With so much information and advice bombarding you from every conceivable source, how can a budding entrepreneur distinguish between real opportunities and mere busy work? Answering this one question correctly can literally mean the difference between massive success and unknown obscurity.

If you try to have a big presence on all the social media sites, comment on all the top blogs in your niche, listen to all the free training from every new launch, do all of your own SEO, design work, and content creation,  how busy will you be? As an entrepreneur, time is your most valuable resource, and like everyone else, you only have so much of it.

Will doing all these things really grow your business?

Each of the things I mentioned can add to your overall growth when done correctly, but there is a downside. If you spend too much time focused on those activities, you won’t have enough left over to do the things that really matter. Instead, you will be working twelve hours a day and not making any money.

Here’s where things get a little tricky. You probably do need to do some of these time consuming tasks unless you are in a position to outsource them. So, how can you fit everything in and still have time for a life?

Choices need to be made, that’s how!

If you try to do everything you won’t accomplish anything worthwhile. You’ll be incredibly busy, but you won’t have much to show for it and eventually you’ll burn out. Correct me if I am wrong, but I am reasonably sure that your reasons for wanting to be an entrepreneur didn’t include working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, and making little or no money. And yet, that is exactly the experience many are having by following all the popular trends.

Instead of focusing on the latest flash, I prefer a more pragmatic approach. In every area of life there are always simple, profound truths that will outperform flash over the long run. Granted, when it comes to building a successful business these simple truths may not seem very glamorous compared to the lure of the latest get rich with the click of a button product, but they work and that’s what I care about.

Simplicity is an entrepreneur’s best friend

Complicated strategies can be intellectually appealing because they usually have a big wow factor, but I prefer to go with simple whenever possible. That’s what I have for you today, 3 simple, common sense solution for making the most of your time and effort while trying to grow your business.

1. Do more of what works. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, all tasks are not created equal. Some activities make a direct or indirect contribution to your income, others are much less important with little or no influence to your bottom line. You need to distinguish between the two and prioritize you time and energy accordingly.

I’m not saying you can completely ignore everything that doesn’t grow your income. What I am saying is that the bulk of your time needs to be spent on things that you know are contributing to the growth of your business. Instead of chasing every new moneymaking scheme that comes along, identify what is already working for you and find a way to take it to the next level. The 80-20 rule works well for this.

2. Stop trying to be all things to all people. Thanks to the internet you may have a worldwide audience, but the whole world is not your niche. You need to figure out who your product or service resonates with and focus on them. It is much more effective (and profitable) to fine tune your message for a specific crowd rather than trying to appeal to everyone.

The world is a big place made up of thousands of specialized niches large and small. You only need a small tribe of loyal customers to be a successful entrepreneur. Avoid the temptation of the broad market because it will dilute the effectiveness of everything you do.

3. Personalize your approach. Would you rather do business with the impersonal corporate world or with a real person who is personally involved? Personal branding can transform an unknown entrepreneur into a wildly successful business person.

We all prefer to do business with those we view as authorities and those we trust. Personal branding makes it possible for an entrepreneur to fill both these criteria. When your audience feels connected with you in a deeply motivating way, they will be eager to do business with you.

Narrow your focus to grow your business

Crafting a business breakthrough strategy for my business coaching clients often requires a great deal of creative innovation. But before we move to that stage, we always cover the tried and true fundamental growth strategies first. These are the kind of strategies that should form the foundation of your entrepreneurial efforts.

If you do more of what works and less of what doesn’t, your business will grow. If you focus your efforts and attention on those who already need what you have to offer, your customer base will expand and so will your income. If you are transparent and sincere with your audience in a way that makes them feel connected to you and your message, they will carry you to success.

Are you building your dream on proven growth strategies?
Have you allowed busy work to get in the way of success?
The lines are open!

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Are you ready for your business breakthrough? With a lifetime of business building experience I am ready to help you make a business breakthrough.

Because our life happens one day at a time, there is a tendency to view each day as a separate and independent event. While I am a big fan of living in the moment, it is equally important to understand how one moment relates to the next.

Life is a cumulative experience

Those with something to gain want you to believe that major changes can happen almost instantly and with very little effort. They try to convince you that you can be a millionaire, or the picture of perfect health, if you just buy their product and use it for the next thirty days.

