Getting Negative? Try This!

I want to share this article by Anna Watkins with you today. Talk about turning the negative into the positive.

Substitute the solution "I Could If . . .", whenever you feel like "I Can't Because . . ." whenever you feel a negative self talk coming on.

Here is Anna:

I Could If . . .

Action expresses priorities. (Mohandas Gandhi)

Many of us could have graduate degrees in excuse making. We have developed it to such a fine art that we really should get an honorary doctorate.

Now you may be thinking that it would be terrific to have people calling you, "Doctor." However, all that excuse making skill will not cut it in the real world if we want to achieve our dreams and have an enjoyable life.

Let's try another approach.

Take your personal example and put it through this exercise.

Your current story begins, "I can't because blah blah blah."

Here are some examples:

I can't get a new job or promotion because my computer skills are not strong enough.

I need more clients but I don't have the time or money to work on my marketing.

I want to spend more time with my family (friends or hobby), but my work is too demanding.

Is that really true? Do you have so little control over your life that these things are beyond your reach? Ha! If you really really really want to make this happen, you can!

Your NEW story begins, "I could if."

Now start writing and list as many actions as you can think of - no matter how crazy some of them may appear. No judgment - just writing!

I could if I:

Spend 20 minutes a day using the Help function of the computer application I am using

Read the user manual

Take a class

Ask someone with more skills to help me

I could if I:

Attend one more network gathering each month

Follow up with current or former clients to see how they are doing and how I may be of assistance

Give prospective customers something of value - an article, free newsletter, etc.

Listen to my customers to learn how I can add more value for them

I could if I:

Schedule and keep an appointment for time with my spouse, my kids, my golf clubs, bird watching, painting

Look for events we can enjoy and mark them on the calendar or post them on a bulletin board

Buy tickets and commit to attending an activity together

Volunteer, making a commitment to support a cause that we can enjoy together

OK. Your turn!

What ever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now! (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

by Anna Watkins

Anna Watkins is a Career Coach with a special interest in group coaching and Master Mind Groups, networks of like minded people who support and help each other stay on track with their life goals.You can learn more about the resources she offers through her website: http://www.one-e-anna.com

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

What Is Your New Year's Resolution for 2008?

2008 New Years Resolution - Enjoy Life More
By Fabio Marciano

Have a Happier Year in 2008. That is your New Years Resolution and here is how you are going to achieve it!

One of the most popular New Years Resolutions that people make each year is to enjoy life more, and be happier with their life. There are always so many things that you have to do each day that sometimes it is hard to enjoy life more, and to be happier. Here are a few ways you can be happier in the year ahead.

Find the Good in Every Situation

Always try to find the good in any situation. Yes, things will always go wrong. You might have to sit in traffic every day, or the meeting you have will run late. But instead of focusing on that part of your day, why not focus on the better parts?

If you think about the happier parts of your day, or the things that went well, you will find that you will be happier than if you focus on all of the bad things that happened.

Change Your Outlook

Most people expect things to go wrong, and therefore when they go wrong, are not surprised. Instead of expecting things to go wrong, start thinking of happier things and all of the good things that can go right in your life. It is incredible what the power of positive thinking can do, and if you change your outlook you will be surprised at how much better things can get.

Plus, if you start thinking of all of the good things that you want to happen, you will subconsciously start working towards them, and will be able to succeed in meeting your goals.

Make Time For Things You Enjoy

Of course you have many commitments that you have to get done each day such as work, running errands, etc... but also make sure you take a little time each day for yourself.

Make sure that you get to spend some time doing something that you really enjoy. Even if it's only for a half hour or an hour each day, make sure you take the time to make yourself happy. Even just this short amount of time each day will make you happier overall, since you will be able to relax and do what you want to be doing, instead of what you have to be doing.

Prioritize The Important Things

This way you will not stress out on the little things. For example, going to work each day is obviously a high priority, and something that you have to do. On the other hand, if you do not get to dust the house on the day you planned, it is not the end of the world, and is really not worth stressing out over.

You have to learn to be flexible and realize that many times things do not always get done when you want them to, and sometimes it is more important to take time out whether to spend time with loved ones or just relax and get things done some other time.

There are many different ways to have a happier life in the year ahead, and to enjoy your life a lot more. If this is your new years resolution, just keep reminding yourself to make time for yourself and your family, and you will be a lot happier no matter how much you have to get done.

Just by focusing on the happier parts of life will go a long way in making you a lot happier and will make you able to enjoy things a lot more! So follow the above advice and enjoy life more this year.

Michael Clayton has dedicated himself to changing thousands of lives by helping people find their greatness and true potential starting every new year through his free Newsletter.

If you're looking for goal personal planning success, but you don't know how to achieve it, then Fabio has just completed his brand new report you'll want to get your hands on, "New Years Resolutions Help".

