Here’s a fact: We all go through the process of setting goals and achieving them repeatedly during the course of a normal day. And we often do so without even thinking about it. For example, when you got up this morning, did you have something you wanted to accomplish, or did you just get up and wander around aimlessly? You had a goal, right?

Maybe it didn’t seem like a goal because it was something that you do almost every day. Even if it was just your normal routine, chances are you had a goal, or a whole bunch of goals to accomplish today. Did you go to work, get the kids off to school, or go grocery shopping? Did you do all three, and more?

How were you able to accomplish those things?

Likely, you planned them out ahead of time, and decided how they would fit into your schedule for the day. You probably made some preparations the night before and determined what time you needed to be up and going. As the day went on, you kept an eye on the clock and made whatever adjustments were needed.

Realize it or not, you were setting and achieving goals all day long. That’s what productive people do, and that makes you a successful goal-setter. True, this is goal setting on a very basic level, but what would your life be like without it? How many of the things that you do every day would not happen without your ability to follow through on your goals?

Could you take it to the next level?

Of course you could! Once you acknowledge that it is something you already know how to do, how hard is it to bump things up a notch or two? You have already proven that you are capable, so start by giving yourself some well-deserved approval. Don’t take your abilities for granted. Your ability to set and achieve your goals is part of what already defines your life.

Now is a perfect time to start thinking about ways to become more goal oriented. Many people are abandoning their hopes and dreams because of what they see as a challenging economic situation. What about You? Are you ready to throw in the towel on your long-term goals because things have gotten a little more challenging?

Did you know that even during the Great Depression, 75% of the workforce was still employed? Three fourths of the people still had jobs, homes, and cars. The kids still went to school in the morning, and came home to dinner every night. Not only that, but thousands actually found ways to prosper during those challenging times.

Break away from the mass mentality

When we set a goal we are actually claiming our independence from the crowd by accepting responsibility for the outcome we create. Many successful people even take it a step further by making themselves accountable to someone else.

Creating a sense of accountability can be as simple as announcing your goal to a friend, or group of friends. Granted, the thought of other people knowing your intention may make you feel somewhat vulnerable. In some cases, it might even increase the fear of failure. So…

Why in the world would you do that?

Because accountability is a very powerful motivator. When you tell others what you intend to accomplish, several things happen. You might think that it’s the simple fact that they know that creates the changes, it ‘s not. In reality, the fact that you know that they know is what immediately changes how seriously you view your own goals. When we make something public, we are much more compelled to follow through.

In an amazing way, accountability magnifies our own level of commitment. When our name and reputation are on the line, it becomes very personal. With greater commitment comes razor sharp focus and greater adaptability. What happens to the odds of your being successful under these conditions?

Your chances of success will skyrocket!

Why do people feel compelled to show up at work on time and ready to go? What is the driving force behind productivity and achievement worldwide? Why will we do almost anything within or power to keep from disappointing those we love and care about? The answer is the same to all three questions – accountability.

I am not talking about having to answer to others because, in reality we only answer to ourselves. I am talking about the motivation that is created when we stand up and announce to the world, “This is what you can expect from me.” It’s very powerful!

What do you see in the near future?

This is the time of year when people start struggling with resolutions they recently made. Have you ever thought about the word resolution? It is defined as a statement of intent, a vow, or a determination.

So, making a resolution at any time of year implies a commitment to facilitating some kind of positive change by establishing and achieving a goal. It means being determined to do it within a certain time frame.

Making resolutions is all about setting and achieving goals

Let me ask you a few questions:

1. Do you have some goals that you want
. . to achieve in the near future?
2. What would you be willing to do to achieve
. . unprecedented progress?
3. Are you ready to pull out all the stops and
. . make big things happen?

If you said yes to all three questions, then now is the time to start putting your goals down on paper and designing an action plan. If you said no to even one of those questions then ask yourself, “What would it take for me to be able to say yes?”

