Listing Your Way To Success

A list is a tremendous tool in the assisting of increased productivity. It is no uncommon to see someone walking around aimlessly because he or she does not know what to do next. How much time do you think is lost because a person of this ilk has no clue what the next step is? Estimates certainly will conclude that tens of thousands of man hours are lost annually because of this simple concept.

Writing up a list helps in a few different ways. When done before hand, it helps to clarify one's thinking and instill in him or her what needs to be accomplished. At the same time, one gets a visual representation of the actions that require attention. While there are many different ways of going about this, the important factor is to have an idea throughout the day of you are going to do.

Procrastination is something that many people battle. People can naturally fall into the mindset of not doing anything. A list assists helps combat this because the next action is plain to see. Of course, one might still put it off but the likelihood is diminished if it is written down. Trust me when I tell you that it is easy to ignore something that is an abstract idea somewhere.

One final note about list: many experts will state that it is best to write all actions on a piece of paper and then number them in order of importance. This ensures that one focuses his or her attention on what provides the most benefit. I agree with this in theory. However, since most people have a problem with taking any action at all, I find that simply writing the actions down and starting on them is helpful. The crucial idea is to get moving. Altering the order things are done in can be implemented at a later date.

If you are suffering from inertia and have difficulty taking action, here is an exercise to help you get started. Pull out a piece of paper and make a list of 5 simple actions you need to take. Write them down without thought to how important they are. The idea is to create a list of things that can be completed rather easily. Once you have the 5 actions, go do them. Do the first and do not stop until it is crossed off. After that, do the same thing with the second. Follow this until you complete the entire list. You will notice how this simple exercise enabled you to increase your productivity dramatically.

It is amazing the power we have when we focus.
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Applying What You Know

I am always astonished whenever I see a doctor smoking cigarettes. If there is one profession you would think should have a 0% smoking rate, it would be the physicians. These people are intimately knowledgeable about the dangers of smoking. They deal personally with the disorders that this habit creates. Yet, there is a percentage of them that still engages in it.

The same is true for people in the medical community who are overweight. We all know that hypertension, diabetes, and other ailments are directly linked to excessive weight. Again, we have an entire profession who sees the results on a daily basis. However, there is a large percentage of the individuals in this fields who are heavy. In short, they are putting themselves at risk.

My intention is not to pick on the medical community as much as to emphasize how people do not do what they know. The application of knowledge is what leads to success. Long term good health is a result of a series of steps taken over a long period of time. Proper diet, exercise, and the elimination of bad habits (such as smoking or excessive drinking) are fundamentals in achieving this end. The medical community is well aware of this yet many fail to apply it to their lives. Instead, they make up excuses or ignore the problem altogether. Either way, the end result is the same.

This idea is expanded to all areas of life. How many times have you read a book about a particular subject and thought "these are some good ideas, I will have to try them". Did you? If you are like most, months or years later, that book is collecting dust on a shelf with the knowledge wasted through lack of application. Here we know something yet refuse to do it.

The situation gets worse when we have first hand experience about the benefits of something but fail to continue to do it. We see this in the business world where people followed a particular set of steps to create success then stop doing it. For example, many people have an investment plan that generates above average returns. However, instead of following this path, the person decides to do something different in hopes of achieving more. While this can be a good thing if more knowledge was attained, in many instances it is simply a case of the person ceasing the application of what is known.

So, my challenge to you is to apply all you know to your life. If you are over the age of 30, you acquired a great deal of experience. Live is a wonderful teacher is we are willing to apply the lessons it offers. In every area of life, you can find a blueprint for success. Decide what you want, get the blueprint, and apply the knowledge garnered from that research. It is that simple. As you can see, the first two steps are worthless unless you follow it up with the application of knowledge.

Many have said that the difference is in the actions we take. I agree. Those who succeed take actions that are in stark contrast to those who do not. Success is nothing more than finding out what needs to be done and doing it. This is why life needs to be a continual learning experience. If we are to attain great heights, we must apply the knowledge that is in our heads for our benefit. Do not allow fear, laziness, or insecurity to hinder you. Just do what you know and you will be a whole lot better off.
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Pure Concentration

Here is a simple exercise that will increase the results you get drastically. The next activity you do, whatever it may be, give it 110% pure concentration. No matter how simple or complex the task, focus your attention solely on the activity that is in front of you. Do not allow yourself to be distracted. If you can develop this habit, you will be ahead of 95% of the people out there.

We live in a world where distractions are an ever present part of our day. Decades ago, when one was working, for example, the only way to be interrupted was if someone walked in or if the phone rang. Today, that is no longer the case. We have phones that not only ring, but there are text messages, mobile instant messaging programs, and internet access. At the same time, computers have a variety of things that can steal our focus away from what we are doing. How many times were you writing something only to have the automatic update window pop open on you? We all experienced that more than we care to remember.

People today are in the habit of allowing themselves to be easily distracted. It is a habit that we seamlessly fell into. As technologies become more prevalent, we are seeing this situation worsen. However, this goes in direct opposition to a basic component of success. To be truly successful in most endeavors, our complete attention is required. A wandering mind cannot tap into the natural power that exists when it is scattered. This is something we prove repeatedly. Consider the amount of time that is wasted in the average person's life because he or she does not know what to do next. We see this situation worsened when one has to go back and fix an error that was caused by lack of attention.

The mind cannot focus upon two things at one time. Many buy into the myth of multi-tasking. Productivity studies have proven that multi-tasking only serves to decrease output. It is simple to understand when you ponder how the mind works. Since we can only focus upon one thing at a time, trying to do two things simultaneously means that one task is not getting the proper attention. Which brings me back to the original point in this post: it is crucial that we develop the habit of focusing exclusively upon what we are doing at any given moment. This simple (but not easy) act will increase your productivity instantly.

For centuries people have written about the power of living in the present moment. While many associate this with spirituality, I find that this is where we find life. Nothing is occurring but what is taking place right now. The past is memory and the future is but a dream. Our existence is right here. However, while we find it natural for our bodies to be here, the mind operates differently. It is not bound by physical laws. Therefore, we must instill the discipline to concentrate on the present.