Get it free here: New Years Resolutions Help

Do you want to learn all about goal personal planning success and how to create successful habits and goals? Download Fabio's new FREE ebook here: New Years Resolutions: Enjoy Life More

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

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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.

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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/.
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Power Up For New Year's

I just wanted to share another post from Shane And Peter's Blog which is perfect timing for those of us reviewing this year's results and planning next year's goals.

Take some notes, I certainly did and maybe get a beverage and sit down with it for a while. Check out 2008 Goals, Scare Yourself.

Now back to today's article . . .

New Years Resolutions - 7 Keys to Victory
By Brian Walsh

Whether you call them unproductive patterns, limiting beliefs, or simply bad habits, for some reason, as a new year approaches, many of us resolve to make some changes. The resolve part is easy. How do we actually execute a successful change campaign?

A few times a year, a hypnotherapist colleague and I conduct self-hypnosis workshops. An integral component is goal-setting. The following recommendations are part of that.

1. Realistic & a Slight Stretch.
Be reasonable in what you choose to change. You're the one who has to implement this plan. Examine your motives for this change. Is it for yourself, or to please others? Make your target just a bit beyond what you think you are capable of.

2. Be Clear.
As it says in the book, The Law of Attraction, make a list of what you don't want as a step in creating your list of you do want. Form a WRITTEN affirmation that is positive. Avoid the use of negative words (don't, won't).

3. Be Specific & Flexible.
Avoid comparative words (less, better, more). One of the main advantages of establishing goals is that they provide motivation and direction. If you fall short of your stated goal, don't beat yourself up. Celebrate what you have achieved.

4. Paced & Measurable.
One of the reasons many people don't bother with setting goals is that the process to achieve them often seems daunting. This is easily overcome by chunking goals into smaller units. For instance, monthly or even weekly mini-goals can be more palatable.

5. Announce Your Goals.
Find friends or colleagues who will support you in your objectives. Share your plans and timelines. Now, your reputation is on the line.

6. In Your Face.
For the most part, the mind processes information visually. In addition to whatever words you use to describe your goals, begin cutting out representative pictures from magazines.

Paste them on posters and put them all over your world. That means bedroom, bathroom, car, desk, and anywhere else you can think of. Information that is captured by your peripheral vision is not usually analyzed by the conscious mind.

This means that as you walk by your posters, your peripheral vision will convey that data directly to your subconscious mind, thereby reinforcing your goals.

In addition, even if you haven't been trained in self-hypnosis, you can relax with soft music and visualize your goals. Make your visualizations as vivid as possible.

7. Changing Habits.
Many people think that it takes 21 to 30 days to form a new habit. Actually you can establish a new habit in only 5 days.

What takes up to 30 days is the release of the old habit. Once the new habit is formed, it competes with the old habit for dominance. Every time you exercise the new habit it gets stronger, and the old one becomes weaker. The reverse is also true.

Following these recommendations will improve the odds of succeeding in your resolutions for 2006. Happy New Year.

Brian Walsh, International speaker

Dr. Brian E. Walsh is the author of Unleashing Your Brilliance

He was a part-time journalist and broadcaster before joining a major international company. For much of his 30-year career he was involved in human resources, specifically training.

While living in the arctic, Brian studied anthropology and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), which prepared him for working with other cultures. He was then transferred to China where he served as his company’s GM.

After his return to Canada, he elected early retirement to further his earlier interest in NLP and hypnotherapy. He returned to formal study, and within four years had achieved his Ph.D. His dissertation, which focused on accelerated learning techniques, inspired his passion and his book, "Unleashing Your Brilliance".

Dr. Walsh regularly conducts workshops on accelerated learning. He is a master practitioner of NLP, an acupuncture detoxification specialist, an EFT practitioner, and a clinical hypnotherapist.

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

Don't wait for New Year's. Start cultivating those positive habits today! Be ready to hit the ground running in the new year.

Al Smith,
aka The Realgoalgetter

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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/.
--------------------

Decisions To Live By

I like to visit the TLS Forum and suck up some inspiration from time to time. I found a great doctrine to live by and printed it out so that I could get into the meat of it. It is not that long, but it is full to the brim with life wisdoms.

It is called Seven Decisions, and in these 7 posts one could study for years and still get something new from them each time. Check it out and if you're a member of the forum, post your thoughts.

I think these would be great to start a discussion on.

Al

Another New Year And "I'm Back In The Saddle Again"

Hi Winners! Happy New Year to you! I hope that you all had a safe holiday and took a little time to re-energize. I sure did. I love taking time to be with family and friends, and December is always a time to "sharpen the saw" for me.

I usually set my goals for the year and then I plan to achieve them in 11 months instead of 12. I tend to wind down early in December. Then once I set my goals for the new year I go after them with gusto and enjoy every bit of the journey. I wish that for you too.

Anyway, just a short message for you today. It is a classic poem to hang on your mirror or desk, and a couple of short but profound quotes. I'm sure you have already seen them, but have you really taken them to heart? Here they are again.

