Our brain mind is a source of energy that is transmitted from you through the vibrations of thought and tunes into situations and people that share the same frequency you transmit. This transmission can be either positive or negative.
Positive thoughts are those transmitted from you and find other people and situations of a positive nature, or negative thoughts find the negative; what you find depends on what you are thoughts are.
Many years ago, there was this young many working as a clerk at a newspaper office. He was a quiet and timid young man with hard any self-confidence at all. If he enters a meeting room, he would took a seat at the back of the room hoping not to be noticed.
One evening, he attended a seminar on building ones self-confidence and his life was forever changed. He left that seminar with a determination to build his self-confidence no matter what.
The next business day he went to the personal office and requested to be moved into the advertising department so he could sell advertising spots. He was moved into his new position that day on a strictly commission bases.
The very first thing this young man did was make a list of all the merchants that no other salesman was able to sell ads too; this consisted of twelve merchants. Next he went to the park and read over the names on his list over one hundred times saying with each reading, "You will purchase advertising from me before the end of the month."
He went back to his office and began making calls and the very first day he sold ads to three of the merchants that no one else was ever able to sell to before. During the remainder of the week he sold to two more and by the end of the month he had sold advertising space to all but one.
Every single day of that whole month the young salesman was at the merchants place of business when he open and tried to sell him advertising space and each time the merchant said NO! Finally by the end of the month the merchant demanded what the young man kept wasting his time trying to sell him advertising space when he didn't want any.
The young man responded by saying that it was not a waste of his time at all but that he had been going to school and the merchant was the teacher; what the merchant had taught the young man was all the many reasons a merchant could give for not wanting advertising space; plus the merchant gave a very good lesson in self-confidence.
The merchant had a good laugh and said that in return he got a very good lesson in persistence and for that lesson he would buy the advertising space the young man kept trying to sell him.
The young man went on to build even greater self-confidence and became a multi-millionaire. By making his goal list and selling to these men that no other could sell to he developed a powerful self-confidence that charged his mind and transmit only the positive leading him only to success.
Far too many people will give up as soon as they see a challenge and say it's too hard to do and that it's a waste of time. Those that struggle and succeed build the self-confidence need to succeed in life, love and business.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
QUOTES
"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart walking around outside your body." *-- Elizabeth Stone
"Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another." *--Vince Lombardi
"Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong." *-- Lao-Tzu
"Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another." *--Vince Lombardi
"Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong." *-- Lao-Tzu
Monday, May 23, 2011
How To Combat Worrying
We worry about problems, but worry is itself a problem. It inhibits clear thinking, it drains us of energy, it upsets our sleep and our digestion. It can make us irritable, bitter, regretful, pessimistic, depressed... What a price to pay for something that serves no useful function.
We learned to worry at a young age, but they were childish fears, but those childish fears carried on to adulthood. Worrying is about control, we all have a vision of how we want things to be, but when things or situations do not turn out as we expected we feel helpless and overwhelmed by an unpredictable and unkown future. We find it hard to let go of a problem, which then starts to contaminate our mind and thoughts. The truth is that we are our own worst enemy and many of our troubles are inside our head. We put the stamp of who we are on every preception. We see the world from the viewpoint of ourselves and in doing so our emotions and fears blurr our vision.
Worry makes cowards of us all. It forces us to turn away from acting upon a problem or indeed it may even create the illusion that the problem doesn't exist in the first place. Worry pushes us back into ourselves, reinforces the impression that the worst will happen, that we can't cope, that we are helpless in the flow of circumstances which carry us inexorable towards unhappiness.
All of us who have worried have become experts in it over the years. But worry itself is cunning, it is a distorting lens which hides from us the lessons it is teaching. It causes us to see an opportunity as a risk and a challenge as a problem.
Problems are often created and imposed upon us by other people or rather, by our inablility to prevent other people from loading that weight of trouble on our shoulders. We habitually and implicityly say 'yes' to problems, because many of us do not have the coping techniques to assert 'no'. Manuel Smith's 'When I Say No I Feel Guilty' is a useful and empowering book on assertiveness.
Potentially we have a great deal of control over the way we talk to ourselves. But frequently, the bleak melody of worry runs in our minds as a kind of background noise to our lives. The irony is that we don't even make an effort to eliminate it, but just listen to that same old tune of hopelessness and gloom. But by establishing a coping dialogue we can diminish and dispel the tedious repetitiveness of worry. Take time out every day to give yourself a pep talk. Be upbeat, confident, determined. Simply tell yourself with as much conviction as you can muster that you are going to take deliberate action to achieve what you can and refuse to be troubled by circumstances that are beyond your control.
Below are some tips on how to control your worring. I know from experience that this is not an easy thing to do, but with a little patience and perserverance you will soon be able to control your worrying instead of it controlling you.
Think about what is worrying you, and ask yourself what possible action you can take to aliviate the problem. Then take that action immediately.
To bring harmony into your life is to accept that some things are quite beyond our control. As the saying goes 'Change what you can change and accept what you can't'.
Worry thrives on inactivity and lack of choice, it lies coiled in quiet places. So launch yourself into a busy routine of work and leisure, by keeping your mind occupied on other things will give it less time to worry.
Worry also thrives on delay and procrastination, so take action against anything that worries you, put the same energy in solving problems as worrying about them and sufference will soon be a thing of the past. When you have taken all possible action then remember to let go of the problem.
Failure is an attitude, a state of mind. It is not reality. Cultivate a postive attitude and affirm to yourself your intention to succeed.
Worry closes doors and narrows horizons, its a fruitless activity but tenacious in the grip it has on our minds. So you have to be alert for positive opportunities.
The world isn't what we see, but what we think we see. And the way we see it determines the degree of happiness we enjoy each day. So start looking at life more positively, this isn't always easy to do but by forcing your mind to think positively it will eventually become a habit.
Our days can be problem-ridden, each problem bringing with it the burden of worry. But to know that a problem is a preception is already to have divested ourselves of some of its weight. Problems left unchecked flower in the mind but properly regarded, they are diminished, and we are free to invest our time and energy in living, rather than in profitless worrying.
In most cases, for most of the time, problems are simply thoughts in the imagination, without necessarily any firm basis in external reality. Worrying is a waste of our precious time, we cannot control events or circumstances, we can only do our very best in trying to solve the problem. So instead of using up your energy in worrying, use the energy to take action.
Worry is a guest which has stayed to long. It moves in invitied, and by its presence claims the right to stay. It is unwelcome, unwanted, burdonsome. And the irony of it all is that it creeps into our lives while we're still living there. Go in there and kick worry out. Take extreme measures - take any measures you know will succeed.
Some people will go to enormous lengths to avoid doing something they find embarrassing or difficult, tedious, unfamiliar, new. The trouble is that many problems just don't go away by themselves. In procrastinating, we hold ourselves back. We may wish the problem had never happened. But it has. And the only way through to a trouble free tomorrow is to tackle those troubles today.
Worry makes us think things can never change - except to get worse. While worrying, we can't solve the problem or enjoy the other aspects of our life, which might not be linked with the problem at all.
"The pearl is lovelier than the most brilliant of crystalline gems, because it is made through the suffering of a living creature..." *-- H. G. Wells
We learned to worry at a young age, but they were childish fears, but those childish fears carried on to adulthood. Worrying is about control, we all have a vision of how we want things to be, but when things or situations do not turn out as we expected we feel helpless and overwhelmed by an unpredictable and unkown future. We find it hard to let go of a problem, which then starts to contaminate our mind and thoughts. The truth is that we are our own worst enemy and many of our troubles are inside our head. We put the stamp of who we are on every preception. We see the world from the viewpoint of ourselves and in doing so our emotions and fears blurr our vision.
Worry makes cowards of us all. It forces us to turn away from acting upon a problem or indeed it may even create the illusion that the problem doesn't exist in the first place. Worry pushes us back into ourselves, reinforces the impression that the worst will happen, that we can't cope, that we are helpless in the flow of circumstances which carry us inexorable towards unhappiness.
All of us who have worried have become experts in it over the years. But worry itself is cunning, it is a distorting lens which hides from us the lessons it is teaching. It causes us to see an opportunity as a risk and a challenge as a problem.
Problems are often created and imposed upon us by other people or rather, by our inablility to prevent other people from loading that weight of trouble on our shoulders. We habitually and implicityly say 'yes' to problems, because many of us do not have the coping techniques to assert 'no'. Manuel Smith's 'When I Say No I Feel Guilty' is a useful and empowering book on assertiveness.
Potentially we have a great deal of control over the way we talk to ourselves. But frequently, the bleak melody of worry runs in our minds as a kind of background noise to our lives. The irony is that we don't even make an effort to eliminate it, but just listen to that same old tune of hopelessness and gloom. But by establishing a coping dialogue we can diminish and dispel the tedious repetitiveness of worry. Take time out every day to give yourself a pep talk. Be upbeat, confident, determined. Simply tell yourself with as much conviction as you can muster that you are going to take deliberate action to achieve what you can and refuse to be troubled by circumstances that are beyond your control.
Below are some tips on how to control your worring. I know from experience that this is not an easy thing to do, but with a little patience and perserverance you will soon be able to control your worrying instead of it controlling you.
Think about what is worrying you, and ask yourself what possible action you can take to aliviate the problem. Then take that action immediately.
To bring harmony into your life is to accept that some things are quite beyond our control. As the saying goes 'Change what you can change and accept what you can't'.
Worry thrives on inactivity and lack of choice, it lies coiled in quiet places. So launch yourself into a busy routine of work and leisure, by keeping your mind occupied on other things will give it less time to worry.
Worry also thrives on delay and procrastination, so take action against anything that worries you, put the same energy in solving problems as worrying about them and sufference will soon be a thing of the past. When you have taken all possible action then remember to let go of the problem.
Failure is an attitude, a state of mind. It is not reality. Cultivate a postive attitude and affirm to yourself your intention to succeed.
Worry closes doors and narrows horizons, its a fruitless activity but tenacious in the grip it has on our minds. So you have to be alert for positive opportunities.
The world isn't what we see, but what we think we see. And the way we see it determines the degree of happiness we enjoy each day. So start looking at life more positively, this isn't always easy to do but by forcing your mind to think positively it will eventually become a habit.
Our days can be problem-ridden, each problem bringing with it the burden of worry. But to know that a problem is a preception is already to have divested ourselves of some of its weight. Problems left unchecked flower in the mind but properly regarded, they are diminished, and we are free to invest our time and energy in living, rather than in profitless worrying.
In most cases, for most of the time, problems are simply thoughts in the imagination, without necessarily any firm basis in external reality. Worrying is a waste of our precious time, we cannot control events or circumstances, we can only do our very best in trying to solve the problem. So instead of using up your energy in worrying, use the energy to take action.
Worry is a guest which has stayed to long. It moves in invitied, and by its presence claims the right to stay. It is unwelcome, unwanted, burdonsome. And the irony of it all is that it creeps into our lives while we're still living there. Go in there and kick worry out. Take extreme measures - take any measures you know will succeed.
Some people will go to enormous lengths to avoid doing something they find embarrassing or difficult, tedious, unfamiliar, new. The trouble is that many problems just don't go away by themselves. In procrastinating, we hold ourselves back. We may wish the problem had never happened. But it has. And the only way through to a trouble free tomorrow is to tackle those troubles today.
Worry makes us think things can never change - except to get worse. While worrying, we can't solve the problem or enjoy the other aspects of our life, which might not be linked with the problem at all.
"The pearl is lovelier than the most brilliant of crystalline gems, because it is made through the suffering of a living creature..." *-- H. G. Wells
Ways To Get Over Your Need for Acceptance and Get on with Your Life
1. See Yourself as a Success
You’re probably familiar with that little voice inside your head that tells you you’re never good enough. Instead of letting that voice continuously judge what you didn’t do right; focus on an actual moment in your life that makes you feel wonderful.
