Amazing Rainbow

Increase Productivity While Working Online

2010-02-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

Since the majority of online entrepreneurs work alone on the internet their success is dependent upon their own personal productivity. Most people starting an online business normally have a small budget to work with so it is up to them to do it all. Therefore increasing productivity is critical for the majority of people when marketing on the internet.

Most online entrepreneurs are aware how time consuming certain tasks related to marketing on the internet can be. For most working alone puts tremendous demands upon increasing productivity just to be able to keep the business running.

Let's look at 5 different ways in which online entrepreneurs can save time and energy while increasing productivity.

Leverage Your Own Efforts

Learning to 'multi-purpose' previous articles, sales copy or blog post can save you a lot of time and effort. Take some of your older blog post and use them as outlines for new articles you can submit. Along the same lines by scaling down some of your older articles you can use them as blog posts. These are great ways for increasing productivity without much additional effort.

Do not discard any old sales copy but instead use it as a 'template' that you can put back to work for any other product or project that may be applicable.

Walk Away When Feeling Unproductive

Ever have those days when you find yourself just staring at the computer screen? When this occurs learn to simply turnoff the computer and go do something else. There is not much sense to wasting time on something you are not being productive. Instead go find something you can accomplish or if nothing more take a 'breather' and let your 'batteries' recharge until you are feeling more productive.

Unplug for a Change

Purposely take time away from your computer screen when you can. For instance if you can do with a pen and paper what you are doing on your computer than choose to work offline for a while. Things such as drawing out a weekly plan, article outlines or even ideas for a blog post can be done away from the computer.

Getting away from your computer screen will serve a couple of purposes. It will give you a refreshing change of scenario while also allowing your eyes some much needed rest from the computer screen.

Limit Your Computer Time

Set time limits on your computer use. By doing this you will find that you work more efficiently and productively. Setting time limits makes you more aware of what needs to be done and how to do it in the quickest way. Time limits also help you to stop non-productive behavior such as aimless browsing, game playing or email checking.

Encourage More Participation on Blog

If you have a blog, as most marketing on the internet do, you want to encourage your readers to leave more comments. By increasing reader participation there is a stronger sense of community at the blog and this is something readers enjoy. Also and just as important these comments can also give you new ideas for content or making improvements.

Your personal productivity plays a key factor in the success you will have when marketing on the internet. It is typical for most when starting an online business to be the 'sole' employee therefore time and productivity are important variables.

The 5 tips we discussed here today are aimed at increasing productivity by saving time and getting more out of your own effort. By following the ideas these tips represent you stand to experience less personal stress and better business results for less time invested.

Handle Criticism At Work

2010-01-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

Criticism, as you know, isn't the same as bashing. It is not something to be used personally against you. It is not something meant to demean you or your job. If you want to learn how to handle criticism in the workplace, read on.

It's one thing to hear criticism from your mother at home; and another thing to hear it from the people you work with. So want to know how to handle criticism in the workplace?

1. Take It In Stride.

As much as possible, try not to get your emotions tangled up in a crazy web. Emotions have no place in the workplace. When someone gives you a criticism, try not to think that that person is acting out a vendetta against you.

You're not in a day-time soap opera. You're in the professional arena where the quality of your work is regularly monitored. Criticism is normal. You get it. Others get it as well. The best thing to do would be to keep your emotions out and kick in your drive to succeed.

2. Improve Yourself.

The best way on how to handle criticism in the workplace is to set your self as career-mode on. Now that you're thinking as a professional, you can easily dissect the criticism more properly.

What is it about? Is there any truth to it? How can you improve yourself? If someone tells you that your desk is too disorganized, why don't you go about cleaning it up right away? If someone tells you that you work too slow, see what you can do to speed things up (without sacrificing quality, of course).

Remember that criticisms aren't meant to bring you down, they're meant to help you become a better person. It's a bitter pill to swallow, surely, but one that will help you get better in the long run.

3. Be Thankful.

After you've taken said criticism into consideration, the next thing on the list is to be grateful. Why? Well, because someone cared enough to let you know where you're going wrong or what you need to work on.

Even if that person doesn't really see it that way, you at least were given an opportunity to evolve. It might sound crazy to learn how to handle criticism in the workplace with gratitude; but this actually puts you in the right frame of mind. By being thankful, you're no longer prone to anger and frustration.

Learning how to handle criticism in the workplace is valuable to anyone who wants to establish good relationships with their co-workers. You can't just blow up every time somebody says something to you or about you. Be strong enough to take criticism in stride, use it to improve yourself, and be thankful.

Wrong Reasons to Spend Money

2010-01-23T00:27:00.000-08:00

Some people who just can`t control their spending habits. And this only becomes a problem when other areas in life begin to suffer.

This suffering can be intrinsic, financial or just in general whether it`s with family, friends or work. There are often reasons why someone has the need to spend and it`s often when those issues are addressed, that the over-spending stops.

Spending money can become an addiction. It can be so habit forming that it becomes who you are and what your routine looks like. You might be in the habit of going to the store and buying whatever you like and over buying on things, just because you can buy it at that time.

Often a shopper with a problem will buy on impulse and will buy in quantity or quality. That means that they may be able to buy four dresses without trying them on, or they may have no thoughts against buying an item not needed even when it costs too much money.

Feeling like you have an addiction to spending money means that after you make your purchases, you feel over-whelmed with guilt and grief. You might get home and not even know what possessed you to buy some of the things you did, but might feel too ashamed to take them back.

Spending money on items that you may not need can take a heavy financial burden on you and your family. You might be neglecting on important items or bills in order to pay for impulsive items. This kind of stress can put a heavy toll on someone living alone, or in a family. Financial stress is one of the number one causes behind divorces.

When you have family members and friends that are questioning your spending money, you might have some insight into what they see. Often you may not notice how other people view you because they do not say anything, but when they do voice an opinion, it may be time to listen to what they have to say.

There might be a breaking point, where your family breaks up, or your financial walls have come crumbling down around you where you address that you need help. There are ways to battle the addiction of over-spending and it just takes some quick soul searching.

Many times buying items comforts us in some way. It makes us feel good to buy new items and spend money, there is a little piece of heaven attached to it. However, you have to ask yourself if you only buy things when you need comforting. This is an important issue to address. Do you run to the mall when you feel bad about something? Do you over spend on groceries when you know you can`t afford it?

Some strict self-discipline needs to take place for change to occur. You can talk with your doctor about seeing someone for counseling to deal with the emotional issues.

You can also contact your bank and make an appointment to talk to someone. Your banking professional can give you a monthly budget and help you look at ways to pay off bills and save money.

Often changing the way you think, can alter your spending desires. Take a temporary second job and start collecting the money in a separate account. When you go shopping you will begin to think about the items you are buying and how much they cost and how much work you had to do to pay for those individual items.

Start to buy the things you need in cash leave the debit card at home and find other ways to comfort yourself when you need it.

Plan For Success

2010-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Some people think that successful people were born lucky or perhaps had all of their cards handed to them in life. This may be true for some of them, but the majority of successful people get there all by themselves. All it takes is mind power, positive thinking and drive.

To be successful people, the first thing you need to consider is creating a realistic plan. The plan should be in two parts; long term goals and short term goals. Success entails a lot of planning so pick up an agenda, lots of paper and pens and get started.

The purpose of creating two types of goals is because there are things that realistically you cannot accomplish in two weeks or a few months such as earning a degree for example, however something small like; changing apartments or requesting a raise at work can be a short term goal that can happen in a short amount of time.

Designing a life plan involves setting yourself up to succeed. Write down goals that are realistic with time frames that will work, if you make a plan that you know in the back of your head won't work, then you might be inclined to not really follow through with it anyways.

A visual plan helps you to see where you need to go and what steps are needed to get there. You can add time lines that are workable and add details that are needed to help you out. Once you have a plan you feel successful already!

With a plan in hand, the next step is to make it happen. Nothing happens by just sitting around talking about it or continuing with your regular day to day life, you need to make some changes and begin implementing your plan.

Success comes from people who show leadership qualities. In order to get ahead, you have to be the kind of person who can express themselves confidently, take chances, make mistakes, take the initiative and lead rather than follow.

Standing out from the crowd is a sure way to earn your path toward success. You will find that you start to grow ahead of the people around you and when that happens you are becoming successful.

Everyone has different ideas about what success is. To some people it`s when they can buy an island where to someone else it might be when they get that manager position at work. Success is measured by yourself, so your plan and your goals and whatever they are is what you feel success is to you and your life.

The key is to stick with your plan and carry out your small goals that lead up to one of your short term goals. Once you start finishing all the small goals and see that you are starting to combat your long term goals you will really see the fruits of your labor, and it will be almost time to create a new plan!

Everyone can be successful, it doesn't matter what your life has thrown you or what your limitations may be, if you can think positively then you are already on the right track. Remember to listen to you and no one else, unless of course they are being supportive!

Don't let negative comments get you down, flustered or make you want to give up. In a few years from now, you can either be in two places; somewhere far away from where you are in your life now, or it can remain the same.

Setting Goals to Gain Maximum Benefits

2010-01-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

Setting goals is very important if you want to live a planned life. Whether its personal goals or professional goals, setting goals will lead to self improvement and teach you the benefits of being disciplined.

The importance of goals cannot be overstated. Goals are an exceptionally strong motivational tool that gives us targets that we can focus on. Setting goals, however, is not a simple task and takes some experience.

So how should we go about setting goals that provide us with the maximum benefits?

1. Understand goals know full well, what a goal is.

For example, setting a goal like 'retire at 45' is significantly different from setting a goal to finish the first three chapters of the book you're writing within a month.

The former is more of a personal mission statement rather than a goal. While the distinguishing line is not that thick, understand that goals should have measurable targets and a timeline over which major constraints can be mapped and planned for.

2. Set your targets.

Given the understanding of what a goal is, the next step is to establish measurable targets for each of the goals you are setting. The target would usually be in the form of a deliverable with certain characteristics.

If there are multiple deliverables, map them out with the requirements of each deliverable and prioritize them.

3. Identify resources.

Identify the resources available with you that will be required to achieve the above targets. The most important measure, typically, is the 'personal hours' that you think will be required in the completion of each task.

In addition, identify any other resources (for example, hardware, additional personnel etc) that might be required to be procured by you for the tasks.

4. Map out constraints.

The effectiveness of most goal setting exercises lies predominantly in this stage. You need to be smart about identifying constraints that will affect the overall timelines associated with the completion of a task.

For example, an employee might be going on vacation, or one particular aspect of a task might require external expertise that will be required to be availed at that point etc. While environmental factors lead to a number of evolving constraints that cannot be planned for, in-built or foreseeable constraints should be mapped to the best of your knowledge.

5. Set your goals.

Given an understanding of the targets, resources, and constraints, set your goal. The key here is to set goals that require you to stretch a little beyond your comfort level. This ensures that you remain motivated, have a competitive timeline and remain disciplined in your approach.

6. Monitor the progress.

Have ready, a formal schedule and process for monitoring the progress. Quantitative targets lend themselves well to a disciplined approach towards monitoring your progress. But understand that you will not necessarily be able to defined quantitative measures of progress across all tasks that you undertake.

Where you find yourself unable to set meaningful quantitative targets, use your knowledge to set defined milestones that will help you map and monitor the progress.

7. Be flexible.

Though it may sound contradictory to the general emphasis laid on being disciplined in goal setting, a big part of being effective at setting goals is in understanding that every task is influenced by a number of factors, not all of which are under your control.

Hence, effective goal setting requires that you be flexible and adapt to changing conditions quickly.

Setting goals is one of the most powerful activity to get organized and focus your energies efficiently.

It is however, also a tool which is extremely difficult to implement and can frustrate you as you struggle to utilize it.

The key is in remembering that there are no universal solutions and you need to fine tune the process to best suit your circumstances and characteristics. Monitor your efficacy at it on an ongoing basis and you will perfect the art.

The Invention of Something Profitable

2010-01-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

When you want to find a brilliant invention idea, you are planning an invention; this is different from having an epiphany one day. Here is an article to get you started and generally guide you through the invention process.

The first step in coming up with an invention idea of something profitable is identifying a problem in society.

Finding a Problem

First, you have to find a problem. What is a problem? I think most everyone knows what a problem consists of, especially a problem when we are on the subject of inventing.

A problem is anything that hinders one from reaching a desired goal or object. There are problems all throughout our society, as you know.

You probably encounter around 20 problems a day and most likely openly complain about half of them. Up until now you haven't noticed when you did this, but going through day to day life as a human is your number one supplier for good problems. Listen to yourself, when you complain think about if it could be fixed with a nice invention.

It's hard to be focused enough to notice when you complain or see a problem; however, with some practice, it starts to become more noticeable. Also, I recommend carrying around a little journal or using a phone to document these ideas when they come to you.

When looking to identify a problem there is also another resource that is readily available - people around you. This might include your co-workers, friends, family, etc. People naturally complain, you hear this every day, and up until now you thought it was a bunch of annoying non-sense.

Everyone thinks it's stupid and unproductive; I have read many psychologists explain people complaining as being some kind of human emotional need for love or some other bull crap.

Well, I have developed my own explanation for why people complain. People complain in order to make advancements. People locate problems and vocalize the need for the problem to be solved, thus we have an invention idea or advance in technology.

So, listen to the people around you, they will tell you problems they have in their lives. This can be even harder to do then listening to yourself, because we have been conditioned to not pay attention to people complaining.

The internet is a great source for information, use it. People have a problem; they post it on the internet. This is similar to listening to people around you, it's just people that are farther away. There are thousands of blogs and forums where people have jumped on the internet and posted a problem they are having.

Go on Google and search for household problems or something along those lines and you will surely find something. Also, as I talk about later, a great problem to identify is one that causes death; therefore, it could be beneficial to search online for things that are causing a death toll every year.

If you start to master using these three sources of information for identifying problems, then you will soon have too many problems to remember.

Is the Problem Common?

Just so there is no confusion, you do want the problem you identify to be common. You don't want to be the only person having that problem, or else the invention idea you come up with to solve that problem will only be useful to you. There are a couple of simple ways to decide whether a problem is common:

Ask people you know.
Talk to your friends, co-workers, family, and just anyone you know and see on a regular basis. Ask them if they have the same problem. You don't have to tell them you are thinking about coming up with an invention idea to solve it, just ask, "Man, I hate it when (blank) happens. You ever have that problem?" This is a simple way to see if a problem is common without telling people about your inventing plans.
Again, use the internet!
If the problem is common, then a thousand people have already posted about it on the internet. Do a search on Google, and see if the problem turns out to be very popular.
Last, you can hold a survey.
Go to a place that consists of a lot of people whose attention you can get, such as school, and ask them to raise their hand if they have this problem. This can be a little more intimidating to some people, and it will definitely reveal you are up to something. That being said, it is a great way to get fully submerged in your project.

Don't take this step lightly; it is very important that your problem is common. The invention idea of something profitable has to appeal to a large amount of people.

Has the Problem Already Been Solved?

Obviously, this is also a very crucial thing to recognize. Solving a problem is going to do you no good if there is already something that solves it. So, you have to do a little research to verify that your problem is free for you to solve. As you would probably guess, a great place to start is the internet.

At this point you have probably already searched for your problem on the internet, so hopefully if it is obvious that it has been solved, then you would have already noticed. I would do a more detailed search to make sure you didn't miss anything the first time.

Next, it would be wise to do a patent search. You can do a patent search online at the USPTO's website or with a patent attorney. I would recommend just searching online as it will be cheaper and easier. Searching for a problem rather than an invention is pretty difficult, so it may take a while. Also, you can try searching an obvious invention idea that applies to that problem for better results.

Also, I find it helps a lot to ask around. A lot of times someone will say something like "I think I have heard about something that does that," or something along those lines. Don't forget the value of people.

Is Solving the Problem Viable?

The ultimate question: is the problem going to be profitable to solve? There is no definite answer to this question. There are many things to consider once you have made it to this question.

Does it save people money?
This is a big one. People love products that can pay for themselves. We are also in the midst of an economic recession, so people are always looking for ways to save money. If you are shooting to save people money, there is one important thing to consider; your invention has to be very cost efficient. People don't want to hear that your product will pay for itself in five years, they want quick results.
Does it save people time?
The average person hates spending time on things they don't enjoy. People want to get back to their free time, so saving them time can be very appealing. Over the years time has become quite important to us for many reasons.
Does it create comfort or entertainment?
This is a very hard thing to consider, because it is very opinionated; therefore, it requires you to make a judgment call. Some people get comfort or entertainment from different things, so if you choose to take this route, you have to be sure your invention will apply to lots of people. If you are going to attempt to tackle this, I would recommend doing extra research, online and in surveys.
Does it save lives?
This is another big one, and leads to the invention ideas of something very profitable. There is always going to be a great way to market an invention that saves lives. I would definitely recommend going down this path.
Does it help people who are hindered?
This is a broad category and almost goes with saving lives. There are many things that hinder people such as allergies, diseases, physical limitations, etc.
Would people pay for this problem to be solved?
To really answer this take some thought. You have to consider many variables. You have to kind of start to think about how much an invention to solve this problem would cost and if that amount of money is worth solving the problem. You have to also consider the economic state of your consumers. For example, in today's economy people are spending a lot less money, but you can do some research and find articles to find out what people are still spending money on. The worst thing is to have a great invention, but not be able to make money due to a lack of research at this step.

Now you should have a favorable problem to solve; you are on your way to the invention idea of something profitable.

Research

At this point you should have a problem that you are interested in solving. You have hopefully already done some research on your problem; however, the research has just begun. This will be a very easy step to skip or not fully commit to, but it is very important for a couple of reasons. You need to research your project thoroughly in order to be equipped to start to solve it.

Make sure you know every single thing about your problem; read books, read magazines, read the internet, and anything else that could possibly educate you about your problem. I realize most people don't enjoy reading, and want to skip straight to pioneering the best invention of the last ten years, but inventing is a tedious process if it is done correctly.

Most great inventions took years to fully develop, and I don't think we can even fathom how much research these inventors did, because I guarantee you they didn't just sit and think for ten years. Doing research will help you to engineer a solution, but it also serves another purpose.

Doing research helps to completely submerge you in your invention; it causes you to think constantly about your problem and increases your urge to uniquely solve it. If you are truly interested in inventing I would strongly advise you to do plenty of research.

