All About Motivation

Freedom Now!

2007-09-12T13:46:00.013-07:00

Freedom Ringing in My Ears!

Every day since I first met my spiritual teachers, I hear their sage advice ringing in my ears:

"Your natural state is one of happiness, health and abundance!"

"You must be free to do anything you want. You must be free to be anything you want."

"How long does it take to become what we have always been?" "How long does it take to be what we have never not been?"

Boy, it all sounds great! Pie in the sky, unrealistic, unachievable ... but real cool sounding!

Living Free

My teachers' views did feel attractive to me. But, at the time, I had only a vague concept of what they were suggesting. Yet I did take in the spirit and energy of the wisdom they were sharing. I know now that being in their presence, I was absorbing their vibration of Living Free.

My wise friends spoke to me about being "sovereign." They all implored me to "never work for money." As one teacher, Michio Kushi, expresses it: "Never do anything you don't want to do to obtain money. If you work for money, you are no better than a slave!"

They all emphasize the joy of being an independent individual. They teach that everyone is equally capable of being free, intuitive and creative.

Truth Becomes My Reality

My teachers' words had a strong and penetrating effect on me because I knew in my heart their words spoke of a possible reality. Yet I didn't have a clue how to live this truth in my life. At the time, I couldn't imagine how a person could have money without working at a job, or be in a loving relationship without feeling dependant on that person.

Since then, I've learned to attract the financial support of the universe by aligning my professional path with my soul passion and purpose. And I've found the personal connection to Spirit that allows me to love other people freely without co-dependent ties.

Freedom Feng-Shui

"Freedom Feng-Shui" is my name for the art of consciously guiding the free flow of energy and events in your life.

Your natural state of personal freedom is attainable. With a deep willingness and ample creativity, you too can fly the wide open skies of sovereignty.

When you Live Free, you:

Receive from life fully.

You make a radical break with the past to look at yourself and your world with fresh eyes. You drop self-limiting definitions to uncover the unique talents hidden behind your old self-image. You let go of being a victim of fate, destiny, karma, social conditioning or even your own life plan. No matter what decisions or personal laws you've committed to in the past, you decide to re-draw your life blueprint in the present. You give up old routines and habits of thinking, perceiving and responding to life that no longer serve you. When you're free to choose intuitively how to live your life, prosperity flows automatically with no effort or doingness. You open the door to more magic, meaning and money in your world.

Give to life fully.

You can't give to others what you don't possess. As you open to receiving abundance, wisdom, power and real love, you're then able to share these treasures with the world. You re-seed your world with a renewed sense of peace, well-being and wholeness.

Enjoy life fully.

When you're released of social programming, you're able to focus on what you can control in life�your vision, attitude and approach. Set free emotionally, you're free to use the magic of humor, laughter, play and spontaneity in your daily interactions with people. You're able to attract increased vitality, originality�and fun!

Respond to life fully.

To stay emancipated you must become more capable of handling life's constant fluctuations and changes. The current social environment of accelerating evolution is not a temporary aberration. We aren't going to return to a sane, stable world any time soon. It's smart to accept that change is natural and normal, and will play a significant role in your life for some time to come. As indigenous peoples put it, we must free ourselves to be "Change Masters." Change Masters not only welcome, invite and celebrate the flux of ever-evolving life, but also consciously drive and direct these rhythms. Free of the tribal "laws," you learn to adapt the world to you, rather than you adapting to the world. With emotional and social freedom, you can steer change to your advantage. You can accurately predict, manage and even enjoy the gyrations of this wacko world.

Heal your life fully.

When you liberate yourself from psychological restraints, you can assume command of the unlimited natural vital flow within yourself. You then get enough personal power to fund your own dream and have plenty of energy left over for family, friends�and fun! You realize that the body/mind/spirit is designed to heal itself and feel good. You allow the Inner Healer to work its magic to align and purify your being. You're free to unite with the Vital Force Field of the universe in order to bring harmony and balance into all aspects of your world. Sickness, accidents and crises become a thing of the past.

Create in life fully.

As you break free of the traditions of mass consciousness, you can transform out-dated practices and paradigms. You awaken to fresh choices, options and solutions you never saw before. You crack the molds inherited from your parents. You're able to self-facilitate your own personal evolution. You open the door to find the easiest, most practical, and doable way to deal with any situation.

Express your life fully.

With emotional freedom, you can create your life as a joyous, spontaneous, fresh adventure of authentic self-expression. You discover who you really are�instead of living who you think you are. You find out what you're really here to experience, explore and embrace this lifetime�rather than follow the path your family or society has planned for you. You decide to express your true passion and discover how to get paid well doing it!

Powerful Techniques For Overcoming Procrastination

2007-09-12T13:46:00.011-07:00

How
much better would you life be if you could take the actions that you
know would make you successful? Would things be different if you had
a way to overcome procrastination? For most, the quality of their
life increases substantially when they are able to do what they know
how to do. It is interesting to note, that the majority of
individuals have an idea of what it takes to be a success in any
area. However, the failure to act is what stops these people from
attaining the level that they desire.

Success
in any area of life requires action. Power has been described as
"the ability to act". When one is unable to act in specific
situations, powerless has set in. Procrastination promotes this
result. This single habit destroys more careers, marriages, and
self-esteem than any other single trait. In its' infancy, it is a
minor irritation. However, when it is allowed to grow deep into our
psyche, procrastination has the capability of totally paralyzing one
from acting. It subtly becomes a bigger motivator (or demotivator)
in our decision making. The words "later" and "tomorrow" are
the default mindset.

Procrastination
is driven by two factors: laziness and fear. Often, when we have
something that is rather quick and not difficult to do, we still put
it off. These situations are driven by laziness, We simply do not
feel like doing that activity at the moment. A "Just Do It"
attitude helps in overcoming this. At the same time, there are
things that we put off doing because we fear the results that we will
receive. Our projections are negative which cause us to avoid
acting. We believe that perhaps if we wait, things will pass by. Of
course, this only compounds the issue. Time acts to magnify the
circumstances. In these instances, we will act when the fear of the
consequence of not doing it is greater than the fear associated with
doing it.

A
procrastination list is a valuable tool in challenging the habit of
procrastination. Regardless of the motivator, it enable us to take
action in an orderly manner. A great deal of a procrastinator's
problem is in their thinking. By using this list. much of the
thought process is removed. We set down all that we are putting off
on paper as they come to mind. The order is set without any
pre-qualification. Everything is listed regardless of the size of
the task. If it is being put off, it is written down.

Once
the list is completed, the tasks are handled one-by-one in the
sequence listed. There is no jumping around. If it is next on the
list, that is what is focused upon. The process of thinking is
removed entirely from the equation. Also, it is vitally important to
concentrate on one activity until it is fully completed before moving
onto something else. Procrastinator's tend to bail out when things
get a little difficult. Resist this temptation while finishing the
task at hand.

The
other technique that is really effective against procrastination is
the procrastination partner. This is someone who you decide you will
be accountable to for helping with your list. We seem to be able to
take action when we have someone else that we are answering to. This
is an ideal way to set up those parameters for yourself.

With
this resource, we find someone who we can put trust in to have the
gumption to honestly push us. If you find someone who will let you
be lax, it will not work. Upon sitting with this person, we show
them our procrastination list. A schedule is set down as to what
actions we will take and when. Regular interaction is required to
monitor the progress and report the results. Sometimes people will
each establish a list and help each other work on it. The more you
can involve the other person in motivating you, the better. It is
similar to having a workout partner. The accountability is often
enough to get us to act.

Our
thinking is what creates the thoughts to put something off. When we
remove that process or we are working with someone else who does not
carry that same idea, the fear that we conjured up loses its power.
This is the starting point to regaining our personal power. Our
success increases immediately when we are able to take the proper
action. The ability to act is a quality that the highest achievers
have.

Motivation And Belief

2007-09-12T13:46:00.009-07:00

Strange as it seems, millions of us believe we are not in control of our actions and emotions. Whole political systems have been developed, based on this false notion that we can't decide in our own best interest, so we need politicians to decide for us, with seat belt laws, trans-fat laws, etc. This article isn't about politics, but about discovering what really motivates our decisions and how to use that to make better decisions...ones we really want. If you've ever wondered why you did something or if you suffer from addiction, anxiety, eating disorders or any number of dysfunctions, read on...this article is for you.

You Make Me Angry! How many times have we said something like "he makes me mad," to place the blame for our emotions on someone else? Who knows...right now you may be thinking of times you've done this recently. Let me ask you a question! If someone is such a jerk as to anger you, why would you want them in control of how you feel? You don't? Good...because they aren't...you are. When we believe other people "make" us feel a certain way, we're giving them control over our emotions.

If I can control your emotions, I can control a lot of your decisions and actions. We all know this to be true. The squeaky wheel gets the most grease because the squeaking gives us emotional pain. Kids are expert at this! Here's an example that proves you control your own emotions: Courtship...you know...all those gifts and compliments and fancy dinners? You also know that getting that kind of attention from someone you don't have romantic feelings for is called...stalking. No, your fianc� didn't make you feel complete; you did that because you were getting romantic attention from someone you had romantic desires for. By the way, this also means it's impossible to "fall" in or out of love. We decide to have those feelings and we decide when we don't, no matter how convenient it is to think otherwise.

I Just Couldn't Help It! As much as we control our emotions, we control our actions more. "I couldn't stop myself" may work for a child, but part of being grown up is being in control of ourselves, or at least being progressively more in control as the years go on. Imagine a grown man trying to buy food in a clothing store. Upon hearing they have no food, he throws himself on the floor and starts crying and screaming demands for food. Every action is a decision. Of course we can keep from doing harmful things, if we decide to.

I remember resenting the people around me who said, "When you want to quit smoking, you'll be able to." For years, I thought I was controlled by the cigarettes. Guess what! When I wanted to, I quit, in Oct 1989, and haven't had a cigarette since. It isn't that I'm unsympathetic to all those suffering addiction...just the opposite! I've been addicted to booze, drugs, sex, food, etc. I care so much for your recovery that I'm willing to tell you the truth...you can get better if you want. The addiction does not control you...you control you.

I Can't Do It Because (insert lie here): Ever had someone tell you, "I don't have time to see you?" That's a lie that's become acceptable, even necessary in our culture because the truth is insulting. The truth is, "You're not important enough in my life for me to spend time with you." These kinds of lies limit our ability to accomplish things. I remember all the time I was growing up, hearing the adults say there was no more opportunity, things were so much better before, 'the man was keeping us poor', etc. You know...excuses for why they didn't pursue their dreams. People actually repeat such things in front of their kids and then wonder why the kids aren't interested in trying in school or in life.

I remember giving up on several dreams I had as a kid because people had convinced me it was impossible. Now, when I hear my generation spouting the same garbage in front of kids, I make it a point to show them (and the kids) where they're wrong, making me very popular at family gatherings. Sure, you want kids to be prepared for the bad things in life, but the message far too many of them are getting is that life is a bad thing. Just because we bought into the lie our parents used as an excuse for not trying doesn't mean we have to perpetuate that lie any longer in our lives or in our children. Nothing is easy, but if it's good, and honest and something you've dreamed of doing, you can do it, if you accept no excuses.

How Our Beliefs Influence Our Actions: We've hinted around this idea of belief in every paragraph above. Now, let's approach it directly. If you believed the terrorists had planted a bomb where you work and it would be detonated some time during your shift tomorrow, killing everyone, would you be at work tomorrow? If you believed there was no bomb, but that some time tomorrow your boss would be giving you a $1,000,000 bonus if he finds you there, working, would you allow anything to keep you from work? This law of belief and motivation drives our every decision and action, from the emotions we feel, to the drugs we take, to the dreams we try to achieve, even the way we approach our jobs and families.

About 3,000 years ago, a guy named Solomon wrote, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Anton Chekhov abbreviated it to, "Man is what he believes." The fact is, there is no way to separate us from our beliefs...we are bound to follow them. Just as the anorexic believes she's fat and starves herself to death and the IV drug addict believes he needs the substance enough to kill for it, all our actions and emotions are driven by our beliefs.

This unbreakable link between beliefs, emotions and actions makes us feel like someone else is in control, but it gives us a powerful tool to exercise our own control and motivate our actions. So many of our beliefs were given us while we weren't looking, by people who didn't know they were wrong and had no idea how they were influencing us. To regain control, we must skeptically examine the beliefs that motivate our undesirable feelings and actions, to determine which beliefs are incorrect and destructive. We must also pour into our minds any and all new beliefs and facts that will motivate positive and productive actions and emotions. You can use my Human Behavior BAR Cycle article for more detail on how to alter your beliefs to change your actions.

What I'm suggesting, I've been doing for over 20 years. It's very difficult and very rewarding work. It's a root solution to almost all the modern dysfunctions. When considering whether the work is worthwhile, ask yourself, "Do I want to miss my $ 1,000,000 bonus because I thought someone planted a bomb?"

Kickstart Your Life: 9 Simple Ways

2007-09-12T13:46:00.007-07:00

Give
more than anyone asks or expects.
Become a person who goes the extra mile in all that you do. Look
at each situation and determine what extra you will provide. Give
without expecting anything in return, including acknowledgment from
others.

Ease
up. The
old saying "someday we will laugh about this" epitomizes how
unimportant many things are in the grand scheme of things. Reduce
the stress by remembering that everything will work out alright.
Look at each situation as an opportunity to learn and grow while
remembering to laugh.

Master
you habits.
Your habits are either empowering or disempowering. Determine the
habits that adversely affect you then begin the process of
eliminating them.

Examine
your closest influences.
We are all products of our environment. Everyone around us has
input into our personalities, beliefs, and ideals. Make sure that
those who are closest to you are assisting in moving you forward
rather than prohibiting your progress.

Entertain
the child within.
Remember to take time to do that which you love. Too often we get
focused on the drive to move ahead that we forget to engage the
child within. Recharge you batteries by spending regular time doing
what you are passionate about.

Resolve
your unfinished business.
Activities left unresolved have the ability to drain a great deal of
energy out of us. Reclaim this energy by cleaning up all the old
business and putting it to rest. Pay the old debts, discard old
things, and tie up all other loose ends.

Focus.
Focus.
Focus. Get
rid of the sloppiness in life by placing extra focus upon all that
you do. Develop the habit of doing one thing at a time until it is
completed. Pay attention to the details that make a difference.

Spend
time creating your life. Most
people allow circumstances to dictate the type of life they lead.
Set aside each day to ponder what type of life that you want to
live. Consider your dreams, traits that you want, and what you
would like to contribute. Become proactive in the creation of your
own life.

Invest
in the most valuable computer in the world-your mind. Read
books and listen to cds that expand your knowledge base. Learn new
skills that will enhance you financially, mentally, and physically.
Garner and utilize the knowledge available to better your life.

Focus
in these areas repeatedly and you will notice the quality of your
life improving. By making small changes in many different areas, you
will notice a drastic change very quickly.

Do You Get Motivated Or Do You Get Defeated

2007-09-12T13:46:00.005-07:00

Answering this question honestly is can
lead to the development of a success consciousness. Most times in
life, things simply do not go as we planned them to. Too often
people behave in ways that conflict with our desires. Life has a way
of unfavorable circumstances our way. How we handle these situations
is what catapults one into the success realm.

Are you one of those who allow
unenviable situations to get you down? Do you fall into depression
when you don't get your way? Get angry? Feel like crying? Well, it
is time to grow up. If you are one who continually allows these
circumstances to take hold of you, I can guarantee that you are
destined for a life of failure. Instead of getting down, the
successful get motivated.

Here is a great secret of life:
Everyone gets knocked around from time-to-time. No one gets
everything they want all the time. Let me repeat that. No one gets
everything they want all the time. Disappointment is shared among
each person on the planet. The difference is how we respond to that
disappointment. In fact, how we react in any situation is truly the
only thing that we have full control over.

There was a salesman that I was
working with who had a situation that arose that cost him a fair
amount of money. He wrote enough business to qualify for his bonus.
Due to a business owner being out of town, he was not able to get all
the paperwork done by the close of billing. However, he talked with
several managers who assured him the deal would be billed, thus
preserving his bonus. Well, someone failed to bill the deal and the
salesman lost his bonus. This was the latest in a long line of
struggles within this company.

Initially, the salesman thought of
quitting and going to another company. He knew that he had the
ability to land a job with any of a number of competitors in his
field. However, due to our working together, he was able to reason
it through. Instead of letting this get him dejected, he decided to
use this to motivate him. He went on to have one of his biggest
months with the company far surpassing the money that he lost the
previous month. This is an example of turning a "losing"
situation into a winning one.

Too often, we will not do things until
we are at the point of complete frustration. If you are presently
experiencing some major disappointment in any area of your life, then
get excited. This typically is a sign that a substantial
breakthrough is about to occur However, this is true only if one is
taking the action necessary to move forward. Focused action in the
"down" times is usually a proven method for turning things
around.

Another factor worth mentioning is the
time lag that often occurs. When one begins to take action towards a
desired outcome, there will be a lag between when the action was
taken and the planned results. Perseverance is vital at this point.
A strong mental outlook will carry you through until the results
begin to appear.

Think of the successful athlete.
Often, they suffered a setback somewhere in their careers. Perhaps
they were cut from a team or they suffered an injury. These
situations were used as motivation to put in the effort to make
themselves better. Ultimately, they overcame the circumstances.
Implement this strategy in your life when things seem to be going
against you.

Get motivated and take focused action
in the direction of the goals that you most desire.

Deadlines: A Powerful Tool For Overcoming Procrastination

2007-09-12T13:46:00.003-07:00

Procrastination
seems to be a companion for most of us. Given enough leeway, we will
put most anything off that we can. This is especially true for the
activities we deem difficult. It seems that human nature is to put
things off until the last moment and then rush to get them done. In
fact, there are many people who take tremendous pride in being able
to get things done just in the nick of time.

Life
has a way of delivering deadlines. April 15^th
is one that comes to mind. The bills that we have due each month all
have a payment due date. Projects at work must be completed by the
next meeting. And, of course, there is a time at which we must meet
the in-laws. Unfortunately, a missed deadline has a variety of
negative consequences. The pressure associated with this adds to the
chaotic state that we tend to operate in under this scenario. This
is when many of us experience overwhelm.

Nevertheless,
deadlines seem to be some of the best motivators. Regardless of the
pressure of the situation, people have a tendency to step up when
given a deadline. Basically, they get it done. Sometimes it is a
"fly of the cuff' at the last possible minute or it can be a
larger project broken down into time segments to meet it. Either
way, they motivate us to get busy taking action.

How
can we use this to our advantage without adding to the stress in our
lives? The answer is to impose our own deadlines. When we set the
timeframe, we thus dictate the pace at which we operate. This gives
us control over the situation while relieving the pressure that
others (people or institutions) put on us.

Procrastination
tends to happen until a deadline is set. If there is no deadline, we
will put something off forever. Is there anything around the house
that you were meaning to fix for the past few years (or decades)? In
these situations, implement a self-imposed deadline to finish the
activity. Commit to having it done by that date. Act as if your
life depended on getting it done. Suddenly, you will find the time
to do it.

If
a deadline already exists, the way to control the situation is to
create your own deadline ahead of the other one. This allows for
some leeway in case of something unforeseen. The pressure is
lessened since it is you applying it rather than someone or something
outside of yourself. Naturally, be aware of the desire to
procrastinate because you realize that your deadline is not the
"real" one. Again, approach the activity as if your life
depended upon getting it done by that date you set. You will quickly
see yourself getting more done with less stress.

Procrastination: The Silent Killer

2007-09-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

In my studies of human development, I
found that procrastination destroys more things than any other single
element. If this habit gets out of control, it ruins marriages,
careers, relationships, and self worth. Over time, it has the
capability to grow until it completely paralyzes an individual. The
effect equally devastates the people doing the procrastinating and
all others around them.

Everyone procrastinates to a certain
degree. It is a natural human tendency to put some things off,
especially those activities we deem negative. Where this habit
becomes a problem is when it becomes the default mindset. As
children, we are inclined to do things the moment that we think of
them. The "do it now" mentality is prevalent. The concept of
time is not well formed, thus the child lives completely in the
moment. Of course, as we age, this all changes.

As we mature, we learn certain
lessons. These lessons are taught in a variety of ways. However,
the overall message is that responsible people do a lot of things
they do not enjoy. To show us how this work, most of us are given
chores to do while growing up. Tasks such as mowing the lawn, taking
out the garbage, setting the table, and doing the dishes suddenly are
assigned to us. Naturally, the desire to go out and play is stronger
than the will to do these things. The reason is playing is fun while
chores are not. It is in this way that many of us encounter our
first opportunity to procrastinate,

Obviously there is a vast difference
between putting off the mowing of the lawn and not paying the
electric bill. Yet, when we follow the progression of this deadly
habit, we clearly see how one arrives at this destination. We simply
do not start out as procrastinators. However, as the unenviable
tasks that require our attention mount in our lives, we begin to put
more and more off. It starts with the lawn. From there we develop
the practice of leaving our school assignments until the night before
they are due. This action is duplicated when given a project in the
workplace. Some of us even revel in the reputation that we gain as
being able to complete things at the last moment. Unfortunately,
many of us realize that procrastination creates a great deal of
stress in our lives.

Procrastination is a habit. Like all
other habits, it becomes ingrained in us over time. The more we
engage in it, the deeper it spreads it roots. It is not uncommon for
procrastination to completely dominate someones thought process.
Instead of having a do it now mentality, the default mindset is to
put the activity off. "Later" and "tomorrow" are commonly
uttered responses when questioned about the task being avoided.

There are two factors that drive us to
procrastinate. When simple activities are put off, laziness is the
motivator. Basically, we do not want to do it. We can complete the
tasks with ease yet just cannot seem to motivate ourselves to do it.
Fortunately, this is usually a short lived situation. Once the
motivation to act returns, the activity is quickly completed.

The other motivator is fear. Most
situations where procrastination is present is based out of this
emotion. When confronted with a task, we project into the future
negatively. Our mind focuses upon how everything will not work out
for us. This creates a degree of fear. When it is great enough, we
start to put the action off. This will occur until the pain of
putting it off is greater than the pain associated with taking the
action.

Repeating this scenario is what causes
us to be paralyzed by procrastination. At first, only the most
difficult of tasks are avoided. However, as the habit develops, we
default to the idea of putting things off. When this point is
reached, the individual is most likely unaware of the severity of the
procrastination. It is operating at a subconscious level. The
result is the inability to take the action necessary to move forward.
While this persists, the quality of life decreases as all areas
become infected with this tendency.

Awareness is the beginning of the
overcoming of this tragic habit. Monitor those areas where you have
a tendency to procrastinate to bring a level of consciousness to your
shortcomings, Then take action to complete the task in spite of what
your mind is telling you. It is the key to success.

A Journal is the Chronicle of the Paths Your Thoughts Take

2007-09-12T13:45:00.015-07:00

Looking at the two words Journal and Journey, it occurs to me that a journal is the chronicle of the paths your thoughts take. Since the path our lives take is greatly affected by our thoughts, it can be extremely useful to take a look at what those thoughts are and where they are going.

I have come up with a method of what I call directed journaling that I have been using for some time now, and it has helped me a great deal in defining and reaching my goals, as well as being a great tool for self discovery and making lasting life changes.

Directed Journaling

I have been writing journals off and on since childhood, and found different things to be useful at different times, depending on what I set out to accomplish. Non-directed journaling is fine if you don't have a specific goal in mind. It can be very useful for self-exploration. In Julia Cameron's, "The Artist's Way" she talks about doing "the morning pages," three hand written pages, done first thing in the morning. (More on that next issue.) That got me started journaling again a few years ago.

Then I read "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach, and she has a wonderful thing called a gratitude journal, where you write down three things you are grateful for every evening before you go to bed. We live in the richest country in the world, yet we tend to spend so much of our time complaining and wanting what we don't have. It is incredible what thinking about what we have to be grateful for will do for your outlook on life. I believe this was my first real foray into directed journaling, and I have incorporated that idea into my own version.

