Success University 02 (Nov 08 - Jan 09)

[winston]

When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going by Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

This old but poignant cliché applies in every situation when something is going off track-that is-going off track from what we currently know it to be.

The news media and politicians create a ‘sky is falling,’ atmosphere when they focus on the bad news. Yes, it is tough to be laid off or seeing your friends or family get laid off, or if you own a business to see your products or service in a slump. However, there IS money to be made. You need to think, ‘outside the box,’ and see the situation in a different light.

What you focus on is what you attract. Yes, the Law of Attraction applies in every situation-albeit the analysts are predicting doom and gloom, you can move outside the current paradigm.

If you talked to Warren Buffett, he would tell you to analyze what can be done-versus what cannot be done. Buffett did not become the richest person in the world by worrying about a downturn in the economy or doing what everybody else does. He developed and worked a plan to continue to grow his wealth. When everybody else is selling their stock, Buffett is buying.

Yes, he gets ‘sweetheart’ deals and all that, and you are not Warren Buffett. However, my point is that, in tough times, you have choices, even though they may be few. You can give up or think, ‘outside the box.’ Instead, of seeing the glass as half empty you can see it as half full. Instead of thinking and focusing on doom and gloom you can develop creative strategies to stay ahead of the ‘so-called’ down turn.

The economy rises and falls in response to what people are willing to put into it. Likewise, we have inside ourselves an inner economy that rises or falls in response to our beliefs about what is possible or impossible-positive, negative or neutral.

The degree to which you are willing to challenge your belief system determines the success of your inner economy. Have you ever wondered why some families are particularly talented in music or art? Imagine if your family of origin had a belief that musical talent was something they lacked. As a member of that group, you would likely create that same belief about yourself. As a result even if you had the desire to pursue musical endeavors, you might hesitate to get behind yourself, fearing that your investment would be for naught. Even if you had the courage to follow your passion, your inner belief that you inherently lack musical talent would probably be a major obstacle in your investing your energy into your musical dreams.

If you release your negative beliefs, a great flow of energy will rise within you, greatly increasing the likelihood of your success. The energy we are willing to invest in the various ideas, dreams and visions we carry within is like highly successful people are, or are not, willing to invest in the various commodities available for trade. In either case, beliefs have a key role in determining how willing we are to get behind anything. One way to open up the possibility for greater success in your inner economies is to understand that belief is not the reliable guide you might think. There are other more reliable indicators of success that you can put your faith in, such as passion, gut sense-a.k.a intuition. Some of the most successful people, think-Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert T. Kiyosaki, Donald Trump (real estate mogal), Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and the list goes on-are the ones who go against the grain, trusting their intuition over the popular opinion about what will work.

When the Going Gets Tough - The Tough Get Going-What are you planning to do to ensure your continued economic security? What is your strategy to move ahead of the economic times we currently face? The sooner you have a plan the sooner you will be moving ahead of the ’so-called’ economic down turn. I can hear all the Yes, Buts being said. Change those 'Yes, Buts to-'Yes, I can create continued economic success.’

While the bad news is the media’s main focus behind the media frenzy jobs are being created. Companies are hiring. You might be surprised to hear that over 50 new companies signed up on Internet job listings to recruit people in the past two weeks! There are over 55,000 jobs live on one job listing site. The following name-brand companies have posted over 1,300 jobs this past week alone: AT&T, Accenture, Verizon, IKON, Oracle, Sears.

Yes, you might need to move or change industries or even job title-remember-'think outside the box.’

[winston]

These Three Words Can Get You Through Anything! Even the Holidays! by Barbara Zagata

Don’t Stress~Manifest!

Truly, just stop and think about this and while you’re at it take a big, deep breath.

When is the last time you worried about something and that helped the situation in any way?

Imagine turning the blender on with the lid off -- this is what you do with your energy every time you stress out about something. You totally dissipate the power you have to consciously create what you would rather have.

If you think stress is out of your control, consider this. You know how your spouse or best friend gets really stressed out over certain issues and you don’t? You are able to help shift their perspective because you just don’t “get it,” not like they do. Thank God!

