Be Your Own Cheerleader - Give Your Self Esteem A Boost!

Self-Esteem: Being Your Own Cheerleader
By Wendy Betterini

Many of us believe that the only way to feel good about ourselves is to have someone else constantly reaffirm to us that we are good people. The truth is, however, that the act of simply believing in ourselves can be enough to give us the necessary confidence to accomplish the impossible, achieve greatness, and pick ourselves up when we fall.

Far too often we rely on others in our lives to provide us with a best friend’s kindness, a child’s love, or a spouse’s support. If we need love and support, the first place we should look is within ourselves.

Being able to love ourselves requires a lot of practice. Overcoming years of negative reinforcement from society is tough to do. However, once you can successfully say you can love yourself, nobody can take it away from you. We must learn to be our own best friend, our own cheerleaders.

We need to provide ourselves with the love, kindness, and respect we all deserve and desire. Learning to love ourselves can be an ongoing process as we occasionally fall into the trap of believing we're stupid, worthless, no good, etc.

Following are helpful ideas to use when you need inspiration to cheer yourself on.

First, when challenges arise, we must cheer or root for ourselves as we would for our loved ones if they were facing an obstacle. We wouldn’t want them to falter, so why would we allow the same to happen to ourselves? Cheering ourselves on with supportive thoughts and feelings will give us the continued strength we need to overcome many of life’s unknowns.

By repeatedly telling ourselves that we are proud of who we are and what we can accomplish, we receive the encouragement needed to forge ahead in life without fear or reservation. Great things then become possible.

Another way to treat ourselves with love and kindness is to use positive self-talk, and use it often. Our minds must be constantly reinforced with the belief that we have what it takes to achieve what we desire. The resulting outcome will be an optimistic frame of mind that allows us to believe that truly anything is possible.

Positive affirmations will produce the same result. Simply write down a statement, such as “I am a beautiful and lovable person.” Repeat your chosen positive affirmations daily until their truth is instilled into your consciousness. In other words, when we believe we are beautiful and lovable, we will be beautiful and lovable.

Unfortunately, being our own cheerleader also means we have to accept there will be times where we need a “pick me up.” Being there for ourselves to pick up the pieces when we’re down, or when it seems things are falling apart, is a courageous thing to do. We should not rely on others to put our lives back together for us.

Rather, we must learn how to comfort ourselves and regain the positive outlook that will keep us going in the right direction. Most importantly, when feeling down, we need to take the time to reaffirm our value and our worth by the use of positive self-talk and positive affirmations.

Finally, being our own cheerleader has the distinct ability to provide us with a sense of leadership, of control over ourselves. Learning to fulfill our own needs allows us to avoid a destructive dependency on others for our feelings of worthiness.

Self-worth is a belief that comes from within, and nobody can give that to us or take it away. We must remember that no matter what our circumstances are, we always deserve a pat on the back. Go ahead, give yourself the praise you deserve!

About the Author: Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.

Source: www.isnare.com

---

Increase your productivity starting Today!
Increase your earnings starting Today!
Start your day early and start your day right!
Grab Dave Navarro's FREE 5-Part Quick Course
More Time, More Money Now!

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Ezine
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.

Real Power in Positive Thinking

The Real Power of Positive Thinking
By Dr. Cherry Collier

Summary -- I remember it like it was yesterday. I was in a room at an NLP seminar with 60 other people. The noise permeated the room – I mean it was everywhere. There was music, people cheering, and applause. It was pretty much a party. Amidst the cheers and chants, brave souls in the group were stepping up to the wooden boards and breaking them one by one. Cheers and applause greeted each success.

As I watched them, I suddenly had the feeling that it was my turn. I took my board and went to the center of the room. I put it on the stand and got ready to break it. The noise seemed to crescendo. I got into position and attempted to break the board. Boom! The board didn’t break! But I felt as though my hand had.

I stepped back for a moment and went inside of myself. I connected with my source and all of the noise in the room disappeared. I got back into position and I closed my eyes. I summoned the strength in me, and the energy of the universe to break that board. When I opened my eyes, the board was broken.

At that moment, I knew there were absolutely no obstacles I could not conquer using my inner strength, energy from God, and love from the universe. You might ask, what would be the difference between the first time and the second time? I’m going to tell you – the difference was the power in my mind.

You see, the first time, I was focused externally on all the things going on around me. To be honest, I was even focused on “what if the board didn’t break.” I was listening to the chaos and all the confusion and self-doubt, and I allowed all of that to clutter my mind. Once I removed all of the clutter and channeled the energy positively, the board broke.

One lesson from this is to learn how to focus on what it is you actually want – not on what you don’t want.

Many of us go through our days spending hours at a time contemplating things that will never happen. We actually focus on negative things – negative consequences. If many of us had the opportunity to write a what-if book for ourselves, we might have several chapters. In other words, we block ourselves with “what if this” or “what if that” instead of focusing on what we really want.

What is it that you really want to manifest? In order for it to manifest you have to truly believe it is possible. What you have to do is create a belief for your life that “anything is possible.” I didn’t say, “Anything is possible, but what if (you fill in the blank) happens.” I said anything is possible. Period.

Instead of using the famous word “but,” you really should say, “Anything is possible and here’s what I’ll do.” Focus clearly on what you want, and make it happen.

Many people think the grass is greener on the other side. The truth in the matter is, if you water and tend to your own grass, it will be just as green (if not greener). Sometimes watering your grass comes in the form of gratitude or positive thoughts.

Every 60 seconds, you have the opportunity to choose. You choose to be happy, don’t you? If you’re not choosing it, whose responsibility is it?

