Willing To Do It

One of the main secrets to success is having the willingness to do what others aren't willing to do. It is that simple. Success is nothing more than a path to follow. Nevertheless, most are not willing to put forth the effort to achieve the ends desired. Instead, they seek the easier way which keeps them in the middle of the crowd.

Fear is the primary reason why people walk the safe path. I would say that most people have aspirations of something more. In addition, the knowledge exists to achieve almost any goal one has. Therefore, the only thing that prevents one from taking the necessary action is fear. This is the stumbling block that most cannot overcome.

Life is a risk. Ask anyone who almost got hit while crossing the street. Each year, hundreds of people drown in their own bathtubs. I could list an assortment of other routine activities then ends in death. Yet, most of us do not give a thought to partaking in these activities because the probability of success is so high. Thus we achieve our ends without a thought of fear.

Now, compare that to the idea of starting your own business. How does that resonate with you? If you are like most, your excitement is coupled with fear. Thinking about losing that "paycheck" is a scary proposition for many. Projecting forward, people often look at all that can go wrong. In the end, fear stops moving forward no matter how exciting the potential payoff might be.

We see this situation repeated over and over. Why do you now not invest in the stock market? Is it because you are afraid of losing money? If you do invest in the market, why do you not invest in options which have a much higher payout? Is it because you heard of the increased risk and are again afraid of losing money?

The bottom line is that people make money in the stock market, trading options, and starting businesses. Those who overcome fear are able to enjoy the rewards. Certainly, I am not saying any of these routes is easy and without effort. Nor will I state there are not risks associated with each one. However, those who are able to overcome fear are able to profit.

All successful people do the things that others are not willing to do. While many enjoy a cocktail at happy hour after work, those who get ahead remain at the office late. Or they invest time outside work studying their craft. They will involve themselves with self-improvement programs in an effort to progress. Motivation, knowledge, and an increased ability are daily goals. This is a drastic break from the mainstream.

Start to look at those areas of your life that will separate you from everyone else. Focus your actions on achieving successful ends by doing what others are unwilling to do. It is in those areas that you will find your key to achievement. Success is simple if you are willing to go for it. Most are not and that is how you can separate yourself from the crowd.
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Thoughts Have Power

Have you ever stopped to consider the power of the mind? If not, perhaps it is time that you really pondered how much force exists between your ears. Regardless of who you are, there is enough energy in your mind to create whatever you desire. People just like you developed the atomic bomb, built monasteries, erected skyscrapers, and tore down others. The mind is the most powerful computer in the world.

Sadly, this item is commonly used for destruction. Most of the energy which comes from it is negative. We allow the mind to control us through the use of fear. In turn, it creates a reality for us which is completely different then we desire. One day we wake up only to realize that our life "past us by".

Each thought you have has the power to either create or destroy. The results of your thinking is solely up to you. Mastering this force takes practice yet it is within reach. We learn to think negatively, thus we can reverse this practice. In the end, it will be what changes your life.

Consider the impact that each thought has on your life. If that is too much for you at this time, then just consider how each of these thoughts affects your day (or moment). Our day is quickly ruined if we are consistently having negative thoughts. And, what is a negative thought? One that is driven by fear. When we allow these ideas to marinade in our head, we end up destroying our day. String enough of these days together and you will end up with a ruined life.

This is the power that exists at this moment in your mind. Therefore, it is time to reverse this course. We can do this by implementing positive ideas throughout our day. Mastering this single technique will result in all your dreams coming true.

Let us remember that everyone gets negative thoughts. There is not a person on this planet who does not experience periodic fear. However, the difference is the successful do not allow it to stop them. When the negative pops into their minds, they discard it immediately. The easiest way to do this is to replace it with something positive. I like to think of the exact opposite of what the fear is focusing upon. If it is telling me something is not going to work out, I think of how it will. This reversal gets me moving in the direction that I need to go while taking the action necessary for success.

Use your mind for creative purposes. You were not put here to suffer. There is an old saying "God don't make junk". Do not believe the mindless, negative chatter that goes on between your ears. We all have something to contribute. The world is waiting for you to share your genius with it. There is something specific which you are here to do. It is up to you to find it.