On the other hand, there are issues that push your buttons that completely wouldn’t faze someone else. This is because stress is a learned response. Just becoming aware of this can help you recognize that maybe what’s creating your distress isn’t really worth giving your energy to…

What if instead you chose to focus your precious life force on what you want to create? Instead of worrying about how you are going to pay for something, every time you have enough to pay for anything and I mean anything, use that as an opportunity to feel as much appreciation as you can that you have enough to buy that or pay for that.

While you’re at it, instead of feeling resentful about the cost of something, what is it about that expense that you can feel grateful for? A warm home? A family vacation you took while the kids were still young enough to actually enjoy spending family time together (ex. credit card debt). Cultivate gratitude.

The more you focus on gratitude, the more you will have to feel grateful for and affirming “enough"..."always enough" is far more empowering than focusing on a specific number.

When you are in this feel good place its prime time for dreaming about something you would like to create or manifest that you don’t already have. Vividly visualizing this while imagining you already have it and feeling truly grateful for having that is what will bring this into your reality.

More than anything outside of yourself, your own inner resistance will slow down the process of achieving any goal. Inner resistance can show up in many forms -- doubt, unworthiness, longing because you’ve never had it before…

Notice where you have a “kink in the hose” and as you clear those “kinks” and open your channels to receive manifesting will get easier and easier. One day you’ll find yourself living a life of beauty, abundance and joy and feeling grateful for every precious moment you get to feel fully alive, joyfully, playfully, creating your life.

[winston]

Repeat After Me: "Yes, I Can!" by Mike Brescia

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Today's Empowering Quote
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"Self-trust is the first secret of success."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Today's Empowering Question
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"Haven't I done many things I wasn't sure I'd be able to do when I started them?"

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Today's Fast Session
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I was always perplexed by the question, "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" Does that have an answer? I don't know.

But an equally good one that does have an answer is, "What comes first, confidence or large achievements?"

The answer most definitely is confidence.

No. You don't need large accomplishments to gain confidence.

But what creates confidence and how can you get more of it so you can consistently achieve more and have fun doing it? And what is it that causes a loss of confidence?

It's easy to see in the world of sports the difference between confidence and doubt. Team A goes on a tear and destroys their opponent by an enormous amount of runs, baskets, goals, etc. But the next night, you've got the same two teams and this time it's Team B that administers the beating.

What's the difference? Players on the losing teams often say things like this:

- We just weren't focusing.
- Our emotions weren't in check.
- When they scored in the 3rd quarter, the wind went out of our sails.
- We just weren't taking good shots.
- Once the crowd got into the game, we got out of our rhythm.

Those things took their confidence away. They didn't trust themselves. So their performance for the ENTIRE game or large portions of it was sub-par.

The next day, different mind set... VERY different results. The focus was there now. They clearly visualized
their outcomes. Momentum never left for long. Belief came back. They refused to be intimidated and wouldn't accept defeat.

I often use sports analogies because there is absolutely no difference between games and life... especially your life.

Every day, life demands that you perform. Whether it's just cleaning the house, raking or trying to enjoy yourself while you pack up and take a vacation with your family, your confidence level affects your performance and your enjoyment.

Confidence. What is it?

To me, confidence is just a feeling that you can do something.

It's the current knowledge that if challenge pops up, and they always do, you can overcome it. With this knowing comes the ability to perform at your best.

But as soon as the feelings wane, your positive expectancy drops and you start to focus on mistakes instead of your goals. You start to feel less capable, so you hesitate. When your confidence leaves you, you can't make decisions. And when you start to replay these unsupportive mental pictures, you literally couldn't buy a few minutes of success at any price.

This power was never more evident as when John Wooden and his legendary UCLA basketball teams won a record 88 games in a row. For nearly 4 years, they didn't lose a single game.

His teams won 7 consecutive national championships. In the next thousand years, it hardly seems possible that his records will be approached.

He knew that if he could gain momentum and hold it, the other team would mentally give up. Their pressure forced mistakes and caused the opponents to hesitate, to not want to make more mistakes.

But when your focus is on not making mistakes... you make mistakes!!! So how do you gain confidence and keep it?

You must picture success before it happens. Your internal dialog must be that of expecting success... yes, even before you have success. How?

