Do your goals discourage you?

Do you ever feel as though you can’t achieve the goals you have set for yourself no matter how hard you try? Have you ever felt as if all of your efforts were a complete waste of time because nothing seemed to get any better for you? The problem may not be the amount of effort that you are putting forth. It may just well be that it’s the size of the goals that you have set for yourself that is the problem.

Sometimes we only see the big picture as the sole issue that we need to deal with at any particular moment. Then when the big issue isn’t resolved within the particular time frame that you set for yourself, you get discouraged and decide that it’s just not worth the effort.

Does the size of your goals really matter?

Let me give you a couple of examples and shed some light on the subject.

Let’s just say that you’ve set your mind to lose fifty pounds and drop down to what you think is your ideal bodyweight. That’s a great goal. Now you have to ask yourself what the game plan is to achieve this.

What are the changes in your lifestyle that you are you going to have to incorporate in order to achieve your goal? More importantly though, what is a safe and realistic goal poundage for you to lose each week and how many weeks will that plan take you to lose the total number of goal pounds?

The key is to break it down into manageable chunks that you can work with.

Let’s take a quick look at another example. Let’s say that you have a goal to set up an internet business and you would love quit your job and work full-time online within one year.

This is another example of a great plan. The question that you need to ask yourself is what is the amount that you will need to earn in your internet business each month in order to attain your yearly goal? Next you need break it down even further and to ask yourself what is the amount that you need to earn every day in order to achieve your monthly goal. Then take it to the next step and plan out a strategy in order to make your daily goals a reality.

When you stop and think about it, it’s not always your lack of effort that is the problem.  As a matter of fact, it’s usually the lack of planning that is the determining factor in the outcome of your goals.

Don’t confuse your goals with your dreams

You also may be confusing your goals with your dreams. Your dream is the big picture. That’s the big end result that you are striving to accomplish, whether it’s earning a six figure income online, losing fifty pounds, buying your dream home or anything else that your heart desires.

Your goals on the other hand, are the small steps that you take that link together to lead you to your big dreams. If you are only looking at the end result on a large scale without a practical plan made up of smaller goals, you may get discouraged and give up without ever realizing those big dreams. Focus on the smaller steps and everything else will fall right into place.

Short term goals are the way up the ladder of success

So, if you’re expectations outweigh your achievements,  then maybe you’re trying to reach the top of the ladder without climbing from rung to rung. It’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate your plan of action, laying out a practical plan consisting of smaller short term goals that will act as steps eventually leading to your ultimate goal.

Take your goal setting one small step at a time and you will surely climb the ladder of success!

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By Dr. Robert Anthony

Over the years I have had the privilege to spend time with some very financially and spiritually enlightened people. As a result, my personal life and the way I do business has changed.

In listening to these people talk and observed how they handle their personal and business lives, three very distinct and powerful traits came to my attention. I believe if all these three traits were applied to your life, they would make such a dramatic change, that in a short time all the things you desire would show up in your life.

I don’t say that lightly, I really have been influenced by these three Spiritual Principles and their power. I believe – no, I KNOW, you will be too, if you apply them in your life.

Principle Number 1: THEY “KNOW” THEY CAN CREATE WHATEVER THEY DESIRE

Spiritual Millionaires choose what they want instead of focusing on what they don’t want. They never spend time thinking about what is “missing” from their life. Rather, they make a choice about what they want in their life.

Spiritual Millionaires have 100% confidence in the Law of Attraction. The have no doubt about their ability to create what they desire. They don’t “believe” it – they KNOW it. There is a world of difference between “believing” and “knowing”. When you “know” the truth about anything, there is no doubt. You have 100% confidence.

Knowing is about trusting that you are the only one who knows what is right for you, that you are capable of handling whatever comes to you, and that you are clear on your intentions or the outcome you choose to create.

I’ve seen the power of being absolutely clear on my intentions for my life: They come true! They have for me, and I watched the Spiritual Millionaires as their intentions came to reality for them as well.

Being clear on your intentions is a good first step. However, a more powerful and life-changing step is trusting that those intentions are ALREADY a reality on the non-physical plane of consciousness, and that they must manifest in your physical reality if you do not hold any opposing thoughts.

And then, “Act As If…” your intentions are reality, now. Not dishonestly, or outside of your true beliefs. But, to feel it, sense it, imagine how it’s going to “show up” in various situations once it manifests in your life.

Principle Number 2: THEY TAKE ACTION

As I observed Spiritual Millionaires, I noticed that they didn’t hesitate to move on their ideas and responding to situations that called for action in order to keep the momentum going.

Do you get the power of what this Principle is about? If you’re sitting waiting for something to happen, doing other “important” tasks rather than those that you know will produce the results you desire , you are wasting time and you are no closer to your desire. Trust me on this one, I’ve waited for so many things in my life that never showed up!

Acting on your desire is habit that you desperately need to cultivate in order to get to where you want to be! Waiting will not do it!

I watched these Spiritual Millionaires, one after another, take immediate action, not out of fear or to ‘force’ things to happen, but because the next action they took brought them one step closer to their desire. And, I saw tremendous results come into their lives.

They don’t take unnecessary action. Instead, they use the leverage of energy, the same leverage of energy that creates everything in the universe.

I have seen these Spiritual Millionaires step into spaces of discomfort, and have courage to take action. It was also evident that they were as scared to take those steps as you and I are when we’re faced with the choice of moving out of our comfort zone.

