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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Dealing With Fear

There is a lot of fear that exists with all that is going on. The media tells us each day how bad things are. It seems that every story makes the situation more and more hopeless. With all that is transpiring, why should we even carry on?

We need to remember a few things about the present circumstances. Implementing these ideas into your mindset will help you deal with the fear that is arising within you.

1. You will be alright.

This is not going to kill you. We need to remember that circumstances are temporary and recessions come and go. Many people alive today lived through the economic downturns of the 70s and 80s. They survived as will you. This too shall pass is an appropriate mantra.

2. It is never as bad as the media portrays it.

They are in the business of selling their stories. To do this, they need to capture your attention. The idea that "everything is wonderful" will not sell newspapers. Doom and gloom is their specialty. Remember that when you hear reports of how terrible everything is.

3. Fear is not real.

This is where I am losing some of you. Most of you will swear the fear you experience is real. If that is the case, go ahead and touch it. Pick it up. Move it. Fear is something that our mind creates to keep things within it's comfort zone. It is a figment of our imagination. Also, it is impossible to experience fear without leaving the present moment. For fear to exist, projection is required. Stop doing that and fear will vanish.

4. Focus on what you can control.

The stock market is going crazy and there is nothing you can do about it. A decrease in national spending is also outside you means. Concentrate on those actions which impact your life. You might not be able to control the layoffs your company is doing; however, you can focus upon making yourself as valuable as possible. Doing this empowers you in an overwhelming situation.

Keep these 4 ideas at the forefront of your mind. The end of the world is not here although many believe it is. We will all get through this. Having a good outlook is one of the most effective methods.
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Become Obsessed

The present election cycle is a wonderful teacher for the power of obsession. Regardless of which candidate you are for, you will agree that many of the supporters are obsessed with gaining victory. At the same time, both Obama and McCain have that same desire for winning also. Their obsession leads to passion.

How does this differ from most people? Look at your life as an example. What is you overriding desire? Is there something that you want so badly that you are willing to commit everything you have to attaining it? For most, this simply is not the case. The average person does not have an obsession. Instead, they have hopes and wants. Notice the difference. The first is a full blown commitment, the later a pipe dream.

People who are passionate live happier lives. Sadly, it is easy to find people who lack this imperative emotion. Watch the demeanor of most when they arrive at work each day. They act like they are in for a death sentence (this is closer to the truth than they realize). Contrast that with someone who loves what he or she does. That person is invigorated when arriving at the office. He or she is passionate.

My recommendation is to become obsessed with something. Excellence stems from the passion that comes with this outlook. Developing passion is critical for our success. An effective way to begin practicing this is to create this with a hobby. Find something that you love to do in your spare time. Get passionate about it and see how much better you perform at it. Harness the power of focus to increase your effectiveness. This is what a healthy obsession can do.
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Getting Knocked Down

There are many who are being knocked down with the circumstances so difficult. Foreclosures, loss of job, health issues, etc... can arise in one's life without notice. Take Seve Ballesteros as an example. For those who do not know him, he is one of Europe's greatest golfer. Many believe he is the one who made European golf what it is today. In the last few weeks, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Naturally, an event like this radically alters one's viewpoint.

We are all dealt circumstances that are difficult. There is no shame in having hardship. The shame is allowing those situations to win. It is not how many times you are knocked down that matters; it is how often you get back up. Never is this more necessary than today.

There are always two choices when we encounter tough times. First, we can allow them to beat us. This is where one throws in the towel. Second, we can resolve to win. While we might lost that particular battle, we will be stronger for it, thus winning the war. Learning the lesson in each circumstance is a terrific way increase your strength. Life is one of the greatest teachers.

How are you going to respond to what you are currently experiencing? Watching human behavior provides the above choices clearly. Some opt to mope around while blaming everyone else. These are the ones who throw in the towel. Life wins repeatedly because their behavior is repeated. Others get motivated. They muster up the determination necessary to excel in spite of trying circumstances. Which direction are you headed? Consider this when you look at what you are going to do in the next 24 hours. Select those actions which will move you forward.
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