Well, how do you learn anything? By repetition, of course.

Look at your bookshelves. If there are more than a few self-help books, and you don't yet have the qualities
taught inside the covers, then it's repetition that's missing.

Coke and Pepsi spend tens of millions of dollars each year to program you to buy their carbonated caramel water. Why? Because repetition works.

They sell billions of dollars of their products simply because they communicate their message constantly. Do you remember the words of songs that you haven't heard in years?

I'll bet you do!

If you take control of your own mind just like big advertisers and communicate a positive message of belief
and hope and of expecting to get what you want, and you do it with repetition, you know what?

You'll become confident.

At least you'll have hope, to start.

And confidence begins with hope. Without hope, a glimmer of optimism, you wouldn't even try.

If you haven't up until now, start really using this tool. If you do, just like a drill or a hammer makes building a
structure a thousand times better and faster, you'll achieve more every single day... easier, better and with
more joy than you ever thought possible.

[winston]

Most people don't think that new-born children could be the Creator of their own reality because they are not even talking, yet. But the Universe is not responding to your language, anyway. The Universe is responding to your vibration -- and your vibration is about the way you feel.

Excerpted from a workshop in Seattle, WA on Saturday, June 20th, 1998

All Is Well

[winston]

Making Your Omelette: How to Learn From Your Mistakes by Mark J Holland

“Remember: you only have to succeed the last time.”- Brian Tracy

Everyone makes mistakes. The good news is: failure can actually be good for you! Imagine for a moment that you consider taking on this belief “There is no failure only feedback”. The best way- and sometimes the only way- to learn how to make changes in your life and reach your goals is by figuring out how not to do things.

There is a process you can use to learn from your mistakes. The more you learn, the closer you will be to reaching your goals in life.

Give Yourself Permission

You know you’re going to make mistakes, especially if you’re trying to do something you’ve never done before. In order to be prepared for the inevitability of mishaps and misadventures, tell yourself that when you make a mistake, it’s still okay- and you’re not going to let mistakes stop you.

This is part of the process of instilling a positive mindset. When you know what to expect, it’s harder for surprises to set you back in your journey to reach your goals. Keep in mind that it is all right to make mistakes, and doing so is not the end of the world. The only people who don’t make mistakes are people who don’t attempt to do anything in the first place. Don’t be the person who regrets never even attempting to accomplish your goals because you were afraid of mistakes.

Make Interesting Mistakes

Once again: you’re going to make mistakes. When this happens, you will learn more by making interesting mistakes rather than stupid ones.

You may be wondering what, exactly, is an interesting mistake? The more complex and challenging your ultimate goal is the more spectacular your “Feedback” will be. The person who experiences a spectacular failure (“Feedback”) is far more likely to realize spectacular success. Here’s a quick example:

STUPID MISTAKE: Stubbing your toe on the rake you left lying in the back yard.

INTERESTING MISTAKE: Turning $30 worth of powdered sugar and chocolate chips into inedible bricks while trying to start your chocolate-making company because you misread the thermometer.

The first mistake will teach you to put your tools away when you’re done using them, but this is something you probably should have already known. The second mistake, however, is far more valuable to you. It teaches you how not to read a thermometer, and you will never make the same mistake again. Now you’re one step closer to realizing your dream to start a chocolate making company. What will your next mistake be?

‘Fess Up

The ability to admit that you’ve made a mistake is crucial to the learning process. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to announce your mistake to the world. However, you do have to be honest with yourself. Owning up to your mistakes is important, not only in your attempts to learn from them, but in the entire process of using positive thinking.

When you admit your mistakes to yourself, be careful not to judge your actions harshly. Your thoughts should not be along the lines of I screwed this up, and I’m never going to get this right. Don’t let your mistakes teach you not to learn from the feedback. Instead, think I made a mistake, and now I know not to do that again. The biggest lesson in making mistakes can be found in your taking responsibility for them, and then doing something to correct what went wrong.
Pinpoint Your Error

“For want of a nail, the horseshoe was lost...”
- Nursery rhyme (anonymous)

Speaking of what went wrong...do you know why you made the mistake? You cannot learn anything from your mistakes if you don’t know why it occurred. If things go wrong, and it isn’t clear to you what happened, backtrack along the path that brought you to the error and figure out where you strayed.

