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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Give 100%

"If you are going to do it, you might as well do it right"

Have you ever heard this saying before? This is something that I was told over and over many years ago by my grandmother. I think this was her favorite saying. Of course, being a child/early teenager, this was the last thing that I wanted to hear. It drove me nuts each time I heard her say it.

Over the years, this saying has taken on new meaning for me. While it is obvious at the surface level, this statement actually contains a great deal of wisdom. When I looked at it deeply, I soon realized that this simple saying held a key to success. Implementing it is a clear path to high achievement.

We need to define something before we can have a clear understanding of what this statement means. When we refer to the word "right", what does that entail? To me, doing something right means performing that action to the best of my ability in that moment. Certainly others have expectations about how things should be done. However, I may or may not be able to perform to their desired ends. This does not necessarily make me "wrong". If I am acting in accordance to the best that I can offer in that moment, then I am doing it "right".

This brings us to another facet of this concept. What is the best that I can do? The answer to this question is what I write about regularly on here. All the techniques I mention all comprise what it takes for me to be the best I can be. For example, 100% focus is something that instantly increases my chance of success. When I concentrate my efforts exclusively upon what I am doing, I find my performance increase substantially. This is one thing I can do to perform at my best.

Another component is to give 100% effort to the task. This might require me changing my mindset especially when I am asked/required to do something that I do not particularly enjoy. Nevertheless, holding back effort because I detest something is not operating at my best level. Perhaps I need to focus upon the fact that my motivation is lacking and increase my level by quantifying it. Whatever is needed, I should look at doing to operate at my best.

This is what "doing it right" means to me. Simply, if I am following this concept, I am giving 100% to my present activity. I understand mistakes will be made but they act as a teacher in my book. Giving 100% effort is one of the easiest methods to separate yourself from the masses. Most operate fall below their capability. Remember this when you are faced with a task. Whatever level you are at, double your effort. You will notice instant results.

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The Ego's Control

The other day I wrote about anger and the effect it has on us. When we look at the situation further, we understand that the human ego is what drives us to behave in such a manner. If it wasn't for this simple mechanism, we would cease to get upset about that which we do.

To start, the ego is what pushes us to eat. We cannot survive without this crucial human component. It is the most basic of survival mechanisms. At this level, the ego is a helpful asset to be cherished.

However, mankind has a way of allowing the ego to get out of control. There are many names for it: vanity, false pride, etc... The bottom line is that we get into conflict when we allow our opinion of ourselves to become distorted. Harmony with our fellow man disappears.

People's opinion of themselves tends to drift towards one of two extremes. First, someone holds him or herself in very high regard. This shows through in the form of cockiness. Each action is done with the intention of showing you how good they really are.

The second way the ego gets distorted is by making the person believe he or she is worse than everyone else. Because of some past (or even present) conditioning, these people think that everyone in the world is a better person. These individuals continually put themselves down. Their belief system tells them they are worthless.

Each of these two situations is a gross distortion of reality. Everyone has worth, a tremendous worth. We each were blessed with certain skills. Nobody is completely worthless nor is there anyone who borders on perfection. We all have faults. Some excel in areas where others fail and vice versa.

The way to break the ego's control is to attempt to keep things in perspective. Much of what I write about on this blog deals with the perspective one keeps. To me, this is the essence of our existence. Whereas one sees lemons, another sees lemonade. One focuses on the crisis at hand while another sees opportunity. The perspective creates the reality.

You are just as worthy as the person next to you. There are skills you possess which are individual to you. Nobody else can do what you can do. At the same time, you cannot do what another can. That is the paradox of life. We each are not better or worse than others, simply different.

Adopting this mindset makes us realize that much of what we fret about is the ego trying to maintain its place. Anger is a weapon used when it is threatened. Overcome this desire by understanding that circumstances are no reflection of the person that you are. We all deal with things the best we can. Mistakes are made which provide an opportunity to learn. At the end of the day, your own comfort and happiness is what is important.
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What Really Creates Success?

This is a question that has plagued mankind since the earliest of times. What is it that separates those who achieve from those who do not? There are thousands upon thousands of books written on the subject; all utilizing a different theory. Some believe it is motivation; others mindset. However, what is the one thing that really creates success?

