Enrich your life with feng shui expert

Since we all follow obvious human tendency, we put every earnest effort to live a better and prosperous life and in order to bring prosperity and peace in our lives, we work harder and sometimes more than our capacity. In this rush of working harder and harder everyday, we often forget what we are really striving for and keep on spoiling our energy in futile endeavors. Does it not seem thoughtless to waste our precious efforts and time on things which we can achieve very easily just through making few changes in our living and working place. As it is believed that every living and non-living thing releases energy vibrations, every aspect of life can be improved by recognizing and adding things that emit maximum positive vibrations.

There are many techniques that can be put into practice for living a happy and prosperous life. Feng shui is one of these techniques that can really do wonders in the lives of those people who truly believe in it and are ready to incorporate its features in their lives by help of a feng shui expert. Feng shui is all about finding ways for a better living through maintaining perfect balance of energies that are found all around the world. Every person who is seeking true peace of mind and harmony in life can feel unexpected positive changes by following feng shui techniques. Since feng shui is a traditional Chinese technique, only a feng shui expert can really understand and implement features for making the most positive influence.

Despite of your earnest efforts, if you are experiencing failures in personal and professional front, then you must take the help of a feng shui expert, as he can perfectly find out reasons and remedial solutions for your problems. With the help of a feng shui expert, you can fill your home and work place with positive vibrations that are helpful in making you successful in every field. Typically, feng shui technique is based on the Chinese belief that a green dragon and a white tiger reside under every mountain and their breath generates a sound of ch'i that emits maximum positive vibrations. Only a feng shui expert can tell you whether your home is in the perfect location or not, as any home situated in a wrong location can be the main reason of disturbed lives.

Location, where those animals reside together is considered as the best place to live; people who live in such locations never face problem in their lives. As per Chinese terminology, every color that is used in your home interior plays a significant role in filling your home with positive or negative vibrations; therefore, balanced use of colors is necessary for getting better results. Whether you are a businessman, professional, student or housewife, you can maintain peace and harmony in your life just through making few changes in your work, living or study place. With the guidance of feng shui expert, everyone can achieve his or her target in life with fewer efforts.

Autor: amit

Amit Bhalla works to help all those who want information about the latest and the best, most happening places in the city. To know more about local search services delhi, Conversion Service, Yellow Pages India, Local Search India, feng shui expert visit www.myquest.in

Added: November 20, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Almighty God Is Seldom In A Hurry

Seldom is Almighty God in a hurry. When it was made clear to this servant of God that he was to appear in Rome on highly important spiritual business, even then, God was not in a hurry.

Let me illustrate this from Acts Chapter 28 and verse 11 onwards.

After all that we read of in the earlier Chapters, these verses might at first sight appear to be rather ordinary. They may even sound 'low key'. Jesus Christ had said - "Paul as you have witnessed for me in Jerusalem, so you will witness for me in Rome." And now, almost three years later, Paul arrives in Rome, which is, for him, a long way from Jerusalem.

It was similar when God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world. There was no sense of hurry and yet the timing was absolutely perfect. Learn from His strategy. We can get timing so wrong - He never does!

God was not in a hurry, and Paul had a lot to do along the way, and many people to speak with and minister.

Behind this move of God in taking His man to Rome, there were many attacks of the enemy of God. We have read of efforts to delay his transportation to Rome. He had been left to languish in that prison in Caesarea.

He was confronted with a violent tempest. Worldly minded people whose only interest was profit intervened in the plans and designs of our Creator God. Soldiers were on the point of taking their sword to silence Paul once and for all. Then that viper attempted to finish him off!

None of that succeeded.

We read of him, on Malta, gathering sticks and healing the sick. Wherever there was a need, no matter what it was, you could find Paul willing to be used and willing to be useful.

There can be delays, attacks, rejection of wise advice, direct interventions of the enemy and enemies of God, but still God gets His man to where He wants him to be.

Take these vital truths mentioned in this article and learn the deep significant profound lessons.

The world can throw a lot at us at times, and the temptation can be to give in or give up or compromise. Paul came through all of this victoriously and triumphantly.

It took time, and patience was essential. When God chooses us and calls us, He is seldom in a hurry.

Sandy Shaw

Autor: Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.

Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com

Added: November 20, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Power Of Intention I

The steps leading to the successful use of powerful processes are sequential, and often seem complex because there can be many of them. But just like taking the first step up a long staircase, each subsequent step is as easy to take as the preceding one. It's only when we think we have to jump up the whole staircase at one time in order to succeed, that our minds make this journey appear to be hard. But we don't need to do that. We only need to see the next step, no matter how far up we desire to go, and then after seeing it, take it. Using our intention effectively is no different. It's easy to do, but being that it is a process of gathering up our energy over time and then directing its use, it only seems hard. It seems hard because we have an innate resistance to doing what will actually propel us toward success, seeing such things as part of what discipline and hard work require, similar to the way we view having to exercise every day. But even then, if we do a small amount at a time, we won't tire ourselves out fighting our own resistance! What diminishes the difficulties we can have with the use of intention, is to break it down into separate steps, and then simply take them one at a time.

The first step is to understand exactly what intention is, by first dispelling what we have misidentified it as being. The energy of intention is not our thoughts, our feelings, or our goals. While each of these three things can tie up our energy, they are not the energy of intention. Thoughts have words, feelings and emotions feel a certain way, and goals can be clearly stated. Each of the three have form. Intention, does not. Intention is formless energy, that we direct after gathering it up. It's like water falling from the sky, completely without form. What form water takes only happens after it gathers up on the ground into lakes, rivers, or oceans. What form our intentions take only happens after we have gathered them up and pooled them into the vessel defined by our goals, and then begin to release that energy flow, as it is set into motion and then guided, through the stand we take for our lives. Yes, our word does have that much power!

The steps leading up to the successful use of the energy of intention are gone over in the thirty week web-based seminar series The One Penny Millionaire! It takes thirty weeks to hone our ability to use the energy of intention because we've been for so long trained in ways that do not empower us to succeed. The seminar also takes thirty weeks because the power of time is enormous when we let it work for us. It's like adding a compounded interest in our lives. In this case, the importance of staying inspired over the course of whatever time it takes to complete any project you intend to complete, cannot be overstated. We all know how to get inspired, but leading participants to a knowing of how to stay inspired over time, has them access a skill that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Starting with right now, it's the "rest of our lives" that I'm interested in!

There is a way we can take that leads to the successful use of our intentions, and that way is practice. With each process presented, the steps needed to be taken so that that process can be played with, fine tuned, and practiced over time, are given. No matter how metaphysical or mysterious something is, there are always steps available that will lead us to its successful use. If you think about a familiar item in our lives that we live with and use every day, like electricity, this whole process becomes much clearer. While electricity is a completely mysterious force, that we only believe we understand, because we so thoroughly know the steps leading to its successful use, the fact remains that it will always be something we can explain, but never really know. What is it, really? No one really knows! But that fact never stopped us from learning the steps leading to its successful use. Our intentions are of the same energetic nature as electricity, full of enormous and powerful potential! We may never know exactly what the true nature of the energy of our intentions is either, nor do we have to. We don't have to because just like electricity, we can certainly learn how to effectively gather that energy up, and then to move mountains with it!

Autor: TB Wright

TB Wright is the creator of The One Penny Millionaire! web based seminar series, and the author of Be BAD! Do Good! How To Get What You Want In Spite Of Yourself! which is available at http://www.onepennymillionaire.com

Added: November 20, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Joy of Winging It

I recently got back from a great vacation in Northern California. What made this trip really different is that we did very little planning. With the crazy summer we had and my general brain overload in August, there just wasn't any time or energy to do any extensive research or planning. Sure, we had read some tour books, we knew we wanted to do a lot of wine touring, and couldn't wait to visit old friends (and meet some new friends too). Other than having a framework of lodging in place (and even THAT was only fully completed the day before we left) and reservations for our anniversary dinner, we hadn't a clue.

For many people this might sound like every vacation experience you take. I know a number of folks who are quite content to hit the road without reservations or a plan; simply an adventurous spirit and a map. I have never been one of them. I used to plan vacations like a major undertaking. I would plan our days to within an inch of our lives, stumbling back late at night to collapse from exhaustion and start it all over again the next morning. After all, I don't want to miss anything and there is so much to see!! Fortunately for us in recent years we've relaxed all that. What I learned was that in trying to do "everything" I was actually experiencing "nothing" because I was so out of the present moment (not to mention deliriously exhausted) that I truly didn't enjoy the journey. Vacation was like a mountain to be conquered, not an experience to be savored.

What made this particular trip even more different than the last few years of more relaxed attitudes was the utter and complete lack of a plan or a clue. Neither of us had been to this area before (except for a brief afternoon in Napa once 13 years ago). That didn't stop us from totally winging it every step of the way. We essentially started (or ended) each day with the question "what's next?" and went from there. We changed our whims of what we wanted to do as we went (sometimes in mid-drive) and just allowed our moods and the weather to move us.

My verdict from this whole experiment? What fun! Sure there were a few moments where I felt we were clueless and aimlessly wandering doing something that didn't feel all that fun, but for the most part it was totally liberating! No expectations, no agendas, and few commitments (we did have those dinner reservations and a spa treatment). What I learned was that by letting go and simply allowing the experience to unfold we not only enjoyed it more but ended up with more perfect synchronicities.

For instance, we checked in at one hotel just as she received a cancellation for their large suite. Guess who got that magnificent free upgrade? Dumb luck? Coincidence? Who REALLY knows, but I believe it was because we were just flowing with the moment and open to receiving whatever good stuff came our way. And, as a result lots of good stuff did. Wineries bent the rules and gave us a few extra tastings in addition to their "tasting menu". We got to taste some premium wines that normally don't get poured. We got the hilltop, ocean view hot tub all to ourselves not once but three times. We got to enjoy it in the cool, crisp night with a sky full of stars, mid-afternoon before spa treatments, and in the early morning just before sunrise. What could be more perfect than being with your sweetie in those conditions? We even got the perfect window seat overlooking an amazing sunset for our anniversary dinner. What's the likelihood of that? I could go on and on with the good fortune and waxing poetic about this fabulous time, but there is a real lesson in all this that I want to point out to you.

The real lesson is that when you can let go and just wing it a little good things happen.