It’s time to “Get Moving”, trust your intuition, your sense of knowing what the next step is, and take action. We often wait for the “feeling to be right” first, before we take the action we know will bring us satisfaction. That’s backwards! The feelings of satisfaction only comes from ACCOMPLISHMENT, not from pondering and procrastinating. (You knew that one, too, didn’t you?!)

Never try to force things to happen because you are afraid of what will happen if you don’t take a certain action. Instead, choose ‘inspired action’ that moves you toward what you want, not away from what you don’t want.

Acting on your intentions without trying to force things to happen will magnetize your desires by attracting people, places and opportunities into your into reality that you never would have even seen if you hadn’t done so.

Principle Number 3: THEY MAINTAIN AN “ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE”

Spiritual Millionaires maintain an “attitude of gratitude”. Gratitude does not need explanation – you know how to be grateful. But did you know that gratitude brings you more of what you appreciate? Gratitude speeds along the manifestation of your desires.

When you find things that you appreciate and you use them as your point of focus, your world has to get better in every area of your life. Spiritual Millionaires know that every time they flood their mind with appreciation or gratitude they attract more of what they desire.

Look around you right now. What can you be grateful for? Make a list. Get into the authentic feeling of true gratitude. Find something, anything, to be grateful for right now. When you are grateful, you’re in a high energy vibration that will attract more things to be grateful for and more good things will come to you magically, drawn in by your feelings of gratitude.

When I put these three principles into practice for myself, I immediately, I mean IMMEDIATELY, got results!

Every Spiritual Millionaire I have known has created their wealth and happiness using these three principles. If you want a step-by-step blueprint on how to apply these principles and fine-tune your ability to create whatever you desire, then take a moment to check out my “Secret of Deliberate Creation” program. I promise you the principles in the “Secret of Deliberate Creation” program will get you the results you desire. And, they are enjoyable, easy and nothing works faster!

Want to discover more?

Visit www.thesecretofdeliberatecreation.com NOW…

Dr. Robert Anthony is the bestselling author of over 15 books in the personal development industry, which have been published in 22 countries. He has written works that have impacted countless people including “Beyond Positive Thinking” and “The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence”, which continues to be a best-seller after being in publication for almost 30 years. He is also the creator of the best selling audio program – “The Secret of Deliberate Creation” and his latest video DVD training program – “Rich Mind Life Strategy”.

Dr. Anthony has earned a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology and has worked as a psychotherapist, NLP practitioner, master hypnotist, personal performance trainer and business coach. He is licensed by the American Board of Hypnotherapy and is highly trained in all forms of Energy Therapy and is a member of The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology.

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Why does it often seem that some lucky people always find ways to succeed in everything that they do, but then there are others who flounder aimlessly off the beaten path? The answer is quite simple. It’s because the successful people have goal strategies when setting goals and have taken the necessary steps needed to successfully achieve them. So what exactly are the goal strategies that they have used to achieve their goals?

Here are five goal strategies they use:

1. Set a deadline

The first and most important step in the goal setting process is to start with a long-term goal, write it down, and take into account when you actually plan on achieving that goal. In other words, set a deadline. Then you must stop and ask yourself why this particular goal is important to you. Try and be as specific as possible and visualize this in vivid detail, explaining how the achievement of this goal will change your life for the better. Once this long-term goal strategy has been documented, break the goal into tangible smaller steps that need to be taken in the process.

2. Be 100% positive that you really desire the goal

Ask yourself the question, “Do I really and truly want this goal? Will the achievement of this goal better the quality of my life?” When you stop and take the time to answer these questions, it will give you the burning desire to achieve your goal. This goal strategy will help you to “get clear” and what it is that you truly desire.

3. Talk about your goal

You shouldn’t really keep your goals to yourself. When you share your goals with someone who is close to you that you trust, it can help you get the support you may need and it also ads to it the element of accountability. I know that there are many of you who are concerned with telling others about your goals because you are worried about the consequences if you happen to fail. Contrary to this belief, telling someone else about your goals means that you are more likely to achieve them either with their support or in-spite of them.

4. Put your goals in writing

In my opinion, this is the most important goal strategy of all. This particular strategy will burn your goals deep into your subconscious mind. From there you will begin to experience synchronicities happening in your life that will lead you to the bull’s eye of your target.

Once you have put your goals down in writing, be sure to review them on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to keep them with you on a 3×5 index card to remind you of your goal at any time of the day. This will help to keep you motivated and focused.

The important part of this process is that you have to discipline yourself to stick to what you have written. Do not just write them and tuck them away somewhere where they will be out of your mind. It’s much wiser to keep them where you will see them. It’s a good idea to even stick your goal cards on the refrigerator or on the bathroom mirror.

5. Never, ever quit

Writing your goals down and reviewing them regularly will help to keep your mind open and tell you if you are on the right track. While on track, you may have to face adversity and obstacles which might change your perception of your reality.

When in doubt, though, never be discouraged. Facing obstacles and roadblocks on your path serves as a test to prove how dedicated and determined you are to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself. This goal strategy will all boil down to you preparing yourself to face anything and doing everything that it takes to conquer your goal. Remember this though: only you can make it happen. Nothing can stop you when you set your mind to something and make a commitment to taking action.

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What Are You Waiting For?