Uncovering an Invention Idea

Use Problem Solving

All problems require problem solving; however, some are easier to solve then others. An invention requires a high level of problem solving; this is why it is hard for most people to come up with a unique invention. Some people are naturally good at problem solving and they can solve problems with ease, but there are many people who have developed ways to teach people how to solve problems.

There are many great sites and books that give full lessons in problem solving and I would recommend checking some out. I am going to outline a couple of things that I think are important to problem solving in inventing.

Completely simplify the problem.
It is easy to look at the problem and get caught up in the complexity of solving it, and this can discourage you. Take the problem you have identified and find the underlying cause. You want to have a simple problem in order to have the simplest solution. Simple inventions are generally very profitable.
Change the setting of your problem.
This might be difficult to understand, so I will give you an example. Let's say your problem is getting in the shower and then realizing you forgot to get then new shampoo bottle and now you are all wet. Change the setting from a shower to your car; remembering to get a new pack of gum to put in your before you leave to go on a hot date. Doing this will allow you to look at the problem from multiple angles. Don't be afraid to do this several times for several different settings.

Problem solving is about solving a problem by using logic and using techniques to enhance your logic. However, logical problem solving isn't the only way to go about solving your problem; you should also consider the abstract side of pinpointing ideas, which I will talk about next.

Imagination

Imagination is built almost completely around vision. Vision contains two elements, one of which is often overlooked. The first part of vision is the retina receiving light rays and sending them to the brain, this is this part of vision that everyone is familiar with. The second part, what happens after this, is the part that relates the most to imagination.

The part of vision where the brain interprets the information from the retina varies from person to person. How the brain perceives the information it receives from the retina is based mostly on past experiences, and there are experiments that prove this.

Therefore, if imagination takes place when the brain perceives the information, and the way the brain perceives information is based on past experience, then imagination is limited by experience. That might have seemed like a stretch, but think about this. When you are a kid your imagination is free flowing and untamable, but when you get older and gain experience your imagination begins to dwindle.

How does this apply to inventing?

Most of the great inventions that end up turning over a large profit or changing the world result from an invention idea that is completely ludicrous to the average person. This means the key ingredients to a successful inventor are a loose imagination and the ability to creatively solve a problem.

In today's inventing world many inventors have a background in engineering. I have been in engineering classes where they have taught me "how to invent". They do this by rolling out 12 steps of how to come up with a perfect invention idea, each step instructs you exactly how to proceed and think.

Well, I think if inventing could be written in 12 steps to a perfect invention idea, then everybody would be coming up with outstanding inventions. You and I both know everyone isn't inventing the next best thing. This is because being the next Walt Disney isn't achieved by following a 12 step equation.

How to break down the barriers on imagination

As I said above, the brain perceives information based on past experiences. It does this because it needs to conserve energy; therefore, the longer you live and the more experiences you encounter, the more your brain will use past experience to conserve energy. This conservation of energy is the enemy when you are trying to stretch your thoughts and be creative. Forcing your brain to rely less on past experience is a very tough task or everyone would be really creative.

A great way to start thinking differently is to do new things - go to new places, participate in new things, and meet new people. Flooding the brain with all these new things causes it to break down categories created by past experience. In order to get rid of conventional thinking, you must also recognize that conventional thinking limits you and there are different ways to perceive things even though you have seen it the same way for so long.

Last, the most obvious way to try and break down ordinary thinking is by literally looking at things differently. This seems simple and broad, but it can really be hard to accomplish. An example of this would be if you were an artist you could take pictures of your artwork, or maybe look at your art in a mirror. Increasing your imagination is a hard task to accomplish, but when you do the results can be very rewarding.

Evaluating Your Invention Idea

If you are interested in generating income with your invention idea, then you aren't done. If you want to make money, you are going to have to spend a considerable amount of money to patent and possibly market your invention. You need to be certain you are completely happy with your invention and that it will be profitable when it is place on the market. This requires more research. I know you are probably sick of research by now, but it's important. There are three main ways to evaluate your invention.

Study past inventions.
Look at successful past inventions and look at failed ones. Study how the economy was when the invention was released and how the economy compares to today's economy. History is the best prediction for your success or failure.
Ask people you know.
Talk to people about your idea and ask their take on it. Talk to people that will be honest with you; false support can lead you to make a bad decision. Don't worry about them stealing your idea; most people are way too lazy to attempt that.
There are inventor organizations designed to help out inventors with ideas.
To be honest I have never used them before, I have only read about them online. I would advise trying them out though, I believe they are trustworthy.

Reasons Why People Do Not Achieve Their Goals

2010-01-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick rundown of most of the things that keep one from achieving the success they want. If you're not accomplishing your goals or not reaching them as easily or as quickly as you think you should, use this as a checklist to see where you might be missing out.

Not Knowing What You Really Want.

Mark Twain said "I could teach anyone how to get what they want. I just couldn't find anyone who truly knew what they wanted ". I agree. Most people don’t know what it is they really want to achieve. They often know what they don’t want, but then that’s where their focus and energy goes to what they don’t want.

Being unclear on what you want is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to success. Paul Meyer says "if you’re not achieving the success you desire, it’s simply because your objectives are not clearly defined ". Your goals need to be written, specific and measurable. When you talk to others about your goal(s), they should be able to understand it quickly.

Lack of Focus.

You can be clear on your goal, but if you don’t stay focused, if you take on too much (have too many or conflicting goals), if you fill your life with busy things or operate inconsistently, you will likely fail.

Focus creates power. A river’s might is harnessed by a dam and focused into electrical energy. Some people say you can achieve everything you want. I don’t believe that. But I do believe you can achieve anything you want with the right focus.

Not Enough Reasons.

This one is often overlooked. Reasons come first, answers come second. If you have strong enough reasons, you can accomplish anything you desire.

Significant success demands passion. When your why is strong enough, the how will come. And your desire will sustain you when the challenges and obstacles come your way.

The Distractions.

All too often we're distracted by other things. Some are outside of our control. Stuff happens. People do things. Events take place. At other times, we become distracted by our own choosing. I call it BSO Syndrome—Bright and Shiny Objects. You begin one goal or project and then start chasing after another.

Sometimes your "great" ideas can work against you. Your next "big idea" can be the enemy of your current project.

We encourage people to work on no more than three major objectives ones that can have almost daily action toward their achievement. Focus and discipline is needed here.

Lack of Belief in Yourself and/or in Your Goal.

This is often related to worthiness, but there’s more to it. You need to believe in yourself and in the creative process. Winners expect to win. A shortage of belief causes many people to give up or never begin in the first place. In many cases, it causes one to take shortcuts that sabotage their success.

Many people simply don’t feel worthy of success. This is a tough one. I can tell you it’s based on an erroneous belief, but you have to get that for yourself. Read the books. Listen to the tapes. Hang out with people who can help you see your highest and best. You deserve to be successful. There is no reason for you not to have what you want unless you ignore the principles of success.

Deficient Knowledge.

A worthy goal usually requires learning new things. Buckminster Fuller said, "You can’t learn less." Perhaps you’re not sure what it is you need to learn in order to get where you want to go. Find out. But don’t let lack of knowledge keep you from starting. If you wait until you know it all, you’ll never begin. Start from where you are and build the bridge as you walk on it.

Insufficient Skills.

Most likely there are certain skill sets you lack which will hinder your progress. Discover what these are and start today in gaining the necessary skills. Perhaps you need to learn how to effectively use a computer and the Internet. Maybe you need to up-level your communication or time-management proficiency. Even a good attitude is a skill. Enhancing your skills is a lifelong investment that will pay you big dividends.

And if you need a skill that you don’t see yourself getting good at or enjoying, find a team member that IS good at those things and focus on what YOU'RE good at doing.

Not Enough Money.

Most people think this is the number one reason why they haven’t achieved their dreams. They think that if they just had more money then they would be successful. But it’s rarely a money problem. It’s usually an idea problem. With good ideas and a tenacious spirit, you can get the funding you need.

Low Energy.

Vince Lombardi said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." In order to have the energy and stamina to win, we need to take care of our bodies. Get adequate rest, eat the right foods and refrain from careless and unsafe behavior. Our achievement is our production. Our bodies, our minds and our intuition make up our production capacity. If we don’t properly care for ourselves, we’ll be unable to produce.

Inadequate or Nonexistent Support.

Everyone needs help. You don’t need to go it alone. I’ve seen far too many people fail because they weren’t willing to ask for help or didn’t know where to turn in order to get it. There are always people who can help. Bring in talent and resources from others and make it a win-win situation. Align yourself with organizations that can help you succeed.

Good Luck Tips

2009-12-29T20:06:00.000-08:00

You can call it good luck, or cause and effect, or whatever you want. But you know that some people have more good things happen in their lives, and more happy surprises. What you may not know is that there are things you can do to be more like them and so be luckier yourself. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Don't Take Advice From Your Fears

Letting fear make decisions is a bad habit that is sure to get in the way of having more luck in your life. Acting from fear also sabotages your self-growth. Did you know that Johnny Carson had stage-fright every night before he went on the air? He stepped out there anyhow, and enjoyed doing the Tonight Show for decades. Fear is just a feeling. Move forward despite it.

Relaxed Goal Setting

Committing yourself to specific goals too soon can backfire. This is because a goal has to be seen in context of all our other goals and values. For example, when I used to write down specific financial targets, I accomplished them, but I made myself miserable doing so. Many people find that they are happier if they take a clear direction, and then let the goals formulate themselves in time. Setting goals and writing them down is a powerful way to make progress, but it's up to you to decide when specific goals are appropriate.

Breath Deep

Take several deep breaths through your nose from time to time. Close your eyes, pay attention to your breathing, and let the tension drain from your muscles while doing this. This is like a mini-meditation.

Mouth-breathing expands your chest, but if you breath through your nose you'll notice how your abdomen extends. You see, nose-breathing causes the diaphragm to pull air to the bottom of your lungs. This delivers a good dose of oxygen into your bloodstream and brain. It also tends to relax you. Relaxed and thinking better - that's a recipe for good luck.

Forget The Paranormal Explanations

Many people are looking for paranormal explanations for luck, and for related phenomena like intuition and creativity. But why? There are good psychological explanations for why some people are luckier than others that have nothing to do with psychic abilities. There are exercises that have been shown to improve one's luck whether or not we have a decent explanation yet.

Why do people need an appeal to the paranormal? Perhaps part of the reason is that if psychic powers could bring you luck, it would be easier than making changes in how you think and act. There is nothing wrong with looking for an easier way - as long as the search does not become an excuse for not taking the steps that are proven to work.

In Richard Wiseman's ten-year study of lucky people, he found definite differences between lucky and unlucky people. What he didn't find, however, was any indication of anything paranormal. He says, "I've found plenty of evidence of unscientific approaches to data, but have never come across a paranormal experiment that can be replicated."

For example, he found that people described by themselves and others as lucky were not any more likely to win the lottery. No surprise there - a lottery is random chance. On the other hand, people who are considered lucky can win more often in business or love or even artistic endeavors and without paranormal powers. They simply think and act in ways that promote a better outcome - they apply principles of good luck.

My First Award

2009-12-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

I've tagged for an award by Ayu in her blog full of anime. Thanks for the Award, Ayu. I'm sorry because I can't response it right away because the end of year company schedule really drive me crazzy and I also decrease the question because it too much time consuming.

Tag no.1
She said that i have to give you my 7 trivias about myself..

My real name is Ammie, I'm Indonesian lives in Jakarta. For some people that doesn't know where Indonesia is, just remember that Bali - a famous holliday island - is in Indonesia.
Actually I graduated as an electrical engineer, but i found my self much more interested in the internet industry. So, here i am writing some blog for you :)

I was not really enjoyed studied electrical engineering. I took it just because it sound so prestigious, and I knew for sure that it made my parent proud of me.
I really love ice cream and chocolate. They both like my heaven on earth.
I like to listen to others, and somehow they like to tell me their problem or their story of their live. People said I have talent on psychology. The truth is I just listen to them. I don't really solve their problem. They solve it their self.
I believe in God, and I pray every day.
I don't smoke, and I can't stand the smell of it. But sometimes it's hard to say to others not to smoke. They seem like they should smoke in order to function.

Tag no.2
I have to answer the following questions:

What is your current obsession?
I love my new car, and someday I hope I can buy my own house.
What are you wearing today?
a pinky t-shirt and a red shorts
What’s for dinner?
soup and chicken
What’s the last thing you bought?
gasoline for my car
What are you listening to right now?
nothing
What do you think about the person who tagged you?
I think she is in love with the anime
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
how about Paris ?
What are your must-have pieces for summer?
new bikini
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Paris, Rome, and Egypt
Which language do you want to learn?
Mandarin and Arabic
What’s your favorite quote?
"In every difficulties lies opportunity"
Who do you want to meet right now?
my boy friend
What is your favorite color?
Red and violet
Give us 3 styling tips that works for you:
enough sleep, think positive, and pray to God
What is your dream job?
Investor
What’s your favorite magazine?
Cita Cinta
If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Ice cream, chocolate, and shoes !!
What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
anything that make you confident
Who according to you is the most over-rated style icon?
Mariel Rodriguez?
What kind of haircut do you prefer?
blow
What are you going to do after this?
sleep
What are your favorite movies?
drama and action!
What inspires you?
almost anything
What does your friends call you most commonly?
Ammie
Would you prefer coffee or tea?
tea

Finally, I'm passing this to :

Instruction:

Respond and rework – answer these questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own. Then tag eight or ten other new set of people

Express Your Independence

2009-12-27T07:19:00.000-08:00

Learn to love and accept yourself and "get" that you have the power to manifest any kind of life you want. This article shows you how.

One of the best and easiest ways to express your independence is by learning to love and accept yourself more and to "get" that you have the power to manifest any kind of life you want. That is such a powerful concept.

Get started by trying out some uplifting affirmations. These will help you shift your thinking from where you are now to a much stronger and more powerful and joyful perspective. I've given you some below to get started with. They cover self-love as well as financial independence.

Pick and choose 10 from this list to use every day for this whole month and then check back in with where you are and enjoy the shift that you made. It's best to say the affirmations out loud and with feeling.

Get started with 10 (or more) of the following affirmations:

I am my own best friend. I love and appreciate myself just as I am.
I am vibrantly healthy and uniquely brilliant.
I trust myself.
I give thanks for my life of health, wealth, happiness and perfect self expression.
I am the master of my life. Perfect wisdom is in my heart.
Life is fun and I'm willing to enjoy it.
I am rich in consciousness and manifestation.
Everything I want in life is coming to me effortlessly and easily.
It's OK for me to have everything I want in life.
I am relaxed, focused and centered. I have plenty of time for everything.
I am confident, relaxed and comfortable in all situations.
I give myself permission to be 'who' I want to be.
I am an unlimited being in spirit and soul and am one with the Universe.
I am safe and protected and I am divinely guided.
My power is in my actions and I follow through on my goals, one at a time, every day.
I now have enough time, energy, wisdom and money to accomplish all my desires.
Abundance is my natural state of being. I accept it now!
Everyday I'm growing more financially prosperous. I am a money magnet.
I'm now earning a high 6 figure income doing what satisfies me.
Financial success comes to me easily and effortlessly.
I meet every challenge with grace and ease and surrender to the abundance that is manifesting daily in my life.
Infinite riches flow freely into my life daily.
I deserve and accept wealth and abundance.
Great riches and abundance are heaped on me just because I am me.
People are clamoring to pay me for my wonderful services and the benefits I provide.
I am the source of my wealth and abundance.
I am outstandingly successful every day.
I now easily and joyfully accept thousands of dollars each week.
Money is rapidly mounting in my checking and saving accounts. It keeps multiplying daily.
The money and situations I attract into my life are better than I ever imagined.
My self worth and net worth build daily.
I love myself and I naturally attract loving relationships into my life.
I am now ready to accept a happy, fulfilling healthy relationship.
The more I love myself the more love I have to give.

Unleashing Your Compassion

2009-12-25T21:53:00.000-08:00

We have been hearing for decades about the mind-body connection. Back in the '70s, it was something weird people thought about while the rest of the planet was following the well established rules of society. The adults around me were mocking the younger generation who talked about "finding" themselves.

Now, science has proven the connection. Our society has evolved to the point where study after study shows the correlation between our thoughts and our physical health. Scientists have proven that on a neurological and molecular level, we can dictate our physical state of being.

Step 1 is certainly the most important of all steps. Here is where you lay out your level of commitment. Make the choice to increase the compassion you extend to those in your orbit.

Step 2: Pay attention to your emotional blocks that prevent your compassion from flowing through you to those in need of your compassion. This can sometimes be quite difficult since those emotional blocks can be all consuming (such as anger or fear). Understanding these triggers to compassion blocking can help you overcome them.

Step 3: Understand the definition of compassion: the awareness of another's suffering and the desire to alleviate it. Compassion is an emotional state, not necessary an action. But compassion can compel action. Often, we cannot alleviate another's suffering but to be compassionate, we offer sympathy and understanding.

Step 4: Pay attention to the judgments you form that also block your compassion. The people who are in the most need of your compassion are the people you feel least compelled to extend it to.

Tip: It is much easier to start with judgments you hold for people more distant from you. Look at people in the news that have captured negative attention and assess how you are influenced by the judgments you hold for them. Can you let yourself feel compassion for someone who does not impact your own life? Start there.

By expressing the compassion within, you are replacing the negative emotional states that lead to chaotic mind and unhealthy body with a positive, loving mind that leads to a healthy body.

Commitment to becoming more compassionate is not a goal but a classroom in which you will learn about yourself and about the intricacies of life. Your interactions with others will improve. Your overall well-being will improve. But it does have its challenging moments. Be kind, loving and patient with yourself.

Characteristics Of A Good Leader

2009-12-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

What makes a good leader? What personal qualities are needed for leadership? What characterizes good leadership? Here are important qualities a good leader must have.

How often have you heard the comment, "He or she is a born leader?" There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they’re looked up to as a leader.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore them further.

Personal Qualities Found In A Good Leader

A good leader has an exemplary character.
It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader.
People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

A good leader is confident.
In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty.
People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose.
Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

A good leader as well as keeping the main goal in focus is able to think analytically.
Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Not only is the goal in view but a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

These personal characteristics are foundational to good leadership. Some characteristics may be more naturally present in the personality of a leader. However, each of these characteristics can also be developed and strengthened.

A good leader whether they naturally possess these qualities will be diligent to consistently develop and strengthen them in their leadership role.