From there I have experimented with several ideas from different places. Goal setting exercises often tell you to review your goals daily, so that was incorporated. To do lists are always useful, so that went into the pot as well. Over time I have come up with a set of daily exercises I have found to be very useful, so here they are.

Gratitudes Minimum 5

Goals and Dreams 3-5

Challenges and obstacles 3-5

Steps towards Goals 3-5

Accomplishments and Achievements Minimum 5

One thing learned and one good idea Minimum 1 ea.

Source for inspiration for the day Minimum 1 for 10-15 minimum

Gratitudes Minimum 5

Gratitudes are all of the things we are grateful for on our lives. Often we get so involved in all of the things we don't have that we don't remember to look around us to see the great things already within our reach. In writing down at least five things I am grateful for every day, I remind myself what a wonderful life this really is. These are the things that help me get through my day, the reasons I work hard, the things and people that I love. Writing down my gratitudes gives me a sense of well-being and purpose. It has changed my life for the better.

Goals and Dreams 3-5

Goals and Dreams are the places we want to be and the changes we want to make in our lives. I will have a more complete goal setting exercise in another issue. For now think of 5 things you want to change or bring into your life. They can be small things or great changes. Anything from performing at an open mike at the local pub to achieving financial freedom. Make them something you really want to do or be, and something you are willing to work for. Now choose one or more of these to do something about this week and use it or them for the next part.

Challenges and obstacles 3-5

Challenges and obstacles are anything that stands between you and your goals. Sometimes the greatest part of a challenge is actually defining what the challenge really is. Often we worry about things that have little or no chance of occurring. Sometimes the challenge is simply acknowledging our feelings and moving through them anyway. Other times the first challenge is just figuring out where to start. If you have a goal of learning a new skill, a challenge might be not knowing where to learn it.

Steps Towards Goals 3-5

Now find three to five steps to move you towards one or more of our goals to do today. That's right, today! (Or tomorrow if you choose to do your journaling at night.) These could be as small as finding out where and when the open mikes happen in your area to getting your resume up to date if you have decided to change jobs. If your goal was to learn a new skill then maybe you could go online or stop by your local community college or university and find out if they have classes that relate to what you would like to learn. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Large or small, start taking those steps in your own journey towards the things you really want to be doing in your life.

Accomplishments and Achievements Minimum 5

One of the things we often forget is to acknowledge the things we have done. So many times we work hard for something, then set our sites on a new goal without really spending the time to appreciate the goal we have just achieved. This can make us depressed and make motivating ourselves difficult. After all, what good is working hard to reach a goal if all it means is more work towards another goal further out? So celebrate your accomplishments, large and small. Did you make that call yesterday to find out about those classes you wanted to take? Good for you! Give yourself a pat on the back. Got that promotion you have been working so hard for? That requires a real celebration! So take the time to reflect every day on your progress. Sometimes we have no idea how far we have come until we look back at the path we have walked, one step at a time.

If you are just starting these exercises or can't think of five things you did yesterday (or today), think about some of your accomplishments of the past. Relive a time when you felt great about yourself or reached a goal you really had to work for. These can help motivate you towards the goals you set today.

One Thing Learned Minimum 1

Write down one thing you learned today, from a book, at work, from listening to tapes in your car, from a loved one at home. Everyone should learn at least one thing worth writing down every day. I think most of us do, but then we forget them again. Take one thing from your day that you don't want to lose and write it down. If you can't think of something from today or yesterday, write down one thing you remember being a bib "Ah ha!" when you did learn it.

One Good Idea Minimum 1

This can be something you got from someone else or a great idea of your own. If the idea is someone else's, write why it is important and what it means to you. If it is your own idea, spend a little time to play with it. Can you think of a way to use this idea today? Is it something that could make your work a little easier or your home life a little better? Is it something you can do right now, or is it an idea that changes how you see things? Is there someone you think might also benefit from this idea?

Source for inspiration for the day Minimum 1 for 10-15 minimum

Write down one book you will read or tape you will listen to that you feel will be a source of inspiration for your day, something to lift you above the daily grind for a few minutes and take you to a place where you feel you can be anything you wish to be. Try to carry that feeling all day long. 10-15 minutes of inspiration each morning can change your life. Try it.

I have heard several personal development gurus say that in five years you will be exactly who and what you are today except for two things: The books you read and the people you associate with. (Books on tape count, too) Think about a book or a person who changed your life. Sometimes it was the whole book or a long association, sometimes it was just one conversation or idea that made some kind of light go off in your own head and heart that changed everything. Make a point to spend at least a few minutes every day reading a good book, something really inspirational. Try a biography of someone you admire, or something on personal development. Go explore your local library.

Another great idea is what Zig Ziglar calls Automobile University. Listening to tapes in the car to and form work is a great way to improve your education and get inspiration and motivation without using time that is already earmarked for other things. Again, your local library will likely have some tapes available, and as you discover presenters you really like you can start to create and expand your own library. So take some time to expand your horizons today, and record a little of what you find in your journal.

A Journal is the Chronicle of the Paths Your Thoughts Take

2007-09-12T13:45:00.013-07:00

Directed Journaling

Gratitudes Minimum 5

Goals and Dreams 3-5

Challenges and obstacles 3-5

Steps towards Goals 3-5

Accomplishments and Achievements Minimum 5

One thing learned and one good idea Minimum 1 ea.

Source for inspiration for the day Minimum 1 for 10-15 minimum

Gratitudes Minimum 5

Goals and Dreams 3-5

Challenges and obstacles 3-5

Steps Towards Goals 3-5

Accomplishments and Achievements Minimum 5

One Thing Learned Minimum 1

One Good Idea Minimum 1

Source for inspiration for the day Minimum 1 for 10-15 minimum

Child Mind, Subconscious Mind

2007-09-12T13:45:00.011-07:00

Many people will tell you that your subconscious mind is like a computer- you can program it by repeating certain words and it will do exactly what you want it to do.

That is great as far as it goes, but the analogy is not quite correct. The subconscious mind is more like a very precocious 7 year old child, and treating it as such will get you farther, faster than the old computer method. To explain why, let me show you the computer method first.

A computer takes in data and does exactly what it is told. The subconscious computer model says that your subconscious works in exactly the same way, except that it has so many different programs running that they sometimes conflict. With this model, what you must do is keep saying the things you want to program it with over and over again until those programs as stronger than the old tapes you want to lose. There are specific words that work better than others, and certain types of phrasing is better.

This is all correct. The best ways to program the subconscious are to use present tense, positive language, and if you learn about NLP (Nero-Linguistic Programming) or some of the other specific methods they will explain more about what words and phrases to use.

All of those methods will tell you similar things. One of those is that the subconscious doesn't understand negatives. I had a very hard time with this until one of my friends explained it this way: The subconscious doesn't really work in words, it works in pictures. So if you say, "Don't think of the Pink Elephant in the living room," what happens? You immediately get a picture of a pink elephant in your living room, stepping on your coffee table and eating the roses you just bought.

That is fine as far as it goes, but there is a little piece missing. I know that if you tell a child, (or an adult for that matter,) "I don't think you're so great. You're not somebody special. You'll never be a great person." That child does not hear, "I think you're so great. You're somebody special. You'll be a great person." So why doesn't' that work?

The missing part here is that the subconscious does work in pictures, AND it also hears emotion. A dog or cat may not understand every word you say, but they also get clues form your body language and your tone of voice. If you are loving up on your pet and crooning lovingly, "You are the ugliest pet in the whole wide world, you know that?" what your pet understands is the tone of voice and your gentle hands, not the actual words you use.

Your subconscious understands both, to some degree. That is why I suggest you think of it as a very clever 7 year old. It doesn't necessarily catch every word, because it does think in images. Yet if you think about your memories, you can remember things in different ways. You remember smells, tone of voice, colors, feelings, textures, backgrounds, all sorts of things. This is the way your subconscious works.

This is why the gurus say that when you set a goal you should think about how it will feel to achieve it, what you will be wearing, where you will be, what you will hear, ect. The more vivid you can make the image for your subconscious, the more likely it will be to take on that programming and work to get you what you want.

That is also why it sometimes seems difficult to re-program that same subconscious. Just reading new affirmations twice a day doesn't counteract the 15,000 (yes, fifteen thousand) words per minute that is our personal self-talk. You have "tapes" or thoughts running through your mind at 15,000 words/images per minute, repeating the things your subconscious has been programmed to thing about.

Trying to change these by reading affirmations twice a day is like using car breaks to stop a fully loaded locomotive. You can do it, but it takes a long time, and you can only do it if you turn the locomotive off first. If you have a battle between your conscious will and your subconscious programming, the subconscious will win every time.

So how do you change your thinking? How do you change this roaring locomotive? First, you don't try to stop it. There is no way to quiet your mind completely, although meditation and/or prayer can help a great deal. You can however change the train's direction, and that is what we really want to accomplish, anyway, right?

Those affirmations are an important part of that. Carefully chosen words that begin the reprogramming. But make it more than words. When you say them, mean them. Feel them. Tell yourself you are good, and say it with all your heart.

Affirmations need to be in the present tense. If you say, "I will be a millionaire," your subconscious hears that s something that might happen in the future, and it doesn't really pay attention. If you say, "I want to be a millionaire" then you will WANT to be one all your life. If you want to get your subconscious mind on the same page with your true desires, then the best affirmation might be, "I am a millionaire." This tells your subconscious mind exactly what state you believe you should be in, and it will do it's best to create that reality.

This won't work if you feel like you are lying to yourself, because every time you say, "I am a millionaire" your inner voice will say, "No, you're not. You are poor, you have always been poor, and you will always be poor." Some people can see and believe in a future that isn't here yet well enough to say, "I am a millionaire" with a straight face, and it works. If one of your affirmations is, "I am a millionaire" and you can't mean it because you aren't one yet, you can say, "I am becoming a millionaire, and will be one by _____." This still gives the subconscious a clear directive without feeling like you are lying.

So how do you talk to your precocious 7 year old subconscious? Do you yell at her? Do you give him confusing (and confused) commands? Do you let them play negative tapes all day long?

Jus for this week, pretend you are up for the parent of the subconscious child award, and think about what you want your inner mind listening to, and what you want it saying to and about you. If you catch yourself complaining, or saying things always go wrong, stop yourself and tell yourself that things go right for you much more often than the times they don't. What you tell yourself to do, you do. So what are you telling yourself these days?

LA Gangs, Violence, Education, and Excuses

2007-09-12T13:45:00.009-07:00

Gang members need to escape from their "black hole" mentality, focus on bettering themselves within the existing school system, get professional help if they are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and tap into the resources that are available at local social service agencies so that they can rise out of their violent lifestyle.

Gang Violence

I recently read an article on a blog entitled "Crime and Poverty" by Matthew Yglesias that discussed gang violence in Los Angeles. One of the main points made by Mr. Yglesias was that a better school system will not stop certain tactics used by gang members for recruitment. Building on this theme, I think that something besides "more education" is needed in to significantly reduce the gang violence in LA. Sure, more education would possibly help but what about the educational opportunities that currently exist?

Are Gangs A Black Hole?

One commenter on Mr. Yglesias' blog made the following statement: "gangs are a black hole that sucks everything around them in, but that those who are in them do so because they have no other options." How accurate is this statement? Do all LA teens get sucked into gangs? Do local LA churches, social service agencies, the police, and recreation centers all get sucked into the gang's black hole? Are there really "no options" for gang members?

Lots of Excuses

I am not trying to minimize what's going on in Los Angeles regarding gang violence but it seems to me that a lot of excuses and a lot of quitting are also taking place in the streets of LA. What's stopping the teens in LA from learning something of value in school? Doesn't anyone from LA ever graduate from high school and go to college? What are the gang members' parents doing to help change the current situation? Speaking of parents, don't the parents of gang members have some responsibility in the mess that has been created? For the sake of argument, even if the parents of most gang members are divorced or separated, does this mean that children of all broken homes are destined for failure?

Poor Coping Skills

It sounds like a lot of teens in LA have terrible coping skills and are also copping out big time. When facing adversity, some people gravitate toward the quick fix, the easy way out, and to the course of least resistance while others refuse to give in, focus on positive goals, and roll up their sleeves and get to work on something productive. LA's gang violence is a striking example of what happens when people fail to look to the legitimate and traditionally accepted vehicles for advancement and mobility and instead look at "phony" and highly glorified "options."

Indeed, when teens look to self-centered sports figures, gangster rappers, thugs, criminals, and drug dealers for "guidance" that will be instrumental in their "career decisions" instead of staying in school and actually learning a trade or a skill that will lead to an honest, fulfilling living, what kind of "fallout" is to be expected? What kind of neighborhood will result?

Let's Muddy the Waters With Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

The aforementioned analysis of gang behavior was undertaken without bringing up another important consideration: until now, not one word has been mentioned about gang behavior and drug and alcohol abuse. Would it surprise anyone to learn that the teens who make up the LA gangs are heavily involved in alcohol abuse and drug addiction?

Conclusion

Gang violence is a complex phenomenon that needs to be addressed from a number of avenues. For instance, parents of gang members need to learn better parenting skills and gang members need to learn better coping skills. Gang members and their parents also need to quit making excuses and copping out and start taking responsibility for the deplorable living conditions they have created and perpetuated. In addition, gang members need to take advantage of the resources that are available at local social service agencies to help them rise above their violent lifestyles.

Furthermore, gang members need career counseling so that they can learn something in school that is concrete, doable, financially rewarding, and worthy of their hope for a more productive and meaningful life after they graduate. And finally, to the extent that gang members abuse alcohol and/or drugs, they need professional help if they are to avoid a lifetime of unhealthy and destructive consequences.

The Power of Persistence

2007-09-12T13:45:00.007-07:00

A little boy has just been given a new bike by his
parents. That boy has never been on one before. But he really wanted to ride
one. So naturally he practices. The boy falls numerous times. He even scraped
his knees on the pavement. The mother seeing her child like that wanted him to
stop. But the little boy refused to do so. He practiced all the way to the
afternoon and by the end of the day, he was dirty and scraped in several
places. But the boy did learn how to ride and that was more than enough reward
for his persistence.

The power of persistence can definitely take you a long
way. Never giving up despite being in the face of so many difficulties is a
remarkable trait in a person. Most people lose heart after two or perhaps three
failures. Some even give it up even after just failing once. But what everyone
must remember is that failure is part of life. Success would not taste as sweet
if a person cannot experience failure. So instead of giving up, provide
yourself with power within and tough it out. Be persistent in reaching your
goals.

As for the goals you set, make sure they are not something
that could hurt anybody. Persistence in your part can be bad if you get to step
on others. But if it is a goal worth fighting for not only for your sake then
face all the challenges head on. The power of persistence can provide you with
greater riches and that is wealth within. Life is not all about sailing
smoothly; instead it is all about rough waters and storms. But it is not all
that bad. Well, it would be if you give up easily! But if you persevere, there
is always a reward for you. Things may not work out exactly the way you want
but it will work out.

Inner strength is needed for a person to become
persistence. This strength is all about having confidence in yourself and in
your abilities no matter what other people say. However you must also learn to
recognize your limitations and mistakes and accept all of them. This way you
can find some way to work around it and conquer all your limitations. There are
many paths to happiness but not one of them is giving up. Yes there are times
that you may have to stop what you are doing to achieve your goals but this
does not mean you cannot reach your goals.

Truly the power of persistence is great. Far are the
distances you could reach and high are the goals you can achieve. Stay strong
always, be brave, and do not lose heart in the face of failures and seemingly
impossible challenges. Life is not only about reaching a destination but also
about having fun along the journey. Challenges and failures are actually there
to make you stronger. So go on with life and persist!

Creating the Right Environment

2007-09-12T13:45:00.005-07:00

"No man is an island." You have probably heard this saying
at one time or another. It may be such a clich� but it is true. Every person,
no matter how introverted, still reacts with others. The truth is, every person
cannot just live alone, no matter what he does. And because people interact
with others, these people around him affect what kind of person he is. In fact,
the whole environment of a person has an effect to his character. But mostly
though, it's the other people around that influence the character of each
individual.

Unfortunately, bad things can come out of this. If a child
grows in a sleazy neighborhood, chances are that child will grow to be up to no
good. This is not a generalization though, but it is a most likely situation.
If a person works in a highly stressful environment, chances are he or she will
be irritable and snappish. Fortunate are those who live in a warm and loving
environment.

This does not mean though that if you live in a
not-so-ideal environment, you cannot do something about it. If you really want
to be happy in life, work towards creating the right environment. Know the
people you interact with. Improve your inner strength by recognizing those
people that bring you down and stay away from them. If they make you behave
badly and against your beliefs, try reaching out and make them see the harm of
their actions. But if you cannot help then you better stay clear of them before
you cast away your morals entirely.

Friends are important aspects in life. However, if they
hurt you or make you do things that hurt others, then they are not really your
friends, are they? Friends are there to help you as you would help them. They
are there to share with the fun but also with the pains and challenges. If they
dessert you during hard times, then they are not worth your attention.

Creating the right environment does not only mean having
the right company. It also includes having the right space. Take your house,
for example. If it is messy, smelly, and disorderly in general, some negativity
will surely affect your character. But as mentioned, there are things you can
do to remedy this. Make sure you live in a clean environment, in a space where
it is healthy both for the body and mind. If your work is seriously bothering
you then do your best to make that environment good for you. If that would not
work, then maybe you should seriously consider finding another work place.

But probably the most important point here is that
creating the right environment starts with one's self. Be a person that is good
towards others because you too are an influence for other people. Believe in
yourself and be positive. Life is not that bad, and it would be even better if
you do your best to make it so. Create the right environment!

Transforming the Kundalini of the world

2007-09-12T13:45:00.003-07:00

KEYWORDS: divine serpent power subtle Savitri heat light cosmos life creation propagate transform Chakras Kundalini religious rite supermen Sidhas radiance destruction selfish success soul awakening curse boon ego experiment pervasive infinite world welfare duality Advaita sensitivity desire peace brotherhood trying circumstances austerities lowliness era eternal existence Rishi energy mountain sky ancient time blind tradition belief unethical homeopathy medicine calamities

Kundalini (Divine Serpent Power) is a subtle power of Savitri which despite being all pervasive does not manifest so that one can worship it. One gross and ordinary use of Savitri Mahashakti is made in the form of heat and light. Its extraordinary usage is in creation of life. The seed principle of Savitri Shakti of the cosmos is present in the human body too. Like the 7 Chakras, 7 Dhatus, 7 Jihvas, 7 Gargs, 7 Bhuvans, 7 Ashwas, 7 Shakti flows is also understood as the 7 coloured 7 horses of the sun. With its aid the world is created, propagated and transformed.

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According to well known news through the medium of various spiritual practices only a special individual's Kundalini is awakened and with his will power, vital force can perform such tasks which can never be easily accomplished via bodily power and religious rites. In the human body there are so many infinite seed principles which when evolved can make man extraordinary. They are counted as Sidhas, Supermen, powerhouse of radiance and the very root basis of curse/boons. They perform such gigantic tasks that they can only be executed by a divine human being. Within tasks of creation and destruction he acts in such a way that it can only be called amazing.

All this was regarding individual success. Ordinarily selfishness in man always overflows. He only thinks of his own egoistic glory, merriment, daring and fame. Heaven and salvation too comes under this category. By giving curses/ boons one only augments and satisfies one's ego. In this manner Kundalini awakening amongst well known experiments comes under the banner of individual advancement only.

A coordinated Kundalini awakening is a high levelled experiment of the soul. Over here the spiritual aspirant's ego (I) does not remain narrow and limited but becomes all pervasively infinite. Whatever he does or thinks can only lead to world welfare. He also has ripened his attitude of "world is my soul" and "world is my family" and thus will utilize all his desires for world welfare only. He has nothing left with him to call his own. He who has merged duality into Advait (non-duality) has merged the lowly into the high, has converted desires into sensitivity and will think and act for world well being only. He has only one desire and that is to see blooming flowers and luscious fruits of peace and brotherhood in this garden called the world.

Whenever Devarshi Narad approached Lord Vishnu he asked only one question and that was when would worldly trying circumstances turn peaceful? The Rishis desire is "Kama ya dukha taptanam praninam artanashanam". Austerities of generous hearted saints are only for others' (world's) well being. Lowliness is ancient. It is because of the past gloomy era that man has become selfish. It was during these times that the soul spiritual practices and attainments were for satisfying individual selfish desires. Today in the area of Sidhis desires take the form of narrow mind selfishness. But one should never think that it is the be all and end all of life. Maybe as an exception, spirituality and cosmic welfare activities are alive today and even now it gives us a glimpse of its eternal existence.

In the past 3 years while taking note of the present circumstances, all the special spiritual practices executed in Shantikunj, Haridwar (India) can be called activation of national and world Kundalini (Divine Serpent Power). The radiance of fire is greatest near its vicinity. Over and above this greater the distance lesser is its heat experienced. In the same way the re-awakening of the ancient Rishi energy is taking place at Haridwar (India) near the Saptadhara area. Its influence on the nation from the viewpoint of proximity will be seen greatly and rapidly. But as the distance augments so will the influence be perceived slowly but surely. The first rays of sunrise are seen in water. In the beginning its glimpse is first seen on the peaks of mountains and upper branches of trees. Then slowly its light radiates everywhere. It spreads in the entire sky and from mountain peaks it spreads to the flat plains below. In the same way that Kundalini Mahaprajna which has been activated in these 3 years will be first seen in India. And slowly but surely it will later spread in the entire world. The transformation that will take place because of its influence will be seen in various fields in various ways. This is just not a possibility but is a definite fact. In ancient times the awakening of the world's and country's Kundalini had been achieved by Vishwamitra. Even at that time there was a total transformation of the universe. All circumstances too had transformed for the better. And henceforth this is exactly what is going to happen. The Ganges water is today being cleaned by the Govt. of India using a lot of money. Even the dirt at the base of the Manasi Ganges of Govardhan is being removed and it is being refilled with new, clean water. In the same way now is the time for us to overcome all undesirable elements in the world so as to thoroughly purify it. Our aim of Kundalini activation is for making the world live an idealistic life and is not limited to just a few individuals. The world needs to be liberated from the shackles of inethics, blind beliefs, blind traditions and undesirable elements.

How will this transformation take place? The answer is that first we shall have to uproot all the dirt of the world. In fact let any discomfort come our way, yet we will march ahead in our endeavour.

Before playing with the baby on her lap a mother has to undergo birth pains while delivering her baby and at that time the blood gets heated. While cleaning a dirty gutter a foul smell spreads in all directions. When a boil is operated upon, poisonous matter is emitted. About Homeopathy medicines it is said that it first induces inner distortions of the disease to come out of the body and then it starts curing the disease from the very roots. Before constructing a building one has to lay a firm foundation base deep down in the ground. Before dyeing cloth into various hues it has first to be cleaned thoroughly. This very activity is seen in the beginning days before the nationwide and worldwide Kundalini is activated. Without uprooting distortions, hatred, materialism, arrogance, vile ethics, bad thoughts one can never establish new thinking. Hence if in the beginning days there is some destruction witnessed, understand that a potter is first wetting the mud, battering it with a stick and with his legs is trampling it. And over and above, it gives the mud a shape of a pot on a rotating wheel. Later he also bakes the pots in hot furnaces. In neo creation of this era this very method is being utilized so as to bring about a worldwide transformation. None should despair when they see destructions and calamities in the world.

Whenever a Vaidyaraj makes priceless medicines he over and above crushing the herbs with a mortar and pestle also heats them in blazing fire. This activity seems as though the herbs are being pounded to pulp yet its results are extremely beneficial. This is the first leg of a bright future. Before a seed becomes a tree it has to rot in the ground, after that it becomes a sapling and then turns into a blooming tree bearing flowers and fruits. By removing past undesirable traditions of today's world one will have to remould it in such a way that one will get a direct vision of human glory.

