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December 31, 2007
Rules for Success from a Motivating Taxi Driver by Zig Ziglar
One morning in Houston, Texas, I caught a taxi (to go to a breakfast meeting) and during a short ride I heard one of the finest sales talks on America and free enterprise that I ever heard. The cab driver had been a professional health care provider in his native Nigeria, but he preferred living in a free society, with the opportunity to do what he pleased, and so he was very excited about being a cab driver in Houston.
During our conversation my immigrant friend quickly turned to motivator and his enthusiasm led him to give me some rules for success! I offer them here so that you might benefit from them, too.
1. Pay your bills.
2. Obey the laws.
3. Keep your eyes on God. God is in charge.
4. Run from lazy, crooked people.
5. Make your workplace your home.
6. Love and honor your boss.
7. Keep your promises.
8. Mind your own business.
I was motivated by the cab driver who was excited about his dream and having the opportunity to live it. He had set his goal long ago. He was living his dream. He wasn't waiting until he could get into something better; he was performing with the opportunity he had. He was happy with what he had and was enthusiastically giving life his best shot. That, my friend, is marvelous preparation for a better tomorrow!
-- Zig Ziglar
Reprinted with permission fromYour Achievement Ezine
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December 29, 2007
Dial in the Tone by Tony Jeary
One of the primary tenets of any successful presentation (a presentation is defined as any time you talk to one or more people) design is the establishment of "tone."
When it comes to presentations, the term tone refers to much more than merely an individual's "tone of voice." The tone of a presentation is really about audience perception. The simple truth is that your success or failure at anything whether ordering a hamburger in a restaurant or speaking to a 5,000 person assembly is largely contingent upon how you are received by the person or persons you are speaking to.
Tone then, is really all about the way an audience is affected by (and therefore perceives) the sum of everything you do; from the way you speak, your gestures and the subject matter, to the way you dress.
A presentation's tone is contingent upon the many details, large and small, that collectively contributes to an overall impression: Was the subject matter enjoyable and useful? Was the presenter inviting? Did participants feel welcome? These are all questions of tone, and understanding how tone works and how to set the tone you want (need) is extremely important.
Any time a situation requires audience buy-in or a response of some kind regardless of whether your audience is one or 1,000 your best hope for communication lies in your ability to tailor the tone of the presentation to that specific audience. In my book, Inspire Any Audience, I spend a great deal of time going over the ins and outs of setting appropriate tone for a given situation. Different audiences and topics require different tones in order to be successful.
For example, the success of a presentation for a charity fund-raiser to a local high school group hinges on a tone that is most likely different than the one you would establish for a marketing presentation to a group of bank CEOs.
As complicated as some like to make the issue of establishing tone, when it's all said and done, it all comes down to one simple, golden rule:
It is a recognized fact that people dread attending most presentations almost as much as they dread giving them. Why? Because presentations have a reputation for being boring.
Let's face it; for most of us, our entire education has been "administered" to us in one form of a lecture or other. The lecture format for relaying information though now considered outdated by many education and training professionals has been the tried and true method for generations. The good news is that while few people enjoy being lectured, most everyone enjoys a lively conversation. The trick is in creating a conversational tone with even large groups, a feat that is ideally accomplished within the first two or three minutes of a presentation. In an attempt to make this easier to accomplish for the readers of my book, I have condensed from years of study and experience a listing of the 10 key tips for appearing conversational with even the largest groups. They are:
* Try to talk with not at your audience
* Use conversational language and avoid large, multi-syllable words
* Ask questions immediately and listen to the answers
* Get the audience involved, even if it means having them stand and shake each other's hands
* Place nothing between you and your audience avoid lecterns, podiums and risers when possible
* Mingle with your audience if possible, actually walk into the audience
* Use participant names whenever possible and encourage them to use yours
* Smile it's a natural conversation starter
* Use humor when and where you can
* Use personal anecdotes and stories they give your audience something to relate to and make the presentation experiential
As simple as these tips may initially seem, they are very powerful. Consistently applied, they are guaranteed to not only improve your presentations, but also increase your confidence and comfort level in front of any room.
Reprinted with permission fromYour Achievement Ezine
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December 28, 2007
The Christmas Truce by Ron White
It was referred to as the war to end all wars. Yet, two decades after World War I the world found itself once again entrenched in a global battle. Why was the First World War referred to as the war to end all wars? It earned this name because it was believed that with all the modern weapons of war, no nation would dare attack another for the sure bloodshed that would follow. The destruction of the First World War was horrific with over 10 million giving their lives in the name of their country.
In the midst of this brutality, death and destruction one of the most peculiar sights in human history evolved on a Christmas night in 1914. It was a sight rarer than watching a Texas baseball team in the World Series. On this incredible night almost a century ago soldiers on the western front did the unthinkable. Only days and perhaps hours before these men had found themselves frozen to the bone in the cold rain and mud. The sound of mortars still rang in their ears. The sight of their brothers in arms falling to the ground from a volley of bullets was still fresh in their minds. Yet something remarkable was about to take place on this Christmas Eve.
It was a truce in the fighting initiated by the low ranking men selected to do the fighting and dying. By all accounts this Christmas truce was not started by the British. It was, in fact, a result of the actions of the Germans. Yes, the country that it had become easy to vilify during this time period because of their horrific leaders and government policies was in fact a nation of people with hearts like you and I. These German soldiers lobbed a chocolate cake into the trenches of the British. Imagine that; you are used to seeing grenades land in your trench and instead the enemy has lobbed a chocolate cake with a request for an hour truce. The truce was for a birthday party for their captain. The truce was granted.
As a soldier in this war, it was comforting to know that your enemy was in the same miserable conditions that you were--the cold, the mud and the stench of death. Remarkably, it was in these conditions that a truce was born and soon Christmas carols burst forth from the trenches of the Germans, once again, an olive branch. The British were at first reluctant and rightfully so, this was war and any trick is fair game in war. Although, it was recognized for what it was. Men with hearts, moms, dads, children, hobbies, girlfriends, wives and compassion overcome with that compassion on the anniversary of the greatest sacrifice in the history of mankind. It was Christmas and the anniversary of the birth of a man who laid down his life for others, and the Germans were overcome with this spirit.
That Christmas Eve soldiers who had been engaged in the war referred to as 'the war to end all wars' because of its brutality, tossed their weapons of destruction aside and embraced, sang Christmas songs and even wandered the battle field playing soccer with each other and sharing cigarettes. It has been said that hundreds and as many as thousands participated in this most magical holiday truce.
There is something about this time of year that you can't pinpoint. It is something that you can't put your finger on. It is a spirit that is in the air. It is a spirit that begs you to forget differences, embrace those you love and even those you don't. It challenges you to give until you can't give anymore. Sometimes the cloud of challenges in life can spur a person to brush aside the undeniable feelings that are in the air at Christmas time. Too often the pressures of life can convince you the spirit of joy and giving are gone and that what you are sensing is nothing more than a coincidence of the time of year. In 1914, a handful of low ranking German soldiers knew that what they felt in their hearts about Christmas was true.
These men did not brush aside the impromptu feelings of peace and love for their fellow man. Instead, they lobbed a chocolate cake and a note of truce. I encourage you to allow yourself to be overcome this Christmas with the same spirit that took these soldiers captive almost a century ago. You may feel you are entrenched in some kind of your own personal battle. If so, allow yourself to be overwhelmed with the spirit of giving and joy and toss a chocolate cake out there. You just might be surprised at the outcome
Merry Christmas!
Ron White
Reprinted with permission from The Ron White Ezine
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December 27, 2007
The Giving-Receiving Cycle by Mark Victor Hansen
Curiously enough, the giving spirit creates the receiving spirit. So, to get more all one needs to do is give more. The more ideas one creates and gives away the more ideas one has.
Andrew Carnegie, the steel baron and philanthropist who funded Americas 3,000 libraries and the great Carnegie Hall in New York said: "I'll spend the first half of my life creating great wealth and the second half giving it awayAttempting to do the most good and the least harm with my benefactions."
Carnegie was a generous genius with ideas. He gave away visionary ideas with his charitable contributions. As a tribute and monument to his gifts, his foundation is alive, well and still processing an ever-growing largess. The Wee Scotsman was the first to give and inspired other rich people to do the same. Now that is a legacy worth leaving! It gives each of us a new benchmark to "goal" towards.
In giving and sharing you always have more. It seems arithmetically as though one would have less but, in fact, giving expands whatever one has. Music is the best example of this theory, proving that giving and sharing always creates more for everyone.
When a musician gives their all, they feel exalted and thankful that the music flowed through them. The audience is enthralled, entranced, moved to happy tears, and feels compelled to participate instantaneously in a standing ovation. The star musician bares his soul and the audience is wowed and ecstatic to tell everyone to see this performer.
Likewise, the simple act of giving simultaneously creates more good and blessings seemingly out of nowhere. Why? Because God is always watching and cheerfully gives instantaneously to the giver. That's why givers' give more. They have experienced this amazing formula, even if they cannot articulate it. They know that it works to theirs and everyone's benefit.
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 26, 2007
7 Keys for Joyful Living! by Chris Widener
Here are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in your life. If there were one thing I could wish upon my family, friends and the readers of this Ezine, it would be joy in everything they do!