Loosening your grip on the wheel of life is the best way to be able to enjoy the bob and weave of the curves along the way as well as navigate the bumps. If you've ever grabbed the wheel tight and tensed in a panic when you needed to avoid a possible hazard you know just how difficult it is to make the move you need to when you're rigid and unyielding (someone invented anti-lock brakes for a reason, right?).

So, take a few moments and consider:

What is the one area of your life right now that you need to loosen your grip on?

How could adopting the attitude of "winging it" even just a little benefit you right now?

Autor: Paula Gregorowicz

Paula Gregorowicz, owner of The Paula G. Company, works with women who feel angry & frustrated with having to compromise who they are in order to get what they want. She coaches them to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin anytime, anywhere so they can live life by their own design and remain true to their personal integrity. To learn more visit her website at http://www.thepaulagcompany.com.

Added: November 20, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

The Naked Leader

She sat across from me in tears as she shared how much my leadership had hurt her. It was not the first, nor the last time, that I would hear comments such as these. Because leadership is all about working with people, it is inevitable that along the way you are bound to bruise one another. A bricklayer drops the odd brick, the hatchery owner breaks a few eggs, and the leader hurts a few people along the way. No matter how hard you try not to, somewhere, somehow, you will. So the question is not really "Will you hurt someone?" but, "When?" and, more importantly, "How?"

I have given a lot of thought to this subject over the last year. It was inevitable as several people approached me and pointed out shortcomings in my own leadership and how they had been made to feel less valuable. I believe no leader ever starts out intending to malign anyone he or she leads but because of our own weakness we do a pretty good job of it anyway. Over the last year I have counseled many who have been hurt by their leaders. Again and again common themes arose. I began to see that most of the situations were not complex. They didn't need to be dissected by Dr. Phil. Rather, the transgressions were similar to those found in the sandbox of any school yard in North America. It seems as we played and our parents continually interjected corrections to our interaction with our peers, they were right. When you strip away your title, your authority and your power as a leader you are left with the simple fact that you are no better, no worse, than all the people you work with. Having the ability to look through the smoke and glass of our titles and roles can really clarify our own vision. I call this getting "naked" as a leader. In my estimation these are the top three errors leaders make which, in turn, can needlessly hurt their people.

1. Dis R-E-S-P-E-C-T;

A Public Agenda study which asked workers to state what they most wanted from their workplaces found the number one response to be "Respect." When the same leaders and managers were polled as to what they thought their employees wanted, they were a million miles apart. It appears that, more than high salaries and good benefits, people want to be respected. No one wants to go to work and be demeaned, feel inferior, or be treated as if their life doesn't make much of a difference. From personal experience, both from being wronged as a follower, and wronging others as a leader, I have found disrespect to have a definite fingerprint. When people don't feel listened to, when their suggestions or ideas are dismissed without consideration, or when they are excluded from decisions that affect them, they will feel disrespected. Years ago when I was working as a junior minister I remember making many suggestions on how things could be handled better but because I was not in the upper circle of leadership, I know many of the suggestions were not taken seriously. In the same light I can think of many times where suggestions were made to me; yet, because the person making them was not in a leadership position, I did not give their voice much weight from the onset. How terrible! What is it about us leaders that make us feel we have the inside track on the truth? I find disrespect usually flows from one of two springs.

(a). The arrogant leader

Some people, for whatever reason, really do believe that being in leadership makes them better than those they lead. These people forget that leadership is a role. It is a role that is defined by an environment. Just because you are someone's manager doesn't mean that you have somehow become a better human being. There are cultures in the world where birth order is paramount. A twin who is born one minute later than his sibling will find himself bowing before his older brother for life. We look at extremes such as these and shake our head, but is our mindset in business really that different? When we feel superior to the people we lead, disrespect naturally follows.

(b). The insecure leader

As a young leader I tried to mask my own insecurity by "faking it until you make it." I did not want to appear weak or inept as a leader and so I acted like I always had the answer or solution to every crisis. I wrongly assumed that if I didn't know all the answers, those I led would not respect me. It is a common mistake many young leaders make when they are short on the confidence which comes from experience. Insecurity causes you to keep people at a distance. It prevents you from asking their input or advice. To those you lead it comes across as arrogance and disrespect. Employees want a leader who is real, authentic, and relies on their team for help. This is motivating and encouraging. To get respect, you must be prepared to give it.

2. The Unhealthy Bottom Line

The other area where I have seen so many people needlessly hurt is when organizations have an unhealthy "results only" culture. What I mean is that an organization cares little for its people because it's all about the bottom line. Some will argue, "We are not in business to make people feel good, we are here to make money. Without a strong bottom line there won't be a job for people to come to." I am not saying the bottom line is not important. I am not even giving a ratio of how important it is compared to treating your people well. What I am saying is that often our own corporate culture can trick us into thinking we care about our employees but, at the end of the day, the bottom line wins out. It is probably the greatest culprit in shaping how we treat one another. Great managers are able to meet the bottom line without sacrificing their people to get there. In business today there can be enormous amounts of stress and pressure to produce. The funny thing about stress is when you mix a stressed-out manager with any other person on the planet you have a potential bomb. Some of the greatest wrongs I experienced as a follower all had to do with the bottom line. Some of the greatest wrongs I have done to others over the years have been connected to meeting that same bottom line. It's an ugly chain that can go forever. My boss presses me for results, and so I press my people and they in turn put the heat on their people. I am not saying there is anything wrong with pushing and high expectations, but when we lose perspective we get into trouble. When the results begin to come at any cost to our greatest assets - our people - we are heading down a regretful road. You can keep people highly motivated and treat them with respect. You can admonish someone on their work ethic and do it respectfully. If you want to beat something buy a mule.

3. The Doghouse

The doghouse may not have a physical address but many of us are familiar with it. Over the years I have seen it time and time again. When a leader gets upset with an employee, it always tests the leader's emotional intelligence. Does the leader have the emotional maturity to keep things in perspective and look past hurts even when they are directed at him or her? As a leader, our reaction to people hurting or disappointing us is crucial. When leaders cannot separate their emotions from the situations at hand, they can sentence people for days, weeks, even months, to the doghouses of Siberia. You have seen it before: "Ever since Jones blew that account he doesn't get invited to the golf games anymore." When employees disappoint their leaders they often feel insecure. They become over-sensitive to everything their boss does next. They will pick up a difference in demeanor, a change in tone of voice, or whether or not the boss jokes around with them as before. One of the requirements of leadership is to deal with situations quickly and thoroughly so you can pick up where you left off and move on. If it is your nature to avoid conflict, you may procrastinate or try to ignore the situation. This resulting lack of action on your part will only lead to you sitting around and stewing about that particular individual. Employees pick up on this. Most will know whether they are in your 'good books" or not. I have been embarrassed in the past when someone has confronted me about my cool demeanor following an incident. As leaders we have to see the doghouse for what it is: a place for dogs; not people.

At the end of your leadership journey you want to look back and see the faces of those you have empowered, inspired and motivated to be more than they ever thought possible. What you don't want to see are angry, bitter people, who are grateful that they never have to spend another day under your watch. As I said earlier, these principles are not rocket science. We understood them when we were six years old in the playground. Time however can play tricks on the memory. Let it be said of all of us at our retirement party, "They treated their people well."

Autor: James Robbins

James Robbins is an adventurer and leadership trainer helping organizations build workplaces of full engagement and low turnover. His keynotes and workshops inspire and equip managers to face today's leadership demands. To find out more go to www.jamesrobbins.com

Added: November 20, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Fear Of Failure

We pay a heavy price for F.E.A.R of failure. It is a powerful obstacle to growth. It assures the progressive narrowing of the personality and prevents exploration and experimentation. There is no learning without some difficulty and fumbling. If you want to keep on learning, you must keep on risking failure - all your life.

Just what is F.E.A.R. False Evidence Appearing Real. First Emotional Alarm Reaction. Having a fear of failure brings about doubt. A lack of belief in your self and your ability. But you must ask yourself these questions:

1) What will happen if upon me trying this new venture it doesn't work out the way I planned?

2) How will I grow and become a better person just by making the attempt?

3) What will I discover or learn that I can use the rest of my life?

4) Who else has overcome this obstacle and how can I model their beliefs and behavior?

5) How many lives can I impact by taking action in spite of my fear?

The obstacle was placed there to test your will to achieve. Just how bad do you want it. God did not give you the spirit of F.E.A.R. but the spirit of FAITH.

You must remind yourself of God's promises of generosity and faithfulness - expect a miracle! Cultivate expectant faith, which believes God will work everything out.

God says, "Upon me giving you the vision, I have already been where you are going and you will have everything you need."

Autor: V. James Jackson
Added: November 20, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Change For The Better Is Good

Changing the way you do things can help you and your business grow. Don't ever settle for what you have. No matter how good it is, you can always do better. There is always room for improvement. Bill Gates wouldn't be where he is today, if he would have settled with windows 95. Change can only help you, if you know the right ways to change for the better.

Second opinions always work best. You may think everything is fine and dandy. Ask someone else who is looking inside the picture, instead of outside. You see, you may not find any flaws in your work or business, no matter how hard you look. It's always good to go with another pair of eyes, for some opinions to make things better. For instance, is the type blinding you on your website? Or is it too light and not readable. An outside opinion may let you know about these small details, that you don't notice all by yourself. Forums are a great place to get second opinions also.

Make sure you are upgrading, when you make change. This may sound silly, but some businesses downgrade without even knowing it. If you are upgrading, remember, sometimes less is more. Try and always keep things plain and simple. But at the same time, offer the customer a new and modern experience. The last thing a customer wants to do is, step backwards in technology. If there is new technology and you can get your hands on it, use it. You'll find if you are the first to show new technology, you will be remembered for always staying up-to-date.

Change is so important. Not just to change, but change for the better. I would rather buy a product that was made 2 months ago, instead of a product that was made a year or so ago. Same with websites; Don't you find yourself attracted to newer designs that show more technology? Nobody wants to see the same old thing. The same old thing, is just what it says, everyone has the same thing and it's old. When things feel and look old, it's time for a change.

Search around for ways you can improve. Ask people what you can improve. Ask them what can can change to make things better. Ask people what they don't like. Ask people you know, honest opinions without disagreement. Don't jump down someones throat if they say something you don't like. Just hear them out. They are helping you more than you know. You want to hear a wide vary of opinions. Not everyone one is going to like the way you are doing things. That's the best part, find out what they do and don't like. Then accommodate as many different people as possible using the information you gathered.