Due to the onset of monsoons one sees dirt everywhere. Due to wind and rain hutments are shattered and huge buildings are razed to the ground. But in a very short time dry river beds are filled with rain water. The fields of farmers bloom with greenery everywhere. That time will correspond to the 21^st century wherein one will see culture, advancement and glory of the entire world. The last 13 years of the 20^th century will be full of strife and calamities. During monsoons, the walls of fields break up and there are flooding of rivers, streams etc. One should understand that the last 13 years of the 20^th century were of this sort wherein dark clouds gathered in the sky, where lightning terrorized one and all and undesirable events occurred. But ultimately the dark gloomy clouds only result in good future times. Every dire situation can only give good results later.

Man works in the world. And its reaction has to be faced always. But the divine law is totally different. In it first an atmosphere is created. And thus creatures, individuals and objects are influenced by it. At their own apt time cold, heat, monsoons create their own atmosphere. One can easily see the influence of autumn and spring season. Era transformation too can be understood as a divine activity akin to seasonal changes. Here the invisible subtle atmosphere plays a major role. In it both the inert and conscious principles get affected.

The influence of the awakening of the national and world Kundalini Shakti (Divine Serpent Power) will be seen when it influences inert matter, creatures, men and circumstances. Soil will become more fertile, mineral ores will augment along with the proportion of its excavation. Mineral ores will be much more in weight than what man actually requires. There will never be a lack of crude oil. Chemicals will be available in huge amounts. Human beings will not have to toil hard to grow trees, herbs etc. Due to movements in Mother Nature they will grow on their own. There will be no dearth of waterways. The herbs of forests like ancient time will again be so priceless that it will help in cures of various illnesses. Useful creatures will be on the rise and will live for a long while. Those creatures that are dangerous will not proliferate greatly and they will barely be able to save their lives. Minerals will augment in water and thus will overcome pollution. Dirt will decrease and purity will be on the rise. Natural calamities will be very rare. Due to Mother Nature becoming conducive, natural calamities like floods, famines, cyclones, typhoons etc will decrease.

Of course, man's form will remain the same as is seen today. Yet in the 21^st century his inner personality at the level of the soul and psyche will be greatly transformed. Everyone will detest vile habits and the layman will never get influenced by it. They will never side with looting, crime, illegal activities, smuggling, harshness etc. When in the majority there will be an overflow of pious character, action, good nature and gentlemanliness, vile people will never misbehave and thus will fail to succeed in wicked activities. Mosquitos, flies proliferate in dirt and muck. Illegal activities and crime rates increase only when they are not firmly obstructed. When at every step it will face obstructions, objections, opposition etc., how can it ever succeed? When gentlemanly behaviour will be on the rise, vile behaviour can never raise its hood nor even dare misbehave.

People will be full of trust, independence and hard work. Hence there is no reason why situations like poverty, lack of materials etc can prevail. If man's hardworking nature and wisdom augments, why would he face a lack in any field of life? If generosity proliferates, people will take another's sorrow on their own shoulders and share their joy with others. Thus none will take revenge in anger nor will hurt anyone.

When individual selfishness and harshness proliferate it leads to imperialism, colonialism, oppression, harassment etc. along with other vile activities. As a result wars ensue and infinite people die. In reality individual egoism leads to mass destruction. In war both parties get defeated and they get into such a shattered state that they can only feebly manage to exist. As long as the fury of wars exist till then it seems as though we are invincible. But when the war fury dies down, one realizes that it was nothing but suicide. When discrimination dawns in our minds we realize that difference of opinions could be solved via dialogue or through judicial commissions. Maybe the final result could mean a loss for one party yet it is definitely more beneficial than war trauma. When this realization shall dawn in the psyche of all humans then never will there be small battles or gigantic wars.

There is so much power in human hard work along with wisdom that if it is used for creative purposes, so many material comforts can be produced. With its usage man can attain the bliss, culture and all round beauty of demi-gods. When this earth will abound with individuals treading on the path of ethics, only then will we see glory and comforts akin to heaven.

In the coming days we will definitely see such an atmosphere. Its foundation stone is being laid down by that means which is called awakening of the worldwide Kundalini Shakti (Divine Serpent Power) and in the past 3 years it has been achieved via intense austerities.

At the time of transformation heavenly circumstances will persist like Ram's rule (or Ram Rajya). It will be very appropriate to call it "Return of the Golden Age i.e. Satyug".

Wedding Gown Therapy

2007-09-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

It had been a bad hair month, "said Beth Grading. "I had been passed over for a promotion, my best friend got a great job in San Francisco and I had a string of �no where dates'. "I felt so goofy that my bad mood lifted. I loved pacing up and down the stairs. "Studies show that visual cues can affect your emotions. If you add laughter to the mix you have a powerful combination.." Says Eli Davidson, M.A. author of Funky to Fabulous: Creating the Life You Want, Not the One You Are Stuck With (Oak Grove Press).Trot to your local thrift store or consignment store and buy wedding gown (or if that gives you the heebie geebies buy a second hand ball gown). If you have a task you dread (like cleaning your oven or preparing your taxes) put on your handy wedding gown. Your mood can't help but lift.

It's hard to take yourself as seriously when you are walking around with a six foot train of silk trailing behind you. Changing your clothes into celebration wear automatically boosts your mood.

It is a Pattern Interrupt Technique founded in the principles of Neuro Linguistic Programming. You can disrupt a bad mood by giving yourself a cheerful cue by putting on some celebration wear.

Change Your Outfit-Change Your Outlook
A wedding gown may not be the perfect thing to slip into at the office. By slipping into a different pair of shoes, or changing into a vibrant sweater, you are short circuiting a negative pattern. "By taking dominion over your behavior even in a simple act like putting on some lipstick, you are giving yourself a new cue." suggests Eli Davidson. "If I am having a dizzing day , I will go home at lunch and change my clothes. I come back to the office refreshed and redirected. ." Says Barbara Holden of Austin, Texas.
That new signal overrides the existing one and reminds you that you are the one that determines your mood. You can then more easily direct yourself in a more positive direction.

Color Me Happy
Keep an item close that is the color of happiness? Color is a powerful unconscious motivator. It is one of our fastest signaling systems. Green on the grass is great. Green growing on your hamburger is gross. Think of your favorite color and your mood will improve. "I love having tea in my orange and turquoise mug that my niece Elena made." said consultant Since there is a powerful link between color behavior and mood keeping a "happy color" close you can help short circuit your stressors.

Get Goofy
100 laughs are equal to 10 minutes of aerobics. Have some silly wear handy for when you are taking yourself too seriously. "I put a ping pong table in my design studio. Ping pong makes me giggle. Laughing makes me more creative." Olia Toporovsky of New York City. Consider keeping a goofy pair of glasses (my current favorite) for the drive to and from work.

My �Juicer Aha� Moment

2007-09-12T13:44:00.005-07:00

A few months ago I had tea with a friend. She shared the details of her experience at a fancy spa out West which included a diet of primarily fresh- pressed juice. Looking at Teri's clear eyes and glowing radiant skin - I knew there was something to this "juicing" thing.

I did some online research of my own and Voila', a few short days later, I was soon the proud owner of a gigantic juice machine!

I juiced just about every fruit and vegetable you could think of. I made all sorts of Juice Elixirs - offering my freshly concocted and very healthy green and purple drinks to family and friends. (Hmm, somehow they weren't as excited as I was!) This was so fantastic and healthy for me, I decided to juice every day.

Well, the honeymoon phase with my juicer lasted about a month. Then my juice habit trickled down to once a week, then not at all.

What happened to the goal I was so excited about?

It fizzled because I "super-sized" my goal. In other words, I went overboard with what was reasonable and doable! Have you ever done that?

Here's the solution. In order to achieve your big important goals, be smart and create a plan that is doable AND sustainable. A plan that you can actually live with over a long period of time. Small, incremental changes can actually add up to a big, fat, gigantic return.

I hope my Juicer-Aha Moment (discovering that Juicing every day was just not a realistic and reasonable goal for me) will help you set achievable goals.

How's my Juicing situation now?

2-3 times a week is much more doable and I experience the health benefits on a consistent basis. Goal accomplished! Get "real" with yourself.

What goals do you want to achieve? Maybe it's the amount of money you'd like to earn this year... or maybe it's creating an exercise routine that that becomes part of your lifestyle instead of a short-termed phase. Use this strategy and I promise you will get better results!

The Time Diet

2007-09-12T13:44:00.003-07:00

Almost everyone I know has been on a diet in their life. Foods of all kinds, especially sweets and fast foods, abound sometimes making it tricky to eat simply and healthy.

I venture to say that this is also true with our relationship with Time. Do you use your precious time by "filling" up on meaningless information such as the latest goings on with Lindsey Lohan? It's almost impossible to have your TV on and not get sucked into it! We take in lots of information that is absolutely useless to us! I bet you know more than a few commercial products and their 'jingles'.

Here's a great idea that will take you from saying "I don't have enough time!" to "I've got plenty of time to accomplish my goals and dreams!" Here's what to do. Starting today, go on a "Time Diet" with the intention that you will cut out all those "empty calories" that are filling up your day and your mind space with clutter.

3 Quick Time Tips to Have More Time

Limit TV viewing, seriously, how many hours a day do you watch especially programs that you truly don't have an interest in? Tip: Get a Tivo and only record programs that you value and enjoy. Skip the rest.
Dramatically limit your news intake. Not to step on anyone's toes here but I can think of 3 people I know who are addicted to a particular news channel. They have it on as background all day long. How many times does one need to hear the same newsflash multiple times throughout our day? Plus, the news is generally very negative. Not so great for our mental health... Be informed, but be very discerning!
Limit excess information. Alot of business owners I know (I have done this too) feel that they have so much that they want and need to learn to upgrade their businesses and increase revenue that they sign up for every e-newsletter and Tele-Class that they hear about. Tip: Simplify your life and give yourself LOTS more wiggle room by being more focused. Decide what your main learning objectives are and stick with them! Picking 1 or 2 areas to learn more about (eg. marketing and sales) is plenty for right now!

With these simple tips in place, you'll find you've got more space in your day. This is a good thing. Use this new abundance of time focusing on what gives you a great return on your investment. Now you do have time to have lunch with a good friend or update your old web site. Yes, it's true; you can enjoy your life and accomplish your goals. It's so much easier when following the Time Diet!

A New Twist for Your �To-Do-List�A �Not-To-Do� List!�

2007-09-12T13:44:00.001-07:00

If I told you that you could be happier, wealthier and wiser today and all you needed to do was one thing. Would you do it?

I'll let you in on a secret. One of the secrets to successful living is the art "letting go". Most of us are holding onto certain things in our life, unconsciously and consciously that actually keep us from experiencing the kind of life we say we want to have.

In addition to a habit of holding onto things that no longer work for us, many of us also have a habit of doing everything ourselves. We have lots of "good" reasons for doing this, such as: I don't have the money to pay for help OR Things just don't get done unless I do them OR I have high standards and I need to do it so it gets done right.

Sounding familiar? Well, these "good reasons" for doing it yourself are actually keeping you in a holding pattern and keeping you away from the success you envision.

Not smart!

You simply cannot be your best AND give your best if you are constantly caught up in "survival mode". If you are caught in this stressful cycle of frantically attempting to accomplish all those items on your To-do list you can't possibly have the time and energy to be and give your best. I suggest you create a "Not-to-Do List".

According to the ancient art of Feng Shui which is a set of guiding principles designed to create your optimal environment, one of the most important guidelines recommends that you clear your clutter. Clearing the unnecessary clutter allows for a natural and vibrant space. Create your own "Not To Do List: this list will include all of things, activities and relationships that no longer serve our best interest personally or professionally.

In order for us to have all the delicious and exciting goals and dreams that we each have, we must make sure there is enough room for them. My challenge to all of us this month, is to do a vigorous Spring Cleaning. Make the decision let go of that which no longer serves you.

Let things go.

You can do it!

Learn to delegate to others so that you free up your precious energy. The World looks forward to experiencing you at your best!

So, what will you put on your "Not-To-Do List? What will you be letting go of?

Maybe the extra 20 pounds you gained this long winter?

Perhaps deleting club memberships that take a lot of your time and energy but don't give you something valuable in return?

Will it be letting go of "toxic" relationships that create tension in your life and in your body?

I guarantee that creating and acting on this new list of "THINGS NOT TO DO" your personal and professional life will dramatically improve!

I wish you a very cleansing and productive month ahead. Cheers and continued Success to you all!

The Salsa Lesson

2007-09-12T13:43:00.003-07:00

"It's time to start living the lives we have imagined." This quote by Henry James literally jumped off of the page and spoke to me. In my line of work, I really don't have the luxury of talking about what I want and not taking action. As a Success Coach it is important that I 'walk my talk". Sometimes it isn't easy but I wouldn't have it any other way. How would your life change if this quote became your mantra?

How about you? What dreams have you put on the back burner? What accomplishment or experience tugs at you to take action?

Recently a colleague casually invited me to come to a Latin "Salsa" night at a local dance hall. She had no idea that she was inviting me to honor a life long dream. For years I have dreamed of being able to dance well on the dance floor instead of watching others having fun from the sidelines. I had lots of legitimate reasons why I couldn't take the time to dance, I already had so much on my schedule, how could I find the time, my husband wasn't excited about the idea etc etc etc All of my excuses supported a choice I made. A choice to not fulfill a dream. All of us have excuses, don't we, that we tell ourselves when we don't move forward with our goals and dreams?

Carpe Diem. I seized the moment and responded to the opportunity that came to me. I took my first Salsa dance lesson. It wasn't pretty, yet it was wonderful! I took the first step towards a long held dream. I learned more than dance steps that evening! I discovered that dancing agreed with me. I was happier, healthier and it actually helped me in my business. I took more risks that boosted my bottom line.

My invitation to you is for you to take your dream off the back burner and make it a priority. Pump up your courage muscles and take the step forward that you KNOW you need to take. Write it down. Say it out loud. Confide in a trusted friend or mentor your commitment. Then, go do it! Please e-mail me or call me with your success experiences, I would love to hear. Keep Dreaming Big!

"It's time to start living the lives we have imagined." Henry James

A Fresh Perspective on �Time Management�

2007-09-12T13:43:00.001-07:00

It's the wonderful, beautiful month of May! Our environment suddenly "wakes up"--- trees pop their leaves, plants push themselves up and out of the ground, flowers bloom. Our "grey" landscape has become colorful, alive and vibrant. I have noticed in conversations with clients, colleagues, fellow parents and friends that our lives have suddenly "popped" too! Opportunities and events to attend are abundant. Some focus may find ourselves a bit overwhelmed with the sudden increase of activity. Aided by the increase of daylight, we cram even more then ever into our already crowded schedules fearing we may miss out if we don't do it all as it comes to us. As a wife, parents, and owner of a business, I experience this challenge firsthand. I am also committed to living my life fully yet sanely! When I experience this challenge in my life, I immediately research and seek a great solution that is practical, effective, and life enhancing. One of my new mantras is "work smarter, not harder!" Here are some excellent strategies gleaned and adapted from Robert Allen, author of "Multiple Streams of Income."

#1 Time is Money

Time management is really a myth. Time management is really self-management. How do you manage precious resources of your time? Invest your time into the actions that yield the greatest result. An hour in front of the TV could have been the hour spent enriching your relationship with your child. Determine which activities yield the desired results in your life.

#2 Feared Things First

Our to-do lists are made up of easy and difficult tasks. The tendency for many of us is to tackle the easy tings first. We feel good about ourselves as we happily check off these tasks from our list. We think that we are being efficient; the truth is that we're not! The leftover tasks that are more important, more critical, and that will give us the greatest long term results are tackled last, if at all. Exciting, important projects such as writing a book or developing your web site become a burden. These projects take more time, are more complicated, and frankly, are intimidating! It is perfectly natural to experience resistance to going out of our comfort zone. However, the real question is do you want to keep shuffling those dreams and goals from to-do list to to-do list or are you willing to do what you "fear the most" to gain the greatest benefit?

#3 Reward Yourself

Steven Covey says that our to-do lists are composed of a ratio of 80% trivial and 20% very important items. A way to create a pattern of accomplishing the "more challenging" items is to reward yourself for doing the "hard stuff" first. In psychology 101 this is referred to as "positive reinforcement." Rewarding a desired behavior creates more of the desired behavior. Very simple. I witnessed this concept with my daughter when we participated in an exhilarating, interactive experience with dolphins during our stay in Mexico. The dolphins were "coached" by their trainers and rewarded with treats of fish as they interacted with us. The dolphins were receptive and engaged in playing with us. We human participants also demonstrated this principal. Like several of us in our small group, I was a bit hesitant to interact with the dolphins. The reinforcement that kept me and the others in our group to participate fully was the absolute thrill of being with these amazing creatures. The bottom line is this: to acknowledge and reward yourself well for accomplishing those critical, important tasks will prompt you to continue the activities that give you the best long term result. A great idea, don't you think?

The Coaching Challenge:

How many ways can you leverage your time this week? Resolve to get the most of the time and energy you spend.
Be "fearless" Do the most challenging item on your to-do list first today.
Reward yourself well for doing the more challenging projects. Reinforce this great strategy often. It works!

"We spend, I am certain, half of our time among people we do not particularly like and on things that do not particularly amuse us, and consequently have no time for the people and things that really do matter to us." Alec Waugh author of "Doing What One Likes"

The Secret - A Time To Remember

2007-09-11T13:03:00.011-07:00

It was early in the evening when the phone call came.
Reaching over, I grabbed the phone and was greeted by
my cousin who lives in New York City. There was a deep
sadness in her voice as she told me that she personally
wanted to call me and invite me to the 5-year memorial
service she'd be having for her two children.

Although I have spoken with this cousin a number of
times since that tragic day, September 11th, five years
ago, it had been about 30 years since I last saw her.
My work and other time constraints made it highly
unlikely that I would be able to attend the event. And,
so, I told her that I wasn't sure that I could come,
but I'd try.

After the phone call, I dismissed the matter with the
thought that I'd send a card with beautiful words of
comfort and hope. As days went on, my thoughts were
absorbed with other things such as my writing, my
websites, my business associates, my books, my friends,
my children ....

My children? Yes, many of us who have children always
think about them and trust that they do well. Mine were
doing fine, but I still worried a bit. Someone once
told me in jest that the first 40 years of raising
children are the hardest.

Here I was, thinking of my children who were happy and
successful whereas my cousin would never see her only
two children on this Earth again. Her daughter and son
were both in their twenties and were at work at the
World Trade Center when the planes struck. What a
dreadful affair that must have been for their
mother.

And so, I decided to attend the memorial service. It
was one of the best things I ever could have done. Just
being there with friends and family members I hadn't
seen in years served as a reminder to me of what was
important in life.

Though nothing could bring back my cousin's children,
my presence and that of others brought a small degree
of comfort and hope and made it possible for her to
"keep on keeping on." I would have been selfish indeed,
had I let my work and other commitments prevented me
from making that trip.

We may not usually think that we have an effect on the
lives of others, but we would be amazed at how wrong we
could be. We do not need to make great contributions to
the world -- just small, consistent ones to those whose
lives we touch. We could help so many people by just
taking the time to listen to them, comfort them or just
bring them hope.

I am glad that I visited my cousin. I gained so much by
being there. I will never be able to understand exactly
how she feels. Nobody could really understand exactly
how someone else feels, but we could get a general
idea. If we are understanding and compassionate, we
will not only feel better about ourselves, but we may
have a tremendous, beneficial effect on those whose
lives we touch.

Lecturer, entrepreneur and MBA business consultant, John Harricharan is the author of the award-winning book, "When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat." For more information, visit: http://www.spiritual-simplicity.com http://www.vish-writer.com

The Secret - A Matter Of Time

2007-09-11T13:03:00.009-07:00

The past six weeks have been instrumental in teaching me patience. Normally, I'm a very patient person, but every once in a while an event raises its head and says, "Hold still, son, you have a lot to learn about
patience and the wonderful things that could happen when you learn the secret of waiting."

Now, I must let you know that patience has not always been my strong point. In the days of my youth, I have been known to make quite a fuss when things did not move with the speed I wanted or expected.

Much as I have overcome most of the impulse to rant and rave when things don't get done as promised, I still have vestiges of hidden pockets of impatience somewhere deep within me.

My office runs through the proper use of computers and their associated systems. Sometime over the last several weeks, my main computer ceased functioning and the manufacturer promised to fix it. What started out as a simple matter evolved into an extremely complex situation.

Every day, I spoke with the computer company and they promised that the repair would be done within days. About two weeks into the frustration, I was told that the replacement part could not be found and so they would have to give me a brand new machine. Naturally, I was delighted that I would now get a replacement with all the bells and whistles.

The promise was that within a week, the new machine would be shipped. When a week came and went without the computer arriving, I found my frustration level rising to uncommon heights. Strange visions of writing a
thousand letters to the manufacturer's corporate executives, or bashing the ailing computer with a baseball (or cricket) bat at high noon, with local and national press coverage crossed my mind.

I remembered, only too well, that an old, wise man had said that the last test of the master was overcoming impatience. But I was in no mood for masters or overcomings. The bumper sticker I saw on a car long ago
described my deepest feelings. The sticker pictured a vulture sitting on a branch of a dead tree, sweat pouring from his head. The caption read: "Patience, my ass, I want to kill somebody".

I thought of the bumper sticker and smiled. Since I had been waiting for over two weeks, one or two more days won't make much difference. But the urge to take drastic measures came back in a few days when no new computer arrived.

Many times, in a rush to get from here to there or to do this or that, we make ourselves prisoners of time. Being a prisoner of time could be as terrible as being a prisoner in a dungeon. We make ourselves prisoners of
time when all we do is rush to work, or rush here and rush there. We miss so much in life by rushing.

Somehow, the world passes us by, during our rushing and we wake up five, ten, or twenty years later and wonder where all the time has gone. Our children have grown up, our old jobs no longer exist, some of our friends have gone to another dimension and yet, the sun still rises.

If we were to slow our pace a bit and flow with the river of life, perhaps the problem would work out fine anyway. I have discovered that it is counter productive to force things to happen. It is much better to create a climate where we allow the things we want to occur.

With that in mind, I decided to let go of my attachment to outcomes. I was not going to fume and fret if my new computer did not arrive as promised. After all, I had been using my backup machines for a few weeks without undue hardship. What difference would another week or
two make, anyway?

With those thoughts, I went about doing my work. Then, a few days later, I received an email which said that my new computer was being shipped the next day. All the proper specifications for the computer were in the email. The computer would be a brand new machine with the exact specifications of the old one. I was pleased -- very, very pleased.

But the next day, when I checked the tracking information, I saw that the shipment was canceled. ARRGH!! The vision of the vulture on the bumper sticker returned with a vengeance, but I gently pushed it away.
The computer will come when it comes I murmured, and I went on with other pressing matters. I didn't even bother to call the manufacturer. I had done all I could do. Anything more would have just made me more
frustrated.

Yes, the world does speak to us in thunder tones of truth. Listen and learn and life becomes more peaceful and joyous. Ignore the voice and frustration takes over. And so it was that the next day, I checked the
tracking information again, not with the thought of getting my computer quickly, but just out of curiosity.

Imagine my surprise when I saw that my computer was shipped, but instead of sending an exact duplicate of the broken model, the company shipped me their most advanced machine that had just been released to the market a few days earlier. I would have waited a few months, if necessary, for that model. It was much more advanced than the old model I should have received. When the machine arrived, I smiled and said, "Thank you", to no one in particular.

Perhaps, it was releasing the constraint of time from my consciousness that precipitated this outcome. The universe speaks to us in many ways. Many times, like impatient children, we want what we want and we want it now. But the universe has a way of saying, "I know what you want, my child, and I know that you want it now. But if you would wait just a little while longer, I will give you something much better than what you think you want."

Strive to become free from the hustle and bustle of daily living. Release yourself from being a prisoner of time. In doing so, you'll find that things have a magical way of working themselves out and that where there's a "good" there's a "better". And where there's a "better", there's a "best". The universe wants you to have the best. Give it an opportunity to bring your "better" or "best".