By Dr. Robert Anthony

Are You Putting Off Your Dreams? Or have things slowed down recently? Is your life visibly changing the way you want it to? Or are you still stuck with the same problems?

I woke up today thinking about three people who contacted me this week concerning the progress they were making reaching their goals. They each said the same thing in a different way.

Although they all made good progress in the beginning, they are now all stalled. It’s very frustrating for me because I got myself caught up in their dreams. I imagined how their lives would be when they’ve completed the changes they needed to make. I can easily see the benefits they will gain such as a much larger income, more satisfying relationships and the pride of knowing that they are doing exactly what they always wanted to do – and earning a great living from it.

It’s also frustrating for another reason. Although I can see the finish line, they are standing still. The frustrating part of all this is they have all the tools necessary to succeed, but now they are stuck. So why have they stopped?

I can’t say I know the answer for each of them. I’m sure there are many reasons. But I suspect there is one cause in every case. They have come to the point where they have done everything they could comfortably do and now they have arrived at a place where they’ve never been before. Any new step forward, represents a step out of their comfort zone.

If you want to improve the results in your life, you have to accept the fact that you can no longer do the same old things the same old way.

Making a commitment to change your life is a big step. It usually occurs when something has happened to make you realize that you are unhappy with some aspect of your life. Often this event or circumstance will jolt you into deciding that the time has finally come to change your current situation.

The charge that you get from deciding to change your situation will keep you going through the early stages of your transformation. For example, it can energize and motivate you to read a book, take a course, and even go through all the details of setting up a business. All those preparatory activities are necessary and good – but they amount to nothing unless you are able to get your dream started. And getting your dream started — actually kicking your dream into action — is new territory. New means strange. And strange means uncomfortable.

Having been involved with a number of very effective training programs over the years, I’ve been disappointed by how many bright and ambitious students fail to finish their training. And of those who finish, less ten percent turn their hard-earned skills into substantial or measurable results.

Then weeks or months later they look at the courses or programs they have taken and wonder, as I’m doing about these three people now: “What happened?”

If you feel that you were off to a good start but are currently stalled, you need to admit to yourself that you have probably slipped back into your comfort zone. More than likely you have been deceiving yourself that you are making progress, but at the same time you are really not getting anywhere.

What you need to do is take action. Even if it is a very small action. Nothing you can tell yourself, nothing you can say to others, nothing you can think or feel or imagine is going to get you out of the mental bog you’re mired in. The only thing that can rescue you is – to take that next step.

Maybe you know what that is. If you know exactly what it is, DO IT! If you don’t know, or aren’t sure, allow you intuition to guide you. Do whatever you feel compelled to do, but do it NOW to get yourself going again — even if it means entering your discomfort zone.

I said earlier, I am disappointed by how many people start to change their lives and then stall. Many of these people are good at the initial study phase, but lose pace when it comes time to make those next steps, transitioning from knowledge to action.

On the other hand, I’m thinking now about many people who have succeeded . . . about the hundreds of unsolicited letters I receive from people who have taken my “Secret of Deliberate Creation” program and are now living the lives they dreamed about. All they did was just FOLLOW THROUGH until they got results. They just applied simple steps outlined in the program and the changes were almost magical.

What is your dream? To become a freelance artist / writer / consultant? To own your own business? To become financially independent . . . perhaps even wealthy? Don’t put off the success you’ve always dreamed about. My “Secret of Deliberate Creation” program will show you how to get started NOW and give yourself the jolt you need to make that final change to move you from where you are to where you want to be.

Want to discover more?

Visit www.thesecretofdeliberatecreation.com NOW…

Dr. Robert Anthony is the bestselling author of over 15 books in the personal development industry, which have been published in 22 countries. He has written works that have impacted countless people including “Beyond Positive Thinking” and “The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence”, which continues to be a best-seller after being in publication for almost 30 years. He is also the creator of the best selling audio program – “The Secret of Deliberate Creation” and his latest video DVD training program – “Rich Mind Life Strategy”.

Dr. Robert Anthony has also earned a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology and has worked as a psychotherapist, NLP practitioner, master hypnotist, personal performance trainer and business coach. He is licensed by the American Board of Hypnotherapy and is highly trained in all forms of Energy Therapy and is a member of The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology.

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Although resolutions can be a positive motivator to some, it can also bring about certain level of frustration for you if the goals that you set for yourself are unreachable, unattainable, or just something you have no real passion for doing. Making resolutions can be done at any time of the year, but if you have been thinking about several new ones for the new year, here are four tips to help you not only make resolutions, but to keep them.

1. Know your resolution

Okay, so you have made your list of New Year’s resolutions. Now, take a step back and give each one a good look. Are these resolutions ones that you truly wanted to make or are they resolutions that others have influenced you to make? Be certain that each one of your resolution is one that you are committed to keeping, not a half hearted attempt at reaching a goal that you really aren’t interested in. If there are changes that need to be made to your resolution then by all means do so.

2. Set realistic goals

Are the resolutions that you set for yourself reasonable or are they stretching well beyond what can realistically be expected? Let’s say your goal is to lose 80 pounds in the upcoming year. While this weight loss resolution may seem admirable, do you really have the time and commitment to exercise regularly? Are you willing to change your eating habits? Change your lifestyle? Is the 80 pound weight loss goal too much, too soon? Would it be better for you to increase the amount of time you wish to accomplish this goal in beyond one calendar year? Be sure to consider your health, both physical and mental, when evaluating your goals. Keep in mind how your resolution may impact friends and family members you may be a “bear” to live with over the next twelve months!