James R. Chiles, in his book Inviting Disaster: Tales from the Edge of Technology, relates the sordid tale of a floating dormitory in the North Sea built for offshore oil workers. During one night, the dormitory rolled over in the water and killed over a hundred people. The engineers responsible for building the dormitory raced to find an explanation, and ultimately discovered that one small crack in the support structure, which had been painted over instead of properly repaired, was responsible for the chain of events leading to the disaster.

Discovering the origin of your own mistakes will help you avoid potential disaster. Take the responsibility to investigate your mistakes thoroughly, so you can avoid the snowball effect one small error can have.

Talk About It

Though you don’t have to confess your mistakes, it is sometimes helpful to talk over your troubles with a sympathetic ear- particularly if that ear belongs to a person who knows something about the goal you’re trying to reach.

If you’re having trouble getting through something, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Seek out an expert or someone you know who’s been through the same experience you’re having, tell them what you feel you’re doing wrong, and listen to what they have to say. Often the most valuable advice we receive comes from unexpected sources, so don’t hesitate to ask someone else.

Can’t find an expert? The simple act of talking to a friend or loved one about your troubles can be the catalyst you need to keep going despite your mistakes. You may be able to work out exactly what you need to change in your approach as you discuss what you’ve been doing aloud; or you might simply end up feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the problem again.

Keep Good Records

Mistakes may not seem very amusing to you while you’re making them, but some day you’ll be able to look back and laugh. You will also be able to look back and learn. By keeping a detailed log of your progress, mistakes and all, you will have a solid blueprint you can follow over and over again to reach your objectives.
Following is a sample error log. You can use this format, or create your own, as long as you remember how to read it!

ERROR LOG: Replacing interior wall with built-in bookshelves
DAY PROJECT STEP LESSONS LEARNED FROM ERRORS MADE
1 Remove existing plasterboard wall Check to make sure no breakable objects on opposite side before using sledge.
2 Cut, fit and install backing for shelving unit Be sure entrance door to house is wide enough to accommodate lumber before attempting to bring inside.
3 Install shelf brackets Measure shelf distance before installing brackets. Nothing fits on 3” wide shelf.
3 Cut and fasten shelves Do not use rotary saw on couch.
4 Buy new couch See previous error.

When you follow the process to learn from your mistakes, you will notice exponential growth in your mental garden. Mistakes are part of life; without them, we would have no discovery- and not much to laugh about.

[winston]

Beyond Survival by Bob Tschannen-Moran

Many of you may be familiar with the hierarchy of needs first proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943. It is typically diagrammed in the form of a pyramid with five levels. The lowest four levels are what Maslow called "deficiency needs" since a failure to meet these needs creates observable physical and/or psychological deficiencies. The top level represents what Maslow called "growth needs" since they represent elective efforts to become more fully happy and alive.

By 1971, Maslow and others had subdivided the "growth needs" into four sub-levels, since there is an ever-expanding universe of potentialities, possibilities, and pulchritudes that contribute to human growth. In reverse order, then, from bottom to top, here is how Maslow described those various needs:

Level 1 Needs -- Physiological: Breathing, Food, Water, Sleep, Sëx, Homeostasis, Excretion
Level 2 Needs -- Safety: Security of Body, Employment, Resources, Morality, Family, Health, Property
Level 3 Needs -- Love/Belonging: Friendship, Family, Intimacy, Be Accepted
Level 4 Needs -- Esteem: Self-Esteem, Confidence, Achievement, Recognition, Respect
Level 5.1 Needs -- Cognitive: Knowledge, Understanding, Problem Solving, Exploration
Level 5.2 Needs -- Aesthetic: Symmetry, Order, Beauty
Level 5.3 Needs -- Self-Actualization: Self-Fulfillment, Self-Efficacy, Creativity, Spontaneity
Level 5.4 Needs -- Transcendence: Altruism, Service, Wonder, Beyond Ego, Contribution, Connection, Wholeness


The lists of descriptors for the various needs are in no sense exhaustive. They are rather suggestive of what each level entails; you may think of other descriptors and you can certainly see overlap between the descriptors. That's all well and good since the heart of Maslow's conception has less to do with the description of the needs than with the recognition of the needs as universal, human phenomena. No matter who we are, no matter where we live, no matter what we believe, no matter how we seek to satisfy them, all human beings have the same needs. And that's a radical concept.