Try this simple exercise and see how you do with it. If you are like most, you will find it impossible to do. Pure concentration is a skill that most lack. It can be developed but does not come naturally. Therefore, use a simple activity like washing the dinner or cleaning the counter. Notice how often your mind wanders while doing these activities. While it might seem counterproductive to focus upon a task that is so simple, the benefit comes from the habit you create. Remember, the process of focusing exclusively on the dishes is the same as you apply to a report for work. And, if you are distracted while doing the dishes, bet the ranch the same will occur when you are writing your report. Remember, habits of the mind do not change with the situation. They remain the same until we consciously decide to change them.
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The Future Is Bright

No matter what the circumstances, it is crucial to remember the future is always bright. This is an outlook that all successful people maintain.

Zig Ziglar, the famous self help guru, tells a story when he was selling pots during his early years how he would answer the question "how are sales". Regardless of how they were, he would always reply "fabulous...sales are fabulous". Why did Zig do this? Was it because he was out of touch with reality? Certainly not. Zig knew how important it was to maintain a positive outlook. Even if things were not going so well, eventually, with this view, things did turn around. Think of it as a self fulfilling prophecy.

How does your future look? If you believe it is miserable, then that is exactly what you will get. The truth is that it takes no more energy to look at things in a positive light than it does in a negative. However, the problem most people have is that they are conditioned to look at things negatively. We become pessimists in our own minds.

The truth is there is always something to complain about. Each of us has problems in our lives. The other day I listened to someone who mentioned how, when she was working, she could not wait until she was retired. She felt that once she was retired, all her problems would disappear. Of course, we all know how inaccurate this outlook is. No matter what one's plight in life, there are always problems. Accept them as being a constant and move on.

Solutions are what is required. Nevertheless, most do not give them an opportunity to look for this because of their outlook. Consider for a second the possibility for uncovering any new actions to take when your viewpoint is that things are awful. What do you think you will be concentrating upon? The fact is that the mind will instantly shut down all possible solutions and focus solely upon how bad things are. In effect, we create a cyclical situation that only heads downward.

The future is bright. Regardless of how things are at the moment, there is always an opportunity to turn them around. But there is a recession on you say? Many millionaires were created during the Great Depression. Did you realize that the highly successful company Hewlett Packard was started in a garage during this era? Obviously, the economic environment did not lend itself to this kind of opportunity but here is a prime example where contrary thinking netted a huge windfall.

So, again, no matter what your present circumstances, always remember the future is bright. If you choose to dwell upon those things that get you down, that is your right. However, you are the one who is going to pay the price. Try looking at things in a positive context for the next 21 days. You will be amazed at how much better your life is. Circumstances first change in the head and then move towards the outer realm. If you think, then it will be.
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Focusing upon what you can control

There are times when life spins out of control. In fact, when one really considers it, life is always spinning out of control. Most of what occurs around us is outside our realm of influence. Things just happen that have nothing to do with our abilities nor dedication. The phrase "s**t happens" certainly applies.

Accepting Things We Cannot Change

The Serenity Prayer has a phrase in it that is one of the keys to happiness. The line "accept the things I cannot change" is stated in recovery programs all over the world. It is a statement that helps addicts (i.e. chronic malcontents) handle the emotional rigors of daily life. Also, egomaniacs tend to think they can handle everything, which is absolutely untrue. Since most things are outside the realm of our influence, it is senseless to spend emotional energy on it. Yet this is exactly what most people do.

Another line from that same prayer that prayer is "grant me the courage to change the things I can". Here is another area that the majority of people screw up in a big way. While they do not know the bounds of what they can affect, they often overlook those areas that they can. In turn, they live life in a completely backwards way.

For example, consider how much time people spend fretting about what is going on at the upper levels of government. Here is an instance where one is completely powerless over what is going on. Sure, one could join a particular organization which promotes an agenda or influences change. If one does this, he or she is operating in a way that might make an impact. Nevertheless, few do this. Instead they expend emotional energy getting upset at what politicians are doing. In short, it is a total waste of time. Nothing is ever accomplished doing this.

Ergo, it is crucial to determine exactly where we need to focus our attention.

Let The Chips Fall Where They May

This is another saying that I find holds truth. People who have the ability to "let the chips fall where they may" find they enjoy a lot more success in life. Most tend to underachieve because of the simple fact they are too busy trying to dictate outcomes. The reality in life is that it is impossible to focus upon an outcome. Instead, we need to concentrate upon what action is required and taking that action.

Result occur because of the efforts put in. I was in a sales organization run by a man who didnt have a sales background. At the end of every gathering, he would tell everyone that we needed to sell more (a common statement). This showed a gross misunderstanding of how things are. People do not go out and make sales since a sale is a result. What people do is go our make sales calls, presentation, demonstrations, and proposals. In short, a salesperson needs to focus upon the actions that lead up to the sale, not the sale itself.

The same approach is utilized to losing weight, as an example. A person who focuses upon losing 20 pounds is doomed from the start. The proper method is to concentrate upon the activity that equates to weight lose. Special attention needs to be given to the diet program that is followed. At the same time, exercise is am important variable that cannot be overlooked. When actions of this nature are taken, weight loss will result. A person focuses upon the action and lets the chips fall where they may.

Do What Is In Front Of You

A simple way to focus one's attention upon those areas where he or she does have influence is to do whatever is there in the present moment. In other words, just do whatever task is at hand. I realize that I am going contrary to time management experts here but most people have a big problem in handling the simplest of tasks. Taking no action is more common than taking the wrong action. Hence, just do whatever is at hand in that moment.

Few people realize that life is lived on a daily basis. Whatever needs accomplishing should be done. Changing the world begins at home. In addition, changing your life starts with the next action you are going to take. Developing the ability to act on a consistent basis to achieve a desired result is an invaluable trait. This is even more powerful when one can operate from this premise while the world around him or her is collapsing.