3. When the going gets tough, get going!

Are you one of those people who give up at the first sign of an obstacle? If you lose your cool and binge on junk food, do you just throw in the towel and quit? If so than ask yourself why? The best thing to do is to simply start over again and continue on your journey. The road to any goal is paved with pitfalls and you are bound to backslide from time to time. The best advice is to find a friend who will hold you accountable and who knows and understands your resolution and can encourage you to keep it.

4. Give yourself a reward

When you have accomplished your goal, or at the end of the given period of time, reward yourself based on how well you kept your resolution. If you hit your weight loss goals, consider a reward such as a vacation or going on that shopping spree you always wanted for new clothes. The key is to reward yourself with something positive and not something negative such as going on a junk food binge!  If you happen to fall short of your goals, keep the ideas for a reward open for when you actually do meet your goals. In other words, some resolutions are ongoing and shouldn’t be restricted by a 365 day calendar.

Remember this: resolutions are meant to help you and not hinder you. It’s your attitude toward a particular resolution or goal that will ultimately help you determine whether or not you will be successful in your endeavor. Any resolution made which doesn’t have your enthusiastic backing will certainly become a hindrance in the months to come and forgotten altogether by midyear. Make resolutions that mean the most to you and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

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Know exactly what you want

Okay I know this one sounds quite obvious but there is no way to achieve a specific goal unless you know exactly what you want. The key is to be specific; the greater the details, the better the outcome. Include as much information that you can such as specific times, dates, numbers, percentages etc. You need to have a clear and precise vision of what you do want in order to achieve it.

Write your goal down

This is the one technique that separates the people who succeed from the people who fail. I am always finding new information from some of the greatest successful people in the world and they are constantly reminding you how important it is to write down your goals. According to research you are 95% more likely to achieve your goal if it is written down. Enough said. Do it!

Believe 100% in your goal

I’m sure you have heard of something called “blocks” to your manifestations. Blocks are those negative limiting self beliefs that keep you from achieving your greatest dreams in life no matter how hard you try.

If you attempt to achieve a goal that you don’t truly believe in, your subconscious mind will sabotage you in the worst ways and you will be left feeling frustrated and empty. The only success you will find if you don’t believe entirely in your goal will be in making yourself miserable. As Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” Believe and achieve! You must believe in your goal with your whole heart and soul.

Give your subconscious a constant reminder of the goal

I remember in grade school when you would get answers wrong on a vocabulary test the teacher would make you write the correct answers out 20-plus times. What was the purpose of this? The subconscious mind is like a tape recorder and the more you repeat something to it, the more it will be permanently programmed in. So the purpose was to program that word or words into your brain.

Another great example is this: You have a favorite song that you play over and over and over again. Then, years later, you can still remember every word to that song without ever hearing it since.

There are a variety of techniques you can use to program your subconscious. I find the repetitive writing technique to be very effective for manifesting your goals and solidifying the outcome here on the physical plane. Simply write out your goals 20 times every day. Yes, it’s that simple, and very effective.

Another technique is to write out your goals on a note card and read them over several times throughout the day, especially first thing in the morning and also last thing before you go to sleep at night.  You can also put up post it notes at certain strategic places throughout your home such as on the bathroom mirror and the refrigerator. This way you will again , be reminded constantly of your goal no matter if you are brushing your teeth or going to grab that midnight snack in the fridge.

Be passionate about your goal

Passion is something that drives people to accomplish some of the most extraordinary things you can think of in life. This is what drove Roger Bannister to break the four minute mile and also what inspired Antonio Vivaldi to create some of the greatest classical masterpieces your ears will ever hear.

Passion is what keeps you up late at night and wakes you up bright and early the very next morning to get back to work on your project. Passion is what drives out the demons of fear on your quest to achieve your goal.

You can bet your life that you are more likely to achieve anything if it ignites within you an all consuming fire that swallows everything in its path.

Stop and imagine what your life is like when you achieve your deepest desires and you fulfill your destiny. This will ignite the fire; now let it burn.

Break your goal down into smaller parts

Having big goals is great; it’s the only way to go in my book. Go big or go home.The only way you’re ever going to do something big in this world is to think big; think like Trump. However, I might add the fact that you may need to break this big goal down into smaller more manageable goals in order to achieve your goal.

It’s much more believable to the mind. Setting a very large task may overwhelm you so break your goal down into steps: short term, mid range and long term.

Give yourself that little reward

Give yourself a little reminder every so often of what the payoff in the end will be like. Little rewards keep you moving, like a checkpoint in a marathon that gives you water. It will help keep the desire and enthusiasm burning. It will also give signals to the subconscious mind that you are moving closer and closer to your desired goal.

Focus on the positive at all times

The bottom line is the only person who can ever keep you from achieving your goals is YOU. PERIOD. Assume responsibility for your success or failure. Fear, worry and self doubt are common enemies to your success but are only creations of your mind. Remember, what you focus on expands. Focus on what you want rather than what you don’t want. Focus on the positive. Focus on everything you have rather than what you are lacking in life.

One last thing: Remember that you only fail when you decide to quit; and yes you are totally responsible for that decision. So keep on moving forward!