Action -- Catch yourself in negative thought forms, and transform them positively. Carry a small notebook for a month. Strike a mark in it for each negative thought you have during the course of the day. This will make you aware of negative thinking pitfalls.

As you bring them to consciousness and make a concerted effort to change them, the number of marks in your notebook should decrease considerably. You will be harnessing the power of positive thinking, and reaping its benefits!

Dr. Cherry A. Collier, The Attitude Magician Author, Hot selling Book “Move Out Of Your Own Way” Motivational Speaker and Life Coach, The Fruits of Labor, Inc. http://www.AttitudeMagic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Cherry_Collier

---

Increase your productivity starting Today!
Increase your earnings starting Today!
Start your day early and start your day right!
Grab Dave Navarro's FREE 5-Part Quick Course
More Time, More Money Now!

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Instant Happiness!

If You Can't Change Your Reality, Change Your Mindset
By Hilda Carroll

Coaching is all about change. Clients hire coaches because they wish to change something about their lives; because they believe that this change will make them happy.

And as a coach I am all for changing any part of our reality that we are less than satisfied with. But the truth of the matter is that some realities cannot be changed by the individual. Some realities we just have to live through.

Part of life involves coping with difficult circumstances beyond our control. But there is good news: even when our external situation isn’t one we can alter physically, we do have complete control of how we experience the circumstance. Even if it doesn’t always seem that way, we do have a choice about how we experience each and every event in our lives.

When those events are less than favourable, it’s easy to focus on the problem, become disheartened, disillusioned, even depressed. However, this won’t help us deal with the problem or work our way through it. Often we may have to work really hard to see the silver lining, but it’s an effort worth making.

If we make a conscious choice to seek a learning or an opportunity in every challenge that life throws up, we often discover (albeit, quite a bit down the line) that we gained something valuable from the experience.

“Why do you think they call the present a gift? It means that there is always a positive in every present moment, if you’re willing and able to see it. Usually, we’re either too upset, frustrated, or self-righteous to even want to look.” -- Thomas Leonard

The best way to deal with difficult situations is to accept them as they are, rather than struggling with them, and wishing they were different. Once we accept what is, it becomes easier to see ways to learn and grow from the experience. It also makes it easier to see practical ways to deal with the situation, identify means of coping with it and (most importantly) begin to move through it.

Remind yourself that “this too will pass”, and wonder what unexpected blessing you’ll discover originated with this experience when you later look back on it. In the midst of crisis, reassure yourself that although you can’t see or imagine it now, there is something beneficial to be gained from what you’re going through. Try and keep an eye out for what it might be. But even if it still escapes you, trust that it’s there and you will recognize it later.

Contrary to what they say, life is a bed of roses. But when you prick yourself on a thorn, it temporarily shifts your focus from the blossom. Next time that happens attend to your wound, make a mental note to wear protective gloves next time, and then get back to appreciating the flower.

Hilda Carroll is a life coach who specialises in helping people to be happy right now, and see achievement of their goals as a bonus rather than the source of their happiness. Visit her website at http://www.thehappinessbusiness.com.

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

---

Too much To Do? And Too little Time To Do It?
Increase your productivity starting Today!
Increase your earnings starting Today!
Grab Dave Navarro's FREE 5-Part Quick Course
More Time, More Money Now!

Secrets to a Better Life

10 Secrets to a Better Life
By Rix Quinn

If you're over 25, you've probably received several thousand tips from parents, teachers, and friends. How many of these do you still recall?

I'm well past 25, but after all these years I remember only ten lessons that really helped me. Here they are:

1.Prepare for the future, but live fully in the present moment.

2.The video of life doesn't have a "rewind" button. You can't correct yesterday. You can only do better today and tomorrow.

3.Treat your parents well. Without them, you wouldn't be here.

4.Try to learn something new each day, and teach something new each day.

5.An open mind welcomes both sunlight and rain. Listen carefully to new ideas, and to people with whom you might not agree. Every person you meet can become your teacher.

6.Life is a cooperative venture. Those who lived before us left us some wonderful instruction books.

7.The three greatest gifts you can give your children are acceptance, encouragement, and preparation. The road of life can sometimes be an uphill climb.

8.Inspire others to read and write better. These are two of life's most important skills.

9.Nearly everybody you meet is dealing with some sort of problem. Be kind and forgiving.

10.Choose a career that fits your personality, and life goals that help others.

Rix Quinn writes the weekly syndicated humor feature "Poor Rix's Almanac" for DBR Media. His latest essay "Superpowers" is now available for 49 cents from the "Amazon Shorts" section of Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EHS880/ref=dp

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

---

The Motivated Mind
Discover the Secrets to Getting and Staying Motivated
to Change Your Life and Achieve Your Dreams.
The Motivated Mind is a new, step-by-step guide
that will teach you how to get everything you want in life.
The secrets can now be yours.
The Motivated Mind

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Reprogram Your Bad Habits

Before we get to today's message, I just want to announce that The Current Realgoalgetter Ezine is published online. Now back to our article for today.

Your Worst Habits Just Need To Be Reprogrammed!
By Seth Francis

You have the power to train your mind to choose what you think, instead of allowing random thoughts to hold you hostage. Your goal is to become inner-directed and focused, so that you decide what you want to think, rather than have your thoughts and emotions determined by the world around you. The untrained mind has more emotional ups and downs because it is reacting to random thoughts. Focus on what you want with joy and enthusiasm.

Remember, just like the Earth, your brain does not discern what you plant. It will work just as hard to grow weeds as it will to grow beautiful flowers. You determine the seeds that are planted by what you say to yourself over and over.