In closing, focusing upon what you can control means affecting those areas of your life which actually can result in progress. The world is an out of control place with you as one of 6+ billion inhabitants. If you spend your time worrying about what everyone else is doing, the result will be a lackluster and unfulfilled life. Instead, pinpoint your concentration upon those activities which are right in front of you. Do not look for results, simply actions. Results are produced as a byproduct of your actions. Remember this the next time you want to jump to the conclusion. Your life down the road is affected by the choice you make right now as to the next action you will take. Make it a worthwhile choice.
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There Are Always Opportunities

"Feelings Aren't Facts"

We all have setbacks in life. There are times when things do not go our way. Sadly, it seems that the events during these times pile up. They say that things happen in threes. Most of us understand this from experience. It seems when something goes wrong, everything goes wrong. The snowball effect has been felt by all of us.

It is during these times where we can allow our feelings to get in the way. It is easy to feel bad when things are falling to pieces around us. Depression, anxiety, fear, and other emotions (all negative) can arise within us. Unfortunately, we assume a position of powerlessness when we allow these things to take hold of us. The truth is that feelings are not facts.

Many will try to disprove this statement but it not possible. Feelings only serve as a guide. However, it is up to each of us how we process what we experience. There are always two choices: become paralyzed or motivate ourselves to move forward. Whatever the situation, these are always the two choices we are confronted with.

Another fact of life is there are always opportunities in front of us. This is an difficult concept to remember when one is mired in the emotional abyss that can result from horrific life circumstances. Nevertheless, this does not diminish this age old truth. A common occurrence of the last few years is where one finds his/her world turned upside down due to a job loss. Millions of people were put out of work with scarce chance of finding equal replacement employment. Naturally, this creates a host of emotions within a person.

I once heard a motivational speaker get excited when one of the audience members mentioned losing her job the day before. He said "That is wonderful. Now you have 360 degrees of possibilities before you". Obviously, it all comes down to our perception of things. This individual saw the opportunities for this person to move forward.

And that is the main point of this post. It is time for each of us to move forward. There is nothing that should hold us back. Sure, there are times when things occur which are not to our liking. Nevertheless, we are able to choose how things affect us. Are we motivated to move forward or do we want to dwell in the emotional negativity that naturally arises from such events? Those who are successful in life are able to recognize that life happens. Because of this, they take the action that is needed to move forward. Feelings tend to only hold us back since we are apt to listen to them like they were factual. In reality, life does not care how you feel. It judges us by the action we take. In the end, the only challenge in life is to get ourselves to move forward. Change is inevitable. The only way to deal with it is to concentrate upon that which needs our attention. Projection only hinders especially in times like these.

One final note: the greatest of success stories rarely emerged from ideal conditions. This is true whether we look at sports, business, health, or any other facet of life. The successful start from where they are at and take action. Those who play the waiting game ultimately end up stuck in neutral. There are only some many moments on this planet. It is time to get busy.

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Commit or Recommit

Only people who are committed to something succeed at it.

Ponder this statement for a few minutes. When you consider it, the only way to succeed is to completely commit to something. Anything less than that means one's chances are diminished greatly. The examples we can look to keep arriving at this same conclusion.

The top athletes in a particular sport are where they are because of the commitment to that activity. This same idea is true for concert pianists, authors, and airplane pilots. Anything that a person excels at required hours upon hours of practice. People might be born with the natural talent yet time invested is still needed to reach a level of excellence. For every person who excels, there are countless others who were born with the same talent but did not have the commitment to achieve greatness.

Commitment is a vital component in all areas of our lives. Take relationships as an example. People who enjoy 40 or 50 years of marriage only do so because they are committed to each other and the relationship. These people have the same issues as everyone else. Nevertheless, they overcome the challenges because of the desire to succeed.

We see the same thing in the area of physical fitness. Everyone who works out has times when they want to be lazy. It takes motivation and drive to get to the gym even when you do not feel like it. It is also true that sticking with a healthy diet is often difficult. It is a fact of life there are times the ice cream or jelly donut are calling us. It is commitment to a healthy lifestyle that allows one to resist the temptation and stay the course.

Life is difficult at times. Every path has its own set of obstacles. It is commitment that allows us to keep pushing forward even when the route is hard. Those who have what I call a "wishy-washy" attitude will quit at the first hindrance. This is what separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

Therefore, it is time to commit. If you are not excelling in a certain area, take a look at the commitment you have to it. Many people struggle at work. Delve into how much effort you put in there to succeed. Are you committed to excelling in that career (company) or are you just there for the paycheck? If it is the later, look at either moving to another position or, at least, finding something bigger to latch onto there.

Sometimes we need to recommit to what is important to us. We all can lose our way as the trials and tribulations mount. Our priorities get screwed up periodically and, after a while, it is noticeable. So, if the flat stomach now looks more like a spare tire, perhaps it is time to recommitting to living a healthy lifestyle that includes more exercise and less calories. Whatever the area of hangup, take a look at your commitment level and seek to increase it. Oftentimes, this is the only piece that is missing. It is incredible what is possible once you fully commit to something.
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The Here And Now

We have all heard that life is meant to be lived in the present moment. There are many books on the market referring to the "Power of Now" and how present focus is the only way to reach fulfillment. Many eastern philosophies teach this concept as a basis of their discipline.

Without getting into any of the specifics, this outlook holds a great deal of weight. Most people miss their entire lives because of the fact they are always "off somewhere else". Human beings tend to be masterful projectors in the sense that we are usually looking ahead to some future point in time. Sadly, when we do this it is associated with the emotion termed "worry". This is because people tend to project in the negative. What I mean by this is that when we look ahead, we often envision the situation resolving itself in a negative manner.

If we want to look at this in the nth degree, we need only to notice how people approach the afterlife. Most of the world's religions contain the promise of some form of eternal salvation after death. Of course, to achieve this, there are a series of things that one must do before attaining this status. Therefore, it is beneficial to consider all the time and money spent by individuals and groups in an effort to attain something that has never be proven to exist.

