Top 10 Ways to Coach Yourself to Total Success!

I discovered an article about goal setting and it is on someone else's site.

This one in particular is called:
Eight Step Process for Manifesting Goals by Robert Elias Najemy

It is pretty long so you might want to bookmark the site and come back to it when you have more time to absorb it's whole message, and look around at all of his articles.

Enjoy his site.

Now on to our article for today.

Top 10 Ways to Coach Yourself to Total Success!
By Philip Humbert

Coaching is about being your best. It’s about performance, about “staying the course” and, in the end, about creating and living the life you really want. Many people use coaches to make more money, win the gold prize or do something dramatic. That’s fun, and when it’s right, it’s wonderful!

But most importantly, coaching is about living up to your own standards. It is, in Henry Thoreau’s famous words, about “marching to the beat of your own drum, no matter how faint or far away.” So, do I recommend you have a personal coach? Well, duh!

But if you can’t afford one, or aren’t ready for one, why not be your own coach? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Write down your goals. Review and re-write them once a week. This is old advice, but there is power and magic in writing your goals on paper! Write them down, then review them, think about them and up-date them every week. It may only take 20 minutes, but it will double your rate of success, I guarantee it!

2. Show up! Many of life’s most important achievements simply require that we show up, pay attention, tell the truth, work hard, go the extra mile, and do our best! Superior performance is not about the future, or the past. It’s about doing a superior job right now, on the work that lies right in front of you.

3. Eliminate Distractions. Keep your eye on the ball. Life is full of frustrations and distractions. Successful people do NOT tolerate the things that drive most of crazy – they take the time to stop, solve the problem and eliminate the distraction once and for all. Stay focused!

4. Manage your environment. Top performers know that space management is more important than time management, and they have neat offices, clean cars, orderly appointment books, and they keep an extra suit at the office, just in case. Make your office (and your home) a space where you can do your very best work.

5. Read every day. Read something useful, challenging or fun every day. If you only spend 20 minutes with a book that motivates, excites and educates you, it will make a world of difference. I promise! Aim to read at least one book every month!

6. Attend a “University on Wheels”. Listen to educational, motivational and fun tapes while you drive. At least listen to soothing, appropriate music, rather than the “terror of the day” on talk radio! Fill your mind with the BEST information you can find!

7. Use a Master-Mind group. The term refers to a group of people who are committed to helping you be successful. Often, they meet once a week. Think of them as your “Advisory Committee”. Bounce ideas off them, ask them for advice, let them coach you!

8. Focus on values. Take time every week to review your values, the things that cost you nothing, but make life worth living. Write them down, share them with a friend, and remind yourself of what’s most important to you. Remembering your values will get you back on course!

9. Play more! Play a game of tennis, wrestle with the dog, shoot hoops with the kid next door. Laugh, get sweaty, have fun. It doesn’t cost; it pays!

10. Practice Gratitude! Periodically, ask yourself how many “good” days you’ve had this week. Notice what made the good ones good, and do more of the good stuff! And, be grateful. "I was angry that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

Even the most sophisticated modern cruise ships must constantly monitor their course. On our last cruise, Mary and I took a tour of the bridge, and were told the ship had no less than 5 automatic navigation computers, and that at least 2 officers were on duty at all times. Why the redundancy? Because having a cruise ship get lost, even briefly, is a very bad thing!

How many navigation systems do you use to guide your path? Having a handful of books, journals, friends and daily routines to “coach” you is not expensive, it’s the best investment you’ll ever make! Set up routines and use the best resources you can find to stay on course. Coach yourself to the top!

Here’s to your success!

Phil, Mary, and the Staff at Resources for Success!™

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved.
Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at:
www.philiphumbert.com

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

It seems as if everyone keeps repeating similar strategies for achieving success. There is a good reason for that. Success principles haven't really changed much since the dawning of civilization.

The only variable is how effectively one puts them to work. Are you using them to your best advantage? Are you getting everything you want? If not, then why not?

Overwhelmed by the Size Of Your Goal? Chunk It Down!

Overwhelmed - Just a Little Bit

Recently I had a conversation with a person who has a long-term goal that will take a few years to achieve.

The individual seemed overwhelmed with the size of the goal and was getting discouraged Their focus was on all the things they need to do to reach the goal and their comment to me was, "I just can't do it".

It reminded me of the story of the clock that had been running and running:

This clock had sat on the mantle for years. And it ran and ran. One day, the clock began to think about how many times it had to tick during the year. It counted up the seconds - it would have to tick 31,536,000 times a year.

The clock seemed overwhelmed - "I can't do it, that is just too much." So the clock stopped ticking.

Then somebody reminded the clock that it didn't have to tick the 31,536,000 seconds all at one time, but rather one tick at a time. The clock then realized this was okay and started ticking again!

When we set our goals, it is good to visualize the end results. But, getting to our goal is doing a little bit every day; not doing it all at once.

So the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by your goal, remember the clock and the number of ticks - do a little bit every day and over time you will reach your goal.

Believe me, reaching your goal is worth it!

By Catherine Pulsifer

Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Goal Setting 4 Success a motivational site dedicated to your success by setting goals. Stories, quotes, tips and more!

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

You are Powerful - Manage Your Own Actions and Reactions

Know Yourself and Your Inner Power

I am upset. At this moment, as I sit here typing this up, I am truly upset. Something happened a little while ago. I got into an argument and I am now reaping the results of that. It’s a true bounty of results, I can tell you.

Let’s see…anger, frustration, shame, disgust…then more anger and guilt at the fact that I have allowed myself to get angry and frustrated. All of this is confusing. It’s a form of madness (no offence intended). I think what’s worse is that it is quite normal for most people.

So, as I sit here and stew, let us see if we can work this all out. Where does all this negative emotion come from? Well, obviously from the thing that was said to me. The person I had the “conversation” with spoke words. These words were taken by my mind, analysed, and a proper “reaction” was produced based on the result of the analysis.

No matter how deep we go into human psychology and the workings of the mind; that really is the simple description of what happened. That’s all we need to concern ourselves with. We can keep it simple, and then try a simple approach to addressing the problem.

The problem is whatever the person said. Words…Just words. How can words have such a powerful effect? The answer is that they don’t. What has the effect is the power we give those words…our rating of them…our belief in them. So if someone calls you an idiot, you might be offended.

Why? I mean you know you are not an idiot. Most likely the person knows it too. Why the negative response? Why can’t you ignore it? Well, because you are wired that way. You can’t stand to see that anyone would say you were an idiot. It is not enough that you know you’re not an idiot.

You need this person to acknowledge that as well. And what’s wrong with that? I think it’s natural for us to want other people recognize the message we are trying to convey by our words or actions (whether or not the message is true or false).