Through my years of research, I understand there is a common trait among those who are successful. I believe this is the single factor which determines success. Concentrate on this quality and you will attain all that you set out to do. This trait is "action".

Those who take action are successful. It is that simple. Everything else that is written about pertaining to personal development is an aid to taking action. Anthony Robbins refers to it as "Personal Power: the ability to act". Action is what separates the successful apart.

I wrote on a number of occasions that mindset is crucial to success. I stand by that assertion. However, a good mindset helps only in it's ability to get you to take action. Those who carry a poor mindset tend not to act. The same is true for motivation. This is a way to get yourself to take action. Nevertheless, being motivated is not what achieves the goal.

Ideas exists on the invisible plane. Success is measured by what is seen. The bridge between the two is action. The ability to act is the most important aspect in your life. Concentrate on what you do each day to ensure your life is going in the direction you desire. Overcoming fear is a vital part of this process. To many are paralyzed by this invisible barrier. Remember, your success is determined by the actions you take.

To get started on the path to success, make a list of 5 things that you need to do immediately. Write them on a piece of paper and go complete them. Notice how you feel when you have them all completed. This is what action does for us. It makes our dreams into reality.
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Create Your Life

Many come to me asking "how do I create the life that I want?". This is an interesting question which leads me to answer "what do you want in life?". It is at this point that I usually get a blank stare. The truth is that most really have no idea what they want their life to look like. This is one of the main reasons why they inevitably spend years going in circles.

Creating your life starts with deciding what you want. Our life is first developed in the mind before it can ever become a reality. Without this basic part of the process, we are doomed to follow the ideas of someone else.

Society has a way of determining what is best for us. When I say society, I am referring to all the influences that touch our lives. They could be parents, teachers, employers, spouses, etc... Each of these people has an idea of what is best for us, of how to be successful in this culture.

Sadly, few to take the time to decide what he or she wants. People will spend more time planning a vacation than they will laying a path for their life. The few that do consider what they want enjoy more success and happiness.

It is time to get clear in your mind what it is that you want out of life. Clarity is a powerful weapon. I want you to write down exactly how you want life to be 10 years from now. Shake off the limitations of the mind. Societal training will arise at every new thought. Part of the process is to turn off the ideas of those who influenced us to get to the core of what we want.

You will find this is one of the most valuable exercises you ever engage in. The greatest minds in the world spent considerable time in thought. It is best if we follow their example. Determine what is the most desirable thing that you want. Whatever it is, write it down and place it where you can see it. Each night, look at it and ask yourself "did I shape my day to move towards this outcome?". This process starts to move the goal/desire/wish to the conscious level. You suddenly find that your actions begin to mirror what you wrote down.

For example, if you want to have a loving, intimate relationship with a special someone, write that desire on a card and post it. Each day, ask yourself the above question. Obviously, if you want this to come to fruition, it is necessary to shape your actions so that they put you in position to meet people. Each day, do this. Eventually, you will achieve the result you desire.

Clarity is the most powerful tool we have. Get clear in what you want so that you can start to work towards it beginning this moment. The creation of the life you want is at hand.
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Self Reliance

Who can you count on? This is an important question in this generation. The world that we live in is rapidly changing. Unfortunately, many are ill prepared to deal with the circumstances that are arising. What is one to do with things moving at such a fast pace? Where do we turn to seek the solutions?

We are in the midst of the greatest "responsibility absolution" program ever seen. The overriding tone is that "it is not your fault" regardless of what occurs. Governments all over the world are stepping in to save institutions from failure. Why? Because we simply cannot let them fail. At the same time, individuals are receiving assistance due to mortgage circumstances where they are not at fault. Again, today, nothing is your fault.

Sadly, the ones who are telling us they provide the rescue are the same ones who let us down in the first place. Our leadership failed to offer any insulation against corporate and governmental greed, institutional manipulation, and corruption. Now, they are saying "trust us, we will help". Sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but this is a lie. If you are looking for someone else to save you butt, you are holding a losing hand.