In this instance, people cease looking at the here and now and concentrate their efforts on a mystical time after death. My outlook is one where we only have a certain number of hours on this planet so why waste it on something that is not guaranteed. Of course, the religionists will have my head for making that statement but it is factual. What I can guarantee is that you have this life on this planet right now. That is for certain and it is up to you to determine how you live it.

Time is a creation of man. If we look at other species in the Animal Kingdom we realize they do not operate under the same parameters. Can you picture a cat worrying about when it will die? How absurd. Death is something that is promised to every living thing. Yet humans, with our profound wisdom and advanced intelligence are the only living creature that fears death. Thus we spend a great deal of time trying to alter that reality.

My point is that now is the only time you have. Happiness and fulfillment is found in the moment. What are you doing today? Are you even in today or is your mind off worrying about something in the future or regretting something you did in the past? Guilt and worry are two emotions that people spent a lot of time engaged in which are a total waste. Like the old saying goes "you cant change the past and the future is not here yet". In other words, those two aspects of time really mean little. The present is what is truly important.

So, how do we apply this? It all starts with being present focused. Concentrate your mind upon the tasks that you are presently doing. Whatever you are engaged upon, enjoy it to the maximum. That is where life's rewards are found. It is interesting to note that when we are truly engaged in something, time ceases to mean anything. We simply are wrapped up in the moment. Sex is an activity where many tend to lose themselves (perhaps I should say good sex). The feelings experienced override any concept of time.

The world offers many wonderful pleasures at each moment. If one is mindful enough to appreciate what exists, life can take on a new meaning. Most spend their days looking forward to another time. How often do we meet people who are looking forward to retirement. Of course, when we meet people who are at the point, they are continually looking back at "the good ole days". This shows how people remove themselves from the present moment which creates dissatisfaction.

Another old axiom is that there is no guarantee for tomorrow. Many will go to bed tonight only to not wake up tomorrow. This past week both Steve Jobs and Al Davis passed away. Their hours on this planet expired. Where did they go, if anywhere. I cannot answer that. Nevertheless, the two men were examples of people who didnt waste their time here. They went after their dreams and desires. Waiting until tomorrow was not an option for them. Instead, they took each moment and used it for what they could.

What mark are you making on your life or the world? Do you spend your time wishing your life away in hopes that tomorrow will be better than today? It is ironic that, for the majority of people, tomorrow is a carbon copy of today. In other words, they forgo the present in hopes of a better future only to realize that life does not work that way. Making the most of the here and now is the only way we will ever create a different tomorrow. Jobs and Davis exemplified this.

This is your life. What are you going to do with it? You can choose to waste it or make the most of it. Focusing in a time other than the present is one way to ensure it is wasted. And this is something I hypothesize you do not want. Therefore, resolve to change it now.
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Each Life Is Alternative

We have all heard the term "alternative lifestyle". This is used to denote a way of life that is different from the mainstream. The promoters of dogma insist on classifying living choices that are different in a less than admirable fashion. In this sense, these are degrading the choices most individuals make. Of course, this is all done in an effort to maintain power.

The truth is that each life is alternative. Those who understand this idea are willing to take control of the path they opt to live upon. No two lives are the same simply because no two people are the same. Sadly, individuality is not something that the "powers that be" want. The prefer obedient subjects who conform to their every whim. We see this idea all throughout society.

Therefore, it is up to you to forge your own path. This requires internal research to determine what it is that makes you tick. Few people ever take the time to investigate this aspect of themselves. Instead, they blindly follow the mantra that is presented to them. It is depressing to watch someone adhere to all the precepts which promise happiness only to find they end up completely miserable.

We have only one life to live. There are times when the choices we make will be unpopular. Family and close friends profess to only want what is best for us but will be the worst critics when we exemplify any individuality. It is almost as if their love is conditional....we will love and support you as long as you are doing what we believe is best for you. Step outside that boundary will net you being ostracized.

When we were born, or in our youth, we were not handed a manual for a successful life. The reason is because this publication does not exist. Many will profess to have ideas about what path to take which leads to happiness, but how many can honestly say they are happy in their lives. Financial burdens are at their all time worst. The divorce rate is over 50% and climbing. Children are suffering neglect and abuse at absurd rates. Drinking and drug use is commonplace while being readily accepted by society. In short, people are miserable. The only relief they seem to get is the nightly vegging out in front of the television.

If you aspire to something more, you must be willing to step out of the mainstream path and do what suits you. Naturally, this does not mean you have to become an anarchist or a complete radical (unless you choose to be that). It does, however, mean that you will have to alter your thinking about the way life "should" be lived. Understand that much of what you were taught is a complete lie. It is not the path to success and happiness for many. Instead, misery and malcontent seems to be the norm today.

Designing your life means making your own choices. Few are willing to do this because of the risks I mentioned above. It is difficult to stand on your own and be strong. However, those that can do it find the contentment inside they are seeking. Those who succumb to the pressure of others find they have that nagging voice continually telling them that they settled. Ultimately, this feeds into more misery.

Decide today that you are going to design your life as you see fit. You have only so many hours left on this planet. Use them wisely.
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Exhibiting Courage

Courage is something that we commonly reserve for soldiers, firefighters, and police officers. We often refer to people acting "courageously in the line of duty". These individuals are esteemed because they risk for the benefit of others. This is a class of people who deserve the attention. However, they do not have a monopoly on courage.

Many think courage is the absence of fear. It is not. Mark Twain may have summed it up best when he penned:

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear."

Each of us needs to exhibit courage in our daily lives. Fear is something that affects all of us. However, those who succeed are able to take action in spire of the fear. They exhibit some courage by "doing it anyway". The unsuccessful allow themselves to be paralyzed by fear. Their action is stifled because the fear controls them.