Know your purpose. Nothing will bring you joy more than knowing what it is that you are about on this earth. Not knowing brings sadness, wondering, fear and lack of fulfillment. Above all, find out what your unique purpose is here on this earth - then fulfill it! As you do, you will experience joy!
Live purposefully. This is a follow up to number one. It is one thing to know your purpose, but then you need to live according to that purpose. This is a matter of priorities. Let your actions and schedule reflect your purpose. Don't react to circumstances and let them cause you to live without your purpose fully in site. Living without your purpose will cause frustration. Living purposefully will bring you deep satisfaction and joy!
Stretch yourself. Don't settle into the status quo. That will leave you unfulfilled. Always look to stretch yourself. Whatever you are doing, stretch yourself to do more! Stretching yourself will break the limits you have set for yourself and will cause you to find joy in your expanded horizons!
Give more than you take. It brings happiness to accumulate. It brings joy to give away. Sure, getting the car you worked hard for will bring you a sense of satisfaction and even happiness. But it won't bring you joy. Giving something away to the less fortunate will bring you deep, abiding joy.
Surprise yourself and others too. The words here are spontaneity and surprise! Every once in a while, do the unexpected. It will cause everybody to sit back and say, "Wow, where did that come from?" It will put a little joy in your life, and theirs.
Indulge yourself sometimes. Too much indulgence and you are caught in the happiness trap -- looking for the next purchase, celebration, etc., to bring you a little "happiness high." But if you will allow yourself an infrequent indulgence as a reward for a job well done and a life well lived, you will appreciate the indulgence and experience the joy of it.
Laugh a little - no, a lot! Most people are just too serious. We need to laugh a little - no, a lot! Learn to laugh daily, even if you have to learn to laugh in bad situations. This life is to be enjoyed! The next time you go to the movie rental store, get a comedy and let loose! Let yourself laugh!
Joy can be yours! Look for it, pursue it and enjoy it!
-- Chris Widener
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 25, 2007
I Believe by Brian Tracy
I believe every person has within themselves inexhaustible reserves of potential they have never even come close to realizing.
I believe each person has far more intelligence than they have ever used.
I believe each person is more creative than he or she has ever imagined.
I believe the greatest achievements of your life lie ahead of you.
I believe the happiest moments of your life are yet to come.
I believe the greatest successes you will ever attain are still waiting for you on the road ahead.
And, I believe through learning and application of what you learn, you can solve any problem, overcome any obstacle and achieve any goal that you can set for yourself.
Brian Tracy
Reprinted with permission from The Jim Rohn Ezine
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December 24, 2007
Don't Stop Asking So Many Questions Chris Widener
I take my son on a trip that we make together every year. This particular time we left the house at 6 am on a Monday and got home at 9 pm on a Thursday. That was just 87 hours. My son was ten-years old, and that translated to 84,293 questions!
I mean, 10-year old kids can be question machines! Virtual question-paloozas! On this trip, my son wanted to know why we got up so early, why we chose that airline, when we would get there, what things meant in the books we were reading, how they got the jelly filling in the donuts, and on. and on. and on. For four days!! Even my friend who drove us to the airport told my wife later that he asked a lot of questions, even at 6 am! Anyway, you get the point.
I found myself repeatedly saying what thousands of you have said many times yourself, I'm sure:
Stop asking so many questions!
And then it hit me: This is why so many people lose their ability to achieve success. We tell them to stop asking so many questions. That's right, we methodically strip our children of their innate inquisitiveness. And then when they get older we wonder why they don't think for themselves! We told them to stop asking questions! They were born with a desire to understand the world around them and we, because of our frustration with the process, tell them to stop asking questions. What happens when you tell someone repeatedly to stop asking questions? They stop asking questions. It is a classic example of negative feedback and association. The chances are high that it happened to you to some degree.
But being inquisitive is inherent to long-term success. We must constantly be asking questions of others and ourselves. We must relentlessly be questioning processes that we use. We must always question whether or not products can be improved. Questioning is what produces new answers, which leads us to forge new ground.
Where does that leave us? Recommit yourself to asking lots of questions. Start by going through the basics: Who, what, when, where, why and how. Except, put "why" at the front of the list. Why? Because "why" gets behind the scenes even more so that the other questions do. "Why" deals with more than facts; it deals with motives and reasons. "Why" can be very enlightening.
After all, "Why" is about 80% of all of the questions that kids ask, and if anybody knows how to ask questions, it is kids. That is, if we let them.
So, as you live your life, let yourself ask lots of questions. Yes, people will wonder if you are a troublemaker, but you will know that you are pursuing enlightenment, knowledge, and the wisdom that will take you far beyond those who chose to live as others tell them life shall be lived!
Don't stop asking so many questions, and if you have kids at home, don't stop them either!
Chris Widener
Reprinted with permission from The Chris Widener Ezine
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December 23, 2007
Start Living in Prime Time by Denis Waitley
Prime time is that period between 6 and 10 p.m. during which most of the general public watches television. Commercials in prime time are the most expensive, approaching a million dollars per minute. Your real success in life will take a quantum leap when you stop watching other people making money in their professions performing in prime time, and start living your own dreams and goals in prime time. Time is the ultimate equal opportunity employer. Time never stops to rest, never hesitates, never looks forward or backward. Life's raw material spends itself in the now, this moment, which is why how you spend your time is far more important than all the material possessions you may own or positions you may obtain. Positions change, possessions come and go, you can earn more money. You can renew your supply of many things, but like good health, that other most precious resource, time spent is gone forever.
Each yesterday, and all of them together, are beyond your control. Literally all the money in the world can't undo or redo a single act you performed. You cannot erase a single word you said. You can't add an "I love you," "I'm sorry", or "I forgive you", not even a "thank you" you forgot to say. Each human being in every hemisphere and time zone has precisely 168 hours a week to spend. And some of the most precious hours occur in prime time.
Consider this: most of your daytime hours are spent helping other people solve their problems. The little time you have in the evenings and on weekends is all you have to spend on yourself, on your own dreams and goals, and personal development. Some thoughts to ponder:
Have supper with your loved ones at least two to three times per week. It's the best time for casual conversation to listen to what those close to you feel is important in their lives. Mealtime is a time to dialogue.
A television set is an appliance. It should be used, at most, for two hours at a time. It should be off, unless specific programs of interest are selected. It should not be used as a one-eyed baby sitter. For the most part, TV exposes us to negative role models.
Instead of watching television why not read a good fiction or non-fiction book, write a letter, engage in a hobby or craft, call a friend or someone in need of encouragement on the phone, network on your computer, go out to an ethnic restaurant, a home show, an entrepreneurial show, a musical recital, a play, a fitness class, or cultural event. Take an art or photography class. Use prime time to live the kind of life others put on layaway.
Action Idea: If you and your family/friends watch TV, try not turning it on for one week. When you do watch TV, reduce by 50% the amount of time you spend watching it. Concentrate your evenings and free time engaged in hands on, real life experiences, you can touch, feel, smell and engage all your senses in. Instead of virtual reality, insist on the real thing.
-- Denis Waitley
Reprinted with permission from The Jim Rohn Ezine
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December 22, 2007
Maintaining Honesty and Integrity by Jim Rohn
For a leader, honesty and integrity are absolutely essential to survival. A lot of business people don't realize how closely they're being watched by their subordinates. Remember when you were a kid in grammar school, how you used to sit there staring at your teacher all day? By the end of the school year, you could do a perfect imitation of all your teacher's mannerisms. You were aware of the slightest nuances in your teacher's voice - all the little clues that distinguished levels of meaning that told you the difference between bluff and "now I mean business".
And you were able to do that after eight or nine months of observation. Suppose you had five or ten years. Do you think there would have been anything about your teacher you didn't know?
Now fast forward and use that analogy as a manager. Do you think there's anything your people don't know about you right this minute? If you haven't been totally aboveboard and honest with them, do you really think you've gotten away with it? Not too likely. But if you've been led to believe that you've gotten away with it, there might be a good probability that people are afraid of you, and that's a problem in its own right.
But there is another side of this coin. In any organization, people want to believe in their leaders. If you give them reason to trust you, they're not going to go looking for reasons to think otherwise, and they'll be just as perceptive about your positive qualities as they are about the negative ones.
A situation that happened some years ago at a company in the Midwest illustrates this perfectly. The wife of a new employee experienced complications in the delivery of a baby. There was a medical bill of more than $10,000, and the health insurance company didn't want to cover it. The employee hadn't been on the payroll long enough, the pregnancy was a preexisting condition, etc, etc.
In any case, the employee was desperate. He approached the company CEO and asked him to talk to the insurance people. The CEO agreed, and the next thing the employee knew, the bill was gone and the charges were rescinded. Then he told some colleagues about the way the CEO had so readily used his influence with the insurance company, they just shook their heads and smiled. The CEO had paid the bill out of his own pocket, and everybody knew it, no matter how quietly it had been done.
Now an act of dishonesty can't be hidden either, and it will instantly undermine the authority of a leader. But an act of integrity and kindness like the example above is just as obvious to all concerned. When you're in a leadership position, you have the choice of how you will be seen, but you Will be seen one way or the other, make no mistake about it.
One of the most challenging areas of leadership is your family. Leadership of a family demands even higher standards of honesty and integrity, and the stakes are higher too. You can replace disgruntled employees and start over. You can even get a new job for yourself, if it comes to that. But your family can't be shuffled like a deck of cards. If you haven't noticed, kids are great moral philosophers, especially as they get into adolescence. They're determined to discover and expose any kind of hypocrisy, phoniness, or lack of integrity on the part of authority figures, and if we're parents, that means us. It's frightening how unforgiving kids can be about this, but it really isn't a conscious decision on their part; it's just a necessary phase of growing up.