Are You Building Your Foundation of Success: Six Secrets of Motivating Yourself for Success

2007-09-11T13:03:00.007-07:00

Are you creating your foundation of success? Are you motivated to take on challenges that others are not willing to do? The following is a story of someone who did and achieved great success in his life and how you can, too!

There once was a young man who grew up in Crawford, Mississippi. His father worked as a brick mason building home foundations. Everyday after school and during the summers, this young man would help his father build foundations. It's not the most glamorous job by any stretch of the imagination, but it's an honest, backbreaking, and low paying job that put food on the table and paid the bills. The father would start by throwing bricks towards the son in the area where they would build a housing foundation. Under the hot, sweltering Mississippi sun, his son would catch brick after brick with his hands, day after day. While most other kids were enjoying their summers or working in less strenuous jobs, this young man was motivated to work long and hard with his father, while catching those bricks and building a foundation for success in more ways than one.

You see, each time that young man caught bricks, he was not only making his hands stronger, he was building character and the foundation for success in his later years. With each brick he caught, he was even more determined to be successful in life. When he wasn't helping his father and going to school, he was pushing himself through football workouts to be better than any other football player. You see the young man's name is Jerry Rice, and he went on to become the most successful NFL All-Pro wide receiver of all time with the San Francisco 49ers. Some of you non-football fans may know him as a contestant from the television program, "Dancing with the Stars."

The following are the six success secrets that Jerry Rice used that can easily motivate you to achieve success in any aspect of your business, career, and life:

Motivate Yourself to See Opportunities in Every Challenge
Jerry could have looked at the job of catching bricks as a chore that was a waste of his time. But he saw the big picture and made the chore more enjoyable by developing games out of the activities. Many times in life, we are thrown bricks and complain and miss the opportunity it presents to us. The person who can find solutions in the challenges they are faced with can write their own ticket for success. When you take on a challenge, it's preparing you for an opportunity in the future. You may not know when the opportunity is coming, how it is coming, or what the opportunity will look like, but it is coming; and will you be prepared? Embrace your challenges so you will be prepared.

Motivate Yourself to See That It's Normal to Experience a Little Pain
As Jerry was experiencing the pain of catching bricks each day, this pain was actually building him to becoming a stronger person. Each brick was fueling Jerry's internal desire to be successful. Think of some situation at work, in business, or in life that was painful. Your pain may be an embarrassing moment, it may be a learning experience, and it may be a setback. How can you use this setback to motivate you to become more successful? We achieve success in our businesses, careers, and life when we develop the success tools of using our "pains" as a learning experience and a springboard to success.

Motivate Yourself to Take on Unpopular Tasks
Catching bricks all day is not the most glamorous job in the world. Many times we are thrown bricks in life and avoid them like the plague. Volunteer to catch these bricks while others decline. This will allow people of influence to see your special skills and offer you opportunities for success. It is what I always say, "It's not what you know, it's not who you know, it's who knows what you know." When you volunteer to catch those bricks, you allow others to now know and see the special skills and talent you exhibit.

Motivate Yourself To Take Action
Just the simple act of taking action will make you more successful than 98% of other people. Many times people are waiting for "just the right moment" or "more resources." Motivate yourself to take action where you are at today and make the appropriate corrections as needed.

Motivate Yourself to Go the Extra Mile
Jerry Rice's off-season personal football workouts were legendary. He would train six days a week running five miles, along with running wind sprints up the steepest mountains in his community. He didn't need to do this grueling workout, but he wanted to be in better physical shape than any other professional football player. He went the extra mile to be the best.

What are you doing to go the extra mile? Do you have a continuous learning program in place? Do you give of yourself to make your employees better? Do you give your clients something extra to show appreciation of their business? These are all opportunities to put you above the rest and to succeed in your business, in your career, and in your life.

Motivate Yourself to Create a Masterpiece
Jerry Rice wanted to be the best professional wide receiver ever in football, and he achieved that title. He was motivated to pay the price to achieve that goal.

Are you motivated and ready to create a masterpiece? Do you have a vision of what your business, career, or life masterpiece looks, feels, or sounds like? Are you willing to sustain the quality effort, attitude, and determination to create your masterpiece? What are you willing to give up in order to achieve your masterpiece? Until you are ready to answer these questions, you can't lay the foundation for achieving your masterpiece.

After you answer the above questions, create S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals as your roadmap for success. If it's not on paper, your goals don't exist. Be motivated to create, write, and act on your goals.

Follow these six success secrets and you, too, will be motivated to lay the foundation for your success.

Are You Building Your Foundation of Success: Six Secrets of Motivating Yourself for Success

2007-09-11T13:03:00.005-07:00

The following are the six success secrets that Jerry Rice used that can easily motivate you to achieve success in any aspect of your business, career, and life:

Motivate Yourself to See Opportunities in Every Challenge
Jerry could have looked at the job of catching bricks as a chore that was a waste of his time. But he saw the big picture and made the chore more enjoyable by developing games out of the activities. Many times in life, we are thrown bricks and complain and miss the opportunity it presents to us. The person who can find solutions in the challenges they are faced with can write their own ticket for success. When you take on a challenge, it's preparing you for an opportunity in the future. You may not know when the opportunity is coming, how it is coming, or what the opportunity will look like, but it is coming; and will you be prepared? Embrace your challenges so you will be prepared.

Motivate Yourself to See That It's Normal to Experience a Little Pain
As Jerry was experiencing the pain of catching bricks each day, this pain was actually building him to becoming a stronger person. Each brick was fueling Jerry's internal desire to be successful. Think of some situation at work, in business, or in life that was painful. Your pain may be an embarrassing moment, it may be a learning experience, and it may be a setback. How can you use this setback to motivate you to become more successful? We achieve success in our businesses, careers, and life when we develop the success tools of using our "pains" as a learning experience and a springboard to success.

Motivate Yourself to Take on Unpopular Tasks
Catching bricks all day is not the most glamorous job in the world. Many times we are thrown bricks in life and avoid them like the plague. Volunteer to catch these bricks while others decline. This will allow people of influence to see your special skills and offer you opportunities for success. It is what I always say, "It's not what you know, it's not who you know, it's who knows what you know." When you volunteer to catch those bricks, you allow others to now know and see the special skills and talent you exhibit.

Motivate Yourself To Take Action
Just the simple act of taking action will make you more successful than 98% of other people. Many times people are waiting for "just the right moment" or "more resources." Motivate yourself to take action where you are at today and make the appropriate corrections as needed.

Motivate Yourself to Go the Extra Mile
Jerry Rice's off-season personal football workouts were legendary. He would train six days a week running five miles, along with running wind sprints up the steepest mountains in his community. He didn't need to do this grueling workout, but he wanted to be in better physical shape than any other professional football player. He went the extra mile to be the best.

What are you doing to go the extra mile? Do you have a continuous learning program in place? Do you give of yourself to make your employees better? Do you give your clients something extra to show appreciation of their business? These are all opportunities to put you above the rest and to succeed in your business, in your career, and in your life.

Motivate Yourself to Create a Masterpiece
Jerry Rice wanted to be the best professional wide receiver ever in football, and he achieved that title. He was motivated to pay the price to achieve that goal.

Are you motivated and ready to create a masterpiece? Do you have a vision of what your business, career, or life masterpiece looks, feels, or sounds like? Are you willing to sustain the quality effort, attitude, and determination to create your masterpiece? What are you willing to give up in order to achieve your masterpiece? Until you are ready to answer these questions, you can't lay the foundation for achieving your masterpiece.

After you answer the above questions, create S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals as your roadmap for success. If it's not on paper, your goals don't exist. Be motivated to create, write, and act on your goals.

Follow these six success secrets and you, too, will be motivated to lay the foundation for your success.

Five needs , motivation and visualization

2007-09-11T13:03:00.003-07:00

Motivation is a complex topic that spans virtually all areas of psychology. No one theory is capable of explaining all that we know about motivational processes. Some motives such as hunger, thirst, and sexual activity seem best understood from a biological viewpoint. Other motives appear to be learned, and such motives help to account for the diversity and complexity of human activities. Still other motives are influenced by the cognitive processes in which we engage. Our interpretation of the events around us influences our future motivations.

Visualize ourselves fulfills all above needs will enable us to be closer to what we want in life. This will attract the circumstance and attributes we need. Visualization will make our achievement more possible and a lot easier according to the law of attraction.

There are many theories on human needs. Among all of them, the Maslow needs' hierarchy theory is best known and respected. Understanding this theory will help know how to make up the strategy to motivate ourselves and others.

Jim Somchai

Managing Director of JimSomchai Company.

He devotes his time in studying success and has been

interested in the works of many personal development leaders.

www.visualizationmeditation.com/rights

A Matter Of Prespective - The Secret

2007-09-11T13:03:00.001-07:00

In times when it seems our entire world is falling apart, there is a great need for us to stop and take note of where we are. Things can happen around us and things can happen to us, but the most important things are those that happen within us -- in our thoughts and perceptions.

It is true that each and every one of us, at one time or another, has faced problems of major complexities. Some have had to deal with matters of health or relationships, whereas others may have dealt with problems pertaining to money. Some of us have had to deal with all three. As long as we are on Earth, we'll have to deal with problems of one sort or another.

Yet, strange as it seems, it's generally not the problems themselves that make for success or failure. It goes far beyond the mere appearances. It's generally the perspective we have on the problems that "make" or "break" us. It's the way we look at things. It's what we think about what's happening to us.

Sometimes good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. But the opposite is also true. Good things do happen to good people and bad things do happen to bad people. There is no need for us to go into long philosophical ramblings about why such things occur. We'd probably never be able to find out.
It would be much more practical to learn how to deal with both good and bad experiences.

I have learned that one of the best things to do when events seem out of control is to stop and take stock of where we are and who we are. By this, I mean we should
step back from the problem for a short while and realize that the problem came to us to teach us something. We may never be sure of what that "something" is, but rest assured that we will be stronger and better for it. You may not see it while you're going through the trials and tribulations, yet slowly but surely, a better and stronger "you" is being born if you keep a proper perspective.

And don't think for an instant that the Universe has singled you out for trials and suffering. We all have our burdens to bear -- some heavier and others lighter. But we can overcome, or as I am fond of saying, we can "come over".

As an example, let me share what happened to me over the past few weeks . I was standing by the door, ready to leave to go to a friend's place for dinner. It had
been raining constantly for a few hours and there was intermittent lightning and thunder. Suddenly, there was a giant flash of lightning, followed almost immediately by a deafening explosion of thunder. The house shook, the electricity went out and the acrid smell of smoke could be detected.

I was rooted to the floor for a split second before I realized what had happened. For the first time ever, my house was struck by lightning. Cold fear engulfed me and I could feel the sweat pouring down my face. I knew there was damage, but I also realized that I was not injured. For the latter I was grateful. For the former I was angry.

How dare the lightning do this to me? I have always felt safe and protected, no matter what has happened around me. I have survived major hurricanes, terrible storms and tornadoes and was pulled from the ocean when everyone thought I had drowned. I even escaped being trampled by an angry elephant in Asia and gored by wild water buffalos in Africa. I escaped being attacked by a group of bandits in a third world country. I had survived many life-threatening situations, and now to have lightning strike my house? Yes, I was angry, very angry and disappointed.

What? John Harricharan was angry and disappointed? Isn't he the person who wrote such books as, "When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat", "Morning Has Been
All Night Coming" and "The PowerPause" and others? Isn't he the so-called, highly-evolved personality who tries to live what he teaches? Yes, the very same.

That's right, but here's the difference between the "me" of today and the "me" of yesteryear. There was the initial shock of what had happened and there was fear
as well as anger. But I only tolerated such feelings for about five minutes. I did not dwell on them. I quickly went about making sure that there was no fire in the house. Then I left and went to dinner. I had changed my perspective.

When I returned, I found that my communication systems were destroyed. The modems, routers, hubs, telephones, and much of the electronic stuff were literally fried.

It took days to get back to almost normal. Then it happened again. A week later, tragedy struck once more and the new phones, modems and such things were again
disrupted. Twice in a few days? Again, I was overcome with anger and frustration. Once more, and with difficulty, I sought balance.

The telephone company, the cable people and the repair personnel from the electric company were constant visitors to my home during this period. One of the electricians pointed out to me that the surge suppressors and lightning protector did work and that
the damage would have been much more extensive had they not been in place. A brand new router for the internet went down again and had to be replaced -- the second one in two weeks. No email, no phones, no work on the computer.

There were quite a few moments of ranting and raving, but there were also moments of quiet and peace. I made sure that the angry moments were short and temporary.
During the moments of peace, I felt an overwhelming gratitude for not being injured and for all the good things that remained. I examined all the external wiring that led to the computers, TVs, DVD and CD players and other electronic equipment and found some that had to be replaced. Had I not discovered those, there could have been a serious fire, perhaps while I was sleeping.

Was all this trying to teach me patience? I don't know, but I can tell you that I lived through it and it all is just a memory now as I write this article.

React to situations, if you must. We are human beings and that will happen. But do not keep reacting over and over again. Come back to center and regain perspective.
Become quiet within and return to a place of quiet within your soul and the problems will not seem as terrible as they once did. We are not just human -- we are more than human. The spark of tremendous power and the gift of overcoming lie within our souls.

We will, of necessity, meet many ups and downs in life. With the proper perspective we can make the "ups" higher and the "downs" not quite as low. Keep on keeping on with trust and hope and you'll find that an uncommon strength comes upon you. You will find a peace unknown in ordinary times. You will discover that you are far bigger than any problems that come your way.

The Secret - A Matter Of Moving

2007-09-11T13:02:00.013-07:00

As many times as I've changed residences, moved from
one state to another, even moved from country to
country, I've been filled with a mixture of
apprehension and excitement.

For many of us, just moving from day to day, month to
month or year to year creates a similar anxiety or a
subtle excitement. It doesn't matter whether we move in
time or we move in space, there is one constant --
change.

It seems a contradiction to say that the only permanent
thing we encounter in our daily lives is change, but
change is what it's all about.

The process of growing from a child into a teenager and
then into an adult is one that's constantly filled with
change. There is an urge written deep within us, in our
very genes and spirit, to grow and change and become
the best we can.

Sometimes the urge is buried under tons of daily woes
or in the joys of the moment, but it is there,
nevertheless. Many of us fear change because we are
fearful of the unknown.

My old friend, Deepak Chopra, once told me that it is
not the unknown we should be afraid of, but, instead,
the known. The unknown is what will become the known as
we pour our hearts and minds into it. I go a step
further and say we should not fear either the known or
the unknown.

Whatever appears to be happening to us now, whatever
the future seems to hold for us, we must remember that
we have the power to change everything in our lives by
a simple stroke of genius -- changing the way we look
at things and, more important, changing the way we feel
about things.

Reality is actually the interpretation of a point of
view. If we do not like what seems to be our lot in
life, we have but to change the way we look at our life
and we'll change outcomes. I do not know why or how
this happens. It might even be a mystical law. But this
I know, throughout the centuries, the sages of all
cultures have said, "Change your mind and you change
your world."

For all of us, the arrival of a new year is just around
the corner. It is a good time to review the events of
the past year without dwelling on them. It is a better
time to look forward into the newness of that which is
to come and resolve to do the best you can with what
you have.

The laws of the Universe may seem complex, but I have
the feeling that is because we tend to want to analyze
those laws and figure why they work. I believe it is
much better to use those laws for our benefit and the
good of all people.

This is a thought and belief world. Whatever we think,
if we believe it strongly enough, it will become part
and parcel of our lives. Some of you may say to me,
"That's all well and good, John, but it's not easy to
change your thoughts and your beliefs."

I agree wholeheartedly. It is not easy, but it's
simple. Realize that you are NOT your thoughts. You
only THINK your thoughts. They are yours and if they
are yours, you can do with them whatever you want. Many
times we let our thoughts scare us. It's as if our
thoughts think US instead of the other way around.

And as to your beliefs, all you have to do is examine
them and ask yourself why you believe what you believe.
You may be amazed to find that your beliefs have held
you captive all these years. Perhaps those beliefs were
necessary at one time, but you may have outgrown them.
Examine what you believe about money, health or
relationships and ask yourself why you believe that.

Change your beliefs about the world and circumstances
and you'll change your thoughts about life and how it
works. If you suffer from lack, start changing your
belief about money into one of abundance and affluence.

If you are experiencing illness, look at your beliefs
about health and change them into wellness and
well-being. And if you have poor, or non-existent
relationships, change your beliefs into those of
feeling loved and worthy of all good things.

Life is a process of change. Change is what brings us
progress. Welcome change and the unknown. Let every day
be the start of a new adventure. Go into the new week,
the new year with a new you. Remember that you are a
beautiful child of the Universe and the Universe will
take good care of you if you believe, trust and expect.

The Secret - A Matter Of Knowing That Already

2007-09-11T13:02:00.011-07:00

When my son, Jonathan, was much younger, I would try to
help him with some of his tasks, whether it was his
homework, chores or even just plain, simple advice.
Many a time he would look at me in exasperation and
say, "I know that, dad." Even when he did solicit my
help directly, he would listen, but not "hear" what I
had to say.

Now, mind you, I do not claim to be a paragon of
excellent advice or wisdom, but many of the things I
told him would have saved him tremendous amounts of
time, frustration and heartaches. As Jonathan grew
older, he learned to listen a bit more, so instead of
discounting most of what he heard, he would evaluate,
weigh the merits or lack of, and then make choices
based on what was consistent with his idea of right and
wrong or good and bad.

The Universe speaks to us all the time. It doesn't
always do it in ways that we expect. Sometimes a
message comes from a friend and at other times, it may
be someone we do not really care for who brings a very
clear message to us. There are times when the messages
are sent through dreams, or books, or radio, TV, the
Internet and even the more prosaic form of the
telephone.

If we close our minds and think that "we know that
already," we may miss the one little point that could
have saved us a lot of trouble. Keeping an open mind
gives us an opportunity to evaluate the communications
we receive and then make decisions based on our own
true feelings.

The story is told about some scientists who went into
an apple orchard to study apples. They were busy with
their notepads and pencils, measuring the dimensions of
the apples they found. They observed and noted the
size, weight and colors of the fruit while off to their
left sat one of their fellow scientists under a large
apple tree. He was quietly eating an apple.

All the other scientists knew about apples. The one who
was eating the apple knew "apples." Knowing about
something does not necessarily mean knowing the thing.
Knowing about God does not mean knowing God. Knowing
about the secrets and laws of the Universe will not do
us much good if there is not the deep knowing in our
hearts and souls.

There have been hundreds of thousands of people who've
read one or more of my books. Among the many wonderful
email I receive would be one or two short, to the point
comments saying something to the effect of, "I know all
that already. I've been practicing all that stuff for
years and so you haven't told me anything new."

My feeling is that there is really nothing new. As the
Book of Ecclesiastes says, "There is nothing new under the
sun." What I think is new is the interpretation we
bring to things, the different way we look at the
information we receive. We can choose to see if,
perhaps, there are any gems in what we hear and see or
any wisdom in what we read or listen to.

By opening up our minds to new possibilities, we may
find that we are being led by that glorious, higher
self within us to explore possibilities that have the
potential to bring us peace, joy, wealth, success --
all good things.

If someone tells you that you shouldn't do something
because it doesn't work, what that person is really
saying is that it doesn't work for him. Listen to your
heart, gather all the information and let the Universe
show you how to make it work.

Jonathan listens a lot more these days. He reflects and
thinks about what he hears, sees or reads. He is
willing to listen to points of view that are totally
different from his own without getting defensive as he
used to. As a result, he has become more tolerant, more
compassionate and, in many ways, more successful. He
has grown into a fantastic young man who, I am sure,
will bring much credit to all that he chooses to do.

Let us not be like the person in the little ditty who
says:

"In matters controversial, my perception's really fine.
I always see both points of view -- the one that's
wrong and mine."

Let us, instead, listen to all that comes to our notice
and after reflecting on it, exhibit the qualities of
tolerance, peace, understanding and compassion. And as
Commander Spock would say, "Live long and prosper."

The Secret - A Matter Of Giving Thanks

2007-09-11T13:02:00.009-07:00

In the United States, we just celebrated the
"Thanksgiving" holiday. Many other countries have their
own versions of "Thanksgiving." But thanksgiving is
not something that should be celebrated on one
particular day of the year. It is good that a day has
been chosen for this, but it is up to each and every
one of us to be "giving thanks" all year long.

Sometimes we look around at our financial situation and
think that there is nothing to be thankful for. Other
times we glance at our relationship or health
challenges and think that giving thanks borders on the
absurd. Yet, if we look around us, we can see that we
are not alone in our trials, that many others are
having to face similar problems.

Being thankful for life itself is a way of making life
better. When we look away from our problems, even for a
short time, and generate joy in our hearts, we find
that the world seems to change a bit. I do not know why
this is so and I don't really need to know. All I know
is that the universe seems to respond quickly to a
grateful heart.

A grateful heart is, perhaps, a heart full of
"greatness." Maybe, the way it works is that when we
break focus with our problems and we take a break from
being miserable, the River of Life flows more gently
and more fully through our being.

Try it for yourself sometime. Stop what you're doing
for one or two minutes and quiet your mind. If you're
really frightened by appearances around you or if your
problems seem insurmountable, you may find that
stilling your mind becomes a very difficult task. But
with a little practice, a minute or two at a time, it
becomes easier to do.

During this minute or two, think of two or three things
or events you are or should be grateful for. Feel how
fortunate you are to have them. For example, I consider
myself extremely blessed to have had my two children,
Malika and Jonathan, grow up the way they have. True,
there were times when I considered running away from
home. And yes, there were moments of anxiety and
concern when I thought to myself that children were
created for the sole purpose of inflicting insanity on
their parents. But don't most of us feel that way once
in a while?

Yet, with all the ups and downs of being a parent, I
consider myself the most fortunate person on earth to
have Malika and Jonathan as my children. They have
taught me patience, unconditional love and much more
than I can ever list here. I have learned from them. I
could not be who I am without the experience of being
their father. And for this, I'm grateful. I give
thanks.

How about unfortunate situations. Am I happy or
grateful that my wife died when she was only in her
thirties? Should I be thankful that I was left with two
young children to raise and an entire life to
reorganize? Of course not! But I am grateful that she
was my wife for the years we spent together. She was
only nineteen when we were married. I am grateful for
her love, for her kindness and compassion and for
making it possible for me to be what I am today.

We could all turn tragedy into triumph and disaster
into divine outcomes if we maintain a spirit of
gratitude and if we listen to our heart and soul. It is
in our quiet times, in our "thanksgiving" moments that
we can hear the universe sing to us. If we listen
carefully, we can hear it say, "You are my child and I
love you dearly. Look around you. All that I have is
yours. Everything is yours. It always has been. Please
unwrap your gifts."

A Journey of Personal Growth

2007-09-11T13:02:00.007-07:00

In the cold silent darkness of a winter night, snowflakes slowly fell glistening as I turned on the outside lights. The purity and newness of the shimmering flakes reminded me of my new journey of growth and personal development.

The wonder of a single snowflake, one of nature's glorious yet quiet miracles, proves nothing is impossible to create when I am open to receiving the abundance of life. Sometimes life's distractions, fear, pride and personal desires turn me away from the journey. Keeping my heart and soul in spiritual alignment with my journey assists me on the path to becoming the full potential of my destiny.

My own personal growth journey consciously began almost two years ago, even though I was growing every day of my life experiencing challenges and opportunities along the way. I attended my first motivational workshop in New Jersey, and I was forever changed. I connected with other "travelers" who are now dear friends and spiritual partners in the quest of personal growth and self-improvement. During this time I continued to attend numerous motivational seminars and inspirational workshops, learning, growing and gathering insights making amazing breakthroughs within myself.