Sadly, courage is something that is rarely talked about in our society. Instead, we are presented with an image that we are weak if we allow fear to enter into our minds. It is a fact that everyone experiences fear. The trick is to realize where it resides. Many think of it as a feeling which it can be since it manifests itself in that way. Nevertheless, it is vital to remember that fear, like everything else, starts in the mind. Our lives are nothing more than mental exercises. Everything we experience first started as a thought.

This insight is helpful in overcoming fear. Courage is something that we create in our minds also. To overcome fear, we simply have to picture the payoff of the action being greater than the expense of succumbing to the fear. For many, this is almost impossible since they are so conditioned to giving into the fear. After years of settling, people begin to rationalize why they cannot take action. These "excuses" serve as justification for continuing along the same path without change. Of course, this is only reinforced by society since fear is used by all promoters of dogma.

Security is an illusion. Many settle for things in their life because they believe in this fallacy. The truth is that nothing is secure in life. Life is a dynamic entity; it is not static. Things change in an instant. People often take things for granted until their world is suddenly cast in a much different light. Look at how lives are altered by car crashes, hurricanes, and disease. These are just a few examples which take security and toss it out the window.

Therefore, we need to look at our fears. Why do we have a fear of financial insecurity? Of public speaking? Of humiliation? Of failure? Of being ostracized by friends or family? Many of these same thoughts pass through the minds of everyone. However, those who are able to overcome these things are the ones who excel. In short, they act courageously in the face of their fears.

Keep these ideas at the forefront of your mind when you start to see yourself succumbing to fear. Naturally, those situations where we are in extreme personal danger are to be avoided and the times when listing to that inner voice is helpful. However, in our daily lives, few of us encounter such extreme decisions. Instead, we face situations where one of the above-mentioned fears (or a host of others) get in the way of our progress in those areas that are important to us. We seek the security that comes from inactivity only to later realize that it does not exist. Ultimately, we always pay the price for listening to our fears.

Courage is required if we are to avoid the state of stagnation. Paralysis from fear is something that comes from repetition. We see this in people who allowed this cancer to control their lives for decades. These same people often completely shut down. They usually are inept at making decisions since that muscle was not exercised. Their rationalization for life is in high gear always justifying the lack of progress. Plus they blame everyone else for their ills. Yet, when a person of this sort looks back over his or her life, the truth is realized. Fear won over and over.

In closing, just remember we all will meet the end someday. Do you want to be one who looks back and notices all the missed opportunities because of the succumbing to fear? Or will you be a person who knows you gave it your best in all situations? The choice comes is yours.

Choose wisely.

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Change

Change is something that always happens in a moment. Unfortunately, it often takes a long time to get to the moment. People will hold onto old behavior until it reaches the point where change must occur. Until this moment arrives, the same pattern follows.

Pain is the most powerful motivator in life. There are two states: pleasure and pain. However, when it comes to altering behavior, pain is the state which will cause one to alter actions. As much as we like to believe we do things for proactive reasons, the truth is that to make it lasting, pain needs to be involved to the nth degree.

Losing weight is a prime example. It is no secret that eating junk food, not exercising, and carrying around rolls of fat will shorten one's life expectancy. The medical community has warned about this for decades. In fact, it is not uncommon to see people working in this field, those who should be in the know, who also fit the mold of obese. Yet, they do nothing about it.

Why is that? The reason is that pleasure, the idea of being healthier, thinner, living longer, is not enough to get one to put down the cookies and go workout. It is only after one gets an "awakening" in the form of pain that he or she will do something about it. Before that, habits simply take over.

So, what is the point of all this? My view is that one can be proactive about change. Most people tend to resist it. Sadly, this is a way to unhappiness since life is not static. The nature of the world we live in is that it changes. Those who attempt to remain the same tend to lose ground. Things move in a forward direction whether we want them to or not. Those who resist this tend to live in unhealthy states. Consider the mother who always picture a child as "her little boy" (or girl). Reality is that kids grow up and holding onto is not a healthy state. Change is inevitable and we either embrace it or get run over by it.

Therefore, we need to embrace the pain that we experience. Why? Because this is the foundation of our ability to change. We can alter what we do in an instance....we just need a powerful enough motivator. Pain offers that.

I see so many who are locked in to their present state without hope of change. The reason I know this is because they have settled. People of this ilk are not even unhappy. They just are listless. It is a state many of us find ourselves in periodically. However, it is crucial that we get out of that. We need to realize that life can offer us a lot. The only factor is that we get unhappy about something. This shows passion and desire. Those who settle lack these important components.

Change is good. It is a result that comes after experiencing frustration, anger, and hurt. It is only after having enough of something that we are willing to do something about it. Ponder the weight loss situation for a moment to get a good visual. Only after having enough, will one get off the sofa and go workout. Proactive reasons aside, vanity or fear are often the motivators in this instance. Nevertheless, it is effective.

Being someone who seeks out change sets one in the minority. To be honest, most get run over by the circumstances in their lives. They resist change until it is too late. Many buy into the saying "you cant teach an old dog new tricks". This is inaccurate. One is never too old to change and no habit to ingrained that it cannot be altered. Sure it takes effort, persistence, and work. But that is what separates those who live a growing, expanding life from those who settle for what is offered. Change and the ability to deal with it are at the core.

All change starts with a decision. It is the mindset that "I am no longer going to accept this in my life" that instigates the process. The choice to lose weight is what precedes the exercising and healthier eating. Everything we decide to do differently is concluded in the mind. After that, action follows.

The biggest obstacle in achieving lasting change is overcoming the old habit while instilling a new one. People tend to live their lives on autopilot. Therefore, the unconscious action will always overcome the conscious one. Why? Because we do not have to think to do things that we do without thinking. Unconscious habits are difficult to break. The key is to break them and make the empowering actions habit. This can take some time. It is at this point that one must be persistent in the endeavor. However, it is the only way to change our lives.
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The Power of The Mind

Reality is created in the mind. This seems like an absurd statement but it is the truth. Everything we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste is filtered through our brains. There, we have a treasure trove of memories which the new sensations are linked up to. Everything we process is done through this central computer.