Quite simply, you are a self-fulfilling prophecy because your subconscious mind does not know the difference between factual reality and imagined reality. If you focus on what you say you don’t want, then you will create that as the dominate request in your experience.

So, keep focused on what you do want. Define yourself as the new person you chose to be. (Example: I am a perfect weight for my body and lifestyle.) If you are still looking to lose weight, you may want to say something like: I am allowing my body to obtain its perfect balance for health and vitality. Many of your beliefs have no foundation of truth, so instead of promoting your purpose, they hold you back from success.

If you think you are destined to be overweight, below average, poor, unlucky in love, clumsy, or even “not good at something,” you will take actions that make these thoughts become reality. None of these thoughts are actually true, but thinking them creates beliefs and images in your mind that reinforce these negative statements until they actually become true for you.

Be aware of the directions you give your brain. Your internal dialogue, along with what you believe about situations, is how you create your emotions. Negative self-talk messages will cause you to give up before you even try something new. Always be aware that your words can make ominous predictions. If you say about your habit, “I’ll never be able to stop this; I’ve been doing it so long.”

You are programming yourself to believe that you are too weak and powerless to overcome the habit. These negative permissions clutter up your ability to change your behaviors. Pay attention to yourself when you hear yourself uttering negative permissions and negative reinforcements.

Avoid negative self-talk: “I can’t do this. I don’t understand. I’ll look stupid. I’m too old to learn new skills. They make me feel stupid. That’s just the way I am. There’s nothing I can do. No one in my family can do it, so I know I cannot.”

Change your self-talk to positive reinforcement for changing old behaviors (habits). A positive outlook creates more options for creative solutions. Remember, focus on what you want. Keep it simple and sure.

About the Author: Seth Francis is the owner of http://www.breakyourhabits.com. Learn the true steps needed to Break any Habit in only 21 days. With the help of Personal coach Lee Milteer, Seth is able to bring you a comprehensive program to help you dig deep into your inner self and release your habits from with in, while reprogramming your mind. Copyright 2006 SPF Enterprises

Source: www.isnare.com

---

The Power Of Positive Habits
"Imagine how your life would change if you could put it on AUTOPILOT and reach all of your goals automatically!"

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

Read this book and discover:
. How you can "Improve Your Health" Automatically!
. How you can "Achieve Greater Success" Automatically!
. How you can "Lose Weight" Automatically!
. How you can "Lower your Cholesterol" Automatically!
. How you can "Reduce your Cancer risks" Automatically
and much, much more!

Order this program now. Start plotting the auto pilot course to your dreams! 100% Money Back, Satisfaction Guaranteed As Usual

The Power Of Positive Habits

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

10 Reasons to Never Ask ...

10 Reasons to Never Ask Questions
By Valarie Washington

Something happens. You need to respond—but how? The power of a good question is often times underestimated but may be just what you need to get you moving in the right direction. While I believe you should always ask more than you tell, there are times when asking questions will not help you. You should never ask questions if . . .

1. You already know everything.

2. You believe that a closed mind is attractive.

3. You know that everyone that doesn't agree with you is wrong.

4. You get better results when everybody on your team reads from different pages of their own script.

5. Your problems have no roots that need to be exposed.

6. You like traveling the same bumpy road that led to last year's dead end.

7. You are opposed to learning new things.

8. You don't mind being stuck or getting left behind.

9. You like looking at brick walls more than moving up the ladder.

10. Keeping up with changing times is not necessary for your success.

There is little today that we can be sure of but that things will continue to change. To keep up, to break out or to break through, means discovering new insights and thinking in new ways. While it is possible to question without thinking, it is impossible to think without questioning.

A good question might just be your answer to getting over your next hurdle and finding your way down the right path. To get the results you want and need—just ask.

Valarie is CEO of Think 6 Results -- a knowledge broker passionate about learning and improving performance in organizations. She’s a writer, presenter, and executive coach on a mission to get every employee and organization focused on and thinking about the SIX business driving goals that matter.

Contact Valarie at washington@think6results.com or by calling 630-705-1189. Visit us at http://www.Think6Results.com.

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

---

The Motivated Mind
Discover the Secrets to Getting and Staying Motivated
to Change Your Life and Achieve Your Dreams.
The Motivated Mind is a new, step-by-step guide
that will teach you how to get everything you want in life.
The secrets can now be yours.
The Motivated Mind

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Imagine Yourself As ...

Imagine Yourself As ...
By David Molina

Imagine yourself as a deep sea diver, a ballroom dancer, a professional athlete, a famous artist, or whatever you can’t imagine. “No, that is not me”, your timid little voice inside your head escapes into your conscious thoughts. Take a moment to reflect on how many times per day your mind rejects what your imagination dreams up. It then may dawn on you as no surprise that many of us live our daily lives with self-limiting behaviors.

When we come to realize that it is our own self-limiting thoughts that are creating and constraining our realities, which are keeping us from embodying our imagination, we then can start to take action and move from a restrictive mindset to one where manifesting our goals and dreams is second nature.

Seeing with new eyes, thinking with positive life-affirming thoughts, one can begin to make the shift to a manifesting mindset. Manifesting is defined as a product of change brought through the direction of consciousness. When one can start thinking with this awareness in mind, one can take an active role in accepting their imagination as a catalyst for truly realizing their dreams.

Isn’t this empowering? Replacing your negative emotions with positive ones is the first step in manifesting the life you desire. One surefire way of replacing negative emotions is to start by writing down positive affirmations.