They're testing everything, especially their parents.
As a person of integrity yourself, you'll find it easy to teach integrity to your kids, and they in turn will find it easy to accept you as a teacher. This is a great opportunity and also a supreme responsibility, because kids simply must be taught to tell the truth: to mean what they say and to say what they mean.
"Praise is one the world's most effective teaching and leadership tools. Criticism and blame, even if deserved, are counter productive unless all other approaches have failed."
Now for the other side of the equation, we all know people who have gotten ahead as a result of dishonest or unethical behavior. When you're a kid, you might naively think that never happens, but when you get older, you realize that it does. Then you think you've really wised up. But that's not the real end of it. When you get older, you see the long-term consequences of dishonest gain, and you realize that in the end it doesn't pay.
"Hope of dishonest gain is the beginning of loss". I don't think that old saying refers to loss of money. I think it actually means loss of self-respect. You can have all the material things in the world, but if you've lost respect for yourself, what do you really have? The only way to ever attain success and enjoy it is to achieve it honestly with pride in what you've done.
This isn't just a sermon, it's very practical advice. Not only can you take it to heart - you can take it to the bank.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Reprinted with permission from The Jim Rohn Ezine
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December 21, 2007
What in the World Are You Doing?
Hi there, Chris Widener here.
This week I want to talk with you about leaving an impact legacy. "What is an impact legacy?" you may ask. It is how you impact people and the world around you. You see, many people glide through life and do not make much of an impact. That is unfortunate. Others though, those driven by a purpose and passion for living, are continually making the world a better place and making an impact wherever they go. That's what I believe you want to do.
In order to help you reflect on this during this week, I want to ask you a question: What in the world are you doing?
Here is the typical life - typical, though not everybody does it this way. But for the most part, people's lives generally go something like this:
You're born
You eat and sleep
You play with toys
You go to school
You play little league
You go to school
You learn to drive
You go to school
You leave high school
You go to more school, but you pay for it now
You get a job
You get married
You buy a house
You have kids
You watch your kids eat, sleep, play and go to school
You work, work, and work
You retire
You die
That's the basic life, isn't it? I know there is more to it, but that is about it for most people.
Here is that question again: What in the world are you doing? I mean, what are you doing besides the typical "enjoying yourself while you are waiting to die" scenario? What kind of impact are you making?
What I believe sets the successful apart is that they don't just live the average life. They don't just pass time. They make an impact. They have something compelling in their life that drives them - something that gives them an answer when they are asked that question: What in the world are you doing?
I'm helping children.
I'm creating a business that supports many families.
I lead a church.
I am defending our liberties.
I am raising great children.
I'm teaching others to improve their lives.
I help people have fun.
I create memories for people.
In other words, successful people always come down to this: I make an impact and help other people by (fill in your purpose here).
What in the world are you doing?
If you want to be successful, you need to be able to answer that by describing how you help others. Because if you aren't helping others - if you aren't making an impact - you are just taking up space, eating food and waiting to die.
Here's the question for you to answer this week and what to do with your answer:
What in the world are you doing?
If you know, then you are good to go - live it and make an impact!
If you don't know, then maybe you need to reflect on what you are doing, what your life is about, and how you can explode the mundane bubble you may be living in!
The world needs impact makers - so live to be one!
Have a great week!
Chris
Reprinted with permission from The Chris Widener Ezine
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December 20, 2007
John Wayne the Businessman by Ron White
There were few things that marked my boyhood as strongly as westerns. Every Sunday I arranged my afternoon around 'The Lone Ranger', 'The Rifle Man' and 'Bonanza'. Then, if I was lucky, I would catch a glimpse of what I considered to be the definition of the word 'man' John Wayne in a late night western.
My grandmother had a painting of him in her living room, and in my blue collar family he was a hero. Maybe it was because the characters he portrayed were the qualities that my family lived - blue collar, hard working and honest. I am proud to say that I have a doctorate in John Wayne.
In 1972, Wayne played a character in which he mentored young school boys on a cattle drive in the film 'Cowboys'. Because of his leadership and example these boys became men before the end of the cattle drive as they avenged 'The Duke's' death after he was gunned down in cold blood. This was my favorite John Wayne movie, perhaps, because I also was a young boy and I subconsciously knew that I was being mentored through a cathode ray tube by the rugged cowboy and today I am a better businessman because of it.
If 'The Duke' were a businessman this year, I assure you that he would:
First and foremost, be honest.
This cowboy would never lie to make a sale and neither should you. His resume wouldn't exaggerate and you could rely on his word.
Be a hard worker.
John Wayne would be the first cowboy on his horse preparing for the cattle drive and he would be the first in your office and spend his time working to the point of exhaustion.
Defend the weak.
Whether it was in 'Stagecoach', 'True Grit', 'Cowboys' or another film. Wayne never took advantage of the weak. Instead, he protected those who couldn't do it themselves. If he was in your office, when a salesperson or professional was struggling there is no doubt in my mind that he would ride alongside them and offer assistance to make the team better.
Feo, Fuerte y Formal
These were the words John Wayne wanted on his tombstone. They translate to:' He was ugly, strong and had dignity.' He was a physically strong man at 6'4''. Yet, it was strength of character that was referred to here. In your business, you would be a magnificent success if others say you have strength of character. This means not giving in when things look bleak. 'The Duke' wouldn't.
Have dignity.
This again, comes from his self description. Dignity means relying on yourself for your success and abandoning the victim mentality. Wayne would not be a victim if he worked in your office. He would not blame his lack of success on the economy, co-workers or his boss. Instead, with dignity he would take his future into his own hands and rely on no one but himself for his success.
John Wayne was the definition of the word man and would be the definition of the word businessman if he worked in your office right now. Mr. Wayne, as a young boy, I watched you ride off into the sunset on June 11th, 1979. That boy, who was confident one day he would be a cowboy, ended up a businessman and today I am a better one because of your lessons.
Thanks for the life lessons on hard work, honest, dignity, strength and compassion. With a tip of my hat, I give you a hardy, 'Thanks partner...'
Ron White
Reprinted with permission from The Ron White Ezine
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December 19, 2007
Beware of the Grinch (an adaptation by Denis Waitley of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
Now's the time you should hear this! For very good reason!
Now, please don't ask why. It's not simply the season.
Sooner or later the Grinch will invite you
To give up your life's goal as something you can't do.
It could be his head isn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his pants are too tight.
But I think the most likely reason of all
Is that his heart is too cold and his vision too small.
The Grinch is a dream stealer of many disguises.
A friend or relation with depressing surprises.
Just when you feel that your business is booming
He fills you with thoughts that are glooming and dooming.
He whispers about the forthcoming disaster
And about the new plan where you'll get rich much faster
When you say you look forward to earning a million.
He'll scoff and retort: "Not one chance in a billion!"
With a stock market rising and confidence strong
You'd think he'd get real and start going along.
But he howls and he growls with his terrible frown
"Whatever goes up, has got to come down!"
Sometimes the Grinch is quick to appear.
Sometimes he shows up year after year.
But whatever your "Why" and no matter "Who"
The dream stealer, Grinch, will start hitting on You.
He's the fear deep inside that insists you can't sell.
He's the voice that says, "Stop! Things are going too well!"
He especially hates Christmas and the spirit of giving
For he selfishly thinks that by "getting" you're living.
He thinks passionate service is too big a "Why"
And that money's the only incentive to try.
But he's missing the point, and hasn't a clue
That every Who out in Who-ville has a Dream to come true.
Sooner or later all dream stealers find
That they're out in the cold and left far behind.
What they could have or might have or should have possessed
Has now passed them by and left them depressed.
As you sit by the fire and plan the new year
Surrounded by family and friends of good cheer.
Remember the Grinch, with his feet in the snow.
Standing puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas... Perhaps... means a little bit more!"
It's a spirit to treasure each day and each night
It's the reason the American dream is still burning bright
It's a mission of hope you can trust and believe
"The more that you give, the more you'll receive!"
This week during the Holidays, look for ways to give more!
Denis Waitley
Reprinted with permission from The Denis Waitley Ezine
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December 18, 2007
Master Your Fears by Vic Johnson
"Doubt and fear are the great enemies of knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, thwarts himself at every step." - As A Man Thinketh
I've heard it said that we're born with only a few fears - like the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. All other fears we learn along the way. Like the fear of failure, the fear of rejection - even a fear of success. I believe our greatest enemy in life is fear, because fear keeps us from doing many of those things we would like to do that would make our life more complete and more enjoyable.
Doubt is the first cousin of fear and precedes it. We weren't born with doubt. Our habit of doubt has grown throughout our life. If we dwell on a doubt and give in to it, it then grows into fear. The Apostle James reminds us that doubt makes us ineffective, "a sea that is tossed and driven by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that."
If most of our fears and all of our doubts are learned along the way, then we can "unlearn" them by becoming masters of our thoughts. I've heard Zig Ziglar quote Mark Twain when he said, "True courage is not the absence of fear, it's the mastery of fear." The people who live the life of their dreams have just as many fears as those who live miserable, unfulfilled lives - they just learned to master their fears instead of allowing their fears to master them.