Promises like that can sound very appealing. Don’t be fooled, there is no such thing as an overnight success, or even an overnight failure for that matter. Sometimes it may appear to be that way, but that’s just because we were not in a position to witness the whole process.

See the big picture

In actuality, success and failure are the result of prior choices and actions. Barring any unforeseen catastrophic events, your life today is the sum of all your yesterdays.

To succeed in any area of life we need to learn to view today, not as a single disconnected event, but as a major contributor to our future. This requires a special kind of awareness. It means being able to look ahead and see the likely consequences of what you are doing right now.

Shortsightedness eventually brings pain

If we don’t see the connection between are choices today, and our quality of life tomorrow, there will pain and disappointment in our future. We see this scenario being played out every single day.

One common example of this kind of shortsightedness is someone who eats and drinks without any regard for the long term consequences. Over the years their weight and blood pressure rise steadily. The function of their liver and pancreas is slowly impaired, and their level of physical activity decreases. Then, seemingly out of the blue, they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or worse yet, they have a heart attack.

Still no clue

What’s their response to their new reality? They either wonder why, or they chalk it up to getting older. When in truth, it was the predictable outcome of two or three decades of not associating today’s choices with tomorrow’s reality.

We could say the same thing about a relationship that slowly goes bad, or constantly rising debt that leads to bankruptcy. Failure to recognize and acknowledge that our future is the culmination of all the previous days and years is a sure path to pain and disappointment.

Awareness leads to success

On the other hand, we can make good use of the cumulative nature of life to help move us steadily in the direction of our goals and dreams. However, before we can do that, we need to adopt a different mindset with relation to how we view the accumulation process.

We live in a world that wants everything right now. People have linked their positive emotional anchors to instant gratification. They have no patients for, nor do they find any pleasure in the process. They just want the result without having to do the work. The problem with this mindset is that life simply does not work that way.

Learn to love the journey

Life is about growth and change, that is the journey we are on. If we only focus on the final outcome we miss the joy associated with our experience. In other words, we miss out on life itself.

On the other hand, if we live each day with no awareness of where it is leading us, then we have no direction and will never achieve any goals. What we want is the best of both worlds. We want to fully enjoy and experience each day, and know that it is moving us ever closer to the realization of our long term goals.

How can we do that?

1) Shift your mindset with a question. You need to weigh each day’s activities and decisions according to your long term goals. Simply asking yourself, “will this move me toward success or away from it?” will increase your awareness and change your perspective

This applies to personal goals, business goals, and relationship goals. For example, If you are considering a second helping of dessert, ask yourself if that will move you toward your weight loss goal, or away from it. If you are about to find fault with your mate, ask yourself if pursuing that conversation will strengthen your relationship or undermine it. Always consider the long term consequences before to make a decision or take action.

2) Learn to find joy in the process. I learned this from the legendary Bonsai Master John Naka. When I was relatively new to the art of bonsai he told me that if I did not learn to find enjoyment in the training process, I might as well buy finished bonsai trees and just be a collector.

But I wanted to create not collect. We are all the creators of our own life; we can’t just buy the life we want. Doesn’t it make sense to enjoy the creative process while staying aware of our overall direction? We do this by holding a vision of our desired future and finding joy in each step of the journey.

3) Review your actions weekly. Every week take a few minutes to look back and double check your direction. Are you still moving toward your goals, or do you need to make some adjustments? Were there any activities over the past week that did not support you goals and should be eliminated?

Then review your goals to see if they are still what you want. It is not unusual to discover that the goals themselves need to be adjusted from time to time to stay in harmony with who we are right now. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate your goals as you grow and progress.

Using the present to sculpt the future

As we can see, within the scope of normal circumstances, there really is no such thing as instant success or failure. Learning to maintain a constant awareness of how today’s choices effects tomorrow’s life will empowers us to create the future we want, while finding joy in the journey.

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Everyone, at some point in their life, has dreamed of accomplishing something extraordinary. Who hasn’t dreamed of being wealthy and successful doing work they love to do? Who hasn’t pictured themselves in a happy and loving relationship?

We may dream big dreams and have great aspirations, but unfortunately our dreams often remain just that – dreams. As time passes those dreams and aspirations can fade away if we let them.