Keep asking yourself that question until you know the answer. Are limiting beliefs standing in your way? Have the talking heads convinced you that there are only dark days ahead? Have you failed in the past and don’t want to risk it again? Don’t be afraid of the answers you discover. All of these obstacles can be overcome once they have been identified. The important thing is to identify whatever is holding you back so it can be addressed.

Don’t forget about your abilities

Remember, we have already established that you are a capable goal-setter, and that you demonstrate this ability every single day. All it takes to make your bigger goals a reality is to ramp things up a bit. One of the most powerful ways that I have found to do this, is to join the 100 day challenge. It is absolutely amazing what you can accomplish in a relatively short period of time with the right focus, guidance, and support.

Personally, I am determine to radically ramp up the quality of my life and my business this year, and I would love to have you join me. Here’s a very cool free tool to help you get started, it’s called the Goal Setting Toolkit. So, how about it, are you going to let another year slip by or are you going to make something impressive happen?

Why not start right now by declaring your goals to the world and creating some accountability? All you need to do is write them in your comment below. Please, don’t put your dreams on the back burner. This can be the year you accomplish something amazing if you are truly willing to ramp up the way you think about setting goals.

What important goal do you want to accomplish?
How determined are you to make things happen?
The lines are open!

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At first glance, lack of motivation can often seem to be caused by laziness or procrastination , but looks can be deceiving!  If you’re struggling to stay motivated while working on your goals or any other endeavor, a little introspection can be just the thing to provide clarity and insight about what’s really happening beneath the surface.

When working with coaching clients who are struggling to stay motivated, it’s my job to find out why and help them get past it. Granted, sometimes the problem is exhaustion or burnout and then the prescription might be a vacation. But when that’s not the case I like to use a series of simple questions to reveal the underlying cause. If you are finding it difficult to stay motivated, try this…

Write down the answers to these 5 questions

1) Am I afraid of failing? Fear of failure is an all-too-common reason why people lose motivation.  If this is one of the reasons you’re holding back, you’ll likely be able to come up with clear ideas why you feel so afraid.  For example, you may write, “I’m afraid of embarrassing myself in front of my family and friends,” or “I’m afraid I’ll be really disappointed in myself if I don’t make this happen.”  Whatever comes to mind, write it down and then really think about whether it would be so terrible to experience – or if it would be much worse to not try at all.

2) Do I really believe in my own ability to persevere until I make it? Likewise, you may be feeling uncertain about your ability to overcome obstacles and challenges, which is slightly different than a fear of failure.  For example, you may have a certain measure of confidence in your skills and abilities but doubt that you have the determination and fortitude to achieve the full outcome you desire.

3) Have I grown bored with the goals that once meant so much to me? This is an excellent question to ask because sometimes you’re not aware that your priorities and preferences have changed, and you can gain a lot of clarity by understanding what you REALLY want.  If you do find that you’ve lost interest in your initial goals, you simply need to come up with some new and exciting goals that will spark your eagerness to move forward again.

4) Am I afraid of what it might mean if I succeed? Another common fear is the fear of success.  A fear of success is more about fearing the baggage that often comes along with success.  You may feel nervous about taking on extra responsibility, feel overwhelmed by the increased attention your success would bring, or you might even be worried that you’ll never be able to “top” this level of success in the future.  The only way to work through these fears is to discredit them.  When you break them down and really examine them, you usually find that they’re groundless or irrational, which helps you to move past them.

5) What would make me feel more motivated about this goal or activity? Sometimes you can’t find any clear reason for feeling unmotivated, but asking this question can often help you feel more in control of your own willingness to take action.  Not only do you realize that you’re not powerless against a lack of motivation, you may come up with creative ideas that could inspire your sense of enthusiasm again.

Motivations is empowering

When we feel motivated we are energized and want to make things happen. When we lack motivation everything seems like drudgery and we have to flog ourselves to get anything done. If this has been your experience lately, it’s worth a little effort to get to the bottom of it so you can regain your enthusiasm and get excited about making thing happen.

What gets you motivated?
How do you maintain your motivation and enthusiasm?
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. Do you want to discover your core passions, dismantle your hidden, limiting beliefs, and realize your most desired goals? TRUE SELF will guide you smoothly 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.