Greatness is not something you are born into. Heroic actions are often performed by average people. Having the belief that you can succeed is the first step in rising to whatever challenges life has to offer. Success is first created in the mind. Everything in this world which was created by man initially was a thought in someone's head. The grandest achievements started as pipe dreams.

The power of the universe is at your hands. Everyone taps into this power on a daily basis. Unfortunately, most are accessing it for negative results. Their outcome is destruction. Only something as forceful as that could completely destroy a life. However, when we harness this power for good, we can achieve incredible ends.

Unleash the power of thought. Choose what you want to concentrate your attention upon. Get away from fear-based thinking. Fill your mind with positive images which will help you to take action. Create a dream board complete with photos of your strongest desires. Look at these each morning so that you start with the proper mindset. This will take effort but it can be done. Controlling your thinking allows you to control your life.

Thoughts do have power. If you are like most, thus far they destroyed. Turn the tide by holding onto those thoughts which make you feel good. See things in your mind working out how you would like them. Use this power for total life creation. This is something that you can unleash anytime you like. Why not start this moment?
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The Power Of Sharing

I had a friend of mine call me this morning about a personal situation that he is going through. Over the last couple of years, he has turned to me as a "personal" adviser on his life matters. Currently, he is facing job uncertainty in addition to enduring a financial situation that him and his wife created for themselves. In short, he is facing having to go bankrupt over the choices they made.

Today, he was in the ringer over all that is happening. Fear is starting to take control to the point where he is at the end of his rope. Most of us can identify. We all get to that point occasionally. The important thing is what we do when we get there.

My friend is advancing in his growth. Over the last few years, he has learned many of the techniques I write about. Of course, we all need a reminder course periodically. Knowing what to do and remembering what to do are two different things.

We talked for about 40 minutes. One of the most insightful things he said was that just talking about it made him feel better. Sometimes, it is not so much what is said as long as conversation takes place.

When we are confronted with difficulties, either real or imagined, the worst thing to do it to entertain our thoughts. Our minds have a tendency to run freely when we are in this state. It is a dangerous place to be. Sharing with another helps us to get things out on the table. Suddenly, we feel less alone.

Emotions serve as a magnifying force. They cloud sound thought. Whenever we are emotionally charged about something (especially with fear), we really need the clarity that another can provide. It is a simple fact that I can offer solutions easier in those situations that I am not emotionally involved in. This is true for most people. Take a situation, think about it, and add a bit of negative emotion and you have a recipe for disaster.

It takes courage to share with another. Allowing someone else into our thoughts is a scary proposition. We are then vulnerable. There is a risk of that person judging us. We have to swallow our pride and admit that "we cannot handle it all". That is okay. The truth is that nobody can handle all that life serves up alone and anyone who claims they can is a liar. We all need someone we can fall back upon.

So, the next time you are in a bind, find someone to share with. You will be amazed how therapeutic it is.
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Be A Big Thinker

What is holding you back? The answer is your thoughts. It is the ideas that we consistently keep in our heads which determine the level of success we are to achieve. Sadly, most keep thoughts of limitation and lack. And, guess what they experience in their lives on a daily basis. Thoughts have a way of manifesting themselves into reality. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the best thoughts that we can.

One of the most common traits of people is "little thinking". People are conditioned to stop dreaming big. Instead, we are taught to be "realistic". Our parents tell us "get your head out of the clouds and your feet on the ground". Nothing great was ever achieved by this mindset.

Recently, Obama became President of the United States. Here was a person who was not limited by the reality of what happened in the past. Nor was Jackie Robinson, the first man in space, or the Wright Brothers. All these people broke through barriers which existed only in the minds of the masses.

So, what thoughts are you pushing aside as unrealistic. What the the big thoughts that you are avoiding. If you are to attain any level of success in your life, it starts off with the notion that all is possible. Whatever you dream, you can achieve. I believe this to be a true statement. The potential that is within you at this very moment is enough to change the world. My question is do you have the courage to believe that?