This could be a moment at your wedding, the birth of your first child, or a great victory you achieved. Picture it as if you were living it all over again. Right before you think of this moment, say these words: “You know what this (say the bad feeling you are having right then) reminds me of? It reminds me of the time…
Then remember or in essence “live out” your great moment. End the moment with the words: “That’s what this reminds me of.” This is exactly what Olympic athletes have done for years to increase their physical performance. They see it first in their imagination and then they reach their goals.
2. Restore Your Self Confidence
The second key to getting over your need for acceptance is self-confidence. Confidence is the result of how you see yourself in your imagination. The way your nervous system makes you feel is the direct result of what’s going on in your imagination.
That’s why when someone describes a great meal; you begin to salivate even though there is no actual food in reality. To your nervous system, this “food” is more real than actual food itself. Since that’s the case, just think what would happen if you imagined yourself being successful and confident?
When you see confidence in your imagination, your nervous system believes you are confident which changes the vibes you give off. People will treat you better because they can feel your success and want to be around it. THIS is what actually makes you stop worrying about what others think of you. Those days of wishing someone would take an interest in you can now be ancient history.
3. Find a Career that Truly Fits “The Real You”
This step may seem like it has no connection to the previous steps, but it goes hand in hand with learning how to accept yourself. An easy way to build your self-confidence is to do what you truly were meant to do in life. What are you passionate about? What have others told you you’re good at?
To learn exactly how to do this, there is no better book than What Color Is Your Parachute? By Nelson Bolles. Just go to amazon.com and type the name of the book in the search box to find it. Match your talents to your career and see your confidence begin to increase every day!
4. Get “Back to the Basics”
Most people are not sure what happiness really is. Many say that money would make them happy. But it’s not money at all. People don’t want money! They want what money can BUY. They remember that buying new things makes them feel happy, but this is only one form of happiness. True happiness comes when you can make a difference in the life of another person and realize how much it meant to them.
Lending someone a helping hand not only brightens their day, but you will be able to reap the effects of, if only for a brief moment, true happiness.
Now that you know how to gain confidence by focusing on a positive memory instead of the negative voice inside your head, you’ll be able to give off the vibes that ATTRACT people to YOU. Instead of wishing and hoping for approval, you now know how to accept yourself by giving people what they need; a confident person who not only looks for the good in them, but also shows them how to see it too.
You’re probably familiar with that little voice inside your head that tells you you’re never good enough. Instead of letting that voice continuously judge what you didn’t do right; focus on an actual moment in your life that makes you feel wonderful.
This could be a moment at your wedding, the birth of your first child, or a great victory you achieved. Picture it as if you were living it all over again. Right before you think of this moment, say these words: “You know what this (say the bad feeling you are having right then) reminds me of? It reminds me of the time…
Then remember or in essence “live out” your great moment. End the moment with the words: “That’s what this reminds me of.” This is exactly what Olympic athletes have done for years to increase their physical performance. They see it first in their imagination and then they reach their goals.
2. Restore Your Self Confidence
The second key to getting over your need for acceptance is self-confidence. Confidence is the result of how you see yourself in your imagination. The way your nervous system makes you feel is the direct result of what’s going on in your imagination.
That’s why when someone describes a great meal; you begin to salivate even though there is no actual food in reality. To your nervous system, this “food” is more real than actual food itself. Since that’s the case, just think what would happen if you imagined yourself being successful and confident?
When you see confidence in your imagination, your nervous system believes you are confident which changes the vibes you give off. People will treat you better because they can feel your success and want to be around it. THIS is what actually makes you stop worrying about what others think of you. Those days of wishing someone would take an interest in you can now be ancient history.
3. Find a Career that Truly Fits “The Real You”
This step may seem like it has no connection to the previous steps, but it goes hand in hand with learning how to accept yourself. An easy way to build your self-confidence is to do what you truly were meant to do in life. What are you passionate about? What have others told you you’re good at?
To learn exactly how to do this, there is no better book than What Color Is Your Parachute? By Nelson Bolles. Just go to amazon.com and type the name of the book in the search box to find it. Match your talents to your career and see your confidence begin to increase every day!
4. Get “Back to the Basics”
Most people are not sure what happiness really is. Many say that money would make them happy. But it’s not money at all. People don’t want money! They want what money can BUY. They remember that buying new things makes them feel happy, but this is only one form of happiness. True happiness comes when you can make a difference in the life of another person and realize how much it meant to them.
Lending someone a helping hand not only brightens their day, but you will be able to reap the effects of, if only for a brief moment, true happiness.
Now that you know how to gain confidence by focusing on a positive memory instead of the negative voice inside your head, you’ll be able to give off the vibes that ATTRACT people to YOU. Instead of wishing and hoping for approval, you now know how to accept yourself by giving people what they need; a confident person who not only looks for the good in them, but also shows them how to see it too.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sucess ?
Success or failure often depends on belief. When you truly believe in something, it becomes truth. If you truly believe that you can succeed, you will. If you believe that you will fail, you are RIGHT too. A man is but a product of his thought, what he thinks he becomes said Mahatma Gandhi.
Whatever you can dream, you can achieve, if you truly want and strongly believe that you can achieve it. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You tend to get what you expect.
You can only act upon what you can think of. You can't act upon something that is out of your imagination. So, you can only achieve what you really believe you can achieve. When you truly believe that you can achieve what you want to achieve, you will sooner or later acquire or achieve them. That how powerful belief is.
Like the old saying - when there is a will, there is a way. When you really need something badly and are CRAVING for it, your subconscious mind will trigger or force you subconsciously to find ways and means to get whatever your are craving for. Your feeling of incompleteness almost automatically force you to adjust your thinking process which moves you up to work for something that you strongly believe will satisfy your desires and needs.
Hence, the greater the thoughts and the stronger the beliefs that you can succeed, actually, empowers and motivates you. Thus, the stronger the beliefs that you can succeed, the more successful you will be in life.
Whatever you can dream, you can achieve, if you truly want and strongly believe that you can achieve it. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You tend to get what you expect.
You can only act upon what you can think of. You can't act upon something that is out of your imagination. So, you can only achieve what you really believe you can achieve. When you truly believe that you can achieve what you want to achieve, you will sooner or later acquire or achieve them. That how powerful belief is.
Like the old saying - when there is a will, there is a way. When you really need something badly and are CRAVING for it, your subconscious mind will trigger or force you subconsciously to find ways and means to get whatever your are craving for. Your feeling of incompleteness almost automatically force you to adjust your thinking process which moves you up to work for something that you strongly believe will satisfy your desires and needs.
Hence, the greater the thoughts and the stronger the beliefs that you can succeed, actually, empowers and motivates you. Thus, the stronger the beliefs that you can succeed, the more successful you will be in life.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Respect
Everyone wants it: RESPECT
Here’s a “Basic Training” reminder about RESPECT:
RECOGNIZE the inherent worth of all human beings.
ELIMINATE derogatory words and phrases from your vocabulary.
SPEAK with people – not at them…or about them.
PRACTICE empathy. Walk awhile in others’ shoes.
EARN respect from others through respect-worthy behaviors.
CONSIDER others’ feelings before speaking and acting.
TREAT everyone with dignity and courtesy.
Here’s a “Basic Training” reminder about RESPECT:
RECOGNIZE the inherent worth of all human beings.
ELIMINATE derogatory words and phrases from your vocabulary.
SPEAK with people – not at them…or about them.
PRACTICE empathy. Walk awhile in others’ shoes.
EARN respect from others through respect-worthy behaviors.
CONSIDER others’ feelings before speaking and acting.
TREAT everyone with dignity and courtesy.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
respect
Everyone wants it: RESPECT
Here’s a “Basic Training” reminder about RESPECT:
RECOGNIZE the inherent worth of all human beings.
ELIMINATE derogatory words and phrases from your vocabulary.
SPEAK with people – not at them…or about them.
PRACTICE empathy. Walk awhile in others’ shoes.
EARN respect from others through respect-worthy behaviors.
CONSIDER others’ feelings before speaking and acting.
TREAT everyone with dignity and courtesy.
Here’s a “Basic Training” reminder about RESPECT:
RECOGNIZE the inherent worth of all human beings.
ELIMINATE derogatory words and phrases from your vocabulary.
SPEAK with people – not at them…or about them.
PRACTICE empathy. Walk awhile in others’ shoes.
EARN respect from others through respect-worthy behaviors.
CONSIDER others’ feelings before speaking and acting.
TREAT everyone with dignity and courtesy.
Monday, April 18, 2011
It The Strangest Secret
George Bernard Shaw said, “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make them.”
Well, it’s pretty apparent, isn’t it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about.
Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn’t know where he’s going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry – his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing… he becomes nothing.
How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I’ll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.
Suppose a farmer has some land, and it’s good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn’t care. It’s up to the farmer to make the decision.
We’re comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn’t care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn’t care what you plant.
Now, let’s say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand- one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds-one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land…and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted. As it’s written in the Bible, “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.”
Remember the land doesn’t care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one corn, one poison.
The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn’t care what we plant… success...or failure. A concrete, worthwhile goal…or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant it must return to us.
You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.
Well, it’s pretty apparent, isn’t it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about.
Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn’t know where he’s going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry – his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing… he becomes nothing.
How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I’ll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.
Suppose a farmer has some land, and it’s good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn’t care. It’s up to the farmer to make the decision.
We’re comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn’t care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn’t care what you plant.
Now, let’s say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand- one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds-one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land…and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted. As it’s written in the Bible, “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.”
Remember the land doesn’t care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one corn, one poison.
The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn’t care what we plant… success...or failure. A concrete, worthwhile goal…or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant it must return to us.
You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.
Make Today Matter…What Matters Most
FACTS
The average person spends;
-100 hours a year commuting to work compared to 80 hours of vacation time.
- 91 hours a week at work for dual – career couples with kids.
- 1.8 hours a day doing household activities.
- 2.6 hours a day watching television.
- 8.6 hours a day sleeping.
Time is a non-renewable resource. Once it’s used up, you can’t get it back.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
1. Stop and think…then make a list of what matters most to you.
2. Create a list of how you currently spend your time each week.
3. Organize your list of weekly activities and identify activities that are required and those that are optional and waste time.
4. Take steps to rearrange your schedule or reduce optional activities so that you can spend time doing what matters most.
5. Don’t waste time.
YOU MATTER
What really matters most to you?
Your relationships with family, friends, and children?
Helping others? Passions? Faith? Security? Health?
At the end of each year, don’t you want to look back and see that you made a difference?
That you matter?
Today is the start of a new year.
Start it off by making a difference in you, in your life, and in the lives of those you love.
This is your opportunity.
Time spent on what matters most is never a waste of time.
POSITIVE TIP: Take Action...Make Your List!
The average person spends;
-100 hours a year commuting to work compared to 80 hours of vacation time.
- 91 hours a week at work for dual – career couples with kids.
- 1.8 hours a day doing household activities.
- 2.6 hours a day watching television.
- 8.6 hours a day sleeping.
Time is a non-renewable resource. Once it’s used up, you can’t get it back.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
1. Stop and think…then make a list of what matters most to you.
2. Create a list of how you currently spend your time each week.
3. Organize your list of weekly activities and identify activities that are required and those that are optional and waste time.
4. Take steps to rearrange your schedule or reduce optional activities so that you can spend time doing what matters most.
5. Don’t waste time.
YOU MATTER
What really matters most to you?
Your relationships with family, friends, and children?
Helping others? Passions? Faith? Security? Health?
At the end of each year, don’t you want to look back and see that you made a difference?
That you matter?
Today is the start of a new year.
Start it off by making a difference in you, in your life, and in the lives of those you love.
This is your opportunity.
