to the waves. You can't change or fight the wave. Your only real choice is to adapt to it.

Apply the S.U.R.F. Strategy™ to Make the Best of the Waves

The S.U.R.F. Strategy is a simple, quick strategy to adapt and positively respond to whatever waves come your way. This keeps your attitude as an ally working for you rather than an adversary working against you. You cannot control the waves; you can only control your response and develop the skills to adapt to whatever comes your way.

The Four Steps of the S.U.R.F. Strategy

The S.U.R.F. strategy involves four steps:
Survey the situation
Understand your options
Respond based on your goals
Forward focus in action and attitude

1. Survey the Situation

When you are tumbled by a wave (adversity), you have to regain your bearing and figure out exactly where you are. Leave emotion behind and survey your situation. What new opportunities might be found or developed? Now is the opportunity to create a new plan.

It might be tempting to get caught up in the heat of the moment and feel like you are without options. Take a step back to gain perspective. With an understanding of where you are and what choices you have, you can make the most of the opportunities.

2. Understand Your Options

After you know where you are, begin to assess options for moving forward. Focus only on solutions. After you survey your situation, it’s time to make way for positive solutions and options.

Ask questions like: “What can I gain?” or “What contacts can I make?” Maintain a positive outlook regardless of the situation — even if you do not immediately see the opportunity. Stay focused on the outcome you want and where you want to go.

Look optimistically for creative ways to use the situation for good — don’t lament your misfortune. The opportunity may be hidden. Learn to look for it. This is a creative success habit, and it only comes with practice. Become an opportunity farmer. Look for the hidden benefits behind each change and every situation.

3. Respond Based on Your Goals

Now assess the options in front of you. Some may be better than others. Some may be more complicated or difficult to see. Weigh the pros and cons of each option.

You might find your best option right now is to persist in your current situation. You may find yourself riding a wave bigger than you think you can handle. It may be a wild ride, but at least it will be interesting.

Remember, you always have choices. The only thing you can control is your attitude. Regardless of the wave, you have the power to choose. Make sure your response is in line with your goals.

4. Forward Focus in Action and Attitude

You can’t surf yesterday’s wave. The past is the past. Now it is time to think creatively toward the future. Take positive action. Don’t let things happen to you. Create the conditions and outcomes you seek!

Now that you are surfing the wave, maintain focus on where you want to go and what you want to do. Maintain a vivid mental image of your successful future finding ways to keep taking action in that direction.

When Bad Surf Happens to Good Surfers

As you surf life’s waves, you will see good waves and bad ones. You will have some awesome rides and some gnarly wipe outs. You will meet fellow surfers who want to help you out and those who would rather beat you down. There will be sunny days to enjoy the beach. There will also be storms that take away your enjoyment and opportunity as the sea becomes unstable and unsuitable for your purposes.

Injustice, rude people, hardships, difficulties and even some bad things will happen in your life. We cannot control those. The only thing we can control is our attitude and the actions we choose to take in response.

Living is not about playing it safe. Test yourself. Learn the full measure of your surfing ability. Do not hide from the waves. You can learn from both your great rides and your wipe outs. Opportunity does not come to the passive. Be active and create your opportunities.

Sometimes opportunities only come through difficult situations. Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it. How you choose to respond to adversity reveals your true character. Your true character is uncovered in the actions of your response and in the choices you make. Your character is revealed in the promises you keep and in the convictions you hold true.

Ultimately, your character is a mirror of the guiding principles in your life. What you do and say reveal to the world who you are.

You Cannot Control the Weather

Neither you nor I can control the weather. We cannot control what it will be today and we cannot affect in any way what it will be tomorrow. It is what it is. The same weather will make some people joyous and others miserable.

When there is a snow day that shuts down everything, kids rejoice, while parents who need to miss work or scramble for child care, do not. Rain is great when the farmers need it for the crops and devastating when the river peaks the levies. Hot sunny days are fantastic for people to enjoy a picnic, yet miserable when you are in the field working.

Weather in itself is neither good nor bad. It is up to us in our decision of how we choose to weather our personal storms and whether they leave us stronger and more resolute or weakened and cowering until the next one.

In the same way, adversities are going to come your way, just like the waves of the ocean. All you can really do about them is learn to surf . . . and convert challenges, difficulties and hardships into opportunities.

Frank F. Lunn is President and CEO of Kahuna Empowerment, Inc., and author of the E-book, "Blessings In Adversity: Convert Challenges, Difficulties an Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities." Download it for free, and find out more about the Blessings In Adversity Campaign, at www.blessingsinadversity.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Skill Of Adapting To Change

Change - The Skill Of Adapting To The Inevitable
By Kurt Hurley

Change your thoughts and you change your world. -Norman Vincent Peale

Not surprising, one of the core reasons that hinder us from the realization our innermost goals and desires is our inability to be flexible.