One of the debates since Maslow's time has to do with the notion of understanding and portraying needs as existing within a hierarchy. As originally conceived, both developmentally and theoretically, Maslow suggested that people had to meet lower-level needs before they could, would, or should be expected to meet higher-level needs. When someone is starving, for example, due to a lack of food and water, they are not going to have much interest in or energy for beauty, creativity, and wonder. Or so Maslow thought.

That idea, however, has been largely discredited since Maslow's time. Due in part to studies with children, who evidence interest in Level 5 Needs regardless of circumstance, it is now understood that all human beings have all of these needs all of the time. It may not even be helpful to differentiate between "deficiency needs" and "growth needs." Who's to say, for example, that a lack of understanding, beauty, self-efficacy, or contribution does not create observable deficiencies in a person? Similarly, who's to say that rest, health, intimacy, and recognition do not stimulate growth?

It works this way because human beings are whole beings. Consider the physical body. It has different parts, but they come as a total package. Meeting the needs of one meets the needs of all, and vice-versa. So, too, when it comes to the many needs identified by Maslow and those who have followed in his footsteps. They may appear to be different, but they come as a total package. Meeting one need contributes to meeting every need, and it really doesn't matter where you choose to start.

Which brings me to the point of today's Provision: with all the doom-and-gloom reporting of one financial crisis after another, it's tempting to become a "survivalist" focused primarily if not solely on those Level 1 and Level 2 Needs. That, however, would be a mistake. Those other needs don't go away just because of tough times. Contrary to Maslow, they may become even more important in tough times. The need for transcendence is deeply imbedded. And by attending to higher-level needs we may find it easier, rather than harder, to meet lower level needs.

So let this Provision serve as a clarion call for "thrivalism," rather than mere "survivalism," in tough times. My mother remembers her father, who eked out an existence like so many others during the Great Depression, putting dimes on the sill of their garage window in the alley just in case someone might happen upon them while passing by. My grandfather figured that the discovery of a dime might not only put a little money in someone's pocket; it also might put a smile on their face for having found a little money rather unexpectedly.

That's what I mean by "thrivalism" -- if we hope to thrive in difficult times, then we have to find ways to keep our spirits alive. It's not enough to meet those basic, survival needs. We also have to meet those higher, growth needs. And it doesn't take much.

The other day I found my wife looking out the window, on what looked to me like a cold, dreary, and rainy day. I teased her a bit when she commented on the beauty of what she was looking at, since this was a far cry from the blooming splendor of spring. She brought me up short, however, with her reconnaissance of all the things she found inspiring in the natural environment: winter birds, rust-colored leaves, bending branches, and breezy clouds. I stopped my banter and opened my eyes. There really was a lot to see, celebrate, and appreciate.

I submit we can do that at any time, at any place, in any circumstance, and for any reason. We just have to give ourselves the permission and time to look. I also submit that we need to do that if we hope to maintain and enrich our humanity in difficult times. We ignore those "growth needs" at our peril.

One interesting way to do that is to read the news through the lens of the higher-level needs. For example, take the two latest examples of apparent greed and corruption: the alleged multi-million dollar pay-to-play racket of the Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, and the alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme of the Wall Street veteran, Bernard Madoff. It's easy to read those stories with nothing but disdain and disgust, lashing out in anger or retreating in fear. I know more than one person who is ready to put their money in a mattress.

But there are other ways to read those stories. We can become interested, for example, in the legitimate needs they were trying to meet through their illegitimate actions. We can see the beauty of those legitimate needs, recognizing that we have them too, as well as the tragedy of their counterproductive and hurtful strategies for meeting those needs. We can look for creative ways to meet our needs that will enrich rather than erode life. We can even feel grateful for the whistleblowers and for those who are trying to pick up the pieces. We can certainly feel compassion for those who have suffered great loss in the process.