Time spent on what matters most is never a waste of time.
POSITIVE TIP: Take Action...Make Your List!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Values of Life - Where Lies Your Priority
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first , " he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for you to take time off for a couple of glasses of wine with a family member or a friend."
So, where lies your priority, with the golf balls or - with the sand?
--------
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...
--------
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first , " he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for you to take time off for a couple of glasses of wine with a family member or a friend."
So, where lies your priority, with the golf balls or - with the sand?
--------
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...
--------
Overcoming Adversity - A Carrot, An Egg and A Cup Of Coffee
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity ... boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed…THE WATER.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
**When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? - It's definitely something worth thinking about...
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity ... boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed…THE WATER.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
**When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? - It's definitely something worth thinking about...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
That Little Secret To Winning In Life
Personal attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. It is our disposition, perspective, viewpoint, or outlook.
Your own attitude affects others as well as you. It impacts every one you interact with from your family to the stranger you smile at on the street corner. Wayne Dyer rightly says, "I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside".
The little secret to winning in life is to create a winning attitude. You must think, see, and visualize like a winner for you to win. The moment you say, "I can't", "I don't think I am capable", "There is too much of competition out there", "I don't stand a chance", consider yourself having already forfeited your chance to win. This little voice of negativity goes on reinforcing and you ultimately end up as a loser in enterprise.
Instead, if you were to assert your right to win, you stand a solid chance to win and no set back can take away your attitude. When Alexander was on a world conquering spree, he crossed the Indus. The Indian King on the other side of the river Indus was reputedly a powerful king with a large contingent of elephants. Alexander's weary men had almost given up the battle but Alexander was ever a winner with an attitude of a true winner. He told his men, they were going to fight till the end and were not to return defeated.
Alexander won the battle. The large elephant contingent of King Porus running wildly amuck in utter confusion stampeded their own men. King Porus himself was no less of a winner with winning attitude. He was caught and brought before Alexander, who asked him "How would you like to be treated?" Porus didn't feel defeated at all. His attitude was still of a winner. "As a King treats another King" replied Porus. Alexander was highly impressed by the reply. He accorded King Porus, the highest honor due to a king. Alexander gave away every thing including the land he had won from Porus and let him rule as a sovereign.
It is not difficult to guess what might could have happened if Alexander and Porus did not have a winning attitude. Alexander could not have come as far as Indus from Greece without the winning attitude. Alexander might have lost the battle without fighting if he like his men believed he could not possibly defeat the strong army of the Indian king. He might have returned without crossing the Indus. Similarly, any other King in Porus' place might have pleaded mercy. But Porus was bold and brave. He stated ih his mind that he must be treated like a king. And he got what he wanted.
A person is never defeated when you possess a winning attitude. A winning attitude comes out of confidence in one's skills and abilities. A winning attitude is a natural expression of those intrepid diehard souls that never ever ever ever...give up.
Remember, that the world greatest human achievements comes from defeating great struggles. When you encounter lot of obstacles and overcome them, it's such a pleasure to celebrate when the reach the finish line. Your satisfaction increases to its peak, you manifest out to see your success.
Your own attitude affects others as well as you. It impacts every one you interact with from your family to the stranger you smile at on the street corner. Wayne Dyer rightly says, "I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside".
The little secret to winning in life is to create a winning attitude. You must think, see, and visualize like a winner for you to win. The moment you say, "I can't", "I don't think I am capable", "There is too much of competition out there", "I don't stand a chance", consider yourself having already forfeited your chance to win. This little voice of negativity goes on reinforcing and you ultimately end up as a loser in enterprise.
Instead, if you were to assert your right to win, you stand a solid chance to win and no set back can take away your attitude. When Alexander was on a world conquering spree, he crossed the Indus. The Indian King on the other side of the river Indus was reputedly a powerful king with a large contingent of elephants. Alexander's weary men had almost given up the battle but Alexander was ever a winner with an attitude of a true winner. He told his men, they were going to fight till the end and were not to return defeated.
Alexander won the battle. The large elephant contingent of King Porus running wildly amuck in utter confusion stampeded their own men. King Porus himself was no less of a winner with winning attitude. He was caught and brought before Alexander, who asked him "How would you like to be treated?" Porus didn't feel defeated at all. His attitude was still of a winner. "As a King treats another King" replied Porus. Alexander was highly impressed by the reply. He accorded King Porus, the highest honor due to a king. Alexander gave away every thing including the land he had won from Porus and let him rule as a sovereign.
It is not difficult to guess what might could have happened if Alexander and Porus did not have a winning attitude. Alexander could not have come as far as Indus from Greece without the winning attitude. Alexander might have lost the battle without fighting if he like his men believed he could not possibly defeat the strong army of the Indian king. He might have returned without crossing the Indus. Similarly, any other King in Porus' place might have pleaded mercy. But Porus was bold and brave. He stated ih his mind that he must be treated like a king. And he got what he wanted.
A person is never defeated when you possess a winning attitude. A winning attitude comes out of confidence in one's skills and abilities. A winning attitude is a natural expression of those intrepid diehard souls that never ever ever ever...give up.
Remember, that the world greatest human achievements comes from defeating great struggles. When you encounter lot of obstacles and overcome them, it's such a pleasure to celebrate when the reach the finish line. Your satisfaction increases to its peak, you manifest out to see your success.
The Power That Can Controls Our Lives
Deep within each of us lie two things that control our lives and the way we live them. Our behavior and attitudes and lifestyle are governed by them. If we want to change our life then we need to look at these foundational things that have governed us all our lives. These foundations are our beliefs and our values. They color our lives even though we may not be aware of them. They are deeply affected by our upbringing and the things that have happened to us and the conclusions we have drawn from those things.
Let us look at our beliefs in particular. Our beliefs have a positive or negative influence on us. If we have experienced bad parenting we will have some basic beliefs based on the experience with the first two important relationships in our life. Perhaps your father was abusive, or neglectful. That will have set up a unconscious foundational belief based on that experience that will flow into your perception of all other men. You will compare men to the first role model of a man that you had. You may even have a deep belief that all men are like your father and a response of distrust of men, or an expectation that all men will neglect you.
Here are 3 quotes that demonstrate the power of our beliefs.
"If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won't, you most assuredly won't. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad." -- Denis Waitley
"The most important thing about a man is what he believes in the depth of his being. This is the thing that makes him what he is, the thing that organizes him and feeds him; the thing that keeps him going in the face of untoward circumstances; the thing that gives him resistance and drive." -- Hugh Stevenson Tigner
"If you think a certain thought long enough and hard enough, it becomes a fixed belief and you will find yourself behaving on the outside in a manner consistent with it." -- Brian Tracy
Our beliefs will have a positive or negative effect on our life. We do however have a choice. We can choose what we believe, we can change what we believe.
First however we need to uncover what we believe. Take notice of fears and reactions as you live your life. They come from beliefs that you have, but you need to dig down to find the root. If, for example, the root is your experience of a bad father -face that experience and uncover the lie that you have believed from that experience. Your father was only one man; he made choices that were not good for you. Every other man is not your father, every other man does have to not make those choices and behave that way. You can choose to recognize the reality of your experience with your father and his actions, yet at the same time choose to believe that he does not typify what all men are like. He was a bad role model to you of what a man is like, but there are many men who are good fathers and treat their children the way you yourself would have liked your father to treat you.
That belief has been fed by your perceptions and expectations of men colored by your experience over many years and is deeply rooted in you. It will not change over night, but you can make a start to re-evaluate that belief and choose to believe differently. As you choose to change a belief, you will start to see changes in your behavior and responses. Start affirming the new belief that you have chosen, and look for evidence around you that confirms its truth.
Take back the power of false beliefs from your life and see the changes you desire.
Let us look at our beliefs in particular. Our beliefs have a positive or negative influence on us. If we have experienced bad parenting we will have some basic beliefs based on the experience with the first two important relationships in our life. Perhaps your father was abusive, or neglectful. That will have set up a unconscious foundational belief based on that experience that will flow into your perception of all other men. You will compare men to the first role model of a man that you had. You may even have a deep belief that all men are like your father and a response of distrust of men, or an expectation that all men will neglect you.
Here are 3 quotes that demonstrate the power of our beliefs.
"If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won't, you most assuredly won't. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad." -- Denis Waitley
"The most important thing about a man is what he believes in the depth of his being. This is the thing that makes him what he is, the thing that organizes him and feeds him; the thing that keeps him going in the face of untoward circumstances; the thing that gives him resistance and drive." -- Hugh Stevenson Tigner
"If you think a certain thought long enough and hard enough, it becomes a fixed belief and you will find yourself behaving on the outside in a manner consistent with it." -- Brian Tracy
Our beliefs will have a positive or negative effect on our life. We do however have a choice. We can choose what we believe, we can change what we believe.
First however we need to uncover what we believe. Take notice of fears and reactions as you live your life. They come from beliefs that you have, but you need to dig down to find the root. If, for example, the root is your experience of a bad father -face that experience and uncover the lie that you have believed from that experience. Your father was only one man; he made choices that were not good for you. Every other man is not your father, every other man does have to not make those choices and behave that way. You can choose to recognize the reality of your experience with your father and his actions, yet at the same time choose to believe that he does not typify what all men are like. He was a bad role model to you of what a man is like, but there are many men who are good fathers and treat their children the way you yourself would have liked your father to treat you.
That belief has been fed by your perceptions and expectations of men colored by your experience over many years and is deeply rooted in you. It will not change over night, but you can make a start to re-evaluate that belief and choose to believe differently. As you choose to change a belief, you will start to see changes in your behavior and responses. Start affirming the new belief that you have chosen, and look for evidence around you that confirms its truth.
Take back the power of false beliefs from your life and see the changes you desire.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Turn Destructive Into Optimistic Thoughts
Although you are growing comfortable and confident in your abilities in your current job, you will need to build up your confidence level to a degree that will help you advance forward. Increasing your confidence level will give you the ability and confidence to try your best in new situations.
As humans grow older, we tends to see the outer world from which learn many things and get it to our habits. Absolutely, there is nothing which we cannot alter. Hw we believe establishes our lifestyle. So we need to imagine properly! Previous to knowing the "right strategy to think", first point we need to know is what is our imagining process? How are we imagining things? Is our own thought optimistic or pessimistic. Analyze yourself to some magnitude earlier than you keep reading. For instance, consider an earlier situation and analyze what did you do in that situation, the feelings you had in that time so on.
Our mind thoughts are the same which doesn't transform overnight. What we are feeling today we will think another day and what we had thought yesterday are our today's thought. It may sound a little strange but this is the reality. Therefore if we can cultivate optimistic thoughts in today's life we will definitely think beneficial tomorrow and the day after. And the sooner you will see it as your habit which would lead you to live a constructive reality. The human mind doesn't realize all by its own, it cannot identify reality with false. It will considers whatever guidance you allow to it confidently. If you want to get good scores in mathematics and you are genuinely weak in it declare to your brain "I am good at mathematics" repeat this statement until your brain believes you are good. It is difficult to ensure it is believe in first few shots because all these years you have been telling your mind "I am poor in mathematics". Now false it before you make it.
To begin developing beneficial thinking you should learn more from publications. Written books are the most useful friends of life in case unfolds the lovely thoughts as you start to recognize it. At the initial stage be choosy of the courses you read. Another great advantage in reading the publications is that "It provides you with the answer in the question of time". Good books solves your living puzzles as it enables you to learn from others mistakes. Furthermore you are able to hang a postcard or wallpaper with positive mind quotes on your room. Place it in a place where it would certainly be noticeable to your eyes throughout the day.
Whenever you see those constructive quotes without much of your attention your brain tend to keep it cleanse by burning away the bad thoughts.