It’s a sad turn of events when we allow this to happens . Instead of our life being an exciting adventure as we pursue our dreams, we can find ourselves caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day with nothing extraordinary to look forward to. But you know what, it doesn’t need to be that way. Life can be so much better. Once we learn how to aim higher and then follow through, amazing things begin to happen.

Possible or impossible?

One of the limiting beliefs that cause some to aim too low is their concept of “impossible.”  It’s easy to get hung up thinking “I can’t do this. It’s too hard; in fact It is impossible. No one can do this.”

If you limit yourself with negative assumptions, you prevent yourself from even trying to reach past what you consider to be possible.

Try this exercise.

Take three pieces of paper and write down some of your goals. On one, list things ‘you know you can do’. On another, write the things you feel ‘you might be able to do.’ Now take the third sheet of paper and list the things that you would like to accomplish but hesitate to try – because you feel that they might be impossible for you.

Spend some time every day working to accomplish the goals that are things ‘you know you can do’. Also spend some time visualizing how it will feel once they are accomplished. Check them off as soon as you accomplish them. As you slowly check of all your goals on that first sheet, start thinking about, and working on, the goals on the second sheet, the ones ‘you might be able to do.’ Each goal on this list becomes a stepping-stone toward the impossible.

Don’t forget to imagine that each goal is already accomplished. Allow yourself to experience a sense of satisfaction and confidence in advance.

As you move through this process, you will find that the goals you thought were impossible become less daunting. They begin to seem easier, more doable. As you build on your accomplishments and your confidence grows, you will naturally want to aim higher.

Would you be willing to try this for a month or two?
Does the concept of impossible hold you back?
The lines are open!

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The people we interact with on a regular basis will have a profound influence on us. They not only affect our attitude toward life, but also our very life experience. That’s why it is so important to take time to evaluate what kind of influence our working relationships are having on us, and visa versa.

We may think that we are immune to the influence of those around us, but that is simply not true. Perhaps we have convinced ourselves that we can just tune them out and remain unaffected. But the very fact that we recognize the need to resist their influence shows that the influence does exist.

Choice and responsibility

Granted, we can’t always choose whose company we are in. In many cases, such as work or school, we have little if any choice in the matter. But when we do have a choice, it’s an opportunity to enrich our lives on many levels. We can benefit immensely by purposely choosing to interact with, and create working relationships with those who have a positive and appreciative attitude.

There is also some personal responsibility involved here that we want to be aware of. If we want to keep company with positive, encouraging people, then our contribution to the relationship should also be positive and encouraging. All relationships are a give and take arrangement. Consequently, if we want to be encouraged by others, we should strive to be encouraging to them.

Building positive working relationships

Now you may personally interact with dozens of people on a daily basis, so what is it that draws you toward some more than others? Mutual recognition of the give and take principal is what contributes to building closer relationships. When somebody seems to needy or greedy, we become more guarded. When someone does something nice for us, we feel impelled to make it reciprocal.

The beauty of this arrangement is that we can take the initiative. That’s right, we can assume the role of the giver and see what kind of response is generated. I am not suggesting that we give with the expectation of getting something in return. In fact, I am very much in favor of giving without expectation. But giving opens the door to, in fact it invites, mutual exchange.

This works for all types of relationships

Increasingly, people interact through channels other than face to face encounters. These principles apply to every kind of interaction. For me personally, much of my interaction takes place online. Every day I communicate with people from all over the world. Some of those people are part of my life on a daily basis, and I like to think that those relationships are mutually beneficial.

The real beauty of this arrangement is that we have chosen to grow our relationships because we share similar interests and goals. At the same time, our fields of expertise vary enough that we are able to learn from one another and to contribute to each others growth. These are positive and mutually beneficial relationships. It is a win – win situation that I find very encouraging.

The role of social media

We always hear that social media is built on relationships, but is that really true? At first glance, sites like facebook, twitter and google+ may just seem like a lot of disconnected noise. But is that all there is to it? Is it really possible to build solid working relationships that make a real contribution to your life through these channels?

The answer is absolutely yes, and the truth of that fact is the motivation behind this post. I have built a number of these mutually beneficial working relationships from these very sources and I wanted to acknowledge a few of them. Actually, I want to acknowledge all of them, but I will only focus on a few that can serve as examples for this discussion.