Autor: Lisa Page

Learn how to start your own home business by following this amazing step-by-step guide. Want to be an Ebay Powerseller? This guide will help you. Check out my Daily Blog.

Added: November 18, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Alternatives to running for the bus

I live in a highly urbanised area. Sometimes, as I'm driving down the street, I see someone running for the bus. It always makes me laugh. There they are, hurrying, looking over their shoulder, desperately trying to attract the attention of the driver, waving their hands at them and begging them to stop, even though they are yards away from the official bus-stop. What chance have they got? If someone else is at the stop and flags down the bus, then there is a chance that it will take the person standing and waiting so long to get on the bus, pay their fare and get settled, that the person running up behind them will have the luck to get to the bus before the doors close and it sets off. But what a way to organise your life!

Firstly, if you're running for the bus, it's probably true that you have no idea of the timetable. If you knew the time the bus was due, you could aim to get to the stop in plenty of time to catch it. If you're running to get there, it means you're so disorganised, you were still cleaning your teeth or putting on your make-up when you should have been leaving the house. Or, on the other hand, maybe you don't know bus times. Why? Because you're so disorganised you can't find that out. Or you don't care? You're prepared to live life 'on the edge', never knowing what will happen next, never planning ahead. Fine, but that means you miss the bus. Live with it. Don't embarrass yourself by being in the vicinity but not near enough to meet it at the stop and have to gird up your loins, swing your bags, and patter your little legs and get out of breath, hurrying as hard as you can but still running the risk of seeing the thing disappear up the road without you.

Second, it's not that important. There will be another bus along in a minute and you can get that one. If you don't believe that, then again, you haven't bothered to check the timetable. Or, more likely, you're the kind of person who can't face getting sorted and arrive at the bus-stop in good time, but also can't face the disappointment of seeing the bus go without you. Live with it. Life is full of disappointment. The trick is to find a way not to let it ruin your day, and still have enough energy left to do the things that are important. Not likely! The person who runs for the bus is likely to be the person who is late for work; who misses coffee with their colleagues; who fails to answer the phone on time; who upsets the firm's most important client; and so on. Don't believe me? Check it out. Ask around in the office and see who's run for a bus recently. Then ask them what else is going wrong in their lives. Then take a seat. It's going to be a while.

Is this important? Well, I had a good friend who spent years complaining he'd 'missed the bus'. His story was that he had been advised to buy shares in Microsoft in 1987 and he hadn't bothered. It cost him a lot of sleep since then. He kept dreaming of the millionaire he might have been. Well, it's a sad tale, no? Well, no. The question I asked him was, 'So what shares did you invest in?' He looked at me as if I was mad. He had never bought any shares, in anyone, ever. So what did he know about share dealing? Nothing. So what could he tell me about the stock market? Nothing. What could he say about good picks this week, last week, last month, and next year? Nothing. Come off it! A person who knows so little was highly unlikely to have ever considered buying shares in a small, unknown company like Microsoft in the 1980s. He's only living with regret because he has hindsight, but the truth is that not only did he miss the bus (maybe because he hadn't checked the timetable) but he didn't even know the number on the bus, the destination, the fare, the colour of the driver's teeshirt, or even what day it was and where he should be going.

Let's turn that into a recipe for success. If you want a successful stock pick, then do everything my friend didn't. Check out the shares every day in the newspaper. Look for ones going up, note the ones going down. Play 'fantasy investor' before you ever commit money, and keep a note of your score. Then, when you feel a little confident, invest a little money and see if you can make more. Up the stakes slowly but steadily, take as much advice as you can, test every move in a small way before committing yourself further, and never over-stretch.

Be sure of one thing, another bus will be along in a moment. Yes, even now, the new Microsoft is out there, waiting for investors. The problem is that it will only attract the people who have done their homework and recognise a good bet when they see one. It won't help if it's stuck in the middle of another vacuous 'dot com' boom, or is being hyped by unscrupulous stockbrokers or journalists. In other words, there's no free lunch. No one is going to have the 'happy ending' my friend felt he deserved ' investing in a stock market miracle, but having no knowledge or skills, no track record or commitment. The good times are reserved for those who are willing to put their time and effort in. Anything else is like a win on the Lottery, and we know how unlikely that is!

Autor: Mike Scantlebury

Mike Scantlebury is an Internet Author. From downtown Manchester in North West England, he writes novels, stories and educational material and sends it out through his many websites. Check out his original and quirky self-help tips at http://www.mikescantlebury.info

Added: November 18, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Don t Let It Pass You By

I want to explain one of the greatest life lessons you will probably ever hear. It was brought home to me again last Friday night in an unusual way.

For 16 years I coached High School Football in Eastern Virginia. That's the 757 area code of Virginia. If you know anything about College Football, you will recognize that area code as one of the most talented areas in the country.

But our school was small in number, in fact for the past 16 years we had to apply for an exception to the rule in order to play AA football because we were a single A sized school. This meant we never had the numbers (most of our varsity teams never had over 25 players, so our kids had to go both ways all season). We rarely had outstanding talent and if we did it was one or two players every five years or so. This means we were always out-numbered, the players rarely got a rest, a lot of them played hurt and to top it all, we played in a District where a team went to the State playoffs every year.

So how is it with so many disadvantages, we sent players on to college football at every level almost every year-including both of my sons? Not only did we send them, but our players were successful. The old coaching staff and I got together after the game and counted up 9 Championship Rings that our former players had won at the college level from Division III all the way to a National Championship in Division 1AA and an Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in Division IA, with our former player being named ACC Player of the Year.

How could such a small school with an unimpressive win/loss record have such successful players? Because we coached these young men to love the game, give all they had all the time and never, never waste an opportunity when it is given to you.

I was reminded of this last Friday night when I saw the team play once again. We were playing the cross town team who had already won the District Championship with a 9-0 record and we were their last game.

Once again we were outnumbered, outsized and outplayed. By half time we were down 37 to nothing. The game finally ended 44 to 0. Our school was in a down cycle to say the least. With a miserable 3-7 record and only 21 players on the team you would think that a 44-0 loss on your last game would be so hurtful you would want to just leave and go home.

But after each game, down on the field the coaches talk to the team and let the players talk about the game. This was the last night of the season and the last night for the seniors, so the head coach let all the seniors talk. There was no finger pointing, there were no regrets, each one, to a man, talked about how much he loved the game and how much he loved his teammates and coaches. Tears flowing, hearts open, and these young men saw the game bigger than win/loss, bigger than points on the board, bigger than the final team record.

At one point during the game, the team we were playing broke through the line of scrimmage and took off on a 60 yard run to the end zone. We were already down by 30 points, but the middle linebacker chased this player down and tackled him on the 4 yard line. Two plays later the team scored anyway. But for that one moment, our player had the heart not to let his teammates down, not to let himself down and gave everything he had to stop that man before he scored. He had been playing both ways the whole game, but his team and the pride in himself came first.

No one would have blamed him if he only tried half-heartedly to stop him, we were already down 30 points, but that's not what we teach!

After the huddle at the end of the game when we broke up, several of the seniors were hugging each other and crying. They were not crying because they lost; they were not crying because they had a bad game or a bad season. The reason they were crying was summed up in one player's sobbing outburst-"It's over!"

He and the others were crying because they would never again put on a uniform; never again walk on the field as a player, never again be a member of a team on the field pulling for a united goal-it was over.

I have seen seniors in the past go down to the end zone and just sit down as everyone left the field. They just sat there gazing at the field reliving every moment they could. The stands were empty, the field was empty but they just sat their not wanting to leave.

Of course they will go on to other things in life and hopefully carry this passion with them. But the life lesson that is so important to learn here is that we never allow time to pass us by, never take an opportunity for granted, before you know it, that window is closed and "It's over!"

Live with passion. Love what you are doing or find something else to do. You only get one shot at life, make the most of if before-it's over.

Autor: Duke Clarke

Duke Clarke is a writer/coach/teacher helping individuals reach their full potential in every area of life. To find out more go to http://www.DukeClarke.com or http://www.TheThinkingChristianInstitute.com

Added: November 18, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Training The Memory - Doing Two Or More Things At One Time

Although you can do certain things at the same time, there are certain tasks that will pose a challenge, but studies have shown that we can ultimately overcome this with practice. For instance, try to imagine the noise made by a train or the sound made by a piano. Now close your eyes and imagine the picture of a dog. How did you do? For most people, it is quite easy to form a mental picture of the dog while holding to the sound made by the train or the piano. Now repeat the experiment with your eyes open. In this instance, it may prove to be a little more difficult. You see, it is difficult for us to combine seeing with other actions. Both seeing and imagining a picture of something involves similar perceptive skills. In general, it is easier for us to perform two activities if they are somewhat unrelated.

Psychologist have confirmed, in a number of studies that it is surprisingly easy for people to do completely different kinds of actions at the same time - but only after enough practice. But if the actions are similar and there isn't enough practice, it is quite difficult to perform both simultaneously.

You don't have to be a stage performer to be able to do many things at the same time. With just a little practice, you can improve your own abilities and very soon, you'll be very good at multi-tasking. Try this experiment. Have a friend read a book and you write down what she is dictating. At the same time, you read the newspaper. You will notice that this task seems almost impossible. Either your reading speed suffers or the quality of your handwriting deteriorates. After about 35 hours of reading however, you can successfully combine reading and taking down dictation. This fact has been confirmed by experiments.

The key to the whole point of multi-tasking is practice. Anyone wishing to read a book while knitting should spend more time practicing. The same goes for cooking a dinner while talking on the phone. I'm sure you have seen outstanding performers doing seemingly impossible things like juggling balls while playing a trumpet or one-man band playing more than one musical instrument.

Some people can astonishing remember more than a hundred telephone numbers in five minutes. This is done by a surprisingly simple memory technique of association where numbers are changed into images and then a mental link is formed. Thus a completely abstract notation like numbers or any scientific symbols can be changed into a mental picture in a blink of an eye. All these happens in seconds because memory performers spend hours practicing their memory training.

However you can put this mental tool to good use. For example to remember a shopping list, you can use the parts of your own body, for example your toes, your ankle, your knee, your hips, etc. Make a mental association to the item you wish to remember. For example butter, fish, pancake, and milk. Imagine your wriggling toes with melted butter, all slippery. Imagine a shark(fish) nipping at your ankles, wearing pancakes for knee pads and a cow (milk) licking you at the side of your hips and making you all giggly. You now have a simple method to remember a ten or twenty shopping and errand list on the fly. Quite useful when you can't find a pencil or paper.