Norman Vincent Peale, writing in "You Can If You Think You Can", provides us with a prescription for mastering fear and doubt. "You can cancel out fear with faith. For there is no force in this world more powerful than faith. The most amazing things can happen as a result of itthere are tow massive thought forces competing for control of the mind: fear and faith, and faith is stronger, much stronger. Hold that thought of faith's greater power until you believe it, for it can be the difference between success and failure."
Ambrose Redmoon said that, "courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."
Everyone is afraid at some time of another. Those who succeed in conquering fear have put their focus on what's more important to them rather than on the fear. If your young child darted into the street in front of traffic, you'd easily overcome the fear of any physical danger that retrieving the child would pose. The child's life is more important to you than the fear. So focus on what's beyond the fear - what's on the other side - when you overcome the fear.
Brian Tracy has a great way to fight doubt. He says, "Dont' wonder whether something is possible - Over and over if you have to, but ask how can you do it, not whether you can."
And that's worth thinking about.
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 17, 2007
The Two Core Fears and the Fear of Success by Lisa Jimenez, M.Ed.
Fear of commitment, fear of responsibility, fear of loss, and fear of confrontation are all symptoms of the two core fears. All of these surface fears fall into two categories which are the core fears: Fear of Failure and Fear of Success.
If you experience fear of commitment, responsibility, growing up, or change, your core fear is the fear of success. If most of your anxiety comes from fear of rejection, confrontation, or not measuring up, your core fear is the fear of failure.
Lets talk today about the fear of success. The fear of succeeding and then having to maintain that success can be daunting. The fear of success is the most powerful fear over most people because it relates directly to the three inborn fears we talked about the other day. Fear of falling, fear of loud noises, and fear of abandonment.
The fear of falling represents the belief that once you've achieved success; there's no place to go but down.
The fear of loud noises correlates to sudden change. Perhaps you've been working toward something for months, and then, overnight it seems, something comes through and suddenly you are successful.
The fear of abandonment is very real to a person on the journey of success. You might lose friends when you become successful. They might be jealous of your success, view you as arrogant, or feel that you just don't fit in to the "old group" anymore. We have sayings like, "It's lonely at the top," and your inborn fear of abandonment is challenged.
These three fears are inborn and naturally reoccur from time to time. You can counter them by replacing them with truth. Discover your truth about what success means to you and live your life based on these truths. Then you will silence these inborn fears and conquer the dream busters.
Face Your Fear of Success
Have a great day!
Lisa Jimenez M.Ed.
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 16, 2007
Your Dream Can Be Your Future by Chris Widener
Here is a basic truth you must accept and believe if you are to achieve your dream...
Your dream can be a reality! That's right; your future can actually see you living your dream. It doesn't just have to be a big wish!
When we are young we are dreamers. Nothing seems too big for us to accomplish. Nothing seems too outrageous. The world is ours on a string as the old song goes. Until...
"Reality" hits. Reality is what others want to box you in with:
"You can't do that."
"Nobody has ever done that before."
"It will never work."
"You've gone off the deep end now!"
All dreamers (who eventually become accomplishers) have heard these things.
Yet they overcome them. They refuse to accept someone else's "reality" for their own life. They let the average people live their average lives, bound by fear, while they pursue their chosen future their dream! So don't believe the people who tell you that you can't or won't. Believe your dream. Believe that it can be your future!
Once you have determined that you can actually live your dream, I want you to memorize this acronym. I've shared it before, but I found that it is tremendously helpful for reminding and motivating us toward our dreams.
D is for Dare (dare to dream while others don't)
R is for Relentless (relentlessly pursue your dream no matter what)
E is for Excellence (strive for excellence in all you do)
A is for Abandon (abandon any other alternative plans)
M is for Measure (constantly measure where you are in your dream journey)
Okay, that's great and motivating, but what about the practical stuff? Well, there is certainly practical stuff. No matter how lofty your dream, no matter how spectacular, you will live most of your life in the mundane. Richard Nixon said of the presidency that you "campaign with poetry, but govern with prose." The vision is beautiful, the actual is mundane (not bad but "everyday" so to speak).
If you are to achieve your dream, you need to plan and work and work and plan. Here are my thoughts on how to go about reaching your dream and securing it as your future: Decide that you will do it. This may seem elementary but many people never decide and commit fully to their dream. They simply keep "thinking" about it. Tell others that you are going to do it. This puts you on the record as to what you are dreaming about. It makes you accountable. It will help you do it if for no other reason than to avoid embarrassment!
Develop a step-by-step plan. This is absolutely essential. You must sit down and write out a few things:
1. A timeline. How long will it take to the end?
2. Action steps. Point-by-point, what you will do and when you will do them.
3. Resources you will need to draw from. What will it take? Who will need to be involved for help or advice?
4. An evaluation tool. You need to evaluate from time to time whether you are progressing or not.
5. A celebration. Yep, when you are done you should already have planned what you will do to celebrate. Make it big!
I have found that there is no better time than now to start making your dream a reality. So, set aside some time today to get started on your dream. Follow the action plan and set your sights for the top of the mountain! You will be glad you did!
-- Chris Widener
Reprinted with permission from The Chris Widener Ezine
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December 15, 2007
Be Responsible For Your Own Financial Security by Denis Waitley
There is no job security. You can't rely on staying with the same company through retirement. Pension plans, when available, are woefully inadequate. Social security benefits won't come close to covering your living expenses in retirement.
The only way to reach financial security is to plan for it now, regardless of your age. You have to define financial security in your own terms. Have you defined the amount of assets that you need for financial independence?
Financial security is that amount of assets that will give you a specific income, after taxes, to live like you want to, without having to depend on day-to-day employment.
What is that amount for you? I believe it is more than you think. And, I feel that if you define it, you can reach it in ten years or less. Do you have a financial plan and the assistance of a financial planner? You need both. Always retain a financial planner on a fee-for-service basis. Don't mix financial planning with an investment broker or insurance agent. What are your financial goals and what is your time line? Because I started late in my quest for financial independence, I have a maximum five-year period remaining for capital accumulation.
Action Idea: Wealth is not only based on income, but also on expenditures. Are you spending or investing? Are your purchases goal-achieving or tension-relieving? How do you use credit cards? Use your credit cards for services or purchases that retain their value or that build your business. Don't use credit cards for vacations and personal entertainment, unless you plan to pay the entire balance in one or two months. Try to pay all your balances in full monthly. In this way, you avoid the ridiculously high interest payments. Realize that paying minimum balances, at high interest rates, means that you are paying two or three times what the original purchase was worth.
Most importantly, save at least 6 to 10 percent of your take-home pay each month, by writing a check into a savings account or mutual fund for that amount, as if it were a utility bill or house payment. The secret of most self-made multi-millionaires is compound interest. If parents saved one dollar each day for their newborn infant, by going without a cup of Starbuck's coffee, or a Big Mac, or a soft drink for that day, by the time the child reached age forty, he or she would have a million dollars cash. No lottery windfall. No brilliant investment strategy. Just compound interest, which Baron von Rothchild labeled "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 14, 2007
Taking Advantage of Leadership Opportunities Will Increase Your Visibility in a Positive Way by Connie Podesta
Everyone is a leader in his or her organization. Even if you don't hold a titled leadership position, such as supervisor, manager, human resource director, or CEO, you still have many opportunities every day through your actions and behavior to model "leadership" qualities. In fact, all employees must be able and willing to assume a leadership role when the need arises, regardless of their job title. That is why many organizations have eliminated titles like foreman, supervisor, and department manager to reinforce the belief that each employee is a contributing member of the team with leadership potential and opportunities depending on the task at hand.
If you don't see yourself as having leadership qualities, then you'll miss many opportunities to demonstrate your added value to your employer, co-workers, and customers. You will also be undermining yourself, because if you're not confident of your leadership potential, then why should anyone else be? Being a leader simply means you are willing to teach and support others, be a positive role model, and be ready to serve as well as lead when necessary and appropriate. Effective leaders can be found at every level in an organization. Even if you work under someone else's leadership, you can still be a leader in your ideas and attitudes about your job.
While it may be true that some people seem to fall into the role of leader more easily than others, it is possible for most of us to develop the abilities that will help us take charge, motivate others, and make good decisions. Below are some of the top qualities leaders possess.
1. Leaders are Trustworthy and Act with Integrity
In today's business environment where teamwork is crucial, there can be no doubt that all employees must be able to be trusted by their managers, co-workers, and customers. For example, good leaders do not criticize their co-workers behind their backs, and they don't take credit that belongs to everyone on the team. Instead, they build trust by openly admitting their mistakes rather than blaming others. They give credit where credit is due, and they help others celebrate their successes. Leaders build trust with customers and co-workers by acting with integrity. They make sure their words and actions are congruent all the time, not just when it's convenient. They can be counted on to do what is fair and right.
2. Leaders are High Achievers who Strive for Excellence
Many employers who talk about their employees' leadership abilities mention words like "perseverance" and "determination." Leaders keep working to be the best they can be. They stay focused on their goals, but they keep things in perspective and realize that there is always room for improvement. They continually strive to learn more about themselves and their jobs. They integrate excellence into every task. Do you see yourself as a hard worker-as a star performer? Even though you may not own the organization, do you own a sense of pride in your work and your ability to contribute? Do you see yourself striving to outperform others and set new standards of excellence for your department and your organization? A good leader must have a strong desire to be the best by providing outstanding customer service and working hard to create an excellent, cohesive, and productive workforce. Even if they don't succeed at the task, leaders keep working at it.