I have learned the power of positive thinking and attitude, and the importance of a state of gratitude for all that I have in my life. Most importantly, I love and respect the people who have been placed into my life. There are no coincidences. It is with gratitude that I acknowledge each human being I have had the privilege to know. Everything that has happened in my life, positive or negative, good or bad, joyful or sad has been orchestrated by the Divine pattern for my life. I am the person I am today because of all that has gone before me and all that I have experienced, and I am the empowered woman I am today because of the people who have entered my life and touched me in some way on this journey. I am where I am supposed to be in my travels through life. There are important steps to take along the path of personal growth, to live life fully and confidently. These are the tools that have been beneficial to achieve a positive approach to opening myself for an abundant life:

-- Be grounded and confident. Breathe and be centered as one with the Universe.

-- Open my consciousness and heart to receive messages from my inner voice, and listen to the words. Diligently work to take down any walls of resistance that have been a part of my life.

-- Pursue education and spiritual enlightenment by attending personal development seminars presented by successful motivational entrepreneurs who inspire me.

-- Seek the mentor that I connect with, and attend events where he or she shares their wealth of knowledge and experience.

-- Be humble knowing I am connected to every living being in the Universe, an important and necessary link in the chain of life.

-- Apply all that I have learned to create flow into every aspect of my life to become the empowered person I was created to be.

-- Be energetic in my approach to life and create a positive attitude surrounding myself with peace and harmony. I daily open my heart and mind, strengthening my conscious being to let God run my life, remembering I am a miracle in progress and God is not finished with me yet. How exciting to know that I have so much more to experience and more people will follow along the path with me, for a distance, touching my life in ways not even imaginable at this time. I know I am not yet where I am destined to be, but I thank God I am not where I used to be. I am okay now, and I am on my way. Believe in yourself. Trust in God and yourself. Develop a strong positive attitude and breathe in Life. A joyful mission statement for Life says:

-- Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body.....but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....WOW ------ What a Ride! Love and blessings to you on your journey to a better life.

The Secret - A Matter Of Chatter

2007-09-11T13:02:00.005-07:00

I first met Cindy during my second year of college. It was in the cafeteria where she bumped into me. Yes, she literally bumped into me and her food tray went
crashing into everything. I heard her mutter under her breath, "What an idiot!"

"Pardon me," I replied, not knowing what else to say, but definitely feeling that it was not my fault.

"Oh no," she said, "It's always my fault. I am really so clumsy. I am very sorry."

Then I realized that she was referring to herself when she had said, "What an idiot." Over the months I got to know her a little better. Sometimes we'd sit at the
same table in the cafeteria and other times I'd be sitting next to her in a class.

It never ceased to amaze me how often she repeated the phrase, "What an idiot", at the smallest thing that happened. It was as if she had been programmed to
respond to the slightest misfortune with self-blame.

One day I finally asked her why she kept referring to herself as an idiot. Her eyes opened wide as she said that she was not aware that she did. She confessed
that it was probably a habit and that she always felt that when anything bad happened, it was her fault.

She told me that the voice in her head always told her that she was an idiot and pointed out that she was not as good as others. The constant, negative chatter in
her mind had prevented her from achieving her greater potential.

Cindy managed to graduate and we eventually lost touch with each other. But I always wondered how she was doing. I always hoped that she was able to still the chatter in her mind and to change the programmed voice to a more positive self-image.

The matter of chatter is a very serious one. If we were to listen carefully to what we are saying to ourselves we would find very interesting conversations going on. If we are happy and fulfilled, these internal conversations would probably be positive. If we are
constantly worried and depressed, we would probably have sad and confusing conversations.

We can literally change the outside world by first changing our inner world. Generally, it's our inner conversations that determine what our outer world looks like. If we constantly think sad thoughts, then our self-talk will focus on sad things and the entire
world will appear depressing.

If we always think angry thoughts, the world will appear angry. Even a beautiful sunset would appear to be filled with angry shades of red. But if we think peaceful and positive thoughts, the world will seem peaceful and positive to us.

So how do we silence the endless chatter in our heads?

Here are a few tips:

* Try to find some quiet time each day and listen to what you are saying to yourself. Don't be like Cindy who kept calling herself an idiot. Once in a while we all say terrible things about ourselves, but if we do it too often, it becomes a habit and we start
believing those things.

* As you listen to the conversation in your head, do not follow them. Just observe them and let them go. If you start to focus on the thoughts, you'd get caught up
in them and then get carried away by them.

* After observing your thoughts for a while, you'll find that they move on and you are not trapped by them. Remember that your thoughts are not you. You only have them. Don't even worry about replacing them with positive thoughts; that will come later.

Simple as the above exercise may seem, it will have the most profound effect on your life. Gradually, at first, and then faster, you'll find that a greater calm comes over you.

Because you've let go of the chatter, the noise diminishes and you are now able to hear the voice of intuition, the voice of the universe seeking to guide and help you.

Yes, it's a matter of chatter, clatter and clutter and if we turn the volume down, we will be able to hearthe beautiful symphonies of life.

The Secret - A Little - Used Secret

2007-09-11T13:02:00.003-07:00

Sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound.
Many times, the most obvious things are often ignored.
A good percentage of the time the most common sense
principles are the ones most disregarded. Perhaps, it's
because we are so intent on making a living that we
forget about making a life.

One of the most forgotten principles for personal
success is a word ignored by almost everyone--Goodwill.
It is a principle so underused, yet so powerful, that
it could take us to the heights of success. It remains
underused because people overlook the disarming power
disguised in subtle terms such as compassion, kindness,
empathy, unselfishness and caring.

In marketing classes in MBA school, we learned many
useful things about advertising strategy, marketing to
consumers, studying statistics of a sales campaign and
getting the order. To this day, I use the tools of the
trade to help me in my business. But one thing that
hardly anyone touched upon was the concept of
"Goodwill."

Goodwill is not just a number on the accountant's
balance sheet, but is an invisible, little-used tool
that all of us have at our disposal. Let me explain.
Most of us could help solve someone else's problems,
either with a telephone call, an introduction or
referral, a signature or other obvious means. But we
refuse to do it. Why? I'll tell you why. Because we
feel there's nothing in it for us! Or we are afraid to
get involved.

Let me tell you a true story. It was many years ago. A
young woman walked into my assistant's office. She was
looking for a job, but we had none to offer. Just the
week before, all job vacancies had been filled.

At the request of my assistant, I spoke with the young
woman. She only wanted to work for the summer and then
would complete her last semester of graduate school and
return home to her country. She had been looking for a
summer job for almost four weeks. No one wanted to hire
her and train her to work for such a short period of
time.

I remembered my days as a graduate student and felt her
anxiety. Although there was no sound business reason to
do so, I told my assistant to create a job for her.
Afterall, she needed help and it felt good to help
someone without figuring what was in it for me.

I hardly saw her until the last day when she came into
my office to say goodbye. She thanked me again for the
job and handed me a business card.

"This is my father's card," she said, "If you ever
visit my country, call my dad, he'd be very happy to
meet you. I've told him all about how kind you and your
employees were to me. In my country, my dad is a member
of Parlianment and an important man."

And that's how I ended up having lunch with the mayor
of Nairobi, dinner with the Vice President of Kenya and
making business alliances that brought my company
profits hundreds of times greater than the salary we
had paid for summer help.

On top of that, I enjoyed going on photo safari to the
Serengeti Plains of East Africa, walking along the
beaches of Mombassa and sipping Pimms#3 at the Mount
Kenya Safari Club, while enjoying the fantastic view of
the snow-covered summit of Mount Kenya. Even the Kikuyu
dancers reminded me of exciting adventures in foreign
climes.

This is not an isolated case. It's just one of the more
obvious ones. You never can tell who will lead you to
that next contact, that profitable contract or the
added financing you were looking for. It is important
that we treat everyone with dignity and respect.
REMEMBER: Business does not do business with other
businesses. People do business with people.

The Internet is not about computers, technology or even
marketing. That would be like saying cars are about the
internal combustion engine and the laws of
thermodynamics. The Internet is about people and
communications. If we communicate with honesty and
feelings, we'd find that most others respond in kind.

So whenever the opportunity arises, do something for
someone else who is powerless to do it alone. Don't
worry about what you are going to get out of it. The
Universe has a way of repaying in ways far too strange
to understand. Earn "goodwill" and you'll prosper
beyond belief.

How To Pack More Life Into Your Life

2007-09-11T13:02:00.001-07:00

Have you ever caught yourself reminiscing of times passed, and just thought about how fast life goes by? Are you generally pleased with what you remember, or are you usually left feeling you could have done more with your time?

I remember in primary school when I was playing on the swings with friends without a care in the world, all that mattered to me back then was how far I could reach on the monkey bars without falling off (five bars was my highest if my memory serves me correctly). As it was towards the end of the year, we had just seen our new teachers for the following year, and we were pretty excited about growing up. My cousin, who was a year older than me (and I guess still is a year older than me) approached me on the swings and exclaimed, "How fast has the year gone?!" I had just finished grade 3.

Fast forward several years and I have seen things I never would have dreamt of seeing, I have been places I never would have dreamt of being, and I have accomplished things I never would have dreamt of achieving. I look back and I know if I had the choice I would not change anything about my past, all the ups and especially the downs. But I know that there are still things I want to see, places I want to be, things I want to accomplish in the future.

What do you want to accomplish in the future? Where do you want to visit? What do you want to do? What do you want out of your career? How much life do you want in your life?

Here are some suggestions on how you can stay focused on your dreams and how you pack more life into your life:

Define your goal:

Would you get onto a car and just start driving without knowing what your destination would be? Would you start walking around without knowing where you were going, or why you were walking? No. Why would you want to move around aimlessly, not knowing when you would reach your destination because you don't have one, when you could be doing something constructive with your time, like moving towards your dreams?

Would you be happy with a life that had no destination and no purpose? You need to define your goals and drive towards them. Don't walk around life aimlessly, without direction and without purpose. Discover your purpose now.

Turn negatives into positives:

One of the key factors that holds most people back from achievement is the opinions of others. These can be destructively negative and can prevent you from progressing towards your goals, but only if you allow it to do so. If you believe in your goals, and want to accomplish them bad enough, you will use these negative words as motivation. Use it as the fuel for the fire that burns inside you to prove them wrong. Prove the doubters wrong, and show them what is possible. Don't let anybody ever try to take your dreams away from you.

Believe In Yourself:

Regardless of how big or small your goal is, if you don't believe in your own ability to achieve it, you will not achieve it. If it's something you have yet to accomplish, but others have in the past, believe that it is also possible for you to accomplish, because after all if anybody can do it, so can you.

Live in the present, not the past, but be conscious of the future:

Do not dwell on past successes and minor setbacks. Be inspired by previous successes, and be motivated to learn from and rectify the mishaps, but take action in the present to accomplish your goals in the future. The past has passed, and nothing can alter what has already passed, so there is no point in dwelling. You need to learn from the past, in order to shape the future.

Only do things that will move you closer to your dreams:

Once you have a purpose and goals to work towards everything you do will either move you closer to your goals, or move you away from your goals. The more actions you take that move you towards your goals the quicker you will achieve your dreams. If one of your goals is to play in the British Open of golf next year, what actions will move you towards that goal; training and improving your game every day, or watching the latest episode of Greenlandish Idol (I'm sure it exists) every day of the week? Before you take any action that you are not sure will move you towards or away form you goals, ask this simple question; will this action move me closer to my goals? If it will, by all means take the action; if it will not, do not take that action, instead find another action that will move you closer to where you want to be.

Have the courage to go get it:

Most people never achieve their goals because they make excuses until the cows come home. I don't have enough time. I don't have enough money. I don't know enough. I can't right now. I'm busy. I'm tired. Enough of the baloney! People make excuses because they are afraid; they are afraid of failure, afraid of embarrassment, afraid of rejection, afraid of isolation...just plain afraid to go get it. It takes some intestinal fortitude to go against the grain and strive towards a goal that only you believe in. But the one who dares to dream and dares to give it everything they have to achieve it, will be the one who succeeds.

This is your life. Only you can live it, why not live the life that you desire, rather than allowing others to influence how you live? There is no practice run for this game called life; this is it. We only get one shot, one shot, and that's it; take advantage of everything you have and make that shot count. If you have a dream, an all encompassing desire to succeed, hold onto it with all your might, strive towards it, and never let anybody take your dream away.

Anxiety Affirmations

2007-09-11T13:01:00.003-07:00

I have spoken about using affirmations, which are phrases and sentences.I have created a story for myself about myself that I repeat everyday numerous times.These affirmations have helped me build a positive self image because my subconscious mind does not know the difference between reality and imagination.That is the way the subconscious mind works for everyone. You can picture anything you want and therefore work on how you want to perhaps end anxiety.

With a burning desire added to an emotionally charged feeling your affirmations will be implanted in the subconscious mind.The life I want for myself includes being free from anxiety so therefore I make affirmations regarding the ending of this anxiety.

You make your affirmations, as you want to see your life in the coming days, months, or even years. You can use the affirmation method to picture a new job for example.This may sound like something that is difficult to do. I can assure you that at first you do these affirmations on a conscious level and it may feel foreign to you.Practice is the key and over time the repetitive habit has brought you to a place where you no longer feel strange doing this action.

You may start off the affirmation by saying "I am so happy and grateful for or now that..." You fill in your own emotionally charged words.Putting pictures of the way you want to look or things you want to have or what you want to be all around your home in key places will remind you and stimulate your subconscious mind.

Just as you learned to drive a car and are now able to do this without thinking of every move or task needed to drive so will you be able to be, do, or have what you want from your own life when the affirmations you say each day become so automatic that you no longer have to think about the affirmations so consciously.

Take what you emotionally feel passionate about and write up to 10 affirmations this week. Put them together and use these to take action and with action come results.We would like to get results concerning our life's wants by just wishing it was so but remember that a desire followed by actions get results.

Believe that your life is already the way you want it to be and combined with the affirmations and the actions you will see a difference in your quality of life.It takes time for changes to occur depending on the personal work being done.

Keep the affirmations active and they can be changed and added to as needed.When this happens in your mind you will see the results of the automatic suggestions that have been going in to it over the last days, months or years.

Keep moving forward, and ask questions as well as learn about yourself from yourself.You are your own best friend and confidant. No one knows the inner you better than you do.The little voice you hear is advising you and guiding you so do not be afraid to listen even if it scares you or stirs up your emotions. The inner consciousness is your friend.

Stress Can Affect Your Attitude

2007-09-11T13:01:00.001-07:00

Think about how you want others to treat you and start expecting it to happen.When we do not expect good things in our lives we may end up in a stress attack situation.

Find a behavioral line to protect your emotional self.You show people how to treat you every time you interact with them.Studies have shown that more than 90% of self-talk is negative.In other words, all day long, you fill your mind, consciously or not, with negative thoughts and unproductive feelings.Take a few moments to decide how you'll require others to treat you.

Remember that you want to avoid stress attack situations and make knowledge a goal in fighting them.As you do so, stay focused on the respect, appreciation, and consideration you know you deserve.Your attitude will represent what is going on in your mind and subconscious mind.Your smiles will be reflected back to you on a daily basis.If you are positive and optimistic - you'll have positive and optimistic people around you.

Believe it or not these are things that you can do to make your life less stressful.Make the people around you feel comfortable. Then that will reflect back making your life in general better.Even your health can receive benefits from a positive outlook.

Many medical scientists have remained skeptical that the mind can exert a direct influence over the immune system. People accept the idea that stress and depression chip away at the body's natural ability to fight off disease.In recent years evidence has accumulated that psychology can indeed affect biology.Studies have found for example, that people who suffer from depression are at higher risk for heart disease and other illnesses.People under stress have been found to be more susceptible to colds and flu, and to have more severe symptoms after they fall ill.

Often writing how you feel about things that happen in your life in a journal will help you pin point stresses that you had not realized existed.Keeping track of what you do everyday can help you find out how visiting certain people cause you stress or eating a food will give you a headache every time.

Having the how and why in front of you, written down in black and white can help you decide how you have been treated and how you want to be treated in the future therefore making you feel better about you and that will reflect back in a positive atitude.

How to Create Huge Breakthroughs This Year!

2007-09-11T12:57:00.015-07:00

It's always a great idea to do periodic "check-ins" with yourself and your goals. How are you doing? Are you where you'd like to be? This nifty Breakthrough Formula will help you to identify your past successes AND become crystal clear about what you do want in the upcoming months.Enjoy the process and Carpe Diem!

1. Select a time and place so that you can be by yourself without any outside distractions.( Put Fluffy in another room, put family members on notice that you need some quiet time)) Have pen and paper on hand. Light a candle. You are about to start an exercise that will impact the quality of your year ahead. Very Inspiring!

2. Begin first by reflecting on this past year. List 25 of your accomplishments for 2006. Big and small. (eg. you discovered Mineral Makeup and your skin looks great, you participated in the Run for the Cure Marathon, you doubled your income, you moved on in a relationship that wasn't working out). Once you've created your list of 25 accomplishments. Read it out loud. Breathe deeply. Bask in the good feelings. It feels good to recognize ourselves. We don't do it nearly enough. Look at how much you've accomplished and OWN it!

3. Now, on fresh sheet of paper, create a list of 10 goals that you have for yourself for 2007.Do not edit or judge your goals. They are for your eyes only. You may choose to share some or all of these goals, but make sure you share only with people who can fully support you (no naysayers allowed ::) Blow out your candle. Take a long look at your list, then tuck it away somewhere. Plan to pull it back out next year on January 1, 2008. Imagine how fantastic you will feel to read through this list and see how many things you have manifested. This process of conscious goal setting really works.

Enjoy and be empowered by this great exercise. In the instant that you write down those 10 goals down on paper you actually begin setting the stage for manifesting them. Go forth and make it happen!

There's Nothing Quite Like Getting What You Want!

2007-09-11T12:57:00.013-07:00

The power of your imagination is truly amazing. Did you know that your brain cannot distinguish between what is "real" and what you imagine in your mind? Research shows that pairing visualization techniques with actions that support your goals is a winning combination.

Here's the process that is easy, powerful and actually very fun too. (Who couldn't use a little more fun in their lives?) James Ray, one featured expert in the movie, The Secret, shares his experience of how powerful vision boards are in helping him to create the "dream life" that he and his family live.

I've utilized vision bards, also known as "Treasure Maps" for many years. My vision boards have helped me to manifest wonderful things into my life- relationships, trips to exotic locations, prosperity, and even our beautiful home. A vision board can do the same for you. Look below for the five steps to creating a vision board.

5 Easy Steps to Creating Your Vision Board

1. Go to your local bookstore with plenty of time and an open mind (they know me by name at my Barnes & Noble). Browse the magazine section, all the way down the row - scanning the magazines.
2. Let the magazines "talk" to you. This process enables you to bypass your intellect, and let your natural instincts guide you. You will find yourself picking out various magazines, magazines you wouldn't normally read or buy. Perhaps you are drawn to Golf Digest (and you don't golf), Money (you don't have enough of this), Beading (what, I'm not the crafty type!?) and California Living. Fantastic! The key to this exercise is this: allow yourself to gather this new "information" without any judgment, self criticism, or internal editing (I can't afford this, this makes no sense, etc.) Just have fun with this exercise. Be like a kid in a candy store picking out what suits your fancy.
3. Now gather your stack of magazines (Have at least 10-12). If you're "in the money" buy them all, if not, select your favorites. Take them home for phase 2 of this exercise. Hint - Keep your old magazines for updating and creating new vision boards. Also another good tip is to visit Half Price Books and purchase past issues of magazines for very little money. Think of your magazine images as your paint and paintbrush for your canvas.
4. When you've got free time, with scissors in hand, flip and clip through the pages of your magazines letting images, headlines, and quotes "grab" your attention. What "speaks" to you? Remember your list of personal/professional goals. Look for pictures and words that provide you great imagery/visuals for that goal (e.g., a picture of a house that you'd love to live in, pictures of the Pacific Ocean, you get the idea...). Collect these images and put them into a folder. Now, review your list of your top 10 goals for this upcoming year. Select the images that depict each of your goals (e.g., a smiling woman who radiates good health is a great image to use for your goal of health and fitness, perhaps a pair of running shoes and a yoga pose really illustrate to you your personal goal. For each of your goals, find the imagery and/or quotes that really represent your goal.
5.Buy a nice, sturdy, colorful poster board (red, green and purple are great choices) and glue your images to your board. Voila! Within minutes you will have created your very own vision board. Place your vision board in full view where you can see it every day. Let your vision board serve as a delicious reminder of your goals and dreams and let it work it's "magic" by feeding your subconscious mind EXACTLY what you deserve.

How to Stop the Drama that's Keeping You Stuck

2007-09-11T12:57:00.011-07:00

It happens without notice. You realize you're lost in the fog. You feel unhappy and you start to search. The issue itself doesn't matter as much as the universal feeling of being uncomfortable in your skin or feeling out of alignment. This feeling happens at midlife. It happens when you are at a cross roads or a life transition, or it happens when you are trying to build a business and you enter that black pit of confusion as you hire one guru after another to help rescue you from the drama. If any of this applies to you, here are five ways to stop the drama that's keeping you stuck.

Distinguish "the drama" from "your drama."

The Drama is the gap between what you actually have and what you really want. "The drama" is also the gap between who you actually are and who you really want to be. You are here, but you want to be there. You are single but you want to be married, or you wanted the promotion but got looked over again. You live in LA but you want to live in New York. You have a bachelor's degree but you want a master's degree and so on. The drama is nothing more than the gap that represents the distance between what you have and what you want. Once you distinguish "the drama" from "your drama" you can turn what was perceived as a failure into an opportunity for personal growth and emotional intelligence.

Ask yourself this question: "Where would I be without my drama?"

We often use our personal "dramas" to make excuses for where we are instead of looking for solutions to move forward. For example, I met a young man at the grocery store who said that he would love to be a fireman but he couldn't afford to go to college to get the required two-year degree therefore he was stuck in a job he didn't like and he perceived himself as a failure. The only failure he is really experiencing is getting stuck in his drama, which is his reaction to where he is versus where he wants to be. If he were to ask the question, "Where would I be without my drama?" he would find his solution and move forward. There are many solutions, which can be found by making other choices. Get a loan. Get a grant. Go part time. Save some money. Get a roommate. The only time we fail is when we give up. Once you ask this question you can recover from failure. At the very least you will spend less time and energy on the perceived failure.

Make a new commitment
Ask yourself what you are really committed to. Are you committed to your drama or are you committed to happiness? Once you get clear on your commitment you can overcome any obstacle. You do this by filling in the blank "I am committed to_________." Then you watch every thing you say and every thing you do to see if your actions and words line up with what you say you are committed to. We reveal our commitments through our choices, whether we give voice to our commitments or not.

Here's an example: If you say you are committed to having a loving marriage, but allow your spouse to abuse you then the real truth is you are not committed to a loving relationship at all. Your actions show that you are secretly committed to making sure not to rock the boat. Or perhaps your real commitment is to making sure you don't make your partner mad, or you are unconsciously committed to sacrificing yourself so you can stay married at all costs. However, the commitment to "stay married" is different than the commitment to build a loving relationship. The requirements are different for those two commitments. The choices you make will tell you what you are truly committed to.

Much of the time we make an unconscious commitment that involves changing other people. We can't change other people but once we get clear on our own commitment people often change anyway. The one with the strongest commitment rules the relationship and this is the easiest way to take full responsibility for any failure to turn it around for a positive outcome.

Use the "what if" technique

If you are still feeling stuck after working through the first three exercises, try the "what if" technique. If you can suspend judgment for just one hour you can literally change your destiny. If you believe in the "law of attraction" you must know that how you feel determines what you get. So the objective is to make yourself feel better about any failure you are experiencing. You must quit judging and instead reach for possibilities. You do this by saying "what if..." then you look for the positive aspects. Examples include

� "What if there is a purpose in what just happened?"

� "What if this had to happen so that something really big could happen later?"

� What am I supposed to learn?

� What if I laugh about this five years from now?

� What if I find a way to share this so other people can find comfort

Once you find the possibilities you start the flow and turn your failure into a huge opportunity for growth and success.