Shedding Stress In Your Life

2009-12-24T03:10:00.000-08:00

Living with stress might seem hopeless, but there are things that you can do to manage your stress and live a better life.

Managing stress is a topic everyone has to consider on a day to day basis. Some people have to manage the stress in their hectic life every day, while others struggle to handle their stress upon the onset of a big change or something tragic.

There are several ways to deal with stress that will have you feeling healthier and sleeping at night again.

Some people have super busy lives. They might have a job with long hours and a commute to top it off. The same person might also live in not ideal living situations and have co-workers they do not like.

This particular example is showing an umbrella of reasons why someone might feel stressed and showing stress symptoms.

For this example, finding stress relievers is key to functioning every day. One solution for this situation would be to make a list of short term goals and long term goals.

The goals could be anything from; being able to walk five blocks and back to buying a condo. Whatever the goals may be, just knowing that you have some can help you get through the day and reduce stress symptoms.

It is also important to find someone to talk to about your issues. Everyone should have someone to talk to, whether it`s a family member over the phone or a childhood friend. Being able to share your ideas, feelings and concerns is essential to not feeling burdened down by stress. It's also reduce stress symptoms.

Exercise may be hard to fit into a daily routine and may seem like a scary thought, but it has been proven to reduce stress. Even if you fit it in once or twice a week, the fact that your body is getting it, is helping to calm nerves.

If you can walk or bike to work, take a walk on your lunch or join a gym with long hours those are ways that may work for you when trying to fit becoming active into your life.

Another source of stress for many is money, kids and a sour relationship with a partner. Keep in mind that everything is changeable, fixable and temporary. That means that lack of money can be something that is temporary as there are many ways to make more money it`s just about being creative.

Kids are stressful and can be for years, however it`s important to make time for them where you are all doing something enjoyable and make time for yourself if you can.

A bad relationship can also be changed; either you work through it or break-up and move on. Just telling yourself that bad situations can be changed might help you deal with your stress.

When a sudden change or tragic experience happens it can leave you feeling overwhelmed with stress. A job loss, divorce or family death is all possible things that can have someone feeling horrible.

The stress might be so severe that even being able to function or care for loved ones may seem hopeless. It is crucial to seek help in these types of situations. Ask your doctor for a referral so you can go and just talk to someone who will listen. There might be support groups you can also join for extra support.

When you are battling stress, try to remember to eat healthy and try to get enough sleep. When your body is starving or severely tired it can add to the stress you feel. Sometimes getting better starts with taking care of you from the inside out.

Re-Inventing Through Self-Esteem

2009-12-21T23:43:00.000-08:00

Self-esteem can be boosted to create a more confident happy person. There are ways to change your thinking so that you will like yourself again.

Building self-esteem can be a challenge that may seem like an uphill climb. But with the right tools strengthening self-esteem is possible. Self-esteem issues can arise from many sources, not very nice parents, horrific experience, bullying at school, and rejection from peers or a poor view of how you view yourself. Creating self-esteem that is strong is all about changing the way you think and view yourself.

Self-esteem can be hurt and broken when parents do not give their children love. Instead they give their children lots of negative feedback. Many adults with low self-esteem can trace it back to childhood when their parents often treated them unkind.

It is important to address the issues you remember. For example when you did something wrong as a kid, how did you parents respond? Did they communicate with you in a positive way or did they say unkind things.

There are several ways that parents can hurt a child`s self-esteem as they parent; label their child, call them names, give negative feedback, say nothing positive, physical or neglectful abuse, no praise for jobs well done. A child growing up with all or even just a few of these things can often become a person with low self-esteem.

As an adult who can address that their self-esteem issues are related back to their child hood, they can think about ways their parents should have handled those situations and realize that their parents were wrong. It is important to surround yourself with positive people and not have friends or partners that treat you the same way.

Often self-esteem issues can be a result of a hurtful relationship with a partner. When people have been together for a while, there is a level of comfort and security. And when a partner is saying hurtful things and becomes an abusive person physically or even just emotionally, it can sometimes make the person feel trapped.

They don`t want to leave because they feel comfortable or afraid or maybe there are kids or property involved. Realizing that how your partner treats you are how you might begin to view yourself might be just the thing to have you packing.

Constant rejection from peers can leave you feeling hurt and with low self-esteem. It is important to remember that there are people out there that will treat you nice; it`s just a matter of finding them.

If you have issues with making friends then it might be a good idea to try new hobbies and expand your world as you know it. Doing new things will have you meeting people who are doing the same thing as you. That will be a great way to meet people and begin friendships. It doesn`t matter how many friends you have as long as you have one good one.

Building self-esteem means that you have to view yourself as an important people. And being important has nothing to do with how you look on the outside; it`s about feeling confident and liking yourself.

Just because you may have been exposed to negative relationships in the past, does not mean that their negativity has to follow you through life. The past can be left in the past and a fresh start can be made.

Try to give yourself positive feedback, reward yourself for great things that you accomplish, even if it`s just finishing your holiday shopping early! And remember that the only view about yourself that is important is the one you come up with. If you see yourself as great then you most definitely are!

Manifesting

2009-12-19T23:15:00.000-08:00

In The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk, a teenager of 14, lies in her bed at night, as bees come through her walls. Bees swarm all around her as she lays motionless so as to avoid being stung. Yet when she calls someone else to witness the bees – nothing is there.

Have you ever laid in bed, and been surrounded by a swarm of thoughts and worries? Money, relationships, tasks, words, what I should have said, what I wish I hadn’t said, what I totally neglected to do or say…. all swarming around – keeping you from sleep.

Perhaps you pull the covers over your head and try to escape by hiding, by sleeping, by sinking into the unconscious to escape the attack. Like the bees – are these thoughts really there?

In reality – nothing was in your room. Worries ONLY exist within you. Most people surround themselves by worries – regretting the past and fearful of the future. There is good news. You can change – if you can imagine problems, you can imagine solutions.

Manifestation is the ability to make the unseen, visible. Your very thoughts become visible in your life. First you become aware of what you are currently manifesting. Then comes the fun as you participate in the process.

Whatever you think about expands. When you worry about – paying the bills; getting the flu; arguing with a neighbor, etc, you will continue to attract things which worry you.

What happens is that your mind wants to be helpful by scanning the horizon for something that might go wrong, so that it can alert you to worry. Your subconscious mind gets the message that you PREFER worry. It looks for things to go wrong.

You actively choose what you believe. What if I told you that a volcano was about to erupt in your back yard? Hopefully you would choose to disregard this warning as ludicrous.

In the same way you can choose any belief. Redirect your mind to scan for the opportunities that support you. Very simply, this is the beginning of manifesting, or taking an active role in consciously creating your life.

You can manifest whatever you believe. To manifest change in your life, you must believe deep within you that change is possible. Some people love to say "Your believe will guide you", and it will. In the same way, your belief creates change in your life.

Start with something simple – Imagine a productive day, a better relationship with a family member, or a new client. The choice MUST be something that you believe OR are WILLING to believe at your core.

Envision the outcome you desire – Using your imagination, see how perfectly your day progresses. Notice how good it feels that everything is going your way. Notice how each interruption works in your favor, making your day MORE productive, or your relationship BETTER than you originally imagined.

Amplify the energy around your intention – LIVE into this reality. Begin your productive day with a positive outlook. Breathe into this reality. On every inhale, open to the possibility of productivity. On every exhale, let go of any negative response. Continue to live out your productive day, minute by minute.

Take on the persona of your intention – Become the person who is having a productive day. Let every breath strengthen your heart, your body and your spirit. A productive day is yours, because you are living it. Anything that is not productive falls away. It is not your reality – any more than a volcano in your back yard is your reality.

Become a master at manifestation. Start by manifesting your life on a daily basis. Your BELIEF is critical. As you continue to manifest small things, your belief can expand to manifest greater possibility.

Keep this internal process to yourself. This is a process to LIVE. It is a process that comes through you, not from you. Manifestation itself comes from the breath of possibility which flows in and out of you. Prayer and meditation connect you to the power of manifestation.

Practice gratitude for marvels already manifest in your life. I encourage you to expand your possibilities daily.

Manifesting life is our life long challenge. Each day we step into the world of possibility. Accepting that challenge with joy and stepping into the unknown with courage makes you the hero or heroine of your own life. Don't you just love that?

Work And Personal Time

2009-12-16T01:29:00.000-08:00

Today more and more people are experiencing burnout, insomnia, and stress. Why is that? Many people have a very busy life. We all would like more time in the day an extra hour would be fantastic. Maybe have more time to relax and enjoy life with friends and family.

However in our society today, it is fast pace. Life is more demanding. It seems impossible to slow down. The road that we are driving on is continuous and there is no stop signs on it. It is a fast race. How do you gain more time to slow down? Here a 3 steps to help you on the journey to conquer the time you have on earth.

1. Start a flexible schedule.
Allow a little flexibility into your schedule. The more strict you are the less likelyyou will slow down and have a balance in your life. Things do happen. Leave room for the unexpected surprises.

Don't beat yourself up when situations do occur. Just take care of it. And move on with your schedule. Situations work outand do
occur for a reason. Even when it does not make any sense to you.

2. Identify your time blockers.
These blockers are those things that are low priority tasks that we think needs to be done. Some examples are taking phone calls when you know you should be working, cleaning out a closet instead of spending that time with your family, checking email every hour, watching TV, or surfing the net instead of working on that project that is due in 2 days.

These are just a few. The low priority tasks are numerous. Pay attention to these blockers . Explore ways to overcome these blockers and take action to change the blockers.

3. Take note of your workload.
You need to schedule on your planner/ calender enough work that keeps you busy. However not too much that will rock into your personal life. Take on additional tasks or projects that will fit into your planner.

Schedule time for your work. Schedule time for your personal life. For instance birthdays, anniversaries, or whatever event it is going on in your life. Schedule that onto your calender. This helps with not overlapping events and work in the same time frame.

There is only so much time in the day. You can not buy back time. However make your time worth it. With the right dose of work and personal life, your time will be more productive. Your time will start to move forward on the right road.

How to Change Your Life

2009-12-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

As a new year begins or a major birthday approaches, people start thinking about their lives. They sometimes are disappointed by where they are and want to be somewhere else. The things they want are not easy to get - if they were, they would already have them. So how does one set about changing one's life?

1. Realize it is up to you. Period.
No one is going to do the work for you. You may be able to get some help along the way, but this is completely up to you.

2. Pick three things only. No more.
I know, I know - there's the bucket list. Here's my thought on that - why overwhelm yourself? When you accomplish one goal you can add another. But if you list 100 things it's easy to lose focus and get distracted - doing a little here and a little there. An important part of this is prioritizing your desires. What are the three things you want most now?

3. I know this is so overused, but think outside your own box.
Try to get to the core of things. Why do you want to lose weight? To be healthier? To look better? Do you want to look better because you want to be loved? Is losing weight the right goal or is meeting more people a better goal?

To find the right life for you, you have to know what is most important to you at your very core. What is most important to me is freedom. It's taken me a long time to really understand that, and it may take you a while to get to your core values, but the only way you can be happy is by living your life according to YOUR values - no one else's.

4. Write them down and be as specific as you can.

Examples:

I want to pay off all my debt by the end of 20XX.
I want to run a mile by the end of February.
I want to go to Australia by 20XX.

Writing them down is crucial as is having a deadline. If reading them doesn't fill you with excitement, you have the wrong goals.

You will know in your gut the goals that are right for you. When I was planning my goals for this past year, I usually include a big trip somewhere.

This year it felt right to me to forgo the trip and pay off my mortgage. It wasn't very exciting, but it has made me very happy. Remember my freedom value? Now that I don't have a house payment, I am much more free.

I don't have to be as worried about work - I will have a roof over my head. The house payment is an obligation I no longer have. Live according to YOUR values and you will be much happier.

These goals are all about you, not the world. You may feel all this pressure to get married or to lose weight, but if you aren't excited by those goals, let them go. This is your life we are charting.

5. You can change your mind at any time.
If you start researching your trip to Australia and decide you'd rather just go to New Zealand - that's okay. Or if you decide you want to push a deadline back, that's okay too. Changing your mind is not the same as giving up. You give up if you still really want the goal but you got lazy and quit working toward it. That leads to regret - I don't want you to have regrets. Just give yourself more time.

6. If you aren't making progress, regroup.
Are you doing the right things? Maybe you need to do some research or ask for help. I see people in the gym all the time fooling themselves that they are working out; women lifting 5 lb. dumbbells wondering why they don't have great arms.

They need to get a trainer, a book, a video - they aren't working hard enough to get the results they want. Or their form is so bad they might as well be sitting at home watching TV. This can be true with any change. You're trying hard, but need more information.

7. Build in some cool rewards.
If you lose 10 pounds, treat yourself to a spa visit. Losing 10 pounds is hard! Choose rewards that will keep you working toward the goal and give them to yourself! Most of us are great at beating ourselves up, but awful at rewarding ourselves. Do it!

8. Take some action toward your goal every day, even if it is small.
Little things add up. They also help build momentum for bigger things. With the mortgage, I had been making extra payments for years. But when I wrote down the goal to pay it off, it made me really think about how I could do it, what it would be like to have no house payment! I took all the trip money, some savings and BLAM - did it. But it was all those little extra payments that helped me get there.

Stop reading this and figure how who the hell you really are and exactly what you want. Write it down. Make it happen. Or don't - it's completely up to you.

Keeping your New Year Resolutions

2009-12-08T19:25:00.000-08:00

Do you make new year resolutions every year only to find that they have fallen by the wayside before the end of January? Well, you're not alone.

Most resolutions don't last past the end of January. But if you understand why this is the case, then you are much better positioned to make successful new year resolutions.

One of the main reasons new year resolutions are broken is that we make too many of them at once. It's easy to reflect on all the changes we want to make to our lives – lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, get on top of your finances – but trying to tackle all these at once is just too much.

So, the first step in keeping resolutions is to do them one at a time.

The other reason new years resolutions aren't kept is because we sabotage our attempts with excuses. Here are the top 5:

Excuse 1. I don't have the time.
Sure you do. You probably have time to watch TV, or play on the computer for hours each night, and for many hours over the weekend. Just take half an hour each morning or night and a couple hours over the weekend and you'll be surprised by how much you can achieve. The first step is always the hardest, but once you do take that first step and start to gain momentum, amazing things can happen.

Excuse 2. It's too much effort

This is your life we're talking about. Is it really too much work to achieve the life you really want? Sure, it may be hard going to get started and it may be a long road to success. But just remember that it is always worth it in the end.

I was talking to a friend of mine who has been overweight since college, and he was whining that it would take him a whole year to lose the pounds he wanted to. But what is one year, when he still has another 20-30 years of prime life left in him?

Excuse 3. It doesn't work
What ever system you're looking at for losing weight, getting fit, quitting smoking, getting rich, or whatever – it is possible. There are plenty of living examples of people who have succeeded in whatever goal you're trying to reach for yourself. Diets work, exercise works, quitting smoking programs work.

It can be done. But you have to be willing to make it work.

Excuse 4. But it won't work for ME
And why are you any different from the thousands of other people who have achieved whatever goal you're trying to reach? With an attitude like that, nothing will work. But you have to be willing to make it work.

Excuse 5. I don't have the resources
Yes, this can be an obstacle if you have difficulty accessing the appropriate resources, particularly if you need a lot of money to achieve your goal. But for most goals, you don't need a lot of money to get started.

For example, a healthy diet and exercise program shouldn't cost you a cent more than you're already spending on grocery bills, and even though you may have to purchase nicotine patches to help quit your smoking habit, this will be offset by how much you are saving on cigarettes.

The most important resource you need to achieve your goals is information. And there is a lot of educational material out there to help you achieve almost any goal you set your mind on.

The internet is a great source of reliable information. Research, read up on the various strategies and draw up an action plan that suits you. You can also check out books in your library or buy used books.

And remember, take your goals one at a time, and eventually you will succeed with them all.

Tell Stories to Your Customer

2009-12-06T23:50:00.000-08:00

"If you’ve heard this story before, don’t stop me, because I’d like to hear it again."

Groucho Marx (1890-1977) Comedian and actor

Facts tell, while stories sell.

Have your salespeople tell stories. I have found that most successful salespeople sell by telling stories and not by making presentations. And, it does not seem like they are selling.

Top salespeople can build trust and credibility while overcoming skepticism by talking about how another customer solved a problem by using a product or service. A good story can address an objection or concern before the customer ever brings it up. Done right, the story well-told makes the storyteller appear sincere and trustworthy.

Sales presentations are the quickest way to lose a sale since there may be nothing more obvious or obnoxious than a canned pitch, better known as "death by PowerPoint". Shut down the laptop and build the relationship with your customer by sharing your stories.

Connect with a customer’s emotions by talking about past experiences with other customers. Stories can be a great way to break the ice with a new customer and ease the natural tension in a sales call. For the existing client, the well-told tale can enrich the business relationship.

Generally, customers can identify with the story and can picture themselves as a part of the story.

This emotional connection helps them remember the story while they may never remember the facts or figures, let alone the features and benefits of your product. Stories should have a simple theme or value; if the tale is too complicated the message could get lost.

The mechanics are simple. A good story’s opening is clear and engaging. The sequence of events must be easy to follow. Don’t be too clever or you might lose your audience. The story must have a clear ending and must have had a purpose. If done right, the story lives on in the memory of your customer. Story telling can achieve things that marketing brochures can't.

Be sure to tell true stories and not tall tales. An outlandish fib or an outright lie will be immediately visible and self-defeating. Keep a record of all your stories. This preserves the stories for use by others in your firm and it will protect the facts within the story.

A good use of the archived stories could be to help your new employees learn about your firm’s value proposition. Or, when properly edited, these stories could go on your website for viewing by visitors.

One more thought: Stories don’t all need happy endings. Sad stories can help us learn and teach others.

Lead Your Own Way

2009-12-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

To be a leader, you must have confidence in your own abilities. The confidence must be both in your own ability to lead as well as in your ability to complete successfully whatever the task is that requires leadership.

Some people are born with the innate ability to lead and to lead well. Others may have to work harder to find it, but that ability does lie within each individual.

It just may take work for some people to find it and bring it out. Born leaders by nature have more self-confidence and higher self-esteem. To bring out leadership qualities in yourself, first you must build confidence in your own abilities.

If you want to take on a leadership role for the first time, it is best to start small. Volunteer to lead a small group on a project at work, for example. Or choose to head a committee at your child's school.