The bad news is that whatever we "see" in the mind is real. It cannot distinguish between real or imagined. Instead, it sees everything as concrete. This allows a thing called fear to assume control. When we are living in a state of fear, our projections are imprinted upon our minds as real. Even though the situation that we are thinking about is days or weeks away, the mind reads it as true.

None of us have a crystal ball that can forecast what will happen. Therefore, any projections we are engaging upon are simple creations of the mind. This is a powerful mechanism which creates "reality" by sending the sensations throughout our body. How many of us have felt that pit in our stomach when we thought about something that we needed to do in the future. The brain manifested the thoughts in our mind as a real sensation in the body.

So if the mind can create our reality, why do we allow it to establish a negative view of things? Again, this is where fear enters the picture. Fear is a mighty foe that has a way of showing itself in many different forms. At times is dresses up as anger; others as terror; still others as uncertainty; the list goes on and on. In short, we look at a future situation, fear in one form or another, and we suddenly have a negative outlook upon the future event.

Of course, the problem with this approach is that it ruins our present moments. The truth is that there are always things we need to tend to in the future. If we spend all our time focusing upon "what will happen" with a negative viewpoint, we completely miss our lives. Always looking ahead causes us to miss right now. Certainly everyone can identify with thinking about something in the future and completely miss what is being said to you. Our mind wanders off and takes us from "the now".

So what do we do about creating a new reality? The first step is to recognize what is happening. The mind likes to play games with us. Accept this as a reality. Also, consider all the things that you have feared in your life and then question how many of them came true. Sure, we all had bad things happen to us and events turn negative on us. But the consensus seems to be that most of us allow fear to go to the worst case scenario. The reality is that most of what we imagine does not come true. So the best method is to stop doing that to ourselves.

Of course, this is not easy. A lifetime of habits do not cease overnight. However, when one considers the misery that is created by allowing fear in its many forms to control, then one is instantly motivated to take control of this powerful instrument. Projections are real in the mind. Thus, it is our goal to look at each situation as resolving itself in our favor. Next time you project about some future event, imagine what it will be like if everything went exactly how you wanted it. I know at first this will seem almost impossible since we are conditioned to look at everything negatively. But, the reality is that we have no way of knowing how things will turn out. Since our mind is doing the creating, why not erect a positive outcome in our minds.

Our minds like to play tricks on us. You are free to use it however you see fit if you are willing to take control of it. However, since most go with the default negativity, they are at the mercy of this out of control mechanism. Begin today by looking at things in a positive light. It will change your present reality.
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Stop The Bullcrap

Did that headline get your attention? I hope so because today I am going to hit you all right between the eyes. Here are the facts of life: you are exactly where you are because you chose to be there!!! End of discussion. Your life is as you chose it so stop bitching. Nobody else is responsible for you other than yourself. The fact that things are pathetic are a reflection solely of you and your abilities. I can only presume that you are a pathetic person since that is the result of your life.

Sound too harsh. It isnt. The only way you will succeed in changing is to get hard with yourself. Most of us suffer from the fact that we are way too easy on ourselves. We cut ourselves a break at every opportunity. Excuses work on us all the time and we believe every single one of them. Instead of being an adult and taking responsibility for our lives, we pass the buck by blaming someone else. Hell, you would think that we were all a bunch of politicians the way we pass the burden off to others.

It is time for you to stop the bullcrap and be a man (or woman). Get some kahunas and stand up to yourself. Being a successful adult requires that you take back the power which is within you naturally. Of course, as long as you opt to blame others, they retain the power over you. That makes you very weak.

The reason why I can say all this is because I realize the truth of it in my own life. Everything that occurred (or is occurring) was due to a decision(s) that I made. Nobody ever forced me into anything. I elected to do things of my own free will. Blaming a spouse, employer, or parents is child's play. It is not their fault. The one who created the entire mess that is called my life is me. Nobody else.

I want you to compare the paragraph I just wrote to what you typically hear from the 'victims' of the world. They always have an excuse. Never do they utter the words "I screwed up". Instead it is justification after justification as to why things didnt work out. They do their best to illicit sympathy from all who they interact with. To me, they specialize in the loser mindset. One must first decide to be a loser before it can become reality. Fortunately, the reverse is also true.

Decide today what kind of life you are going to lead. If you are one who wants things different, the first thing you must do is get honest with yourself. You are the reason for all that is wrong in your life. Stop the bullcrap and accept this fact. It is only after then that you can begin to alter things. You must take back the power.

Tomorrow is the first day of the last quarter of the year. It is time to make a major push to finish the year out right. Even if the last 9 months sucked, there is still time to make the necessary changes. Give yourself a 90 day challenge to start doing those things which will change your life. Make the decision tonight to quit conning yourself and move in a different direction. Cease all the blame and excuse making. It is time to grow up. Your life depends upon it.
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The Mind Set The Tone

Have you noticed that the last few posts I wrote focused upon making decisions. While they were not 'decision-making' posts, they did ask you to make a choice. Everything in your life starts in the mind. This is a fact of life. If you desire more, you must decide to have more. It is that simple.

The personal development field is full of terrific books that concentrate on controlling one's thoughts. Think and Grow Rich and As a Man Thinketh are two such works that I can think of.. Both these publications deal with the fact that everything in life is first started in the mind. Before there can be manifestation in the physical world, there must be a thought preceding it all.

Most people feel that success is out of their control. I agree with this sentiment for the simple fact that most people cannot control the thoughts in their heads. Instead of concentrating on definitive actions that lead to absolute results, people tend to focus on all the negativity. This is also coupled with the fact that the majority of the population prefers to be the victim. They automatically take a mindset that states they are not in control. Someone else is always at fault. This leads to the justification for his or her life.

This is a loser's viewpoint. The truth is that your mind sets the tone for all that you do. You must make concrete choices about what you want. Most fail in life because they truly have no idea what they want. Instead, they drift from day-to-day, week-to-week, never moving in any direction. The successful take a completely opposite approach. They have what Napoleon Hill called 'a burning desire'. Nothing will stand in that person's way. Success is going to be had no matter what. This is the outlook of the successful. Compare that for a second to the previous mindset I mentioned.