To make the brain believe beneficial it doesn't mean we have to just keep our mind from the destructive thoughts. Basically what we must do is turn those destructive thought into a optimistic thought. If your mind say "I will be unsuccessful" there are two ways to make this statement into a beneficial note "I will not fail" and the other "I will pass".
The word NOT is a harmful note, not failing is doesn't meant you pass right? You can also refrain from writing the exam. So avoid negative note in your statement. And I am sure you will achieve great heights.
As humans grow older, we tends to see the outer world from which learn many things and get it to our habits. Absolutely, there is nothing which we cannot alter. Hw we believe establishes our lifestyle. So we need to imagine properly! Previous to knowing the "right strategy to think", first point we need to know is what is our imagining process? How are we imagining things? Is our own thought optimistic or pessimistic. Analyze yourself to some magnitude earlier than you keep reading. For instance, consider an earlier situation and analyze what did you do in that situation, the feelings you had in that time so on.
Our mind thoughts are the same which doesn't transform overnight. What we are feeling today we will think another day and what we had thought yesterday are our today's thought. It may sound a little strange but this is the reality. Therefore if we can cultivate optimistic thoughts in today's life we will definitely think beneficial tomorrow and the day after. And the sooner you will see it as your habit which would lead you to live a constructive reality. The human mind doesn't realize all by its own, it cannot identify reality with false. It will considers whatever guidance you allow to it confidently. If you want to get good scores in mathematics and you are genuinely weak in it declare to your brain "I am good at mathematics" repeat this statement until your brain believes you are good. It is difficult to ensure it is believe in first few shots because all these years you have been telling your mind "I am poor in mathematics". Now false it before you make it.
To begin developing beneficial thinking you should learn more from publications. Written books are the most useful friends of life in case unfolds the lovely thoughts as you start to recognize it. At the initial stage be choosy of the courses you read. Another great advantage in reading the publications is that "It provides you with the answer in the question of time". Good books solves your living puzzles as it enables you to learn from others mistakes. Furthermore you are able to hang a postcard or wallpaper with positive mind quotes on your room. Place it in a place where it would certainly be noticeable to your eyes throughout the day.
Whenever you see those constructive quotes without much of your attention your brain tend to keep it cleanse by burning away the bad thoughts.
To make the brain believe beneficial it doesn't mean we have to just keep our mind from the destructive thoughts. Basically what we must do is turn those destructive thought into a optimistic thought. If your mind say "I will be unsuccessful" there are two ways to make this statement into a beneficial note "I will not fail" and the other "I will pass".
The word NOT is a harmful note, not failing is doesn't meant you pass right? You can also refrain from writing the exam. So avoid negative note in your statement. And I am sure you will achieve great heights.
Have You Reached Full Human Potential
Have you reached your full human potential? By far, too many souls have lived their lives wandering aimlessly about in hopeless despair. Each day, people awaken to a new day but dwell on the same problems from days, months, even years before. Worry and anguish seem to top the lists of those constant procrastinators and apprehensive individuals who would rather give up on life than find the positive it has to offer us all.
I present a good example of the full human potential: Over 3 years ago, I found myself in a very harmful situation. Not only was my life at stake, but my mentality, emotional sense and overall well-being was on the brink of major catastrophic malalignment. Here I sat -- an emotionless wasteland filled with destructive thought patterns. Not only was my rational effected, but my physical health was at a total loss. Bound to a wheelchair, I was instructed to take a wide spectrum of prescription drugs that were going to "help" me.
Day by day, I had to take pills that would possibly spark my nerves to get me walking again; pills that would reduce muscle spasms; pills that would "reroute" nerve signals; pills that would line my stomach from all of the other pills; "happy" pills that helped for my "depression;" pills that helped calm my nerves; pills that stopped any seizures; pills that helped for fluid retention; pills that stopped my nausea from all the other pills....the list was endless.
I had to literally have people call me to remind me of which pills I had to take next, or I'd forget to either take them or take too many of them. Most of the time, I was a rolling zombie. I couldn't sleep at night because of restless leg syndrome. I couldn't sleep during the day because I was afraid I wouldn't wake up.
Beside the injury that left me permanently physically impaired, my finances were in total shambles. I could no longer work the labored jobs I was used to doing. This was and still is no longer an option for me. Instead of freely driving whenever I want to, I always have to let someone know when I'm going and where I'm going...just in case my legs or arms decide to go out on me. My left eye has recently been effected by my nerve damage so when I peer at a computer screen or a familiar face, I have to focus with my right eye; as double vision has become a recurring event in my life. My back and buttocks tend to sporadically get hit with shockwaves of electrical, spine tingling numbness. When that happens, I can count on one or both of my legs quitting on me. And it happens in some of the worst of places too. I can go shopping at the local grocery store and viola -- my leg simply stops working. Or better still, try going to Sunday mass and suddenly I'm holding on to aisle pews and railings because one or both legs decided they weren't going to cooperate that day.
People will ask me, "how can you live like that?" That's simple. I've learned to live to my fullest human potential. No, I can't do all the things I used to do. But instead of focusing on all the things that I "can't" do, I refocused my thinking on the things that I "CAN" do.
A little dog taught me a valuable lesson in life. We had our beloved "Bell" for nearly 5 years when she suddenly died of amyloidosis. (A genetic disease) It was right after she died that I experienced my first episode of paralysis. This came shortly after our roof leaked and destroyed all of our entertainment components in our built-in wall unit, and after I lost my means of employment. What a time!
"Bell" was always the girl who came and perked me up and gave me hope with her loving affection and undying devotion. I was beside myself with grief. The first few days after she died, I wasn't prepared to adopt another animal. But suddenly I had a change of heart. My husband drove me two hours away to adopt a new "girl." She wasn't Bell, but she gave me hope -- thus, I named her "Hope." She made herself right at home and her mannerisms were just like Bell's. We had chosen the perfect dog to not only help us all get over our grief, but help me to get on with my own life as well. As we watched her grow and become an important part of our lives, I felt that I had to improve my own life.
After nearly dying from a potent drug-induced seizure, I decided on my own that I was no longer going to take all the pills prescribed to me. Although I went against doctor orders, I felt like the drugs were having a more negative impact on my life than good. Eventually, I met an individual who taught me how to use stretch bands to build my muscles and regain muscular coordination. Soon thereafter, my nerves began to kickstart and I soon began to walk again. Time seemed to drag by as I slowly regained the ability to manipulate things more efficiently with my arms and hands. By the power of faith and an undeniable willpower to survive, I did.
I could've laid in that hospital bed that evening when I almost died and allowed death to succumb, but I CHOSE life over death. For the first time in a very long time, I wanted to live -- at all costs. After months of physical, emotional, spiritual and mental transformations, I found myself back in the workforce. It was administrative work, but I was actually getting around and feeling great. But physical episodes still haunted me and led me back to the homefront.
I discovered a powerful force within myself during times of my greatest, disabling moments in life. One of them being that I geared my thoughts toward literature. Suddenly, I was being published in anthologies and the Who's Who of World Poetry. Then came my own book of inspirational poetry. Time, although unforgiving, allowed healing to occur in more ways than one. Suddenly, I was propelled into volunteer work where my literature was being used for National tributes, monuments and charitable organizations. Suddenly, I was doing the things that God had intended me to do -- write. And write, I did.
Do I still have the physical disabilities? Yes. Do I still go numb and see double? Yes I do. But what I've found through my own shortcomings is that there is an unexplored abundance of hope, transformation and opportunities -- that before lay stagnant in the pools of yesterday's bittersweet sorrow. Are you living life to your fullest human potential? Seek within yourself for strength, perserverence and inner faith -- the rest will follow.
I present a good example of the full human potential: Over 3 years ago, I found myself in a very harmful situation. Not only was my life at stake, but my mentality, emotional sense and overall well-being was on the brink of major catastrophic malalignment. Here I sat -- an emotionless wasteland filled with destructive thought patterns. Not only was my rational effected, but my physical health was at a total loss. Bound to a wheelchair, I was instructed to take a wide spectrum of prescription drugs that were going to "help" me.
Day by day, I had to take pills that would possibly spark my nerves to get me walking again; pills that would reduce muscle spasms; pills that would "reroute" nerve signals; pills that would line my stomach from all of the other pills; "happy" pills that helped for my "depression;" pills that helped calm my nerves; pills that stopped any seizures; pills that helped for fluid retention; pills that stopped my nausea from all the other pills....the list was endless.
I had to literally have people call me to remind me of which pills I had to take next, or I'd forget to either take them or take too many of them. Most of the time, I was a rolling zombie. I couldn't sleep at night because of restless leg syndrome. I couldn't sleep during the day because I was afraid I wouldn't wake up.
Beside the injury that left me permanently physically impaired, my finances were in total shambles. I could no longer work the labored jobs I was used to doing. This was and still is no longer an option for me. Instead of freely driving whenever I want to, I always have to let someone know when I'm going and where I'm going...just in case my legs or arms decide to go out on me. My left eye has recently been effected by my nerve damage so when I peer at a computer screen or a familiar face, I have to focus with my right eye; as double vision has become a recurring event in my life. My back and buttocks tend to sporadically get hit with shockwaves of electrical, spine tingling numbness. When that happens, I can count on one or both of my legs quitting on me. And it happens in some of the worst of places too. I can go shopping at the local grocery store and viola -- my leg simply stops working. Or better still, try going to Sunday mass and suddenly I'm holding on to aisle pews and railings because one or both legs decided they weren't going to cooperate that day.
People will ask me, "how can you live like that?" That's simple. I've learned to live to my fullest human potential. No, I can't do all the things I used to do. But instead of focusing on all the things that I "can't" do, I refocused my thinking on the things that I "CAN" do.
A little dog taught me a valuable lesson in life. We had our beloved "Bell" for nearly 5 years when she suddenly died of amyloidosis. (A genetic disease) It was right after she died that I experienced my first episode of paralysis. This came shortly after our roof leaked and destroyed all of our entertainment components in our built-in wall unit, and after I lost my means of employment. What a time!
"Bell" was always the girl who came and perked me up and gave me hope with her loving affection and undying devotion. I was beside myself with grief. The first few days after she died, I wasn't prepared to adopt another animal. But suddenly I had a change of heart. My husband drove me two hours away to adopt a new "girl." She wasn't Bell, but she gave me hope -- thus, I named her "Hope." She made herself right at home and her mannerisms were just like Bell's. We had chosen the perfect dog to not only help us all get over our grief, but help me to get on with my own life as well. As we watched her grow and become an important part of our lives, I felt that I had to improve my own life.
After nearly dying from a potent drug-induced seizure, I decided on my own that I was no longer going to take all the pills prescribed to me. Although I went against doctor orders, I felt like the drugs were having a more negative impact on my life than good. Eventually, I met an individual who taught me how to use stretch bands to build my muscles and regain muscular coordination. Soon thereafter, my nerves began to kickstart and I soon began to walk again. Time seemed to drag by as I slowly regained the ability to manipulate things more efficiently with my arms and hands. By the power of faith and an undeniable willpower to survive, I did.
I could've laid in that hospital bed that evening when I almost died and allowed death to succumb, but I CHOSE life over death. For the first time in a very long time, I wanted to live -- at all costs. After months of physical, emotional, spiritual and mental transformations, I found myself back in the workforce. It was administrative work, but I was actually getting around and feeling great. But physical episodes still haunted me and led me back to the homefront.
I discovered a powerful force within myself during times of my greatest, disabling moments in life. One of them being that I geared my thoughts toward literature. Suddenly, I was being published in anthologies and the Who's Who of World Poetry. Then came my own book of inspirational poetry. Time, although unforgiving, allowed healing to occur in more ways than one. Suddenly, I was propelled into volunteer work where my literature was being used for National tributes, monuments and charitable organizations. Suddenly, I was doing the things that God had intended me to do -- write. And write, I did.