Regain your power
When you are feeling lost or confused you have lost your power to choose. If you want to be successful simply take full responsibility for your life. The way you do this is to realize that all of life is made up of little choices. Yes, there are circumstances that happen to you, but in the end it is your choices that give you power or drain your energy. You gain power through making conscious choices and you lose power when you react out of an ingrained pattern or when you react because of some trigger that you haven't learned how to control. The best way to see if someone is in a victim pattern of thinking is when you ask the question, "What are your choices," and they answer, "I don't have any." Responsibility is the recognition of choice. Real power comes in the ability to choose. As long as one is ruled by unconscious reaction there is no freedom to choose.

Motivation- Get the Daily Dose that Keeps You on Fire

2007-09-11T12:57:00.009-07:00

"One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire." John W. Foster

If that's the case we each have the ability to manifest the genius within. Motivation seems to have many of us playing red light-green light. We're on, then off. In personal development, growth flourishes with motivation. Check out the following steps to keep the fire burning.

1- Be in tune to what lights your fire~ Dr Carol Dweck*, PhD in psychology from Yale, and on staff at Stanford University has studied motivation and expressed the following, "... when you sift through the literature on creative genius, the researchers agree that motivation is perhaps the number one component in the realization of genius. Many of our most illustrious geniuses in every field were people who were considered ordinary as children, and then just caught fire around their topic and achieved amazing things that we know about today�from Darwin, to Coleridge, to C�zanne. All of these people were not necessarily extraordinary children."
Explore what gives you that emotional charge that makes it easy to take action. List the topics, ideals, information, music, activities, causes, and passions that get you wound up? Pay attention to your hot buttons. This is part of who you are that is different from others, and deserves to manifest and be shared.

2- Get your daily dose~ Fill yourself up with the stuff that keeps your flame lit. Don't think about what you "should" do. Do what makes you feel great! Incorporate joy into your schedule daily. First, you will feel more energized, more complete, and in flow. Secondly, you stand apart from others. So if you hate building your business by cold calling, don't do it. Do what you would enjoy. If you are uncomfortable networking you could shift your focus to how you can help others (if that's what you value). Filling your mind with exciting information, listening to uplifting music, or connecting with someone who inspires you may be just the daily habit to keep you whistling while you work.

3- Take responsibility to motivate yourself~ As motivational speaker Zig Ziglar would hear complaints about motivation wearing off he would sometimes respond saying, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing-that's why we recommend it daily." Too often we are looking for someone or something to provide motivation when it's really up to us to keep that spark ignited.
What makes you jump out of bed in the morning? What inspires you into action daily so that the genius in you is manifested fully? Ponder that. Starting Now!

* Click here to read and hear Dr. Carol Dweck, PhD, discuss the mythology of genius http://www.iub.edu/%7Eintell/dweck_interview.shtml .
Copyright 2006, Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved.

Anxiety Feelings: They Can Linger For Days

2007-09-11T12:57:00.007-07:00

The thought of a heart attack had never entered my mind at the age of 51. There was no history of heart disease in my family and I was not having one of those clutch your chest,fall over,Hollywood type attacks so I did not realize what was happening to me. I did not listen to that inner voice that was telling me something was wrong until an hour had passed.

Finally I decided to call 911 and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. It took an hour to get to the hospital because I was back deep in the woods at a cabin when I felt the attack begin.

Because of the length of time it took to start treatment ,I suffered damage to the hearts left ventricle(main pumping chamber of the heart)

It was explained to me later at Cardiac Rehab that heart attacks rarely happen like in the movies,especially to women. It can be as simple as having pain in your arm or in your jaw that is the first sign of trouble.

My message is to say that there are no times when anyone should feel embarrassed about getting to a hospital when they do not feel in their normal mental or physical self.
Believe that you know your own body and mind better than anyone else does on any given day or in any given situation.

Keep a journal of what is going on when you feel stress ,panic,anxiety or depression.Writing down this information can help you later when you reread it. The triggers to your situation may be found in your descriptions and feelings.

Taking action by recording your attacks,whatever they may be does help because when you take action you will get results. We all think we will remember the details of everything that happens during these attacks because we suffer so much from the affects, that it stays with us for days .

I come back to the journalling action because I feel a written record can be more useful as evidence and lead to knowledge about our situations.

Anxiety can be hidden in many issues and triggered at times and in places we are not aware of at the time of the attacks. Feeling the affects of these attacks can go on for days and writing your experiences down on paper or in computer journals is your record to look back on in the future in order to help yourself get a better understanding of the self.

It is amazing to read back in time and see all the similarities that crop up.Knowledge is power so be informed about yourself and take time to help yourself each time attacks occur.

You may notice that in writing and reading personal journals,over time you are actually not carrying the after affects of these attacks with you for days because you got rid of the emotion associated with the attacks through your writing.

It does not have to be perfect spelling and grammar,just write everything down naturally as it comes into your mind.
I know this will help as it has helped me. Try it, all you have to lose are those lingering feelings that keep you in the anxiety moment .

Assessing the Dance with Greatness

2007-09-11T12:57:00.005-07:00

I was reading a book on motivation today which, surprisingly, left me in tears. Actually to say "tears" is an understatement. A specific concept in the book left me nose-diving into my bed, pulling the covers over my head contemplating the whole meaning of what I am doing with this life. I will go so far as to confess that I was bawling on the telephone to my best friend that I am a failure. We are talking no small matter here.

Of course you must be wondering what on earth I would read in a "motivational" book that would shake my world to its core, reducing a pretty positive, up-tempo me to tears. The idea was as follows: when we tear up and cry at those great events in life (i.e. Secretariat winning the Triple Crown, your favorite team winning the big event, the 100% fairy-tale romance on television) we are actually mourning an unfulfilled desire to achieve that type of greatness in our own life.

At this point I am not offering whether or not I fully believe this logic. I understand that it was offered in an attempt to create intrinsic motivation and drive to achieve the sense of greatness for which you are mourning. I am offering that the idea gave me a lot to think about because I am a "weller". When beautiful, romantic moments are happening on television, the tears start to brim and I always say, "It's just so beautiful". I am a "sap". When my hometown basketball team won their conference championship, I was brimming up with tears because it was a really beautiful thing. Don't get me wrong, I don't cry at the drop of a hat. In fact, today is the first day I have cried in probably six months. I do, however, get silly and sentimental over these "beautiful moments".

Knowing that I am one of those people who tears up in the presence of greatness I gave a lot of thought to the proposition that I may be mourning my own unfinished dance. Almost immediately I thought of a theme-song for the dance, "I Try So Hard" a relatively new single by Bones Thugs N Harmony. Admittedly the song's lyrics, "It's like I'm takin five steps forward, and ten steps back; Tryna get ahead of the game but I can't seem to get it on track", are a little extreme, and perhaps obscure, for many of my readers, but stick with me.

With a theme-song in place I turned to the real work of how to assess where I am in my quest for greatness. Using a little self-coaching I have identified three questions for serious consideration. I am offering these questions as a potential starting point for you assessment.

1. Have I identified what greatness means to me? Many of us look at the quest for greatness as a road trip in which we will know we are there when we arrive. To the contrary, many of the historical greats new what they were embarking on. They knew what greatness meant and what it would look like.

2. Do I understand why I want to achieve greatness? Are you looking for greatness to fill a void, to right a historical wrong? Understanding your intrinsic motivation will not only help in achievement, but in sustaining success.

3. What is my historical relationship with the quest for greatness? Do I have a history of pursuing greatness right up to a brick wall then revamping my answers to question number one, essentially starting over? This is a common technique, fueled by the belief that if you knock on enough doors the right one will open. I confess that I have been guilty of using this strategy at various times in my life. You will want to be wary of relegating yourself to either a shotgun technique or a myopic focus on one type of success. I recently sat on a panel in which we interviewed emerging entrepreneurs on the topic of success. Sadly many candidates had so completely defined greatness that they were not open to opportunities in other areas. It became apparent to me that the quest for greatness is a delicate balance between identifying what greatness means and staying open to opportunities.

After working through these questions, along with identifying the frustrations I have experienced in my life, I can definitely see the logic of the "mourning unfulfilled greatness" theory. The reality is, however, this is a very sad way to look at life. I prefer to think that I can use these little moments in the presence of greatness as a checkpoint for my own quest. Instead of mourning I prefer to think that I will be experiencing a moment of sheer joy for the accomplishments of another human being, with a little reminder that one day my own achievements may inspire someone else to work a little harder and dig a little deeper to make their dreams come true.

Dream, Plan, Action!

2007-09-11T12:57:00.003-07:00

http://www.businessscents.biz

When Bad Things Happen, Learn Good Lessons!

2007-09-11T12:57:00.001-07:00

� 2007 Bonnie Ramsey

Independent Representative

for Scent-Sations, Inc.

http://www.businessscents.biz

The Power of Fun

2007-09-11T12:56:00.021-07:00

"Man, I wish we
could get rid of him. What a pain in the butt!" exclaimed the president of my
burgeoning natural foods company.

"Yeah,
I wish! But we can't. He brings in
too much money. The owner won't let us fire him," bemoaned the general manager.

Who's that?

The head honchos
were talking about me! I was the bane of their existence. In their eyes, I was
worse than an annoyance. I was a curse. Their cross to bear this lifetime.

What's Up with That?

Why did I upset them
so? Simple. I had too much fun!

I reveled in fun. I
propagated play. I promoted enjoyment on all levels of our organization.

As the company vice
president, I offered free homemade gourmet, organic lunches so all the workers
could bond by eating together every day. By
request, like a radio station, I piped in everyone's favorite music throughout
the warehouse and offices. I provided free Hollywood
film showings and live rock band concerts every Friday night to develop a sense
of community among the workers. I arranged Non-competitive Game Days with other
New Age businesses. I got the company to pay for employee hiking, canoeing,
sailing and skiing excursions.

In our retail food
stores, I sponsored parties almost every day. Customer Gratitude Days. Employee
Appreciation Days. New Employee Celebrations. Old Employee Goodbyes.
Welcome-to-Spring Bashes. Summer
Flings. Winter Festivals.

A Threat to a Smooth Running Ship

What upset my
bosses' world of professional propriety was general merriment. Revelry for no
reason. Play with no purpose. Amusement with no apology!

A Danger to the Bottom
Line

The only weak link
in their argument against fun in the workplace was that the Universe didn't
agree! A small flaw in their philosophy of business.

The World Talks Back

Yes, what really got
under their skin was that all my "frivolous folly" filled the coffers. Fun
attracted customers like kids to ice cream. Our retail outlets were always
packed. People ordered wholesale from us because our phone people joked with
them�and our delivery people came bearing smiles, laughter and free gifts.

My bosses called me
shallow and silly. They warned new executives and employees to not spend much
time with me or they would be "infected with idiocy."

The
Genesis of Joy

I
didn't promote fun because of any intellectual or highfalutin
philosophy. I
developed my approach in order to make "work" tolerable. In my first "job"�a
childhood lemonade stand�I discovered I could make business fun AND profitable.
I was sold on play. I was hooked on horsing around. Play equals profit in my
book!

I'm
Not the Only One

In
today's lingo, you could say that fun is the new Feng-shui of business. Ask
Google, Inc., who provide to their employees three free meals a day, play
space, office daytime volleyball games, and encourage the use of roller skates
at work! Fly the joking, jovial skies of Southwest Airlines�the only airline to
turn a profit every year since 9-11!

How
Do Angels Fly?

How do
angels fly? They take themselves lightly.

Certainly
there are times when life presents major challenges and one needs to act
clearly and directly, but behaving responsibly and efficiently does not
preclude humor and light-heartedness.

In fact,
a flexible, fluid, upbeat approach and attitude is crucial to releasing magic
and miracles in any endeavor�personal or professional. Inspiration and
breakthrough are often born from the spirit of playfulness and exuberance. A
spontaneous wink, a funny smile, a comic gesture can unlock deep blockage and
stress in any stagnate situation. Through conscious silliness, soul purpose and
connection can emerge.

Science
Supports Silliness

Recent
research supports this thrilling thesis. Scientific studies show that fun,
humor and laughter reduce stress, boost immunity, relieve pain, decrease
anxiety, prevent depression, rest the brain, enhance communication, inspire
creativity, bolster morale, sustain resilience, and help us keep our balance
and perspective in all activities.

Doctors,
nurses and attendants now use "clowning" in hospitals to stimulate the healing
process with patients. Medical professionals have discovered that when patients
are laughing and having fun, they experience less physical and psychological
pain�and recover faster.

The same
healing, transformative dynamic reigns in every realm�business, relationships,
sports and spirituality. Laugh more, heal quicker, feel better, live longer�and
attract more abundance in all arenas of life!

The
Purpose of Life

After
all, what is the true purpose of life? To learn to love more fully. What is the
ultimate result of all authentic fun, laughter and play? More free flowing
energy. Healing. Love.

Machines
Malfunction

One of my
teachers is fond of saying. "even machines malfunction in the presence of
seriousness." All human endeavors malfunction in the presence of seriousness!

Clues
Abound in Our Language

The
definition of seriousness in our culture is "weightiness." And people say, "You
must have appropriate gravity for the occasion." But
doesn't gravity weigh us down? "His manner was very professional and properly
sedate." Sedate or sedated?

Play Is a
Lubricant

Fun is
the antidote for seriousness. Play is a lubricant for aliveness and creativity.

Yes, But ...

Many
people in our culture say, "Yes, but ... you must have fun in a responsible way."
Yes, fun in a "responsive" way. Fun is the very essence of true
responsibility�that is, appropriate responsiveness. Fun is the mutual enjoyment
of the moment. The only way mutual enjoyment can be created is by being
appropriately responsive to the situation and people involved.

"Your Mission, Should You
Choose to Accept It"

The challenge is to
know how to create enough fun whenever and wherever you can. The biggest
obstacle facing most people is their attitude towards fun. Enjoyment is often
seen as a secondary�or superfluous�consideration in most undertakings. And,
sometimes, it's even viewed as a hindrance! Nothing could be further from the
truth of human creative dynamics.

Make enjoyment your
priority in every enterprise! Fun and lightheartedness are absolutely essential
for wellness, happiness and success. As unforeseen and uncontrollable events
threaten to knock you off stride or isolate you from supportive resources, play
keeps you open, flexible and resilient.

Fun
is the attitude of willingness to find whatever joy and aliveness exists in
each moment. Approaching life's challenges with a joyful heart is the surest
path to success in any venture. Fun is the best fuel for success because it's
the best food for your body, mind�and spirit!

Online Competition Information

2007-09-11T12:56:00.019-07:00

Human beings have the interest to show capacity of their
power and express thoughts and feelings through physical movements and
knowledge. Competition is known one to all people of the past and present.
Younger people are able to express their talent in this way without any immoral
and without revenge. Unfortunately people are growing up in modern society
through lot of responsibility. They are bogged downward by regulations
discourage this kind of competition. This concealed emotion can often lead to
physical and mental manifestations.

This competition around world site can help any capable
person from any age group easily find verity of competitions like online and
offline. Competition around world aim is enable the person to find a place of
competition and motivated to participate. Inside of the site verity of
competition option available therefore searcher can pick particular competition
as soon. Every event separately explain about type of competition and name of
competition, when the competition starts and end details also available more
over the prize detailed also explained clearly. These details help people to
understand and attend competition with proper plan. Therefore competition
around the world search persons day by day gradually increased.

Competition around the world is best boost for cyclic work person.
It also relies the stress and depression for lonely and separator feeling
person. The person who interested to get relax, it so good for them, because
they motivated to attend the competition then they go to attend the
competition, finally they wiped out their personal worries. Most of them try
for this for small change but finally they totally change.

Competition around the world may suggest schedule but
encourages participants to take the proposal and make their own. Eventually,
the participants learn to express their feelings beneficially, talk familiar
problems over and learn how to make your mind up them superior.

Attending Competition has always been an essential part of
all life style as leisure, as a mode of activity as well as a balance for life.
Competition is a very powerful source and has shown great opening on human
beings. Competition can reduce worries and stimulate human. Competition can
also stimulate feelings of sadness, fear, joy and peacefulness. Because of
these reactions, the knowledge of making and listening to competition can be
very valuable when perform as a figure of part.

In competition around the world, the competition conductors
make competition as a type of registration and as an expression of their
sincere emotions. In their part, they apply different events as well as their
own thought to create events. Competition around the world can help people with
various feelings but is especially helpful in children and adults with sportive
and knowledgeable. This can also help those who are physically imperfect in
some way by improving mouthful of air and muscle bringing together.

These activities are often done in certain sports club and
schools. Trained people with a qualification in competition are required to take
part the competition.

Why I Will Never Give Up

2007-09-11T12:56:00.017-07:00

At the end of each day, when I lay my head on my pillow, regardless of what happened during the course of the day, I know I've had it pretty easy. I know I can wake up in the morning and I'll still have that roof over my head, I'll still be at my home, I'll still have that food in the fridge, and I'll still be alive.

I cannot complain because there are billions of people around the world who cannot get any food, cannot get clean water, don't have shelter, don't have any semblance of security because there are people shooting each other for seemingly no reason, taking their kids, killing their parents. They have problems; we have minor inconveniences. Yet they continue to fight, every single day, to stay alive. They maintain that hope, that belief, that if they keep fighting and striving, that maybe one day it will be better, it will be easier.

There are billions of people around this world who would do anything to be in my shoes, and your shoes, for just a day. Just one day. Just one chance. They would do anything to have the opportunities we have, to feel the security we feel, and to taste the freedom we can taste. Because while you and I are at the dinner table enjoying a meal we did not have to catch ourselves, someone else around the world is walking around in the coldness of the dark, looking for something (anything) to eat. While you and I are sitting on the couch watching the latest episode of our favourite program, someone else around the world is lying on the dirt floor of their mud-hut waiting for the sunshine to come. And while you and I are contemplating whether or not we should get out of bed in the frosty morning weather, someone else around the world is already up working the field because that is all that will keep them warm.

Right now you might be sitting at your desk at home, at a computer lab at school, at work, or wherever, and you look around and see all that you ever need to do something with your life. There is nothing to complain about; you have everything at your disposal to achieve all your goals and dreams. You may not see it, but you need to. And compared to the billions of people living in poverty around the world, life isn't too bad at all.

So how can you ever complain about anything? How can you ever give up in anything? How can you ever say your life is tough?

I can never give up because there are billions of people around the world who don't give up. I have no right to give up when a child wakes up everyday to severe poverty, not knowing where his breakfast might come from, or even if he will have any breakfast, or lunch, or dinner. Yet he wakes up anyway. Hopeful that with every passing day, with every passing hour, it is an hour, and a day that will move him closer to a better life.

Billions of people around the world wake up to this situation, and never give up; I can never give up. I have no right to give up. You can never give up. It would be an insult to the millions of unknown strugglers if I were to even contemplate the thought of giving up. I could have easily been with them, rather than where I am now. I could have been in their position, and they could be walking in my shoes, with the abundance of opportunities at my fingertips. I owe it to them, to show them what is possible, and to show them that their strength, and their will, and their determination to survive and to strive is a force that will take them to their dreams. I will never give up because they will never give up. And you should never give up.

And when I wake up in the morning I will have a smile on my face. I will smile not just because I am alive in these times, and in this place, but because I can do incredible things with my life. And so can you. Choose to look at life as an opportunity to fulfil your dreams, and in doing so help others to fulfil their dreams as well. Look at all your supposed problems as opportunities to learn and to grow. View each mistake as one you had to make to learn the lessons necessary to move you closer to your dreams. Think about all the possibilities in your life, and all the opportunities, and take advantage of them now, today, because tomorrow there will be even more available.

You can achieve anything and everything you set your mind to, so long as you can see all the possibilities available to you.

Negotiating tips when hiring keynote Speaker

2007-09-11T12:56:00.015-07:00

Exchanging value for value is best when it comes to negotiating any deal instead of getting the price down. In care your keynote speaker wants $5,000 and you have $2,000 for the presentation, then look what do you have, which is worth $3,000 to the speaker in exchange for their services? Refer the following ideas:

Present many dates

Are you booking keynote speaker for several meetings this year? For how many would this keynote speaker be suitable? Speakers are normally thrilled to lower the price for a assurance of several dates.

Combine events

Can your keynote speaker also do a seminar? Sit in on a board? Spouse program? Or Publicity spots? If you have a good budget for any of these other events, the speaker would frequently throw in one or more of these additional events free, for his normal fee.

Barter

What do you have in had to trade? Obviously an aerospace union is barely going to trade a trip on the up coming space shuttle. Most speakers have products they will adore to advertise to your group. One long distance telephone industry doubles the speaker's fee, but pays it all in extended distance usage!

Allow speaker to sell products

Most speakers would come down quite a bit on the nominal fee if you permit them to sell their best seller books, cassettes, albums, etc. be careful! A few extremely unprincipled speakers would 'push' their products from your platform. This is awkward and revolting for your attendees. Many keynote speakers handle product sales with elegance and dignity. Something nice to take home to keep in mind a meeting and keynote speaker they really loved.

Use local speakers

If the keynote speaker could do your program, and still spend the night at home, in their own bed, they'll be delighted to do it for less as well. Often the fee is half of what it value when he should get on an airplane to get to you, and you don't require paying airfare! The sad fact is that at least 85% of the time, keynote speakers are brought from the 'other side' of the country-each side of the continent looks convinced, where the other side has better keynote speakers!

Selecting the right speaker for right event

2007-09-11T12:56:00.013-07:00

Selecting the right speaker for your right event is one of the most significant, yet daunting tools for creating a successful meeting. Your speaker can make or break the event. If he/she bombs, your reputation not only takes a rigorous nose-dive, but you even have the happiness of dealing with the salvo of complaints from a disappointed audience. In case if he/she does well, you could walk away with many of the accolades, complements, and of course, the ramble reviews. By now, you possibly realize that this huge responsibility should not be taken lightly.

Following are few guidelines that should help you keep your focus and also keep you away from "failures".

Program objective

Before you start searching for a right speaker, you need to know your program objectives. Begin with having end in mind. What is that you are looking to achieve? Is this your annual meeting, a training program, an incentive program, an award celebration or any other type of event? This would probably be a management decision, rather than you who would have to make. But you would have to make an intangible concept tangible.

Audience need

Along with your program objectives, it is important to consider the needs of your audience. Does your audience require industry or technical information? Will a good mixture of motivation and humor serve your audience's purpose? Today's audience is generally pertains to youngsters, who are more educated, more diverse, and more sophisticated than in the past. They want more information. They want to learn with fun, so consider the audience needs and exactly what they expect.

Reputation

With countless speaker available today for your business, how could you possibly decide which speaker would be best suit your needs? Many motivational speaker produce highly professional or glitzy marketing materials to assist your selling requirements. You should look deeper than just scanning a few brochures and ask few specific questions to find the right fit, such as what experience does they posses? How familiar is this speaker with the speaking industry? And, who else had used this person?

Outline

You can ask prospective keynote speaker for an outline of the presentation to confirm that they would be covering the material as you discussed. This would clearly say out what's expected as verbal communication is subject to being misinterpreted. Seeing exactly what your speaker plan to cover in the sessions must help to make sure that the material is tailored to your specific needs. You need to look for the maximum opportunities with your speaker. Discuss various ways they could add extra value and be an important resource to assist improving your meeting success.

Don't Wait for the Cavalry

2007-09-11T12:56:00.011-07:00

I love the movies because the movies are full of heroes. In the movies, the cavalry eventually comes. Help is always on the way. The bad guys generally win in Act One, but they rarely stay on top for long. Almost without fail, they get their comeuppance in the end, usually in extremely satisfying fashion. In the movies, the good guys reign supreme. This is not always the case, perhaps it is not often the case, in the real world. We need more heroes in real life.

Leaders need to be heroes. We all know that being a great leader is a tall order. We expect a great deal of our leaders. We trust the leader to pilot the plane, so we rightly expect that he or she knows how to fly a plane. The leader must be willing to prove his or her bona fides at a moment's notice. We expect that leader to be flying that plane to a better place than the one we just left. We expect our leaders to care about us beyond our status as a means to their ends. We require our welfare to hold a prominent place on their radar screen. Ultimately, we expect our leaders to cherish their roles and serve us as they would serve themselves, landing us in our final destination quickly and safely.