Everyone has dreams they would like to see come true. How long would it take you to list three of your favorites? In fact, why not do that before we continue. Just write down three really important things that you would like to see become a reality in your life. Go ahead, I’ll wait!

All set? OK, let’s see if we can’t get you a little closer to making those dreams happen. The first thing that needs to happen is, we need to change your perception about the things on your list. It’s good to have dreams, but by nature, dreams are not very tangible. So let’s begin by changing the label. What should we call them instead of dreams?

How about calling them goals?

Are you thinking: What’s the big deal, what difference does it make whether we call them dreams or goals? I’m glad you asked. Here’s one of the dictionary’s definitions for dream.

Dream - An idea or hope that is impractical
or unlikely ever to be realized; idle hope.

Now let’s look at the way the word goal is defined and see which one is the most appropriate label for the three things you wrote down.

Goal – Something that somebody wants to
achieve or accomplish; something to aim for.

Clearly, if the three things on your list are to have any chance of becoming part of your reality, it would be better to refer to them as goals.

Goals involve intention

Unlike dreams, goals are something we aim for. That implies several things. The most important is, we intend to reach them. We have set our sights on them and they are now part of our focus. As a result, we become “goal-oriented.”

Let’s go to the dictionary again and see what it has to say about being goal-oriented:

Goal-oriented – Organized to achieve particular
goals: strongly motivated and highly organized
in achieving tasks that are specified in advance.

At this point we have left the realm of “dreams” far behind. Having goals is a lot closer to reality than simply dreaming about something. Of course, there’s still a big difference between aiming at a goal, and actually achieving it.

What else do we need?

Our definition for goal-oriented includes being organized and motivated. These are vital elements of any successful attempt at achieving our goals. It also mentioned something that is specified in advance. Let’s elaborate on that aspect a little.

The more refined and defined our goals are, the greater our chance of achieving them. It’s impossible to align your focus on something that is just a vague generality. Having a crystal clear vision of what we intend to accomplish gives us something to really focus on. Success requires that we take the time to clearly define our goals.

It doesn’t stop there!

There are several other necessary elements to setting and achieving goals. Here’s a sampling of things that will greatly increase your ability to turn dreams into reality.

1) Determination. This is especially important with respect to big goals that will require considerable time and energy. One way to increase your determination is to…

2) Break big goals into manageable stages. Smaller, “stepping stone goals” keep you from feeling overwhelmed. They also provide positive reinforcement and a sense of accomplishment along the way.

3) Eliminate distractions. If your efforts are too diluted, it really won’t matter what else you do. When you are serious about achieving an important goal you need to push less important things out of the picture.

4) Constantly evaluate your progress. To reach your target you must stay on course. That means checking you progress to make sure you are still moving in the right direction. Your path will always be somewhat fluid, so keep your eye on the ball.

5) Believe in yourself. Doubt is a waste of time and energy. Deal with doubts before you start working toward your goal, not after. Doubt is the opposite of determination and engaging in it will bring your progress to a standstill.

6) Make a commitment. Every important goal will present you with challenges along the way. If you are not totally committed to success, those challenges could seem insurmountable. Making a total commitment to success will shrink those challenges down so you can climb over them.

7) Make yourself accountable. Tell others what you intend to do so you will feel accountable. This can be very motivating for several reasons. The more accountability you feel, the more motivated you will become.

You must take ACTION or nothing will happen!

You will accomplish amazing things once you get focused. Remember, we are talking about accomplishing your dreams here, that’s important. I am constantly challenging myself and having fun in the process. Why don’t we do it together? So, grab your goals, leave a comment, and let’s blow all the obstacles out of our way.

It’s time for action, go ahead, challenge yourself so you can amaze yourself and accomplish your dreams!

If you want to get a jumpstart on making this your best year ever,
the 100 day challenge is hands down the world’s most powerful goal
achievement program. Here’s a little video from the guy who created it…

Learn more about the 100 Day Challenge

What amazing things will you accomplish?
What actions will you take to accomplish your dreams?
The lines are open!