Do I still have the physical disabilities? Yes. Do I still go numb and see double? Yes I do. But what I've found through my own shortcomings is that there is an unexplored abundance of hope, transformation and opportunities -- that before lay stagnant in the pools of yesterday's bittersweet sorrow. Are you living life to your fullest human potential? Seek within yourself for strength, perserverence and inner faith -- the rest will follow.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Increasing Your Will Power In You
The importance of will power is recognized by most people, yet few deliberately give anytime or thought to its development.
Learning how to build and direct our will power is a fundamental requirement for increasing the mighty power of our self confidence. We each have a personal responsibility to make the most of ourselves here and now.
Strengthening your will power will confer many advantages and great power. Think deeply upon the satisfaction that will come to you from doing things definitely and promptly, and the increased self confidence that will surely follow from the habit of finishing everything that you undertake in a thorough manner. Not only will developing a strong, well-directed will power give you a daily advantage, it can also help you to realize your life's ambition.
Our will power, no less than our other powers, is given to us for intelligent development. As we realize this divine responsibility, we shall see the vital importance of will power and make an increasing effort to build it for high and definite ends. "The education of the will," says Dr. Morell, "is really of far greater importance, for shaping the destiny of the individual, than that of the intellect; and it should never be lost sight of by the practical educator."
Intensity of Desire
There are many things we desire to avoid - such as poverty, pain, misfortune, and ill health; while there are things we much desire to have - such as wealth, power, knowledge, and independence. It is, however, the intensity of our desire that counts the most.
Here is an example...
"I desire to become a good tennis player," says one.
"How strong is your desire?" asks the teacher. "Will you practice regularly every day for an hour?!"
"I don't think I can," says the student, "because I am too busy during the day, and at night I am too tired."
"What personal sacrifices are you ready to make?"
"None," is the answer.
"Then," replies the teacher, "your desire is not strong enough to make you a good tennis player."
Repetition
Now sometimes an idea must be repeated many times before an enduring impression can be made upon your mind. This is illustrated in modern methods of advertising. The first time you see an announcement, it may not impresses you. But if it is repeated again and again, in newspaper, magazine, television - there is a magic number of impressions that will lead you to become a purchaser.
Mental habits are established in the same way. A suggestion is made to your mind once, twice, a hundred, or a thousand times. Some day this repeated suggestion will become a fixed habit, an fulfillil its duty subconsciously. Simple reiteration is a very powerful tool.
For example, if a shy person were to repeat aloud for a few minutes daily, with earnestness and concentration, a list of words such as courage, valor, bravery, gallantry, intrepidity, pluck, backbone, and audacity - he or she would shortly find these qualities being incorporated in his or her own personality.
The Dark Side
We must be particularly careful about outside influences (the Dark Side for us Star Wars fans). Once a certain course of conduct is decided upon after mature consideration, we must block out and not yield to the interposition of negative people and naysayers who advise an altogether different course. Many people that tell you something won't work or otherwise attempt to divert you from pursuing your goal, only do so because they too would like to attempt the same or a similar goal - but do not have the will power strong enough to overcome their fear of failure.
Procrastination
The fatal habit of procrastination should be fought persistently. You must do things promptly, clearly, and systematically! Instead of permitting ideas, plans, and goals to lie about the mind in confusion, like scattered papers on an untidy desk, they should be classified, "pigeon-holed," and put into their proper places. Then take them one at a time; give them due consideration, and complete them in a satisfactory and orderly fashion. Doing things gradually in this way, strengthens the will power and, at length, renders it capable of great achievement.
To begin is often half the battle. Don't say "I shall start tomorrow," forgetting that "tomorrow" never comes. For many people, procrastination has conspired to fritter away a whole lifetime in needless and unproductive tasks - due not to lack of ability, but due to weakness of will power. Goethe says:"Seize this very minute. Whatever you can do or dream - you can begin it."
"Where there is a will, there is a way"
It is surprising how difficulty yields before a strong and earnest will power. A little more resolution and effort, a determination "to do or die," and the seemingly impossible is accomplished. No one should allow temporary failure to disarm or discourage him or her. A "too easy" success would hardly be worth the winning. It is the realization of difficulties overcome, of opposition conquered, and of great heights scaled that bring satisfaction to the mind and joy the heart of the victor.
If you have read this far, then you definitely realize that developing your will power is a fundamental requirement for increasing the mighty power of our self confidence.
-How strong is your desire to acquire this great power?
-Is it strong enough to lead you carefully to read more suggestions and to put them into actual practice?
-Will you enter upon this study with intense earnestness and perseverance?
-Will you make reasonable sacrifice to achieve this great end?
Your answers to these questions will largely determine what your success will be. In fact, I have come to believe that without strong will power and self confidence, it will very difficultlt to be successful at anything.
Learning how to build and direct our will power is a fundamental requirement for increasing the mighty power of our self confidence. We each have a personal responsibility to make the most of ourselves here and now.
Strengthening your will power will confer many advantages and great power. Think deeply upon the satisfaction that will come to you from doing things definitely and promptly, and the increased self confidence that will surely follow from the habit of finishing everything that you undertake in a thorough manner. Not only will developing a strong, well-directed will power give you a daily advantage, it can also help you to realize your life's ambition.
Our will power, no less than our other powers, is given to us for intelligent development. As we realize this divine responsibility, we shall see the vital importance of will power and make an increasing effort to build it for high and definite ends. "The education of the will," says Dr. Morell, "is really of far greater importance, for shaping the destiny of the individual, than that of the intellect; and it should never be lost sight of by the practical educator."
Intensity of Desire
There are many things we desire to avoid - such as poverty, pain, misfortune, and ill health; while there are things we much desire to have - such as wealth, power, knowledge, and independence. It is, however, the intensity of our desire that counts the most.
Here is an example...
"I desire to become a good tennis player," says one.
"How strong is your desire?" asks the teacher. "Will you practice regularly every day for an hour?!"
"I don't think I can," says the student, "because I am too busy during the day, and at night I am too tired."
"What personal sacrifices are you ready to make?"
"None," is the answer.
"Then," replies the teacher, "your desire is not strong enough to make you a good tennis player."
Repetition
Now sometimes an idea must be repeated many times before an enduring impression can be made upon your mind. This is illustrated in modern methods of advertising. The first time you see an announcement, it may not impresses you. But if it is repeated again and again, in newspaper, magazine, television - there is a magic number of impressions that will lead you to become a purchaser.
Mental habits are established in the same way. A suggestion is made to your mind once, twice, a hundred, or a thousand times. Some day this repeated suggestion will become a fixed habit, an fulfillil its duty subconsciously. Simple reiteration is a very powerful tool.
For example, if a shy person were to repeat aloud for a few minutes daily, with earnestness and concentration, a list of words such as courage, valor, bravery, gallantry, intrepidity, pluck, backbone, and audacity - he or she would shortly find these qualities being incorporated in his or her own personality.
The Dark Side
We must be particularly careful about outside influences (the Dark Side for us Star Wars fans). Once a certain course of conduct is decided upon after mature consideration, we must block out and not yield to the interposition of negative people and naysayers who advise an altogether different course. Many people that tell you something won't work or otherwise attempt to divert you from pursuing your goal, only do so because they too would like to attempt the same or a similar goal - but do not have the will power strong enough to overcome their fear of failure.
Procrastination
The fatal habit of procrastination should be fought persistently. You must do things promptly, clearly, and systematically! Instead of permitting ideas, plans, and goals to lie about the mind in confusion, like scattered papers on an untidy desk, they should be classified, "pigeon-holed," and put into their proper places. Then take them one at a time; give them due consideration, and complete them in a satisfactory and orderly fashion. Doing things gradually in this way, strengthens the will power and, at length, renders it capable of great achievement.
To begin is often half the battle. Don't say "I shall start tomorrow," forgetting that "tomorrow" never comes. For many people, procrastination has conspired to fritter away a whole lifetime in needless and unproductive tasks - due not to lack of ability, but due to weakness of will power. Goethe says:"Seize this very minute. Whatever you can do or dream - you can begin it."
"Where there is a will, there is a way"
It is surprising how difficulty yields before a strong and earnest will power. A little more resolution and effort, a determination "to do or die," and the seemingly impossible is accomplished. No one should allow temporary failure to disarm or discourage him or her. A "too easy" success would hardly be worth the winning. It is the realization of difficulties overcome, of opposition conquered, and of great heights scaled that bring satisfaction to the mind and joy the heart of the victor.
If you have read this far, then you definitely realize that developing your will power is a fundamental requirement for increasing the mighty power of our self confidence.
-How strong is your desire to acquire this great power?
-Is it strong enough to lead you carefully to read more suggestions and to put them into actual practice?
-Will you enter upon this study with intense earnestness and perseverance?
-Will you make reasonable sacrifice to achieve this great end?
Your answers to these questions will largely determine what your success will be. In fact, I have come to believe that without strong will power and self confidence, it will very difficultlt to be successful at anything.
Very Importance For Taking Action
Enjoying a good life is common to us all. We all want the same things, good health, positive relationships, fulfilling career, and enough money to live comfortably. But, there are others that want a life of abundance and prosperity. These are the ones that have dreams of doing great things, having successful businesses, visiting interesting places, meeting extraordinary people, and having the ability to help others financially.
If you are going to enjoy a life of abundance and prosperity it will require some action. This should be obvious. But, sometimes the obvious is frequently overlooked.
You didn't get to where you are today without taking some sort of action. So, it makes sense that if you have a vision in your head about where you would like to be in the future, it will require action.
The problem with most people is, even though they may have the knowledge to do some particular thing, they lack putting the necessary action behind that knowledge.
We often hear that "knowledge is power." But, knowledge is really only power in reserve. It remains useless if it's not tapped into by applying action. Knowledge that is not put to action remains just knowledge in your head and provides no benefit. It's completely wasted.
To accomplish results, we must couple our knowledge with the necessary action to attain results. The formula for achieving results is: Knowledge × Action = Result. If you were to apply massive action to your knowledge, it would have a faster, and even greater impact on your life.
Why is it that most people find it difficult to put the necessary action behind their knowledge? I believe it is nothing more than a lack of belief.
Your belief system is the driving force behind your behaviors and your results. If you can change your beliefs, you will change your behaviors. When you change your behaviors, you will change your results. Then, when you change your results, you will change your life.
It all starts with your belief system. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).
Now, many things can keep one from believing. But, I think the biggest factor that keeps one from believing is fear. It is a fact that it takes courage to succeed. But, keep in mind that courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the ability to press on despite the presence of fear. Many times, the solution to any fear is simply to do the thing you fear. It's amazing how the fear will disappear!
The smallest of actions, even the ones that seem trivial and insignificant, can lead to great success. It's been said that, "Actions, like pictures, are worth a thousand words."
Without action, you could have the greatest idea and the greatest plan in the world and you would still fail. Whereas a modest idea and an incomplete plan often produces success when accompanied by enough action.
You just got to get moving. Sir Isaac Newton's principle that states a "body at rest tends to remain at rest and a body in motion tends to remain in motion," definitely applies to the action principle. Once you've taken the first step, the next steps seem easier to take.
It's a natural law that if you do nothing, nothing will happen; if you take minimum action, results are going to be minimal; but, if you take massive action, then you will be rewarded with massive results.Hugely successful people, the kind who go from mediocre to millions almost overnight, know that the major key to their success was taking massive action.
If you want to become hugely successful you must start at the beginning. Most beginnings are small, and appear trivial and insignificant, but in reality they are extremely important.
It's not only the right beginning that is important, it's beginning in the first place. It's about applying that powerful little six-letter-word called "action."
If you are going to enjoy a life of abundance and prosperity it will require some action. This should be obvious. But, sometimes the obvious is frequently overlooked.
You didn't get to where you are today without taking some sort of action. So, it makes sense that if you have a vision in your head about where you would like to be in the future, it will require action.