Activities that contribute to positive working relationships

Here are some of the activities that involve some form of interaction with other people online, along with some of the benefits.

1) Commenting on each other’s blogs. When I contribute a meaningful comment to someone else’s blog post it helps keep the conversation going and increases the value of their article. My comment creates a link back to my blog which brings me new readers. Even though I don’t have as much time for this activity as I once did, it is still a excellent way to encourage positive working relationships.

2) Using facebook, twitter or google+. Alerting those in my timeline when something worthwhile is posted by a friend brings them traffic because it exposes them to a new audience. The same thing happens when they like, tweet, or g+ one of my articles. The beauty of this arrangement is that very little effort is required, but there is plenty of value.

3) Reading each other’s articles. Those I choose to interact with are known for creating real value. By reading each other’s articles we learn from one another which adds to our depth of understanding while constantly exposes us to new perspectives.

4) Asking and answering questions. If we have a technical question or are searching for a resource, chances are that someone in our positive working relationship circle has the answer. This has been very helpful to me personally on several occasions.

5) Direct linking. We can write articles and purposely link to something on a friends blog. This serves our readers and the links help those in our circle with their search engine rankings. Everyone I know appreciates a little link love now and then!

A few examples

These are just a few of the interesting and informative articles that I have enjoyed reading recently.

* Mottos that Inspire Greatness: The Power of Personal Mottos, Part III
. . by Ken Wert at Meant to be Happy.
* 20 Top Bloggers Share Their Most Life-Altering Fearless Action
. . by Barrie Davenport at Live Bold and Bloom.
* The Power of a Promise Kept
. . by Alex Blackwell at The BridgMaker.
* Why You Need to Follow Your Passion
. . by Steve Aitchison at Change Your Thoughts.
* Fetching Friday – Resources Mashup & Last of the Great Unknown
. . by Kristi Hines at Kikolani.
* 20 Motivational Quotes by Dale Carnegie On Happiness and Success
. . by Nea Joy at Self Improvement Saga.

Relationships matter even online

As you can see, there has been a mutually beneficial exchange of resources and encouragement here. Trust me when I tell you that this list barely scratched the surface. There were many more activities and quite a few other people involved. Interacting on this level is a good example of how making wise choices about your associates can have a positive influence on your life experience.

Want more? Follow the links of those who comment on this blog and you will discover some very interesting people with a lot of value to contribute.

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Your Imagination is one of your greatest personal assets. It is a window into the world of possibility, and a powerful force toward the realization of a happier, more fulfilling life. When used purposefully, your imagination becomes the trigger of your creative abilities.

Without imagination we would never venture outside the box. Our reality would only exist within the confines of the status quo. What we tend to label as “fantasizing” is really a vital first step toward the realization of your dreams. Fantasy is a primary way that your imagination projects itself into the future and opens your mind to new possibilities.

The pressure to stifle your imagination

We should acknowledge the fact that, in our culture, there is some “not so subtle” pressure to limit our imaginations and  abandon our fantasies. While we generally encourage the cultivation of a fertile imagination in our children, that changes as we leave childhood.

At some point we are expected to put away those “unrealistic” fantasies and pick up the torch of reality. Which really means, get a normal job and take your expected place in the real world. This pressure makes it challenging for your imagination to play its role in the realization of your dreams.

Keeping your imagination alive

You have incredible creative powers, and no one can take that from you unless you let them. Your imagination is the gateway to the realization of your dreams. Instead of abandoning it, you should continue to develop this wonderful creative force as you get older.

There is never a point where your life would be better off by denying your creative abilities. You will need to exercise balance with regard to current responsibilities, but this does not require that you abandon your dreams. There is always a way to do both.

Bridging the gap between imagination and realization

At first, the creations of your imagination exist only in the non-physical world. Before they can become part of your physical reality, you must start the realization process. This means that you must begin introducing them to their tangible counterparts.

Let’s look at some of the steps that will allow you to put a tangible face on your imaginary realities. I think you will be amazed at how easy this process really is. The key is to take your vision through a series of stages, one by one, until it becomes fully realized.

1. Write it down. What have you imagined? What does this fantasy look like, and how does it influence your existence? Describe it in detail. As you write allow the details to add clarity to your vision. If some important aspect is unclear, read your description and then close your eyes a concentrate on what you see.