Often the first step to becoming a good leader is to get over the fear of being in charge. As the leader, people will look to you for answers. Even if you are not one hundred percent sure of what the answers are, you have to give off a certain amount of confidence in order to gain the trust of the group.

It is best to volunteer to head a project in an area in which you have some experience or expertise. Imagine that your child's school wants to run a used book sale in order to raise money to build a new library.

Also imagine that you work at a popular bookstore. You know all about selling books, so chairing this project is a perfect fit for you. Despite the fact that you may not have ever led a committee before, you are still bringing powerful knowledge. Your knowledge in the field should give you confidence that you can best lead this group to raise the funds successfully.

Realizing that you have the skills necessary to lead the group is the first step. Second, is volunteering to lead the group and sharing the information that makes you qualified.

Again, exuding confidence is crucial at this point because no one will follow a leader who does not seem to know what he or she is talking about or doing. There is a difference, however, between confidence and arrogance.

It is one thing to show that you are confident in your ability to run a successful program but you should still maintain a degree of humbleness. It is perfectly acceptable, and even preferable, to say that you believe you could do a good job leading the project, but that you will require the help of the other committee members and that you will value their input and ideas as well.

A good leader always takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of the committee members and ensures that everyone working on a particular project feels an amount of ownership and accountability for the project. To be an effective leader, you not only need to have the confidence in yourself but also in those on your team.

You need to know when to delegate and which jobs you really should do yourself because of your expertise. In the case of the used book sale, you would want to use your bookstore experience to design the lay-out of the sale or possibly to price the books. But you may want to delegate the task of creating flyers and advertising to someone on the committee who has that kind of expertise.

A very important and major component of leadership is delegation and knowing when and to whom to delegate the key tasks. You need to know yourself and your own abilities first in order to do so effectively. In another words, you need to know how to lead yourself before you can lead others.

Knowing Yourself

2009-12-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

Knowing yourself is a very important task which one has to undertake, it can often be the most challenging as well ...

When a person knows who they are, and clearly understands what they want, then they have a much better chance of discovering how to reach their own success, happiness and personal fulfilment!

Knowing one’s true inner self can be of great help to anyone working to reach their goals more effectively. It helps guide you along the path toward success.

This not only fills us with much happiness, bliss and calmness but also improves our mindset, as well as our relationships and connections with others.

Knowing yourself consequently, empowers and enables you to create different choices. Success easily comes to those with pleasing personalities.

However, this does not necessarily mean that you must do everything which other people want you to; rather it means acquiring a positive attitude and mindset… it means being respectful to the opinions of others while at the same time remaining true to one’s own beliefs.

Don't expect to suddenly go on a certain course and immediately become aware of yourself or enlightened. The success of such a journey depends deeply on how bravely you face yourself; on the way, you might discover certain things which you do not like and possibly choose to hide or even deny.

Be strong and accept those negative things because it is only by admitting and accepting your faults, that you can truly change them for the better.

Be open to accept and listen to the opinion of others, eager and willing to learn. Changing your judgment and views on account of more reliable facts is not a sign of weakness – but of strength in your character.

Always be inclined to offer help, be caring and polite while at the same time keeping your own personality…

The basic principle of knowing yourself is that every person is responsible, in control and generate their own thoughts to the life they encounter.

This is a process which may at first seem complex and may well be severely obstructed when one is unaware of how one functions, or if one has a misunderstanding of their true nature.

Rationalizations are used by many people to give a justifiable explanation for their actions. One may then pretend that the problem is not their own - and now it may be blamed on the other person. This is known as projection.

You therefore need to discover and improve the true you, and not what others perceive you to be, and also not who you believe you must be, but the person that you truly are.

Develop enthusiasm in yourself. Enthusiasm not only draws good relationships but also success. It is that positive outlook that radiates from you, which will make other people like dealing with you.

Your positive and enthusiastic outlook will contaminate and encourage those around you to also become enthusiastic and positive; therefore fully cooperating with you.

Also, be ready to face unreasonable and negative people and never let them effect your positive emotions. Try to stay both reasonable and calm.

Knowing yourself will enable you to develop your full potential and be happy, contented and fulfilled…

Whether your idea and understanding of success is fulfillment in business, friendship, love, sports, a blend of all these or another thing altogether, knowing yourself and working on change for the better will enable you to achieve your goals!

Then indeed, when you reach your goals, you will turn out to be a much happier person. And that is real success in its truest sense.

Learning A New Skill

2009-12-02T01:24:00.000-08:00

It’s true what they say, practice really does make perfect. Here's why...

When we initially learn, we input the fresh information into our brain via the conscious mind. We must be consciously aware of the new information in order to understand it and try and make sense of it.

But to get really good at something, you need to bypass conscious thought and be able to perform well an action, without really thinking about it.

Introducing the subconscious mind! Consider driving on approach to a roundabout at speed, without the subconscious mind it would be a very difficult task.

You would have to consciously think about applying pressure on the brake pedal with your right foot, putting the clutch down with the left foot, changing gear with your left hand whilst steering with your right, turn your head right to look for oncoming traffic, look with your eyes, listen to the radio in the background and talk to the person in the passenger seat, the whole time constantly breathe and maintain a heartbeat, all in a matter of seconds.

If you had to consciously think about all those things at once I’m sure it would end it up in a crash. Yet we do this with relative ease?

This wonderful mechanism, the subconscious mind can multi-task and execute better judgement than when conscious thought is involved. When a footballer scores a wonder goal during a match, in the post match interview, the interviewer may ask 'So what went through your mind when you stuck that ball?' and the footballer’s response is ' I don't know really, I just struck it sweetly and it ended up in the back of the net!’ The best results are achieved when little conscious effort is made and instinct takes over.

It is this automatic function which enables us to attain expert ability. So how do we become great at something we are poor at now, but wish to be better? This transformation is broken down into four stages....

Unconscious incompetence - This is when we are still unaware of what we aren't good at yet.
Conscious incompetence - At this stage we are aware of what would like to be good at, but still know that we aren't any good at it yet. In comparison with others we feel like we are rubbish at this particular activity.
Conscious competence - Now we have reached the level where we are good at the skill, but still have to think consciously about the actions involved to perform at a high standard. If a conscious lapse is made or in other words loss of concentration, mistakes can still be made.
Unconscious competence - Your there! It has become so easy and natural. Coordination is smooth and controlled and it all takes place with minimal conscious involvement. Congratulations you have a new talent.

So if these are the four stages, how do you rise from one level to the next? Easy, Practice! Maybe you were hoping for some spectacular answer, but this is the only real answer there is. It is both encouraging and disheartening at the same time.

Disheartening because it means time and effort will be necessary, comfort zones will have to be stepped out of; Yet encouraging because anybody who is willing to pay the price, are guaranteed to succeed in the end. You see, the subconscious is a creature of habit. It feeds upon repetition.

Your conscious mind acts as a gate keeper, whatever is frequently entering the conscious mind will be embraced by the subconscious mind. Both good and bad habits are formed this way. It is your job to keep vigilant watch that your conscious thoughts are constructive, that they are the only kind you would wish to allow entry into the realm of the subconscious, and in turn, reflected in your outer world and circumstances. If you want to become competent in something all you need do is learn how to do it right, and then repeat that over and over.

Get going! On my wish list is to learn the guitar and piano, several new languages, to speed read, become a better driver and typist, and better at the sports I enjoy. Maybe even one day I’ll be able to dance without looking like my Dad at a wedding. I had best get practicing.

All the best, start writing your own wish list today, and follow through until you have many new skills.

To be A More Creative Person

2009-11-29T22:22:00.000-08:00

Do you wish you were more creative but don't know where to start? Many of us wish we were more creative in our lives. How can we become more creative if we think we have lost the spark?

For one person, being more creative may mean they wish they could become a painter, musician, writer, dancer or some other sort of performing artist.

However, this is not a practical life style for everyone. Not everyone is going to find it realistic to embrace a life that is totally creative and artistic to the core.

Some people would be satisfied to simply have more creative ideas, to have a fresh outlook on their lives.

Here are a few ways in which you can invite more creativity into your life.

If you truly want to be more creative, commit yourself to becoming a creative person. Every time you notice that you have come up with a creative idea, no matter how small or unimportant it may seem, reward yourself. Give yourself internal praise. Say congratulations to yourself for that creative idea!

Make a point of attending plays, concerts and art galleries. Don’t just mentally criticize what you are looking at. Let your mind feel that you can understand what the artist is trying to express. Let yourself feel it emotionally. You may be able to soak up some of the artist’s intention in this way.

Even if you feel as if you don’t understand the work at all, pretend for a few moments that you do understand it. Pretend that you actually are the artist. This exercise will give your mind permission to recapture some of your youthful ability to imagine much more creatively than you do now.

Take a class in some creative or artistic field that has always interested you. Don’t worry about whether or not you have any talent. At the early stages, you simply need to give yourself permission to explore, and fail if you have to. Failure can be good. Failure can lead to eventual success.

Any time you notice that you have had the tiniest creative idea, write it down. Explore it. Give yourself credit for having a creative idea. Don’t worry at this early stage whether or not the idea is good or bad. Simply practice exploring it and developing it. What separates those who are very creative from those who are not is that the creative people are committed to developing every aspect of their creativity.

Stop being a critic. Critics perform a very useful and valid service for society, but a critical attitude can be the kiss of death to someone who wants to improve their creativity. Don’t criticize others, and especially don’t criticize any one else’s attempts to be creative.

Creativity is a mindset, a way of approaching the world with novelty and excitement. You need permission to be playful, to be unique, to honor your own perspective on what you are experiencing.

Why People Feel the Way They Do

2009-11-29T03:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why some people seem driven to make a lot of money while others honestly seem to be satisfied with just "getting by?"

Have you known people who do so much for others they become enablers and you think that’s not a good thing? Or do you know people who seem so immersed in their own needs they don’t do enough to help others?

If another person’s beliefs and attitudes are diametrically opposed to yours, you’ll have problems relating to that person and may have serious conflict because of your differences. Basically, the greater the gap between your values and someone else’s, the more difficulty you’ll have with that person.

Here are some tips on how to understand your own and other people’s attitudes and improve your relationships with them.

Know Your Values

There are six values, first defined by psychologist Eduard Spranger, that we all have in varying degrees. They are:

Theoretical (passion for knowledge)
Utilitarian (passion for money and what is useful)
Aesthetic (passion for beauty, balance, and harmony)
Social (passion for service to others)
Individualistic (passion for power and control)
Traditional (passion for finding the highest meaning in life)

Your top two values are what drive you and must be fulfilled for you to achieve happiness in life.

The characteristics of people high in a particular values cluster go deep and are too numerous to mention here. But if you know and understand your own values, you’ll have more clarity as to what you want to do with your life.

Know Other’s Values

If your top value is someone else’s lowest value, you’re going to have misunderstandings and conflict with that person. I once had a client whose top two values were Social and Traditional. She and her daughter were having serious relationship problems. We discovered (with values assessments) that the daughter had her mother’s top two values as numbers five and six. It was like Mother Teresa and an atheist trying to see eye to eye.

But once they understood where their conflict was coming from, they were able to improve their relationship considerably.

Understand Your Differences

Certain values clusters produce strong conflicts with others. For example, if you’re high in the Theoretical attitude, you value knowledge. You take an analytical approach to solving problems and believe decisions must be rationally justified.

If the other person is high in the Aesthetic value, you’ll conflict with the way you see things. High Aesthetic people value the artistic episodes of life and tend to make emotional decisions, based on the way they feel.

Whether we call this left brain vs. right brain or head vs. heart, the cause is differing values. Understanding values characteristics will take you a long way toward resolving your differences.

Let People Be Who They Are

Understand people have different passions that drive them to get what they want. We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. If you can appreciate that values are neither good nor bad - just different, it can help you appreciate other’s point of view and be less judgmental toward them.

Set Clear Boundaries

Of course, in your efforts to improve relationships, you should never let people criticize you for being who you are, either. Generally, when people know you understand where they’re "coming from," most will be more understanding with you.

It’s important to make it clear to others how they may and may not treat you. I had a friend once who was high in the Theoretical value. She used to roll her eyes and get irritated with my "stupidity" for not knowing something she thought I should know. When I explained that I’m not stupid, that I graduated magna cum laude, second in my class in college and was uncomfortable with her attitude, she stopped treating me with disdain.

It’s all about having self respect and respect for others. When you and another person know and understand your differing attitudes and why, communication improves and you can develop more relationship compatibility.

The Greatest Love of All!

2009-11-28T09:37:00.000-08:00

What is the greatest love of all? Is it the relationship you are currently in with your mate? Or is it with yourself? One of our greatest mistakes in life is seeking for love and validation outside of ourselves before making loving ourselves a priority.

To love yourself is to be loved by others. It is said that the people in our lives will treat us based on the relationship we have with ourselves. How does your current relationships with those around you look like at this very moment? Is it rocky and unstable? Or is it calm and peaceful with mutual respect?

Those around us mirror what they see. If we do not respect ourselves and treat ourselves with respect, then those around us will treat us the exact same way, even without being conscious of it. So if you are wondering why others around you are treating you with such disrespect, are you disrespecting yourself?

Be aware of yourself. What is your self talk? What are the messages you are sending yourself? Are you constantly telling yourself that you are afraid of how others will perceive you or are you telling yourself that you perceive yourself as a worth while individual? Where is your mindset at? Your mindset will be projected outside of you in your life.

Self Acceptance is a key ingredient to loving yourself. If you cannot accept your authentic self, how can you have the capability to show yourself true love? Why be so critical of your authentic self? We are created to perfection and given the correct conditions, when given to the world only amazing experiences can be manifested.

Do you respect yourself? So many are guilty for not showing ourselves respect and consideration, yet we will treat a complete stranger with great respect? If that is the case, do you need to be a stranger to yourself to get good treatment? Sound silly doesn't it? Give yourself respect for goodness sakes.

Have you forgiven yourself lately? A part of loving yourself is giving yourself permission to forgive yourself for past mistakes and bad choices. That is all it was, bad choices. Often we have the tendancy to forgive everyone for horrible things they have done to us, but if we make one tiny mistake, we punish ourselves for what seems like forever.

Regardless whether they were bad or good, it is important for us to have the realization that good can come from bad choices. First of all you will know what not to do and secondly, it will give you a whole new perspective and insight that you never had before.

Turn your bad choices into opportunities to better yourself and show compassion to others. Show yourself some forgiveness and while you are at it, give yourself a big hug and say "It's ok....I forgive you".

Many of us have been taught that self-love is a form of arrogance. That is not true. Self-love is purely individual whereas arrogance is loving yourself over others. So now, you have permission to love yourself. You have been created in the likeness of God or the divine, whatever you prefer to call this amazing power.

This divine power is pure perfection, so if you were made in the likeness of this power, doesn't that mean that you were created to perfection? It certainly does.

Dare to Experiment with Your Idea

2009-11-27T00:46:00.000-08:00

Creativity is inventing, experimenting,
growing, taking risks, breaking rules,
making mistakes, and having fun.
~ Mary Lou Cook ~

An excellent quality you'll want to develop in yourself, if you want to experience more fulfillment in life, is the willingness or courage to experiment.

It is one of the key qualities of highly creative people.

In fact, without this quality, many inventions, creative works, and more would have never materialized. They would have just stayed ideas in people's minds.

And as a result, we would not have benefited from them.

I mean, think what would have happened if Thomas Edison (who has more than a thousand inventions to his name) had stopped experimenting after his 50th (or so) attempt at creating the light bulb? Or if he didn't experiment at all? Well, we wouldn't have the light bulb today, now, would we?

And that goes for so many other things we now enjoy.

Of course, besides the willingness to experiment, you need to be aware of other important factors that must come into play when experimenting.

What do I mean?

Well, it's also critical when experimenting that:

You avoid prejudging the outcome (or avoid entertaining all kinds of negative thoughts). And you avoid worrying about the things you cannot control. Instead, you do your part by experimenting and then leave the outcome completely to God.
You remain in a highly focused state (where nothing else matters except the task at hand).
You make it a goal to enjoy the process (deciding ahead of time that you'll do your best to enjoy, or have fun, experimenting - in other words, deciding not to take things too seriously - makes a big difference, because it puts you in an empowering state).
You be willing to make mistakes...even if it means you have to look awkward or foolish at times (Thomas Edison was said to have made thousands of attempts before finally inventing the light bulb...and he reached his goal despite the discouraging words of others).
You believe (without a shred of doubt) that you'll eventually get your desired result (belief is a very powerful force).
You persist in experimenting despite internal and external resistance.

Another good strategy you can use is to make it a habit of asking questions like the following, whenever you come up with an idea: "What if I did this?" Or, "What would happen if I did this?" Or, "What if I...(then simply finish the question based on your situation)?"
Questions that start with "What if...?" or "What would happen if...?" are powerful questions.

(You see, those kinds of questions also motivate you to want to find out what will happen...in order to satisfy your curiosity.)

I can't stress enough the importance of developing this quality in yourself...the willingness - the courage - to experiment.

Looking back at my own life, had I not experimented as much as I did, many of the ideas I had in mind would have stayed that way...just ideas.

That's why I strongly encourage experimentation. Not only do I know that it works, I also know that it's highly rewarding. (It's a wonderful feeling to see an idea—something that was once only in your head—turn into something that others can benefit from.)

Again, just remember, it's not enough to be willing to experiment. It's also important that you don't give up when there's resistance (resistance from within yourself or outside yourself...for example, the negative feedback of others). Because if you do, you'll never achieve your desired results.

Persistence is a very important quality. In fact, so important that President Calvin Coolidge said the following:

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

So, let me ask you: What's been playing around in your head for a long time? (Or lately?) What ideas have you written down? Or typed on your computer? What do you want to see materialize so that others could benefit?

If your inner critic is trying to hold you back, I suggest you completely ignore it.

Then just go ahead and experiment, experiment, experiment. (In fact, be a person who constantly experiments. Be an "experimenter.") And see just how far you can go with your ideas.

I can promise you that the emotional rewards will be great.

Develop Conscious Habits

2009-11-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

Many of our problems would be resolved if we just formed the right habits and stuck to them. However, we do not bring all of who we are to help us create new habits and we end up abandoning the very habits that we know would make us happier.

As you go about the project of reinventing your life, one key factor is to develop new habits and shed the old ones that no longer serve you.

It is difficult to let go of an old habit unless you replace it with a new habit. Get your emotions involved in creating a new habit and you will have a much stronger chance of making that habit fully ingrained in your life.