We often fail to realize is that we are all leaders. Most of us will become parents at some point in our lives, the first and the most significant leaders our children will ever know. Children learn most of their lessons regarding "how to act" from their parents. What is acceptable behavior? What is right and what is wrong? What and who should I tolerate? How hard should I work? Who should I aspire to be? These lessons and many more are passed from parent to child. Not only do parents lead children, but peers lead peers. In every group, team or mob, someone other than the titular leader takes the first action to bolster or undermine the validity of the leader's rule. Ultimately, any leader's grip on power is only as strong as the support of those that choose to follow. In reality, there are not leaders and non-leaders, but situations in which we lead and situations in which we do not. Therefore, none of us are exempt from the responsibility of leadership.

We need more heroes, but the solution to the problem is not to wait for them to arrive. You must accept the challenge of becoming that hero yourself. Your future, and ours, depends upon it. Don't assume you are ineligible because you lack a white horse, an invisible plane, a bulletproof cape or spider sense. Don't wait for the cavalry. Don't be afraid to be that leader that we so sorely lack. Chances are someone close to you is waiting for you to mount your horse and take up the charge.

Meetings can be Hazardous to Your Health!

2007-09-11T12:56:00.009-07:00

News Flash... Faithfully attending meetings may actually keep you from being as successful as you desire. Not to step on any toes here, but the truth of the matter is that meetings are potentially hazardous to your career health. Just mention the word "Meeting" and you'll here folks grumbling under their breath. So, what is it with meetings? Should we just abolish the very idea?

Obviously not. There is a time and a place for meetings. First of all, meetings do serve to get key people together and that is vital to the process of creating new concepts and products. Second, meetings can be integral to updating and amending ongoing projects. And third, meetings serve to unify your work-team. With all the potential and value meetings can offer, why is it that meetings get such a bad rap?

The Top 3 Complaints about Meetings

Starting and ending late
No clear purpose, agenda, or decisions made
Too many individuals in attendance and/or key individuals not present

Bill Jenson, author of The Simplicity Handbook, conducted research entitled "The Search for a Simpler Way." This ongoing research project has surveyed over 1,000 companies from around the world on best practices in the corporate world. They've looked at topics such as successful leadership and time management. Research feedback from successful leaders revealed some important findings. Successful leaders report that a critical factor to their success was Time Management Skills. In addition, they also said that they attended meetings only if the meeting met specific criteria. The criteria? Meetings need to provide a clear-cut, high return on their investment of time. These successful leaders claimed that they learned the importance of time management early in their career even if it wasn't the "popular thing" to do. It takes courage to be successful!

These successful leaders know the importance of having high standards. They are vigilant about spending their time wisely. Successful people are in touch with their own personal vision, goals and priorities, and what they spend time on is an absolute match to their priorities. In what ways does this important discovery impact you? Do you find yourself at the end of the day wondering where the time went? Do you feel at times that your time is wasted on meetings and paper work that are not helpful to your goals? Take charge of your life by taking charge of your time. Do it today. Your life, your dreams, your success depend on it!

�Key Secrets to Unleashing Your Own Creative Genius�

2007-09-11T12:56:00.007-07:00

In the business world one of the newest trends for cutting edge, progressive companies are the cultivation and expression of creativity. Brainstorming sessions and R and D teams and adventure-laden executive retreats have become pathways to higher levels of innovation, product development and prosperity. These bright-star companies understand the value of innovation. Tom Peter says, "We must innovate or die!" Are you ready for higher levels of personal innovation, productivity and prosperity in your life? Yes? Good. As is with most things, if you want something to change in your life you must begin with yourself first. Let's start there, shall we?

It's fairly common for people to say, "I'm not the creative type or I don't have a creative bone in my body". Not true! We ALL have the capacity to create. Granted some of us are on the higher end of the creativity spectrum and the rest of us fall somewhere on the continuum. The point is that we do have the ability to generate original ideas. Problem is that many of us underutilize this ability. Because of a tendency towards complacency and "group think" (if it's not broken, don't fix it) our ability to innovate becomes sluggish.

Peer pressure isn't limited to adolescence; it's actually rampant in our society. We've been conditioned to expect and want approval from others. We stay with in the comfort zone of "mainstream" mindset. To do better, to be better, to achieve our dreams we must stretch ourselves. Here's a clever story that illustrates the folly of acting out of sheer habit.

It is Thanksgiving. A woman prepares a turkey for her family. Her 11 year old daughter observes her mother slice off the end of the turkey. Curious, she asks her mother why she did this. The woman, startled by the question, looks her daughter in the eyes and says, "Gosh, I don't know why, I've always done it this way. In fact, this is the way y mom prepared the turkey too... Let's ask Grandma why she did it. Grandma was asked and she shrugged her shoulders, "I don't really know," she said, "but that's how Mama used to do it." Luckily the eldest cook, Mama, was still alive and well. The 3 generations of women asked Mama about the turkey ritual. Mama chuckled when she gave the answer. "I sliced the end off the turkey because my wood burning oven was very small and I wanted to be sure the turkey would fit!"

Luckily, this 11 year old girl's curiosity opened up the possibility of doing things differently. What about you? In what areas of your life are you operation on auto-pilot? Where do you experience frustration because you aren't getting the results you want and upon a closer look you realize that the same actions over and over again yield the same, less than stellar results? Is it time for a wake up call? Fresh ideas? New strategies?

Unleash your creative genius today by doing things differently:

1. Ask new questions.

2. Be curious instead of judgmental.

3. Take a new way to work

4. Eat in a brand new restaurant.

5. Strike up conversation with someone new.

You will be amazed at the flurry of brand spanking new ideas that will come to you once you"shake up" your routine. Try it. What have you got to lose? Except ancient ways of thinking and being? If you want a something new, try something new!

�Let Me Show You How to Be More Productive�

2007-09-11T12:56:00.005-07:00

Want to boost your productivity and personal effectiveness? Feel more clarity, focus and be purpose- driven? Read on to find out how. Let's begin by doing a comparison of your brain to your computer. Just as your computer has the capacity to download, search for information, process, and create new files so does our magnificent brain. What happens, though, when we run several programs and attempt to multitask at the same time? Typically, our computer will freeze up or begin to act very strangely indeed. This sounds familiar doesn't it? Well, in the same ways our computer demonstrates "overload" so do we as human beings. As we push ourselves to the "psychic RAM limit", we find ourselves acting a bit like our overworked computer! We make more mistakes, lose things, or sometimes literally shut down. Unfortunately there's not the trusty " Best Buy Geek Squad" that will come to defrag our life!

It is impossible to do consistent, excellent work when our minds are full of competing information, new ideas, and nagging thoughts of problems to be solved. Fresh ideas, brilliant solutions and clarity of focus can only occur when our personal operation systems are in peak performance mode. Peak performance mode requires an Empty Head.....

So what's an Empty Head? It sounds a bit counter- intuitive, doesn't it? An Empty Head is simply this, a clear mind, uncluttered by thousands of fragmented, incomplete thoughts. My request of you? Get those rowdy, unrelated thought fragments out of your head, pronto! Okay, I can just hear you say, that all sounds well and good, Diana, but how could one possibly create this clear-mind in today's hectic information laden world? As with any new habit we wish to acquire, awareness of what we want to change is the first element, then comes making the necessary adjustments over a period of time( 21 days is the typical amount of time it takes to really get into a new pattern of behavior.)

Here are 3 simple things to do to "Empty Your Head"

Do a Morning Brain Cleanse- Every morning, take 10 minutes to write everything that comes into your mind. Write it down on paper. No editing or judging allowed! This exercise is designed to release all that miscellaneous "stuff" out of your head. It feels great, try it! You will experience greater clarity once you adopt this habit.
Clean up your Personal Environment- We have way too much physical clutter and material possessions. Time to let go of what you no longer need or use! Your personal work space should be clean, clear and inspirational for you to do your best work.

Manage Your Emails-.People waste so much time with e-mails,it's really insane! Update your spam filters pronto. Hire an assistant to be the "gatekeeper"of your emails.Use the phone! Sometimes a conversation can be more effective.

Enjoy your new found time and freedom not that you've discovered how to "empty your head"!

Discover How to Have Zero Problems in Your Life

2007-09-11T12:56:00.003-07:00

Wouldn't it be nice to live your life effortlessly and with ease with few, if any problems showing up on your radar screen? Would you like to learn how to enter the "problem free zone", a place where you have plenty of time and energy to do what you really want without being constantly bogged down with sticky problems to fix? Thought you might be interested!

I daresay it is possible to experience the problem free zone. Really! And, no you, won't have to isolate yourself from humanity so you can create more harmony and synchronicity in your life.

At a coaching conference held in Indianapolis several years ago, I heard Thomas Leonard, founder of the coaching industry make a bold assertion. Thomas said, we, alone are responsible for the majority of problems we experience in our lives. Wow! He also coached us to take responsibility for our lives and adopt new strategies to eliminate and/or significantly reduce the number of frustrating, time consuming problems that were shoeing up in our daily lives. If you dramatically reduce the number of problems in your life, you auto automatically give yourself a reserve of energy, which you use towards those activities that inspire, motivate and give you joy. For me this idea of living in the problem free zone was an absolute revelation! I was on the edge of my seat as I listened intently to learn this skill set. I couldn't wait to free myself and my clients from the tyranny of constant problem solving. Here's what I have come to discover after learning this life changing notion:

First, in order to reduce or eliminate problems I your life, you must be willing to change and have an open-mind. Are you willing to take a good look at what habits you have that actually create static for yourself? Here are three main ways that we create problems for ourselves:

A) Need for Control- Are you in the habit of forcing certain outcomes? Do things have to be your way? Issues of gridlock and ongoing power struggles with others are probably your experience. Do you notice that you tend to the same kind of problems over and over again? There's a reason for that!

B) Self Sabotage- Because of lack of confidence and self-doubts we may stall on taking action OR inadvertently make mistakes that keep us occupied rather that accomplishing the actual goal. You may feel like you are spinning your wheels. Sound familiar?

Expecting the Worst- Do you think that life is hard? No pain, no gain? These beliefs

are actually quite pervasive is our culture. Collectively we tell each other and ourselves that say nothing is easy. This negative philosophy actually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your expectation of difficulty will be there every time, guaranteed. If your expectation is that something is going to be hard to accomplish and that there will be lots of obstacles to achieving the goal. Trust me, it will be exactly that!

So let's turn all this negativity around, shall we? We live in an incredible time in history. We have access to so many types of resources from all around the globe. The truth is that for most problems there are solutions. The Internet has contributed hugely in this regard. If you want fewer problems, then first make the assertion,I am a solution magnet! Adopt the mindset from here on out that any problem you have is masquerading as an opportunity for you to learn and grow. The solutions are readily available to you,I promise!

Put Your Cape On, Superman

2007-09-11T12:56:00.001-07:00

I have one phrase for you. You must. Not "you can," "you have the ability" or "you might be able to." You are better than all of these half steps. Mama didn't raise any half steppers. You must. You must live your passion at all times, in all ways. You must dare to have it all and have it now. You must ignore all those who tell you differently. Society in general will tell you that you cannot, that special achievement is for people more special than you. Perhaps you have listened too well. Some will give you faint praise and encourage you to "be all you that you can be." Every time you hear that, you are left thinking, "Ok, but how?" To get started, you must answer one question.

Are you ready to be a winner? Are you ready to be "The One?" Are you ready to be free? Today is when you must start believing that you walk this planet for big reasons, that you can alter history in big ways. This very day you must accept that you have something within you that belongs to the world, something you must begin to share. You must acknowledge that you have something that the rest of us are dying to see. You have the recipe to the special sauce and our mouths are watering for a taste. You may be the doctor with the antidote. You may be the one that changes everything for everyone forever. You may be "The One" that makes us forget how it was before you arrived. But only if you are ready.

Don't rob us of your greatness! All the great ones have won their freedom through their greatness. Everyone who is "all that" now, was "less than that" at some point. These great people had no time for "they." "They" are all wrong about you. "They" don't know anything about you. They have no idea that you have the heart of the champion. They don't know that you have indefatigable will, that you have strength beyond measure, that you are the one that they will all soon talk about. They don't know, because you have kept it hidden. You may have kept your greatness hidden behind your insecurities, behind the fear that you can't do it. This is no longer acceptable. It's time to put your cape on, Superman! This instant, you must begin to conquer that barrier in your mind that keeps you in a seat on the couch rather than in a seat at the Grammys, that keeps you at "who dat" rather than "there she is!" You must understand that freedom is The Real Bling, the only bling that matters in life, and commit to getting it by the ton.

You must, not just for your sake, but also for your kin, your community, your country, your world. Right now is when you must get started. Waiting until later is unacceptable. If you start later, you will have spent more precious time in captivity. And each day spent in captivity brings you one day closer to having your will broken for good. Now is when you must admit that the reason you are not free is you. Now is also the time you must decide that you deserve to be free and that freedom is worth the fight.

It Could Happen

2007-09-11T12:55:00.021-07:00

Many people like to use the phrase, "That could never happen." I, however, don't like to limit others or myself by thinking in such limited ways. Life is mysterious and many things can happen, even the most impossible. Instead of thinking in terms of never, it seems more logical to think in terms of "It could happen."

When I made my list of "100 Things I Want to do Before I Die," I put two things on the list that seemed pretty farfetched. One was to have my picture on a US postage stamp (without being dead) and the other one was to meet the Queen. I had shared my list with several people and most picked those two items out to tell me they would never happen. Well, about a month ago my picture did indeed appear on a real US postage stamp. True, I created and paid for the stamps but, nonetheless, my picture now appears on real stamps that I can use. This week I am off to California to meet the Queen, the E-zine Queen as it were, but still a queen. With this one I learned to be very specific since what I meant when I wrote this on my list was I wanted to meet the Queen of England. I have since updated my list.

The moral of the story is that it could happen. Don't limit your dreams and goals. You never know what is possible until you try. Also, keep in mind that you don't have to know the "how it will happen." Your job is to know the "What" and to be very clear about it. When you are creating your dreams and goals, be very specific, add as much detail as possible and then get busy visualizing and realizing your dreams.

Get in the practice of saying "It could happen" because indeed it could. When others tell you that it could never happen put your figures in your ears and chant "I can't hear you." You could also sing La La La La for effect if you like, or you could simply smile, say nothing and look forward to the day when you can say, "I told you it could happen."

Create your Perfect Day

2007-09-11T12:55:00.019-07:00

When you know exactly what you want it is very easy to create. It is impossible to create what you cannot clearly see. You create what you want by your thoughts. Thoughts are things. By getting very clear about what you want in your life you will attract it to you.

A year before I left my corporate job I sat down and created a job description for myself. The description outlined in detail the job I wanted, who I would work with, the office I would have and how much money I would make. I was specific and left nothing out. After I had been coaching for a while I came across the job description and was amazed. I was doing exactly what I had outlined in my job description, including having an office with a view of the mountains.

According to Divine Magic, a book revised and edited by Dorren Virtue, Ph.D., "You create your own universe." The Power of a Single Thought says, "You may not like the current condition of your life, but it will quickly change if you strive to achieve your ideals." There is a great quote by William James in the book by Wayne Dyer, Wisdom of the Ages. James contends that "There is a law in psychology that if you form a picture in your mind of what you would like to be, and you keep and hold that picture there long enough, you will soon become exactly as you have been thinking." According to Jack Canfield in the Success Principles, "When you give your brain specific, colorful, and vividly compelling pictures to manifest, it will seek out and capture all the information necessary to bring that picture into reality for you."

Before you can live your perfect day, you need to know what it would be like. What would you be doing? Who would you be with and where would you be? You have to be very specific and detailed. Once you become clear on all the details you then create an opportunity for your perfect day to become a reality.

If you can't believe this really works, I understand. Sounds a bit out there. I have proof, though, that it works, and it is working in your life right now. Take a moment and think about the thoughts you have about your job, the people you work with, your current situation, and your day in general. If your thoughts are about how you dislike your job, about how hard it is, how much you struggle, that you just do it to put food on the table, the people you work with are horrible, you don't make enough money and each day is a challenge to make it through, my guess is you are right. Whatever you are thinking about your day, that is what your day is like, right? I wake up every day thankful that I have the best job in the world, and you know what, I do.

I want it and I'll have it

2007-09-11T12:55:00.017-07:00

Want is the first step in achieving success. Creating a desire, a want, begins the wheels of success to turn. Sadly enough though "wanting" is not enough. In addition to wanting, you have to believe you can have it. I notice that many people say, "I want" and follow that with "but" and list all the reasons they cannot have what they want. Any words that come before "but" are diminished and cancelled out. To truly have what you want you have to believe it is possible and know that you will have it.

There is a great story in the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill (if you haven't read the book you need to and if you have read it you need to reread it) that illustrates the need to believe you can have what you want. Henry Ford decided he wanted a motor that was designed with the entire eight cylinders cast in one block. The engineers quickly told Ford that it could not be done. "The design was placed on paper, but the engineers agreed that it was simply impossible to cast an eight-cylinder engine block into one piece." To this Ford, replied, "Produce it anyway . . . I want it, and I'll have it." It took years to design what Ford wanted, but Ford's belief that he could have what he wanted resulted in the famous Ford V8 Motor.

The first step in success is to want it. The second step is to believe you will have it. The third step is to take persistent action towards obtaining what you want. You have to have passion to create success. You have to really want it. You have to believe it is possible for you to have it and you have to be willing to go after it with gusto.

If you wonder why you don't have what you want, ask yourself if you truly believe you can have it. Before you can manifest anything you have to believe with all your heart that you can truly have it. This sounds simple, but I believe this is the step where many people stop themselves. They truly don't believe they can have what they want.

Be honest with yourself, do you truly believe you can have what you want?

How to Stay Out of Jail

2007-09-11T12:55:00.015-07:00

I am amazed at the number of rich, famous and successful people who seemingly forget that the rules the rest of us live by also apply to them. I have a theory that, once a person gets to a certain level of success and wealth, the air becomes very thin up there and her ability to think clearly is impaired. Although success and money may impair one's abilities to think clearly, there are steps that can be taken to avoid making the types of mistakes that create unpleasant results.

I am amazed once again at yet another CEO scandal. I was reading an article about the soon-to-be-former CEO of HP, Patricia Dunn. Dunn will step down from her position at the beginning of 2007, "amid a widening scandal involving a possibly illegal probe into media leaks" (Associated Press, Sep. 12, 2006). It appears that Dunn thought it was okay to obtain private telephone conversations using personal information about members of the board of directors and others. The story is still unfolding; however one thing seems clear, the air must have been too thin for Dunn to think clearly.

It seems something happens to people when they become rich and successful. I don't think being rich and successful means you have to break the law or commit other immoral acts. I believe there are ways to avoid these situations, which actually are not limited to the rich and successful. The first line of defense is to remain true to your values. Most people's values don't include lying, stealing and wiretapping. If you keep in mind what is most important to you, the chances that you will be tempted to do something illegal or immoral are slim. If you stay true to your values, the chance of getting into sticky situations is more unlikely. I am not saying this is easy however I believe that staying true to your values will make your life much less complicated.

The second way to steer clear of trouble is to avoid the worst enemy of humankind, the tendency to justify. The minute one has to begin justifying his or her actions, the red flags should fly. You don't have to justify what is right, but when something is wrong there are a million ways to justify the action. Even Dunn is justifying her actions. Dunn commented that, "These leaks had the potential to affect not only the stock price of HP but also that of other publicly traded companies," (Associated Press, Sep. 12, 2006). Although this may be very true, two wrongs do not make it right.

The third way to avoid getting into trouble is simple but provides powerful protection. Have a best friend or confidant who will tell you the truth and call you on what you are about to do. I have made a pact with one of my best friends that if he ever thinks I am doing something stupid that will get me into loads of trouble, he is to immediately tell me and do what he can to stop me. I believe that if we surround ourselves with people who will tell us the truth, many mishaps could be avoided. I personally would have loved to have had five minutes with Martha Stewart just so I could have said, "Martha, what are you thinking?" It appears many rich and successful people surround themselves with "yes people" and that isn't a good thing.

Let's review: the three ways to stay out of jail, avoid embarrassing your family and ruining your reputation are to

1. Remember your values and stick to them
2. Avoid justifying your actions
3. Have at least one close friend who will tell you the truth.

If you follow these rules you will forestall ever seeing your name on the front page of the daily paper for doing something less than stellar.

Find Your Life Purpose

2007-09-11T12:55:00.013-07:00

"What Am I Doing Here?" It's ironic that one of the
questions people on this planet ask themselves most is also one of the
questions that goes most unanswered. After a few years of fruitless inquiry,
many people resign themselves to never knowing their own unique Soul Vision for
this lifetime.

Most people know they are here on earth for an explicit
reason. They know they have something specific and special to bring to the
party on Planet Earth. And most people also know in their heart they will never
be truly happy or healthy until they find a way to express their signature
vibration, their unique gifts and talents�their Birth
Vision.

I've
discovered that the happiest and healthiest people on the planet are the people
who are living their dream�that is, fully expressing their Soul Vision. Would you like to find
more purpose, prosperity and a zest in being alive? You can. By connecting to your Soul's Design!

Your soul is in charge of your life. Your soul has been
running the show from behind the stage curtain since the beginning of time. You
can become aware of the ways your soul design influences the actions of your
personality and directs the spiritual unfolding of your unique destiny. You can
uncover the brilliant strategies and scenarios of your spirit�and break free of
old patterns that keep you from having what you truly desire.

How do
you discover your Original Intention, your Heart Path? It's a lot easier than
most people think! A major key is learning to ask yourself the right questions.
A further assistance is to approach the subject from a radically new and
different angle. A third aid is a safe, supportive environment in which to ask
the questions.

The right
questions activate your soul assignment. Fresh questions spark personal
insights that have never surfaced before. Feeling safe when you ask allows you
to go deep enough to get authentic soul answers.

For
example, getting an insight to a question like "What is the spiritually
beneficial purpose of going bankrupt, being betrayed or losing my job?" can
reveal your Soul Vision.

You can
also use the power of peak moments of clarity you've had earlier this lifetime
to trigger the same lucidity now. Re-experiencing the vibration of these past
moments of clearness creates the same vibration of clearness in the present.
From the space of this clarity, you can receive accurate, satisfying answers to
all your life questions.

In addition, through
meditation you can intuitively identify the common thread running through the
relationships, jobs, hobbies and activities of your life. Recognizing this
theme allows you to capture the essence of your soul's expression this
lifetime. Knowing this essence is the key that unlocks the mystery of the challenges
you face this lifetime.

With this factual
information, you can restore your natural ability to recognize the people,
opportunities and activities that will lead to a soul-satisfying life. You can
get invaluable guidance on how to attract more magic, meaning and money in your
world.

As you get clear on your Life Path, you can then align your
personality with this Soul Blueprint.
When you synchronize your actions and attitude with your Soul Blueprint, you
begin to receive all the support and love you need to fulfill your
destiny. By the Law of Spiritual
Attraction, your clarity vibrationally draws to you the resources and good
fortune to achieve your dreams.

When you harmonize your
daily life with your Soul Vision, you're also automatically in alignment with
the Soul Vision of every other person on Earth. Through natural synchronicity,
every other person on the planet will then assist you to achieve your goals and
happiness!

A life journey "with soul"
is fun, exciting and fulfilling. With this new clarity, you see where you walk
in balance and where you are missing the mark. You find your own true circle of
truth. You discover the prosperity and peace in following the guidance of your
Higher Self and the Heavenly Helpers�Archangels, Spirit Guides and the Ascended
Masters.

You now can answer your
Life Calling. You can uncover what you're being beckoned to do this lifetime.
And you can translate this true calling into right action. Then you move into a
new arena of personal creativity and self-expression!