The problem with most people is, even though they may have the knowledge to do some particular thing, they lack putting the necessary action behind that knowledge.
We often hear that "knowledge is power." But, knowledge is really only power in reserve. It remains useless if it's not tapped into by applying action. Knowledge that is not put to action remains just knowledge in your head and provides no benefit. It's completely wasted.
To accomplish results, we must couple our knowledge with the necessary action to attain results. The formula for achieving results is: Knowledge × Action = Result. If you were to apply massive action to your knowledge, it would have a faster, and even greater impact on your life.
Why is it that most people find it difficult to put the necessary action behind their knowledge? I believe it is nothing more than a lack of belief.
Your belief system is the driving force behind your behaviors and your results. If you can change your beliefs, you will change your behaviors. When you change your behaviors, you will change your results. Then, when you change your results, you will change your life.
It all starts with your belief system. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).
Now, many things can keep one from believing. But, I think the biggest factor that keeps one from believing is fear. It is a fact that it takes courage to succeed. But, keep in mind that courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the ability to press on despite the presence of fear. Many times, the solution to any fear is simply to do the thing you fear. It's amazing how the fear will disappear!
The smallest of actions, even the ones that seem trivial and insignificant, can lead to great success. It's been said that, "Actions, like pictures, are worth a thousand words."
Without action, you could have the greatest idea and the greatest plan in the world and you would still fail. Whereas a modest idea and an incomplete plan often produces success when accompanied by enough action.
You just got to get moving. Sir Isaac Newton's principle that states a "body at rest tends to remain at rest and a body in motion tends to remain in motion," definitely applies to the action principle. Once you've taken the first step, the next steps seem easier to take.
It's a natural law that if you do nothing, nothing will happen; if you take minimum action, results are going to be minimal; but, if you take massive action, then you will be rewarded with massive results.Hugely successful people, the kind who go from mediocre to millions almost overnight, know that the major key to their success was taking massive action.
If you want to become hugely successful you must start at the beginning. Most beginnings are small, and appear trivial and insignificant, but in reality they are extremely important.
It's not only the right beginning that is important, it's beginning in the first place. It's about applying that powerful little six-letter-word called "action."
The Discipline of Self Disciplining
First you establish your goals, and then you enforce a strict set of disciplines necessary to cross the finish line of achievement. Every act of self-discipline moves you toward your goals, and every exception takes you off course.
You may be tempted to pooh-pooh away this statement as something so obvious, however before you do, ask yourself this important question: "Based on my goals set, am I ahead, on or below target?
The answer to that question is directly tied to your willingness and ability to remain focused on the key actions necessary for success.
The FACTS are simply this; you are either buying or selling. If you are on, or better yet ahead of target than you are a seller. You have sold yourself on the importance of discipline and have stayed focused in spite of the world of options and temptations that circle you all of the time.
If you are below target than you are a buyer. You have bought the same excuses that have led so many others down the pathway of mediocrity. The things you buy are procrastination; lack of discipline and whatever else is your poison of choice.
Remember this absolute rule of discipline; "If you don't discipline yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others". Don't believe me, huh? Chew on this, run up your credit cards real high, be late on a few payments and see how quickly those companies are to teach you a thing or two about discipline.
I repeat, "If you don't discipline yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others".
To CREATE HISTORY you must become a seller. Sell yourself on the power of your goal; your vision for what is possible. To REPEAT HISTORY all you have to do is continue to be a buyer. Buyers consume not only products from the store but also excuses from their minds. It, meaning success and failure all begins within the parameters of your own mind and the disciplines of your behavior.
We are all walking, talking power struggles: head vs. heart…intellect vs. emotion. Many leave the steering to their emotions and merely bring their intellects along for the ride. Your goals or your excuses, which is running the show in your life?
Contrary to popular belief, freedom does not arise from "letting it all hang out;" freedom is the result of a personal triumph over excuses and bad habits. Excuses such as procrastination are like toxic waste to your potential.
To experience true freedom, you must prove to yourself that you are the master of your own destiny. Never are you less free than when you are held hostage by your excuses and lack of discipline. When lack of discipline and excuses rule, enslavement and mediocrity, not freedom, follows!
Bad habits are the gravitational pull of your emotional life, and overcoming them is not easy. Change is challenging. Surrender is tempting, and it gets tastier with practice. The good news is that it takes less energy to remain disciplined than to regain it.
The only bad news about self-discipline is that it is so easy to give up. Every compromise in behavior (nice word for excuse) greases the wheels for another compromise. Make a personal "no exceptions policy," and stick to it.
Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. Self-discipline requires you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results.
There's a season for sowing, a season for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which.
Winners prepare and anticipate behind closed doors. Lay the groundwork for success carefully: Effective preparation and self-discipline are closely allied. Do your homework. Since most people are rarely well prepared, you will often succeed by default. When opportunity presents itself, burst out of the starting gate, sprint to the finish line, and take home the prize.
Do what needs to be done. Quality living requires you to make difficult choices and sacrifices; it demands that you do the hard work first. You cannot arrive at true success without making the trip.
Self-discipline is a habit. It is not situational, but it is applied situation by situation. Anyone can be self-disciplined on occasion, but to get consistently positive results requires consistency.
It is the day-in day-out practice of self-discipline that determines where you'll end up. After all, a lifetime is an accumulation of moments, days, weeks, months, and years.
What you do during each moment counts and influences the degree to which you judge your life to be a success. If you aspire to achieve your goals, you must be prepared to play every play as though the two-minute warning clock is running. Every move is significant. Every move counts!
Everyone struggles with self-discipline. The question is not "Do I…" but "Where do I need to exercise greater self-discipline?" The discipline you establish today determines the successes you'll enjoy tomorrow.
The strenuous life tastes better. When it comes to self-discipline, a key driver of success, EVERYTHING COUNTS!
You may be tempted to pooh-pooh away this statement as something so obvious, however before you do, ask yourself this important question: "Based on my goals set, am I ahead, on or below target?
The answer to that question is directly tied to your willingness and ability to remain focused on the key actions necessary for success.
The FACTS are simply this; you are either buying or selling. If you are on, or better yet ahead of target than you are a seller. You have sold yourself on the importance of discipline and have stayed focused in spite of the world of options and temptations that circle you all of the time.
If you are below target than you are a buyer. You have bought the same excuses that have led so many others down the pathway of mediocrity. The things you buy are procrastination; lack of discipline and whatever else is your poison of choice.
Remember this absolute rule of discipline; "If you don't discipline yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others". Don't believe me, huh? Chew on this, run up your credit cards real high, be late on a few payments and see how quickly those companies are to teach you a thing or two about discipline.
I repeat, "If you don't discipline yourself, you are sure to be disciplined by others".
To CREATE HISTORY you must become a seller. Sell yourself on the power of your goal; your vision for what is possible. To REPEAT HISTORY all you have to do is continue to be a buyer. Buyers consume not only products from the store but also excuses from their minds. It, meaning success and failure all begins within the parameters of your own mind and the disciplines of your behavior.
We are all walking, talking power struggles: head vs. heart…intellect vs. emotion. Many leave the steering to their emotions and merely bring their intellects along for the ride. Your goals or your excuses, which is running the show in your life?
Contrary to popular belief, freedom does not arise from "letting it all hang out;" freedom is the result of a personal triumph over excuses and bad habits. Excuses such as procrastination are like toxic waste to your potential.
To experience true freedom, you must prove to yourself that you are the master of your own destiny. Never are you less free than when you are held hostage by your excuses and lack of discipline. When lack of discipline and excuses rule, enslavement and mediocrity, not freedom, follows!
Bad habits are the gravitational pull of your emotional life, and overcoming them is not easy. Change is challenging. Surrender is tempting, and it gets tastier with practice. The good news is that it takes less energy to remain disciplined than to regain it.
The only bad news about self-discipline is that it is so easy to give up. Every compromise in behavior (nice word for excuse) greases the wheels for another compromise. Make a personal "no exceptions policy," and stick to it.
Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. Self-discipline requires you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results.
There's a season for sowing, a season for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which.
Winners prepare and anticipate behind closed doors. Lay the groundwork for success carefully: Effective preparation and self-discipline are closely allied. Do your homework. Since most people are rarely well prepared, you will often succeed by default. When opportunity presents itself, burst out of the starting gate, sprint to the finish line, and take home the prize.
Do what needs to be done. Quality living requires you to make difficult choices and sacrifices; it demands that you do the hard work first. You cannot arrive at true success without making the trip.
Self-discipline is a habit. It is not situational, but it is applied situation by situation. Anyone can be self-disciplined on occasion, but to get consistently positive results requires consistency.
It is the day-in day-out practice of self-discipline that determines where you'll end up. After all, a lifetime is an accumulation of moments, days, weeks, months, and years.
What you do during each moment counts and influences the degree to which you judge your life to be a success. If you aspire to achieve your goals, you must be prepared to play every play as though the two-minute warning clock is running. Every move is significant. Every move counts!
Everyone struggles with self-discipline. The question is not "Do I…" but "Where do I need to exercise greater self-discipline?" The discipline you establish today determines the successes you'll enjoy tomorrow.
The strenuous life tastes better. When it comes to self-discipline, a key driver of success, EVERYTHING COUNTS!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
leadership lessons
My view of the crisis in regards President Mubarak of Egypt is a very simple one that has taken place many, many times in the history of mankind. Hosni Mubarak, a previously ‘good’ leader has outstayed his tenure and has therefore been forced out, because he has not delivered in terms of the economic and social development of Egypt. Like all leaders, he had a shelf life and the problem was he was not aware when he passed it or else he did not care that it had expired. And once you pass your shelf life, you can only go downhill. He has now paid the price, as has Egypt.
The corporate world can learn a lot from this episode. CEO’s and Presidents of companies must also realize that they are never, ever indispensable. They all have a shelf life and must know ‘when to let go’. For example, Puma was a leading sports brand from the 1930’s onwards. In the eighties and early nineties however, its market share and profits declined considerably. The reason for its demise was very simple; market conditions and consumer taste had changed, but the philosophy of Stefan Jacobsson, the CEO had not changed in tandem. In February 1993 Stefan was replaced by 30-year old Jochen Zeitz whose arrival was like a ‘breath of fresh air’ to Puma. The rest as they say is history. Puma has now regained its position as one of the leading sports shoe brands in the world. Like Stefan Jacobsson, there are many business leaders who either refuse to accept or don't recognize when it is time to move on. They only go when someone shows them the door.
Bill Gates and Jack Welch are shining examples of corporate leaders who knew when to step down. Gates handed over to Steve Ballmer in June 2008 to concentrate on his philanthropic interests. Jack Welch in turn handed over GE to Jeffrey R. Immelt in 2001. In both instances, I am most certain that as brilliant as they were, they knew that their successors could bring the organizations onto another higher level, because they had different personalities, ideas, leadership skills etc. This in a sense takes the highest form of leadership i.e. a leader knowing when to step down to make way for another for the greater good of the organization.
In the corporate world, there are some areas that can send clear signals that there could be a need for change or a change in leadership
• Sales growth. When sales go down or remains stagnant for a certain period of time, it means that the organization is either not offering the ‘right’ products or else has an outdated and ineffective sales system. Remember Hankyu Jaya and Mun Loong in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur. They were the key retailers of apparel in Kuala Lumpur in the eighties, but sadly do not exist anymore.
• Drop in terms of market share. If competitors who were behind you are now ahead, it means that they are doing the ‘right’ things. Playing catch up is always difficult. Remember Makro, the first hypermarket in Malaysia. They did very, very well initially because they were a monopoly. However when Giant, Tesco and Carre Four came, Makro found that they could not be competitive enough as they continued with their outdated business system of having member cards, compulsion to buy in bulk, not allowing children in etc
• Innovation. When was the last time the company developed a new product or thought about improving its own products/services? Kodak for example, was the creator of the digital camera technology. However to protect the photo film industry where they had the biggest market share, they did not bring this technology into the market until their competitors did, and by that time it was too late.