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We all know that goals are fundamental to the accomplishment of things large and small. Every super achiever has the ability to set and follow through on their goals. But, have you ever wondered what is actually behind the proven power of goals?

Whenever a success strategy has a proven track record for producing results, it can be advantageous to understand why. Once we identify where the power comes from, we immediately gain a greater appreciation for the value of each step involved. In addition, that understanding can help us to produce our desired results more consistently.

The 3 part power source of goals

1. The focus factor. One of the primary reasons that goals work so well is because they provide a clearly defined target on which to focus our energy. With enough focus the human mind has the astounding ability to accomplish almost anything it sets out to achieve. However, without a clearly defined target that ability to focus is too diffused to generate the necessary energy.

Goals work to focus our energies in the same way that a magnifying glass can capture sunlight and turn it into enough energy to start a fire. Anyone who has played with a magnifying glass quickly understands the principles of focused energy. When the diffused light hitting that glass is concentrated into a very small area, it generates enormous power. The same thing happens when a portion of the diffused energy you expend is concentrated toward the achievement of a clearly defined goal.

2. The visualization factor. Having crystal clear goals also allows us to utilize power of visualization and unleash significantly more energy than what is available from goal-setting alone. This is because when we visualize we are able to recruit some of the resources of our subconscious mind. The key factor here is the fact that while our conscious mind can discern the difference between an actual experience and one that we visualize, the subconscious mind cannot.

A visualized event has the ability to program our nervous system because it is seen and felt in the subconscious as though it is actually happening. So, even though the visualized experience is imagined, neurologically there is an experiential form of seeing, feeling and knowing being created. This registers as an actual memory that fosters a sense of confidence based on the perception that we have already successfully accomplished our goal. That’s the power of visualization!

3. The believe factor. During a masters golf tournament, Phil Mickelson was trailing by three strokes with only six holes left to play. He had to sink this very difficult putt if he was going to have any chance of winning. In his own words, Phil “kept seeing and believing that things would work out for him that day.” And they did. He sank the putt, birdied another and then sank an improbable 20-footer on the 18^th hole to win by one stroke.

How could he continue to believe in himself even when he was falling behind? It’s important to note that his winning belief was not a function of experience. Mickelson had the undesirable distinction of playing in 48 major tournaments and never winning any of them. At that time he was known for being the best golfer in the world never to have won a major golf tournament. But Mickelson had mentally rehearsed winning this tournament so many times that he came to truly believe that he would win. It was that unshakable belief coupled with his intense focus that led him to victory.

Focus + Visualization + Belief = Success

Your assignment this week: Imagine that you are achieving a goal and celebrating how it feels. Do this 30 times a day over the next seven days. To your conscious mind, you may just be imagining something that might never happen. But to the part of you that controls your astounding ability to achieve almost anything, it actually did happen. In fact, it happened over 200 times!

When the pressure is on and you really need to come through, it is your ability to focus and the visualization based belief within you that will take over and lead you to success. Your conscious mind may have doubts, but your nervous system will be preprogrammed to do what it has already done more than 200 times before and your reality will rearrange itself accordingly.

Which of these 3 factors is your favorite?
What are you programming yourself to achieve?
The lines are open!

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From a young age, you are appointed. Appointed to what and by whom? By your parents as “old enough to stay home alone.” By your institutions as “educated enough to enter the full time work force.” By your employers as “responsible enough for promotion.”

Ask yourself these important question:

1) Have you become mentally conditioned by all this external appointment?
2) Have you given your power to someone or something outside of yourself?

Could this be the invisible Great Wall of China that’s blocking you from rocketing toward your goals and reaching your full potential? For most of us, to one degree or another, the answer is “yes.”

From a young age, powerful forces within society condition you to undervalue who and what you are — so you will look to them for your own self-worth — so you will look to them for validation, power, and permission, through the appointments they bestow on you.