3. Leaders Make Others Feel Important and Valued
Leaders value other people's worth and opinions and take the time to let them know they are important. They take the time to pay someone a compliment and keep criticisms, complaints, and negative comments short and sweet. They also make both their co-workers and customers feel important by asking questions, listening, and tuning in to their needs. They realize that such questions as, "Do you need some help?" and "Do you want me to listen for your phone while you take a break?" demonstrate their ability to tune into others' needs as well as their own. In your leadership role, how generous are you with positive words and actions? Are you committed to helping others feel better about themselves? Do you value people and their ideas? Making others feel important and valuable could help make you invaluable to your organization.
4. Leaders are Willing to Serve Others
To some people, serving others may seem like the role of a subordinate, not a leader. But in fact, a good leader believes in service to others. If that sounds contradictory, think of words such as "cooperate," "help," "work collectively," and "share" because they more accurately reflect the true nature of service to others. Organizations need employees who are willing to help each other, not whine and complain saying, "That's not my job." The future will demand that people learn new skills outside their area of expertise and use them to support other team members, even when it's "not their job." Are you willing to do what is needed even if it doesn't fall under your specific job description? Leaders support their co-workers when it counts, not just when it's convenient.
5. Leaders are Relationship Builders
An effective leader knows how to build good relationships so that individuals care more about the good of the entire team than about themselves and their own personal glory. In the workplace, employers need employees who can "run with the ball" by themselves when necessary, as well as build and maintain good team relationships. Do you work actively to build good team relationships? Hopefully so, because it is an important part of being an effective leader. Equally important are good relationships with clients and customers. In today's world, many companies do business with people they barely know, sometimes people they've never met. But the most successful and rewarding transactions, more often than not, involve parties who have developed a solid business relationship. Good leaders understand the importance of building good relationships with their colleagues and their customers.
6. Leaders Communicate Effectively
Every CEO, manager, human resource director, employer, and employee must be able to state what they need, want, or prefer with confidence and in a manner that is clear, honest, and forthright. But good leaders must go even further. They must be able to interpret the needs, wants, and preferences of their colleagues and customers to create a cooperative and successful work environment. Effective communication is the cement that binds an organization together. It is the foundation upon which successful teamwork and good customer relationships are built. It is no accident that employees who can communicate effectively and assertively soon find themselves in leadership roles.
While leadership may come naturally for some, for others developing strong leadership skills takes thought, practice, and hard work. But it's definitely worth the effort, because these skills will benefit all of your personal and professional relationships. Leadership skills are life skills.
Being a good leader is a 24-hour a day job. If these are skills you've been neglecting, start developing them now. Today's organizations need employees who are ready and willing to lead at a moment's notice. Your leadership skills and abilities will help determine your present and future employability.
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 13, 2007
Zig Ziglar On Love
Love is not always giving others what they want; love is doing for others what is best for them. That reminds me of my close friend, really, he's more like a brother, Bernie Lofchick, from Winnipeg, Canada. His son, David, was born with cerebral palsy and initially had a very difficult time.
When David was about 18 months old, Bernie and his wife, Elaine, had to put braces on David's legs every night. The doctor instructed them to make the braces progressively tighter, which caused considerable pain. Many times David pleaded, "Do you have to make them so tight?"
Today, David is an active, healthy, successful businessman with a beautiful wife and three beautiful children. David's success story is the result of a love so deep that the Lofchicks were willing to do for David what was best for him, and not what David wanted at the moment.
Think about it. Make that kind of love paramount in your life.
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 12, 2007
Self-Motivation is an Attitude! By Paul J. Meyer and Kevin Rhea
I am Self-Motivated -- I take ACTION daily in my business!
Self-motivation is deliberately chosen and developed!
You can be a self-starter in your business. Not only is this possible, it is your responsibility! (Sorry, we cannot do this for you.)
You cannot stand around and wait for someone else to push you into the realization of your goals.
Clearly Defined Goals Generate Self-Motivation!
When you are both self-motivated and goal-directed, you will increase results 100% to 1,000%. You magnetize the results you seek.
Motivation . . . is a desire held in expectation with the belief that it will be realized (membership sales or recruits).
Writing out a plan of action helps you to discover ways to reawaken and regenerate self-motivation and put it to work. (Results: More sales and more recruits!)
Opportunities are always captured quickly by someone who understands self-motivation. GO FOR IT!
Self-motivated people take action and seize the day! (They also have the habit of doing this daily!)
Self-motivated salespeople make commitments . . . and then they deliver! This takes activity!
Paul J. Meyer
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 11, 2007
Change Begins with Choice by Jim Rohn
Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.
We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.
We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.
And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice.
To your success, joy, and peace,
Jim Rohn
Reprinted with permission from The Jim Rohn Ezine
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December 10, 2007
Leading Up and Leading Across: Challenges of a 360 Leader by Dr. John C. Maxwell
The Principles 360 Leaders Practice to Lead Up
Leading up is the 360 leader's greatest challenge. We're accustomed to influence flowing from the top down, and, for that reason, leading up feels like running uphill. True enough, leading up requires extra effort. To exert influence upon those in authority above us calls for boldness, respect, and sacrifice. In the long run, the extra effort will distinguish you from the rest of the pack. Jack Welch calls this "getting out of the pile." The following suggestions are ways to successfully catch the attention of those at the top.
Lighten Your Leader's Load
To lead up, increase your value by helping to lift your leader's load. Try to anticipate what your leader needs and wants. Occasionally, you may even approach your leader and ask, "What can I do for you today?" Always remember: when the boss succeeds, the organization succeeds. Ultimately, you can't succeed if your boss fails.
Being a load lifter has its benefits. It demonstrates your dedication to the team, and displays gratitude for your position on the team. In easing your leader's burden, you'll be noticed and valued. At the same time, you'll be playing a substantial role in helping the organization move forward.
How to Lift Your Leader's Load
Be sure to do your own job well before you concentrate on lifting your leader's load. If you drop your personal responsibilities, you'll drag your leader down rather than propping them up.
When you find a problem, provide a solution. If you only identify what is broken, you look no different than a complainer. Show initiative by repairing the problems you encounter.
Tell your leaders what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. In the words of President Dwight Eisenhower: "A bold heart is half the battle." Have the courage to speak your mind and confront difficult truths.
Go the second mile. Be willing to arrive early, stay late, and do more than your share of work.
Stand up for your leader whenever you can. Don't become party to backbiting or criticism. Speak highly of your leaders and diffuse the negativity others may show toward them.
Stand in for your leader whenever you can.
In the words of Colin Powell: "When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you think I'll like it or not. Disagreement, at this stage, stimulates me. But once a decision has been made, the debate ends. From that point on, loyalty means executing the decision as if it were your own." There will be instances when you do not see eye to eye with your leader's decision. Respecting their authority by supporting them, even when you disagree, will give them the confidence to trust you.
The Principles 360 Leaders Practice to Lead Across.
Leading your peers is no simple task. It's easy for an effective leader to lead followers, but leading across can be difficultespecially for highly productive people who might create feelings of jealousy or resentment among their peers. Effective 360 leaders give their colleagues reasons to respect and follow them. Because they lead across successfully, they are able to assist the people beside them, profit the organization, and advance themselves.
Understand, Practice and Complete the Leadership Loop.
Leading peers is not a one-time event. It's an ongoing process. When leading across, the temptation is to try to take the lead too quickly. Taking shortcuts or cheating the process will erode your respect from others rather than gaining influence with them.
The Leadership Loop
Caring Take an interest in people. People always move toward anyone who increases them and away from anyone who decreases them.
Learning Get to know people Invest the time to understand the values that motivate your fellow leaders.
Appreciating Respect people Find and encourage the strengths unique to each of your colleagues. Assume they have your best interests in mind, and be open to their ideas and concerns.
Contributing Add value to people
Few activities add to a leader's credibility like the dedication to add value to the people around them especially when the leader is neither obligated to add value nor receiving direct benefit from doing it. Adding value to peers lets them know that you are on their side and are cheering for them to win.
Verbalizing Affirm people
To affirm signifies to make firm. An affirmation is a statement of truth you make firm by repetition. Affirmations enable others to believe in their dreams. For people to reach their potential, their dreams must become more real than their doubts.
Leading Influence people
Understand, enlarge, and empower those who are leading beside you.
Succeeding Win with People
When you succeed with people, you gain opportunities to influence even more people. The leadership loop completes a cycle and begins anew. As additional people enter your life, you must again choose to take an interest in them, get to know them, etc.
John C. Maxwell
Reprinted with permission from The Jim Rohn Ezine
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November 9, 2007
It's Your Choice by Gary Eby
What is it you really want? Unfortunately, so many people haven't dreamed in so long they actually don't even know what they want any longer! You have got to stir up that dream inside of yourself. Your dreams and your destiny aren't determined by "CHANCE" but by "CHOICE"!
You can have anything in life you want... if you know what you want! Do you remember in Alice in Wonderland, Alice asked the cat, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" The cat answered, "That depends a great deal on where you want to go." Alice said, "Oh, I don't much care." He answered, "Then it really doesn't matter which way you go."
Which way do you want your life to go? What do you want? It's your choice! You are in control. Quit blaming others for your disappointments! Make a quality decision to get up... and get going! Life goes on!