And remember, it takes a little practice with your memory training and memory techniques which you can come out on your own. And with you can always find time while waiting for a friend or queuing up at the bank. It is not surprising therefore that some people have been known to memorize long speeches or whole books with the power of association as a memory tool. And when you are really good at it, you can use it as a neat party trick.

Autor: Martin Mak

Martin Mak has developed a new and powerful way to help you master your memory and enhance your learning experience. Find out more with his popular and free ecourse available at ; =>http://www.mightymemory.com/memoryarticle.html

Added: November 17, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Inspirational Retirement Quotes to Help You with Your Retirement Planning

Autor: Ernie Zelinski

Added: November 17, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Are You Being The Best You?

I recently spent some time reading a good friend, Simon T. Bailey's book, "Releasing Your Brilliance" last night and it got me thinking along that path. Although I am a coach and work with individuals daily to find their inner wisdom, and to always build on their strengths, I often fail at reaching my own inner brilliance.

A visit to my mentor coach, Dwight Bain, usually cures that. Dwight is working with me to focus on my strengths and not what drains me. My coaching session with Dwight made fireworks go off, and he challenged me to write the titles of my next 10 books. I'm happy to say that that exercise is done and I'm thrilled with what has developed.

I learned that we all have a fishing net that helps us capture opportunities or sales for our business. If there are holes in the fishing net, where systems aren't set up, then you're missing opportunities. I've got a few holes in my net, and part of that is wasting times on projects that aren't profitable.

What I've been learning is that when you play many roles in many peoples lives, there are times that you just have to take a breath, slow down, and regroup. Sometimes, there are going to be moments of question in your mind, moments of doubt and moments where you think, is it all really worth it and is this what I really want anyway? Other times, you'll think: "why did I just spend all that time doing that and it did absolutely nothing beneficial for me whatsoever".

Sometimes, the roles we play will take on more importance and we have to walk away or say, "not now" to the other roles we take an active role in during part of our lives. For instance, for the past 2 weeks and this coming week, I've been letting the role of mom dominate my time. I've been school shopping, and reading to my son, and visiting the library and squeezing in last minute play dates and fun times so he has fond memories of this summer. As a result, I haven't finished a few projects sitting on my desk, and have had to turn down some work that has come my way during this time. Do I want the money? Who doesn't? But my "role" this week is to be the best mom I can, so the money coming in doesn't make me a better mom.

I have other projects that are in the gestation stage and my partners' excitement is fun but again, I have to evaluate it and ask myself: "does this fit in to my life right now and is it a priority for me"? My coach asked me to use the word: WIIFM - What's In it For Me? He determined that I am a giver and often times give more than I've received. I have to agree that's been true. As a result, I've been able to step away and look at the energy and time that will be given to that project, and what profit will it bring and will it feed my values? If not, then I have to say no, or not now to the project. If it does work in, then I can set up my systems so it benefits my business.

So now, I ask myself the question: "does this fill part of my net? Is this activity furthering my values or a project that I hope to finish?" If not, then I have to put the activity in my social time, or exercise or another value driven activity. If it fits nowhere, I have to ask, is this the right thing for me to do at this time in my life?

What about you? Are you spending time doing things that don't fill your net? Are you wasting time or allowing it to drain away? Or are you spending time being with the people that fill you and doing activities that will aid you or others close to you in some way?

The challenge is to figure out what you want to accomplish. Is it to be the best mom in the world to your kids? What does that look like to you? If you were that, then what activities would you and your kids be doing? Would they be vegging out in front of the TV or computer, or would they be with you at the pool or exploring or learning a new activity? Do you want to be the top sales performer this quarter? How are you going to get there? Will it be by reading every single email that comes in your box or will it be to spend more time listening to motivational tapes?

This week, I'm being mom. I'm cooking, I'm nurturing, I'm reading, I'm exercising, and I'm shopping. I still have work to do, but I'll be doing it after hours. Next week, I'll be working on my products, and finding editors and writing and editing my book. I'll start to set up meetings with potential business partners and alliances.

Next Saturday, August 18, 2007, I'll be giving one of my favorite workshops: "Developing Your Inner Charisma" at The Knowledge Shop in Winter Park. (www.theknowledgeship.us) It's Saturday from 1-4PM. When you see me there, I'll be The Charisma Coach! I'll be cheering the participants on, and helping them to see where their special brilliance is located. And I will know that I will be experiencing mine: helping others find what works for them. I will feel that special feeling of loving being a coach, and know, that I was the best mom that I could be all week, and that's the best feeling to know... that I can do both!

Autor: Mary Gardner

Mary Gardner, Author of "The Insiders Guide to Professional and Motivational Speaking" , is an executive Communications Consultant and Coach. She is president of Lifestyles Communications, Inc. which helps individuals communicate in the new global and virtual world. Her website is http://www.marygardner.com Sign up for a free report on Sales Tips for the Non Sales Professional at http://www.marygardner.com

Added: November 17, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Self Observation And A Commitment To Change

"I NEVER KNEW I WAS BLIND...

BUT NOW I SEE."

When are we going to be ready to make a commitment to change, and stop making excuses ?

God grants me the Strength to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things that I can and the Power to live a life that matters.

Keep on doing wrong things and making bad decisions and you will live in complete chaos.

Life is a tightrope!

The secret is to learn how to balance it. To learn how to do more good and less bad. The only good things we can take with us when we die are our Good Deeds of Acceptance, Love, Compassion, Kindness and Giving.

Where are you right now in your humanity?

Is your heart open wide to all mankind?

Doing a Self-Observation exercise will enlighten you.

Writing gives you another ocean to swim in. Writing creates a powerful, brilliant, creative and healing energy.

Writing and Contemplation brings forth the real truth.

Below I have written a few questions to ask yourself for a self-observation challenge.

Write down all your answers, all your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and the things you need to change.

• How am I Thinking?
• How do I Treat People?
• Do I React to every little thing?
• Do I have Self control?
• Am I Impatient?
• Do I Criticize, Gossip, Assume or Judge People?
• Am I Selfish?
• Do I keep my word?
• Am I always truthful?
• Do I listen to what people say, or do I always butt in to express my thoughts and beliefs?
• Do things have to be done my way or no way?
• Do I complain about the way things are done most of the time?
• Do I assume I know what people want and need, or what is best for them?
• Do I have very high expectations of everyone?
• Do I want everything to be perfect?
• Am I Kind, Compassionate and Loving?
• Am I uplifting, contributing and praising to people in my choice of words and actions - or am I Contaminating?
• Do I look for the good in people - or do I find faults and pick on them?
• Do I appreciate people for who they are - or do I try to change them into who I want them to be?
• Do I live my life with integrity, honesty, high morals, values, and principles?
• Do I honour my commitments and promises?
• Do I Honour and Love Myself?

When you think about these self-observations, ask yourself one final question - What Changes Do I Need To Make?

Be a blessing to others and you will be blessed. Live your Life in Amazing Grace.

Do not let life discourage you. Everyone who got where they are, began where they were !!!!

Shirley is a teacher, counselor, public speaker and the author of the comprehensive self help manual "Discover the Power of Thoughts".

Visit Shirley's website www.stepswa.com.au

Autor: Shirley Carton

"Discover the Power of Thoughts." book by Shirley Carton. Published Author. Teacher. Life Coach. Founder of the Steps personal and spiritual development program and an expert on Positive Thinking, Intuition and Meditation.

Added: November 16, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Meeting Lance Armstrong

Last Saturday six hundred of my closest friends and I got together for a chat at the Network Convention (Annual Fitness Industry Shindig) here in sunny (drought-stricken) Melbourne.
Well I spoke, they listened.
Being the insecure only-child with a constant need for attention, that worked well.

"I'll stand up here and you all look at me for ninety minutes... okay?"

Perfect.
We had a great time, lots of fun.

Seriously, the people from Network (Nigel and Lisa Champion) put on an amazing two days of education and inspiration for two thousand (or so) of Australia's information-hungry fitness professionals. Well done team.

While I really enjoyed presenting and no-one threw stuff at me (always a good sign), it was the trip into the city on my scooter which provided the comic relief and inspiration for my morning.

So there I was at seven thirty in the am, perched at an intersection waiting to turn onto Beach Road (the main road running along the Beach and into the city here in Melbourne) to head into the conference. I was sitting at the lights lost in my own thoughts when all of a sudden I became aware of a presence... no, not a poltergeist; a bloke on a mountain bike had pulled up along side me. Three feet away. Coulda touched him.

Game face on... waiting for the green signal.
Like an Olympian waiting for the starters gun.
Focused.
Committed.
And dressed atrociously.
Didn't matter... it's all about function.
I actually laughed in my helmet, he looked so funny.
(No, he didn't hear me).

Here's the picture:
Chubby guy, maybe thirty five years old and twenty kilos (44lbs) overweight. Ten year-old bike (at least) accessorised with one of those white and yellow foam helmets from the eighties strapped too tightly around his unshaven cheeks. Kind of like a chubby Adam Sandler.

Some twenty five year-old sneakers providing a home to two lovely brown business socks! A sweat-stained grey training-shirt, not quite covering the totality of his ample tummy. Some too-small black track pants revealing some pretty significant (and hairy) calves and just a hint of ass-crack. Nice. Classy.

All in all, quite the picture.
So glad I hadn't eaten.

I looked over at him.
He looked back.
I gave the obligatory head nod.
As us hard-core(!) scooter riders do.
He looked back, smiled and opened his mouth to speak.

'He's up for a chat', I thought.

I lifted up the visor on my helmet.

"G'day Mate".
"G'day."
"How's the scooter go?"
"Yeh, pretty well."
"That's what I need; a motor."
"You're doing okay."
"I'm givin' it a crack anyway.."
"In training for something?"
"Yep, gettin' married in six weeks."
"How's the progress?"
"Great, lost six kilos (13lbs) in three weeks so far."
"Good for you man, that's awesome."

He certainly was 'giving it a crack' and he turned out to be a really nice guy.

Just then the lights turned green and a large group of cyclists (all on their five thousand dollar road bikes and clad in the obligatory lycra) sped through the Beach Road intersection heading into the city also. Lance Armstrong (my new friend) and I pulled away from the lights and the funniest thing ever happened... Lance decided that he would attach himself to the back of the peloton (bunch of cyclists) and ride with them!!