Yes, we have all been hypnotized into believing we are smaller than we really are. Just as a fishbowl keeps goldfish tiny … we have all to one extent or another been fooled into believing our value equals the size of our external appointments.

The question is not: Have you given your power to someone or something outside of yourself? But rather: How can you take it back?

Unlike a goldfish swimming around oblivious in a tank, you have a choice!

Power is an inside job. You do not need to import it from external sources. All you need do is peel away the lies you’ve been told — and went on to tell yourself — that  are keeping you wading around in the kiddy pool of life.

Realize our school system, government, and industries reward dependency, NOT self-reliance … conformity, NOT innovation … slavery to the status quo, NOT fearless adventure into the unknown.

Aside from the 3Rs, (reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic) what you learn through formalized education is obsolete, outdated knowledge by the time you learn it. Worse, it is designed to prepare you to become a droid in a large vertically integrated company or institution the likes of which are disintegrating daily.

The result is the inevitable stunting of your initiative, creativity, and capacity for capitalist thinking. Naturally, you fail to appoint yourself captain of the myriad entrepreneurial opportunities around you. And then you wonder why external appointment eludes you.

Please don’t limit your life with these kinds of hideous hallucinations. Expand your beliefs to encompass the life you were born for. Emerson said, “Do the thing, and you will have the power.” You don’t need anyone’s permission.

There are few things more maddening than running into obstacles and blockades while you’re working toward an important goal.  You know how it works. You’ll be moving along nicely, feeling great about your progress, when all of a sudden – boom; you’re stuck.  You’ve just encountered an obstacle that you have no idea how to get around.

What you do next might determine whether you go on to achieve your goal or give up out of frustration.  I don’t know about you, but my first impulse is usually to try and find a way to work through the obstacle, sidestep around it, or even force it to move out of my way. Is that your first instinct also?

What if that doesn’t work?

Does that mean your goals are now toast? No, not necessarily. There’s another effective option that is often overlooked when it comes to dealing with obstacles. It’s called surrender. I know that the thought of surrendering to an obstacle can feel like you are giving up on your goal, but is that really the case? Keep in mind that surrender is not the same as defeat.

When you surrender to an obstacle as part of your success strategy, it just means that you are refusing to waste your energy fighting against it.  It means that instead of resisting and struggling, you are using time to get a different perspective on the situation so you can see the obstacle in a new light.

Here’s how to do it

1. Step back and gain some emotional distance. When most of us encounter obstacles, we tend to take them personally and draw conclusions about what they mean.  We throw our hands up and declare that our goals are finished, we’re finished, and we’ve failed.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Instead of drawing conclusions about whatever obstacle you’re facing, step back and observe it.  Then ask yourself a few questions like: Why has it appeared in your life?  What lessons can you learn from it?  Is it possibly an opportunity to stretch yourself more than you’ve been willing to in the past?

2. Stay open to your creative inspiration. Just asking questions like the ones in the last paragraph can get your creative juices flowing like crazy.  When you detach from any need to push through an obstacle, you may realize that there are many other options available to you.  During this time, be sure to write down any insights that pop into your head. They will probably prove useful very soon.

3. Give it time. Even if you see some great possibilities for working around the obstacle, don’t take action immediately.  Give it a few days.  Keep your distance, and you’ll probably notice that your fear and frustration will begin to dissipate.  Before long you’ll feel stronger and more capable about moving forward again. That’s the time to take action on some of those new ideas you came up with.

Leave room for change to occur naturally

When you enter into this process of surrender, don’t be surprised if the obstacle dissolves spontaneously on its own.  It happens frequently, simply because you’ve stopped trying to force things to happen and instead, you are willing to just go with the flow – which creates space for movement and progress to occur naturally.

Have you every stopped resisting in a situation like this?
When you did, what was your experience?
The lines are open!

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My friend Steve Aitchison just released some extremely entertaining free videos in connection with his new program called Mind Alchemy. Even if you aren’t interested in the program it’s well worth your time to watch the videos. He spent a lot of time on them and they are not what you would expect, plus you’ll meet George. Watch videos here!