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Success is best measured by the personal victories in your life; the obstacles and hurdles that you have overcome in your Quest For Excellence.

No matter what your definition of success is though, the way to get there is by way of a definite success plan.

As you may have heard, failing to plan is planning to fail, so regardless of what your goal actually is, it is critical to create a plan for your own success. Success planning is all about creating a road map or blueprint to follow in all of the different areas of your life.

Along the same lines as following a map on a journey, you need to define the following points of interest: the starting point, your destination, your method of transportation, your baggage, milestones, and of course, the route.

Let’s take a look at these points of interest and how they fit in to the overall success plan.

“I have learned that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

The Starting Point:  Where you are now

Every journey has a starting point. Your starting point is where you are right now in life; who you are right at this very moment. Stop and ask yourself “who am I.” When your answer is something to the extent of a mother, a father, a husband or wife, a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse or any other title or occupation, you need to stop and realize that this does not define who you really are.  It only tells your present preoccupation and representation.

To gain true insights about yourself, you need to examine your core values, beliefs and principles apart from your financial, professional, cultural, and public status. Furthermore, you can also reflect on your experiences in life to give you a better perspective on both your positive and negative traits, skills, knowledge, strengths and weaknesses.

Upon self examination, you may realize many things about yourself that you never knew. You may also discover that your life must indeed serve a purpose, and only through deep introspection you come to this realization.

Stop and take time to answer the question “Who am I”…

Your Objective: A vision of who you want to be

Where exactly do you want to be in life? A better question would be to ask yourself who exactly you want to be in life. This is the question that  needs to be asked at the beginning of your journey and it will then clearly light the way to your vision.

Now it is imperative that you truly know yourself at your core so that you would have a clear idea of where exactly in life you want to be. This includes all of the things you want to change whether they are attitudes, habits, or core beliefs.

If you don’t really know yourself, then your vision and goals for the future will also be unclear. Your objective should cover all of the different aspects of your being: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Continuing on, after you have defined your beliefs, values, and principles, you will be able to decide what you really want to have in life.

Stop and take time to answer the question “Who is this person that I truly want to be?”…

Your Method of Transportation: Your mission

Now it is time to get moving. Since you have determined who you are right now and who you want to be in the future, the next step is to create a process to get there.

Any method of transportation is the medium by which you can reach your ultimate objective. In this instance, it can be comparable to your mission or purpose in life.

To a great extent, your purpose would depend on what you know about yourself. Based on your self-assessment, you can then discover your perfect vocation.

Your chosen profession may be a doctor, lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, business owner etc. Taking that one step further and describing your mission fully, it may be to live a life dedicated to providing a benefit and serving the people in some specific way shape or form.

You may want to change the lives of millions in a positive way. That would define your mission in life and provide the method of transportation to get you to who you want to be.

Stop and take time to answer the question “What is my purpose in life?”…

Your Baggage: Knowledge, skills, and attitude

No, we’re not talking about the type of “baggage” that some people bring into a relationship or even the outside distractions that some people bring to work everyday that they should have left at the door.

We’re talking about the type of baggage that will provide for you with the tools to provide sustenance throughout your journey.

Clothing, personal care items and other travelling necessities are all things you pack for a trip in a travel bag. Applying this same idea to your success map, you also bring with you a certain amount of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

These key fundamentals will ultimately determine your true capacity and help you in attaining your vision.

With that being said, there is a need for you to make an assessment of what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you have at the present moment and what you would need to acquire along the way. This personal assessment will give you awareness on your milestones or measures of success.

You may find that you need to gain knowledge and learn new skills in a certain area of your expertise so that you could achieve your ultimate goal. The next step would be to make the necessary advancements in personal development to acquire these skills or knowledge.

Knowledge truly is power. Whatever your journey is, be prepared for a lifelong learning endeavor. Always be a student learning from everyone and everything.

Stop and take time to answer the question “What skills or knowledge do I need to acquire in order to attain my vision?”

Milestones and The Path: S.M.A.R.T. goals

Milestones will let you know if you are on the right track with your success plan while the path will determine if and when you are going to get there. Thus, in planning out your journey, you also need to set up milestones and embark on a clear path ahead.

These milestones, or rather short term goals, will be the measure of your current success; marks along the road that let you know just how far you have come.

Milestones are in fact very important markers along your path to success. Oftentimes you may not realize how far you have actually come in on your journey and may face discouragement. The only way to alleviate this temporary roadblock is to focus on the accomplishments that you have made, or rather the milestones you have passed on your path to success.

The smaller goals that you have set must be S.M.A.R.T. That is, like any goal, they must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time bound.

Stop and take time to make sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T. and acknowledge any short term accomplishments you have made…

Anticipate Detours, Roadblocks and U-turns

The purpose of your success plan is to minimize the possibility of having to make any abrupt and spontaneous decisions that can take you off your course.

Oftentimes you may find though, that your original game plan is modified along the way due to unexpected inconveniences, detours, and other situations that are well beyond your control.

Just as on any journey, there are u-turns, re-routs, and roadblocks that we must anticipate and adjust accordingly. The key is to adjust accordingly. Remember, it is not the obstacle that matters; it is how you react and deal with the challenge that ultimately determines your success or failure.

Be prepared to make any necessary changes along the way by keeping your eye on the prize and staying on the path. By keeping your focus on your ultimate goal then you will in fact make wise decisions when necessary and follow through with your success plan.