For instance, one can change a self-limiting thought of, “I’ll never be a good public speaker” to “I am someone who speaks in public with ease and joy, someone who the world wants to hear.” Or, one can change the limiting belief that, “I will never make enough money to meet all my needs and feel secure”, to “the universe supports me, provides for me, and is safe.”

Start coming up with positive affirmations to replace old thought patterns. Write them on a piece of paper and post it where you can see it during the day. This way, you can continually remind yourself of these new thought patterns. These new beliefs will start permeating your mind and body, and you will be well on your way to creating a manifesting mindset in which you can create what you imagine.

Another way to practice replacing your old thought patterns with new ones is to say your affirmations out loud in front of a mirror. This technique makes you face yourself, and saying your affirmations out loud usually brings a greater emotional response to them as they start to sound true.

So, start today with changing your old self-limiting thoughts to positive life-affirming ones. You have nothing to lose, but your old limitations. Try it! It is truly easier than you can imagine.

Wishing you Happiness!

David Molina

Find out more about creating a manifesting mindset at: http://www.manifestationpower.com

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

---

Audio Motivation

Listen to exclusive interviews with the greatest names in personal development. Walk, jog or exercise to Audios with Success Teachers. They are great to download onto your MP3 players so you can take your motivation with you.

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.

Read testimonials from people already using them. I joined so I can listen to them too. It is an extraordinary value and a great investment in your future. Do you want the edge? Get motivated with AudioMotivation.com.

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Feeling Lethargic?

Feel the Lethargy and Do It Anyway
By Holly Zenith

Yuck, it’s tax time again. One of these days, you’ll get your hands on the documents you need and you’ll fill out your return – on time this year! But not right now. That’s too much hassle.

You’ve been meaning to start that running program, but not tonight – you’re beat.

You’re at work and you’re sneak-surfing on the internet. Whenever anyone passes by, you alt-tab quickly back to a bogus spreadsheet. You know you need to get back to work and stop loafing, but you just can’t get focused.

Do any of these scenarios sound like you? Maybe it’s not taxes, exercise, and work that you’re putting off – maybe it’s a heart-to-heart conversation with your daughter, or maybe it’s cleaning out the junk drawer in the kitchen. Maybe it’s folding a basket of laundry. Clipping your toenails. Whatever it is, you just can’t seem to get motivated to do anything!

Sometimes it isn’t fear of failure that holds us back. Sometimes it’s just plain old lethargy! And if that’s the case, you probably won’t finish reading this article, because when you’re feeling lethargic, the last thing you want is to be motivated!

I don’t know about you, but often when I’m feeling lethargic but otherwise perfectly healthy, I have conflicting voices running in my head. One voice wants me to snap out of it and get things done that I promised myself or others would get done. The other voice whimpers, “Leave me alone.”

Here are two techniques that I use to snap myself out it and get moving on things again:

1. Movement creates movement. Once you make any move at all, you’ve begun creating momentum, so it’s easier to keep moving. Sometimes it seems to require the combined forces of the entire Universe just to launch that first little bit of movement. Sometimes you have to bargain ruthlessly with yourself.

I promise myself some great reward for small effort. It’s ridiculous. “Just open the folder on the computer that has the report I need to work on. Then click on the report and it will open. THEN I can have a candy bar.” Once the report is open and I’m chomping on my candy bar, it’s easy to jump right in and get to work on it.

If you’re putting off shoveling the snow, promise yourself a reward for getting your coat, boot, hat and mittens on. If you’re putting off starting that running program, promise yourself a reward for setting your running clothes & running shoes out and for setting your alarm a half hour earlier. You get the idea. Just do what you need to do to get moving.

2. Placate the child. I adapted this from The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Neil Fiore. It’s the little child in you that doesn’t want to do what you, the adult, is asking yourself to do. Maybe the child is whining that you never let it have any fun, or it’s afraid that once you start working, it will be all work and no play, so the child reasons it’s best to just not start.

Prevailing wisdom is that you need to reward yourself AFTER a task has been completed, which is the theory behind the first strategy. This strategy is the other way around. Whatever it is that you’re doing that you don’t want to give up, negotiate a little more of it in exchange for starting whatever it is you’re putting off.

For instance, if you’re watching TV but you need to shovel the walk, promise yourself that you can watch to the end of JUST THIS program. Or finish the chapter in the book you’re reading, or have that snack you’re fantasizing about. Or tell yourself you can surf on line for 10 more minutes, and then it’s back to work. Then make sure you do it!

If your lethargy is chronic or persistent or is accompanied by other symptoms, consider seeing a doctor. At the very least, consider some lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep, getting more exercise, and improving your eating habits.

I have a little saying that I use on myself. “The less you feel like it, the more you need it.” Fit people often feel like exercising, but out-of-shape people rarely do. People who eat healthy diets often have a hankering for raw vegetables, but people who live on a diet of junk rarely do. Highly productive workers do take breaks, but they don’t let them interfere with their productivity – they take a short break, and then they get on with their work. And so on.

Are you putting something off right now because you just don’t feel like it? Before you click on another link, before you visit another site, or before you read another article, pick one of the two strategies and put them to work. Maybe you’ll even come to my website and email me to tell me if it worked or not! (Don’t do that until AFTER you’ve knocked that thing off your to do list, though!)

Holly Zenith is a career woman by day and a "netpreneur" by night. She's also a wife, mother, writer, artist, and musician. Visit her site at http://www.hollyzenith.com

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

---

The Motivated Mind
Discover the Secrets to Getting and Staying Motivated
to Change Your Life and Achieve Your Dreams.
The Motivated Mind is a new, step-by-step guide
that will teach you how to get everything you want in life.
The secrets can now be yours.
The Motivated Mind

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Focusing On The Present Moment

Focusing - Two Key Words That Keep You in the Present Moment

What?