These are but some of the many ways that we can hold our heads high during times of crisis. Don't cave into the panic of the times. Instead, reach into the wonder that lies behind them all. That will take us beyond surviving to thriving in the face of fear. It will keep us human and growing. It will enable us, as Ken Medema likes to sing, to "dance in the dragon's jaws."

[winston]

Get Mad...Then Make Your World Better by Mike Brescia

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Today's Empowering Quote
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"Anger is a prelude to courage." -Eric Hoffer

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Today's Empowering Question
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"What am I really dissatisfied about right now?"

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Today's Fast Session
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I guess I better start right out by explaining the word 'Anger' as we'll be using it. By anger, I mean that you
see something or something happens and it spurs in you a burning, all-encompassing desire to fix the problem.

The problem with most people is that they get angry at other people for taking advantage of their weaknesses. "You took my boyfriend." Hey, if your relationship was good, there wouldn't be a problem. The blame rests with you and/or your boyfriend, not anyone else.

A few years ago, I met Rudy Ruettiger. The movie 'Rudy' is based on his life. He told me that the thing that kept him going in the face of every adversity you can imagine was anger...

Anger at everyone that told him playing football for Notre Dame was crazy; for everyone that told him that he wasn't cut out for college; that he ought to work in the factory because it was safe; that he ought to forget his stupid dream.

The nay sayers motivated him. It made him angry when people knocked his dream.

If you've never seen the movie, I would recommend that you buy it and wear it out. And if you don't have any tissues, get some before you hit "play."

What do most people do when others rain on their parade? What do you do?

Inside, you probably laugh right along and say something like, "Yeah, it is kind of silly. That IS a little out of
my league."

Why not get angry and do something about it, instead. Show them you can reach your dream.

Few people like to stand out. To be seen as different.

Well, anger is really just another way of describing one of the first elements that go into making a personal
mission statement. I mean after all, what would a mission be if you weren't completely behind it emotionally? It wouldn't be a mission. It would be just a wish. And wishes don't usually come true.

Missions, though, usually ensure that dreams become realized.

But when you've got a mission, it sets your whole being into motion.

Great missions come about often when you just can't stand the way something is and you feel like you must change it.

"MADD" (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) came about because of anger. "America's Most Wanted" came about because of anger.

So many breakthroughs and achievements would never have happened unless someone got mad and said "I'm not going to take it any more!"

I did that years ago and went looking for tools to change the way I thought. It took a while, but I found them and altered them to create a technology that ultimately changed who I am and changed the lives of thousands around the world... all because of massive pain and dissatisfaction.

Here's what I want you to do...

Find something in your life that you're dissatisfied with and get yourself worked up. Ask yourself what your life will be like if this doesn't change. Feel the pain. Get angry. Don't blame others in this mental exercise. You're responsible for your own circumstances. Get that straight.

Feel the pain now. Compare those feelings to the feelings you'd have if you were just to fix the situation now. No matter what kind of effort it would take to fix. It might take years for you to get things the way you want them. But compare the two futures. Get angry at the first future. Get scared. And get determined not to end up there.

Make it a must. You must change it. Feel it. If you've got to cry and scream and pound your fists, fine...if
that's what it takes. Look now at the better future you saw. How big is the gap? Would it be worth any effort that it might take? I think you'll find that it probably is.

Without dissatisfaction, and often anger, it's verrrry difficult to get and stay motivated. You must keep your
dissatisfaction in your mind daily.

Use it as fuel for your motivation.

As long as you continue to take personal responsibility for your life, this can work miracles.

But as long as you keep blaming others for your problems, you'll continue to have them.

Get dissatisfied. It will help you feel courageous, even if last week you were hiding out.

[kennynah]

to appreciate light, one must experience total darkness...and so, to appreciate success, is to first experience failures

[winston]

How to Get More Done in Less Time by Drew J. Stevens

There are numerous things that need to be completed in a day. It gets so frustrating that owners and fitness professionals question how all will get accomplished. The crux of the issue lies not in the amount of time or lack of time, but organization.

The successful entrepreneur is well organized. The more organized the professional the easier the day. The best and most successful understand how to move around the hurdles in a structured manner so that they accomplish more- with less.