Be a big thinker. There is no added cost to your life. It takes the same energy to think big as it does to think small. However, it does require some courage. There are many doubters out there. Most people prefer to drag others down as opposed to lifting themselves up. That is a definite path to mediocrity.

To attain success, you must first imagine it. Think of the greatest of achievements. This will open up an entirely new world to you.
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How Bad Is It?

The last few posts focused on mindset. This is going to be paramount entering the next 12 months (actually the rest of your life). Our perspective is going to determine which actions we take and how successful we are. For the foreseeable future, the common outlook is going to be filled with negativity. If you buy into this, then that is what you will create.

Life is full of ups and downs. There are good times and there are bad ones. The present situation is one of those challenges which serve to make us appreciate the good ones even more. You might want to reread that again. Bad circumstances provide wonderful opportunties for us. The benefits received from these times are enormous. Your outlook determines the benefits you will receive.

What occurs during negative times? Growth. We are going to see what you are made of. A person's character is not exemplified when the going is good, it is when things are tough that is shows through. How much resolve do you really have? Are you committed to doing what is necessary to succeed? Will your outlook and mindset defeat you even before you get started? Or will you prevail because you believe that you will? These are questions which you will be able to answer in the future. We all will. Circumstances will reveal the people that we are inside.

Another result of trying times is the gratitude we can implement. There is always something to be grateful for. I was speaking with someone earlier this evening who was mentioning how much more work each person is having to take on because of recent firings. This person, to her credit, was not bitching about it, but was grateful to have a job. Times like these give us the stark reminder of how bad things can get. It is beneficial to have a shift in perspective. Your life is terrific no matter what your present circumstances are.

"I was complaining about my shoes until I met a man with no feet".

Remember what is important in your life. You can achieve anything that you desire. Even if things are not exactly how you want them today, that does not mean it is permanent. All life is an ebb and flow. Money comes and money goes. So do people, jobs, and things. We came into the world with nothing and will leave that same way. It is what we do in between that makes the difference. Understand that your 2009 can be the best year of your life regardless of all the other events that are around. Keep this mindset to guarantee your success.

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Learners Are Earners

Have you ever heard this statement?  It is not one that is usually promoted within the mainstream circles.  Perhaps this is the reason why so many fail to get ahead in life.  Instead, they drift from day-to-day without really achieving anything substantial in their life.  This is not something that we are interested in doing on this site.

Success in 2009 is going to depend in part on our ability to learn.  Learners are earners.  Write this motto down and post it on your mirror.  It is imperative this become a central part of our being.  Increasing our knowledge is the basis for all success we will achieve.

We set down some goals and made plans for their achievement.  Unfortunately, in most instances, we do not have all the knowledge we need to achieve those ends.  That is where our learning comes in.  Daily reading and study will provide us with the answers we need.

It is best to develop the habit of reading each day.  The world is full of books which will provide us insight into all that we are wishing to achieve.  In reality, most everything was done before.  Your path to success was already paved by another.  He or she did all the hard work for you.  Picking up a book will offer the details about how that person did it.  It will also spell out some of the pitfalls to avoid.  Learning from the mistakes of others is one of the greatest traits of the successful.

Are you willing to be a continual learner?  If you are, then I am certain you will achieve all that you desire.  However, if you are one who believe that you must "figure it all out on your own", I would guess that your path will be more difficult.  After all, I don't need to reinvent the wheel to have tires on my car that work.  Someone already did that for me.

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The "Sprint" Method

Think about the Olympic sprinters. Get a clear picture in your mind of their bodies. Have you noticed how every muscle is seemingly molded out of steel. The arms and legs of these individuals are sculpted from years of training.

Now compare that to the physique of the marathoner. This individual is lean and thin. Many look bony especially in comparison to our sprinters. Obviously, the muscles required for each event differs greatly. One would not want to enter a marathon after training to be a sprinter.

This could be the very reason why your life is less than you prefer. Most trainers and coaches talk about life being a marathon. That is true. However, this mindset overlooks the fact that it is really a series of sprints. From an energetic perspective, it is necessary to have the ability to tap into this resource when needed.