Renew your personal commitment to "Life". Renew your dreams. Renew your vision. Don't let time, circumstance, or catastrophe keep you from turning your life around. It's your choice!
You absolutely have to have a vision! Helen Keller once said..."The only thing worse than not having sight is not having vision."
Ancient scripture says... Without a vision the people perish! In Eby English, you'll shrivel up and die without a vision! If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
You vision must be effective, clear, challenging and inspiring to be valid.
Where are you going? Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Never let anybody steal your dream or vision!
Life's results are not by chance... but by choice!
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 8, 2007
Finding Financial Freedom by Chris Widener
Do you ever get this in your email box: Find Financial Freedom! Make $150,000 from home in the next 90 days! How about 10 times a day?
Every time I get one of these, I think to myself, "Hmmm, Financial Freedom. I already have financial freedom, even though it doesn't look like what these emails promise me."
Financial freedom is a buzzword for our generation. It is the pursuit of literally millions of people. So what is it? Is it that elusive? Can anyone get it?
Let me start by saying that this article will not be about how to earn money, or even more money. Rather, it will be about how to find financial freedom, which may or may not involve making more money.
Financial freedom - here we go!
The first step in finding financial freedom is to realize that financial freedom has absolutely nothing to do with how much money you have or make. What? Exactly. Financial freedom is something that goes on inside of you. This is why someone who makes very little can be happy and someone who makes a ton can be extremely stressed out over his or her financial situation. So the first step is to realize that financial freedom is more about our attitudes toward money than about the amount of money.
"Okay Chris, I'm with you. So what are the attitudes that provide financial freedom?" Here are a few that keep me in financial freedom.
I do not have to worry about money. I used to catch myself saying, "If I had more money, then I wouldn't have to worry about ..." But do you know what? I don't have to worry anyway. I can control my income. I can control my outgo. I can make choices that can alleviate any of my worries. I also realized that things always work out. So why worry? I choose not to worry.
I can be happy regardless of my financial state. I know people who are worth hundreds of millions of dollars and I know people who don't have two nickels to rub together. Some are happy and some aren't. And none of the people who have a lot of money say to me, "Chris, I've become so happy since I got money." They were happy before they had money and they are happy now that they have money. Their happiness has nothing to do with the money. I think it was the Billionaire David Geffen who said, "Anyone who says that money will buy them happiness has never had any money."
Money will be a means to an end, not the end itself. Another way to look at it is that money will be a tool to build the house, not the house itself. I would set some financial goals if I were you, but go beyond that to know what greater purpose there will be when you reach them. What will the house be that you will build with that tool?
I am free. I am free to earn - some people think it is bad to earn more money. It isn't. I am free to save - some people believe it is bad to save. It isn't. I am free to give money away - some people feel they will be better off hoarding it. They won't. I am free to spend - some people believe that they can't spend anything on themselves. They can. We are free to make choices. That is financial freedom. One of my favorite quotes is from Charles Wesley, "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." That will keep you in financial freedom.
Some other principles for financial freedom...
Debt is the primary freedom killer. Want financial freedom? The first thing you should do is to get out of debt. That is priority number one. One of the reasons I have financial freedom is that I have no debt other than my house payment. And I work hard to manage myself and our home to keep us that way. For years I drove an old junker car, and while I looked bad, I had financial freedom that others who were in debt didn't have!
There is an old proverb - The borrower is the servant of the lender. Who has freedom? The lender. Who doesn't? The borrower. Develop a plan to get out of debt!
Embrace delayed gratification. Here is the principle: Buy it now and struggle later. Another principle: Delay it now, invest the money, and have all you want later on! And you won't even have to touch the principal! We tend to think that having it now will bring enjoyment, but unless you can do it and not cause yourself financial stress, you will actually get more from waiting to buy it later!
Have more by managing better. The fact is that most of us earn enough. What would be beneficial would be to set our priorities and live by a budget. As we get control, our budget will loosen up a bit and we will find ourselves enjoying it more. Money that is already there can be your answer if you put it to work for you.
Spend some time thinking through your attitudes about money. You may be surprised at how you can change a few, look at things a little bit differently and begin to enjoy true financial freedom!
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 7, 2007
The Billionaire's Strategy for Success by Brian Tracy
The key principle of success discovered by the world's richest man and how you can use it in your own life.
John Paul Getty became the richest man in the world by practicing a few basic principles of risk-taking and reward throughout his life.
In this article you will learn his key insight to risk reduction and success and how you can apply it to any decision you have to make. You learn a series of additional ideas that can help you to make better decisions and reduce the risks associated with success.
How To Assess A Decision
Whenever John Paul Getty was considering a business decision, he would ask, "What's the worst possible thing that could happen in this situation?"
Then, when he was clear about the worst possible outcome, he focused all his attention on making sure that it didn't happen.
You should apply this technique to every risk situation or investment you ever make.
The Billionaire's Strategy for Success
Remember Murphy's Law: "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." There are several secondary laws to Murphy's Law, such as "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong at the worst possible time" and "Of all the things that can go wrong, the most expensive thing will go wrong at the worst possible time."
Another sub-law is "Everything takes longer than your best calculation." In advising businesspeople, I suggest that they take their very best estimate of break-even for any business venture and then triple it to arrive at a more realistic number. Whenever businesspeople follow this advice, they are amazed to find that, in spite of their best initial calculations, it indeed takes about three times longer than they thought it would to start making money.
Always Add A Fudge Factor
Another sub-law is "Everything costs more than you can possibly anticipate in advance." In minimizing risk in any venture, always add a "fudge factor" to account for the degree of uncertainty. Whenever I do a business plan, I always add 20 percent to the total of all costs that I can identify, to come up with the probable cost. Anything less than this, whether in business or your personal life, is likely to be an exercise in self-delusion and open you up for some unhappy surprises.
Once you have identified the worst possible things that could go wrong, make a list of everything that you could do to offset these negative factors. Engage in what is called "crisis anticipation." Look down the road, into the future, and imagine every possible crisis that could arise as the result of changing external circumstances.
Be Intensely Realistic
Men and women who have achieved a high level of success are intensely realistic. They do not put their trust in luck. They carefully calculate every possible risk, and then think about what they would do should it occur. They always have a backup plan in case things do not go as they wish them to. They have a "Plan B" and options to that plan that take all kinds of variables into consideration.
Do The Things You Fear
One of the very best ways to develop your ability to take intelligent risks is to consciously and deliberately do the things you fear, one step at a time.
A very good way to overcome the fear of risk taking is to set clear, written, measurable goals for yourself, and then to review those goals regularly.
When you have clear goals and plans, and you continually work on them and evaluate your progress each day, you will see what you're doing right and how you could improve your performance. You'll feel more competent and capable and better about yourself. You'll become more thoughtful and reflective and willing to take on even greater challenges. You'll feel like the "master of your fate and the captain of your soul." And your likelihood of success will become greater and greater.
Action Exercises
Now, here are three steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, take any worry situation in your life today and ask, "What is the worst possible thing that could happen?" Then go to work to make sure it doesn't occur.
Second, look into the future in your life and determine the worst things that could happen. Engage in "crisis anticipation" regularly and continually be taking steps to guard against them.
Third, work from clear, written goals and detailed plans. Review them regularly. Consider alternatives and always look for ways to increase the likelihood of your success.
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 6, 2007
How to Find the Olympian Within by Denis Waitley
You're standing on the highest pedestal, the one in the center. You hear the roar of approval from the crowd. As the first note of the national anthem is played in the Olympic stadium, you feel all the pride and honor that accompanies this moment. Ten thousand hours of preparation for this one triumphant moment in history. You've won the gold!
That dream of an Olympic championship is in the heart of every amateur athlete, just as the Grand Final, World Cup, Super Bowl and Wimbledon are the goals of professional football players and tennis players. What are your dreams? You're most likely not a world-class athlete, but surely you have aspirations of your own. Perhaps you imagine a metaphorical gold medal being placed around your neck by the CEO of your company, or by your friends and family for being the best in your own unique way. Maybe you wonder whether you're up to the risk of starting your own business.
On Sundays my grandparents would take us children to ride the huge merry-go-round next to the San Diego Zoo. We could hardly wait to mount those bobbing zebras, lions, tigers and stallions, and whirl round and round to the music of the antique pipe organ. Surrounded by mirrors and lights, our hearts would pound in anticipation as we stretched out desperately, trying to be the one among all the riders who would grab the gold ring and win another ride. So began my competitive spirit.
Since you're probably younger than I am, you may never even have heard of grabbing the gold ring on the carousel. But in the 40s, and 50s, if you reached out and caught it, you not only got a free ride your name was also announced over the loudspeaker and all the other kids and their parents would applaud. And, of course, the kids all wished it could have been them instead of you.
Reflecting back now on my youth, I've come to some realizations. I guess I did start out thinking of success and winning as something that you got by reaching outside yourself and proving to others that you were worthy. Come to think of it, most of my friends also believed that you had to prove, or earn, or win, or perform in some special way, and then you would deserve the gold ring or the Olympic gold medal.
The approval of others seemed to precede feelings of self-confidence and self-worth. You were entitled to feel good about yourself only after you performed well. Why did it take me so many years to discover that just the reverse ought to be true?