Years ago, I read a story about a woman who lived in La Jolla, Calif. She was an extremely high achiever and, on this particular day, she decided to walk her dog in a beautiful local park along the oceanfront. As she walked along, she thought of all the things on her to-do list.

Several project deadlines were rapidly approaching, she had an upcoming event that required her to make the long journey to New York, she had family obligations to tend to, and the list went on and on. Her mind raced from thought to thought, trying to sort out her priorities. Suddenly she thought, “Right now I am walking my dog in a beautiful park and that is what I should be focused on!”

Fast-forward about two weeks. I am in my car headed for work. At this point in my life, I had a chronic car-buying virus. I loved nice automobiles! On this particular day, I decided to drive my nicest car-toy to work. As I headed down the interstate, my mind raced with all the things I had to do that day.

I had meetings to attend, presentations to outline and prepare, slide shows to create...the list went on and on. Suddenly I thought, “This is what that woman in La Jolla was doing...and now I’m doing it...I do it all the time!”

Then I thought, “Right now I am driving one of the finest automobiles in the world and I am paying no attention to it!” I pulled off at the next exit, let the top down on the car, chilled out and took the back roads to my office. The rest of my commute was delightful.

So What?

I decided to conduct a personal experiment. I knew you could install software programs to get computers to carry out specific assignments. Why not install some software in my brain to get it to do what I wanted it to do?

I decided that anytime during the day I felt myself start to mentally wander or drift, I would think of the words 'right now' . . . followed by whatever I was doing at the moment.

For example, I thought, “Right now...I am talking with a customer, or right now...I am working on a speech, or right now...I am eating my lunch.” It worked! Repetition is the key to success. After a few weeks of doing this, it became a habit.

It helped me learn to keep my physical and mental worlds in harmony. It was a huge turning point in my journey from being a disorganized person to a focused, organized person.

Now What?

One definition of focus is doing something and thinking about what you are doing at the same time. I know it sounds too simple, but give it a try. For the next few days, think about the two words “right now” as you go through your day and perform your duties. Use it to help concentrate and focus on important projects, pay closer attention to people you encounter, and enjoy life in general.

Right now...think about this idea and how you might use it!

By Chris Crouch

Chris Crouch, president and founder of DME Training and Consulting, is the developer of the GO System. The GO System is a structured training course designed to improve focus, organization and productivity in the workplace and is taught by corporate trainers and professional organizers all over the country.

Chris is also author of Getting Organized and other books that provide practical and easy-to-learn ideas on personal achievement, success and productivity. Visit http://www.thegosystem.com to learn more about the GO System and for additional ideas on improving focus, organization and productive.

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

---

Audio Motivation

Listen to exclusive interviews with the greatest names in personal development. Walk, jog or exercise to Audios with Success Teachers. They are great to download onto your MP3 players so you can take your motivation with you.

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.

Read testimonials from people already using them. I joined so I can listen to them too. It is an extraordinary value and a great investment in your future. Do you want the edge? Get motivated with AudioMotivation.com.

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Ezine
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
--------------------

Go Ahead - Make Mistakes!

It Is Important We Learn From Any Mistakes We Make
By Steve Hill

This article is about learning from the mistakes we make. It goes without saying that we all make errors in life however the most successful people do not let it get them down and try to treat these mistakes as a learning curve. I hope you find the article interesting and beneficial.

My parents taught me a lot of things about life and I clearly remember my father sitting me down when I was around fourteen years of age and speaking to me about this subject. He stated that he thought I was a decent person who knew right from wrong, he was however aware that I would make some mistakes.

He continued that he would not ask me to come home by a certain point at night and that he would let me make my own choices. If at any point he heard or learnt that I had done something that he thought was wrong or stupid, he would not tell me off but instead he would ask me if I agreed that I had been stupid etc.

If I agreed, that would be the end of the matter, the problem would only occur if I then made the same mistake again as that would mean I had not learnt from the experience. He would then in his words, come down on me like a ton of bricks.

I agreed that this seemed fair and carried on living my life. I wondered what he had meant by the ton of bricks statement. I did make many mistakes and we had to have our chat on many occasions, I am happy to say that I did learn from my errors and never had to find out what he had meant.

I myself now have two children, both of which are fairly young at five and twelve years of age. I have tried to install a similar approach, however have changed it slightly. I have said to them that in life all I expect of them is to try their best. It does not really matter what grades they obtain as long as they put in one hundred percent of effort.

They are also aware that I accept that they will be naughty at times and as long as they except what ever punishment is given, then there will be no problem. I am not a harsh parent, a bit of a wimp really and this punishment will normally be them having to tidy their room.

I am somebody who loves playing sport. I am very competitive and do not like losing. I have had to accept that at times I will lose, however when I do I always ask myself a question, what could I have done differently today? What could I do differently next time I play to ensure the result is a positive one?

I am very grateful to this lesson my parents taught me and hope that in the future my children will be thankful at the way I and their mother have raised them.

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:
anti aging advice
phobia advice

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

---

Audio Motivation

Listen to exclusive interviews with the greatest names in personal development. Walk, jog or exercise to Audios with Success Teachers. They are great to download onto your MP3 players so you can take your motivation with you.

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.

Read testimonials from people already using them. I joined so I can listen to them too. It is an extraordinary value and a great investment in your future. Do you want the edge? Get motivated with AudioMotivation.com.