The most important thing in developing a new habit is to be conscious about it. Realize that what you are doing is programming your brain as if you are programming a computer. Repetition is what creates a habit. However, repetition can feel mundane and ineffective.

Practice mindfulness as you develop a new habit and understand that it takes your body and mind time to take on this new programing. So, start out slow and in bite sized increments. Be focused on enjoying the new experience.

Even when the experience starts feeling repetitive, take the time to connect with the vision of what you intend. As with most things, begin the pursuit of the particular habit with the end in mind.

You have heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. You have also heard that it may actually take 28 days. In 1960, a plastic surgeon, Dr. Maxwell Maltz noticed that amputees took an average of 21 days to adjust to the loss of a limb and he proposed that it takes people an average of 21 days to adjust to any new change.

However, new research recently published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, details the findings of a study done with 96 people who were interested in forming a new habit each day such as eating a piece of fruit with lunch or doing a 15 minute run each day.

Each participant was asked to rate how automatic the activity felt each day and that ranged from "hard not to do" and "done without thinking." On average, the participants reached a plateau where the habit was automatic after 66 days.

Therefore, when you are creating a new habit, stick with it, every day if possible, for at least two months or more. Start developing meaningful and mindful rituals that signal certain emotions to your brain. For instance, meditating daily for as little as 15 minutes is proven to have significant impact on your level of stress and coping capacity.

Also, be sure to include in your habits play and fun, creative expression and new experiences. We are a product of our thoughts beliefs and emotions. It is important to bring all these three factors into your quest to develop new habits and make the necessary changes.

If you take a habit and stay on it for at least two months on a daily basis, at the end of the year you would have acquired six new habits. Here are habits that are life enhancing and will support you in the long term:

Daily movement or exercise.
Drinking adequate amounts of water daily.
Eating at least one piece of fruit every day.
Daily journaling.
Eliminating the white stuff from your nourishment.
Eating fresh veggies every day.
Listening to soothing music every day
Meditating every day.
Daily laughter and playtime.
Reading and absorbing affirmations.
Enjoying your hobby each and every day.
Being more positive in your thinking.

I encourage you to only work on one habit at a time for at least thirty days before you add another habit. This way, you get used to the habit. However, remember, stick with each habit for at least sixty days for maximum effect.

Stop Smoking

2009-11-23T08:23:00.000-08:00

Many smokers desire to quit, yet they are not only physically addicted, but mentally and emotionally as well. Many of them also beat themselves up as lazy or unmotivated. Here are tips to help anyone quit smoking.

The addiction to nicotine from cigarette smoking has been clearly documented and proven. It has clearly been stated and known that one of the biggest steps that can be taken to improve health and energy levels is to quit smoking.

Several things can be done in order to begin the process to help in stopping smoking. Many of these are simple changes implemented to the daily routine in order to quit this deadly habit. Smoking has been acknowledged by the medical community as an addiction that is so difficult to quit, it is comparable to kicking a heroin habit.

A strong desire to quit and the commitment to stay focused on finishing this goal until the end is a definite requirement. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and cause many people to quickly resort back to the smoking habit. Nicotine is an intense addiction, and the rituals that are related to the smoking routine come into play in the addiction factor as well.

Following, there will be five tips presented to ease the start of this difficult process:

Nasal sprays, patches, and gum are all available to assist in lowering daily nicotine levels in the blood. This helps the body adjust more smoothly to losing it dependence on this substance. The nicotine cravings are gradually reduced as they are satisfied by decreasing amounts of nicotine in the blood.
Hypnotherapy has proven an effectual method for some people to help them stop smoking. Suggestion techniques are employed by the hypnotist to increase the smoker`s will power to quit more rapidly.
There are also many other alternative and natural therapies that can help in this massive task. Some of these can be aromatherapy, mediation, prayer, and acupuncture. These methods are utilized to lessen and control further the smoker`s nicotine cravings.
Establishing the mind frame and determining that a person is going to quit smoking is actually one of the fundamental beginnings to achieve success in this endeavor. Planning, setting an official quit date, and starting the route of deciding which system above will be used are some tips to get the process rolling. These things will give more confidence to the quitter as well.
Prescription medications are now accessible that aid in reducing the body`s dependence on smoking. Doctors are ready and willing to prescribe these as they desire that their patients no longer smoke. These medications can reduce the anxiety inherent in setting down the cigarettes for good. These are particularly helpful for a lifelong or hardcore smoker.

Self help to stop smoking is a very powerful step in beginning this tough and frustrating journey. Simply having a game plan in order to stop this habit assists most people in becoming more confident that they can actually succeed. It also gives a sense of organization to a chaotic process.

Smoking is a physical, mental, and emotional addiction. Setting up the steps to get started, as well as deciding on what techniques will be personally helpful, will help the smoker begin right away. There are counselors that specialize in this area, and many community programs or doctor`s offices will give advice and therapy for free.

This deadly killer snuffs out thousands of lives daily, and anyone that cares about people and their health will desire to help a smoker quit for good in any way possible. Family members and friends will be supportive alsoFree Articles, and they will be eternally grateful.

Make Yourself Irresistible

2009-11-21T01:46:00.000-08:00

I've learned a secret about what's going on 99% of the time when someone is not giving you the respect, admiration, or love you want.

It's a secret that probably not in 1 in 1,000 people will ever figure out on their own. Think about the last time you felt unappreciated at home or work.

Didn't at least part of your distress stem from the fact that you had no idea why this person wasn't responding to you? I think the REASON why we don't figure out the secret to making ourselves irresistible is that it's the opposite of what we've been taught about relationships.

Let me explain ...

Most of us are taught that when a relationship is struggling, we should be extra nice, thoughtful, and giving. These are wonderful qualities, and we should all strive to have them.

In my view, these qualities enhance all relationships. However, they are NOT the key to getting respect, appreciation, or love from people who are withholding it from you.

Take out a piece of paper and draw a circle in it. Then, put the initials of the person you're seeking appreciation from in the middle of the circle. Now, put your own initials outside the circle.

Here's how the circle works.

Whenever you are inside another person's circle, this person has trouble connecting with his respect, admiration, or love for you.

In the extreme, he may even develop contempt for you. Whenever you are outside his circle, he appreciates you. He is attentive and considerate. He goes out of his way to connect with you.

The key to making yourself irresistible to someone is to stay outside his or her circle. The circle applies to all relationships: your friends, your lover/spouse, your co-workers, and your children.

How We Get Inside The Circle ?

We get inside another person's circle by leaning on him psychologically
You lean on someone psychologically when you use your connection with him to gain energy, happiness, or self-acceptance.

On some level, you want this person to lift you up a little. Because of this, you violate a basic rule of attraction between people: Any person pursued runs away.

Sometimes, we lean on people in obvious ways:

We wait around for them instead of making our own plans;
We call them and tell them we're lonely or miserable;
We call too often;
We check up on them and judge their choices;
We complain about their lack of consideration; and,
We lay guilt trips: "You should have called."

However, often our leaning is much more subtle. Here are some examples:

We talk too much. Most people talk too much and cannot control how much they talk. This says, "Please give me your attention".
We talk too much about ourselves, especially in an effort to impress people.4 "You work for Shell? I know their Vice-President of Human Resources". This says, "Please give me your approval".
We act victimized and cold when we think some is not giving us the time or attention we think we deserve. "I just want you to put in a little effort". This says, "Please show me I'm worthwhile". It also says, "I want you to conduct this relationship my way".
We are overly giving, and set aside our personal needs. "I'd really rather go somewhere else, but it's no big deal". This says, "I want your approval so much I'll put you ahead of me. Now, in return, please give me the appreciation I want".
We criticize people in an effort to control them. "Why don't you get a job at the golf course this summer? It's better than being on MSN all day" Or, "You've got to put in A LOT more hard work if you want to beat the Conference Champions". This says, "Please turn into someone different so I can feel good about myself."
We dote on people with over-the-top affection. "You're the most magnificent woman I've ever seen, and I can't believe how lucky I am". This says, "I'm not sure I'm worthy of you.";

Here's why psychological leaning repels people:

When you lean psychologically or emotionally on people or toward them, it makes others feel uncomfortable. They resent the weight you are laying on them, and they will react by denying you. They don't like your self-indulgence, and your insecurity reminds them of their own vulnerability; it rattles them. Animosity builds.

Consciously and subliminally, they sense the weakness your leaning creates. It robs them of energy and crowds them; they have to buy into your needs and emotions when they would prefer to concentrate on their own.

They don't like the imposition, and often they react negatively, even if they don't say so. Alternatively, they accept the imposition of your weight, but then they feel they can take advantage of you emotionally, sexually, or financially.

They will feel empowered to use you or deprecate you or discredit you in some way. If you're like most people, you will violently resist the idea that you are in any way responsible for the rejection you're getting.

Most of us desperately want to believe that the other person is 'the problem', and that if he or she would just respond to us, everything would be fine.

I don't wish to imply that you should feel ashamed if you are doing these things; we all do them from time to time.

These are natural responses to feeling rejected. Even psychological leaning itself seems to be an instinctive part of relationships. I am merely pointing out that if you want to be more successful with another person, you might want to consider moving outside the circle.

The other person will immediately appreciate you more, and you will feel proud of yourself for being more effective in the relationship. That's the beauty of the circle. You can always jump outside it and become irresistible again.

Enrich Lifes Repertoire

2009-11-16T05:29:00.000-08:00

When one calls to mind an inspirational individual, a few prevailing characteristics probably include that they are clear, concise and to the point, and, they are honest. You know where you stand with them.

Now contemplate those cryptic individuals in your life who don't seem to have a clue what they want or perhaps don't express what they really desire from you. And then there are those that have had to deliver a disquieting message but they sweetened the pill so much that you didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Bet they aren't on your "people who inspire me" list.

What we say and do, and how we say and do it, both directly shape how others experience us. Many times the assumptions people form about us are constructed because of the way we communicate. And this then directly impacts how they communicate in return.

Communication is an art. If done well it enriches lifes repertoire. Thus the way that conversations are conducted carry influence, not only in the workplace but also in the community and in the home.

Conversations can be affected by ego, limited by the level of trust, and guarded for fear of being hurt or of hurting others. As a result, people often speak to others in ways that are evasive and guarded.

The good news is one can turn those once taxing conversations into effectual lines of communication by implementing a few easy and practical keys:

Communicate Frankly ALL the Time

To build trust, one must establish a normal mode of communication that indicates to the other person that you are attentive of them and also mindful of their interests. Do this as a matter of course, so it is established form of discourse before something "hits the fan" and needs to be communicated.

Understand your Motivation or Purpose

Since the communication process begins with an intended message, be clear of your intentions, or what you hope to convey before you begin.

Identify a Favorable Time to Embark on a Conversation

If the person you're talking to is not an early riser, like me for example, it would be better to wait until as least until late morning (or after) to initiate an important conversation.

Set the Tone Early

This is an important and serious conversation, so commence by saying something like "Do you have a minute? There's something I would like to talk to you about."

Speak Slowly and Clearly

Focus on clearly enunciating and slowing down your speech. Even if you're pressured for time, don't rush through your communication. If you rush you may ultimately have to invest additional time in clearing up confusion, miscommunication and misunderstanding.

Say What You Mean

If you convey a mixed message, you are likely to confuse the other person. If you are struggling to find appropriate words, acknowledge that.

Frequently Check for Understanding / Ask for Clarification

If you are not 100% sure you've understood what others say, politely ask for clarification. Avoid assuming you've understood what's been said. Check both that you've been understood, and that others have fully understood you.

Practice reflective listening to check your own understanding (e.g. "So what I hear you saying is ~~~ ") and use open-ended questions to check other people's understanding. Inquire, "What's your take on this?'" instead of "Is that clear?"

Be Specific

Clearly spell out the specifics. Instead of, "Please get back to me soon,'" convey, "So I will expect to hear from you before 12 noon, tomorrow"?

Choose your Medium of Communication Carefully

Carefully choose your form of communication. These include face-to-face, telephone. E-mail, instant message, etc. Be mindful not to go overboard using email. While useful, there are times when this specific medium is likely to be ineffective. When a message is complex and complicated or there is tension or conflict that needs to be resolved switch to a medium where a two-way conversation can be held.

Commence At the Ebb of an Emotional Charge

Emotion-laced arguments are usually counter-productive. Being over wrought by emotion wanes the effectiveness of what you are trying to communicate. It is best to step aside, get more perspective and then approach your intended party.

If you are angry, disappointed, etc., share the information and tell them how the situation is making you feel, as your anger may be an integral component they need to be informed of. Here's a tip to consider and remember. Tell them about it, don't make them experience it.

Poke Positive

A favorable way to communicate is to do it with a smile on ones face or with a polite inflection of the voice. People do not want to receive a sourly conveyed homily, to be talked to as if they were a child, or be greeted by someone who appears to have ice water in their veins.

Lousy news may need to be given, but make it a point to never let a communication be relayed with a negative tone in your voice, and you'll see your results pay off in the end!

Effective communication skills create a happier, easier and uncomplicated life. Time once consumed on arguments, conflicts and drama is now available to accomplish so much more!

Don’t Be A Victim Of Insecurity

2009-11-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

Because of insecurity, thousands of individuals often wallow in depression. In this state of insecurity, you might find it difficult to concentrate or focus on or allow yourself to enjoy feelings of achievement as emotions of self-judgment then emerge.

Negative sentiments such as "why push ahead if I never get anywhere, anyway?" shows low self esteem and lack of self confidence. Talking to yourself in a hard way brings forth unhealthy and defeating attitude.

When you begin to ignore the positive or optimistic feelings linked with achievement, it is so easy to sway back into negative self-talk and damage your success.

When you punish or chastise yourself by focusing on past failures rather than past accomplishments, it keeps you in the gloom of nothingness and uncertainty where there is no opportunity for aiming high.

Why harshly criticize yourself or anyone else? Insecurity is a very self-destructive behavior. Criticizing yourself severely weakens your achievements and your growth at the same time.

Belittling or undermining the triumphs of other people creates invisible barriers to warm rapport and relations, making it tough to accept situations which foster opportunities and positive growth. It is very unnecessary and self sabotaging to blame and judge yourself just because you weren’t able to influence other people’s feelings and thoughts.

When you’re too busy in attempting to control external factors, then you might not be in command of yourself. Lack of confidence and feelings of insecurity could compel you to attempt to control external events, including others. For instance, attempting to manipulate the way a person feels about you could be so overwhelming, not to mention frustrating.

Of course, you cannot command or influence other peoples feelings, but you could always be in control of the way you react or respond toward them. When your sense of security and confidence are inadequate, you may inflict a retreat on yourself to avoid taking risks or challenges.

When a very successful or triumphant event does happen, you might conclude that it’s just sheer luck. Beliefs and self-talk like "In spite of my efforts, there’s still no effect on the outcome," might stem from past programmed concepts and ideas which you received from disparaging other individuals.

Endeavoring to impact everyone or everything around you, instead of handling your own behavior and emotions, weakens your consciousness and self growth. It reinforces more insecurity on your part. The point there is trying not to focus too hard on stopping others on their road to success, but instead to focus on your own achievements and personal growth.

Concentrate on enhancing your strengths to be more optimistic and delighted. Work on appreciating and recognizing your talents and competencies (kindness, endurance, candidness, positivity) that are always there within you.

When you motivate and empower your body and mind to build your skills and resources, you strengthen and solidify your commitment to aspire higher.

Anti-insecurity Advice 1: Each day when you wake up, ask yourself "What good things I could do today?" Do the same everyday.

Anti-insecurity Advice 2: Always be thankful for what you have.

Setting Your Goals

2009-11-11T20:27:00.000-08:00

Each one of us has what it takes to live our life to its full potential. Today is your starting point. You choose the direction you want to go. Once you have determined the direction you want to take then set some goals to get you there.

Is it really that simple? Actually, it is.

Once you set your goals, the next step is to follow thru on those goals.
Goals are nice but they mean nothing if you don't follow thru.

Setting Goals is an important component to motivation and success.

While it is possible to be successful when someone else is providing the motivation for you, frankly motivation is best when it comes from within.

So be honest with yourself. Are you genuinely interested in being successful in your business? If so, set realistic goals for yourself. And remember, setting the goals is only the beginning. You must take steps to reach those goals.

Try it this week. Set a couple small goals that you would like to achieve this week. Take the necessary steps to achieve those goals. You may be surprised at the results.

Then you will see what goals can do for you. Before you know it, setting goals will be a regularly part of your weekly routine.

Expect a Miracle

2009-11-09T21:22:00.000-08:00

A long time ago a shopkeeper was opening a package of merchandise from England. He always admired the efficient way the British pack things as it was done with meticulous care.

When he opened it, there was a card on top. It said, "Expect a Miracle". He almost threw it in the trash and thought, "What does that mean? How did that get there?" but stuffed it into his shirt pocket.

That night he was emptying his pockets and showed it to his wife, "Look at this, 'Expect a Miracle'. What is that supposed to mean?"

"Maybe that is what we need", she said. "Our problems seem so overwhelming. Wonder what would happen if started expecting great things instead of always expecting the worst? Could miracles take place?"

They decided to try it for a few days starting with small problems. "Maybe we will get some new ideas. Maybe there is a solution. Anyway, what do you say? Let's expect a miracle, really expect it for a few days and see what happens."

Then something changed for them. They began believing that not only could their problems be solved but that they would be solved and more importantly, the solution was even then being worked out. Miracles, little miracles, started happening. Strange coincidences began developing.

All kinds of experiences began coming one after another. They became different. Hopeful, optimistic. The little problems began giving way and the big ones became less formidable.

When anyone starts expecting a miracle they become so conditioned that they begin actually making miracles happen. They get on the miracle wavelength. Abilities become positively focused rather than negatively.

Creative forces are released in the mind. The flow away tendency is reversed and life now flows toward them. The negative expectations that drove away the good are replaced by positive expectations.

With a clear goal that is a sharply focused objective and embraces good not only for you but all of those around you, what you want to do, what you want to be and where you want to go one activates the law of successful achievement.

The law of attraction is activated positively and instead of sending out negative thoughts and activating the world around us negatively, the positive thinker with clear goals for good will activate the world around him positively. He works and keeps on working.

He thinks and keeps on thinking. He believes and keeps on believing. He never lets up, never gives in. He gives the effort the full treatment of positive faith and action. Result? He can because he thinks he can. His dreams come true…he attains his goals…miracles happen.