This was amusing for all kinds of reasons... but here are my top five.

1. He was outa shape and relatively unfit - they were all serious, fit riders.
2. His bike was worth fifteen bucks (max), weighed fifty pounds, had knobbies (off-road tyres) and a bell.
3. They were all 'in uniform' and he looked like he'd just escaped from a shelter.
4. His helmet made him look like he was about to be shot out of a cannon.
5. He wasn't one bit worried about what anyone thought - I loved that about him.

So we were off...
Lance and I followed the pretty boys on their over-priced 'Giants' and 'Cannondales' down Beach Road.
His legs pumped like angry little pistons and I laughed so much that my helmet started to fog up.
Within one minute he had caught the group and I thought he was about to expire.
I tried to recall my first-aid... "is it five compressions per breath... or four?"
He looked in pain.

"C'mon Big Fella", I yelled through my helmet.

His work rate increased.
He was lovin' the love.
I decided not to overtake the group (not hard to do considering I was the only one with a motor) and to coach my boy to the next set of lights.
Such fun.
Lance and I sat at the back of the pack, I offered more encouragement and his rapidly fatiguing pistons continued to pump.

About two km's (just over a mile) into the journey he turns and yells to me "how fast am I going?"
How funny is that?
I laughed my guts out.
Again.
Only an Aussie bloke who's near death would still care about... 'how fast he's riding'. If he was a she... not a chance.

I looked at my speedo.
"About forty (25mph)."
"I'm flying."
(more laughs)
"Yes, you are.."

And with those words.. the big man started to 'hit the wall'.
His legs began to turn to rubber, his pink cheeks started to turn a lovely shade of grey and the friendly dialogue came to a standstill.

Lance began to drop off the back of the pack.

"C'mon Champ... don't let those pretty boys get away."
He mustered one final heroic burst, kind of like Sly in the first Rocky movie (the only good one) and momentarily caught the group again... he hung on for a bit and then surrendered to his screaming body.

He was exhausted but triumphant.
Strangely, I understood his triumph.
To anyone else, me and my chubby athlete would have been a bizarre sight, but to us it was a significant moment.

The ex-fat kid was delighted to invest five minutes into the friendly chubby guy 'training' for his wedding day.

We pulled up at the next set of lights and Lance was breathing like an eighty year-old smoker with emphysema. But he was happy.

"Thanks Man."
"You're welcome... keep up the great work and have fun on the big day."
"I will..."

We exchanged a few more pleasantries, the lights turned green, we gave the alpha-male nod and I left the exhausted, but happy, groom-to-be to finish his training session.

I rode away with a big smile on my face. He was happy, I was happy... and the 'real' cyclists thought we needed help.

As I continued my journey into the conference, I thought about what Lance had taught me:

1) It's really easy to connect with people when we want to - especially when we make it about them.
2) Everyone responds to encouragement.
3) Most people like some attention and care.
4) It's amazing what a little support (even from a stranger) can do to a person's level of performance.
5) When we slow down and notice what (and who) is around us, there are lessons to be learned.
6) Helping a stranger can make me feel better than helping myself.

Thanks Lance.
Enjoy your wedding day and your life with Mrs Lance.

Autor: Craig Harper

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is the #1 ranked Motivational Speaker (according to Google). He is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.

Motivational Speaker - Craig Harper

Added: November 15, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How Positive Attitudes can Change our Life

How does our mental attitude affect our lives? What is the impact of maintaining a positive mental attitude?

Success through positive mental attitude is one of the governing factors in the "get what you give" dynamics of life. You attract who you are at any given time.

I have witnessed my own ability to wreak havoc in my life with my moods (in a negative way) never asking, "how did I achieve that wonderful depression?" And wouldn't you know it, somehow I am able to recreate it with the snap of my fingers.

So why is it any more difficult to achieve success through positive mental attitude? Conditioning, that is why.

It is amazing how many of us constantly go through life creating speaking and thinking negative affirmations all day long to ourselves, "I always do that, I'm so stupid, etc." causing our ill emotional and mental states and counteracting success through positive mental attitude with an on-going dialog of negative self talk.

Yet we have such an aversion to the idea that positive affirmations will have the same impact (but in the desired direction.) Pessimism and negativity are a much more accepted form of self-talk.

Your internal dialog affects your perception and experience of life. How you ask a question can determine the answer. Like a well oiled machine, when you ask your brain a question, it looks for an answer,.

For instance if you ask "Why me?" you will most likely get a number of negative answers generated (you are stupid, or don't deserve that promotion, or whatever), as opposed to "What can I do now to fix this?" which will generate possible solutions and take your life in a completely different direction.

Mentally we have been programmed and unfortunately, studies show that negative words seem to have more impact so that instead of success through positive mental attitude we end up with failure through negative mental attitude, depression or lack of drive.

We need to learn to verbalize positive words not just the negative. We often punish ourselves for what we view as mistakes, but forget to reward our successes. I heard once that you must always have a picture of your future or else you will replay your past. Your subconscious is something that will believe what you tell it. While you sleep, your subconscious continues to work.

We constanty use negative affirmations internally without even realizing it. "Why did I do that again"? "I always do that". "That was so stupid". There are so many things that you constantly tell yourself and your subconscious says "oh, ok, I'll take a note of that, you're stupid".

Ultimately we are going to have to learn how to master the subconscious by reprogramming ourselves to create success through positive mental attitude.

At some point in my life I realized I was being programmed according to other people's agendas, or the mere accidental circumstances around me. Isn't it about time we decided to take the reigns and program ourselves according to our own agendas? Mold ourselves and our lives by our own design? I for one say yes!

Autor: F1rewalker

Lyca Shan is the founder of Firewalker Enterprises. A passionate author and speaker she focuses on helping others overcome their experiences of hardship and trauma by delivering the message that "Every person is born with the inner strength to rise above their individual circumstances and find happiness within themselves despite their environment." Learn how to defend your dreams using mental martial arts!

Added: November 15, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

This Is How We Come Into The Church

Have you ever thought that everybody else was wrong - everyone except you? Well that can very occasionally possibly be true. Let me illustrate by referring to this incident in the life of my dear friend Paul. Yes, the Paul of the Bible. Yes, the Paul who was involved in around one third of the New Testament.

It was not Paul who was wrong, but the world!

In Acts Chapter 22, this matter of being 'born again' arises, as Paul gives his testimony. It is crucially and vitally important. Jesus Christ said that a man must be 'born again' and as we see in the book of Acts that involves, Repenting, Believing in Jesus Christ, Being Baptised in water, and receiving the Holy Spirit.

This is how we come into the Church of Jesus Christ. I know of no other way. Do you?

Let us not give people only part of the Gospel, because that will only have them struggling for years, in areas of their lives where there is no need to struggle.

In verse 30, the Roman Commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. Arrangements are made to put Paul on trial before the Sanhedrin - which was made up of 70 top Jewish lawyers - and the Knesset today - the Parliament in Jerusalem - is modelled on the Sanhedrin.

Paul was for ever getting into trouble. Have you noticed that? Yet, he did not deliberately set out to annoy people or provoke people, or rub them up the wrong way. I t was just as they listened to him, something else happened. People were convicted of their sin. They became upset, and sometimes they did not know why.

They did know that they did not have what Paul had. That can upset and disturb and anger and distress a man. There are times when people's sin is touched - when their sin is challenged. The Holy Spirit is convicting their hearts.

Not once did Jesus ever rebuke Paul for what he preached and taught - or where he went - or how he ministered. It was Not Paul who was wrong. It was NOT Jesus Who was wrong - but the world!

It was not the type of person Paul was that got him into so much trouble, but the kind of world in which he lived - a world that was living in rebellion to the righteous rule of Jesus Christ the King.

Might this just help you in your work and ministry as you serve those around you?

We continue to live and testify and serve in a world which rebels against the righteous rule of our holy gracious merciful loving God, and we have to understand the significance of this truth which at times has painful consequences as well as God's richest blessing.

Sandy Shaw

Autor: Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.

Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com

Added: November 13, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

When Passion Ended

Do you feel lost?

Do you feel uninspired and less energy?

Do you feel that you are at the junction of a crossroad?

When waking up is just something you do because you have to, then you have either not found your inspiration or passion, or you have lost it some where along your journey.

Here's a meaningful story that I would like to share with you. May it enlightens you...

Once upon a time there was a very strong woodcutter. He asked for a job from a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day the woodcutter brought down 18 trees. The Boss was very much impressed and said Congratulations Go on that way! Very motivated by the boss words the woodcutter tried harder the next day but he only could bring down 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder but he only could bring down 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing down less and less trees.

I must be losing my strength the woodcutter thought to himself. He went to the boss and apologized saying that he could not understand what was going on. When was the last time you sharpened your axe? the boss asked.

Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut the trees.

Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don't take time to sharpen the axe. In today's world it seems that everyone is busier than ever but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp? There's nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life like our personal life taking time to read etc. We all need time to relax to think and meditate to learn and grow. If we don't take time to sharpen the axe we will become dull and lose our effectiveness.

So start from today, think about the ways by which you could do your job more effectively and add a lot of value to it.

Autor: Aaron Loh

Aaron Loh
Founder and Director of Wealth Learning International
http://www.aaronloh.com
Aaron Loh is an avid learner and is always in the pursuit for success in what he's passionately involved in - helping others to constantly learn and upgrade themselves. He faced many setbacks and challenges in this journey. With his strong commitment and determination, plus God's blessing, he successfully changed the lives of thousands and thousands of people.

Added: November 13, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Interest vs. Commitment: How Big Buts Can Get in the Way of Pursuing Your Goals

"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results." Anonymous


Do you know people with big buts? I'm not referring to people carrying a few extra pounds. I'm talking about those people who say, "Sure I'd love to pursue my dream, but," and then begin to list the many perceived blocks in their way. Yes, it's true - big buts can block the path to realizing your dreams.

It's also true that it is much easier to notice other people's buts than your own. It often isn't until you're talking out loud and hear yourself saying "but. . . " that you notice those pesky buts in your way. My favorite variation of big buts is "yeah, but." This usually comes up when there is hidden resistance to something. Rather than acknowledge there's something holding them back, I hear people use "yeah, but" as a way to make it sound like they really, really want to move forward, yet something external is stopping them. "Yeah, but" is usually followed by "I can't," as if the person is held back against their will. For example, people often tell me about the career of their dreams. I say, "If that's something you love, you can make that dream happen." The next statement I generally hear is "Yeah, but I can't make any money at it," or "Yeah, but I can't leave my current job until the kids are grown." They often won't even permit themselves to look into making some part of that dream a reality because of the big buts blocking their view.