A study was done of the top tennis players in the world. The idea was to compare what made them winners versus those who were lacking. Ability was something that was not even considered since all of the world's top players are close in that area. What they looked at was the energy each used, specifically, the ability of the athlete to recuperate.

The results of this particular test found that the winning players had the ability to replenish their energy in between points better than the others. This made them stronger later in the match. The level of energy they are able to access is what makes the difference.

Think about how a sprinter approaches a meet. The runner will enter the blocks, prepare for the run, burst out exerting everything he or she has, only to slow down after crossing the finish line. For that 4-12 seconds, every ounce of energy is poured into the race. Nothing is held in reserve.

In between races, it is not uncommon to see a racer laying down on the grass. This is the time spent replenishing the energy. Top level athletes are masters at managing their energy levels. They know the exact time until the next race.

Utilize this principle as you travel throughout your day. We are all confronted with certain things that need attention. Throw all your energy into the task at hand. However, remember to replenish your energy after completing the task. This is done by taking a walk, engaging in some deep breathing, listening to some music, or any number of another methods which will allow you to relax for a few minutes. This is in direct contrast to the prevalent mentality which says "move onto the next activity immediately". This concept tries to turn us into marathoners when we are most effective as sprinters.

Use this for the next few days and you will see a difference in your success rate.
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Keep Moving Forward II

There was a surprise today. The United States House of Representatives decided to can the bill that would bailout the financial markets. If you listen to all the pundits on television, the end of the world is here. We are heading into the worst times since the Great Depression. Everyone ought to throw in the towel.

Well, I for one am not willing to do that. My last few posts emphasized the need for everyone to take control of their lives. The situation makes this more obvious with each passing moment. Basically, the government said that it is not going to stand behind the mistakes of the financial sector. We will omit going into who caused this problem. However, there are many who are in deep financial trouble as a result of what went on the last few weeks. It is time for these people to own up to their part in the creation of the mess.

Housing seems to be a point where there is a lot of difficulty for individuals. Foreclosures are up simply because people cannot afford their homes. The speculators were removed from the equation over a year ago. People who are behind on their payments now are the ones living in the homes. These are the ones who risk being put out on the street. The politicians like to point at these people as the ones they need to protect. Perhaps that is true, but the help is not coming.

My question to all those who are reading this who find themselves in this situation is "why are you behind on your payments?". This is something that most are unwilling to look at. Many are experiencing financial trouble because they overbought a couple of years ago. They were allowed access to credit that was beyond their means and they abused it. Again, perhaps the lenders had a hand by not being diligent in their lending practices. Yet, personal responsibility entails looking at our part in it.

This is not to imply that everyone who is facing foreclosure overextended. Traditionally, foreclosures happen as a result of divorce, loss of job, or some other financial devastation. Certainly, these factors are present for many today. In addition, there were instances of fraud and misrepresentation made by unscrupulous lenders. Personally, I hope these people are tracked down and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Nevertheless, fraud is not the major culprit in this crisis either.

Getting honest with ourselves is the first part in getting past it. Playing the blame game gets us nowhere. The actions of our political leaders epitomizes this point. There is not a single person standing up and saying that "I failed the people". Each person is pointing the finger at the Administration, the other candidate, or the other party. "It is their fault" we are told. We that is horses***. Everyone involved is responsible for creating such a mess.

So where is your responsibility? What part did you have in creating your own financial circumstances? Even if you are not behind on your mortgage, how is you family savings account looking? Did you put away money with each paycheck in case of economic downturn? If you are like the average person, the odds are that your personal savings are almost non-existent. This is a situation that lies squarely on your shoulders.

Let us look at something else. How many of you have maxed out your credit cards? We are well over $1 trillion in credit card debt in the United States. Obviously, we all know how the outlandish interest rates affect one's finances. Who is responsible for that? Many want to refer to the new laws that favored the lenders. Or they point the finger at the lenders because they issued the credit. The bottom line is it was you who chose to use it. This is identical to taking all your equity out of your house. Too many thrived on credit the last few years without any thought as to how to repay it. Well, it is time to pay the piper and many cannot do it.