Miracles come in all sizes: big ones, medium-sized ones, and small ones. Start believing in small ones and work your way up to big ones. Think and believe and work and treat people right and give it all you've got and you will find yourself doing the most amazingly constructive things in this life.

What is it you want out of life?

2009-11-06T21:50:00.000-08:00

What is it you want out of life? Once you decide what it is you want to do and where you want to be, you then must realize what you have to do to change your thinking to achieve these desires. When we were babies, we knew exactly what we wanted. We cried loudly with no inhabitions holding back until we got what we wanted.

As we got older, we were clear about what we wanted and headed straight toward it with no fear. Along the way, we would hear someone say, don’t do this or that and as we got older the negative words would be more intense. As we go thru our lives, we somehow get stuck trying to figure out what other people want us to do. As a result we now do a lot of things we don’t want to do but what pleases others.

So how do we reclaim ourselves and our true desires? How do we get back what we really want with no fear, shame or inhabitions? How do we reconnect with our real passion. We start on the smallest level by honoring our preferences in every situation, no matter how large or small. Don’t think of them as petty, they might be inconsequential to someone else, but they are not to you.

To renown your power and get what you really want out of life, you will have to stop saying, "I don’t know, I don’t care, It doesn’t matter to me". When you are confronted with a choice, act as if you have a preference. Ask yourself, "if I did know, what would it be? If I did care, which would I prefer? If it did matter, what would I rather do?".

Not being clear about what you want and making other peoples needs and desires more important than your own is simply a habit. You can break it by practicing the opposite habit. To be successful in life, you have to decide where you want to go by clarifying your vision through goal settings affirmations and visualization and start moving in the right direction.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to make a list of possessions you want to acquire. Close your eyes and visualize how it feels to already have them. What it would be like to have financial independence and live the life you have always dreamed of. There are people who will try to talk you out of your dreams. They will try to bring you down to their level. These people are called dream-stealers. Don’t listen to them. Believe in yourself, whether you call it self-esteem or self confidence it is a deep seated belief that you have what it takes.

My journey started the day I stepped onto the path of being an entrepreneur. I made a strong commitment to do whatever it took to forge ahead. Believing in myself and knowing that the mistakes I made along the way only made me stronger.

There are three things that will help you be successful and they are activity, commitment, and self-esteem. Follow your intentions and everything will start to fall into place.

5 Easy Steps to Staying Motivated

2009-11-05T03:42:00.000-08:00

Motivating yourself to excel at your job or to be an example to your employees, should not be something you do only when the spirit moves you. It’s an ongoing process that should include every facet of your business life. This means your mental attitude, physical well-being and appearance, work atmosphere, your interaction with others (clients and employees alike), and your off-the-job environment.

Motivational experts get paid big bucks to tell professionals, striving for success, that they must constantly examine these factors. How do you do that? Follow the 5 tips that follow, and watch the changes.

1. Maintain a Positive Attitude

Let’s realize that life is only 10% of what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. We’re responsible for our own actions and attitudes, and changing them when appropriate. When you’re around people/things that are uplifting and positive, you feel that way.

You have more confidence in yourself, and know you can change whatever needs changing. If you can make your workplace such a place you’ll find happier workers and higher production. You might even find your employees look forward to coming to work!

2. Leave Personal Troubles Home

Everyone has problems, but they don’t belong at work. Turn your attention and energy entirely to your on-the-job tasks. This will actually be good for you because you’ll get a mental break from your troubles.

3. Create Positive Affirmations

The reason for writing goals for your business is the same as creating positive affirmations on paper. What your eyes see and ears hear, your mind will believe. Try it! After you’ve written them down, read them aloud to yourself – and do it every morning when you get into work.

You’ll be amazed at what happens. Come up with a set of new ones every month. Statements such as, "I’m an important and valuable person", or "I know I’ll make good use of my time today." Repeating them out loud everyday at a set time will help reinforce positive actions.

4. Make Sure Break Times Are Really Break Times

This is an area where most bosses/entrepreneurs fall down. You become so intense about the project or situation you’re working on that you don’t ease up. Thinking that it’ll be solved in the next few seconds, and then you’ll get a cup of coffee can lead you right up to quitting time. Regularly adhering to a specified break schedule, even if you’re the boss, releases the tension.

If you work on a computer this is even a greater problem because before you realize it – you’ve been working in that same position for hours. The best answer to this is to set yourself a reminder on your appointment calendar for every 2 hours, and let the computer reminder chime send you the alert to move around.

5. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

I know that lately it seems that "exercise" is the cure-all to every physical ailment or your love life, but despite that there is some truth to that ugly word. By "exercise" I don’t mean that you should go out and join a gym and spend your lunch-time, 3-days-a-week there working out. What is really beneficial and workable is that at those chiming alerts from your computer, get up and walk around your desk or room.

Maybe go outside and get the mail and enjoy the sunlight (if you’re an entrepreneur that has a home office), or just get up and do a few stretches. Concentrated, tense thinking – typing - plotting plans - or whatever your work, makes all those muscles tighten up and knot up. Then when we move we "ooh" and "ouch" because we’ve knotted up into a ball of tension.

Periodic stretching, even at our desk, or just getting up and walking over to the window and getting a different view can help. One of the greatest disservice modern business décor has done to us, is making our offices pristine, sleek, unencumbered spaces.

There is nothing more relaxing than getting up from your desk and walking over to a peaceful, serene, seascape or pastoral painting and just drinking it in visually. Momentarily transporting your mind out of work and into that place does wonders. A few good paintings and less shiny chrome in offices would
benefit us all.

It only takes a little concentrated effort on our part to keep motivated and productive, which leads to success. I know you’re going to hate hearing this, but it’s true anyway – and that is, "WHEN LIFE GIVES YOUR LEMONS – MAKE LEMONADE!"

Keep Your Concentration And Double Your Productivity

2009-11-04T06:08:00.000-08:00

Do you always complete the task at hand before moving on to the next one? Further more what’s the criteria you use to choose your next task? Lot’s of people start something then part way through either get bored or convince themselves it’s the right time to begin something else.

Why this is a problem!

It’s a problem because if you do it often enough you will have started several tasks and finished none which will eventually lead to a feeling of overwhelm as deadlines for the unfinished tasks loom.

It’s also a problem because what you are choosing to do may not be the most important thing requiring your attention. Therefore it does not represent the best use of your time. Things that grab your attention tend to be urgent but not necessarily important.

You can attend to the latest crisis such as the copier that’s broken down (again), a phone that rings and no one answers (but you), a rep calls and for some reason your life will not be complete unless you see him or her.

The above are urgent but not important. When your daily focus is only on urgent matters you will never have time to deal with the really important issues and tasks. As such you might as well join the fire brigade because you do nothing more than put out fires all day.

Another reason it’s a problem is because generally working on related tasks is far more productive than working on non related ones. An example would be if you put aside an hour to do nothing but correspondence you would get more letters or emails done than if you wrote a single letter or email every two hours.

Can you imagine what would happen if sports people practiced like that? Hit a ball then go to the gym for an hour then hit another ball then etc, etc. It just would not work. Similar or the same tasks can always be done faster and more efficiently when grouped. And you learn to do them better and increase your skill level at the same time.

How you avoid it.

Plan your work then work your plan it’s that simple. Ideally you will have a plan for each calendar month. However, you must have a weekly plan as a minimum. The week’s tasks are then allocated to week days.

Make sure the last thing you do today is to plan for tomorrow. Look at what your priorities are, identify your musts and should’s. Musts are important to you - should’s are important to someone else.

When you have identified your highest value tasks for tomorrow list them in order of priority, give each a time allocation and then see if when the tasks are added up they fit into how many hours per day you work. Do not allocate all your time in any given day as this never works.

If you work an eight hour day schedule five hours of tasks maximum. You will never completely remove all the should’s from your day however you can limit them to a minimum.

Use one of the three hours at the end of the day and apart from planning tomorrow check on what was completed today. Was your time allocation accurate if not why? Record this as useful data for the future so you have your own outputs file. Get into the habit of doing this and see the results.

How Your Mind Works

2009-11-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

Your mind has two parts: the Conscious Mind and the Subconscious Mind. Together these two parts control all of your actions and ultimately the results you have in your life. As we explore each area of your mind, understand that while these ideas may seem simple and elementary, they have a wide reaching and profound affect on your life. They control every aspect of what makes you who you are and will continue to control everything in your life until the day you die.

The Conscious Mind

The Conscious Mind is where you do all your day to day thinking. This is where you make decisions and where you primarily operate from in normal life. When you hold a conversation or watch a t.v. program you are using your conscious mind. Both the conscious mind and the subconscious mind think in pictures. If you think about your family members a picture of them will flash on the movie screen of your conscious mind.

You also can only hold one image on the screen of your mind at a time. For example you cannot think of a red apple and an orange in detail at the same time. While you might be able to project them side by side you are not able to see the grain in the skin of the apple or the dimples in the peel of the orange at the same time.

This ultimately means that you cannot think of a negative idea and a positive idea at the same time. While your mind might be able to flip back and forth between negative and positive ideas or images very rapidly, it is not able to hold those two images at the same time.

The Subconscious Mind

Most people would think that the Conscious Mind controls the Subconscious Mind, but this is not so. The Subconscious Mind is the real mover and shaker in our lives. The Subconscious Mind stores all our beliefs about who we are, what we are capable of, what we are not capable of and every other detail we believe to be true about the world. We can refer to the Subconscious Mind as the emotional mind.

The subconscious mind operates in the background of your life and while you sleep. Dreams are a product of your subconscious mind. You can think of the subconscious mind as a computer program running without your help at all times. An example of this would be when you have suddenly realized that you have not been paying attention while driving and you are almost home from work.

The entire drive to and from work is a program that you have put into your subconscious mind through repetition. Your driving is almost automatic and takes very little thinking on your part. In fact without consciously thinking about going to the store when driving that pathway you will drive straight home. Your programming will take over and you will "forget" to go to the store unless you hold the image of the store at the forefront of your mind when driving home.

To convert the things you want in your life to reality you must understand how to use both your conscious and sub-conscious mind. By continually thinking about the good things you want and visualizing these images you will impress them on your subconscious mind. Over time your actions will change and you will start to move the things you want into your reality.

Longer and Healtier Life

2009-11-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

In modern times most people at the age of 1 to 25 years, are healthy and very active from 26 to 40 years they become tired, from 41 years up to the age of 80 they become sick, and might have age related eseases such as Blood Pressure, diabetes, gout, cancer, poor eye sight, back ache and they die at this age of 80 years.

Can this situation be changed? The answer is yes in fact any person can live up to 100 years and above with better health, the secret behind the healthy lifestyle is:

Nutrition

Your health is determined by the type of food you eat.The secret to healthier life is to eat a lot of fresh and natural food, these include, fruits and vegetables, the fruits and vegetables takes care of your imunity, look of your skin, help the function of your bowels and enable you to avoid conticipation.

Look for good source of protein, such as, soya beans, beans, white meat, such as, fish and chicken. Eat sugars and carbohydrates sparingly because excessive use of sugars and abohydrates may cause overweight problems, diabetes and blood pressure. Avoid artificial foods polished packed foods because their usage in long run may cause different types of cancers, These type of foods are packed with food colours and presevatives which have tocsic effects.

Air

Sleep with your windows open avoid poluted air and poluted places, lack of air causes fatigue.

Exercise

Your body needs some excercise to burn some excessive fat in your body, assist natural bowel elimination and tone cells in the body. You can join gyms, walk, jogging in the park or beach or use the stairs when visiting offices with storey buildings.

Rest

Respect your bodys need for rest, don't overwork yourself. Go to bed earlier the latest time you may go to sleep is 1 hour before midnight. Have 8 hours of sleep 8 hours of work and 8 hours of relaxation.

Water

Is the internal and external cleanser,drink atleast 2 glasses of water 30 minutes before evey meal.Take a warm bath because warm water kills germs and remove unwanted fat on the body.

Your Attitude

Have a positive mental attitude about yourself and life in general.

Love Yourself.

Dont be proud, be humble, enjoy life, live today. Have a positive self talk such as, i am a winner, day after day i am changing for the better...etc.

Do You Believe In God ?

If you do it is o.k. if not i cannot force you.If you believe in God Pray to your God for success, and assistance in solving your problems. Dont worry, be hapy.

WHAT TO AVOID

Drugs

If you want to be mentally healthy do not take drugs .i.e marijuana,cocaine etc.

Smoking

Smoking is bad for your health because it is the major cause of cancer of the lung, impotence, blood pressure, and bad body smell.If you want to know much about the effects of smoking ask your doctor.

Alcohol

Take 1 lire per day or if you fail to control your self abstain from taking it. Excessive drinking of Alcohol can cause lack of apetite, liver failure, broken marriages, digestive disorders and malnutrition.

Worry

Dont worry be happy. Too much worrying can make you sick,worry causes stress, insanity loss of apetite and loss of sleep.

Anger

Control your temper avoid unnecessary arguments, an angry person is temporarily insane. Avoid talking when you are angry calm down and try to talk in lower voice.

Sexual Desires

Control your sexual desires because uncontrolled sexual desires can cause a lot of troubles to you you might end up in jail for rape.

Rejection, Fear, and Dating

2009-10-31T02:01:00.000-07:00

Single again? As we travel through life, we often end up single. There are many reasons why. It could be the result of meeting the wrong person, death, cheating, lies, divorce, location, goals, and more. Losing a relationship impacts us in many ways. It can be very painful, or it can be very refreshing, or anywhere in-between. No matter what the cause or the degree of pain, there is one truth we all share: We don’t want to end up alone. We want to find companionship.

In order to get into a new relationship, we have to be willing to meet and go out with people. It’s our own fear, however, that often gets in the way.

We fear getting rejected.
We fear having a bad time.
We fear getting hurt.
We fear having to reject someone else.

All these fears are valid yet easily overcome. If someone rejects you, it only means that that person feels you are not right for them. Believe me, there is someone else who would love to be with you. You have to accept rejection. It is only through trying do we get to the right person.

Many dates and relationships don’t work out. You may look back and think of it as a bad time. It is all right to have a bad time. Only through bad dates do we get to the good dates. It is through our bad relationships that we have the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and what we want, to then approach relationships with more knowledge to succeed.

No one wants to get hurt but if we do not dare to fall in love and get hurt, we cannot be in love. Getting hurt is part of the process. We do get through it and the pain does go away. The best part is there is new love waiting for you.

You may also be fearful of rejecting someone. The truth is no one is obligated to stay with someone who isn’t right for them. Rejection is part of the dating and relationship process.

Change how you look at rejection and see it as a favor. When you reject someone you are releasing him or her to go find someone who will truly appreciate that person. Look at it that way also when someone rejects you. After all, do you really want to be with someone who doesn’t want you? It’s better to be free to find someone who actually wants to be with you.

Can you predict the future? I can’t. In fact, most of us don’t think we can. Yet we continue to believe in self-limiting thoughts about the future. We believe so firmly in these thoughts we allow them to stop us from moving forward and realizing opportunities.

Instead of predicting pain, I can predict for you that if you embrace the dating process instead of watching life pass you by, you will have both good and bad times. I can also predict that these good and bad times will lead you to even better times.

Embrace the journey and release your fear.

Be Your Own Best Friend

2009-10-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

Do you ever speak negatively to yourself, maybe you put yourself down in front of others, or perhaps you have difficulty accepting praise (maybe you don't think you deserve it)? If you are guilty of doing this, why do you do it? These are all related to low self esteem and a lack of self confidence.

It simply does not pay to put yourself down when you are on a path of self development or self improvement. For every little success you have will be negated by the negative self talk or attitudes you have towards yourself. It's like one step forward, negative self talk, then two steps back.

Wherever you want to get to in life, whatever you want to do, it is imperative that you become your own best friend first. Why bother with self doubt and loathing? Look where they have got you? Put them behind you, they haven't served any useful purpose up until now and they won't serve a useful purpose in the future. All they do is keep you stuck in a self perpetuating loop of negativity and self doubt.

In what situations do you speak negatively towards yourself? Maybe you make a mistake at work and say to yourself 'I'm an idiot, I always do this'? Or maybe you left the house one day and forgot to bring some important paperwork with you? Did you remind yourself that you are 'useless person who always forgets things'? Or perhaps you said something even more severe?

What good does it do talking to yourself like this? You are essentially beating yourself up (at least mentally anyway). Do you feel better when you do this? It is like you have this deep belief that you are an idiot, and that this event (whatever it may be) has just proved it correct.

It's not useful and it gets you nowhere. Instead it just leaves you feeling negative and bad about yourself.

In this day and age, time waits for no one; to be successful you need to be on your own side. You need to continually support yourself through everything you do, it is important to give yourself praise when you make progress (however small) and not to berate yourself when things go wrong.

Remember this if you are having a bad day, or things aren't going right for you, don't beat yourself up, you are on a path, you have a goal, don't get upset by minor things in life, nothing is really that bad. Don't let anyone else define your happiness. Only you control if you are happy or not, nobody else.

Life can be hard enough without you being your own worst enemy. Always be your own best friend. Learn to accept yourself for who you are at any moment in time.

Ten Thing You Can Do to Reduce Your Stress

2009-10-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

These are really simple tips but most of them works quite well for people. If we do at least half of them we would be less stressed person and that means you would be happier. Try to think about that and make your choice - fight with stress or stress about it!

Share your worries with family or friends whenever possible.
Try to develop a social network or circle of friends and make time to see the people that matter to you.
Exercise regularly - even a brisk walk at lunchtime is better than nothing. Plan in your exercise time otherwise it won't happen.
Give yourself treats and rewards for positive actions, attitudes and thoughts.
Don't be too hard on yourself- try to keep things in proportion.
Don't bottle things up or sit all night brooding - think realistically about problems and decide to take some appropriate action; if necessary, distract yourself in a pleasant way.
Plan for the future and do not dwell on past mistakes or disappointments. Don't beat yourself up.
Relax every day and make time for YOU.
Learn to delegate both at work and at home.
Take short rests during the day and have proper breaks for meals. Take that lunch hour (or half hour).

Live for Your Self

2009-10-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

Do you like you? If you do not like yourself, who and what do you like and why do you like it. Here is a crazy question. If you could be any, one you wanted to be who would you be? These are just a few questions please feel free to think about these in your share time.

Share time this is one of the more over used words in the English language. The one thing on this green earth that we have the lease of is time. Okay lets' get back to the original question. Are you happy, I have found that more of us are not happy.