As you can see, the mind is a powerful mechanism that can be used to assist or destroy. I believe the default setting is destruction, that is why it is so important to consciously take control. As your mind goes, so will your life.
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Half Assing It

I am going to explore a concept that many people tend to specialize in. "Half assing it' is an approach to life that the majority of people have. We see this in their personal lives and in the workplace. Ultimately, this is nothing more than a mindset which leads to lifelong failure.

Recently, there was an example of the outlook that one can have. I have a cat that brought in a bird. Of course, by the time the cat was done with it, there were a few feathers around. So, the natural thing is to clean them up. At the moment I have a houseguest who is the topic of many of my posts. Sadly, for her, she isnt providing information on how to succeed. This is an example of her overall life outlook.

Let me ask you, what do you think happened to the feathers? In short, she did clean up the bird and some of the feathers. Notice the word 'some'. She made the effort to do part of the task. In other words, she did a half ass job. When I surveyed the spot there were still a lot of feathers there. Her approach reflected the way she did everything. She is the epitome of being a 'half asser'.

Why wont people take the time to do things right? I am a believer that most of success is achieved by going that little extra. In a horse race, one only needs to be a nose better to win the top prize. The same is true in life. Those who are willing to do the little extra will separate themselves from the masses. Most people do only the basics. The successful are willing to do whatever it takes to complete the job. It is easy to be a 'starter' but the world pays dearly for people who can finish the job.

Are you one who takes a 'half ass' approach to life? If you are, it might be time to look at all the tasks that you only put forth minimal effort on. Success comes from doing things properly. This is made easier if you have a reputation for 'getting things done'. Someone with a halfass approach to life never attain this. Instead, they opt to concentrate on 'just getting by'.

If you ever want to move forward, it is best to follow through on things until completion. Concentrate all your efforts on the present activity until it is done. Realize by doing this that you are developing a habit that will net much bigger results in the future.
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Weak or Strong

Do you want to be weak or strong? This is a question few consider although most will answer strong. The truth of the matter is that most actually opt for weak. They make this decision on a daily basis.

Few people are willing to do what is required to be strong. Strength is not something people are born with. Instead, it is something they acquire by putting themselves in situations where they learn and grow. The easiest analogy is the way one develops a physical muscle. Almost all of us are born with the same muscles yet only a minor few actually hone these muscles to peak condition. This is done through hard work in the gym and proper nutrition. Those who are strongest work their muscles out the most. Weak people, in this regard, do not.

We can see how this translates into all aspects of life. Anyone who achieves top physical performance chooses it. Action is then taken that follows this decision. This is the model that we need to apply to life in general. Do we choose to be strong? If so, there is action that follows with this mindset.

Choosing to be strong means that we alter our path. Instead of watching mindless television, strength comes from reading books. Taking a chance by starting one's own business is another way that we grow. Failure is one of life's best teachers. Expanding our horizons by trying new things will certainly lead to failure at times. These are opportunities for growth if we are fortunate enough to encounter them.

All great people met with failure before they succeeded. Abe Lincoln lost elections before winning the Presidency. Warren Buffet has chosen many losing stocks in his time. Edison failed repeatedly in the quest of the electric lightbulb. Yet, all these people chose strength over weakness.

So, once again, do you want to be strong or weak? Before you answer this, make sure that you are willing to take the actions that match this decision. Opting for strength requires behaving in a different manner. Are you willing to follow through with the proper action? Ponder this in reference to the first question. They both go together.
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Postive Projecting

Yesterday, I wrote about our tendency to project in the worst way possible. Basically, individuals experience an overwhelming fear because of the fact that we tend to look down the road when confronting a situation and consider the worst thing that can happen. Ultimately, this instills fear in us which prevents us from taking action. We see how things will work out in ways that are detrimental to our hopes. In the end, we are paralyzed from doing anything.

My suggestion in that post was to simply stop projecting. If we go negative whenever we look out into the future, then it is best to stop doing that. This will allow us to focus on the present moment and take the action that is in front of us. Fear cannot exist in this environment since the negative thoughts won't be present. Instead, one will act as opposed to being paralyzed.

Now, I am going to go one step further. We will want to use our projecting mechanism again except there is one caveat that I will include. From now on, whenever you look into the future, see everything working out as you planned. Instead of seeing the worst thing possible occurring, picture the best thing. Imagine yourself achieving everything that you want.

What does this outlook do for us? To start, it allows us to visualize the outcome to a situation without experiencing fear. In fact, we ought to get excited about the prospects we are seeing in our minds. Having circumstances resolved in manners that are favorable to us should always get you juiced. Why picture losing money when you can just as easily see yourself gaining? Picturing her saying yes to a date is more appealing then visualizing a 'no'. As you can see, it takes no more effort to focus positively as opposed to negatively.

One thought that often comes to mind is how does one avoid the 'polyanna' thinking which causes one to lose touch with reality? My answer is that anyone who just is starting to put this exercise into practice will not be affected by polyanna thinking since plenty of negativity will still enter into the picture. Changing one's default mindset takes time. This is the last thing that most people need to worry about.

However, thinking about positive outcomes should not cause one to lose focus on reality. You still need to do proper research. Betting on a longshot horse even though you picture it winning might not be the path to success. Neither is throwing money at the stock market without adequate research or asking a married woman out on a date. One needs to still do his or her due diligence in situations before proceeding. However, once you decide what action to take, picture it working out in your favor.
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Fear Elimination

I will give you a 100% foolproof way to eliminate fear. Forget all the books you read. This FREE tidbit that I will give you will revolutionize your life. You will be able to take any action without a negative thought. Put this into practice and you will be part of the elite that succeeds without effort. So, without further ado, here is the secret.

If you want to eliminate fear, stop projecting!!!

It is that simple. Now you have the ability to take action whenever you desire without the fear that anything bad is going to happen. There is nothing that can stop you from achieving everything you desire. The power is in the simplicity.