After working with me for a while, my clients can usually hear themselves when they put those buts in their way. The pesky "yeah, but" usually draws a laugh from my clients when they hear themselves say it! I'm certainly not suggesting you ignore obstacles or challenges, only to be aware when you are putting buts in your way.

Big buts can easily hide in your thinking. It's very easy to tell yourself stories about why you haven't made progress on your goals, or why you are stuck in your thinking. Realize when you're making excuses and consciously choose to look at the source. Notice when you're stuck and you don't know why. Talk through it with a coach or friend. Be aware of the presence of the big but, as well as its cousins "I can't" and "I don't know," and other "resistance" words. Ask for support to explore your true thinking about those blocks so YOU don't let big buts get in your way.

Start the Passion
The first step to keeping big buts out of your way is to realize when they're present. Talk through your situation, listening for "yeah, but" or other resistance phrases. Realize when you're making excuses and be willing to look more deeply at the thoughts, beliefs, or fears that are getting in your way. When you have big dreams to pursue, there's just no room for big buts!

Copyright 2007, Karen Van Cleve.

Autor: Karen Van Cleve

For the end of stuck and the start of passion in living well, please visit http://www.KarenVanCleve.com for resources to provide you with great tools and support to make real, sustainable change. You may also subscribe to our f*r*e*e newsletter, The Spark, to ignite the passion in your life.

Added: November 13, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Can you hear me? - Methods to increase sales without cold calling

Copyright (c) 2007 Drew Stevens PhD

If you are spinning your wheels trying to reach new clients and your are having issues, then listen to this piece of advice: STOP COLD CALLING! This intrusive sales tactic has been used for decades. Prior to the proliferation of electronic media, cold calling was used to pitch products and services. However, recent years have illustrated an increase in stress and patience in handling the constant daily interruptions. Cold calling is simply an interruption. When you cold call, you indicate to the person, you are important and they aren't.

The modern world is full of two things, modern annoyances and annoying people. Competition has increased and it is difficult to be heard about the noise. Cold calls only create more noise and more confusion. Lastly, there exist a preponderance of evidence to suggest that those that cold call know little of the prospect and rationale for the call. If a call must be made, it is easier to call with knowledge of the prospect, knowledge of the issue and knowledge of solutions that provide value for the issue.

You are probably asking if you suggest not calling how then can I gain new business? The answer is easy; there are several methods. First, it is vital for you to gain testimonials and references from anyone and everyone you meet. The word for the millennium is buzz marketing and differentiation. Referrals are the keys to success in a competitive society. People want to conduct business with those they know and those they trust. Cold Calling is contrary to this and without an introduction; you are a stranger and a nuisance.

There are several ways to get referrals:

1. Ask - go to your existing client base and ask this question: "Do you know others that might gain similar value to that which I provide? If so I would appreciate the name of someone I might call as a reference for new business?

2. 25x30x50 Rule - Once every thirty days go back to your top 25 accounts and ask for names of prospects that can use your services. If needed spend no more than fifty dollars perhaps on a nice lunch or dinner as an inducement to assist. Your network if happy with you and your services will be more than happy to provide new names. My business is 90 percent referral because of this.

3. Job Completion - Once you sell an account there is no time like the present, new clients will be like fish out of water speaking of your new services, The time to gain a new referral is when the account is at a high.

Second, the best method to gain new business in today's world is with good unsolicited research. For this it is vital that you read The Wall Street Journal and the company's web site, perhaps the annual report to understand client issues. Clients today are seeking immediate resolution to profit and production problems. Seek ways to improve the client's condition. Once identified the best thing to do is to send an introductory letter to a key decision maker who will meet with you.

Keep the letter succinct yet point to the issues you have identified and align generally with how you and the company have assisted similar clients. Provide a case study the surrounds the issues and ways you have resolved them, decision makers like proof, the admire data! Provide an action step in the letter that you will call in a few days once received. Do not conduct business in a perfunctory manner with email, differentiate yourself and send a hard copy letter!

Third, as a selling professional you can offer items that you competition cannot, and you can perform in manners others simply will not. So why market similarly. To be different you need to act different. That said, you have market and industry expertise, your have passion for your products go and tell the world. Speak to groups and conferences that offer you the ability to illustrate your expertise; create white papers that position you as an expert. Differentiate and provide value that others cannot!

I shocked you initially with a contrarian approach to a daily dilemma- getting and capturing prospects attention. While there exist a myriad of devices, cold calling is not one of them. To stand above the crowd and offer value you and your firm must differentiate. It is vital to conduct business differently, appear remarkable and visible to the community. Intrusive doesn't work, informative and interesting does!

Autor: Drew Stevens PhD

Drew is the author of Splt Second Selling now available at amazon.com and http://www.gettingtothefinishline.com/products.php

Added: November 13, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Feng Shui love tips can attract happiness into your personal relationships

Love can be blind, but it is something that we simply cannot do without. It can come into our lives at any point of time, without warning and we can do nothing to fight this emotion. And why fight against something that makes you feel at the top of the world? However, there maybe some among us, who have not yet found the right partner and Feng Shui love tips, may just be the thing that will help them find love. Every person can apply these tips and balance the environment in and around their living space. Feng shui is all about balancing the energies and the various elements like the wind, water, air and fire. Properly balancing the yin (female) and yang (male) vibes around you could lead to much happiness in the areas of health, wealth and personal relationships.

Hence, even if you are planning to attract love into your life or simply want to strengthen the existing bonds, Feng shui could be the best tool for achieving this objective. Feng Shui love tips give great priority to the way in which you have arranged your home and the different rooms like the bedroom and living room. A soothing shade like pink would be ideal for the bedroom where you could adorn the walls with pictures of you and your partner or all the family members. The furnishings should also be soft without any hard or pointed edges. Avoid placing any electronic items in the bedroom as the energies should not interrupt the peace and tranquility of the room. Peonies play an important role, when you are considering the Chinese practice of Feng Shui love tips to enhance your personal relationship luck.

If you are unmarried you could place the picture of peonies or perhaps the real flowers itself, in your room and you can be sure to meet that someone special pretty soon. Feng Shui love guidelines also suggest that you light up the southwest corner of your home with red lights to attract harmony and love into your lives. You could also get innovative and paint one wall in the southwest in a passionate color like red. If red is too bold for you, then you could consider sticking to yellow or perhaps tone it down completely by opting for white. Framed pictures of loved ones help to further increase the fondness of the family members for each other.

Many other Feng Shui items go a long way in enhancing your love life, only if you have the patience and faith to try it out honestly. A pair of mandarin ducks in the bedroom also symbolizes the married couple and their happiness. Placing crystals in the southwest corner, lighting candles and gifting roses without thorns are simple gestures that help to activate and enhance your personal relationships. However, rather than applying Feng Shui love tips by gathering them from unreliable sources, consulting a Feng Shui expert is always advisable and the most practical option for all.

Autor: amit

Amit Bhalla works to help all those who want information about the latest and the best, most happening places in the city. To know more about local search services delhi, Conversion Service, Yellow Pages India, Feng Shui love, Feng Shui love visit on www.myquest.in

Added: November 12, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Are You A Leader? Maybe

At work do you get frustrated when things don't appear to be happening the way they are supposed to happen? Do you often see people looking or acting productive but nothing seems to get accomplished. Do you feel that your goals and benchmarks remain just that...goals and benchmarks, and that there is no sense of accomplishment in sight? Then maybe it's time for you to get up and do something about it, be proactive about meeting your goals and increasing productivity, become a leader.

Most people are content standing around and taking orders; not everyone is a leader. Many individuals naturally feel comfortable getting tasks done and are awesome workers; it isn't unusual for many people to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. Are you a leader?

Great leaders are created through hard work, dedication and experience. It may be true that some people are born with natural talents, with the ability to lead, influence change and orchestrate great achievements. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, these people will not develop to their full potential and become great leaders. First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must have the ability to influence others to accomplish a goal or an objective. A leader contributes to the productivity and cohesion of an organization. Leadership requires a huge commitment; good leaders are constantly working and studying to improve their skills.

Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not always about harnessing power. It is not about harassing people, controlling their every move or increasing their efficiency through fear. It is about bringing people together and encouraging them to work towards a common goal. It is about getting everyone on the same page, communicating your needs and helping everyone see the big picture. If you want to be a great leader you must be a leader and not a boss. You have to relate to people and feel what they feel, you need to keep them on track and most importantly you need to find out their goals and help them accomplish them.

The first step in becoming a great leader is gaining the trust of people and to get people to follow your lead. How is this accomplished? In general, people follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose, direction and confidence. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going and that you're positive you can get there. If you yourself do not know where you're headed how can you lead? You must know and see the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the managers are, how to get things done, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing and can be trusted. Being a leader is not about making others do what you want them to do. It's more a statement of who you are, what you've been through, what you know and what you do. You must be a reflection of what you expect your subordinates to become.

Studies have shown that good leadership is obtained through the trust and confidence your subordinates have in you. If they trust you, they will do what it takes to get the job done for you and for the organization. Trust and confidence are built through good relationships, high ethics and doing what you say you're going to do. The interactions with your people and the relationships you build with them will lay the foundation of your organization. After you've earned their trust and confidence, you can communicate your goals, objectives and expectations.

Communication is the key to good leadership. Without proper communication you cannot be or become a good leader. You must be able to clearly communicate and explain your thoughts, ideas and needs.

A leader should also possess good judgment skills so that they can assess situations and find viable solutions to any problem. It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.

Leaders are not do-it-all heroes and should not be expected to be. As a leader, you should never claim to know everything and rely on skills alone. You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates possess and foster them. When you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive and efficient unit. Remember being a leader takes hard work and time. Leadership is not something that you are born with or can be learned overnight. Remember, that it is not about you; it is about you, the people around you, their success and the success of the entire organization.

Do you have the drive and the desire required to become a good leader?

Autor: Jayson Gibson

Jayson Gibson is a co-founder of New Homes Section. Search Arizona Home Builders, Arizona Master Planned Communities and Arizona Homes on New Homes Section.