Sadly, no matter what we do, there are people who will always interpret things how they choose. Basically, no matter how much you show James how much of a genius you are, James (Sorry if your name is James) will still call you an idiot, and probably feel he is better than you.

It’s absurd! James isn’t better than you are. No one is. You have to remember that. Know thyself. Derive your strength from that. What do you do about those who refuse to accept your side of the story? Leave them. Ignore them. Walk away after putting your point across. But don’t get drawn in.

I am not going to get overly religious on you, but I want to make a point. Jesus Christ said “Turn the other cheek”. I think people misinterpret that as a sign of passivity; of a desire to avoid confrontation; even of weakness. I disagree.

I think it is an act of someone who is so powerfully aware of their own inner strength and value that they there is nothing you could do to take that away. Abuse me, torture me and kill me, yes. But you will never change the truth. People who can deal with the hurtful utterances of others go very far because they don’t allow these words get to them.

Put in another way, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. There’s a bit missing there. That bit is “…unless I allow them”. It’s in your power to choose your reaction to what others say or do.

Believe in yourself, first and foremost. You will be able to withstand negativity from others without being unnecessarily hurt by it.

Just remembering this principle of faith in oneself is enough to make my anger and frustration start to dissipate. I can feel it evaporating slowly as I finish this article. Happy days!

I shall leave you with a quote made by Marcus Aurelius almost 2000 years ago…“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment”.

By Donald Ogilve

Donald Ogilve owns http://www.masteryourfate.com, Self-Improvement and Success Resource Site. Go there for FREE EBOOKS, Product Recommendations and tip on Life Mastery and Business Success.

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

Problem-Solving Tool

The Great Problem-Solving Tool
By Earl Nightingale

All creatures on earth are supplied at birth with everything they need for successful survival. All creatures except one are supplied with a set of instincts that will do the job for them. And because of that, most creatures don't need much of a brain.

In the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Archibald MacLeish's play The Secret of Freedom, a character says, "The only thing about a man that is man is his mind. Everything else you can find in a pig or a horse." That's uncomfortably true.

Take the magnificent bald eagle for example. To see one of them swooping down and pluck a live and sizeable fish from the water on a single pass is astonishing. More astonishing still is the eagle's eyesight. And because of its need to see small rodents moving in the grass from high altitudes or a fish just inches under the surface of the water, its incredible eyes take up just about all the space in its head.

For the eagle, its eyes are the most important thing, and everything else works in unison with them. Its brain is tiny and rudimentary. It doesn't think or plan or remember; it simply acts in accordance with stimuli.

And it's the same with most other living creatures. Even the beautiful porpoise, with a much larger brain, and the chimpanzee are easily tamed and taught. Only one takes 20 years to mature and has dominion over all the rest on the earth itself, and has today the power to destroy all life on earth in a couple of hours. Only one is given the godlike power to fashion its own life according to the images it holds in its remarkable mind.

The human mind is the one thing that separates us from the rest of the creatures on earth. Everything that means anything to us comes to us through our minds, our love of our families, our beliefs, all of our talents, knowledge, abilities. Everything is reflected through our minds. Anything that comes to us in the future will almost certainly come to us as a result of the extent to which we use our minds.

And yet, it's the last place on earth the average person will turn to for help. You know why? You know why people don't automatically turn their own vast mental resources on when faced with a problem? It's because they never learned how to think.

Most people will go to any length to avoid thinking when they're faced with a problem. They will ask advice from the most illogical people, usually people who don't know any more than they do: next-door neighbors, members of their families, and friends stuck in the same mental traps that they are. Very few of them use the muscles of their mind to solve their problems.

Yet living successfully, getting the things we want from life, is a matter of solving the problems that stand between where we are now and the point we wish to reach. No one is without problems. They're part of living. But let me show you how much time we waste in worrying about the wrong problems.

Here's a reliable estimate of the things people worry about: Things that never happen: 40%. Things over and past that can never be changed by all the worry in the world: 30%. Needless worries about our health: 12%. Petty miscellaneous worries: 10%. Real legitimate worries: 8%.

In short, 92% of the average person's worries take up valuable time, cause painful stress, even mental anguish, and are absolutely unnecessary. And of the real legitimate worries, there are two kinds. There are the problems we can solve, and there are the problems beyond our ability to personally solve. But most of our real problems usually fall into the first group, the ones we can solve, if we'll learn how.

The average working person has at his or her disposal an enormous amount of free time. In fact, you'll see if you'll total the hours in a year and subtract the sleeping hours: If we sleep 8 hours every night, we have about 6,000 waking hours, of which less than 2,000 are spent on the job.

Now this leaves 4,000 hours a year when a person is neither working nor sleeping. These can be called discretionary hours with which that person can do pretty much as he or she pleases.

So that you can see the amazing results in your own life, I want to recommend that you take just one hour a day, five days a week, and devote this hour to exercising your mind. You don't even have to do it on weekends. Pick one hour a day on which you can fairly regularly count. The best time for me is an hour before the others are up in the morning. The mind's clear, the house is quiet, and, if you like, with a fresh cup of coffee, this is the time to start the mind going.

During this hour every day take a completely blank sheet of paper. At the top of the page write your present primary goal clearly, simply. Then, since our future depends on the way in which we handle our work, write down as many ideas as you can for improving that which you now do. Try to think of 20 possible ways in which the activity that fills your day can be improved. You won't always get 20, but even one idea is good.

Now remember two important points with regard to this. One, this is not particularly easy, and, two, most of your ideas won't be any good. When I say it's not easy, I mean it's like starting any new habit. At first you'll find your mind a little reluctant to be hauled up out of that old familiar bed. But as you think about your work and ways in which it might be improved, write down every idea that pops into your head, no matter how absurd it might seem.

The most important thing that this extra hour accomplishes is that it deeply embeds your goal into your subconscious mind, starts the whole vital machine reworking the first thing every morning. And 20 ideas a day, if you can come up with that many, total 100 a week, even skipping weekends.

An hour a day, five days a week, totals 260 hours a year and still leaves you 3,740 hours of free leisure time. Now this means you'll be thinking about your goal and ways of improving your performance, increasing your service six full extra working weeks a year, 61/2 40-hour weeks devoted to thinking and planning. Can you see how easy it is to rise above that so called competition? And it'll still leave you with seven hours a day to spend as you please.

Starting each day thinking, you'll find that your mind will continue to work all day long. And you'll find that at odd moments, when you least expect it, really great ideas will begin to bubble up from your subconscious. When they do, write them down as soon as you can. Just one great idea can completely revolutionize your work and, as a result, your life.

Each time you write your goal at the top of the sheet of paper, don't worry or become concerned about it. Think of it as only waiting to be reached, a problem only waiting to be solved. Face it with faith and bend all the great powers of your mind toward solving it. And believe me, solve it you will. This puts each of us in the driver's seat.