Tell me your fantasies and I will show you your dreams.
Write them down and I will read you your future

The goal here is to put you mental image, and the feelings connected with it, into words that accurately describe your vision. The written word will introduce your fantasy to the physical world. It will now live in black and white on a sheet of paper that you can carry around and read whenever and wherever you want.

2. Define the sequence. Every vision has a logical sequence to its realization. Let’s use a home in the country as an example. First you need to decide if it’s a home you want to build, or one that already exists. If you are going to build it (or have it built) then the sequence would involve a piece of property, a house plan, permits, site preparation, etc. Each sequential step will require a certain amount of time and /or money.

If you want to buy an existing home, then you need to figure out where to begin your search. Does it need to be near a city that will support your work? Does it need to have room for raising horses or some other special purpose? How much money do you need for a down payment? Answering these questions will allow you to see what comes first in the realization sequence.

3. Create a plan of action. Once you have defined the sequence, make a plan. What can you do right now to start actively moving toward the realization of your vision? What will you do next? Figure out how to start unfolding this new reality.

You will probably discover extra steps along the way, but don’t worry about that now. Figure out a tentative plan and write it down. The most important thing is to get the ball moving in the right direction without getting bogged down in too many details.

4. Start taking action. Action is now the key component for realization. Find something to do and start doing it. If you want that cute little house in the country, start looking. If you need more money to make it happen, figure out how to start making more money.

Don’t let the lack of money keep you from continuing your search. Looking is free and it keeps the vision alive. It also keeps your mind motivated to find a solution to the money aspect. If you are going to build a house, start drawing up floor plans and figure out what style you want. Do this while you continue to look for property. Keep taking action so your mind stays focused on your vision.

With action comes clarity, purpose, and direction.

5. Keep track of your progress. One of the things that can help us stay motivated during this process is to continually acknowledge our progress. Every single time you accomplish even the tiniest goal, write it down, check it off, and celebrate your progress. Give yourself credit for bringing your vision that much closer to realization.

Make sure you always take time to acknowledge your accomplishments along the way. To continue the realization process just keep your vision alive in your imagination, keep adding clarity to it, and keep taking action in the right direction.

It all starts in your imagination

The seeds of creativity live in your imagination. If you nurture those seeds and help them grow, you will be tapping into your true creative nature. My friend Steve Aitchison of Change Your Thoughts did a short video on this subject called Crossing The Lines In Your Mind. If you like this subject, I am certain you will also enjoy his presentation.

Never relegate your fantasies to the storage closet. They hold the power of a new reality. The reason we fantasize is because our creative nature is showing us a glimpse of future possibilities. For your dreams to become your reality, you need only bridge the gap between imagination and realization.

Do you agree with the steps required to turn your imagination into reality?
Are you ready to bridge that gap so you can realize your fantasies?
The lines are open!

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I love to sail and once had the pleasure of spending a month on a beautiful 42 ft. sailboat in the Sea of Cortez between the east coast of Baja and the west coast of Mexico. Reflecting on that experience got me thinking about some of the similarities between literal sailing and the experience of sailing on the sea of life.

In the process of living, the winds of circumstance have an unending and ever-changing influence on us. Sometimes our circumstances are like a favorable breeze that make it easier to move in our desired direction. At other times, they require that we make constant adjustment in an effort to stay on course. And much like the wind, circumstances are often beyond our control.

Coping with ever-changing circumstances

A sailor knows that he can’t control the wind. He knows that staying on course as the winds change is only possible if he develops the necessary sailing skills. The higher his skill level, the more comfortable he is when the wind and sea become more challenging. This is especially evident when unexpected storms arise and his very survival is on the line.

We have all been through life storms and we have all experienced the blowing winds of disappointment, despair and heartbreak. Why is it that some people seem to come through these stormy experiences stronger and more empowered, while others suffer varying degrees of damage? How can we better equip ourselves to deal with these challenging situations?

3 Keys to smoother sailing on the sea of life

1. Skill and adaptability. When the winds of life change, we need the skill and adaptability to change with them. And we need to be able to do this while maintaining our balance and presence of mind. Like a sailor on a stormy sea, our mastery of advanced life skills will determine how well we fare during times of adversity. The higher our skill level, the more comfortable and confident we will be when circumstances become more challenging.