Sad, but true! We do everything we can to eliminate any type of potential suffering in our lives, yet challenges and pressures do undoubtedly bring out the best in us.

If you have been encumbered by slip-ups in the past, learn from them, forget about them, and move on. Some people tend to focus on how bad their lives have been due to these mistakes. As a result, they remain trapped in their own perceived, miserable existance.

Regard your past mistakes as lessons, and apply them as learning references for future endeavors...

So what if you have invested in something important to you, something ‘huge’ and you in-turn lost a substantial amount of money? From a situation like this, most people would remain deeply discouraged for a long period of time and their personal lives would sequentially be adversely affected.

Their eating becomes impaired and they can’t sleep, just staring at the ceiling all night long, thinking how awful things are. Furthermore, they would probably vow not to venture into new opportunities again. This is exceedingly too common, what a shame.

Don’t be a victim, don’t be afraid to fail. You must be able to take risk…or risk your chances to achieve your goals or most anything that you desire in life. Be cautious and use your past mistakes as a road map, a guide to prevent future failure.

You must clearly see it this way... If you try, at least you have a 50% chance of getting what you want. But if you don’t try at all, you have absolutely no chance of attaining what you aspire to or for in life. It's a no-brainer.TRY and TRY again!

And when you do, follow through, finish the job. I've met too many people who have accepted my proposal to work side-by-side with me and learn how to be an effective coach, but most of them would abruptly stop right in the middle of their educational phase and quit, it’s just too hard to get good at something so personally empowering.

They have the drive to start, but they lack the motivation to persevere. Yes, this is another fact of life. Those who persist may have one heck of a time in the beginning, but are almost always the last man or woman standing.

Let's fast forward into the future. Let's say you did try, you followed through and you succeeded. Congratulations. So you became wealthy, successful and affluent…a person of prosperity and you reaped the glorious fruits of your labor. It is extremely difficult to remain on top, look at Michael Jackson.

Problems are sure to arise again, so always be ready to adjust to whatever comes your way…go with the FLOW! The only thing permanent and inevitable in this world is change.

If you need to sacrifice something for a better cause, then do it. Do what you must to attain your ‘object’ of desire.

You will and should encounter difficulties along the way. You will and should receive criticisms.

You may even be regarded as being "different" or "strange" by others. Don't let them discourage you. As I have said before, just keep on keepin’ on…continue striving forward and success will be yours for the taking. I guarantee!

-To Your Absolute Success, Kurt Lee Hurley

Kurt's website www.kreatefitness.com, as well as his Provo Utah Private Fitness Facility Synergy Fitness Systems, specializes in in providing leading edge exercise and nutrition programs and a super premium supplement line. All of these superior products offer superior results.

------------------------
Results Right Now Coaching
Dave Navaro has opened his coaching practice to serve more of the general public. I have known Dave for a few years now and he always exceeds your expectations, and goes the extra mile. If you have ever considered Coaching to speed your progress or get you off a plateau, do it now. -- Al Smith
Try a FR*EE Coaching Consultation Now!
------------------------

A Realistic Plan

Success Is Based On A Realistic Plan
By Mark Tse

Everyone wants to be successful. However, many people often rely on luck and chance to achieve results. The best example in this case is someone who wants to be rich but only try the most ineffective method: playing the Lotto.

Of course, there are chances of becoming rich over night, but how likely is it that this will actually happen? Creating a realistic plan in order to achieve the desired results is vital in any case, no matter how high or low your goals are.

The safest way to achieve your dream is by taking successive steps and gradually increasing your chances of reaching your goal. Try to think of a metaphor and compare your desires with a professional swimming competition.

The first thing you need to do, in order to have chances of winning the race, is to make sure you are not afraid of the water. Before you even consider entering the race you have to eliminate your fears. They are the ones holding you back, but be careful, some of your fears might save you from getting hurt or failing.

Once you are convinced that your goal is worth fighting for, you have to start the hardest stage in you plan: preparation. You cannot expect to win a professional swimming race when you don’t even know how to swim. Start with the basics and never skip any steps out of desire of reaching your goal faster.

The experience and knowledge you are skipping will probably come back and hurt you later on. Prepare by taking gradually increasing steps. Swim half a lap first, and then move on to a full lap. Your skills will progress each time and you will soon beat your own lap records every time you enter the swimming pool.

It might take days, weeks or years to prepare for the “race”, depending on what your goals are. The main thing is to enter the race feeling confident in your own success and having all the skills that would allow you to win.

Taking steps one at a time and keeping your plan realistic gives you two important benefits. The order and precision of a plan brings confidence. You don’t feel like you are reengaging each new issue on a day-to-day basis. Organizing your strategy reduces the chances of making wrong moves or taking less efficient decisions.