In that context, good leaders always strive to develop other leaders as they are aware that by developing new leaders, they are ensuring continuity in the culture and strategies of the organization. Importantly, they are surrounding themselves with a good team of able and qualified leaders who will assist greatly in ensuring the continued viability and profitability of the company in the future. How I wish President Mubarak had been told of this by his inner circle or possibly they did, but he did not listen!!!
Thank you very much for reading this newsletter. I do hope you have found it fruitful. May all of you have a great month in March!
The corporate world can learn a lot from this episode. CEO’s and Presidents of companies must also realize that they are never, ever indispensable. They all have a shelf life and must know ‘when to let go’. For example, Puma was a leading sports brand from the 1930’s onwards. In the eighties and early nineties however, its market share and profits declined considerably. The reason for its demise was very simple; market conditions and consumer taste had changed, but the philosophy of Stefan Jacobsson, the CEO had not changed in tandem. In February 1993 Stefan was replaced by 30-year old Jochen Zeitz whose arrival was like a ‘breath of fresh air’ to Puma. The rest as they say is history. Puma has now regained its position as one of the leading sports shoe brands in the world. Like Stefan Jacobsson, there are many business leaders who either refuse to accept or don't recognize when it is time to move on. They only go when someone shows them the door.
Bill Gates and Jack Welch are shining examples of corporate leaders who knew when to step down. Gates handed over to Steve Ballmer in June 2008 to concentrate on his philanthropic interests. Jack Welch in turn handed over GE to Jeffrey R. Immelt in 2001. In both instances, I am most certain that as brilliant as they were, they knew that their successors could bring the organizations onto another higher level, because they had different personalities, ideas, leadership skills etc. This in a sense takes the highest form of leadership i.e. a leader knowing when to step down to make way for another for the greater good of the organization.
In the corporate world, there are some areas that can send clear signals that there could be a need for change or a change in leadership
• Sales growth. When sales go down or remains stagnant for a certain period of time, it means that the organization is either not offering the ‘right’ products or else has an outdated and ineffective sales system. Remember Hankyu Jaya and Mun Loong in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur. They were the key retailers of apparel in Kuala Lumpur in the eighties, but sadly do not exist anymore.
• Drop in terms of market share. If competitors who were behind you are now ahead, it means that they are doing the ‘right’ things. Playing catch up is always difficult. Remember Makro, the first hypermarket in Malaysia. They did very, very well initially because they were a monopoly. However when Giant, Tesco and Carre Four came, Makro found that they could not be competitive enough as they continued with their outdated business system of having member cards, compulsion to buy in bulk, not allowing children in etc
• Innovation. When was the last time the company developed a new product or thought about improving its own products/services? Kodak for example, was the creator of the digital camera technology. However to protect the photo film industry where they had the biggest market share, they did not bring this technology into the market until their competitors did, and by that time it was too late.
In that context, good leaders always strive to develop other leaders as they are aware that by developing new leaders, they are ensuring continuity in the culture and strategies of the organization. Importantly, they are surrounding themselves with a good team of able and qualified leaders who will assist greatly in ensuring the continued viability and profitability of the company in the future. How I wish President Mubarak had been told of this by his inner circle or possibly they did, but he did not listen!!!
Thank you very much for reading this newsletter. I do hope you have found it fruitful. May all of you have a great month in March!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
anda boleh
“Can Do” versus “Can’t Do”
There’s something about the word “can’t” that raises the hairs on our necks. Maybe we don’t like limits being set for us. Maybe we are just rebellious kids at heart.
Think about it. You hear the word “can’t” and immediately your internal conversations start with:
Why not? … See. I knew she wouldn’t listen … Oh yeah, just watch me!
Regardless, all of us would do well to heed the advice of communication specialists and minimize our use of the word “can’t.” Tell people what you CAN do – what they CAN do. Here are some examples: “You can have your vacation June 19.” “What I can do for you is .…” “Here’s what you can do….” “Tell me what you think you can do in this situation.”
Sounds like a small shift, but it is the small things in communication that make all the difference in the world. We’re so accustomed to using “can’t” that this switch will require discipline. It takes practice but it’s well worth the effort. The difference between CAN and CANNOT is shorter in letters, but longer in results.
There’s something about the word “can’t” that raises the hairs on our necks. Maybe we don’t like limits being set for us. Maybe we are just rebellious kids at heart.
Think about it. You hear the word “can’t” and immediately your internal conversations start with:
Why not? … See. I knew she wouldn’t listen … Oh yeah, just watch me!
Regardless, all of us would do well to heed the advice of communication specialists and minimize our use of the word “can’t.” Tell people what you CAN do – what they CAN do. Here are some examples: “You can have your vacation June 19.” “What I can do for you is .…” “Here’s what you can do….” “Tell me what you think you can do in this situation.”
Sounds like a small shift, but it is the small things in communication that make all the difference in the world. We’re so accustomed to using “can’t” that this switch will require discipline. It takes practice but it’s well worth the effort. The difference between CAN and CANNOT is shorter in letters, but longer in results.
Creating Passion
Creating Passionate Performers
What does Passionate Performance look like? How will you know when your employees are giving it? Look for signs of the big payoff from Passionate Performance: discretionary effort – people choosing to do more for you. You’ll know your employees are giving discretionary effort when they:
• choose to work late to complete a project;
• ask how they can better serve another team member or department;
• inquire about how their actions affect another function or the customer;
• make a connection between their decisions and the company’s financial results;
• treat company resources like their own;
• initiate improvements in work methods;
• look beyond their own roles for improvement opportunities; and
• pursue self-development on their own time.
What does Passionate Performance look like? How will you know when your employees are giving it? Look for signs of the big payoff from Passionate Performance: discretionary effort – people choosing to do more for you. You’ll know your employees are giving discretionary effort when they:
• choose to work late to complete a project;
• ask how they can better serve another team member or department;
• inquire about how their actions affect another function or the customer;
• make a connection between their decisions and the company’s financial results;
• treat company resources like their own;
• initiate improvements in work methods;
• look beyond their own roles for improvement opportunities; and
• pursue self-development on their own time.
Rule for staying positive
Rule #1 Wait to Worry
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.”
~Charles Spurgeon
I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could be depleted to pay the hospital bills. To get some perspective, I visited a well known Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, “Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry.”
As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier! As a young man, Fred landed a high-paying executive job. Yet he’d only earned a high school degree. He was afraid someone with a college degree would come along and snag his job. Each night after work, he sat with a cup of coffee worrying about losing his position because he thought no other job could compare to the one he had. As he fretted, he started to realize that he wasn’t anxious based on fact, he was anxious based on his imagination. He was borrowing trouble.
He thought to himself, “Fred, are you a better, more valuable employee if you stay up late worrying? Do you do your best work if you’re tired and tense?” “I decided that I would wait to worry!” he explained. “I decided that I’d wait until I actually had a reason to worry – something that was happening, not just something that might happen – before I worried. As it turns out, I never lost that job. My boss was very happy with my performance.”
“When I’m tempted to get alarmed,” he confided, “I tell myself, ‘Fred, you’ve got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don’t worry.’ And I don’t. Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry.”
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.”
~Charles Spurgeon
I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could be depleted to pay the hospital bills. To get some perspective, I visited a well known Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, “Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry.”
As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier! As a young man, Fred landed a high-paying executive job. Yet he’d only earned a high school degree. He was afraid someone with a college degree would come along and snag his job. Each night after work, he sat with a cup of coffee worrying about losing his position because he thought no other job could compare to the one he had. As he fretted, he started to realize that he wasn’t anxious based on fact, he was anxious based on his imagination. He was borrowing trouble.
He thought to himself, “Fred, are you a better, more valuable employee if you stay up late worrying? Do you do your best work if you’re tired and tense?” “I decided that I would wait to worry!” he explained. “I decided that I’d wait until I actually had a reason to worry – something that was happening, not just something that might happen – before I worried. As it turns out, I never lost that job. My boss was very happy with my performance.”
“When I’m tempted to get alarmed,” he confided, “I tell myself, ‘Fred, you’ve got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don’t worry.’ And I don’t. Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry.”
Thursday, January 27, 2011
8 STEPS TO GREATER SELF-ESTEEM
Ever wonder how some people seem born with an inner confidence? Don't worry, experts say it can be cultivated
IT IS IDENTIFIED as the ultimate key to happiness, the door to success, the path to healthy relationships, the essential component of personal fulfillment, and the ingredient for eliminating toxic ones. What is this very important 'it' ? 'It ' is self-esteem. According to the National Council for Self-esteem in Sacramento, California, self-esteem is 'the feeling that you are worthy of happiness and capable of managing life's challenges.' For many, self-esteem is an elusive ingredient, Yet psychologists universally agree that it can be cultivated by anyone. Here are eight steps to greater self-esteem.
1) TAKE A PERSONAL INVENTORY
When Philadelphia psychiatrist and author, Donald L Nathanson counsels patients struggling with low self-esteem, he urges them to make an exhaustive list of their positives, large and small. Are you a hard worker? Are you a loyal friend? Can you operate a VCR?
Nathanson advises patients to consult the list as soon as something goes wrong- a missed promotion, a lost love, or any other emotional setback. '"That way you an isolate the event," he explains. "You can see it as a specific experience, not something that defines your whole life."
2) THINK OPTIMISTICALLY
Optimistic thinking is a sure-fire way of creating an upward cycle, moving from one success to another. Consider 14 year-old swimmer, Shane Gould. When a reporter at a swim meet in the United States asked her how she thought she would do, Shane replied: " I have a feeling there will be a world record set today." She went on to set two world records in the 100m and 200m freestyle events.
Later Gould was asked how she thought she would fare in the more gruelling 400m event. Smiling, Shane replied: " I get stronger with every race, and besides, my parents promised that they'd take me to Disneyland if I win, and we're leaving tomorrow!" She left for Disneyland with three world records.
3) MEET A CHALLENGE AND CONQUER IT
In 1970. former Olympic skier, Jimmie Heugahe was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). At the time, the standard medical wisdom was the MS patients should live non-physical lives. Huega reluctantly accepted the prescription of a quiet life. But after four inactive years, he felt worse. Fearing further physical and mental deterioration, Huega devised his own treatment plan, " one in which I, not the disease. took charge," he says. Huega began cycling and swimming. Within as few months he felt healthier than he had been in four years. Subsequent studies confirmed what Huega experienced: Rather than speeding up deterioration, exercise can strengthen and energise MS patients, physically and emotionally.
4) SET HIGHER GOALS
Give yourself the benefit of any doubt by telling yourself you can achieve more. "Strive to a higher position in life." says minister Robert H. Schuller in his book Self-love. "Why not ? You'll prove that you've got more on the ball than you thought... Through honest hard work and sincere dedication, you can rise higher on the social or economic scale than you are now."
5) LEARN SOMETHING NEW
The least fulfilled people are those who are not growing. Learning something new builds confidence because it forces you to push the boundaries, expanding the mind an spirit. "It's a mistake to think that once you're done with school you need never learn anything new," declares actress Sophia Loren.
"So if you find that you need glasses, get a little pain in your knee, notice a few brown spots on your hands, don't despair. There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.
6) EXERCISE REGULARLY
Consistent moderate exercise not only controls weight, it strengthens the heart, lowers cholesterol, reduces stress and improves circulation. It also lifts the spirit considerably. Select a physical activity that you enjoy such as walking, jogging, cycling or swimming. Then do it faithfully at least three times a week.