A slight difference in heading and sail set can make a huge difference when it comes to successfully navigating through stormy conditions. Even a small storm can cause a lot of damage if you have too much sail up. In life, small changes in sail set and direction can either make thing a lot smoother or a lot rougher. Skill and adaptability are what will make the difference.

2. Awareness and foresight. A skilled sailor doesn’t just benefit from his experience and proficiency when conditions change unexpectedly. He also develops a greater sense of awareness that allows him to read conditions and recognize the potential for danger. When he senses that conditions are becoming less favorable, he exercises his foresight to seek the shelter of a safe harbor.

If we are paying attention, our life experiences will allow us to develop a similar sense of awareness and foresight. We will learn to read circumstances and conditions that have the potential to blow us off course or complicate our lives unnecessarily. How much better it is to use our skills to sidestep a problem when possible, rather than having to deal with adversity that that could have been avoided.

3. An adventurer’s spirit. Every sailor I have ever met has a spirit of adventure. They like to feel the force of the wind (within reason) and they like to pit their skills against changing conditions. Sailing is an exciting activity and that is one of the reasons so many people love doing it. It’s exhilarating to harness the power of the wind.

When we view life with a spirit of adventure and look for the excitement that comes with change, it predisposes us to love life with its endless variety of thrills and challenges. Life is fluid like the sea and the skill with which we set our sails will have an enormous influence on the quality of our experience.

Facing the storm

The first day of my month long sailing adventure was one I will never forget. We left mainland Mexico at daybreak so we would have plenty of time for the crossing to Baja. Later in the morning, the skipper went below and I took the wheel. I found out just how fast the weather can change once you are beyond the point where you can see land.

The sky grew dark and funnel clouds began to spring up everywhere. These mini cyclones where actually sucking sea water up into the clouds. The wind was getting gusty and the swells where growing. When I woke the skipper up and asked if he had ever seen anything like it before, he took a moment and then said “yeah, but only in books.”

Needless to say, things got very crazy for several hours, and at times we even had waves covering the entire length of our deck. But he was a skilled and experienced sailor and we had a successful crossing with an extremely high level of excitement. After the storm cleared, the rest of my month long sailing adventure was marked by warm days, calm seas, and gentle breezes.

Storms are a fact of life

We all deal with disappointments and challenges. We all have reversals and times when, in spite of our best plans and efforts, things just seem to fall apart. Challenging circumstances are not reserved for any particular group, nor is anyone immune. The rich and the poor have marital problems. The rich and the poor have the same challenges that can lead to financial ruin and personal despair.

In the final analysis, it is not the changing circumstances that will determine the quality of our lives, but rather how skillfully we meet those challenges. If we develop the life skills needed to navigate through life’s storms, we will be in the best possible place to enjoy all the beauty, joy, and excitement that comes with those warm days, calm seas and gentle breezes that life has to offer.

What kind of seas are you sailing on?
What helps keep you on course?
The lines are open!

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My book TRUE SELF is the fastest inexpensive way (coaching is the fastest) to make positive life changes very quickly. From discovering and dismantling your limiting beliefs, to aligning with and realizing your most cherished goals – and everything in between. TRUE SELF will guide you through the process.

Why is it that everybody gets so excited at the beginning of a new year? Simply stated, people love the idea of renewal. The mindset of: “out with the old, in with the new” is very appealing for several reasons. If the previous year has felt stressful or tedious, then the prospect of a new beginning carries the feeling of renewed hope and possibility.

If the previous year has been rewarding, then there is the anticipation of even greater rewards in the year to come. It seems to be a basic feature of human nature to be optimistic about the future. Is that how you feel? Are you looking forward to positive changes in the year to come?

The beauty of optimism

Optimism is a beautiful state of mind. When we are optimistic we become more alert to new opportunities. Optimism allows us to focus on possibility. Because we keep track of time on a calendar, the dawn of a new year has come to represent a kind of emotional rebirth. It’s a new opportunity to shed old, unwanted aspects of life, and embrace something a little closer to our perceived ideal.

Think about the thought process that most of us go through this time of year. We reflect on the last 12 months and analyze whether or not we are satisfied with the results we produced. And regardless of whether we are satisfied with those results or not, we make adjustments in an attempt to ensure that the next 12 months will be even better. Then we project that new, improved vision into our immediate future.