Self reliance is where you need to focus your attention. The economy is in rough shape. Many good employees will be let go due to circumstances. Companies do not have the loyalty to protect you. Even small business owners will decide on their paycheck over yours. This is a fact of life. Even union employees, those who supposedly are protected, will find how little the union does for them when there are massive layoffs. Imagine the position union negotiators are in when dealing with GM. "Take the layoffs or we will be out of business in 24 months when we run out of money". Notice how limited their choices are. Take something now or get nothing in the long run.

Here is a memo: there is nobody looking out for you. The politicians do not care. These people only care about getting re-elected and gaining power. Some will say this is a cynical view of the political process yet I challenge anyone to debate the opposing point.If they cared so much about our situation, how come none of them have mentioned cutting their salaries by 50% from $130K-$150K until this crisis passes.

Of late, I have written a great deal about personal responsibility. It is something that vaporized over the last 20 years. We are a generation that excels at the blame game. Watch the politicians. It is interesting to note how nothing is ever their fault. There is someone else who can always be blamed. They mention how we can look to them to protect us while failing at every turn. How many times are we going to fall for that?

The bottom line is there is nobody to care for you but you. People, by their nature, have a degree of selfishness. They are going to tend to their own interests first. Understand this and get on board. Tend to your own interests (and that of your family). Become a person who is self reliant. Take those actions which will improve the circumstances for your family. Personal responsibility is the attribute we all need more of today. If we can do that, there will come a time when we can tell those who are promising to take care of us "thanks but no thanks".

Begin this process today.
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20 Ideas I Wish I Knew When I Was 20

Success seems to be an elusive treasure for many. There are some many ways to attain it yet most of us get caught up trying to figure it all out ourselves. This leads to a great deal of lost time to gain the "experience" needed to be successful. Looking back, I wish someone had put together a list of hard facts that were true in life. Since it was not done for me, I would like to share my list of success "truths".

1. Success is easier with a team:

Success is not created in a vacuum. It takes the efforts of many people to make one achieve anything great. The most successful people have partners, coaches, teammates, and co-workers who all have a hand in the final outcome. Also, our the level of success that is possible increase substantially when we enlist the abilities and efforts of others. As Marc Victor Hanson likes to say "one plus one is an eleven folding of talent". Create a team with the best people that you can.

2. Opportunities are everywhere:

Everywhere there is a problem, there is an opportunity. The world is full of challenges that are waiting to be solved. As we proceed forward, now obstacles are created daily. Huge fortunes are being made by people taking the initiative to solve these problems. Society needs someone to build a better "mousetrap" and that person is you. Look for the opportunities in your life that are offered to you.

3. You get more in life by saying "yes" than by saying "no":

This is one of Richard Branson's sayings. Fear is a powerful influence in life. It causes us to make decisions that are not always in our best interest. Often we turn down opportunities which will raise our lives to a new level. Saying "yes" to life allows us to engage in the wonders of it. There is more that is gained by going forward then by standing still. Certainly we will lose at times. But overcoming the fear of loss is what will set us free. Begin to say "yes" to the opportunities that are presented in your life.

4. Like attracts like:

Physics talks about energy on the same frequency being attracted to similar energy. This is true for our outlook. Positive attitudes garner positive results. Negative attitudes create gets the same outcome. To get more positive results in life, spend more time with a positive attitude. This will attract the desired results into your life.

5. The path to success is already laid out:

Reinventing the wheel is a waste of time. Unlike we were taught in school, copying is a good thing. People have already paved the road to success. Simply learn the actions and procedures they took while following suit. Every industry has a model that sets the process for achievement. Life becomes much simpler when that is uncovered.

6. Have fun:

It is easy to get caught up in all that we have to do. Responsibilities mount the more success we achieve. It is important to have fun at every stage of life. Too often people delay their joy until they arrive at a specific destination. Taking the time for ourselves is crucial as holistic selves. Lighten up and take things a little less seriously.

7. Work smarter, not harder:

Digging ditches is hard work yet it is not a well compensated trade. The world pays more for mental power than it does physical. Try to determine ways to systematize the things you need to do to free up yourself. The nobility is in working smarter, not harder.