Is this offending some of you? Good. I want to get under your skin. This is a wake up call. Ignoring the problem means that you are going to repeat it. Stop living life like it is someone else who is at fault. It makes you weak as an individual and us weak as a nation. Own up to your mistakes while learning from them. That is the only thing that will make this experience of any value. It is turning a negative into a positive.

So where do we go from here? Individually, it is time to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Take responsibility for it all. This is how we can begin to make progress.

Here are a few other facts that will assist you.

1. You are not the only one.

Get over the self-pity that comes with failure. You are not the only one who is in this situation. There are millions of people (if not tens of millions) from around the world who are in the exact same situation. Because of the scope of this problem, there is a slowed system at present. This will work to your advantage.

2. Things are not as bleak as the media makes it out to be.

The media sensationalizes everything. That is their job. They are experts at writing eye catching headlines. Fear is a wonderful method to capture your attention. This tactic is being exploited as we speak. Everyone is promoting doom and gloom. Chicken Little out in full force at the moment.

Along the same lines, there are two men who are both vying to become President. They will utilize whatever tactic garners attention. Minimizing the problem will not get either elected. Expect there to be constant talk about how bad things are (and how the other is to blame). While things might be entering an extremely difficult stage, bet the ranch it is not as bad as these two will make it out to be.

3. Banks only care about money and defaults hurt them tremendously.

The money you owe will bankrupt nobody but yourself. However, these institutions have millions of people just like you owing them money. They are not interested in your credit nor your house. The only thing that interests them is minimizing the financial damage. Use this to your advantage when negotiating with them.

4. You can get past this.

You are an incredible person. There are so many talents that reside within you. This is the perfect time to put your creativity to use. Regardless of your situation, there are a multitude of ways to solve it. Think of different paths you might follow which will help you. Perhaps it is time to start that new business. Many successful companies were started in economic down cycles. Find a problem and solve it. There are many to choose from at the moment.

This is not the end of the world. Tomorrow, the sun will rise the same as it always has. The human spirit is one that is unstoppable by anyone other then ourselves. You are the only one who can prevent yourself from succeeding. With each downturn there are many opportunities created. Go after them. Be responsible for your actions and take control of your life. Remember, the most dangerous person is one with nothing to lose. If you are totally broke, what do you have to lose? GO FOR IT!!!
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The Courage To Be Great

How would you like to have the fairy tale life that only comes from greatness? Many like the idea when it is presented to them. However, few are willing to do anything about it. They prefer to use excuses as a reason why success is not possible. It is far easier to blame other people for one's failures then to take responsibility for the direction of one's life. This is the situation that the majority of people find themselves in.

The thing that stops most people is fear. It takes courage to be great. Consider anyone who attained any degree of greatness in any field. That person exposed himself or herself to many things. First, criticism is something that anyone who is chasing after a dream encounters. There are many critics who love nothing more than to tear others down. Actors are told how bad their movies are. Writers pen how a certain athlete is terrible even though he or she is one of the best in the world. In addition, people are always willing to second guess one. There is some "Monday morning quarterback" in everyone. Yet, once again, these are the people who are on the sidelines.

The bottom line is that it takes courage to be great. When one decides to make something of life, there is a process of overcoming a lot of fear. Many self help writers will begin by telling one to find his or her passion. This is the starting point of greatness. I take exception with this belief. One begins the quest for greatness by first deciding if he or she wants it. In addition, one must be willing to accept all that goes along with that. You can be passionate about something to the nth degree. However, if you are not willing to overcome the criticism and challenges that go along with excelling at the highest level, failure is almost certain. Jealousy is a powerful trait. There are many who are waiting to tear you down the moment you begin to enjoy some success. Understanding this will help you in your quest.

Decide today that you want greatness. There is no reason to settle for mediocrity. You can attain the highest level of love, satisfaction, and success. It all starts with the decision to make this your goal.
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