I recall many years ago living in New Jersey and commuting to Manhattan, one frequently stopped to pay tolls. These necessities are required for road improvements, etc. yet they become any annoyance and add time to your commute. Tolls create agitation because you need to stop and restart, they frustrate you as you fumble for ways to weave through the longest line to ease your commute and finally, distract you as you watch other foppish commuters.

There are three tolls in your life and your business that disrupt your day they are:
1. People
2. Problems
3. Processes

Each of these factors contributes to a waste of time, energy and euphoria and manages to throw your days into pandemonium. For you to gain instant organizational momentum you must embark in three ideologies:
• You must have some selfishness
• You must keep in mind moments do not return
• You must embrace the issue and make an immediate change
If you keep these in mind throughout the day your disarray will lead to order.

When we look at organizational skills we need to first understand what gets in the way of efficiency and organization and the most common cause of disorder. Procrastination detains you. When you steer away from confrontational or imperative issues you back up other issues creating a domino effect.

There are a number of major reasons for procrastination such as is a FEAR. The issue takes too long to complete, is too boring or simply is ridiculous and takes time from something else. Yet, research shows that in 98% of instances when procrastination exists, the excuses for procrastinating actually take more time then the issue itself.

If you find yourself not dealing with things, paperwork is piling up and calls unreturned then you must absolutely begin to change you habits. Paperwork, calls and reports do not disappear because of avoidance they grow LARGER!!!

Self-management is simply the result of developing good habits and letting them control you. or another way to look at it is don’t let bad habits control you ---you are in charge…so you make choices. In order to overcome procrastination one must meet it head on. Moreover, there are numerous things you can do to refrain from procrastination. They include:

1. Get the things you hate to do completed first. Stop putting things off until tomorrow or the next day since it will not get accomplished anyway. Get the calls, the reports, the meeting with the nasty client all out of the way first and the remainder of the day is easier.

2. Stop seeking alternatives through email and voice mail. Many individuals hide behind electronics. Refrain from wearisome habits and confront the issue. The manner in which to stop poor behavior is confronting it. This is what you tell your clients, isn’t it?

3. Stop pondering. More time is spent on not conducting the task then physically doing it. When surveyed, 93% of participants stated that blowing off the issue took more time than the physical issue. Pay bills twice per month; make calls and emails first, etc.

4. Prioritize. Most people simply lack good planning and goal setting. The only way to stop sputtering is simply to prioritize. Plan the day and stick with it, do not enable interruptions.

There are also some additional guidelines for sanity and organization:

1. Create time frames – block out times in a day for specific activities and events. Do not enable interruptions during these imperative times.

2. Hold yourself accountable – ensure success by keeping to times and to goals. You hold your clients and relatives to specific schedules why not yourself?

3. Keep only one list – good organizers place information in one place so that they are not distracted. The problem with most people is that they don’t keep a list at all. Others have too many, to remain atop the issues have one list such as a to do and keep it in a location where you are most apt to view it.

4. Keep a notepad wherever you are – One of the best methods for organization is to keep pen and paper with you at all times, if you are technologically desirous then a recorder. During a single day individuals have numerous thoughts. When was the last time your great idea would place you as the world’s wealthiest person only to forget the idea hours later? With so many distractions interrupting our days it is best to record those precious moments. Keep a notepad wherever you go: auto, airplane, business bag, knapsack, nightstand, bathroom etc. Never lose another thought. Once you create the memory then transpose the idea to your main list for ultimate success.

[millionairemind]

Failure
By Edgar A. Guest

Failure is ceasing to try!
"Tis accepting defeat
And to all you may meet
Giving voice to a sigh;
"Tis in thinking it vain
To attempt furthermore
And in bowing to pain
When the muscles grow sore.

Failure is stepping aside
From the burnt of the fray
In a weak-hearted way,
Being content to abide
In the shadows that fall,
And in being afraid
Out of life, after all,
Nothing's left to be made.

Failure is thinking despair,
The forsaking of hope,
And refusal to cope
With the day's round of care,
It's in heeding the cry,
"All is lost!" and to stay
With defeat and not try
For the happier day.