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Why Are Manhole Covers Round?

Why Are Manhole Covers Round?
By Harald Anderson

Recently I stumbled across a list of Microsoft Interview questions and was amazed by how the questions challenged me to look beyond the ordinary. I share some of the questions for you here in the hopes that you also will recognize the spark of creativity that is required to solve these fascinating puzzles.

Questions 101

The experts tell us that we each have somewhere around 60,000 thoughts every single day. What most people don’t realize is that the average person asks themselves the same questions over and over again.

Same question. Same Answer. Within this pattern is a trap of monumental proportions.

A true treadmill.

“Why does this always happen to me?”
“How come I never have enough money?”
“Will my business ever be successful?”
“Why aren’t I making any sales?”

Boring! Tragic!

There is much to be learned by understanding that the quality of your life depends upon the questions that you constantly ask yourself. If you want to experience the type of life you truly deserve we need to shake things up a bit the Microsoft Way!

Focus the Microsoft Way!

Bill Gates is a puzzle aficionado. I was fascinated with this because puzzles were originally created as a means of hiding or disguising knowledge by breaking the wisdom down into smaller pieces. Long ago I learned that the best teachers were those that asked the most intriguing questions. Needless to say, the same can be said of companies.

This list of questions is fascinating and will definitely stretch your boundaries. Remember….think outside the box, look at them as a puzzle and search for the possibilities. The sky is the LIMIT! May the creative force be with you!

“Why are manhole covers round?”

“How many gas stations are there in the United States?”

“How are M&M’s made?”

“You have been assigned to design Bill Gates bathroom. Naturally, cost is not a consideration. You may not speak to Bill. What would you do?”

“How would you explain how to use Microsoft Excel to your grandma?”

“Explain a scenario for testing a salt shaker.”

“How would you design a coffee-machine for an automobile.”

“How would you go about building a keyboard for 1-handed users?”

“How would you build an alarm clock for deaf people?”

Interesting aren’t they? Were you disturbed by these questions? Or were you fascinated by the possibilities they presented? I can understand why Microsoft is such a successful organization when creativity of this nature is expected right from the first job interview.

Internet Marketing Expert, Mark Hendricks said it best when he stated; “Problems have solutions, they are made that way.”

Apply this logic to your life and business!

It seems that the software developers Microsoft first ask themselves, “what is it that you want to experience?” Then, they build a belief system to ensure that experience is supported and created. This is incredibly shrewd knowledge that we can all apply to our lives and businesses.

Upon first reading the questions I couldn't help but sympathize with those prospective employees who had perfect scholastic records but lacked the imagination to confront the possibilities. Success in life often has very little to do with book smarts. Great technology starts with great attitude.

So what is it that you want to experience in your life or business? Believe it or not, limitations live only in your mind. But if you use your imagination, your possibilities become limitless.

Those individuals who live truly fulfilling lives discover that they have managed to challenge their current realities by confronting their imaginations for what is truly possible. When I worked through the above questions I quickly discovered that “HOW” I confronted a problem determined the RESULT I could achieve. How quickly can you change your beliefs about what is possible?

Albert Einstein once said that “the mind that solves a problem is very different from the mind that first confronted it.” From this simple statement we can begin to appreciate that within every question lies either a prison of limitations or an endless series of possibilities. The choice is clearly yours.

So the next time you are confronted with a problem in your business or personal life that seems monumental, I challenge you to ask yourself….”Why are manhole covers round?”

That ought to change your focus around long enough to be able to look at the problem through a new set of eyes.

Harald Anderson is the co-founder of Artinspires.com a leading online gallery of Motivational Posters. “When Art Inspires, Dreams Become Realities. His goal in life is to become the kind of person that his dog already thinks he is. http://www.artinspires.com

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

---

Audio Motivation

Listen to exclusive interviews with the greatest names in personal development. Walk, jog or exercise to Audios with Success Teachers. They are great to download onto your MP3 players so you can take your motivation with you.

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.

Read testimonials from people already using them. I joined so I can listen to them too. It is an extraordinary value and a great investment in your future. Do you want the edge? Get motivated with AudioMotivation.com.

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Can You Change Core Beliefs?

Your Core Belief
By Dr. Drew Henry

We sometimes accept a core believe as the truth without questioning it. As core beliefs accumulate over the years they eventually make up a system that functions in much the same way as a computer's operating system. Running in the background at such a discreet level, we are usually not even aware it is there.

Our core belief has been developed since we were a child. This is due to the result of a great many factors, including but not limited to, the way we were influenced by our parents, siblings and other significant people in our lives. By the time we reach adulthood we have some pretty fixed opinions of ourselves and the world around us. And once installed, these beliefs are rarely updated unless the whole system crashes!

If our core beliefs are for the most part positive and empowering it is reflected in our attitudes, behavior and performance. Of course the reverse is also true. If we run predominantly negative beliefs our attitudes and behaviors are severely compromised, crippling our potential for success and happiness.

The question is that can we change our core belief? If there is a repeating problem in some area of your life, it is usually a good indication that you are entertaining a false or limiting belief. Before a belief system can be changed or improved, however, it is important to first understand a little about how a belief system works.

Belief systems are nothing more than repetitive thoughts that have come to be so automatic; you don't even notice them anymore. The subconscious mind tends to use a fixed, automatic pattern put in place at a very early age. Once in place, our belief system will unconsciously attract the people and circumstances that validate it. As negative beliefs accumulate over the years and become part of the system, it gets easier to collect 'evidence' that appears to support those beliefs and harder to see any evidence to the contrary!