In fact, people are very unhappy. Most people are just wasting time doing the things that they believe the world and/or those around them want them to do. If that, is the way that you are living your life is it worth it.

Think about this "A third of the people in the world like you. A third of the people in the world do not like you. A third of the people in the world do not care." So why are you concern about the later two thirds? This is your life you live it for only one person that person is Y.O.U. You cannot live anyone elses' life. You can also only be one person that person is you. Now if you do not know who you are you will have to start with finding that first questions answer first. So please do not read any farther until you have done that first part.

Back again, to are you happy yes you? We find many reasons to be angry, upset, annoyed, passed off etc. Why do you do this to yourself? Why do you regularly look for and find a reason to start a fight and/or argue. What is wrong with you let be honest. Just the fact that you can read and understand this writing is amazing. The fact that you are here now is a wonderful and really, amazing thing. I read a story about a young man who climbed a mountain. Yes, I know people climb mountains for years, right. However, this young man did it with no legs. Yet, you hear people complain about walking a flight of steps.

There are millions of stories about people who done amazing and wonderful things. If you do not relieve me, you can look on line or visit your local library. I commented earlier on time. Please get off your bottom and start living a productive life.

Start being the person you should and can be. If you are not happy what will make you happy? Stop living a lie, stop lying to everyone and you. The person that you see in the mirror is the only person stopping you. Stop making excuses for you and stop blaming the world and all of those on it for your poor choices.

Your best day is today. You can do it. Success is yours if you are willing to see things as they are and stop living a fantasy that is really a horror story. Start now with the knowledge that for every bad thing that you can find to be angry about there is a thousand things you can be very happy about yes right now.

Building Your Confidence

2009-10-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

Building confidence whether in an individual or team situation can greatly impact the outcome of a situation or even the success of a respective venture. If a member of your team is lacking in confidence then it is your responsibility to ensure that they are encouraged and lifted up to maximum performance and greater impact within communicative and people based circumstances.

Often all it takes is a little reminder of the skills and awards which we are all prone to over our lifetimes. Encouragement is a wonderful tool on boosting confidence of your self or someone else. A compliment not on their appearance but skills and worth can be worth more than you may know to someone lacking in confidence. Make note of points which you can comment on so that your team and friends always know that they are important and respected.

If you hear someone putting them-self down it is often that the reason is a lack of confidence and self put downs are a clear sign that they are desperate for someone to pay them some attention or pay them a compliment. Overlooking a statement is the same as agreeing so it is important to ensure that all of your comments towards them are positive and uplifting. As they old saying goes ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all’ in this case if you can’t find something nice to say then find someone who can because a person who lacks in confidence will be suffering and needs attention.

Take a chance on some one who may be slightly lacking in confidence; it does not mean that they are less of a person than another it just means that when they do succeed they will benefit more from the experience and you may find that you have a better friend or staff member because of it. Being offered a challenge and being shown how to overcome each step of the way develops healthy and responsive respect within a person both for them selves and for you because you helped.

Because confidence and building confidence is largely based on how the respective person feels about them selves it may be helpful to understand the reasons for the lack of confidence, as in many situations just by discussing your doubts about yourself a different perspective could be all it takes to build that confidence and make sure it lasts. Discussion and an open friendly environment are needed while building confidence. While in more serious situations professional counseling or personal development may prove more effective in building confidence in yourself or someone close. It is important that you can understand when someone needs more help than you can offer but that you remain supportive and consistent.

A challenge and a few good compliments along with some empowering reminders of our achievements will boost the confidence of a king. Of course it is necessary to be aware of the other side of a lack of confidence and not encourage people into believing that they are better than every one else. Humility, pride in self and a group of supportive people can make the difference between success and failure so if you see someone struggling it doesn’t hurt to offer them a helping hand because by building someone up today they may help you step up tomorrow.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Time

2009-10-17T03:35:00.000-07:00

One of the top complaints or obstacles that entrepreneurs have is "I don't have enough time."

Think about that for a moment

Does that describe you? Do you have too much on your plate and not enough time?

Do you often find yourself dreaming, "If only I had more time?"

Well, you've probably heard the saying that we all have the same amount of time per day. It's true isn't it? We all have the same 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. How is it that some people seem to get so much done and others are struggling just to keep up?

Thinking that you can have MORE time is a major part of the problem.

There's nowhere to purchase MORE time. You have all the time that's available to you until your time is up - it's really about how you can more effectively choose where to invest your time.

The reality is that we all have responsibilities. These responsibilities can eat up a lot of your time if you don't find a way to manage it or delegate it.

If you're like me, you're an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a party planner, a housekeeper, and the list goes on. Each of those roles comes with it a laundry list of THINGS TO DO.

What we need to remember as small business owners/entrepreneurs is that we need to focus our time during our "working hours" (whatever you designate those to be) to only doing those activities that either get you more clients (the MARKETING) or make you money (the client/STAGING work). Everything else can wait until after 5:00 or 6:00 pm.

Here are five ways to immediately upgrade your use of time:

1. Identify the time wasters

When you own a home based business, the line between your professional and personal life is blurred. To be successful, we need to put boundaries between the two even if you only walk five steps across the hall from your bedroom to your office.

Since you're not leaving your home to go to a separate place of work, the temptations of home responsibilities can pull at you throughout the day and many times keep you from getting things done.

Here are just a few examples: dishes, walking the dog, laundry, food shopping, exercising, cooking dinner. Sound familiar? We've all been there. What you think will only take a few minutes end up eating hours of your time that you can't get back.

2. Eliminate these time wasters

Now that you've identified what these time wasters are, make a commitment to not doing these activities during business hours. Consider this. If you worked for a corporation, would you be doing dishes or laundry during business hours? NO.

The only time you have for personal errands would be during your lunch hour, so if you absolutely have to do something, schedule it during your lunch break. Remember, you have to treat your business like a business, otherwise you'll get paid a hobby's salary, and I don't know too many people who get paid well for doing their hobbies.

3. Where are you overcommitted? What can you let go of? Say no to? Delegate? Delay?

When you consciously choose to stop doing something you make room in your life to put something else in its place. Create your own "Stop Doing List".

This is an extremely important step to upgrading your use of time. We need to do this in both our personal and our professional lives. This took me a long time to grasp.

It wasn't until recently that I finally hired a housecleaner to clean my house. What would take me an entire day and then some, takes two people about three hours to accomplish,

AND they do all the things I don't want to do or don't really have time to do like wiping down the baseboards regularly, cleaning the interior doors, cleaning the fireplace and cleaning the blinds. Having this service frees up my time so I can do other things, like hang out with my daughter.

Consider outsourcing housecleaning, gardening, grocery shopping (I've tried Safeway.com and it's pretty cool - a few minutes on my computer and the groceries are delivered - saves at least an hour of my time, not to mention gas), errands (there are personal assistants available for a very low cost - especially when you consider how much your time is worth).

4. Strategically choose which activities, projects, "things" you do that have the highest value and do those things first.

Most people waste 70-80% of their working day on low level, low value, and low return activities. If you want to earn more, enjoy more, and grow more, then you need to immediately start making better choices about where to invest your time.

Hiring an assistant to do the administrative tasks that take up a lot of your time would allow you to do more of the higher level work that brings in more revenue.

Outsourcing the bookkeeping would definitely free up your time and allow you to do what you do best, while allowing someone who actually likes numbers and knows how to manage them, do what they do best.

Hiring movers and Staging Assistants would allow you to complete projects quicker, take on more projects, keep the warehouse tidier and keep projects rolling and allow you to simultaneously provide a consultation to another client.

Don't get stuck in the trap of having to do everything yourself or you'll never free up the time to work ON your business. Take a look at all the tasks on your to-do list and ask yourself, "Does this really need to be done?" and then, "If it has to be done, can it be done by somebody else?"

If letting go of these tasks is scary to you (and sometimes it is, especially if you've always done it and have your own particular way of doing it) then try baby steps.

Identify a small task that you want to delegate (ex: answering calls).

Document the correct way to perform this task, step-by-step, create the document and make it a part of your staging operations manual.

Have someone follow your instructions and revise your document until you and your tester are comfortable with the newly documented system.

When the new system document is ready, give it to the person responsible for that task, and insert a copy into your personal staging operations manual. Repeat these steps on the next task.

5. Track your use of time and see where you can make better choices in the future.

It's too easy to fool yourself into thinking you're doing all you can with your time. It's human nature to rationalize away and see what we want to see.

But the truth is you can get so much more out of your time than you are. The key is to make if VISUALLY clear exactly where your time is going so that you can self-correct in real time.

By doing this over time you discipline yourself to make better time choices and accomplish more.

Start today to take 100% responsibility for how you invest your hours and minutes. No more excuses.

Your Power of Real Concentration

2009-10-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

Did you ever stop to think what an important part your thoughts, I mean real concentrated thoughts, play in your life?

The ability to concentrate all your attention is so important, no matter what task or job you have to get done… as nothing great or significant can be accomplished without proper effort and concentration.

And almost all of us have some sort of difficulty in the concentration of our attention.

Workers in business and industry, students in high school and college, and even professors in universities, complain of the same difficulty.

It is said that the power to concentrate all your attention is vital as it stands at the very centre of most (if not all) mental activity. No matter from what angle we view the mind, its excellence always seems to depend upon the power to concentrate all our attention.

Concentration may be defined as being that state of mind in which the entire energies of the individual, physical as well as mental, are focused upon the thing they are doing or thinking. All actions and all thoughts NOT connected with what they are doing or thinking are kept out of the mind…

If we examine a growing child, one of the first things we will see is the power they have in them to "pay attention or to notice things".

When we examine the ability of normal adults we do so by means of tests that require close concentration of attention, and we regard anyone who is able to maintain close focused and concentrated attention for long periods of time as a person of strong mind or will.

So real concentration may be broken down into just 2 parts:

The voluntary focusing of all our power and attention in the selecting of certain objects to be attended to.
Ignoring of other objects which act as distractions.

But even in spite of our most careful provisions, there will still be distractions which cannot be eliminated. For example, you cannot stop the noise of planes flying over or cars driving past while you are trying to work, plan or study.

And you cannot build a fence around the thoughts and focus of your mind so as to keep out unwanted and irrelevant ideas… the best thing you can do is to accept the inevitable that the presence of some distractions will always exist, and to realise that in order to concentrate and pay attention properly, it is necessary to form the habit of ignoring these distractions.

You can simply start out by making a strong determined effort to ignore all distractions… practise ignoring them, and try your best not to let a slip occur.

Also at the same time, try to develop interest in the object you are concentrating all your attention on, because we tend to pay more attention to those things in which we are most interested.

It’s easy for any one to say, “concentrate"… but you need to know exactly how to concentrate. Remember that to concentrate is merely the act of applying your entire body and mind, to the task or action in hand.

Every effort of the mind, whether it’s to…

Perceive something
Recollect something
Associate something
Imagine something
Even to judge something

Must all involve some concentration of the faculties of the mind upon that particular action, task or act, whatever it may be!

As you start to develop a firm interest in your field of work or study, and as you develop the habit of ignoring distractions - you will be able to concentrate your powers of attention with less and less effort.

Another important fact to note is that as you develop the power to select objects for the concentration of all your attention, you also develop (at the same time) other mind power processes − you will improve the ability to memorize and recall much more, to fine tune and manage better your time and effort.

And also the power to control your future thoughts and actions...

In short “developing your power to concentrate and focus all your attention means developing power in all the mental processes”. With that being said, we want to finish by giving you,

The 2 TOP Keys Of Concentration

For every one of us, concentration will always mean,

Selecting and focusing on what is most important to us, and disregarding what is not… and also knowing which tasks and jobs have top priority.
You must identify for yourself what is most important and essential to you - and try to filter out everything else.

These are the two main steps towards developing strong concentration… recognising the essential… and leaving out the non-essential.

Time to Get Pregnant, Fertility Period

2009-10-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

So you want to get pregnant, but you have been having trouble doing so. I have some great tips that will help you on your way to achieving your goal.

First, to know how long your menstrual cycles are, track them on the calendar for 2 or 3 months. Your menstrual cycle starts with the day your period starts and stops the day before your next period starts. If you are not sure the number of days in your menstrual cycle, you can use 28 days. This is the normal length of a menstrual cycle.

In order for you to get pregnant, you should have sex before you ovulate, at least two or three days before ovulation - those will be your most fertile days.

How will you know when you're going to ovulate? There are many methods available, ovulation predictor kits or tracking your basal body temperature. Research states that the best time for intercourse is the day you notice the most fertile cervical mucus.

Fertile cervical mucus is cervical discharge that looks like egg-white and usually appears on the days before ovulation. This will be the time you are most likely to get pregnant.

Regardless of what day ovulation happens, pregnancy is more likely to occur if you have sex on a day when fertile cervical mucus is present. This could be because cervical mucus helps the sperm survive and move along.

Waiting for Ovulation is not the Greatest Idea

We get so preoccupied with having sex at exactly the right time, we don't have sex at other times during the cycle. Then sex begins to feel like a chore, becoming less about love and having a connection with your partner. This can put a real strain on a relationship.

There are also other reasons not to wait that pertain to fertility itself.

If you try to have sex only when you are ovulating, you are more likely to not get pregnant. If you are just waiting around for ovulation signs, you might miss them or they might occur when you can't have sex at the time.

Sex during six days prior to ovulation does have the possibility of you getting pregnant. If you are going to have sex three or four times a week, regardless of your fertility signs, You're probably going to have sex at least once during this six day period. This will be a lot less stressful than trying to time sex on a few certain days.

Also if you've waited to have sex until have signs of ovulation, and you have not had sex for several days, the sperm your partner has might not be as fertile. You might be at your most fertile time, but he won't be at his peak time.

3 Coping Skills You Must Have to Handle Stress

2009-10-09T03:25:00.000-07:00

There is no easy answer for how women handle stress. You can't have someone tell you to "do this", and you "do that", and then Poof, your stress magically disappears. It doesn't work that way, at least not for women. They are deep and complex individuals and the answer to resolving stressful issues is usually elusive and often just out of reach.

Stress can keep you off balance, subconsciously searching for that one "Aha" moment when you realize what you must do in order to resolve the situation and easy your discomfort.

Unless you've experienced it you just don't know how debilitating these feelings can be: feelings of constant turmoil and fear. You know, that sick, churning feeling in your gut that just won't go away: feelings of inadequacy, and of responsibilities so overwhelming you're sure you'll never be able to handle it all.

Stress can affect women both physically and mentally. Some of the most common life events that can cause stress are:

Death of a family member or spouse
Marriage
Pregnancy
Divorce
Retirement
Financial worries
Loss of job
Serious illness

Stress is different for each and every one of us. It shows up in strange ways and is a force to be reckoned with. For the sake of argument lets consider stress as a scale that becomes out of balance. The demands of our lives begin to outweigh the resources we have to handle those demands.

Each woman has her own set of worries and responsibilities. In order to cope with the onslaught of our daily lives we need to develop some outlet that allows the mind and body to "take five" and step off the roller coaster, if you will, even for a short while. Below are 3 coping skills you must have for self-preservation:

1. Do Something Physical:

Run, swim, walk, play tennis......anything that you really enjoy doing will fit the bill. Run an extra mile that day. Add a few extra laps in the pool. Do whatever it takes to get your body moving and let your mind rest. Exercise also has a calming effect that lasts long after the activity is over. When I am physically tired I find it much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. Learn How To Relax:

True relaxation is a skill you need to develop. Deep breathing exercises, slow stretches and meditation are a great place to start. They can be done anywhere and don't require any money to enjoy. Relaxation can ease the effects of stress placed on your body, which allows you to think clearer and make better choices.

3. Get Away From Your Stressor:

When your body starts to show signs of distress you should remove yourself from the situation as soon as you possibly can, sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Focus on each part of your body, starting from your head and work downward. Think of the tension in that part of your body, take a deep breath, slowly exhale and imagine the stress leaving your body as you exhale. Complete this process with your entire body until you begin to feel calm and centered. Try to remain relaxed for 5-10 minutes.

Although learning how to cope with stress is sometimes not an easy feat, with practice, you can take control of your feelings and get your life back on track. Never give up. Life is just too short not to enjoy it to the fullest.

Clean Your Mind

2009-10-08T01:08:00.000-07:00

Can’t sleep? Can’t think straight? Too tired to function? Trying to focus on your workload but can’t? It’s time to gain control and cleaning your mind!

In this day and age, it’s all too easy to be overwhelmed by the pressures of day to day living. Have a good look around you. Recognise those strained and tense expressions. Everybody is juggling their workloads, many people are tired, irritable and stressed and struggling to cope but some people have learned how to manage these pressures more readily and the answer is to keep your mind as calm and as organised as possible.

As a writer, I often have many projects on the go at any one time, these projects range from how-to articles, writing courses and books, and include many different subjects, ideas and creative images which are collated in my mind at any one time. On top of that, I teach creative writing at college too. One day I realised that my brain felt scrambled, I had complete overload, worse, I had so many ideas flowing through the creative channels that I could not concentrate on any particular one!

Some people struggle with ideas, my dilemma was the opposite, I had too many and worse, I completely lost my ability to wade through all of the information that was buzzing in my brain. My work suffered and my creative streak began to dry up, not good when you need to stand up in a class and inspire people to write.

I endured this for some weeks before resorting to my ‘de-clutter’ list system which I still use on a daily basis. The secret? To write down every idea or thought that is revolving around in my brain. This simple process has enabled me to bring order to chaos in a few simple steps and helped me to break that never ending cycle of confusion.

Here is an example of my list:

Write lesson plans for college

Write stress management course for Internet
Research for article on herbal remedies
Mark papers for students
Send off query letter for article on insomnia
Set up direct debit with bank
Choose birthday present and card for friend.
Prepare guest room
Decorate porch
Decorate bedroom
Sort out unwanted household items for boot sale
Food shopping
Pay telephone bill
Ironing
Time to chill out

Once you have completed your list, read through it, it may be a surprise to know just how much you had revolving around in your mind. By seeing the list in black and white, it makes it easier to identify the important issues and be able to prioritise in an efficient manner. My list enabled me to see things clearly whilst my mind was just not capable of making any decisions whilst all of that information was stored there, so I ended up trying to complete all of my tasks and failing miserably.

Once you have written your list, number and prioritise it and systematically work your way through the points, you can then congratulate yourself. You have discovered the vital steps needed for you to be able to control the amount of information which bombards your brain on a routine basis.