Each of us has a tendency to underestimate his or her own abilities. We should realize that we have deep within ourselves deep reservoirs of great ability, even genius that can be tapped if we'll just dig deep enough. It's the miracle of your mind.

Everything fashioned by human beings is a result of goal setting. We reach our goals. That's how we know that the diseases that plague us will be conquered. We've set goals to eradicate every disease that plagues us and eradicate them we will, one by one. We have never set a goal that we have not reached or are now in the process of reaching.

Earl Nightingale - EzineArticles Expert Author

Earl Nightingale co-founded Nightingale Conant the world leader in personal development. Earl's audio programs are available at nightingale.com. Other audio programs available at Nightingale Conant include authors such as: Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy, David Bach (The Automatic Millionaire), Dale Carnegie Organization (The 5 Essential People Skills), Jim Rohn, and many, many others.

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

Do, Or Do Not . . .

Trying, Hows That Working For You?
By Maureen Staiano

Have you ever found your self mouthing the words “I’m trying” I’m trying to get a new job, I’m trying to lose weight, I’m trying to get organized and on and on.

When you ask your husband or wife to pick up something at the store for you is the answer”I’ll try” Or perhaps you ask your child could you please clean up your room and you get “I’ll try”. As I listen to conversations where questions are being asked the response I often hear is “I’ll try”.

It reminds me of as kids when we would ask our parents if we could do something and they would say “We’ll see” which we all knew meant no. It was an unsatisfying phrase, but it gave my parents an out, they didn’t have to commit to an outcome.

So that’s the question; trying… how’s it working for you? When you look up the word try in the dictionary the definition is to make an attempt. In a sense this can appear worthwhile making an attempt leaves an impression that positive action is under way. Something is in the works and it gets a lot of people off your back in the short term. Does it really bring satisfying results though?

If you have been trying to achieve something and not getting the results you want perhaps is because with the word try we leave ourselves a trap door for escape if the going gets too tough. Take quitting a bad habit; you might say “I’m going to try to be on time for work”. You give it a go, you make a serious attempt to leave a little earlier for work, and perhaps it goes well.

Then you have a day when you get thrown off track and you are back to being late and can’t seem to get motivated to attempt to change the habit again. “I tried,” you say“but it didn’t work, I just can’t be on time”. Your excuse is there, you gave yourself an out, you tried, and you failed so you don’t have to try that again.

What if you were to put a different word in there? What if you were to change try to commit? When you look up the word commit in the dictionary the definition is to do. That is definitely a step up from an attempt at something; it implies that you get the job done. The full force of your intent is behind the word commit and there isn’t a trap door for escape.

Making a commitment to do something or complete something may give a more satisfying outcome than trying to do something. If you find that there is something in your life you have been trying to achieve and it hasn’t worked, make a verbal or written commitment to accomplish the very same thing. The shift in perspective may be all you need for success.

Maureen Staiano is a Life Coach specializing in working with women and the unique challenges, opportunities and transitions we face in our lives. Please visit Maureen at: http://www.achieveyourdreamcoaching.com

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

Are You Bored?

Take a Wild Ride
By Joseph Plazo

What can truly kill a spirit more than BOREDOM?

For me, there is nothing else worse than being locked in a tiny, dingy jail cell with nothing to do. Most folks I know would rather slave at a high pressure job than rot in isolated boredom.

What makes boredom so appalling? So hideous?

First of all, it's the way it’s worded as if boredom is an object. We don’t jump into a tub of boredom and then end up bored for the rest of the day. Boredom isn’t a thing. Boredom is a mental process of thoughts. Stop and think about that a second.

*If you’re ever bored, it’s because you’re boring yourself.* Okay okay, here's where you can begin laughing at yourself-- and maybe at me for coming up with such heresy. Finished laughing? Good. Let's get serious now and finally exterminate the boredom bug.

Boredom doesn’t occur as a result of external events. It’s an internal state of mind that is labeled by a person as “boredom”.

Realize this: we have complete control over our minds. We run the theatre of our lives. So if we wallow boredom, we’re the ones who bumped ourselves down that path. So who's at fault for boring you? YOURSELF. Come on, and be a man. Admit it.

If you catch yourself boring yourself, remind yourself that you're *allowing it.

Ricky, feeling dull and bored after a long golf afternoon at the Ayala Heights Country Club, might moan: “Hey Rickyboy, I’m boring myself. This is MY FAULT. I better revitalize my mind and sidetrack to something else so I can achieve a more stimulating emotional state.”

Good friends, sandwiched between your ears lay the greatest computer ever created. Do you realize that its powered down 90% of the time? That's what scientists say. Geesh. The human race is lazy indeed.

Use your brain, especially if you find yourself bored! Kick boredom's ass from the inside-out.

Now here's the real secret to truly pump-priming your life: Much of what you do throughout the day is so habitualy routinary that you meander on a dazed auto-pilot. Your activities go on without conscious thought. This does wonders for simplicity and makes our lives less daunting. BUT YOU RISK BOREDOM by going down such a safe route.

Novelty seduces the brain like Mata Hari. The mind relishes new and stimulating experiences. The key to killing boredom and all its ghosts, therefore, is to *begin to do things differently. RIGHT NOW.

People, what I’m suggesting is to hunker down and engage in activities so varied, you'd feel disoriented at first. Scan your mind for for possibilities and force a new program of behvaior into your powerful brain.

Remember, your rallying cry against the tides of boredom is this: “Do things *differently.”

Let me ask you: Did you awaken and freshen up your dull routinary way? Did you cook the same old meal, chug down that same old coffee? Did you drive the same ole way to work?

I’m betting heaven and earth you did.

From now on, boredom is offlimits on *your mental territory... for *as long you do things differently.

Explore new hobbies. Go bungee jumping. Collect exotic pets. Vary your route to work. Change marital partners. (gotcha! just checking if you were listening)

You do all this because trying new things ignites your mind and readily allows you to experience STIMULATION. Do it now and feel what it's like to perpetually soar to the heavens.

Gentlemen, from now on, make it a habit to vary your activities. Avoid the rut of routine. Check yourself each day. If you see a damning repetition of some endeavor, kill it and look for something new... otherwise you're a candidate for debilitating boredom.

So this is your marching order for the day: take charge of your mind and enjoy life. You deserve it

Exceed Global Ltd. was founded on February 1, 1998 by Joseph R. Plazo. Ravenous for knowledge, he earned his MBA from UP in 2002, and his Ph.D from BSU in 2005.

Joseph is a busy man. He had been directing multiple enterprises since he achieved financial independence at 22. While juggling corporate endeavors, he writes books and relaxes with active sports. Airsoft is his passion.