Added: November 11, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Most Inspirational Book I Have Ever Read

There's no denying that this inspirational book has had a profound influence on my personal development growth. It really is at the core of my success in making the positive shifts in my thinking and in achieving happiness.

The book is called, A Happy Pocket Full Of Money and it's written by David Cameron Gikandi.

The actual subtitle of the book is:
"Your Quantum Leap Into The Understanding, Having And Enjoying Of Immense Wealth And Happiness."

It explains the very real relationship between science and spirituality in the most uncomplicated way. It's the kind of inspirational book about why we are here that you always wish existed but thought it never did.

I believe that these teachings have been out there in one form or another since humanity began, many of which are referenced in the book, but you don't really find them until you are seeking them.

Of course when you first start reading, this kind of profound information can be hard to process right away. That's why the author cautions readers to just read it through one time even if some of it doesn't make sense. Just keep going because further chapters will make clear some things that you may not have understood in earlier chapters.

That was definitely my experience. There were plenty of "a-ha" and lightbulb moments throughout.

With some of the chapters, I would read them and my head would unconsciously be nodding in agreement and I'd catch a small smile coming over my face. It was coming from a "knowing" deep inside that this was actually The Truth about life. What made it so easy to hear and read was his style of communicating.

His words are such a gift. It was like reading the words of a good friend or family member spoken with love, encouragement and most of all Truth.

Here's a list of the subjects covered in the book:

* Money: An Illusion, A Shadow Of Something Else
* Quantum Physics: Knowing What You And The World Are Made Of
* Truth About Time: It Does Not Exist Except As You Say It Does
* Images Of The Mind: The Blueprints Of Life
* Thinking And Speaking: The Instructions Of and For Life
* Goals: The Roadmap To And In Wealth
* Being: First Cause, The Beginning
* Acting: That Which Receives
* Certainty: The Most Powerful Force And Antidote To Failure
* Cause And Effect: The Most Prime Law Of The Universe
* Conditions: They Are Fantastic Illusions
* Success: You Can Never Fail
* Want Not: Desire, But Never Ever Want
* Purpose: Why You Are Here
* Giving: It's What It's All About
* Gratitude: Seals The Deal
* Consciousness: You Experience What You Are Awake To
* The Self: The Architect Of The Universe
* One: All That Is
* Abundance: You Have It All
* Happiness: Life Is Joy And Joy Is Life
* Money: How To Use The Symbol

I guarantee that you'll want to re-read it instantly with the new awareness that you'll have.

For me, I love audio books. I play them in my car, or I upload them to my iPod and take them everywhere. So, after I read the book, I bought the audio recording.

It was a different experience listening to it rather than reading it but it really enhanced my understanding. My only complaint is about person they hired to do the recording. He's pretty monotone and not a great speaker. His delivery just wasn't my favorite.

The author, David Cameron Gikandi, is from Kenya and has a beautiful accent and positivity in his voice and I would have preferred to hear him reading.

Anyway, it surely doesn't take away from the gifts that this book brings to your personal development growth.

He also wrote a companion book called The Everyday 12 Point Lifesaver.

This book was designed as a daily read/listen to reinforce the key principles of A Happy Pocket Full Of Money. Contrary to the other recording, this narration is done wonderfully by Bob Doyle, founder of Wealth Beyond Reason.

Repetition is just SO incredibly important when you are trying to instill new ideas and ways of living...I can't stress that enough.

This recording does a great job of crystalizing that knowledge and makes it easy for listeners to hear it every day and it's only one hour long.

Reading A Happy Pocket Full Of Money lifted me up to a place I never dreamed I could be but was so grateful to have found. I felt certainty, hope, and ultimate peace. It instantly changed me from the inside out.

I felt like this book just guided me through step by step on how to live life talking about the importance of goals, gratitude, giving, and SO much more. It explains how and why the world works as it does and backs it with science and spirituality.

It's the kind of inspirational book where once you read it your life is forever changed.

There's no chance you can go back to where you were before and you will have no choice but to move forward, but now with an inner peace and faith that will stay with you always.

Autor: S. Bidinger

Click here to visit my website to learn more about how to use the Law Of Attraction to create success in all areas of your life and personal growth."> Click here to visit my website to learn more about how to use the Law Of Attraction to create success in all areas of your life and personal growth.

Added: November 11, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Levels of Assertiveness in Leadership

A study published by the American Psychological Society in the Journal of Personality (5th February 2007) claims that Leaders who exhibit either high or low assertiveness tendencies are less effective leaders than those who rank a more average or 'optimal' assertiveness behaviour pattern. The results of this study suggest that being over or under assertive are the most common weaknesses in our Leaders today.

In this study by Daniel Ames PhD and Francis Flynn PhD workers were asked their opinion on the strengths and weakness of their organisation's leaders. Charisma, intelligence, and self-discipline were among the top positive traits mentioned but the most common sited problem was assertiveness. Ames and Flynn coded the responses from nearly one thousand workers about their leader's behaviour. The most common adjective in the comments about weaknesses was 'assertiveness'. 'Assertiveness' was used over double the amount as 'able' or 'focused'. Of those who cited assertiveness to be a problem almost half said their leaders were too assertive and the remainder said not assertive enough. The references to assertiveness were much more common in the comments about leadership weaknesses than in those about leadership strength

According to Ames, "When leaders get assertiveness wrong, it's glaring and obvious, but when they get it right, it seems to disappear," he continues "We say it's like salt in a sauce: when there is too much or too little, it is hard to notice anything else, but when it's just right, you notice the other flavours. No one compliments a sauce for being perfectly salted, and it's just as unusual for a leader's perfect touch with assertiveness to attract much notice."

Ames and Flynn analysed their findings to find out why assertiveness was perceived to be such a problem in leadership roles. At one end of the spectrum they suggest that Leaders low in assertiveness are ineffective at achieving goals, motivating others, meeting deadlines and achieving results. Leaders who are very assertiveness are difficult to work with, do not listen, they do not communicate well and find it difficult to form good relationships.

Although Ames and Flynn warn against the idea that leaders should moderate their assertiveness at all times, they recommend that leaders recognise when they need to be more or less assertive, knowing when to be considerate and when to stand firm. They also recognise that to be seen as being moderately assertive is the key to a cooperative workforce. The secret is not to be too assertive on not assertive enough all of the time. Ames and Flynn claim that many leaders are surprised how their co-workers see them, often being unaware of how their behaviour affects others. Leaders are advised to look at the key assertiveness skills and give themselves an honest appraisal of how they fair. Employees will seldom approach a leader to ask him to take a look at his assertiveness levels.

Autor: Heather Buckley

assertiveness course

assertiveness resource

leadership resource

Added: November 8, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Take Action Immediately

I have noticed one of the best ways to boost self-confidence is to act immediately. When you want to do something but you have a fear about it you will usually avoid and resist doing it. But when you choose to act in the moment in spite that your fear, you experience power and boost in self confidence.

When I am working with a client and they have an assignment or task to complete that is confronting to them I notice they always want to push it off doing it and put it toward the bottom of the list. And they put the easy things at the time of their priority list. So I always have to give them a little push and request that they do the scary thing first or soon. What happens when you put things off that you're afraid of doing, they become scarier over time. It is harder and harder to get yourself to do it.

It is important to do the things that you fear first, right away when you are starting your day. This approach as you feel powerful and confident and everything else you do seems like a breeze. Also when you are asked to do things that scare you, it will be easy for you to say yes and because you will have the confidence to know you can do it.

If you know there is something you want to do that scares you, do not choose to wait two weeks to do it. If you do you are giving your mind the opportunity to focus on the fears. You will start to find excuses for putting it off even longer. That is how procrastination starts. So many women tell me that they think they are lazy because they procrastinate. I have to re-educate them that they are not lazy. The problem is they believe their fears and excuses are real. They don't realize they are avoiding something that is confronting to them. Once they see that it is an irrational fear blocking them they choose to take action.

Have you notice when you have procrastinated, after you did what you were putting off you say things to yourself "it wasn't that bad, "I don't know what I was so worried about?" "That was easier than I thought." Those thoughts are signs that you feared something and it was stopping you from acting. The fear may be as simple as you feared it would take long, or the task would overwhelm you.

The next time you want to do something that is scary or confronting to you act immediately with out thinking about it. Even if you have some thoughts or fears that come up, accept them and say do it anyway. If you do it right away you will instantly feel confident. Surrender to not knowing everything or having enough time and do it, its ok, you will figure it out as you go. When you have this approach everything usually feels less threatening and more enjoyable.

I can not stress enough how important it is to act immediately, this is one of the best ways to boost yourself self-confidence. When you practice this you will become more decisive and know how to respond quickly to any situation. You unwavering trust about yourself.

Your assignment:

The next time you want to do something that you have fear do it right away. Do not let your mind talk you out of it. Look at the last two weeks and identify where you have put off doing something. See what excuses you have come up for not doing it. Ask yourself is it possible that this excuse came from a fear I have? Is that feat real or valid? Also ask yourself, If I did not have this fear would I have done it already? Then take care of it immediately.

Autor: Melisa Milonas

Do you want FREE easy step by step instructions on what to do to boost your self-confidence? Get FREE weekly confidence tips by signing up at a http://www.aconfidentinspiredu.com

Added: November 8, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Career Success - 5 Ways to Invest in Your Professional Education

Going to business school is cool but it’s not the only option for advancing professional education! Here are 5 ways you can beef up your skills and knowledge without having to take on the time and expense involved in attending business school. Never miss an opportunity to invest in your professional development whether you prefer to go solo, partner or buddy up, or join a group.

1. Successful people read—a lot!

And there’s more than one way to get that reading done. If books aren’t for you, try the audio version - easy to fit in on any commute. Don’t overlook business book summary services either. Summaries distill top-selling business books to just the key messages and are a great timesaver. They cost less too. If that’s still too much for you, a few well chosen magazines can also keep you up to date and in the know.

2. Combine networking and education by taking advantage of professional and industry association offerings.

Business associations offer many programs and seminars in the form of breakfast or lunch meetings, chapter meetings, special interest workshops and so on. And the atmosphere of these events is perfect for making new professional connections. Sometimes they even feed you too!

3. No time for a full-time MBA? See if your company will invest in an Executive MBA program for you.

Not everyone can take a couple years off to go back to school but many can manage evenings and weekends. Your company might support this as an option for you (and maybe they’ll even pay for it too) but you’ll never know if you don’t ask.