Each time you complete something on your list, tick it, so that you can feel the sense of satisfaction from being back in control.

If you have many demands on your time, it would be very easy for you to become overwhelmed again. Keep a note of your ideas or thoughts on paper or you can keep a Dictaphone handy so that you can record your thoughts. Choose your tasks carefully and always prioritise, get the important or essential jobs out of the way first and this will eliminate the pressure from you.

Make sure you add relaxation time to your list too. With the important tasks out of the way, and with your mind freed up from all that clutter, you’ll not only have more time to indulge yourself but be able to feel the benefits of your free time a whole lot more.

Maintaining Inspiration

2009-10-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

How can we preserve our inspiration In this planet you have to be taught to stimulate manually There are many things in the life that can grounds you to lose your inspiration It is our job to be taught to identify anything that grounds us to lose our inspiration an extra time for us, to stay provoked we must be taught to draw on our own inside reasons.

One way to stay provoked is to be taught to send time with you. It is not necessary to for all time have citizens about to stimulate that kind of inspiration is only impermanent Most of our inspiration that comes from outside sources will never last. When we take to time to get to know us, we will mostly find a nice person. We are provoked be grounds we be taught to love who we are and the way we are.

We must have our own values to stay put provoked. You will not stay provoked long if you arbitrator yourself by extra human’s values. Realize that here values are their standard, and not yours. Now and then citizens knowingly or not knowingly play this mind game to get their way. Don’t permit yourself to fall into that ensnare Do your best at the values you set and be happy. In equality extra human’s values can be use as a guide line but be wary not to lose your inspiration by trying to live up to their values. Be wary, be wary

You ought to look at each day as an occasion to stay inspiration If you woke up immobile picture gulp of air your inspiration mindset ought to kick into high mechanism what on earth household tasks you have assigned for the day can be use as a starting end to stimulate you. As well as diverse things occur during the day you will be afforded further opportunities to stay provoked.

Maintaining your inspiration will have a positive influence on yourself and those about you. Your ability to stay provoked will make most people try harder, give more and be more prolific People tend to look up to someone who are provoked to do their best and be happy with that. If you are asked how you stay provoked tell them it has to come from the inside to be long-lasting stir them to find their own inside inspiration You pass it on and they will pass it on; it is as simple as that.

True Listening

2009-10-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

What is true listening? People suggests that true listening is not advise, counsel or trying to solve problems. Listening is just hearing what your troubled teen has to say. Parents often respond to a teen with comments that are judgmental, advisory or are non-accepting in some way. These responses “close” or shut down the conversation and do not promote further dialogue.
Closed responses also "discount" the other person.

Open responses are a much more productive method of communicating with a defiant teenager. These responses are nonjudgmental, and have no suggestions or solutions. The response is one of simply accepting what is being said. These responses reflect both the content and the feelings the child is projecting to you as the parent.

Here is an example of closed parent response and an example of open parent response.

Closed parent response

Teenager:
My science teacher gave me a “C” on that science project. I can’t believe it!

Parent:

I told you to type it but you won’t ever listen will you?
Don’t complain; we get what we deserve.
Teachers aren’t unfair; what did you mess up this time?

These are called “closed responses” because they effectively close down communication between a parent and struggling teenager. They are usually “put downs” in the form of giving advice or criticism.

Open parent responses

Teenager:
I can’t believe Mr. Green gave me a “C” on my science project after I spent weeks on the stupid thing.

Parent: It sounds to me like you’re very disappointed (feelings) only getting a “C” after doing that much work. (content)

Teenager: Besides that, he gave Don an “A” because he did the project Mr. Green suggested.
Parent: Have I got this right? You feel angry (feelings) because Mr. Green is being unfair. (content)

Teenager: You’d better believe it! Anyway I learned a lot from my project; it really was hard!

Parent: Then in spite of the disappointing (feelings) grade, are you glad (feelings) you stuck to your more difficult project? (content)

Teenager: Yeah! I guess I am, but I thought I was going to get an “A” for sure. Hey… what is there to eat?

LISTEN!

When a troubled teen asks you to listen to them and you start giving advice, you have not done what they asked.
When a struggling teen asks you to listen to him and you begin to tell him why he shouldn’t feel that way, you are trampling on his feelings.
When a defiant teen asks you to listen to them and you feel you have to do something to solve his problem, you have failed him, strange as that may seem.
Listen! Your teenager asked you to only listen, not talk or do, just hear him.
Advice is cheap; you can get both Dear Abby and Billy Graham in the same newspaper.
Your teen can act for himself. He is not helpless. Maybe discouraged and frustrated, but not helpless.
When you do something for your teen that he can do for himself, you contribute to his fear and weakness.
But, when you accept as a simple fact that your teenager does feel what he feels, no matter how irrational, then you can quit trying to convince him and get about the business of understanding what’s behind this irrational feeling. And when that’s clear, the answers are obvious and he won’t need advice.

So, please listen and just hear your struggling teenager. And, if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn; and He’ll listen to you.

Stop Worrying About What Other People Think‏

2009-10-04T01:20:00.000-07:00

"What Makes Me A Beauty Expert?"

I didn't choose to be a Beauty Expert. It chose me. I still don't know why it chose me, lately I've felt its part of my purpose and I feel so very blessed for it and this powerful thing called destiny.

I have lived my whole life seeking perfection. I wanted to look good but at the same time, I never quite understood how to accept myself.

I went to Beauty College to be an Aesthetician after high school in hopes of learning the secrets to preserve my youth. I studied the Aesthetician course for skin care. My studies included basic skin care with the understanding of how ingredients in products affect the skin, skin waxing and make-up application.

I learned how to apply foundation, eyeliner, eyelashes, and contour the eyes with shadow and the cheeks with blush, using the appropriate cosmetic utensils. I lived make-up and all things skin. I guess I was a little obsessed back then.

Specialty treatments at the time were Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Glycolic Acid and Enzyme Peels. One of the perks of going to Cosmetology School was being able to sample hundreds of skin care products. All the high end products like Murad, MD Formulation, Yonka, Aveda, Dermalogica were in my beauty bag. I gained a remarkable amount of knowledge about ingredients. It only fueled my fire even more to take care of my skin.

Those skills were a wonderful prerequisite for a career in entertainment. As a Hollywood actress and body double I had to face my insecurities. I had no choice. Every day I had to look in the mirror because that's how I made a living.

Playing dress up every week with the perfect hair, make up and wardrobe didn't make for good therapy. When the lights and cameras were rolling it was definitely make believe. After the director yelled cut, I would revert back to feeling too thin or too fat. Never feeling beautiful enough... You would think after such success I could accept myself.

Being a body double is much like being a shadow. I learned so much from my shadow. Everyone that I thought was perfect had their own challenges and struggles. We all were so focused on external beauty that we forgot the foundation...inner beauty.

Then, around two years ago, I was enlightened by some of my friends. It enabled me to delve into the foundation one must build to be truly beautiful...which starts within.

The beauty of your cells and a beautiful mindset are far more beneficial than any cosmetics or a fancy wardrobe.

Now don't get me wrong. It's great to have style and a healthy body image but one should not be so obsessed that we forget the underlying significance. I truly feel that we must work the inside just as much as the outside.

So I ask, how beautiful are you? Are you just as beautiful from the inside as the outside?

Unless you're in a hurry to see 30, 40 or 50 here are 5 simple steps you can start today so you look better, feel better.

Make the mirror your friend, do you say things like, "If I didn't look like this..., then I would be perfect", or "I wish there were no such things as mirrors so I wouldn't have to see myself." Now is the time to embrace who you are & make the most of what you have. Imagine spending your time highlighting them. If you have great hair-let it shine. If you have great teeth smile like there's no tomorrow. If certain clothes flatter your figure, walk with confidence in your power. I find that when we focus on our likes our dislikes diminish.
Make your feast fashionable everyday by consuming a diet rich in antioxidants to slow down the aging process & fight off disease. The Center of Disease Control suggests eating 5-9 servings of fruits/vegetables a day for optimal health. As far as exercise is concerned find a routine that you are comfortable doing so it becomes consistent. Practice makes permanent that's what it's about; developing a system you can follow.
Make up your mind by brushing away the negative thoughts beliefs about yourself (I'm not beautiful, I don't like this, I don't like that...) your thoughts, words actions should align at all times. You can make one small shift in your subconscious to synergistically blend them together. Be the You, You always wanted to be live the life you love!
Make the most of your appearance. Communication starts way before you open your mouth. In fact 55% of your communication skills are based on your appearance. Appearance does matter. So if you are feeling I'm not worth it or I don't have the time. You could very well be missing out on hundreds or thousands of dollars because of your appearance or lack there of. Dress how you want be who you are. It's time to stop conforming to images we see on TV in magazines. Your appearance, your image, your life...should be you-stand in your authenticity. Pretending to be something you are not worrying about what other people think can be exhausting.
Make it funny. As serious as you need to be. Good old fashion laughter is good for your health. Not only is it good for your heart. It is also a stress reducer. Remember stress causes Free Radicals which slow down the aging process. Go ahead laugh out loud you will feel AMAZING!

Remember, You're Valuing Yourself...

The point of all this? By taking extra care of yourself you lay the foundation for being beautiful from the inside/out..

Dating Blueprint

2009-10-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

If you are going to have success with dating you need to believe in what you are doing. This is something that many people don't take into consideration. Sure, they want to date and find love but they don't really know how to get there. Fortunately, if you devise a better dating blueprint you can get on the right track.

Those who believe they are on the right track don't have anything to worry about. They can continue to follow their blueprint until they get what they want. But on the other side, if you are not achieving dating success it is time to make a change.

Why don't you believe in what you are doing? This is the question that you have to answer first. Some people feel that they are not looking for their next date in the right place. Others are missing the boat because they are going out with the wrong type of people. No matter why you are lagging behind, you need to do your best in finding a better plan.

Believe it or not, some people don't even have a dating blueprint. They jump all over the place in hopes that something will finally break their way. There is nothing wrong with being diverse, but at some point you need to come back down to earth and realize that having a plan is very important.

If you do not believe in your dating blueprint now is the time for a change. The quicker you change the better your future will be.

Easy Hair Removal

2009-10-03T03:37:00.000-07:00

If you are one of the many people who suffer from excessive hair in embarrassing places, there are methods which can be used to remove this hair. There are a number of easy hair removal techniques available, leaving your body smooth and hair free.

Many salons around the UK offer easy hair removal services. As well as this there are many hair removal methods which can be carried out in the privacy of your own home.

Each person has their own preferred methods, lets discuss the options.

1. Shaving

Shaving is the most common method of hair removal. For men it is common to shave facial hair and other areas using a shaving device. For women, facial hair removal is carried out using alternative devices, although they do use shavers for other areas of the body. Shaving is a quick way of easy hair removal, with little pain. It can be carried out at home and there is little risk of reactions of the skin. Hair can be removed completely or neatly trimmed and there are a wide range of products available for both men and women.

2. Waxing

Waxing is another simple method for removing excess hair. Waxing was previously carried out in salons only but there are many home waxing products now available which can be bought from local chemists. If you can learn the technique it can be a very cheap and effective way of easy hair removal. Waxing is excellent for larger areas and involves applying hot wax to the skin and then adding waxing strips on top. These are stripped away and pull the hairs with them. Waxing can be painful as many hairs are removed at once and if you especially hairy its recommended to visit a salon as waxing using the home kits can be very messy.

3. Plucking

A tweezer can be used to remove hairs by pulling them out one by one, this method is known as plucking. This method is good for removing small areas of hair but can be very time consuming as each hair is removed individually. There are also the chances of getting ingrowing hairs and it can be painful in certain areas. Plucking is the cheapest method of hair removal as tweezers are cheap to buy.

4. Threading

Threading is a method of easy hair removal which is also inexpensive. Threading originates from the Indian sub continent and is only recently being adopted in the West. It involves twisting a cotton thread and using it to catch hairs and then pull it out. Threading is a technique which can be mastered easily and means that you can remove more hairs at once than with plucking. It is important to only use a cotton thread as the fibres in other materials can often cause irritation to the skin.

5. Depilatories

Depilatories can also be purchased from high street chemists and can be used in the comfort of your own home. Depilatories are creams which can be applied to hair in order to dissolve them. Usually this easy hair removal method involves adding the cream, leaving for a few minutes, and then either wiping away or having a shower to remove the product along with the hair. Depilatories are less painful than waxing but often the hairs return as quickly as shaving.

When you need Emergency Contraception?

2009-10-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

Emergency contraception (EC) is not the substitute for regular birth control methods or abortion but, in fact, is the “emergency” option for women to avoid pregnancy after contraception failure, sexual assault or unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception, specially Progestin-only birth control pills like Plan B, are advised to women seeking immediate action to avoid pregnancy. Such pills are advised to rape victims and sexually assaulted women as well.

Emergency contraception pills are also known as “morning-after”, “EC” or “Postcoital Contraception” in medical terms. However, “morning-after” doesn’t mean that emergency contraception pills to be taken in the morning. It should be taken as prescribed.

Types of emergency contraception methods :

These are available in broadly three ways whereas two methods are in pill form and another is device known as intrauterine device. Two types of pills are progestin-only like Plan B and usual combined birth control pills (progestin and estrogen). Intrauterine device is also used as emergency contraception and suggested to women who are allergic to progestin or estrogen based pills. IUD as widely called is small, T shaped plastic device with a string attached to the end. It is inserted through cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. A small string hangs down from IUD into the upper part of the vagina.

How Emergency contraception pills work?

Like other birth control pills, EC works by stopping ovulation (i.e release of eggs) and preventing sperm to meet with eggs for fertilization, hence there is no pregnancy.

When to take Emergency contraception?

EC must be taken as soon as the unprotected intercourse has occurred. Progestin-only pills like Plan B contraceptive pills are available in two tablets. One pill must be taken immediately followed by next with 12 hours apart. Though EC pills can be taken upto 5 days i.e 120 hours, however, Progestin-only pills like Plan B are effective for upto 3 days i.e 72 hours.

Its effectiveness after unprotected sex can be judged as below. - 95% effective if taken within 24 hours - 85% effective if taken between 24 to 48 hours - 58% effective between 49 to 72 hours In case, more than 72 hours have passed of unprotected sex then it is highly recommended to use the IUD (intrauterine device) after consulting with your physician because after 72 hours, your contraceptive pills might be failed.

Who should seek Emergency contraception help :

Well, it is designed for emergency relief from getting pregnant. Women can take EC if

Contraception methods are failed like condom is broken or slipped off during intercourse, ring is removed or diaphragm, cap or any protection is removed.
Women think that she had intercourse during “ovulation days”. These are most crucial days as the chances of becoming pregnant are very high.
Women are sexually abused, raped or forced to go for unprotected intercourse.

Being the time sensitive, two important factors will determine the effectiveness of emergency contraception success and those are :

how soon woman takes it after the unprotected intercourse has occurred.
if she has another unprotected intercourse in the same menstrual cycle.

5 Ways to Overcome a Bad Mood

2009-10-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

A bad mood is capable of striking anybody at one point or another. These seemingly inexplicable 'spells' that assault our positive demeanor can ruin an entire day. When you're moody nothing seems to go right.

The negative outlook this creates can set the stage for experiencing conflict or difficulties in areas that were otherwise problem free. As your thinking patterns tend to lack positive thoughts you can easily create a 'vortex' of negativity that will lead to nowhere good.

Perhaps the most dangerous part of carrying around the negative emotions that result from moods like this is your inability to think clearly. Negative mood swings put you in a position where you base your reactions and decisions on emotions and feelings. This is NOT a good thing.

It is important to recognize these moods when they do strike so that you can take the corrective actions necessary. By recapturing your lost positive attitude you can then once again make proper social choices and successful business decisions.

Let's look at 5 straight forward approaches you can take to reverse any mood swings to make your day a productive and happy one.

Focus on Something You Enjoy

You need to break the spell that has created your negative emotions. The quickest way to do this is involve yourself in an activity that brings you happiness. Whether it's a game, reading, or talking to a close friend you want to reverse the negative feelings building up in you.

The longer these feelings linger the more damage they're capable of doing and the harder it will be to vanquish them if they're allowed to take root.

Release Negative Feelings

This may not always be easy to do but letting go of those feelings that are dragging you down will generally give your outlook a positive boost.

The fact of the matter here is the more you may subconsciously dwell on the source of your negative mood the bigger it will become.

Learn to RELEASE these toxins from you.

A simple approach here would be to understand how much you stand to suffer or lose by allowing these feeling to remain with you. Resolve to not let them dictate the course of your day or your relationships with others who matter to you.

Exercise

I have been a huge advocate of this approach for many years. By exercising you gain two immediate benefits.

First your focus is now drawn to the exercise itself which will minimize the negative mood your previous thought process had instilled in you. By increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain, which exercising will do for you, you're able to think more clearly.

Secondly the exercising will make you feel much better physically and in fact on a medical level will improve your health.

You absolutely can not beat benefits like this.

Identify the Source of Your Foul Mood

Reflect on what it is that has dampened your spirits and made you moody. Likely you will conclude either the source is NOT worth the angst it has created within. You may also come to realized that perhaps your ability to overcome the source of your foul mood is being inhibited by your foul mood itself.

To think clearly and be able to solve problems your mind can not be occupied with negativity or emotions. This will only sap your energy and distract you from focusing on the important matters.

Be Nice

Ever do something when after you think about it you regret you did it in the first place? Realizing it was wrong or unnecessary probably made you feel bad didn't it? Well think the opposite here and consciously make it a point to do something nice for somebody without any intentions of being reciprocated. Words of encouragement, a compliment, unsolicited assistance, or even doing volunteer work all can make you feel more 'human' and help to 'reattach' you to others in a positive way.

This always helps to quickly dampen negative feelings you may be carrying around.

Being able to recognize a bad mood early on enables you to address the negative emotions that threaten your day. Taking proactive steps such as those mentioned above allows you to restore a flow of positive thoughts thereby correcting any self-destructive mindset. Mood swings are a natural part of our emotional cycle and can be altered by you under normal circumstances.

It is important to take corrective action when you identify your judgment is being influenced by negative emotions and feelings. Through regaining a healthy positive attitude you are more easily able to interact on a social level. In addition the ability to make successful business decisions also increases now that you're thinking more clearly as opposed to reacting emotionally. It is your responsibility to take the active measures that could be the difference between a good day or a forgettable one!