After devoting most of my lifetime to investigating the well-springs of personal and professional success, I'm able to make the following statements with great confidence:
- You need to feel love inside yourself before you can offer it to anyone else.
- Your own sense of value determines the quality of your performance. Performance is only a reflection of internal worth, not a measure of it.
- The less you try to impress, the more impressive you are
- What you show the world on the outside is a mirror image of how you feel on the inside.
- You should chase your passion, not your pension
The key trait shared by athletic champions and winners in every walk of life is the fundamental belief in one's own internal value.
If your success depends on external possessions, you'll be subject to constant anxiety. When your peer group cheers one of your accomplishments, you'll feel good for a while, but then you'll wonder if they'll cheer as loudly the next time. If they're critical, you will feel hurt and threatened. The truth is, you can never win over a long period of time if your concept of success depends upon the perfect performance or the placing of a gold medal around your neck.
It's obvious that talent, looks and other attributes aren't equally distributed, but we're all given an abundance of value more than we could use in several lifetimes. The game of life certainly isn't played on a level playing field for each of us in terms of education, a supportive home life, and other circumstances beyond our control, but I can assure you that you were born with the qualities of a champion. That's what I mean by value.
You see, champions are born, but they can be unmade by their perceptions, exposure and responses. Losers are not born to lose. They're programmed that way by their own responses to their environment and their decisions.
There's a phrase I like to use The Inner Winner -- that describes the kind of person who recognizes his or her internal value, and who is able to use that recognition as the foundation for achieving any goal.
The secret of wearing the gold medal around your neck in the external world is that first you must be an Inner Winner. You must recognize that you're already an Olympian Within.
Denis Waitley
Reprinted with permission from The Denis Waitley Ezine
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December 5, 2007
The Modern Day (Real Life) Indiana Jones by Vic Johnson
One of my life's most valuable possessions is my journal. Why? Because my journal contains my dreams! And my dreams are my future!
I learned this principle from a story about a 15 year old boy by the name of John Goddard. John, one day, happened to hear his parents and another adult talking, and the other adult had been telling John's parents about how miserable his life was and how much he had failed. He wished he was John's age again and could live his life over and do some things differently.
Well, John heard the anguish in his voice, I suppose, and he made a vow that he was going to do something at 15 years old. So at 15 years old he took out a legal pad and began to write the things he wanted to do in his life, what he wanted to accomplish. Before he was finished he had 127 things on his list. He called it, "My Life List".
Today John is in his mid 70's. Of his original 127 goals, John over the last 55-60 years has accomplished 111 of them, plus 400 other ones that he set along the way. And just so you know these weren't some small goals, here are some of the goals that John Goddard has accomplished that were on his list:
- He's climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, he's climbed Mount Ararat, in fact, he's climbed every major peak in the world.
Now just that, how many people just doing that, would be one great life experience? But that's just one of 500+ for John Goddard.
- He took Marco Polo's route through all of Asia and China.
- He ran a mile in five minutes, he broad jumped 15 feet, high jumped five feet, and so on...
- He was the first person to explore the entire 4,200 mile length of the Nile River (that was his number one goal!). When he was 15 years old, no person had ever done it, but that fifteen year old boy didn't know that, it didn't matter to him. He put it on his list and when he did it, USA Today named him the modern day Indiana Jones. He's been down not just the Nile River. He's been down the Amazon, down the Congo, etc.
- He's been to 122 countries and lived with 260 different tribes.
- He's explored the Reefs of Florida, the Great Barrier Reefs and so on...
- He's flown 40 different types of aircrafts. Still holds civilian air speed records. Just that alone would be a great life experience; that was just one of John Goddard's goals.
- He's read the Bible cover to cover.
- He's taught himself French, Spanish, Arabic (who reading this could not learn a foreign language in the next couple of years?).
And that is just a portion of over 500 dreams that John Goddard has accomplished.
I hope we all learn from John Goddard! Here are two major points that were impressed upon me:
1) John Goddard's goals (dreams) were written down. How many of you have heard that before, to write your goals and dreams down? Because for 20 years I heard it and I had never written mine down, until just three years ago. Brian Tracy says if you'll write your goals down you have a 100 times greater chance of success, just by writing them down. Now I look at that mathematically and then by an inverse way, from an opposite way. What it says to me that if I don't write my goals down, I only have a 1 in 100 chance of succeeding. Write your goals and dreams down.
2) His dreams were BIG! I've found that a small dream will not give you the bullet proofing you are going to need. A small dream won't protect you when bad times come. A small dream does not have any power at all - it has to be BIG!
So get started today! Go get a journal (or wipe the dust off the one you have) and write down your BIG goals! And then get started on your life story!
And that's worth taking action on!
Vic Johnson
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 4, 2007
Keeping a Journal- By Jim Rohn
If you're serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don't trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.
I used to take notes on pieces of paper and torn-off corners and backs of old envelopes. I wrote ideas on restaurant placemats. On long sheets, narrow sheets and little sheets and pieces of paper thrown in a drawer. Then I found out that the best way to organize those ideas is to keep a journal. I've been keeping these journals since the age of twenty-five. The discipline makes up a valuable part of my learning, and the journals are a valuable part of my library.
I am a buyer of blank books. Kids find it interesting that I would buy a blank book. They say, "Twenty-six dollars for a blank book! Why would you pay that?" The reason I pay twenty-six dollars is to challenge myself to find something worth twenty-six dollars to put in there. All my journals are private, but if you ever got a hold of one of them, you wouldn't have to look very far to discover it is worth more than twenty-six dollars.
I must admit, if you got a glimpse of my journals, you'd have to say that I am a serious student. I'm not just committed to my craft; I'm committed to life, committed to learning new concepts and skills. I want to see what I can do with seed, soil, sunshine and rain to turn them into the building blocks of a productive life.
Keeping a journal is so important. I call it one of the three treasures to leave behind for the next generation. In fact, future generations will find these three treasures far more valuable than your furniture.
The first treasure is your pictures. Take a lot of pictures. Don't be lazy in capturing the event. How long does it take to capture the event? A fraction of a second. How long does it take to miss the event? A fraction of a second. So don't miss the pictures. When you're gone, they'll keep the memories alive.
The second treasure is your library. This is the library that taught you, that instructed you, that helped you defend your ideals. It helped you develop a philosophy. It helped you become wealthy, powerful, healthy, sophisticated, and unique. It may have helped you conquer some disease. It may have helped you conquer poverty. It may have caused you to walk away from the ghetto. Your library -- the books that instructed you, fed your mind and fed your soul -- is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind.
The third treasure is your journals: the ideas that you picked up, the information that you meticulously gathered. But of the three, journal writing is one of the greatest indications that you're a serious student. Taking pictures, that is pretty easy. Buying a book at a book store, that's pretty easy. It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You'll be so glad you did. What a treasure to leave behind when you go. What a treasure to enjoy today!
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Reprinted with permission from Your Achievement Ezine
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December 3, 2007
Life Would Be Easy...
If It Weren't for NON-ASSERTIVE People
By Connie Podesta
All right. You're tired of playing their game. You finally realize that those difficult people in your life are not going to change just because you want them to be different. You've decided to refuse to play your part in the dysfunctional relationship(s) by choosing to be assertive.
Now what?
Healthy communication is the ability to let others know your needs, concerns, and feelings in an open and honest way without gimmicks, threats, manipulation, or hidden agendas. There's no doubt that the assertive communication style is the only way to effectively deal with the difficult people in our lives.
The Assertive Personality- Open, Honest, and Direct
When we are assertive we choose to handle ourselves, our reactions, our relationships, and stressful situations in a healthy, responsible, and non-manipulative manner. We understand that we have choices. Remember that you will be treated exactly as you feel you deserve to be treated.
Communication is a learned skill. We must model assertive communication to our children so they can learn to handle conflict and sustain healthy relationships. Assertive people ask questions, seek answers, look at all points of view, and engage in meaningful, open-ended dialogue without anger, hurt feelings, or defensiveness. Does that sound like the typical exchange today?
We see examples of non-assertive communication everyday (media, talk shows, news, politics, etc.). In fact, most problem-solving models are not effective in the long run. For example, if two employees cannot seem to work together, they're rescheduled or reassigned to different shifts, floors, or departments to avoid having them work together. The message is clear: do not confront, mediate, or learn to communicate; simply separate and avoid the problem. Is it any wonder that the divorce rate is so high?
Our children are encouraged to be passive. When children ask "Why?" they're often given the pat response, "Because I'm your parent (or teacher) and I said so!" There are times when a child needs to immediately follow direct instructions, but there are many missed opportunities for our children to learn to respectfully participate in discussions that affect their lives.
Take Charge!
Regardless of our diverse histories, each of us is responsible for our present behavior. If we want to neutralize difficult people, we must commit to communicating assertively. Warning! Difficult people will not like being treated assertively - at first.
Difficult people only respect people who have the confidence to stand up for themselves. Assertiveness is their biggest enemy. It signals that you have figured them out and will no longer be swayed by their manipulations. Things may get worse before they get better!
Be prepared for some trying times with the difficult person when you first become assertive. For instance, asserting yourself with an employer who is used to your working overtime, missing lunch, accepting angry criticism and attacks, may earn you the label of an insubordinate. Likewise, asserting yourself with a parent who has become comfortable with your total compliance and willingness to let guilt cause you to give in may cause them to declare, "You don't love me anymore." Unfortunately, there is no "quick fix."