Stop and ask yourself this final question “How will I maintain a positive mental attitude when the going gets tough?”…

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If you are just starting out on your journey to inner peace, then this simple Zen meditation technique called Zazen will nurture your consciousness into the realms that go beyond this material world in which we so deeply enslave our minds to. This is the way to escape the conscious critical mind and find the way into a higher state of consciousness, connecting with your True Self.

In the continuous process of gaining awareness, observe how you emerge with a new sense of yourself, the way you perceive the world and a new sense of purpose in life.

Sitting in Zazen

“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” Zen Proverb

The practice of meditation should be approached the same way as any physical exercise; in a progressive manner. Don’t expect to sit for an hour in deep meditation you very first time out just as you shouldn’t expect to run 5 miles if you have never engaged in any type of physical exercise before. It takes time to build up the focus and concentration to sit for long periods of time.

Just as any improvements in health and physical appearance related to exercise are in direct correlation to the consistency of the practice, so it is with meditation. Consistency is the key. It is better to a little bit every day than for long periods sporadically over time.

The first step in the practice of Zazen meditation is to find a quiet and comfortable place where you will be free from any disturbance. Sit in a comfortable position, either on the floor or in a chair. Your aim should be to keep your spine straight and your body perpendicular to the floor. If you choose to sit on the floor, you can sit in any position which is most comfortable for you such as lotus, half lotus, Burmese or seiza (kneeling) position.

For the sake of comfort while sitting, I highly recommend using a zafu and a zabuton. If you are not familiar with these two items, a zafu is a special meditation pillow that is usually filled with kapok or buckwheat hulls and a zabuton is a thick mat that you place under a zafu that will cushion the knees.

I feel these two meditation tools are essential and will help you to maintain correct posture and provide comfort throughout your meditation session.

Another tool that you can use while meditating is a seiza bench. Some people find sitting on one of these small benches in a kneeling position called Burmese is much more comfortable that sitting.

Any way that you choose to sit, the goal is for you to feel very relaxed and be able to focus. If you choose to sit on a chair, be sure that your spine is straight and that your feet are placed flat on the floor.

Hand position in Zazen

“The tighter you squeeze, the less you have.” Zen Proverb

Your hand position is very important in the meditation process. It is recommended to place your hands in a position which is called the cosmic mudra.

Start by placing your right hand with your palm up in your lap close to your lower abdomen. Then take your left hand and place it palm up on top of your right hand. The fingers of both hands should be parallel and the middle fingers should touch at the second joint. Finally raise your thumbs and touch them together at the tips, forming an oval with your thumbs and fingers.

Head in Zazen

“Knock on the sky and Listen to the sound.” Zen Proverb

Keep your head straight, chin slightly tucked and try to stretch your neck toward the ceiling. Your eyes can either be completely closed or they can also be kept slightly open and gazing at a 45 degree angle toward the floor in front of you.  Some find it easier not to doze off or daydream with the eyes in the slightly open position rather than completely closed.

I personally feel I can concentrate to a greater extent with the eyes in the fully closed position. This helps me to shut out the rest of the world and focus my attention inward.

Breathing in Zazen

“When you try to stay on the surface of the water, you sink; but when you try to sink, you float.” Zen Proverb

The breath should be observed while practicing Zazen meditation. Do not try to force your breath in a rhythm or pattern while meditating, just let the breath be. Let it happen.

Breathe through the nostrils and let the breath rise and fall similar to the tide of the ocean on a sandy beach. Concentrate on breathing with the abdomen and letting it fill with air and deflate just like a balloon.

When just starting out in meditation and focused concentration is difficult to cultivate, a good technique to use is breath counting. This will help you maintain focused concentration throughout your session without daydreaming or falling asleep.

Start by counting each breath on both the inhalation and exhalation. On your first breath in you would count “one” silently in your mind and then when your breath out you would count “two”. Count until you have reached a count of 10 and then start over.

After you have are proficient in this first phase, you can then count each inhalation and exhalation as “one”, silently counting on the exhale of the breath.  Again, count up to 10 and then start over.

If at any point you lose count, simply start over from one.

After you have mastered the art of concentration then there is no need for counting. At this point you would just observe your breath, feeling the sensation of the air entering and leaving your nostrils and feeling the rise and fall of your abdomen.

The Mind in Zazen

“Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind.” Zen Proverb

The mind is like a pool of water. When the water is calm and settled, it can be as clear as glass and reflect the warm sun above like a mirror. Like this pool of water, when your mind is settled it is clear and you are connected to Source.

Throw a pebble into the pool and the water ripples and becomes murky and unsettled. Likewise, when you mind is unsettled and cluttered with negative thoughts and emotions, you are farthest from Source.

The product of Zazen meditation is a peaceful mind just like the calm pool of water that reflects the heavens above. When the mind is still and peaceful you can then connect to Source and amazing things will happen in your life.

There will be times when thoughts enter your mind while meditating. Just let them happen. They will enter and then dissipate like a puff of smoke into the air above. Keep your attention on your breathing and your mind will settle.

After Zazen

“To know and not do is not yet to know.” Zen Proverb

After your meditation session, take the time to reflect on your experience. I would recommend keeping a meditation journal and take notes on anything that you experienced while in meditation.