My Wage by J.B. Rittenhouse

I bargained with Life for a penny, And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at the evening, When I counted my scanty store.

For Life is a just employer, He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial's hire, Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life, Life would have willingly paid.

-- J.B. Rittenhouse

Another good quote to remember . . .

William James of Harvard said, "If you would be rich . . . you will be rich. If you would be learned . . . you will be learned. If you would be good . . . you will be good. But wish then for one thing exclusively, and don't at the same time wish for a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly."

And don't ever forget this one . . .

Don't wonder about whether something is possible - don't get bogged down in WHETHER. Ask HOW. Over and over if you have to, but ask how can you do it, not whether you can." ---- Brian Tracy

For those interested in Getting Fit this year, check out this information from a blog I have been following. - Paul Piotrowski. He is writing a great series of articles on getting into shape.


Action Step

So, What do you want for 2007? Have you written your goals out on paper? Are they aligned so that each one helps build momentum and adds to the quality of your life? If you havent done it already, then this is a good time to start.

If you have new year's resolutions to get healthy in 2007, then please check out these two areas for information on how to set effective goals and follow through.

How To Set Healthy New Year's Resolutions - New Report
Quit Smoking Now - New Section of The Realgoalgetter

Let's make 2007 another banner year. See you next time. Go For It!

Al Smith

Time To Think Of This Year's 'New' Resolutions

4 Rules to Creating Powerful New Year's Resolutions

Every year you promise yourself things will change – you’ll shed a few pounds, organize your office, get rid of clutter - maybe change the world (well, sort of…). Then it happens – apathy. What began as a grand idea disappears like a puff of smoke.

Why is that?

When we make New Year's resolutions, are we inevitably setting ourselves up for failure? Sadly, the answer is commonly, “yes.”

It’s not that our intentions aren’t honorable – we honestly want our lives to improve and we desire to eliminate things that aren’t working. The reason we fail is that we don’t plan the plans properly.

If you think New Year’s resolutions are just a modern day ritual, think again. The tradition of New Year's Resolutions can be traced back in history to 153 B.C. when the Romans selected Janus, a mythical king to be the leader of the calendar.

Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and the Romans asked their enemies for forgiveness and gave each other gifts before the New Year.

The greatest benefit about the commencement of a new year is that it gives us a chance to ‘begin again', and eliminate bad habits of the previous year.

New Year’s resolutions aren’t just about giving things up - they’re also about replacing poor habits with great ones. This is not an easy process - it requires commitment and perseverance and being aware of our self-defeating behaviours.

The most common resolutions include: losing weight, quitting smoking, saving or earning more money, being more tolerant of others, getting organized, exercising, eating well and being a better person.

By now you’ve probably reached that point where you don’t want to set any resolutions for fear they won’t come true. You know the feeling – the resolution to lose 20 pounds and it’s the end of the year and you haven’t lost weight, or the dream of exercising three times a week and getting in shape and you’re still soft and pudgy.

There’s another way to look at resolutions – you need a new approach. This begins with four rules for resolutions.

The first rule is to focus on one resolution at a time. If you start the New Year thinking, ‘I will lose weight, exercise four times a week, be a better person, make more money, etc.’ you’ll be overwhelmed and won’t focus on anything. Start with one specific goal that’s important to you (your most painful problem) at the present moment and develop a detailed plan of action for success.

The second rule for resolutions is to record them on paper or a computer; this way the goals won’t be forgotten or changed. You’ll find it easier to continue with your plan when it’s written out on paper or your computer.

The third rule is that you must be held accountable for your resolutions, otherwise you’ll ‘let the goal go’ when it gets tough. Designate a friend, mentor or a coach to monitor your progress, offer support and hold you accountable.

The fourth rule is you must be persistent; no goal will happen unless you keep working. This can be the most challenging rule – especially if you’re trying to lose weight and you don’t see immediate results.

This is where you need to use the third rule – have someone help you be accountable. You might ask your best friend to phone you weekly to check your progress on weight training. You might hire a coach to help you be accountable for setting financial goals in your company.

If you belong to a business network, the members might email you and touch base weekly to help you complete your marketing goals.

If the thought of resolutions still doesn’t inspire you, consider keeping it simple and focusing on spending your New Year doing things that give you joy.

This might include: spending more time with family, friends, doing hobbies, exercising, traveling – whatever makes you happy and gives your energy.

Remember in the larger scheme of things, life is meant to be enjoyed – living by impossible lists and resolutions isn’t living, it’s existing.

Wishing you much success in the year ahead!

by Lisa Rickwood

Lisa Rickwood, "Small Biz Stress Relief Coach," is a visual artist, coach/speaker and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life. She helps small business owners master stress to enjoy professional and personal success. Get her free report – 10 Simple Secrets for Business Success by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com

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