Today, he connects with men and women all over the world to spread the revolutionary gospel of savvy semantics and behavioral change technologies. His rallying cry is Make Life Magic!

http://www.xtrememind.com

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

Commit To Your Goal

How To Achieve Any Goal
By Anna Johnson

To achieve any goal, all you need to do is COMMIT yourself to achieving it.

Sounds simple... but what that really means is committing yourself to doing every single thing that's necessary to achieve that goal.

And that's where it can be challenging...

You may tell yourself that you're "committed" to getting a new job... or to start a business... or to become wealthy... or to get a book published...

But have you really committed yourself to doing ALL the little -- and big tasks -- that are necessary to achieve that goal? Are you committed to making ALL the necessary sacrifices?

That's what commitment to a goal is really about.

So... how do you commit yourself then?

You'll hear people talk about visualization, affirmations, positive self-talk and other techniques designed to "re-program" your mind so that you're COMPELLED to fulfill your commitment. You'll also hear many people claim that these techniques don't work!

Well, it doesn't matter "what works" -- what matters is "what works for YOU".

And what works for you is... WHAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU BEFORE.

You see, you've already committed to achieving goals in the past... and you've achieved those goals.

So why not do what you did then in order to commit yourself now?

For example, if you're starting a new hobby, you might recall that when you embraced other hobbies in the past you did specific things that helped you learn a lot about the hobby and develop key skills in a relatively short period of time.

It might have been purchasing books and magazines related to the hobby, visiting relevant websites, and/or joining groups of like-minded people to discuss and take part in the hobby.

Not only are these activities enjoyable and valuable in themselves, but they also form your Commitment Ritual, which essentially enables you to fully commit to, and stick with, the new hobby.

Another example -- when I decided to become a competitive runner a few years ago (as opposed to just running for fitness) I read a lot of books and magazines about running, I joined a running club, I kept a training diary, I joined an online running forum, I competed in races, and I visualized a lot, among other things.

That's how I committed myself to running.

In fact, everything I did was part of a "COMMITMENT RITUAL" that got me hooked on running -- and not just willing, but EAGER -- to get up and train at 6am every morning -- rain, hail or shine!

And, now, having had my kids, I'm going through the same ritual to get back into competitive running again.

Now you might have a different Commitment Ritual. In fact, you might have different Commitment Rituals for different kinds of goals. But the point is -- you have at least one Commitment Ritual.

So... the question is:

Which tried and true Commitment Ritual can you use now to achieve your current goal?

Anna Johnson

Anna Johnson is the creator of the inspiring 1 minute movie, A Bit Of Inspiration. Enjoy the movie and get inspired! Then claim your free A Bit Of Inspiration screensaver - your daily reminder of the power you have within.

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

You Reap What You Sow

Mind - The Garden You Control
By Justin Kulhawick

What is mind?

When looking at the mind and what has been called the right side and left side of the brain, or the conscious and subconscious mind... Reasoning mind and unable to reason mind. The mind is similar to that of a garden and a gardener packaged in one.

The Gardner is the conscious mind that can reason and make decisions. As any gardener, they can go to the local garden store and pick up certain seeds. The gardener consciously chooses different seeds that they want to plant into the garden.

Being that the gardener, (conscious mind) can make choices of which seeds he or she plants is going to plant in the garden, the garden, (subconscious mind) simply bears the fruit of the seeds planted.

The gardener has complete control over the garden in that the gardener is capable of thought, will, and perception and makes a deliberate choice of the seeds they are going to plant.

The garden is the subconscious mind. Like all gardens, it can only produce that of which has been planted. The garden does not have any ability to reason or choose. If a seed of corn is planted in the garden by the gardener, then corn will grow. It’s not possible to plant a seed of corn and have it sprout up as a watermelon.

Likewise, if the conscious mind, (gardener) chooses to plant seeds of fear, malice, and hostility... we know what we can expect? What goes in, is what comes out…PERIOD. The choice is only that of the gardener.

It’s in the process of growth as a child; children rely much on the parents for those seeds. The parents of the child are the dominant, conscious mind of the child and make choices as to which seeds they are going to plant in that child’s garden. Seeds of animosity and hate are going to produce just that.

It’s impossible to plant seeds of hate in a garden and expect love to grow. It’s not natural. The process continues until the child is of the age where they can start taking on the responsibility of being the gardener. They start to choose and make conscious decisions as to what they put into their mind, based much on which is already growing.

Their choices are limited by what’s already been planted until they reach the level of complete control over their thoughts and become the gardener, (many never reach this stage).

A child is born into this world with absolutely no original sin or knowing of such. The child’s mind is like a fresh new garden and it’s the responsibility of the parents and family members to cultivate and plant good seeds so they don’t grow up to be a complete mess, (weed garden).

In raising two children myself, I didn’t realize this rather simple analogy of mind. It’s a garden… simple as that.

It’s a computer and what goes in is what comes out. I’m sure we’ve all heard the term, “crap goes in, crap is going to come out”, or “If we keep doing the same things as we have done, then we are going to keep getting the same results.”

As a webmaster and consultant, I know that I, as the conscious mind, sitting in front of the computer can make decisions as to the input via the keyboard. The computer, like the garden and the subconscious mind will accept the input without reason. It’s the acceptance of the input that cannot be controlled. You can only control the input. The result is only going to be that of which has been entered.

So, when raising children and being the caretaker of your own garden, we must be fully aware of the seeds we are planting. This isn’t understood today, it’s never been understood. Parents aren’t communicating the right things with their children because the parents don’t understand this themselves.

Many of the adults in the world today have gardens of mush with all kinds of weeds and seeds of hate and despair, not realizing that only they can change it. As the gardener, the conscious adult can start pulling weeds and start to re-cultivate fertile ground and begin to plant those new seeds.

Sure, it’s much more difficult now that you have a garden that has been taken over by weeds. The only way to change this, is you, as the gardener has to start taking care of your garden.

The hard work of weed pulling and planting of new seed takes conscious effort and decision making along with persistence and hard work... Not to mention the pain that goes along with this change.

Change is inevitable. Parents, it’s time to start making those changes within so we can change what is being planted in the minds of our children which will, in effect, change the way they communicate with their children.

In order to do that we have to first look at our own garden and start the serious and painful task of pulling weeds and changing our conscious thought patterns and making better decisions.

After looking in that mirror and seeing our reflection, and making the conscious decision to go through the pain of change, then and only then, will we be able to provide an environment for the people around us to change and grow and effect generations to come.

When we start getting rid of the weeds and planting new seeds is when we will start to see the rewards of our conscious effort and hard work in the harvest. We are the harvest. The funny thing is, that when we change (often very painful), our circumstances change.