Do this meditation for at least ten minutes to start out with, twice a day. As you become more experienced at this technique, progressively increase the time in which you meditate, working up to 60 minutes per session.

Preferably, meditate at the start of each day and also at the end of your day to recharge your spirit. This is also helpful to alleviate your worries and get you ready to conquer the many challenges of life.

This is just the beginning of your journey to inner peace, and this simple Zazen meditation technique will surly provide the nurturing your consciousness needs to advance into the realms that go beyond this material world in which we so deeply enslave our minds to. Practice your way to escape the conscious critical mind and find the way into a higher state of consciousness, connecting with your True Self.

With this continuing process of gaining awareness, you can then emerge with a new sense of yourself, the way you perceive the world and a new sense of your purpose in life.

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What is the easiest way to motivate yourself to get something done? In fact, taking the time to answer that single question can be a great way to get your daily dose of motivation. Below I have given you seven easy ways that have been proven to work for myself and countless others as well. Certainly, they will work for you too.

1. Captivate Your Senses

Stop and imagine for a moment the satisfaction of the end result to your effort in clear detail. The imagination motivates many people to spend money on things such as magic weight loss pills and get rich quick schemes. You know how it goes. You see an ad in a magazine or a commercial on television and your imagination takes it from there.

A talented salesperson can have you driving your new car in your imagination in a matter of minutes, and you’ll feel inspired to act on that imagined thought to make it real. Now take this same principle and sell yourself on your desired goal.

2. Talk about it

Don’t we all love to talk about things that we love? Absolutely! Those of you who know me know that when I start talking about anything related to personal development I get fired up. I mean really fired up!

Find a friend who is a good listener that you can trust and tell them what you are passionate about doing. By verbalizing your goals you have just started the process of bringing your thoughts into the physical plane. You will feel the spark turning into a flame which will then turn into a full blown fire.

You will also be held accountable by the person who you are talking to. You have to back up everything you are saying so this will almost always add to your motivation.

3. Motivate yourself with pain and pleasure

For anyone who has been around the self help community has probably heard of Anthony Robbins. He is an advocate of the pain/pleasure principle in motivation. The technique that he teaches is called Neuro Associative Conditioning (NAC) and is similar to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). He teaches you to link pain with the not acting and pleasure with the desired result of taking action.

If you can just imagine for a moment, a scene of what it may be like if you didn’t take action on your goal. What would life be like 6 months from now if you didn’t act? That vision alone will motivate you to take the action that you’ve been avoiding by linking pain to it.

Linking pain to not acting is only half of the process though. Be sure to link pleasure to the desired outcome and you will be well on your way to achieving your goal.

4. Get excited

If you are lacking interest in a task at hand that needs to get done, it might be a sign for you to do something else. But if it’s just something that you don’t feel like doing, depict it clearly in your mind in relation to the greater goal and get excited about it.

Maybe you don’t feel like working out today, but when you think about how good it feels to have completed a challenging workout, you’ll get motivated.

5. Maintain a positive mental attitude

How much do you get accomplished when you are in a bad mood? It’s unthinkable to be both depressed or upset and motivated at the same time. It just won’t happen. Banish these negative thoughts and feelings and you’ll be sure to unleash your motivation.

Do something that raises your vibrations and puts you in a better mood such as listening to your favorite music or watching a movie that inspires you. Music is a big motivator for me and it works like magic to raise my vibrations and put me in a better mood. As a result, I am much more productive and get a lot more accomplished while listening to my favorite music.

6. Fuel your body with “real” energy

Coffee or Red Bull can give you a good swift kick in the behind, but at some point you need some “real” energy to keep yourself motivated. Be sure to exercise regularly, get enough quality sleep, and lay off the sugar – the sugar crash that you experience will leave you sluggish which in turn will definitely destroy your motivation.

7. Do something… ANYTHING!

Last but not least, just DO SOMETHING! It doesn’t matter how small a step you take, it’s just the matter that you take it.

Commit to writing one sentence and before you know it you’ll have a complete article. Clean one room in your house and the next thing you know you’re on a roll and can’t stop.

Any small step towards your goals creates momentum. It’s like lighting some kindling to start a fire. What starts as a single flame in no time at all turns into a blaze. It’s always the first step that is the hardest but once you take it the rest seems to just flow right along.

Now you have seven ways to get yourself motivated that will cost you absolutely nothing but a little effort. The key though is to put them to use.

So the next question is how do you get motivated to do that? Well, that’s entirely up to you.

Another great motivator, by the way, can be just to laugh a little at the task at hand. Laughing often lightens up the feeling of totally being overwhelmed. There you have it, an extra bonus to add to your list.

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There are also some little known, or rather often overlooked, pearls of wisdom that can be very beneficial to attaining success in your life. Here are seven overlooked “keys” that will unlock the doors that lead you straight to the top.

Do what you enjoy most

When you enjoy what it is that you do, you will no longer consider it work. This is what it feels like to be congruent with your Life purpose. You put forth a tremendous amount of effort but you could do it all day and still be happy.

Let’s take for example that you enjoy writing. We’ll say that you start a blog on your favorite topic and pursue it with all of your heart. In this scenario, you would be able to sit and write for hours on end and time would seem to stand still. You would find so much enjoyment in writing that it would almost seem effortless.

When you feel this way about something then you know for sure that you are in alignment with your Life purpose.