Motivational Speaker

2007-09-11T12:55:00.011-07:00

A motivational speaker is a specialized speaker, facilitator or trainers who talk to audiences, generally for a fee. The important speech usually takes place either at the commencement of the event, or the close of the event. The length of these speeches goes normally last 45 minutes to two hours in time. In contrast, a meeting or seminar normally lasts three to 7 hours (or in some cases a number of days). Motivational speakers come from many differing backgrounds. While the motivational speaking vocation needs no proper teaching or qualifications, those who speak competently and achieve something in the profession possess the proven ability to lift up, instruct and encourage their audiences. Some of the superstar speakers, sports figures, politicians, Olympians and best-selling authors earn $10,000 - $200,000 per talking.

All over the history, great speakers have touched the lives of millions of people. Nowadays, in schools throughout North America, motivational speakers motivate students to reside in school, shout no to drugs, turn into leaders, and get ready for life after graduation. Adults encouraged by motivational speakers to go after their dreams and attain their goals. Among other things, motivational speakers aid people to achieve something in business, develop their relationships, build up a positive manner, grow to be healthy, attain monetary prosperity, and have more excitement in life. As a motivational speaker, you too can treasure fun, freedom, and monetary prosperity while serving others. Few jobs suggest so many benefits. As a motivational speaker, you will receive clapping and esteem, and up to thousands of dollars every time, you talk. If you begin your own speaking business, you can get pleasure from the freedom of being your own boss.

Fees paid to motivational speakers differ rooted in the speaker's skill, star power, familiarity, niche and level of customization. Additionally to enlightening value, consider things like humor, storytelling, novelty, and the refrain from canned speeches. The excellent speakers can connect the viewers and share best practices, experiences and life lessons without mind numbing the listeners. Specialists debate the long-term value of enthusiasm. It reasonably agreed, on the other hand, that a motivational speaker could have a direct impact on a person's self-esteem or sense of self-worth. The most successful motivational speakers tell again people of their own latent and motivate them to develop their personal and professional well-being.

One more concern raised is the religious tone (frequently biased to one faith) lots of motivational speakers adapt. A motivational speaker should be expert enough to know the dissimilarity between inspiration and evangelizing -- particularly when one considers the variety of religious beliefs across the world. Unless, the speech is being given within a religious circumstance, these sermon-type keynotes can be the slightest effective staging and one-dimensional. Evangelizing also banned in the office as it infringes on civil liberties. In addition, it is wrong to take for granted that the audience consistently shares a remarkable religious mindset. Any presentation prejudiced towards one set of spiritual or cultural values runs the risk of problems with maintaining non-hostile backgrounds.

Tackling Tolerations

2007-09-11T12:55:00.009-07:00

Do you ever feel that something is holding you back from true growth and accomplishment? Do you think to yourself, if I only had the time, space, etc., to do XYZ, my life would be so much better?

Getting rid of the things you are tolerating is analogous to clearing out a room like they do on "Trading Spaces" prior to the redecorating effort. How can you make wholesale changes in your life if your life is so packed that there is no room to put stuff in? Tolerations weigh you down and eliminating them frees up your time and energy in a way that makes true change achievable.

The first step to this process is to define what we mean when we say "tolerations". Tolerations are things that you put up with each day that take up space in your mind and distract you from that which is really important. They drain you emotionally and exhaust you so that feel stuck in an endless loop where you cannot grow.

Next, you need to identify and acknowledge what you are tolerating. It helps to write them out even if you have no idea how to resolve it. You may want to categorize them as well, putting them in groups such as "work", "relationships", "physical environment" and so on.

It may take a while for you to really notice tolerations if you have been putting up with them for so long that you no longer recognize them as such. One of my clients, "George" seemed almost offended when I suggested that we work on this topic. His response was "I'm not putting up with anything!" I asked that he just put the idea on a backburner and we'd come back to it later. About a month later, George came to our session with a list of 78 things he was tolerating!

As he explained it, the idea of tolerations went off almost literally like a light bulb for him. He had gone home one day after work and headed for the refrigerator for a cold one and as he opened it, he noticed that the light bulb in the refrigerator had gone out. Now the bulb had been out for about 2 weeks and what hit him was the thought process that went on when he saw it again for the umpteenth time. "Darn it. The light's out. I should probably change it. But the bulbs are in the garage somewhere and I don't feel like looking for them right now. I'll do it later." George realized that he thought this every single time he opened the fridge and saw the light out. He further realized how much this tiny thing was weighing him down and aggravating him. He dealt with it right then and there.

George then moved on to the kitchen drawers and then spent the weekend clearing out his home office. He shared how he felt lighter and freer and wonderfully productive. He wondered why he hadn't done this earlier and started making a list of all the little things he had been putting up with and committed to getting rid of them.

Once you have identified the things you are tolerating, you can start taking action to eliminate these things. Most people find it easier to deal with physical tolerations (fixing the back door, replacing the light bulb, cleaning out the closets) than with emotional tolerations, such as how your mother-in-law behaves whenever she visits your home or why you keep hanging out with friends that you for granted or put you down. Be clear on how to make strong requests instead of complaints. Understand that if you choose to tolerate something, it is just that: your choice. Ask yourself how that toleration serves you before you accept it. Suffering is not useful to anyone, least of all you.

If you have committed to leading a toleration-free life, you can look forward to having more time and energy. Instead of managing situations around you that drain your energy, you can happily choose those areas in your life that you want to focus on and develop. Eliminating tolerations is a skill that you grow into; the more tolerations you get rid of, the less you are willing to put up with in your life. Why not start today?

Motivational Keynote Speaker

2007-09-11T12:55:00.007-07:00

Getting a motivational keynote speaker would be the easiest part of planning your program. But before you start your search, ask yourself a few questions. First, before you start the search for keynote speaker, ask yourself, your committee, your management and all your possible prospective attendees the questions such as:

Why are we holding this meeting?
Why to use an outside keynote or motivational sales speaker?
Why a celebrity or a professional speaker?
What are the requirements to kick the sales program?

Further do not let anyone forget as you establish your objectives, which these stars didn't achieve their fame by their implausible comprehension of management theory or by speaking at banquets! Instead of searching for your motivational keynote speaker from who do we require approach, try for "what are the issues faced by our industry and what could the speaker do to help us?" What are our actual objectives? Normally, the purpose is just the augment profits. What are the other sub-purposes that would bring this group together? It could be, Morale-building, new plans, and trends or awards and rewards. Is a motivational keynote speaker would help accomplish these objectives?

What else could a motivational keynote speaker do for the group while he/she is there? Spouse programs, children programs; would the speaker also do a breakout session for the same existing fee? Is the speaker enough of a name that he/she could be used to assist promote your group and affair earlier on radio and TV? Once the "why" and "what" have been established, then start on who is the keynote speaker and can he/she assist you meet your objectives. Now the part is easy! Once your objectives are evidently established, the possibilities are actually endless! Ask other planners whose groups might be facing from similar problems or who have worked on same goals in the past, and who they have used that worked well.

Find an agency or agent. Let them search their records for the ideal match. There are at present 350 agents and agencies across the U.S. Find one that is anxious about your problems and the look for you're undertaking. Many work like travel agents, and you get your service for free, some charge you a fee for their services. Before you start the search, before you ask for who you need to ask yourself What, Why, Who!

Winning is Freedom

2007-09-11T12:55:00.005-07:00

Your freedom will come as you commit to winning. Winning is great all the time, its presence always "mo' better" than its absence. Winning can mean more money, or more power, or more fame, or more respect, or more pride of accomplishment, or more of all of the above. These are all good reasons to want to win, but not nearly as good as being free. Those who win consistently have achieved a measure of freedom that many never will. They, first, freed their minds. With their minds free, these great ones do great things.

Keeping Your Freedom on Lockdown

2007-09-11T12:55:00.003-07:00

You deserve to be free in all ways, not just a few. To live the life you deserve, you must enjoy freedom in all its variations. Indeed, our physical freedom is our birthright. It is not something that should need to be earned, bought, or passed from generation to generation. It belongs to us from "Once upon a time" to "The End." Physical freedom is important, but true freedom also means living a self-determined life, which is not easy. True freedom means creating, rather than accepting, the environment in which you live. It means refusing to stay in surroundings where you are not wanted, not loved, or not valued. It means having the ability to change your situation immediately, taking a principled stand when a principled stand is required. It means working on your own behalf for your own reasons. It means not accepting other people's definition of how much of your time is their time and how much they will allow you to keep. You lose in that deal every time. It means being a Public Enemy when necessary, fighting the powers that be. It means not accepting anything human-made as a given. Free people know that anything human-made can be human-destroyed if necessary. True freedom is living life rather than just surviving it. Free people believe they can beat any odds, and then bet on themselves to do just that.

Those who are truly free will not accept "sometime" freedom, nor will they wait for "someday" freedom. In the same way that you would not accept the right to vote in only odd-numbered years, free men and women do not accept circumstances that work against them today in exchange for the promise of retribution at some later date. They know that those who would hold them captive today cannot be trusted to emancipate them tomorrow. Therefore, they support only those people and organizations that would have them do well at all times. Free people believe they deserve to do well, so they insist upon surrounding themselves with people who feel the same way. This is nonnegotiable. No bully is going to take their freedom like it was lunch money. They keep it on lockdown like Hannibal Lecter.

Further, those who are truly free believe that freedom delayed is freedom denied, and they're not having it. They see too many of their peers busy dying one indignity at a time while waiting for their gold watches, so the free get busy living. Yet, too many of us spend our entire lives working for the weekend, working for vacations, working for retirement. We spend our entire lives trying to endure the bulk of our days as they want, so we can live some small portion of them as we want. People who are free in all ways believe it is their absolute right to determine their fate. They spend every day of their lives asserting that right. This is how free you need to be to be free. Yet, there is something inside too many of us that causes us to defer freedom or, worse still, to give it up altogether. Why? Freedom begins in your mind. You cannot be free if your mind is not. Are you free?

Outwitting Procrastination

2007-09-11T12:55:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we, as women, sabotage and

undermine our best efforts to become all that we're capable of being.

I think that one of the most powerful ways that we do a number on

ourselves is by procrastinating.   What exactly is procrastination and

how do we use it to sabotage ourselves over and over again?

Well, let's start with a definition.  I just did a websearch for the

word "procrastination" and found the following definitions:

"To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or

laziness.

To postpone or delay needlessly."

I tend to agree with the first part (i.e., putting off doing something

or postponing, etc.), but disagree with the second part (i.e., out of

habitual carelessness or laziness).  I've worked with enough women to

know that the majority of us are neither habitually careless or lazy!

My Goddess...I only wish I could be more careless and lazy!  Don't you?

I find that most of us are so busy trying to do so much and trying to

do it all so well, that if we end up putting something off, it's

usually because we're so burned out from everything else we're trying

to do and we can't face that 'one last thing' on our ever-expanding "TO

DO" list!

I think that we end up procrastinating many things in order to actually

take care of ourselves.  Unfortunately, however, I often see women

putting off the exact things that would be the most beneficial to them

(I'm guessing that you, too, have skipped your exercise class in order

to sleep in for an extra hour).  How can we learn to not put off those

things that give us the most peace, relaxation, and sense of

accomplishment?  By putting them at the TOP of our list!

Here's something that I use and share with clients with great success.

Write up your regular "to do" list for the coming day and include in it

one major self-care activity (yes- ONE A DAY!).  Examples can be: go to

the gym, get a haircut, have a bubble bath, watch a funny movie, etc.)

The possibilities are endless! Then prioritize the items, making sure

that one self-care activity is one of your 'top three' priorities

for the day. (I can hear you screaming, "I can't!  I could never do

that!" ) and blah, blah, blah. I'm choosing to ignore your protests

and you should too.  Just try it for one week and see if you don't feel

a whole lot better...

Then you can try procrastinating stuff that really can wait (i.e.,

washing the car, reading over your insurance policies, etc.) and

practise making yourself your priority!  And yes, even women with

children can do this successfully.  In fact, kids benefit greatly by

learning that mom also has a life and deserves good things (it's called

"modelling behavior" and it's definitely something you want to teach

your kids).  Were we taught self-care growing up?  Not many of us were

for sure... Why not teach your kids by modelling self-care behavior?

They'll thank you later!

And lastly, when you stop procrastinating YOU; you're not being

"selfish": everyone around you benefits when you're happy, healthy, and

calm.

What are you going to do for yourself today?

I've gotta go- my meditation cushion is waiting!

Empower Yourself Today!

2007-09-11T12:54:00.009-07:00

How do you feel about where you are in your life? Consider this; where you are in this very moment of reading this article is the summation of all the choices that you have made up to this point. That's the good news and the "bad news" It's a sobering idea, isn't it? What this means is that if you aren't happy with some aspects of your life then on some level you have chosen the results you have!

Wow, this is powerful to know and to consider. We are always one decision away from moving TOWARDS or AWAY from what we desire. It is really that simple. I recently read a wonderful book by Debbie Ford called "The Right Questions". Debbie highlights 10 important questions to ask yourself. All ten questions are excellent, but I found this question to be extremely useful and potent. The question is: Does this choice empower me or disempower me? Each time you contemplate a decision, ask "will this choice empower or disempowered me?"This answer will keep you focused and on track!

I have a wonderful client who expressed her desire to be optimally fit and healthy. She elaborated that although this goal is extremely important to her she tended to sabotage herself by choosing to not follow through on such things as consistent exercise. Her assignment? To ask herself the ultimate truth telling question, "Does this choice empower me or disempowered me" when she had the urge to skip her exercise class. She took the challenge and believe it or not we bumped into each other at a power yoga class. We both had made empowering decisions that Sunday evening! High 5's all around!

Our thoughts, our decisions and our actions directly influence our outcomes. That's big. Our thoughts influence our actions and that directly influences our outcomes. We always have NOW to change the course of our life. Pay attention to those rogue, negative thoughts that pop into your mind, (you know the type: An Excuse: "Being heavy runs in my family, why bother dieting?" or a Negative Expectation e.g. "It's probably never going to get any better than this, there's nothing I can do." or Resignation: "My hands are tied, I give in" You get the idea! The next time ask yourself how does thinking this thought serve me? Am I empowering or disempowering myself? Then make a decision that can change your life. Do what empowers you! My request to you is to make the choices that will serve you in the highest possible way. See you at the top!

Dreams Cost Money!

2007-09-11T12:54:00.007-07:00

What makes the world go around? Is it... love or money? Without a doubt, love is the ultimate, dynamic force that gives our lives meaning and fulfillment. However, without money flowing into our lives we'd all be in dire straights.

As an entrepreneur and president of my own coaching and consulting company, money has been a key issue to address both for my clients and myself. An observation I've made is that many people struggle around the issue of money, even when they earn high incomes. Most people feel that they don't have enough of the "green stuff" to finance their dreams. In fact, money is cited as the main obstacle to being unable to achieve lifelong dreams. Wow, talk about the death of a dream.

Do you have the financial reserves you require to finance your dreams? Will you be able to travel to the destinations you dream of? Will you be financially set when retirement comes around? Do you have a reserve fund that would enable you to take advantage of a golden business opportunity?

Barbara Sheer, career coach, was once quoted as saying "Our dreams are who we are." I love this quote. How true it is. Think of the goals, dreams and aspirations you have. These goals and dreams actually represent the essence of who you are. It's exciting to know that we all can live very authentic and dynamic lives by tapping into our fertile imaginations. You may be thinking, this "dreaming business" is all well and good but what does it have to do with money? Quite frankly, EVERYTHING!

Are you on the "working for a living" treadmill? Are you living life? Or, is life living you? Ever so important questions to ask yourself! If you are so busy "keeping up with the Jones", it's highly likely that your authentic life is hidden from view. Your daydreams and visions for a great life unfortunately become reduced to pipedreams.

All dreams need a financial foundation. Get started today with saving funds in separate "buckets' so that you have what you need when you need it. Investing in yourself is truly one of the best investments you can make.

This week take some time to review both your dreams and your financial situation. Make the commitment to honor yourself and your dreams. This week I challenge you to get real about your finances so you can get real about your dreams. Keep dreaming big!

Awaken Your Potential!

2007-09-11T12:54:00.005-07:00

Wake up call! You've probably heard the statistic that says we humans on average only access approximately 10% of our brain's potential. And that is on a good day! It makes one wonder what the "sleeping" 90% portion of our brain's potential could be. It's really a staggering concept. What might you envision for yourself if you were virtually unlimited? What would life be like for you if you tapped into your huge reservoir of your own potential? Wow!

Here is a 3 point process to access more of your own vast potential. First begin visioning each and every day. If you aren't clear on what you want, you aren't going to get there. Visioning is an activity that lets you bypass your "issues" and go straight to possibility. Your dynamic, crystal clear Vision will pull you forward to the success you desire.

Second, design and place yourself into dynamic environments that both support and pull you forward. Your environment can make, break or keep you static. Choose wisely. Environments that challenge and stretch you are vital to your own growth and success. Human beings are more fully engaged and successful when they consistently set goals that are slightly out of reach. What about you? Are you growing or stagnant? In what ways will you stretch yourself this month? Will you: Assume a leadership position? Enroll in the MBA program you've talked about for years? Finally upgrade your technical skills? Go for it!

Third, identify and emulate role models who are wildly successful. Recently, while in my power yoga class, I attempted to execute a difficult posture. (It wasn't pretty.) I glanced up and saw a woman in the row ahead of me elegantly and powerfully assume the posture in a way that absolutely defied logic! I never dreamed the human body could actually do what I saw this "yogi" do. Seeing her do this amazing feat instantly helped me to reframe what is indeed possible. Had I not seen what was possible, I might have continued with a very limited, narrow perspective on what my own body is capable of. My challenge to you this month is seek out those who are 10 steps ahead of you. Observe and learn from them. Perhaps it is time for you to enlist a mentor or coach? As Ralph Waldo Emerson so aptly said, "What lies behind us or ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies within us!" Awaken your potential and step into your greatness.

"What lies before us and what lies ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Fresh Start

2007-09-11T12:54:00.003-07:00

2007..A Brand Spanking New Year is upon us. What will you choose to do with it? Your decisions and mind set today about the year ahead will make all the difference in how this year shows up for you. Really. The ritual of making New Year's Resolutions has been in place for centuries dating back to Babylon. Records show that their top two resolutions were #1 to pay off old debts and #2 return tools to neighbors! Our modern day resolutions aren't all that different from the Babylonians, are they?

So what is the secret to making a resolution that actually comes true vs. tired, "same old, same old "obligatory resolutions that don't come true? You know the ones: "I will lose weight this year" "My business makes more money" I will stop smoking" etc. It's simple really. The most important component to creating powerful and potent resolutions is to create intention statements. An intention is a statement that is clearly articulated and infused with feeling. The resolution " I will lose weight" becomes "I am strong, enjoy optimal health and am physically toned and fit." This clear intention lends itself to creating more intentions and actions that support it. For example, "I delight in eating delicious, nutritious foods each and every day."

Your script of intentions becomes your touchstone to progress on your dreams/goals. A helpful tip is to review your intentions often( daily is optimal) to reaffirm your commitments. If certain intentions no longer hold the "zip" they once had throw them out and write up new ones that get you excited. This intentional process works like a charm! Watch amazing things begin to happen in your life. Success Expert, Anthony Robbins says this about being decisive: "The moment I finally said, I've had it! I know I am much more than what I am demonstrating mentally, emotionally and physically. Anthony Robbins says he made a decision to alter his life forever. "I decided to never again settle for less than I desired and I did just that!"

Be bold. Be decisive. Be committed. What do you really want for the year ahead? Why do you want it? I invite you to dig deep, get crystal clear and declare your decisions and desires for 2007.

In order to make room for the New Year, it is very important to close out the past and get clear on what your desires are. Here are some excellent questions from the book" Completions & Creations, A Book of Questions" by Marcia Jameson.

What was your greatest learning in 2006?

What about yourself, your life, your work are you most committed to changing or improving in 2007?

What brings you the most joy and how are you going to have more of it in 2007?

I'd love to see your intentions for 2007.,I invite you to e mail me your list of your intentions. I'll support you 100%! Carpe Diem!

3 Quick Tips to Manage Your E-Mail

2007-09-11T12:54:00.001-07:00

Upgrade your Spam Filters~ Go to Google.com and get a good filter to relieve you from all that unsolicited spam. According to Jupiter Research we will receive 1,400 junk e-mails a year by the year 2006. Get a good Spam filter today.

Scan your Messages~ Create new standard for yourself. Scan your e-mails for these 2 defining factors: 1) Who is your email from? 2) What is the subject header? Hit Delete if those 2 factors don't ring your bell, advises Bill Jenson, author of �Simplicity in the Workplace'. Bill also suggest that we send e-mail with a definite subject AND due date in the subject line and that we should advise our fellow e-mailers to do the same or risk the Delete key! This practice will lessen your e-mails by at least 50%. I highly recommend Bill's books as great resources for productivity strategies.

Schedule Your E-Mail Checks~ Set specific times vs. constantly to check e-mail. A recommended schedule might be in the beginning of the work day, noon and late afternoon. Quit chopping up your day bouncing back and forth with e-mails, instead be productive and focused. You'll get a lot more done and that's a good thing!

All About Motivation

Freedom Now!

Living Free

Truth Becomes My Reality

Freedom Feng-Shui

Powerful Techniques For Overcoming Procrastination

Motivation And Belief

Kickstart Your Life: 9 Simple Ways

Do You Get Motivated Or Do You Get Defeated

Deadlines: A Powerful Tool For Overcoming Procrastination

Procrastination: The Silent Killer

A Journal is the Chronicle of the Paths Your Thoughts Take

Goals and Dreams 3-5

Challenges and obstacles 3-5

Steps Towards Goals 3-5

Accomplishments and Achievements Minimum 5

A Journal is the Chronicle of the Paths Your Thoughts Take

Goals and Dreams 3-5

Challenges and obstacles 3-5

Steps Towards Goals 3-5

Accomplishments and Achievements Minimum 5

Child Mind, Subconscious Mind

LA Gangs, Violence, Education, and Excuses

The Power of Persistence

Creating the Right Environment

Transforming the Kundalini of the world

Wedding Gown Therapy

My �Juicer Aha� Moment

The Time Diet

A New Twist for Your �To-Do-List�A �Not-To-Do� List!�

The Salsa Lesson

A Fresh Perspective on �Time Management�

The Secret - A Time To Remember

The Secret - A Matter Of Time

Are You Building Your Foundation of Success: Six Secrets of Motivating Yourself for Success

Are You Building Your Foundation of Success: Six Secrets of Motivating Yourself for Success

Five needs , motivation and visualization

A Matter Of Prespective - The Secret

The Secret - A Matter Of Moving

The Secret - A Matter Of Knowing That Already

The Secret - A Matter Of Giving Thanks

A Journey of Personal Growth

The Secret - A Matter Of Chatter

The Secret - A Little - Used Secret

How To Pack More Life Into Your Life

Anxiety Affirmations

Stress Can Affect Your Attitude

How to Create Huge Breakthroughs This Year!

There's Nothing Quite Like Getting What You Want!

How to Stop the Drama that's Keeping You Stuck

Use the "what if" technique

Motivation- Get the Daily Dose that Keeps You on Fire

Anxiety Feelings: They Can Linger For Days

Assessing the Dance with Greatness

Dream, Plan, Action!

When Bad Things Happen, Learn Good Lessons!

The Power of Fun

A Threat to a Smooth Running Ship

A Danger to the Bottom Line

The World Talks Back

Online Competition Information

Why I Will Never Give Up

Negotiating tips when hiring keynote Speaker

Selecting the right speaker for right event

Don't Wait for the Cavalry

Meetings can be Hazardous to Your Health!

�Key Secrets to Unleashing Your Own Creative Genius�

�Let Me Show You How to Be More Productive�

Discover How to Have Zero Problems in Your Life

Put Your Cape On, Superman

It Could Happen

Create your Perfect Day

I want it and I'll have it

How to Stay Out of Jail

Find Your Life Purpose

Motivational Speaker

Tackling Tolerations

Motivational Keynote Speaker

Winning is Freedom

Keeping Your Freedom on Lockdown

A Danger to the Bottom
Line