Before trying to change an unwanted belief it is helpful to acknowledge the positive intention behind it when it was first installed. After all, most negative beliefs were originally installed to protect us and were relevant to what was going on at the time.

The problem arises when we hold onto these beliefs even though they may not hold true for the same situations today. If you are serious about updating your belief system, avoid getting sidetracked by the temptation to blame someone else for inserting false beliefs into your system. It's not important where the beliefs come from, what is important is that we get rid of or transform these beliefs into something useful today.

You should therefore build a belief system that will send out the right vibrations which will attract the people and circumstances necessary to create the experiences we desire.

About the Author: Dr. Drew Henry maintains a number of psychic wesites, including Psychic Information Now, Psychic Ability ,and Psychic Advice.

Source: www.isnare.com

---

Audio Motivation

Listen to exclusive interviews with the greatest names in personal development. Walk, jog or exercise to Audios with Success Teachers. They are great to download onto your MP3 players so you can take your motivation with you.

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.

Read testimonials from people already using them. I joined so I can listen to them too. It is an extraordinary value and a great investment in your future. Do you want the edge? Get motivated with AudioMotivation.com.

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Wipe Out Overwhelm

How to Wipe Out Overwhelm
By Alicia Forest

How often do you find yourself in this scenario?

It's Monday morning and you're all geared up for a productive week ahead. You've got your to-do list (massive as it is) at the ready and you sit down at your desk to start checking things off.

As you begin to read down your list, you start to feel something in your gut. It's not a physical pain necessarily, just a feeling of something heavy starting to grow. You ignore it and continue reading your list, making stars next to the things that seem to be the most important to get done that day.

But the more you do this, the heavier that feeling gets, until it starts creeping up to your shoulders and finally settles in your head. All that enthusiasm you had when you first sat down is gone and the only thing you feel now is utter and complete overwhelm.

Sound familar? I've been there, too, so I understand.

And it's not that all the tasks on your list aren't wonderful and/or doable. There are simply too many of them - and they all seem important right now - to expect that you can accomplish them all in the hours you have to work in any single day.

So what happens? You do a little of this, a little of that, and you really never complete a single project!

But you don't have to let another week pass without really accomplishing anything. Simply create a Priority Card.

A Priority Card will help you organize all your tasks in a way that will SHOW you every day what you should focus on. There are a lot of details that will threaten to take your mind off your priorities (this is where a virtual assistant can be of immense value), but those details are not necessarily what will move you forward in your business. To do that, you need to consistently focus on completing the projects that will move your business ahead big-time.

You can create a system for helping you focus on your priorities in a number of ways, but I'm going to give you mine. I only work about 15 hours a week on my business, so adjust your own plan accordingly.

At the beginning of each week, I choose 3 to 5 projects with looming deadlines (self-imposed as they may be) from my master task list (which really is so massive that I write it on a 8.5 x 14 legal pad). For example, at the moment, I am working on a bonus offering for a colleague's product, the Client Abundance Coaching Cafe membership, and a new website design.

On a colored index card, I write down those projects and prop the card in a standing clip holder, right in front of my computer screen. When I start to feel that sense of overwhelm, or when I find myself getting distracted by new ideas or other tasks (all of which seem important), I remind myself to look at my Priority Card and focus only on what's written there.

Once I started using my Priority Card, my own business growth lept forward ten times faster than when I was doing a little of this and a little of that, working on a dozen things, but taking much too long to actually complete just one project.

Know you won't be able to stick to this process 100% of the time, but even 80% will help you make dramatic strides in your business growth. You'll actually finish the projects you set out to do, and you'll not only feel great about doing so, you'll be inspired to do it again, and again, and again.

Once you make this shift, you've learned the secret to wiping out overwhelm for yourself and your business!

Alicia M Forest, MBA, Multiple Streams Queen & Coach™, Founder of http://www.ClientAbundance.com, and creator of "21 Easy & Essential Steps to Online Success System™, teaches coaches, consultants, online entrepreneurs and solo professionals how to attract more clients, create profit-making products and services, make more sales, and ultimately live the life they desire and deserve. For FREE tips on how to create abundance in your business, visit http://www.ClientAbundance.com

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

---

Audio Motivation

Listen to exclusive interviews with the greatest names in personal development. Walk, jog or exercise to Audios with Success Teachers. They are great to download onto your MP3 players so you can take your motivation with you.

Tap into the same power that today's movers and shakers use, and keep yourself at the top of your Game with dynamic, exciting audio motivation messages. Find out more today at AudioMotivation.com.

Read testimonials from people already using them. I joined so I can listen to them too. It is an extraordinary value and a great investment in your future. Do you want the edge? Get motivated with AudioMotivation.com.

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Train Your Nervous System

Train Your Nervous System for More Success
By Brad Isaac

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” --Mahatma Gandhi

One of the fundamentals of developing new skills you can sell in the marketplace is practicing them until they are routine and easy for you to do. If you can easily do work that others find difficult, you are well on your way to finding an area of expertise others cannot match.

One of the keys to specialization is training your nervous system to perform difficult tasks automatically.

I am reminded of two guitar instructors I had years ago. I wanted to learn classical guitar in my early twenties. Classical guitar is a challenging instrument to learn because you have to use both sides of your brain at the same time. My instructors were often saying “Brad, train your nervous system so you don’t have to think so much.”

What they meant was if I made a habit of the difficult chord progressions, I could forget about the easy music until I got to it…then rely on simple thinking to get through that part.