It also doesn’t matter if you are being compensated for this or not; you would do it regardless. This is when the magic takes place; when the abundance starts to flow in to your life.

Do the thing that you love and in turn you will surely love what you do.

Find joy and happiness in each new day

“Dance like nobody’s watching; love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.” Mark Twain

People experience the greatest amount of success in life when they are happy. Live every day as if it were your “first” day on earth, not your last. Discover something new today. Find the beauty in something you may have not been fond of in the past. Just look at things as if you are seeing them for the first time.

Be enamored with the beauty that exists in each and every day and the opportunities that lie within. See the splendor and grace in everything here on earth.

Practice being non-judgmental and live life in the present moment and not in the memories of the past. Let past mistakes, failures and grudges dissipate form your mind, for they will only hinder your progression towards your dreams.

You will only experience true joy and happiness living in the present moment.

Give more than what is expected of you

“The man who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does.” Napoleon Hill

If there is one key to paving the way to success in the form of prosperity and abundance this would be it. It does not matter whether we’re talking about a business that provides a service or if we are talking about an intimate relationship with someone, this key principle is well worth its weight in gold.

Give out more than what is expected of you in all aspects of your life. In business you will win customers for life and in your personal relationships you will win friends and experience love for life.

Also realize that everything seems to come back to you ten times greater than what you have given out so go all out and give like you mean it!

If you are looking for more love in your life then you need to start giving more love out to the people in your life. If you want more money then make a contribution to a charity or maybe even make an investment in yourself.

The key is to give, and give more than what is expected.

Hang on to your dreams

There may be times when you feel that life is getting the best of you but these little stars in your sky will be your driving force. No matter how tough the going gets, just keep your head up keep pushing along.

Hanging on to your dreams will cause you to reach deep inside of yourself for that little bit of inspiration that will get you through when you need it most. Your dreams are powerful motivating forces as unique to you as your DNA.

If you are brave enough to dare to dream in the first place then be brave enough to hang on to your dreams when the clouds seem to be blocking the sun. Never let go even if the odds are stacked against you; persevere and you will prevail.

Don’t let other people to get the best of you

Letting someone get the best of you by things they say and do is giving all of your personal power away. This destroys your ability to achieve your goals and dreams and accomplish anything worthwhile in life.

Personal power is about you being in control of your life. When you give this power away to someone else then they are in full control and will ultimately decide your fate.

Stay clear out of sight of these toxic people. You know who they are; the ones who would love dearly to destroy your dreams and watch you fall.

These are also the negative pessimistic people who absolutely hate to hear about your success. Their conversations consist of telling you to be “realistic” and are always full of “warnings” of what just might happen if you choose to pursue your dreams.

Well have I got news for them. Your reality is whatever you believe it to be. So their reality is going to be whatever negative pessimistic life that they have created in their minds.

Toxic people seem to consist of the unsupportive, non-encouraging, self centered leaches that we sometimes find ourselves in personal relationships with. Yes, they too are bad for business and must go.

Give all the toxic people in your life a great big “BUH-BYE!”

Just be yourself

You are a unique individual unlike any other on this planet earth. You were born with unique talents and gifts to be utilized in order to make a positive difference in this world. Choose to be exactly who you are and don’t change for anyone.

Trying to please everyone is setting yourself up for BIG failure. There is no one who you should try to please but you. You’re the one who has to live with yourself no matter what, so you may as well be happy with who you are.

If someone doesn’t like something about you then that’s their problem, not yours. Little things that bother someone about another person is usually an indication of something that they don’t like about themselves. Changing for someone is not going to make your life any better, in any way. Who cares what others think; it’s only an opinion.

Not being yourself is living big lie. Whatever the situation, you are going to end up getting hurt. I see this happen so often in relationships. I have been guilty of doing this in the past myself (I am much, much wiser now, thank you).

I have often witnessed people acting “out of character”, trying to change who they are to impress someone or to look appealing to someone that they want to be in a relationship with. They end up doing things that may not be congruent with their morals and values and compromising their integrity.

This is also true in your career. Don’t accept being a lifer to a job just because it is bringing home some dough. If it is not truly who you are then again, you are setting yourself up for future failure and also a miserable life.

Even if it means that you will have to take a cut in pay for the time being, it will be well worth it down the road. You will be much happier and healthier without all of the stress.

Do yourself a big favor and just be who you are, in every aspect of your life. And be content with that too. It will get you a lot farther than living as someone else just to be accepted, impress people or play it safe in your career.

Make things happen

One of my favorite quotes is by Hannibal and it states “we will either find a way or make one.” That is a classic example of determination at its best. I live by this philosophy because it is so empowering and you would be wise to do the same.

You are, in essence giving yourself two choices; either you will do it, or you will do it. Either way you win. This gives you absolutely no reason to ever face defeat.

If you cannot find a way to do something then by all means put your mind to work and make one! You do not have to accept defeat or failure. There is no law that states this to be a fact so if you’re not able to find a way then you have the opportunity to use the power of your mind and create one.

Don’t wait for things to happen in your life, make them happen. You, and only you, are responsible for your success or failure. Your decisions, your actions, your beliefs, your ambition and every thought created in your mind determines your reality. Do everything in your power to make it happen.

So there you have it; seven often overlooked keys to attaining success. Implement all or even one of these into your life and watch every day turn into another step up your very own ladder of success.

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