It's up to you...
Self-respect is the true key to developing and maintaining healthy relationships. Our relationships with others mirror our relationship with ourselves. Self-esteem develops when we consistently strive to make healthy, fair, and ethical choices.
It is true that if you demand respect and become more assertive the relationship might end. But, it is not quitting to have the courage and self-respect to sever an abusive or addictive relationship. Sometimes being assertive is about knowing when it is imperative to our well-being and self-respect to disengage.
Assertiveness is more than just words. You must have a belief in yourself that radiates through your voice, gestures, tone, attitude, and body language that says, "I am a worthy person and I will be treated respectfully."
Self-respect is where assertiveness begins and manipulation ends.
Take Action!
Look closely at the times your family or friends are assertive. How do you react? Doesn't it feel good to be with someone who is upfront, honest, and cooperative?
Think about the times when you are not assertive. What other communication style(s) do you most often use? Does it work? Are you rewarded for your non-assertive behavior?
Try to be assertive at the times you might use another communication style. Do others react more positively toward you?
Reprinted with permission from Connie Podesta
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December 2, 2007
How To Be An Effective Communicator by Nido Quebien
A young man whom I had known since he was in high school stopped by to see me and proudly display his new MBA.
"I know a master's degree alone doesn't guarantee success," he said. "What do you think is the most important quality for someone who wants to become a business leader?"
I answered without hesitation: The ability to communicate.
Individuals who communicate effectively with people at all levels, of both genders, and from a variety of cultures and backgrounds are today's pacesetters.
In the old-style hierarchical, authoritarian setting, communication is relatively simple. The top person tells the underlings to jump, and the underlings need only ask, "How high?"
In a modern organization, communication requires more finesse. The leader is not a transmitter of commands but a creator of motivational environments.
The workers are not robots responding to switches and levers, but thinking individuals pouring their ingenuity into the corporate purpose.
The corporate ideal is not mechanical stability, but dynamic, innovative, continuous change.
The leader who can't communicate can't create the conditions that motivate. The genius who can't communicate is intellectually impotent. The organization that can't communicate can't change, and the corporation that can't change is dead.
The good news is that anyone can become an effective communicator. The door to effective communication will open to anyone who uses these five keys:
(1) Desire.
Human infants have an inborn desire to communicate, and that desire enables them to pick up words quickly and to enlarge their vocabularies continuously.
That same kind of desire can enable you to enlarge your stock of words and improve your skill in employing them. Demosthenes, the Greek orator, had a desire to achieve eloquence after he was hissed and booed off the platform in Athens.
He cultivated the art of speech writing, then went to the shores of the Aegean Sea, where he strengthened his voice by shouting into the wind for hours at a time.
To improve his diction, he practiced speaking with pebbles in his mouth. To overcome his fear, he practiced with a sword hanging over his head. To clarify his presentation, he studied the techniques of the masters.
Today, more than 2,000 years later, the name Demosthenes is synonymous with oratorical eloquence.
(2) Understanding the Process.
Reduced to basics, communication consists of sending and receiving messages.
Language is the primary conveyer of thoughts and ideas. It turns abstract concepts into words that symbolize those thoughts. Those words take the form of spoken sounds or written symbols.
If the mind can immediately translate the sounds and symbols into mental pictures, communication becomes much more vivid and much more meaningful. If I say "I want a desk for my office," my listener has only a vague and general idea of what I want. If I say "I want a brown walnut desk," the listener has a more vivid mental picture.
The more skillful you become at conveying images, the more effective your communication will be.
(3) Master the basic skills.
Some people think the first requisite for good communication is an exhaustive vocabulary. Some people think it's impossible to communicate well without first absorbing a heavy dose of grammar, then memorizing a dictionary of English usage.
Words are important. Good grammar is important. And yes, it helps to know which words and expressions are considered standard and which are considered substandard among educated people.
But slavish allegiance to the rules of grammar can actually impede communication. People will sometimes go to great lengths to avoid usage that somebody has pronounced "ungrammatical" or "substandard." In the process, they forget the most important rule of communication: Make it clear and understandable.
The vocabulary you use in every-day speech has probably served you well. You use the words that you understand. Chances are, they're the words your friends, colleagues and employees understand.
If you try to use words beyond the vocabularies of the people you're trying to communicate with, you're not communicating; you're showing off.
Read the Gettysburgh Address, the Sermon on the Mount or Robert Frost's poetry. The communications that endure are written in plain, simple language.
(4) Practice
I remember a story that gave me inspiration. A young musician had listened with awe as a piano virtuoso poured all his love and all his skill into a complex selection of great compositions.
"It must be great to have all the practicing behind you and be able to sit down and play like that," he said.
"Oh," said the master musician, "I still practice eight hours every day."
"But why?" asked the astounded young man. "You're already so good!"
"I want to become superb," replied the older man.
I teach communication skills to thousands of people each year, through seminars, audio tapes, videotapes and books. Most of the people I reach are content to become good. Few are willing to invest the extra effort to become superb.
To become superb, you have to practice. It isn't enough to know what it takes to connect with people, to influence their behavior, to create a motivational environment for them, to help them to identify with your message. The techniques of communication have to become part of your daily activity, so that they are as natural to you as swimming is to a duck. The more you practice these techniques, the easier you'll find it to connect with people, whether you're dealing with individuals one-on-one or with a group of thousands.
(5) Patience
Nobody becomes a polished, professional communicator on the first try. It takes patience. A few years ago, William White, a journalism and English instructor, edited a book of early writings by Ernest Hemingway. The young Hemingway was a reporter for a Toronto newspaper, and this book was a collection of his articles written between 1920 and 1924.
The writing was good, but it was not superb. It gave a faint foregleam of the masterful storyteller who would emerge in The Old Man and the Sea, but it wasn't the Hemingway of literary legend.
What was lacking?
Experience. The genius was there all along, but it needed to incubate. The sands of time can abrade or polish. It depends on whether you use your time purposely or let it pass haphazardly.
Acquiring skill as a communicator requires constant, careful, loving attention to the craft.
The cub reporter didn't transform himself into a successful novelist through one blinding flash of literary insight. Like most people, he progressed from the "good" to the "superb" through hundreds of tiny improvements from day to day.
You can use the five keys to effective communication in many settings, under a variety of circumstances. You can be a virtuoso at inspiring your work force, at negotiating business deals, at marketing your products and at building a positive corporate image. All these are important communication skills. But always remember: Whatever communication task you undertake, your objective is to connect with people.
Reprinted with permission from Nido Quebien
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December 1, 2007
Time For You by Ron White
He was completely infatuated with her. It was all that he could think and talk about. Yet, every time that he asked her on a date it was the same reply. She told him that she would love to go out with him, however, her schedule of work, school and other commitments was just too hectic and it wasn't possible.
In his frustration, he came to me and asked me for advice. He wanted to know how he could creatively help her with some of her responsibilities and free up some commitments so that they could spend time together. When he made this suggestion to me, I sighed deeply and bit my lip. I was searching for a tactful way to break the news to him, yet, I have never reached tremendous success in my efforts to be tactful so I just let him have it.
'Man, when she tells you that she doesn't have time. She has time what she means is that she doesn't have time for YOU. I suggest that you dress in black for a week and pretend like she is dead, because it isn't going to happen.'
My words seemed to have been a kick to his gut that sucked all the life out of his lungs. After a few seconds of silence, he raised his head as he came up for air.' Thanks, buddy I needed to hear that' was his beaten reply to me. After our conversation, he left and I do believe that although he didn't dress in black for a week he did take my advice and move on. I am sure that both he and the female are grateful for that.
You see, I have never seen a woman (or a man) who is head over heels in interest for someone yet, just can't find time to be with that person. If the interest is there the time will be there.
In life, you often hear the excuse. 'I wish I could spend more time with my family, start my own business, chase a goal, travel, or volunteerbut, I just don't have the time.' You have the timeyou are simply spending it somewhere else. You are a human and will make time for what you see as a priority. The question is are you prioritizing the correct things.
You have the exact same amount of time in a day that Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Copernicus and da Vinci had. You have the exact same amount of time in a day that Michael Dell, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey have. The question is not Do you have the time? The question is How are you spending the time that you do have?
Begin to keep a journal and log the time you spend everyday. Do this for at least two weeks. Track the time you spend getting ready for work, in your automobile, at the office, eating out, reading, in entertainment, watching television, surfing the internet or simply doing nothing. You may be surprised at the amount of time that you spend on unproductive matters. It is very often shocking at the time each day that we squander and will never get back.
Zig Ziglar penned a term called automobile university and it is the answer to everyone who says that they don't have time to learn a new skill, a foreign language or gain an education on the mysteries of the day. Ziglar suggest that if you simply listen to audio programs as you drive everyday you can successful use the time to gain a new skill or education. This is effective time management.
Life can often become so overwhelming that as we get caught up in the rat race we are not aware of how we are spending our time. It may be time for a time inventory of your life. First begin by journaling what is most important to you in your life. Then track how your time for two weeks. It could be very eye opening.
Remember you have the same amount of time in a day that Einstein, Henry Ford and da Vinci had. The question is are you using your time as effectively as they did. Therefore, you have no cause to complain for your lack of time, only your management of that time. Time plays no favorites it will either be its slave or it will be yours. You make time every day for what you value.
What do you value?
Ron White
Reprinted with permission from The Ron White Ezine
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