Secondly, having a sound plan has many psychological benefits and your subconscious mind worries less, giving you more energy to concentrate on what’s important. You are creating a pattern in your awareness that accepts success and integrates it in your plan.

When both you conscious and your subconscious mind believe in your chances of reaching a goal you benefit from a power of concentration and focus that eliminate outside interference and let you follow the shortest path to success.

Even though chance may still play an important role in your quest to reach your ideal, having a realistic plan let’s you change the “unlikely” into “possible”.

Need a marketing plan for your online business? Check here: http://www.marktse.com/marketing-plan

This article is written by Mark Tse. Mark shares free tips, articles and downloads about Internet Marketing. You can visit his Internet Marketing Blog and read his latest posts here: www.marktse.com/blog/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------

Self Esteem and Self Confidence

Success, the Only Option
By Uma Shankari

One often hears people say they can't sketch because they don't have 'the talent' even to draw a straight line. When was it somebody told you "Oh, I can't play the piano; I'm such a klutz!"?

Such negative programming of the mind often comes from judgmental parents, teachers, relatives or peers. The loved ones, whom the child trusts and looks up to for encouragement, affirmation, and support, often make derogatory comments and ridicule,ignoring the child’s commendable achievement and simply focus on the negative.

Such events, in childhood or adult years, can damage the self-esteem and destroy confidence in anyone, minimizing the chances of reaching one's full potential. Frequently these events, hurts, or negative valuations are absorbed by and buried in subconscious memory, with the person totally unaware of the sources of troubled feelings, fear, self-doubt and damaging attitudes.

Unless there is some sort of physical or mental handicap that prevents it, almost anyone can learn to play piano competently, or draw aesthetically. But what really gets in the way is nearly always, a simple lack of time, motivation, or energy, to learn the principles and then practise enough to become proficient

It just takes desire, time, the right teacher, and the belief that it is possible.

The late Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do." The best thing is when you do, your confidence soars, every time!

Develop your Confidence and Motivation: Self-esteem and self-confidence are essential to human progress. Self-esteem is fundamental to friendships, work, love, relationships, ambitions and goals - even health, itself.

A person must like, respect and admire the person he/she sees in the mirror. Self-confidence is necessary to achievement; however, it requires self-esteem to be effective.

High self-esteem is a basic ingredient for success. Low self-esteem must be dealt with before progress can be achieved in building self-confidence and creating motivation. It is difficult for a person to show confidence when he views himself as a low man on his own totem pole.

Low self-esteem, however, does not suddenly appear, like the symptom of an illness. It develops, like a cancer, usually unnoticed in early stages, but spreading slowly throughout the mind until, when recognized, it may be full-blown, and demoralizingly destructive.

To establish self-confidence dispose of past negative programming -- eliminating from self-perception any labels such as bad, wrong, stupid, clumsy, dumb, inept, untalented, ignorant, etc. Remove fears that shackle the mind and reduce negative internal judgments so that positive self-feelings and confidence can develop in a natural way.

If this is practiced systematically, mood and energy levels increase, psychosomatic symptoms fade away, emotions become uncluttered, self-derogation is reduced and positive feelings about life’s possibilities develop.

With self-esteem and confidence enhanced, improved motivation comes into the spotlight. Essential to generating positive motivation is the elimination of any fear of failure.

First, it is important to recognize successes of the past and the motivations that led to it.

Second, a sense of direction is needed (Where am I going?).

Then comes the all important factor of "goal setting". Not the ultimate goal, but a short term, quickly achievable goal.

Finally, on achievement of this goal, a self-reward. This reward may be a self-treat, or the pride of achievement and self-satisfaction.

The purpose of establishing short-term, successive goals is important to understand. A small success generates additional confidence. It creates a sense of readiness and eagerness for the next step.

Neuro Linguistic Programming is a tool you can use to build up your confidence levels. If anybody in the world can do anything, you too can, if you tune your nervous system exactly the same way. This is what NLP - or Neuro Linguistic Programming - teaches us.

Neuro refers to our nervous system, the mental pathways of our five senses by which we see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. Linguistic refers to our ability to use language and how specific words and phrases mirror our mental worlds. Linguistic also refers to our silent language of postures, gestures, and habits that reveal our thinking styles and beliefs. Programming is borrowed from computer science, to suggest that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are simply habits or programs that have got written over the years. It is time we upgrade our mental software to achieve our goals!

NLP is based on principles that are very different from traditional psychology. While traditional clinical psychology is primarily concerned with describing difficulties, categorizing them, and searching for historical causes, NLP is interested in how our thoughts, actions and feelings work together right now to produce our experience.

Founded on modern sciences of biology, linguistics and information, NLP begins with new principles of how the mind/brain works. It deals with the way we filter, through our five senses, our experiences of the outside world, and how we use those same inner senses, both intentionally and unintentionally, to achieve the results we desire.