When we start to cultivate fertile ground, our circumstances and our environment changes, and we gain control over the effectiveness we have. We also see that our actions and reactions change based on the seeds we have planted in our minds and people will react to us differently than before. We’ll be building that light. That light, not only attractive, will inspire others to change.

In essence… you reap what you sow.

To make any changes in this battered and beaten world of people who don’t understand the science of man and mind, we must first start at home. Lock the door and listen to that still, inner voice crying from within that wants to produce a wonderful and abundant garden of joy, peace and love.

Start making better decisions on what we watch and what kind of music we listen to, and who it is we are spending the most time with. Start paying close attention to the type of seeds we’re planting in the innocent minds of our children, so they may be an abundant harvest of joy and peace. So our children can be a light in a world where darkness has overcome.

How can we build a city unless we first build the man?

What kind of seeds are you planting in the mind of your child? What is the effect of the seeds you have sown? When is mankind going to understand the essence of existence and discontinue the journey of death and despair that we are currently on?

Written by Justin Kulhawick - Hospitality World Inc.
site: Philosophy Discussion Forum

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

Set and Achieve Your Goals

The Top 10 Steps to Set and Achieve Your Goals - Every Time!
By Philip Humbert

It’s been said that everyone has goals, whether we know it or not. We have goals to keep our current job, or to get a different one. We have goals to save for the future, or to travel, take a vacation, or purchase the things we need and want to make our lives more enjoyable. An important distinction, however, is that top achievers are very intentional and focused on their goals, while many of the rest of us are not.

Top achievers know that the wording, structure, timing and format of a goal can make it’s achievement much easier – or far more difficult. Top achievers understand the basic skills for setting and reaching their goals, every time! They know how to design goals that create success. Here are the 10 most important steps to set and achieve your goals:

1. Reachable goals are SPECIFIC. Top achievers know that to reach their goals, the brain must know exactly, precisely, what they are trying to accomplish. Never word a goal with vague terms like “some” or “a little bit”, or “more”. Be specific! If you want to lose 8 pounds and reach a weight of 175, specify those exact numbers. If you want to save $200 this month, be exact. Your brain can help you accomplish almost anything if it knows precisely what you are aiming for.

2. Reachable goals are SIMPLE. Many people describe their goals in complex terms of retiring on the beach in Hawaii, with nice cars and lots of money, and…. Their list goes on and on. Any ONE of those things is a great goal, but the combination becomes over whelming and the brain gets confused. If you want to retire in Hawaii, just say so! If you want to increase your sales by 10% this month, say so! Keep your goals simple, clear, and focused.

3. Reachable goals are SIGNIFICANT. No one can muster the enthusiasm, hard work and courage to reach a goal they don’t really care about. A reachable goal is one you really, really, REALLY want! It’s something that will change your life, enhance your health or wealth, and make you proud. It gets your juices flowing, gets you up in the morning, and keeps you going all day long, because it is important! Set goals that are worth achieving!

4. Reachable goals are STRATEGIC. High achievers know that the best goals accomplish many great outcomes, all at one time. Running a 10K race will almost certainly: 1) feel great! 2) help you lose weight. 3) lower your cholesterol level 4) strengthen your heart 5) lower you risk of heart disease 6) increase your energy and stamina, and 7) improve your outlook. Design your goals to strategically impact as many areas of your life as possible. You’ll have more reasons to reach your goal and more excitement when you do!

5. Reachable goals are MEASURABLE. A goal without a measurable outcome is just a pipe-dream. You can’t achieve a pound of “happiness” or 6 inches of “self-esteem”, but you CAN get a new job. You CAN run a mile in under 7 minutes, or do 100 sit-ups. Someone has wisely observed that, “What gets measured, gets done.” Define your goals in terms of height, weight, dollars, inches, or hours. Then measure your progress until you achieve your desired outcome.

6. Reachable goals are RATIONAL. To reach your goal, you will need a plan, a path, and a vehicle for getting there. Your goals must make sense! When you explain them to friends and family, your goals should create excitement, draw support, and encouragement. Your goals should be just out of reach, but not out of sight! You want to stretch to be your best, not strain after impossible dreams. Set goals you CAN and WILL achieve!

7. Reachable goals are TANGIBLE. Choose goals that you can see, hear, smell or touch. Go for things you will enjoy and that you can clearly visualize. The brain has hard time going for “financial security”, but it can visualize a bank statement with nice, large numbers on it! Define your goals in terms that excite the senses, then go for it with all your heart!

8. Reachable goals are WRITTEN. High achievers always know precisely what they want, because they’ve written it down. Often, they write a short description of their goals every single morning, as a personal reminder of their priorities and their objectives. The act of writing your goals down vastly increases your chance of success. Write it down! Then, keep your notes where you can see and read them every day.

9. Reachable goals are SHARED. We are far more likely to stick to our plan and reach our goals if we know our friends and family support us. Being part of a team increases our determination, our stamina, and our courage. Caution: Never share your goals with anyone who may ridicule, tease or discourage you! The world is full of doubters and you have no time for them. But, find a support team, a group of cheerleaders, and a coach who will encourage you every step of the way. High achievers count on and work with other winners!

10. Reachable goals are CONSISTENT WITH YOUR VALUES. One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their goals is that they have conflict between their behavior and their values. However, when your values and your goals are in agreement, there is no stopping you! Clarify your values first, then set simple, specific, measurable, tangible, written goals that are consistent with those values. You will achieve them, every single time!

Phil, Mary, and the Staff at Resources for Success!™

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

Do Something to Breakthrough

Do Something to Breakthrough
By Mary Ann Copson

"It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." --E.L. Doctorow

Finally, I had to tell Amy that she could not go any further without getting out there and doing something. In our coaching sessions we had talked about her hopes and dreams, investigated the many possibilities, weighed the pros and cons, discovered her straights and weaknesses, and sought intuitive guidance from her powers that be.

It was time. She had to do something. She couldn’t learn any more. She couldn’t figure out anything else. The only course left was to begin walking the path.

My key energy management tip to her -- Only in actually walking the path would she be able to know more about who she was and where she was going.

Sometimes you just have to start and go for quick results– even if you don’t feel that you are ready or have everything you need to start. Waiting until "I'm ready" can frequently lead to nothing happening. Consider using a Breakthrough Technique that is designed to produce quick results and get you started right away.

This might seem a bit scary. But the big advantage in starting now is that only in actually taking the steps will you be able to explore all of the relevant issues that will come up as you are actually doing something. You can continue to research and refine your project as you go along.