Making good use of optimism

Optimism alone is not enough to make positive changes in your life. That’s why most New Year’s resolutions tend to fall by the wayside after a few months. The intentions are good, but there’s a big difference between intentions and results.

If you’ve been making the same basic resolutions year after year, then obviously you didn’t produce the results you wanted. And you know what they say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. So, what does it really take to turn our intentions into results? Well, let me ask you this…

What do you think it takes?

Chances are you already have a pretty good idea of what it takes to turn your intentions into results. After all, it’s not some secret formula that’s been purposely hidden from the general public. It is however, a formula that often goes ignored by the general public. Why? Simply stated, because effort is required, and many people are not willing to put forth the effort.

We all like the idea of making positive changes in our lives. And when we see that others have accomplished the things that we’d like to accomplish, we are encouraged. But to produce the same results that they did, we must be willing to put forth the same amount of effort. When you combine the effort with intention you produce results. If you don’t get the results you want, you simply change the way you apply your efforts.

Could this be the year of amazing results for you?

Yes, it could! All you need to do is apply the formula. Like any formula, there are several factors involved. Let’s take a minute to review some of the more important ones in order to make sure that you have what you need to produce the results you intend.

1) Clearly defined goals. Before you can design a plan to accomplish your goals you need to be very, very clear on exactly what it is you intend to accomplish. When setting goals you need to be as specific as you possibly can. Include precise details so that you know exactly what it is you’re working toward.

2) Commitment. Never say you are going to “try” to reach your goals. The word “try” opens the door to failure. Make a commitment to see your goals through to the end, no matter what. Put a high priority on your goals, and make a determination not to allow anything to stop you from reaching them.

3) Understand your reasons. In addition to clearly defining your goals you also need to clearly define the reasons why you want to reach those goals. The underlying reason is more important than the goal itself. How will this goal affect your life in a positive way and why is that important to you? A person can accomplish just about anything if they have a good enough reason.

4) Create emotional anchors. What positive emotions are associated with your goal? Once you identify those emotions, be sure to associate them with your goal. Your goal needs to represent those emotions to your nervous system. Emotions are the horsepower of motivation. To stay motivated you need to do more than think about your goals, you need to feel them.

5) Establish some milestones. You need a way to determine whether or not you are on course toward your goals. The easiest way to do this is to identify certain notable features that you will encounter as you move toward your goal. These will be your milestones. Identifying them ahead of time will help keep you on track and provide a sense of accomplishment along the way.

6) Make a timetable. One of the biggest problems with New Year’s resolutions is that people know when they’re going to start, but they have not set a time of completion. How long will your goal take to accomplish? Having a set timetable is one of the most effective ways I know to keep you focused on the task at hand. Before you start, establish a time for completion.

7) Identify success. What will successfully reaching your goal look like? What will it feel like? How will you know when you get there? These are all questions that need to be answered before you begin. If you don’t know exactly what success looks like, and how will you know when you arrive? Don’t take this for granted. Take the time to clearly identify what success means to you before you start moving forward.

Success is not an accident

If you’ve been disappointed in your results in the past, chances are you ignored one or more of the important factors above. If you’re feeling optimistic about your future, and would truly love to make some positive changes in your life, then you should definitely capitalize on that feeling. In reality, there is no reason to wait for a new year to put this process to work for you. But it is a new year, so why not take advantage of it?

I want you to have the most rewarding, productive, result producing year of your life. I truly do! I also know that wishing won’t get it done. Yes, effort is required, but what meaningful aspect of life doesn’t require effort? Everything worthwhile in this life requires some form of effort. Now that you’ve got the formula, there is still…

One more vital element

You must take consistent, focused action. Start now, and don’t stop until you reach your goal regardless of the challenges or setbacks you may encounter. Remember, results are a combination of intention and applied effort. If you don’t get the results you want, you simply continue to change the way you apply your efforts until you produce the results you want.

If you are really serious about finally producing meaningful changes in your life, I encourage you to pick up a copy of TRUE SELF. The whole process is laid out for you in an easy to follow format that is guaranteed to help you transform your life. Instead of just making resolutions this year, why not decide to turn your intentions into tangible results?

What kind of year do you intend to have?
How serious are you about making positive changes?
The lines are open!