Our specific thoughts, actions and feelings consistently produce specific results. If we want to change our results, then we need to change the thoughts, actions, and feelings that go into predicting them. Once we understand specifically how we create and maintain our inner thoughts and feelings, it is a simple matter for us to change them to more useful ones.

NLP helps you get in touch with reality, to become motivated, to think, to learn, and, if required, to change. It allows you to take control of your feelings and gives you choices. Simply put, NLP connects our words, thoughts and behavior to our goals.

Knowing what you want and finding the means to get it are an important part of NLP. Ask 'what then' questions, get ready to take action, keep your senses on the alert and learn to notice the results of your actions. Be prepared to change your behavior till you get what you want.

These are proven methods that can help us establish an unshakable internal integration with the infinite powers of our inner self. You start breaking all barriers that have been holding you back from moving towards your dreams and aspirations.

Uma Shankari is a Bangalore-based freelance writer, who has just embarked on a writing career she had always loved. She feels she has done the right thing by chucking away her IT profession.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

------------------------
Results Right Now Coaching
Dave Navaro has opened his coaching practice to serve more of the general public. I have known Dave for a few years now and he always exceeds your expectations, and goes the extra mile. If you have ever considered Coaching to speed your progress or get you off a plateau, do it now. -- Al Smith
Try a FR*EE Coaching Consultation Now!
------------------------

What Is Your Reward?

What Have You Done for YOU Lately?
by Scott Foreman

Is there a better, free invention than the 'to-do' list? How many of you use to-do lists? If you're organized and motivated enough to start (or even consider starting) a new business, I'll bet you not only use to-do lists, but have one within arm's length right now. Am I right?

I'll admit that sometimes I get carried away. Don't tell anyone, but I've even put important items on the list that I already completed, just so I could cross them off. Yes, I've earned the right to be laughed at, but I imagine some of you have done the same.

My friend laughed at me the other day because I put "get gas" on my list. He asked, "Are you really going to forget that if you don't write it down?" No, of course I won't, but in that moment I was able to articulate why lists are so important to me.

Whenever I feel unorganized or even overwhelmed, a to-do list helps me relax. I can see everything that needs to be accomplished, prioritize my time, and decide what can wait for another day. Then, one step at a time allows me to get the big items knocked out first.

All of this talk about lists though is to make a different point entirely. We spend so much of our time thinking about what needs to be done in the future that we forget about the past. "The past is already gone," you say. "Gone, but not forgotten," is my reply.

We have accomplished so much already that sometimes we should remind ourselves how much we really can do when our brains and hearts are in the right place.

When a particularly frustrating day or week rears its ugly head, I offer you a simple and incredibly powerful idea to blow that frustration away. Take out a pen and write four things that you are most proud of in your life.

Try to emphasize accomplishments, but anything will do. Maybe it is being a great parent or spouse. Maybe it is starting a successful business. Maybe it is singing karaoke in front of 100 people.

Whatever it is, write it down. If you're having difficulty, ask yourself the following:
==> What difficult situations have I gotten through?
==> What have I done that I never thought I could?
==> What actions/decisions have I taken/made that have changed my (or others) life?

What happens when you make an accomplishment list? If you aren't in too much of a hurry, writing down the shining moments of your life can do several favors for you.

First, you start to get a little nostalgic and remember those glorious times. We could all stand to wear big smiles more often.

Second, you remember that you got through tougher times in your life and so you know for a fact that you can emerge victorious again.

Third, you put yourself in a state of resourcefulness. You remember and feel all the effort and ideas that you produced during that time and it gets your brain working. I can almost guarantee that new ideas will pop into your head as you think about past accomplishments.

The beauty about the whole process of recalling your proud moments is that you don't have to psyche yourself up or whip yourself into a positive-thinking frenzy. You're simply remembering what you've already done. You enjoy a nice walk down Memory Lane and merge straight into Opportunity Avenue.

The next time you feel frustrated or discouraged, write your to-do list and get organized. Then get motivated by writing your four biggest achievements in life. Who knows, this time next year you might just be able to update your list with all of your accomplishments of the last 12 months.

Remember, be good to yourself and never underestimate the power associated with the intensity of your passion.

Wishing you Success,

Scott Foreman
scott@build-passive-income.com
Copyright 2004 Foreman Enterprises
Wayne and Scott Foreman are co-owners of www.build-passive-income.com

This Secret Book Made Terry Dean Rich! You Can Get it Free IF you click below now (you won't believe the simple techniques it reveals that ANYONE can use) www.Build-Passive-Income.com/secret

--------------------
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of a Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezine. Subscribe for FREE at
The Realgoalgetter Ezine.
Another publication from The Realgoalgetter Group.
Check out the Previous Archived Issues here and then type in your name and email address to start receiving them now.
--------------------