Here are the steps to the Breakthrough Technique:

-Choose a project that you will complete and present to the world – make this a stretch goal.
-Side step elaborate planning and go for a result now.
-Set 5 compelling, urgent and short term goals with regards to your project- skip over the planning and analysis phase.
-Set a nonnegotiable date for completion – think in terms of days, weeks and months and not years
-Every day take some action toward accomplishing the purpose.
-Include "just in time" education and training as needed.
-Focus on what you can do now with what you have.
-Take the time to reflect and capture insights that are being gained along the way. This will allow you to discover the breakthrough expansion routes that are naturally clarified as steps are taken toward the goal. As you do this you will naturally expand your capacity to create the desired future.
-Start today.

Action step:

Pick one change that you want to make. Take 15 minutes and design the first draft of your Breakthrough Technique. Take your first step.

Support:

Get a Breakthrough partner and support each other in achieving your nonnegotiable completion date. Make it a game. Perhaps a fun competition.

"One starts an action simply because one must do Something." -- T.S. Elliot

"Action is the way we get to experience ourselves. And so we act not to bring about an outcome but to bring about ourselves." -- Ellen Langer

The above Mood and Energy Management Tip was extracted from the powerful and illuminating Way of Change e-course.

Mary Ann Copson

Mary Ann Copson is the creator of the Evenstar Mood and Energy Management System for Women. With Master's Degrees in Human Development and in Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist, a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, a Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician, a Professional Life Coach and Human Development Consultant.

For resources about reconnecting to your natural rhythms through better management of your physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual energy visit http://evenstaronline.com.

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

You Are The Boss!

Becoming CEO (of Your Own Life) by Marta Kagan
Career Coach, Business Coach, & Motivational Speaker

Imagine for a moment that your life is a business; a privately-owned company of which YOU are CEO. How would you characterize this company? Is it struggling? Getting killed by the competition? Hurt by the sluggish economy? Actively searching for investors or large interests who might take it under their protective wing?

Or is it a staggering success; growing, adapting, and profiting more with each passing year?

If you're not looking at your life from this perspective - you should be. You ARE the CEO of your own life. You are completely responsible for the level of success that you experience -- personally and professionally. You are equally responsible for the lack thereof. Your success will be defined by the vision you create and the choices that you make to support it.

This is good news. (And this is bad news.) The good news is that YOU HAVE A CHOICE! As CEO, you are ultimately in control - of the vision, direction, objectives, and decisions that the `business' follows. You run the show. The buck ultimately stops with you.

The bad news is that most people don't want to be CEO of anything - much less their own lives. They are infinitely more comfortable lingering somewhere near middle management, playing no role in the major decisions of the company -- but actively complaining about them nonetheless.

Are you one of these people?

Let me say this again: You ARE the CEO of your own life! You are completely responsible for the level of success that you experience -- personally and professionally. You are equally responsible for the lack thereof. Your success will be defined by the vision you create and the choices that you make to support it.

Which brings me to my next question. do you have a vision? If I were to ask you, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" would you be able to give me an answer without hesitating, mumbling, or being vague?

A good CEO of a successful company could answer these questions backwards and forwards (and probably in more than one language).

If you don't have an answer; if you don't have a vision - I have more good news for you. YOU CAN CREATE ONE. Today. Right this minute. Sit down and write the story of your future. DREAM BIG.

Create a picture of the brightest, most joyful tomorrow that you can imagine. Resist the urge to limit your vision with thoughts of what is or isn't possible -- focus on what COULD BE.

And for God's sake, GET OUT OF MIDDLE MANAGEMENT! Take the reigns. Assume your rightful place at the helm of your own life. Stop complaining about the decisions `company leadership' has passed down to you and start making some ballsy decisions yourself.

Today could be the day that your `company' begins an incredible turn-around. Today could be the day that you start truly living your life on purpose.

You're the boss, so. it's entirely up to YOU.

© 2003 Marta Z. Kagan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Career transition specialist Marta Kagan has helped countless professionals achieve more success, freedom, and balance in their work lives. To find out more about Marta's innovative career coaching services and sign up for FREE confidence-building tips like these, visit her website at http://www.lifelinecoaching.com.

Overcoming Adversity

Overcoming Adversity
By Curtis G. Schmitt

Adversity in life is inevitable. Overcoming adversity--dealing effectively with setbacks, frustration, and resistance--is the single most important skill you can develop, in business and in your personal life.

Whenever you find yourself in a challenging situation, you have only 3 options:

1. Wait for the situation to change
2. Change the situation
3. Change your response to the situation

Let's look at each:

1. Wait for the situation to change

Ask: Is the situation likely to change on its own? If not, then clearly this isn't an option for you. Some situations, however, are short-term, and the answer may just be to wait them out. For example, when you're stuck in traffic or there's a long line at the store. But while you're waiting for the situation to change, you may also want to consider changing your response to the situation (see #3 below).

2. Change the situation

Sometimes you have the necessary influence to change a situation immediately through your own action. However, when you have that kind of influence, the situation doesn't really qualify as adversity, right?

For a challenging situation over which you have little or no influence, the only way you can change it in the short-term is to remove yourself from it. (Note that it may be possible to change the situation in the long-term, as you will see in #3 below.)

The pitfall with this solution is that even if you leave your current situation and go to another, you take YOU with you. For example, have you ever left a job or a romantic relationship only to find that the next one turned out to have many of the same problems?

So ask yourself: Is this adversity I'm experiencing part of a pattern for me? Have I had similar challenges in different situations, and is it likely that I will have similar challenges in a new situation? If so, then changing the situation might not be the best choice for you.

Of course, I'm not recommending that you stay in a situation that's bad for you. But when you leave, make sure you learn from the situation so that you don't relive it again and again in different circumstances.

3. Change your response to the situation

This is the most proactive and empowering option, and it's always available to you, even when you choose either of the previous two options.

There are 3 parts to this solution:

1. Change the meaning you give the situation
2. Change how you talk about the situation to yourself and others
3. Change the way you act and react in the given situation

In a strange way, you have more influence on things outside you when you focus solely on yourself--your own thoughts and behavior. You expand your influence in subtle, yet powerful ways when you act with high integrity and personal responsibility.

As Wayne Dyer likes to say, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Viktor Frankl taught us that the last of the human freedoms--the power that we all have that no one can take away from us--is our ability to choose our response to any given situation.

To act with such a high degree of "response-ability" can be challenging because we have been conditioned otherwise. We live in a culture where blaming and complaining are a way of life.

We blame the Republicans, we blame the Democrats, we blame our parents (for their parenting flaws), we blame our grandparents (for their genetic flaws). We complain about our boss, we complain about our employees, we complain when it's hot, we complain when it's cold.

In order to stop blaming and complaining, you must change the meaning of the situation. Instead of seeing it as something that was "done to you," you can choose to see it as a neutral event that isn't personal, or even a positive experience that you can learn something from.