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As we begin yet another new calendar year, I’d like to talk to you about a very important concept that can totally change the way you experience life this year. The idea that I would like you to fully grasp is this: You can jump onto the path of success anytime you want to.

It does not matter where you are in life, and it makes no difference what you want to achieve. The moment you finally make up your mind that things are going to be different, that is the point where your life can completely change direction.

You can create that kind of decisive moment in your life anytime you choose; it is entirely up to you. You don’t need to wait for ideal circumstances to come along before you change your life. You just need to make up your mind that beginning right here and right now, you are going to claim the life that you truly desire.

When I say “make up your mind,” what do I mean?

One thing’s for sure, I am not talking about wishful thinking. Many people approach a new year wanting to make dramatic changes in their lives, but how do things usually turn out? Sad to say, they usually slip back into their familiar patterns, and fail to realize any meaningful change. That is because their good intentions were lacking some essential elements. If you want this coming year to be the best year of your life and the beginning of a whole new you, it is going to require a commitment. You need to be serious about transforming your life, and you need to be willing to take consistent, focused action toward your goals.

The truth is, creating a life of exceptional quality requires effort. I know there are those who will try and tell you that an effortless life transformation is possible. That would be nice, wouldn’t it? But I think you and I both realize that is not how things really work. Besides, what is wrong with effort? Effort is fun when it produces the results you want.

I truly want you to experience the satisfaction of reaching your goals. I want to see you reach out and claim the life you really want. Why should you settle for less? If this year didn’t turn out quite the way you were hoping, then don’t you think it might be time to shake things up a bit? After all, if you just do the same things you did last year, chances are you will get the same results. Is that what you want?

Are you willing to change your approach?

Until we are willing to adjust the way we do things, it’s unrealistic to think that we can make meaningful changes in our life. So if you want this coming year to be exceptional, start by asking yourself these three questions:

1) Am I truly ready and willing to go for it this time?
2) Am I willing to learn and apply new skills to accomplish my goals?
3) Am I willing to focus on what is important, and not allow distractions
. . .to sidetrack me?

If you can honestly answer yes to these three questions, then you need to get clear about what you want. The next step is to organize and prioritize the goals you want to accomplish, so that you know where to focus your attention. This means that you need to give some conscious consideration to what is really important to you, and what you really want to accomplish. Once you have done that, you need to write a list of goals for the coming year, and then you need to prioritize them according to their importance in your personal life.

Recognizing the crippling power of distractions

Trying to stay focused on your goals can be really challenging when your life is full of distractions. To overcome this challenge, we need to be very selective with regard to where we focus our energy. If we’re not careful, little distractions can eat up enormous amounts of time. So we need to identify those distractions and impose strict limits on how much time we will allot for them. Make a list of things that easily distract you, and then schedule them into your day ONLY after you have given attention to your priorities.

Start at the beginning

It might seem like a huge task to claim the life you really want. That is why it is so important to break it down into manageable steps. As you go through the process, visualize your desired outcome, but stay focused on doing and enjoying the task at hand. Today I have asked you to think about your willingness to create change, make a list of your goals according to priority, and identify distractions that might get in your way. That is your task at hand and it is plenty for now. It’s a great place to start.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will consider simple yet effective life skills that can help you claim the life you truly desire. However, those skills will only be valuable to you if you are willing to act on what you learn. So in the long run, it all comes back to the same question, are you willing to commit to a life of exceptional quality? Are you willing to actually do what it takes to claim that life?

How much do you want it?

If you are truly serious about transforming the quality of your life and seeing results as quickly as possible, now is the time to act. Do something affirmative starting today and get some momentum started. Yes, it will take some effort, but aren’t you worth it?

So, here we are at a new beginning. Will this be your year? Will this be the beginning of the best year of your life so far? Are you ready to ramp up the quality of your life to an unprecedented level? Many people will be making New Year’s resolutions that will never become reality. Others will make a commitment to creating positive changes and experience extraordinary results. Are you ready to go for it?

Have you decided to make this a year of action?
Do you have your priorities all lined out with a workable plan?
Care to inspire us?

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My book TRUE SELF is the fastest inexpensive way (coaching is the fastest) to make positive life changes very quickly. Want to discover your core passions, dismantle your hidden limiting beliefs, and realize your most desired goals? TRUE SELF will guide you through the process.