Let us take a look at projection and what it does to a person's life. Consider for a moment something that you need to do but are putting off. Why are you resisting taking action? The answer is because you project of what the outcome will be. And, if you are like 99.9% of all people walking the planet, your projections are negative.

The bottom line is that whenever we look at a situation, our minds jump to a 'bad case scenario'. In other words, we see it working out in a way that goes against what we desire. Also, the situation gets compounded when we take a 'bad case scenario' and jump to the 'worst case scenario'. We not only see things bad; we picture the very worst thing imaginable happening. This tends to instill fear in us and reduce action.

Now you can see why we need to stop projecting. It is impossible to experience fear if we mentally remain in this moment. Concentrating our focus upon the task in front of us will eliminate looking ahead. Therefore, we will be able to take action without fear of the outcome. Do what is required and let the chips fall where they may. This is a motto of the successful. No great achievements were ever met without action. Fear is the obstacle that is created by projecting.

Here is an example everyone can identify with: the asking of someone out. Why do people see someone they are attracted to yet resist approaching that person. The simple answer is fear derived from projection. Before even saying a word to this person, one gets it in his/her head that rejection will occur. Any positive results are instantly sabotaged by the individual's mind.

Of course, the insanity is that we do not know what the outcome of any situation will be. There is a saying 'contempt prior to investigation' that sums it up for me. Basically, this means that we negatively deem a situation before we even know what is going to occur. Our minds create scenarios based upon nothing. True facts reveal themselves as situations progress yet our minds believe we know what is going to happen. This is not the case.

So, for right now, the best thing you can do in your life is to resist the habit of projecting. Whenever you have something that requires action, just do it. Do not thing about the different outcomes. Take action and let the chips fall where they may.

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Lazy Minded

There is nothing worse than one who is lazy minded. We see so many who refuse to learn anything past their school years. They believe that education stops with a diploma. Sadly, these are the ones who tend to occupy the lower rungs of society. A simple fact is that there are many people who are mentally unprepared to excel in the new economy. To many are stuck in the 1950s mindset where one had a job for life. As we all know, this is not something that anyone can bank on anymore.

The 'new economy' is one that moves at a lightening pace. Technology changed how we interact with each other and it is an arena that moves rapidly. What is revolutionary today is often obsolete in a couple of years. Therefore, people need the ability to learn quickly since things change so radically. Failure to do so means that many are left behind.

Lazy mindedness is a disease. It is something that one opts for yet is just as fatal as cancer. It kills all progress and motivation. Those who spend countless hours in front of the television on mind numbing programs cease to learn. Instead, they allow the years to go by without any improvement. In life, there is no standing still. One is either moving forward or backwards. Those who refuse to learn and grow find themselves retreating by the simple fact that society advances.

Perhaps it is the aging process but it seems that I encounter more people today who really have no clue what is going on. It seems to me as if they are walking zombies. Their mental makeup reminds me of someone who is in a daze. I watch them listlessly go about their day with no excitement or signs of life. This is something that I attribute to being lazy minded.

The fact is that reading allows one's imagination to grow. Our world is in desperate need of dreamers. These are the people who create solutions to the major problems that we have. Edison, Einstein, the Wright Brothers, etc... They were the ones who thought bigger while adding a big of sci-fi to our reality. People who watch endless television do not enjoy that ability. Instead, they become mindless boobs sitting like a bump on a log. Their mental faculties shut down.

Success is not a result of being lazy minded. As mentioned, the world needs innovators. We all need to regularly exercise our mind by learning. This means picking up a book and reading. Or you can try your hand at a new hobby which requires learning an entire set of skills. Whatever the method of learning, we all need to put ourselves into situations where we have the opportunity to grow. This is the only way to prevent the disease of a lazy mind.
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Alibis

This is something that has become a national pastime for many. It seems as if everyone has built in alibis as to why things do not progress as they want in their lives. If you ask most people why they do not live the life they want, they will present you with a litany of excuses. Placing blame is something that most are adept at.

I just finished reading "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. If you have not read this book, I highly suggest it. This is one of the classic personal development texts and one that could change your life simply by adhering to what is contained in there.

Hill dedicates a portion of an entire chapter to the creation of alibis. In fact, he lists 50 that people commonly use. It is amazing to read through the list and see how many I hear on a regular basis. People are 'alibi machines'. They can present a reason for anything that puts the responsibility upon someone else.

The successful do not do this. "Think and Grow Rich" is the result of decades of study of the most successful people in this country at that time. The wealthy approach life differently then everyone else. And, that difference is in how they think about things. Making excuses is the opposite of taking personal responsibility. Those who are successful know how important it is to remain in control.

Did you ever think about the consequences of presently alibis? Do you realize that making excuses reduces your power to nothing? I bet you never thought of this concept but, if you reflect upon it, you will understand how accurate it is.

When I place the blame for a situation on someone else, I am deferring my ability to change the situation. In essence, for change to occur, that person must change. This puts me in a position where I lack the power. Whenever someone else is responsible I am powerless. Consider the situation with a young child. The adult has all the responsibility, thus he or she wields the power. It isnt until this being starts to age that the power structure changes.

Those who exhibit personal responsibility in each situation are the ones who maintain the power. And, this is an easy thing to achieve since most are willing to give it away. When one owns up for all that is transpiring, then that person only need to fix him or herself. The power to change oneself is always available while the power to change another never exists. Resisting the temptation to blame is seeded at the core of this behavior.

Take the time to look at those situations where you present an alibi. Why wasnt something completed as you intended? What is your default answer? Do you automatically go into the 'blame mode' to save face and make yourself look better? Many do this and are quite successful in the short-term. However, this soon becomes a habit which is a detriment to one's personal growth. Success doesnt coordinate with alibis. Success is the result of effort which produces results that are either desired or an opportunity to learn. Presenting alibis is nowhere in the equation.

Remember this tidbit the next time you find yourself making excuses.
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