Changing your language will reinforce this change of meaning. Instead of asking, "Why did this have to happen to me?" ask yourself "What lesson can I take away from this?" or "How is this experience a gift?"

By changing the meaning you give the situation and changing the language you use, you'll then discover that you have the power to respond in any number of ways, not just the knee-jerk reactions you've made in the past.

And by choosing new responses to old problems, you'll not only discover powerful solutions, you'll also break free of the habitual patterns that have been limiting your growth and progress.

You'll have changed YOU, and therefore your experience of the situation. And that's the key point: What you call "adversity" is just your experience of a given situation. Overcoming adversity is nothing more than choosing to experience the situation differently.

Copyright 2006 Curtis G. Schmitt

Curtis G. Schmitt is the founder of Turn On to Life!, a Time Management Coaching practice. He helps busy professionals reclaim the joy, peace, and balance in their lives. Schedule your complimentary telephone consultation now at TurnOnToLife.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Curtis_G._Schmitt

Improve Your Vision

Vision Points the Way
By Devon D. Harris

Shortly after I had completed my second season of bobsledding, I found myself back in Jamaica sitting in the officer’s tent as usual talking about bobsledding. On this occasion I was talking about the progress our team had made in the short time we were involved in the sport.

One senior officer, expecting to get a good laugh at my expense, asked me to speak in more detail about the progress we had made. He wanted to hear about start times and race results and how they compared to the more established teams. I simply told him that we had made the transition from being media darlings to true competitors.

Undoubtedly, you’re thinking that that was a strange response to the question. You may remember, that back then the Jamaica Bobsled Team was not taken seriously and was seen as a media stunt and an amusing sideshow to the serious business of Olympic bobsledding. Thankfully, none of us on the team ever saw ourselves in that light.

How do you see yourself?

The vision we had of ourselves and the one that mattered most was decidedly different from what others had of us.

We saw ourselves as equals---athletes with the talent and the ability to become world-class bobsledders. We had a vision of ourselves marching in that opening ceremony and having an opportunity to give of our best against the best.

Today the Jamaican Bobsled Team is almost a household name all over the world and generally recognized within the sport as a veritable threat. That reality exists today primarily because of the vision we held in our minds all those years ago.

Our team, like all the other athletes you see competing in the Olympics and every single person who have succeeded in life in areas outside of sports, didn’t allow anyone or anything to determine the limits of our success. The way you see yourself today will significantly impact your life tomorrow.

What is the vision you have for your life? In five, ten or even twenty years from now, what are some of the things you would like to have accomplished? What milestones would you like to reach? These are key questions for you to answer because you can never get to your destination unless you know what it is.

If you are someone who is unsure of what you want to do with your life it may be helpful to complete the following sentence: “All my life I’ve always wanted to…” It will not necessarily clearly define your vision but it will help to point you in the right direction.

Vision is a preferred future state and truthfully answering this question will help you to start creating a mental template for what that future will look like. Lets say your response is “All my life I’ve always wanted to work with children” You then have to determine the capacity you see yourself working with children?

It could be as a teacher, a pediatrician, or a day care provider among other things. Whatever it is, the means of turning that vision into reality will not always be readily obvious but through persistence, it is ultimately achievable.

Since I became aware of the Olympics in High School I have had a vision of being an Olympian but it required years of “searching” before I ended up as an Olympic bobsledder.

Practice the art of listening

It is through your vision that you determine your dreams and ultimately set your goals. How do you know what your dreams are? You know through the art of listening. Not listening to others but rather listening to yourself.

Listening to others will result in you embracing the goals and dreams that they would impose on you. You will be accepting the limitation that they have imposed on you. Don’t confuse this with accepting advice from others. I am talking about two entirely different things.

If you embrace the vision of others as your own you could never be fulfilled and you’ll end up like a dog that’s always chasing its tail. The tail is always in sight but out of reach.

Take ownership of your vision

We will always have people in our lives, family and friends who think they know what we can or cannot do and see it as their duty to tell us. In most cases I believe it is done with the best of intentions but in the end it hurts us because that is not something that we truly desire.

The question of vision for your life is one that you and you alone must answer.

In the example above, lets assume that your heart is really calling you to be a teacher but a friend or family member convinces you to become a pediatrician. You may end up being a good pediatrician but although you are working with children you probably would never be as good a pediatrician as you would have been a teacher because you simply wouldn’t be as fulfilled

Action steps

1. Complete the question “All my life, I’ve always wanted to...”

2. Do some soul searching to determine the specific path you want to take to fulfill that vision. I.e. becoming a teacher vs. becoming a pediatrician

3. Start identifying specific steps that will take you along that path.

Examples

i. Short term: Identify the college you want to attend. Apply for financial aid, etc

ii. Medium term: Complete a 4 year degree and start working in the field

iii. Complete a Master’s program; open your own school etc

4. Identifying the people who can help you through critical phases of each step

5. Start now.

Copyright (C) 2005 Devon Harris
All rights reserved worldwide
http://www.devonharrislive.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Devon_D._Harris

---

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

Fishing and Life: Similarities

Fishing and Life: Eight Similarities
By Seth Crossman

You can't catch anything unless you get your line in the water. In life, you will accomplish nothing, unless you get out there and try to do something. Yes, you may come home from a long day of fishing with nothing to show, but on other days your pail will be full and your smile will be wide.

Fish often hide in unexpected places. I often catch the biggest fish in the shade of a submerged log, or at the mouth of an underground outlet that I can't see. A helping hand, a good friend, a great job, a good spouse, the perfect house can all come from the least likely places - if you let them.

The big fish get away when you try to hurry. When I have a large fish on the line, and you know the type - the pole is bent so far it looks like a great big C - I get real excited and tend to reel in too fast. The line snaps, or the fish wasn't properly hooked in the first place and I lose the fish - the whopper. Take time to do things right, and you will often be pleased with the result and you won't mess up so many things.

A lot of little fish make an excellent supper. Many times I have started fishing and caught little fish and threw them back waiting to land something bigger. The whole night passes and I don't catch a single big fish, but I threw away a dozen smaller ones. If only I had kept the small fish, I would have had a good supper!

We pass up a lot of good opportunities hoping for the big fish when it never comes. But if we were take advantage of all the small opportunities we would get ahead and have something to show for our hard work.

You can miss a bite if you're not paying attention. How true! Some of the best things happen in a flash and if you're not ready, on the edge of your toes and expectant, your chance will be gone. And the worst thing is, we often think there will be a second chance.

If you talk too much, the fish won't bite! When I was younger, and sitting in the boat with my father, I would want to pass the time by talking. My father would always respond in whispers and when he got real frustrated, he would shush me. "You're scaring away the fish!"