So how did they recommend I train my nervous system? They recommended repetitive practice of difficult chords and picking. One instructor recommended that I play one troubling chord progression over and over 10 times every day for a week to get it right. He said “If you do that, your nervous system will learn it and you won’t have to worry about messing it up any more.” And he was right. Although the practice was difficult at first, and boring toward the end of a week, I still can play that same piece from memory some 20 years later.

I have found this tip so valuable over the years. It can make you an expert with little effort. One small example in how I’ve applied it to my work is I am excellent at connecting to SQL server databases from a customized application. Many developers hate doing SQL connections. But I can do it without having to think about it because I spotted it as a weakness in my skills and I spent a week doing the nervous system training.

I followed the same method described above slightly altered for software development:

1. Write the code to connect to a database
2. Erase all my work and write it again
3. Repeat steps one and two 10 times a day for a week

It wasn’t all that fun. It was tedious and boring at times. But eventually, it became a habit. Now, I can sit down almost anywhere and bang out a customized application that will connect to a SQL Server in about 10 minutes. I don't really have to think about it. This skill comes in quite handy when failures happen and quick decisions need to be made.

Do you see any weaknesses in your work in which you could use some improvement? If so, figure out a way to break it down into small chunks. Then you can apply the three steps above to train your nervous system to make it an integrated part of your skill set.

Brad Isaac is the creator of Achieve-IT! Goal Setting software for Pocket PC. He has made human achievement and motivation a study for over 20 years. You can read his unique goal setting insights daily at the Achieve-IT! Blog And you can subscribe to his newsletter by sending an email to ainewsletter@aweber.com

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

---

The Power Of Positive Habits
"Imagine how your life would change if you could put it on AUTOPILOT and reach all of your goals automatically!"

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

Read this book and discover:
. How you can "Improve Your Health" Automatically!
. How you can "Achieve Greater Success" Automatically!
. How you can "Lose Weight" Automatically!
. How you can "Lower your Cholesterol" Automatically!
. How you can "Reduce your Cancer risks" Automatically
and much, much more!

Order this program now. Start plotting the auto pilot course to your dreams! 100% Money Back, Satisfaction Guaranteed As Usual

The Power Of Positive Habits

---

Are you missing out? Want shortcuts to your goals?
Great Attitudes Create Great Results!
Al Smith is also the Editor and Publisher of
FREE Motivational and Goal Achievement Ezines.
Blast through Procrastination, Inaction, and Distraction
with Consistent Focused Action!
For success tools at your fingertips,
Subscribe Now to The Realgoalgetter Chronicle
at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/.
From The Realgoalgetter Group of Companies;
dedicated to helping you live a long, passionate, joyful life.
--------------------

Find Your Life's Purpose

Why Should You Find Your Life's Purpose?
By Ineke Van Lint

Many spiritual traditions revolve around one central question: “Who am I ?” Even the business world ponders this crucial matter. According to business gurus, the first step on the road to success is asking yourself this very question:“What’s my mission? What on Earth am I doing? Am I in the right place?”

If you can’t answer these questions, then you are wasting 90% of your time and energy doing things that are neither your mission nor your business! You will feel an inner anxiety, urging you to search for the deeper meaning of your life.

If you consider living to be painful, if you feel dissatisfied, if you feel “there must be more than this”, if you feel out of place in this world, then you have not yet found the purpose of your life.

If you are questioning the meaning of life, if you can’t find inner peace, if you are not satisfied with choices you’ve made in life, if you don’t know which way to turn, if you feel your life is stuffed with things that aren’t of your choosing and that don’t satisfy you, if you often feel burdened and bad-tempered, if you “have everything to feel happy” but don’t, then it is time for you to discover your true self!

Human beings want to feel useful. We long to give our lives some deeper meaning. As long as you have not discovered this deeper meaning, you feel frustrated and on the wrong track.

We want our lives to be worthwhile. This does not mean we need to achieve ‘great feats’ or become world famous. We just need to feel in place and do the right thing surrounded by the right people. It’s about finding out our mission. It’s about finding ‘inner peace’.

Our mission on Earth is twofold. The general aspect is that we are here to learn to bring more love into the world. The personal aspect is that everyone has its own peculiar, unique way of doing this.

Your mission represents the central piece of your life. The surrounding pieces represent your family, your relationship, your kids, your job, your home, your health, your friend, and so on. The centerpiece holds all of this together. That centerpiece, that’s you. You are the most important person in your life, and you came to this world to do something important. Otherwise you simply would not be here!

As long as you haven’t identified the centerpiece, you’ll be wrestling with dissatisfaction, powerlessness, frustrations and fatigue. Some people solve jigsaw puzzles by first fitting all the pieces on the borders, and then squeeze in the piece in the middle. That’s putting the cart before the horse.

These people reason: “When I find the right partner, find the right job, get paid a good salary, have some kids, have my own house, meet some friends, stay healthy, then I will be happy!” But that’s not the way things work.

As long as the centerpiece is missing from the puzzle, you too will feel empty inside. It is your responsibility to discover your mission and get things under way.

Even the cells of your body react to this lack of purpose, this feeling of emptiness. They suffer from spiritual malnutrition, feel useless and bored, resulting in a physical state of sluggishness and lethargy. This physical state will eventually cause several physical discomforts and complaints.

Occupying yourself with “your disease” and “feeding” yourself with medication or other such products is just another attempt at filling the void inside. This is because the status of “being ill” allows you to identify: “I am allergic to this or that, I am a cancer patient, I am an Alzheimer, I am…” Once you have started identifying yourself by your disease, it will certainly be on your mind day and night.

If you are not in touch with your own desires, you will easily fall prey to expectations projected upon you by your environment. If you ar