8. Things do not equal happiness:

The richest are not always the happiest. The accumulation of things is wonderful. However, it is imperative that we keep in mind what is important. The happiness that "things" give us is temporary. Happiness is a state that comes from within us; it rarely comes from the outside.

9. Who cares about the Joneses:

How much time do we spend trying to "keep up with the Joneses"? Our egos are often tied to the opinion of others. Be your own person. Ignore what others think about you. It is best to pursue endeavors which fulfill us. Too many attend to those things that other people want them to. Live your life according to how you see fit.

10. There is always something to be grateful for:

No matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something to be grateful for. Gratitude is a wonderful tool for getting us out of the doldrums. Looking at the positive aspect of situations will always help bring the undesirable effects to an end quicker. Remember, there is always someone else who is worse off than you.

11. Everyone has their time in the "barrel":

To listen to people talk, you would think that they were the only ones with problems. The truth is that everyone has circumstances which they go through that are not pleasant. Illness, financial difficulty, and death affect most people at different stages of their lives. Resist the temptation to think that you are special in this regard. When negative circumstances arise, move forward knowing others are succeeding in dealing with similar issues.

12. Plan you life and live you plan:

I love the analogy to taking a trip across country without a road map. This is something that most would never consider doing. Yet almost all will approach their life without a forethought to where they would like to go. In fact, people spend more time planning their vacations than they do to plan their lives. Studies have shown that individuals who set down goals with a written plan for their achievement attain a far greater degree of success than those who fail to do so.

13. Failure is our best teacher:

Failure is a tough thing to go through. However, it can be our most beneficial experience. Successful people all seem to have had their share of failures. It is the lessons from these situation which makes them so valuable. Take the time to analyze why things turned out how they did and resolve not to make the same mistake. This is where life prepares us for the next challenge.

14. Most people are willing to help:

We feel we need to do it all on our own. This stems from the belief that most people don't care. The truth is that most people are willing to help wherever they can. People, at their basic core, are nice. They want to contribute. It makes us feel good to help another. Rid yourself of the desire to do it all on your own and ask others for help. You will be surprised at the warm response you get.

15. The starting point is irrelevant:

There are hundreds of stories of people who started from the worst circumstances only to achieve greatness. Individuals who blame their surroundings for their lack of success are using this as a crutch. There are opportunities in all areas of life for those who are willing to go after them. It is where you are going that is important, not where you start from.

16. Everything starts as a thought:

There is nothing that mankind has made in this world that did not start as an idea in someone's head. Everyday, we each have ideas which are mostly dismissed. Capturing one of those ideas can change how the world operates. Also, having the right mindset will do more to ensure our success than any other attribute. Pay attention to what takes place within your own head.

17. We all have more talents than we can uncover:

Everyone on this planet is created with an incredible amount of ability. Yet we often believe that we "can't do anything right". This is negative conditioning allowed to ruin our lives. There is an unbelievable skill within you at this present moment. Beginning to say "yes" to opportunities in life will uncover what those talents are. Often we do not realize what we are capable of until we are forced into a tough situation.

18. Everything is perspective:

Even though you will swear it to be the truth, it is really only your perspective. Our viewpoint is usually what determines how we process things. Is the glass half full or half empty? Both answers are correct, depending on your perspective. Remember this whenever you are determined to make yourself right and someone else wrong.

19. Tap into your true self:

Some call it passion, others life purpose. Whatever the term, there is something in life that only you can perform. Spend some time seeking out what it is. All greatness comes from this place. Do not worry about the financial compensation. People who tap into their true essence while releasing their talents on the world are well paid. Find out what it is and follow it.

20. You can make a huge difference:

There is no limit to the impact that you can have. Many of the greatest figures in history were from the humblest of beginnings. They were average people who took extraordinary action when called upon. You can do the same thing. The ideas that you have right now can impact thousands, if not, millions of lives. Begin to accept this as your reality.

Here is the list of ideas which I feel will lead anyone to success. See how many you can implement into your life on a daily basis. People who have done so report an incredible increase in their success, happiness, productivity, and freedom.

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