And it's true; very few loud fishermen catch anything. Picture this: two fishermen sitting on a dock, their lines out in the water, and the only sound is the crickets in the high grass along the lake's edge. The fish slowly swim in and around the dock. Each of the fishermen catch a few.

Then up tromps the third fisherman, his loud steps thunking on the dock. He drops his pole and it clatters against the metal pilings. He turns on his boom box and tosses out his line. He asks the other fishermen how the fishing is and continues a running dialogue. The fish will be no where in sight! Wisdom comes from reflecting on the things we do and see.

Persistence pays off. Persistence and experience are often the same things. A good fisherman knows where the best fishing is. Why is that? They go out everyday and learn from experience. They try different lures and baits until they find what the fish are biting.

Even if they don't catch anything the first day, they come out a second and a third. A fisherman who gives up after the first day of fishing because he didn't catch anything is not really a fisherman. They are just an idiot who went fishing one day. If you fail at something, keep trying. If you're persistent, you're bound to succeed one day.

Fish tales always seem to grow in the retelling. Life is better when it's shared. Friends and family. They're interested in your life's stories, they laugh in good natured fun when you embellish a little. And they're there to enjoy the spoils.

Seth Crossman is an award winning writer and the editor of http://theopinionguy.com. He is also the editor of OG's Speculative Fiction.

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

--------------------
How do you get powerful leverage on yourself to do all the things you want to? Check out Dave Navarro's new program. I call him "The King of Leverage".

What would it be worth to you to be able to get up early every day, fully energized and powered up to live your life to the fullest? How would it feel to know that you lived each day to the max?

How would you feel when you end each day with the thought that you packed in every joyful and passionate moment possible and that tomorrow was going to be another awesome day?

Have a look at Dave Navarro's Early Riser Program. Sign up for his free course "More Time, More Money!" and review his new program. As Dave would say, 'You'll thank yourself for it!'

Lifetime Wants and Desires

Lifetime Wants and Desires
By John Halderman

Do you know all the things you want to have, do and be in life? Have your listed them? Not too many people do, but it's interesting, of the people who accomplish a lot in their life, most all have a list.

Though the years I have noticed that most highly successful, adventurous and accomplished people have a list of all the things they would like to do. And most of them did not know how they would accomplish all the things on the list when they initially wrote them down, yet they do it.

There is magic in a list of this sort; the people who do make a list eventually come up with ways to accomplish much or all of their list. And those who do not make a list usually don't even try to figure out how to do something. Even if you think about something it is not nearly as powerful as when you start by writing it down.

This looks so simple, so why don't many people do this? There are several reasons: You don't think about it. No one ever told you about doing it. Why list things that are clearly out of your means? I don't have any experience in those things.

But I bet you do have some things that you still think would be exciting, rewarding, fulfilling or just fun to do. We all do, but generally we push them aside as unattainable.

Make a list for yourself now.

Here's what to do and what not do when making a list.

Do:

Think big, Dream big, Imagine money and resources were no object, Disregard perceived skills needed, Time is of no concern, People you want to meet, People you want to do something with, Something you have always wanted, Places you want to see/go, Activities you want to experience, Challenges that are calling you, Accomplishments you seek, Records to set, What you should have done before, No restrictive reasons, Think you are worthy

Do Not:

Consider worry or fear, Consider doubts, Consider current situation, Consider knowledge or skill, Consider education or position, Consider social status, Consider your opinion of self, Analyze how, Listen to naysayers, Be 'reasonable', Be 'logical'

OK, you get the idea, let's get to it.

First, do a brain dump. Write down 100 things as fast as you can. Just write whatever comes to mind quickly, abbreviate. However many you get down is good. Skip about 4 or 5 lines between items to allow room for step three.

Second, keep the list handy and look at it at least once a day for a week, adding whatever comes to mind.

Third, After each item write how you will benefit from accomplishing each item. Is it personal satisfaction, fulfillment, serving others, whatever you feel about it? What emotional feeling would be attached to its accomplishment? This helps support the item with reasons why, which is more powerful in your mind.

Setting into your mind the desire to do this will activate your inner thoughts. For some people it may take a while for some of the things to surface. Particularly if they have been emotionally buried deep in your mind.

Then, look at the list at least once a week, daily is better. Read it over; think about what it would mean to fulfill each of the items.

Say to yourself, 'what if I could. . . ?' Don't allow negative critical thinking to come in, just dream and enjoy the possibility for now.

Pick out one or two that you think you may be able to accomplish. What can you do right now to move towards it? Even just a small step, I can just be learning more about it. Do whatever you can at the time to move towards at least one item.

Look at the list on a regular basis to keep the ideas active in your subconscious.

The reason why you have not moved towards any of them up to this point is you have not formally stated them as desires. In the past you may have even negated the idea of attaining them.

Don't close the door on any possibility, if you can't see yourself stepping out tomorrow to do something, let it be. Don't negate it forever, let it be a possibility that some way, somehow you can.

I'm not going to guarantee to you that they will magically come to be, but remember, the people who write down their wants and their goals get more of them than those who don't.

Having great goals attract more energy than do small ones. Set your sights on grand ideas that are exciting, glorious, support personal growth, assist others, and expand human potential. Let your emotions get involved.

Protect your ideas, feelings and energy, be careful about sharing your grand ideas with people who are likely to negate them and any possibility of your accomplishing them. Only share them with people who you know to be supporting of big dreams.

You get what you expect to get, so expect big things. Plant the seeds of grand ideas, keep nurturing them while paying attention for messages and opportunities to move closer to them.

Keep it up, read your list often, and imagine how it will feel to accomplish each one. Remember, your personal development is your responsibility, become active in your growth every day because you're worth it.

Copyright 2005, John Halderman

John Halderman, a writer, speaker, and trainer intent on helping you bridge the gap between information and effective results with your personal growth efforts. For self-improvement tools, tips and resources to assist you with living an effective satisfying life, get the "Effective Personal Development Newsletter" along with the special 5 part series "Continuous Personal Development", at http://www.activepersonaldevelopment.com

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

---

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

Conquer Your Fears

Conquer Your Fears Using Leverage
By Joanne King

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to almost miraculously overcome their problems and challenges whereas other people go from therapist to therapist, spending thousands of dollars and seeing no results?

How can one person suffering from stress or anxiety or a phobia suddenly completely and utterly overcome it?

The answer itself is simple, doing it yourself, is slightly more complex.

People overcome these problems because they have quite simply made a decision. They have decided that from that day forth they are no longer going to have that problem. Or they visit a therapist convinced that they are going to get rid of their problems and walk out of the office cured.

Making the decision is the easiest part of this equation, you need to add to it leverage, or the will to get rid of the behaviour.

How do you get this?

Human beings are motivated by two things – pleasure and pain. We generally move towards plea