7) DEMONSTRATE GOODWILL
Work to make the world around you a kinder place. You will feel good while improving the quality of life of other. "These days, we tend to forget acts of kindness toward others," observes Bruce A Baldwin, a psychologist from North Carolina. "Offer your seat on a bus to an elderly person, or wave another car through when you have the right of way. You'll feel an inner glow knowing that your small act has made a difference.
8) ACT HAPPY
The saying, "Fake it until you make it" has a great truth. A key step to greater self-esteem is simply to adopt the stance of being a confident person who is totally comfortable in life. Like an actor, you can grow into a role. This is advice offered by Wayne W. Dyer in his book Real Magic: Creating Miracles in Everyday Life.
"Act the part that you want to play. Go right out and without ever telling anyone else that you're really a quaking, shivering mass of jelly inside, just act confidently in a given situation where no one knows you. In that present moment of your life, you are the new, miraculous, self-confident person,"
IT IS IDENTIFIED as the ultimate key to happiness, the door to success, the path to healthy relationships, the essential component of personal fulfillment, and the ingredient for eliminating toxic ones. What is this very important 'it' ? 'It ' is self-esteem. According to the National Council for Self-esteem in Sacramento, California, self-esteem is 'the feeling that you are worthy of happiness and capable of managing life's challenges.' For many, self-esteem is an elusive ingredient, Yet psychologists universally agree that it can be cultivated by anyone. Here are eight steps to greater self-esteem.
1) TAKE A PERSONAL INVENTORY
When Philadelphia psychiatrist and author, Donald L Nathanson counsels patients struggling with low self-esteem, he urges them to make an exhaustive list of their positives, large and small. Are you a hard worker? Are you a loyal friend? Can you operate a VCR?
Nathanson advises patients to consult the list as soon as something goes wrong- a missed promotion, a lost love, or any other emotional setback. '"That way you an isolate the event," he explains. "You can see it as a specific experience, not something that defines your whole life."
2) THINK OPTIMISTICALLY
Optimistic thinking is a sure-fire way of creating an upward cycle, moving from one success to another. Consider 14 year-old swimmer, Shane Gould. When a reporter at a swim meet in the United States asked her how she thought she would do, Shane replied: " I have a feeling there will be a world record set today." She went on to set two world records in the 100m and 200m freestyle events.
Later Gould was asked how she thought she would fare in the more gruelling 400m event. Smiling, Shane replied: " I get stronger with every race, and besides, my parents promised that they'd take me to Disneyland if I win, and we're leaving tomorrow!" She left for Disneyland with three world records.
3) MEET A CHALLENGE AND CONQUER IT
In 1970. former Olympic skier, Jimmie Heugahe was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). At the time, the standard medical wisdom was the MS patients should live non-physical lives. Huega reluctantly accepted the prescription of a quiet life. But after four inactive years, he felt worse. Fearing further physical and mental deterioration, Huega devised his own treatment plan, " one in which I, not the disease. took charge," he says. Huega began cycling and swimming. Within as few months he felt healthier than he had been in four years. Subsequent studies confirmed what Huega experienced: Rather than speeding up deterioration, exercise can strengthen and energise MS patients, physically and emotionally.
4) SET HIGHER GOALS
Give yourself the benefit of any doubt by telling yourself you can achieve more. "Strive to a higher position in life." says minister Robert H. Schuller in his book Self-love. "Why not ? You'll prove that you've got more on the ball than you thought... Through honest hard work and sincere dedication, you can rise higher on the social or economic scale than you are now."
5) LEARN SOMETHING NEW
The least fulfilled people are those who are not growing. Learning something new builds confidence because it forces you to push the boundaries, expanding the mind an spirit. "It's a mistake to think that once you're done with school you need never learn anything new," declares actress Sophia Loren.
"So if you find that you need glasses, get a little pain in your knee, notice a few brown spots on your hands, don't despair. There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.
6) EXERCISE REGULARLY
Consistent moderate exercise not only controls weight, it strengthens the heart, lowers cholesterol, reduces stress and improves circulation. It also lifts the spirit considerably. Select a physical activity that you enjoy such as walking, jogging, cycling or swimming. Then do it faithfully at least three times a week.
7) DEMONSTRATE GOODWILL
Work to make the world around you a kinder place. You will feel good while improving the quality of life of other. "These days, we tend to forget acts of kindness toward others," observes Bruce A Baldwin, a psychologist from North Carolina. "Offer your seat on a bus to an elderly person, or wave another car through when you have the right of way. You'll feel an inner glow knowing that your small act has made a difference.
8) ACT HAPPY
The saying, "Fake it until you make it" has a great truth. A key step to greater self-esteem is simply to adopt the stance of being a confident person who is totally comfortable in life. Like an actor, you can grow into a role. This is advice offered by Wayne W. Dyer in his book Real Magic: Creating Miracles in Everyday Life.
"Act the part that you want to play. Go right out and without ever telling anyone else that you're really a quaking, shivering mass of jelly inside, just act confidently in a given situation where no one knows you. In that present moment of your life, you are the new, miraculous, self-confident person,"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
What a school drop out can do ?
Our goal is to provide you a bit of inspiration and motivation . This month, we would like to introduce Li Ka Shing, the richest person of Chinese descent in the world, a self-made billionaire with a humble beginning.
Born: July 29, 1928, Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
Age: 79
Residence: Hong Kong , Hong Kong, Asia & Australia
Occupation: Chairman, Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa
Fortune: Self made
Net worth: $23.0 billion USD (2007)
Website: http://www.ckh.com.hk/eng
Education: High School Drop Out
He was 12 years old in 1940 when his family fled the Japanese invasion of China. Within three years of their arrival in Hong Kong, his father had died. Li was forced to leave school before the age of 15 to support the family and found a job in a plastics trading company where he labored 16 hours a day.
In 1949, after learning how to operate a plant, Li start his own company, Cheung Kong Industries, with funds borrowed from family, friends and contacts he cultivated as a top-tier salesman.
In 1958, unable to renew the lease for his company, Li was forced to purchase and develop a site by himself. This would be the first of many investments in real estate. Li was diligent in bidding for land and his strategy was to avoid debt by raising capital before building.
By the 1960s Cheung Kong had transformed into a property development and management company. The company, renamed Cheung Kong Holdings in 1971, had its initial public offering in 1972. By 1979 Li was Hong Kong's largest private landlord.
Through hard work, and a reputation for remaining true to his internal moral compass, he was able to build a business empire. Most accounts described Li as personally unpretentious and frugal, leading a modest lifestyle that reflected his respect for traditional Chinese values.
When people ask him if he considered himself lucky, Li's response was "No, I wasn't lucky. I worked hard to achieve the goals I set for myself."
Last, we would like to conclude his story with one of his inspirational quotes:
“Vision is perhaps our greatest strength... it has kept us alive to the power and continuity of thought through the centuries, it makes us peer into the future and lends shape to the unknown.”
Born: July 29, 1928, Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
Age: 79
Residence: Hong Kong , Hong Kong, Asia & Australia
Occupation: Chairman, Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa
Fortune: Self made
Net worth: $23.0 billion USD (2007)
Website: http://www.ckh.com.hk/eng
Education: High School Drop Out
He was 12 years old in 1940 when his family fled the Japanese invasion of China. Within three years of their arrival in Hong Kong, his father had died. Li was forced to leave school before the age of 15 to support the family and found a job in a plastics trading company where he labored 16 hours a day.
In 1949, after learning how to operate a plant, Li start his own company, Cheung Kong Industries, with funds borrowed from family, friends and contacts he cultivated as a top-tier salesman.
In 1958, unable to renew the lease for his company, Li was forced to purchase and develop a site by himself. This would be the first of many investments in real estate. Li was diligent in bidding for land and his strategy was to avoid debt by raising capital before building.
By the 1960s Cheung Kong had transformed into a property development and management company. The company, renamed Cheung Kong Holdings in 1971, had its initial public offering in 1972. By 1979 Li was Hong Kong's largest private landlord.
Through hard work, and a reputation for remaining true to his internal moral compass, he was able to build a business empire. Most accounts described Li as personally unpretentious and frugal, leading a modest lifestyle that reflected his respect for traditional Chinese values.
When people ask him if he considered himself lucky, Li's response was "No, I wasn't lucky. I worked hard to achieve the goals I set for myself."
Last, we would like to conclude his story with one of his inspirational quotes:
“Vision is perhaps our greatest strength... it has kept us alive to the power and continuity of thought through the centuries, it makes us peer into the future and lends shape to the unknown.”
Friday, January 21, 2011
12 Good thoughts
. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
2. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out that you still care for that person.
3. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
4. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
5. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
6. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person who you would like to hear from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from their heart.
7. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
8. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
9. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless.
10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
11. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
12. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches..
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
2. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out that you still care for that person.
3. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
4. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
5. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
6. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person who you would like to hear from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from their heart.
7. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
8. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
9. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless.
10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
11. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
12. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches..
2. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out that you still care for that person.
3. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
4. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
5. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
6. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person who you would like to hear from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from their heart.
7. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
8. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
9. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless.
10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
11. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
12. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches..
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
2. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out that you still care for that person.
3. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
4. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
5. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
6. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person who you would like to hear from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from their heart.
7. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
8. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
9. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless.
10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
11. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
12. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches..
A Million Dollar Lesson
A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride.
I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from and back to the airport. A spotless cab pulled up. The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver's seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me was for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy. Well! I looked around for a "Candid Camera!" Wouldn't you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, "Obviously you take great pride in your work. You must have a story to tell."
"You bet," he replied, "I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could feel proud of being the best I could be. I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day's work and done it well. I evaluate my personal assets and... wham! I became a cab driver. One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I could simply just meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXCEED the customer's expectations! I like both the sound and the return of being 'great' better than just getting by on 'average'"
Did I tip him big time? You bet! Corporate America's loss is the travelling folk's friend!
I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from and back to the airport. A spotless cab pulled up. The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver's seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me was for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy. Well! I looked around for a "Candid Camera!" Wouldn't you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, "Obviously you take great pride in your work. You must have a story to tell."
"You bet," he replied, "I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could feel proud of being the best I could be. I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day's work and done it well. I evaluate my personal assets and... wham! I became a cab driver. One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I could simply just meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXCEED the customer's expectations! I like both the sound and the return of being 'great' better than just getting by on 'average'"
Did I tip him big time? You bet! Corporate America's loss is the travelling folk's friend!
Making A Difference - M A D
Make a Difference
A man was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along he began to see another man in the distance.
As he grew nearer he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up, and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.
As our friend approached even closer he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had washed up onto the beach, and one at a time, he was throwing them back into the ocean.
The first man was puzzled. He approached the man and said, "Good Evening Friend, I was wondering what are you doing?" And he replied, "I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they will die from the lack of oxygen."
"I understand," my friend replied "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach and you couldn't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many and don't you realize that this is happening on hundreds of beaches up and down this coast ... can't you see that that you can't possibly make a difference?
The local native smiled, bent down, picked up yet another starfish ... and as he threw it back out into the sea, he replied, "It made a difference to that one!"
You may feel like you cannot make a difference in the world today, but you CAN make a difference in one life at a time.
A man was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along he began to see another man in the distance.
As he grew nearer he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up, and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.
As our friend approached even closer he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had washed up onto the beach, and one at a time, he was throwing them back into the ocean.
The first man was puzzled. He approached the man and said, "Good Evening Friend, I was wondering what are you doing?" And he replied, "I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they will die from the lack of oxygen."
"I understand," my friend replied "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach and you couldn't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many and don't you realize that this is happening on hundreds of beaches up and down this coast ... can't you see that that you can't possibly make a difference?
The local native smiled, bent down, picked up yet another starfish ... and as he threw it back out into the sea, he replied, "It made a difference to that one!"
You may feel like you cannot make a difference in the world today, but you CAN make a difference in one life at a time.
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