4. Check out company-offered programs; they may surprise you.

Businesses are expanding their internal training options by leaps and bounds. It’s not unusual to find live and virtual presentations on a variety of subjects. Programs not offered in-house are almost always available externally and quite often your company will pay your tuition. Just make sure any requests you make in this regard are relevant to your current job or logical next step up in the organization.

5. Work with a mentor or mastermind group.

Hang out with people who have been there, done that and associate yourself with others of a like mind. You’ll pick up great tips, benefit from the support and improve your own game simply by association.

You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with so look around and see if you’re missing opportunities to grow professionally because you’re not spending enough time with people who can do you some good. You don’t have to give up your friends; just add a few new ones along the way.

Autor: Linda M. Lopeke

Get 30 more free career tips and take the cash-for-college challenge at http://www.smartstartcoach.com Career advancement expert and mentor Linda M. Lopeke is a leading authority on how to succeed in the 21st century workplace and the creator of SMARTSTART Mentoring Programs: Success-to-go for people working @ the speed of life!

Added: November 7, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Feng Shui tips for beginners

Feng Shui tips can guide a novice in knowing about this concept and also practicing it perfectly. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese remedial method, which works out positively, by creating harmony in the environment where one works and lives. To a beginner, following the feng shui tips and feng shui in general, may seem to be confusing, but once they starting doing it, they will start getting the hang of things. Feng Shui encompasses many things, so you need to get rid of all the confusions, before you practice this. It will best for you, if you could talk to an expert in this field and then perhaps, you could go about following all the tips. We must not neglect certain things that are prescribed by feng shui, or this can cause problems for us. According to this remedial practice, whenever there is a disturbance in balance of the atmosphere in and around us, this can have bad consequences on us.

The basic idea of feng shui is to help in achieving the balance in the environment, so that things can work out for you, favorably. Feng Shui tips are just a few clicks away from you, you just need to find out a site on the web that offers these tips and you can know all about this. According to feng shui, windows represent opportunities and that is why all the windows in your house or office must be kept open as much as possible, so that you can see all the opportunities that are coming your way. This may seem to be a basic tip that everyone knows, but generally you will find that many people do not follow this. You must make sure that there is plenty of natural light coming in to your room; so that the room is airy and has lots of light throughout the day.

Have plenty of greenery around your house, as plants represent health, vitality and growth. All the plants must be healthy and colorful, to create a pleasant atmosphere; remove all the dead and rotten plants that are present around your house. Plants have the capacity to alter moods and depending on the kind of plants you have around you, your mood will fluctuate accordingly. Always keep the toilet seat down in your washroom, as this is to avoid letting the positive energy from going down the drain. Do not place any electronic items in your bedroom, as this tends to create a negative vibe in the house.

Feng Shui tips are nothing out of this world, nor are they rocket science, that one cannot understand and implement them. Generally, the tips are something as simple as keeping your house clean, keeping the windows open, letting more natural light come in to your house and other simple things like that. Feng Shui tips, when not followed correctly or in the improper way, can have adverse affects, so you must be very careful about this. Feng Shui tips, if implemented properly, can work wonders for you.

Autor: amit

Amit Bhalla works to help all those who want information about the latest and the best, most happening places in the city. To know more about local search services delhi, Conversion Service, Yellow Pages India, Feng Shui tips, Feng Shui tips visit on www.myquest.in

Added: November 6, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

7 Secrets of Inspirational Leaders

American business professionals are uninspired. Surprised? Don't be. The fact is, only 10% of employees look forward to going to work and most point to a lack of leadership as the reason why, according to a recent Maritz Research poll. "But it doesn't have to be that way. All business leaders have the power to inspire, motivate, and positively influence the people in their professional lives," according to a recent story in BusinessWeek Online.

Carmine Gallo, a communications coach and author, and the focus of this article-did his own research, and in his new book, Fire Them Up!, reveals techniques common to the leaders who best know how to inspire their employees, colleagues, customers, and investors. I'm often asked to define and identify the qualities and attributes of great leaders. I think Gallo has pretty much nailed it.

Techniques to help you inspire and motivate your employees, colleagues, and customers.

For the past year, Carmine Gallo has been interviewing renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators-from different backgrounds, generations and industries-who have an extraordinary ability to sell their vision, values, and themselves.

Together, they possess all the tools he believes "you need to transform yourself into an extraordinary, electrifying, and enthusiastic leader who communicates with power, passion, confidence and charisma!"

After studying their communications "secrets", Gallo came up with seven techniques that he believes can easily be adopted in your own professional communications with your employees, clients, and investors.

1. Demonstrate enthusiasm-constantly

Inspiring leaders have an abundance of passion for what they do. You cannot inspire unless you're inspired yourself. Period. Passion is something that can't be taught. You either have passion for your message or you don't. Once you discover your passion, make sure it's apparent to everyone within your professional circle.

"Richard Tait sketched an idea on a napkin during a cross-country flight, an idea to bring joyful moments to families and friends. His enthusiasm was so infectious that he convinced partners, employees, and investors to join him. He created a toy and game company called Cranium." "Walk into its Seattle headquarters," Gallo says, "and you are hit with a wave of fun, excitement, and engagement the likes of which is rarely seen in corporate life. It all started with one man's passion."

2. Articulate a compelling course of action

Inspiring leaders craft and deliver a specific, consistent, and memorable vision. A goal such as "we intend to double our sales by this time next year," is not inspiring. Neither is a long, convoluted mission statement destined to be tucked away and forgotten in a desk somewhere.

A vision is a short (usually 10 words or less), vivid description of what the world will look like if your product or service succeeds.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer once said that shortly after he joined the company, he was having second thoughts. Bill Gates and Gates' father took Ballmer out to dinner and said he had it all wrong. They said Ballmer saw his role as that of a bean counter for a startup. They had a vision of putting a computer on every desk, in every home. That vision-a computer on every desk, in every home-remains consistent to this day. The power of a vision set everything in motion.

3. Sell the benefit

Always remember, it's not about you, it's about them. In Gallo's first class at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, he was taught to answer the question, "Why should my readers care?" That's the same thing you need to ask yourself constantly throughout a presentation, meeting, pitch, or any situation where persuasion takes place.

Your listeners are asking themselves, what's in this for me? Answer it. Don't make them guess.

4. Tell more stories

Inspiring leaders tell memorable stories. Few business leaders appreciate the power of stories to connect with their audiences.

Gallo was working with one of the largest producers of organic food in the country. He couldn't recall most, if any, of the data they used to prove organic is better. But he remembered a story a farmer told. He said when he worked for a conventional grower, his kids could not hug him at the end of the day when he got home. His clothes had to be removed and disinfected. Now, his kids can hug him as soon as he walks off the field. No amount of data can replace that story. "And now guess what I think about when I see the organic section in my local grocery store?", he says." "You got it. The farmer's story. Stories connect with people on an emotional level. Tell more of them."

5. Invite participation

Inspiring leaders bring employees, customers, and colleagues into the process of building your company or service. This is especially important when trying to motivate young people. The command and control way of managing is over. Instead, today's managers solicit input, listen for feedback, and actively incorporate what they hear. Your people want more than a paycheck. They want to know that their work is adding up to something meaningful.

6. Reinforce an optimistic outlook

Inspiring leaders speak of a better future. Robert Noyce, the co-founder of Intel said, "Optimism is an essential ingredient of innovation. How else can the individual favor change over security?" Extraordinary leaders throughout history have been more optimistic than the average person.

Winston Churchill exuded hope and confidence in the darkest days of World War II. Colin Powell said that optimism was the secret behind Ronald Reagan's charisma. Powell also said that optimism is a force multiplier, meaning it has a ripple effect throughout an organization. Speak in positive, optimistic language. Be a beacon of hope.

7. Encourage potential

Inspiring leaders praise people and invest in them emotionally. Richard Branson has said that when you praise people they flourish; criticize them and they shrivel up. Praise is the easiest way to connect with people. When people receive genuine praise, their doubt diminishes and their spirits soar. Encourage people and they'll walk through walls for you.

By inspiring your listeners, you become the kind of person people want to be around. Customers will want to do business with you, employees will want to work with you, and investors will want to back you. It all starts with mastering the language of motivation

Autor: Les Gore

Les Gore is founder and managing partner of Executive Search International, a Boston-based, nationally recognized search firm and a 25-year veteran of the "recruiting wars."

http://www.execsearchintl.com

Added: November 6, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Compounding Effect Of Choice

Most people are familiar with the compounding effect of money, as its key to the long-term accumulation of wealth. Saving a few hundred dollars each month grows into tens of thousands over time. The principles of compounding also apply in every area of our lives, whether we like it or not. Internalize the simple principles in this article and adopt them for a lifetime. Doing so will allow you to more easily stay focused on what is most important to you and take the necessary action steps to realize your desires. Willingness is the key. The compounding effect of choice is made up of two simple principles. The Mastery and Mediocrity diagram below illustrates this concept visually.

Principle #1

"It is the simple disciplines (choices), that don't seem to make any difference at all in the moment; HOWEVER repeated over time, the compounded affect makes all the difference in the world."

Principle #2

"It is the simple errors in judgment, that don't seem to make any difference at all in the moment; HOWEVER repeated over time, the compounded affect makes all the difference in the world."

Principle #1 in Action - "Simple Disciplines" - Focus on the upper side of the graph above. The x-axis on the diagram depicts the role of time, while the y-axis represents the growth in mastery or success of something important to you. This could represent progress in your profession, leadership, relationships, health, mothering, creative expression or cultivating a sense of inner peace.

Each tick mark in the diagram represents one action, or "one simple discipline" or "one simple choice." Unfortunately, the choices acted upon in the earlier stages don't reflect much growth for quite awhile. Much like saving a few hundred dollars each month, it doesn't SEEM to add up to much in the beginning stages. Without referencing this graph, it may feel discouraging and you may choose to quit before reaching your desired outcome. However, if you were to continue repeating "it's the simple disciplines (choices), that don't seem to make any difference at all," AND continued to take simple actions, the compounding effect would eventually kick in. You would ultimately experience the growth and success you desire. It's simply a matter of time - AND CONSISTENT action. How often do people quit when they are nearing the finish line?

There are three important elements in the compounding effect of choice.

1. Compounding Effect - Your actions will ADD upon the others.

2. Choice - ACTING or NOT ACTING is always a choice. Choose consciously. Frequency and effort make a difference.

3. Time - Actions taken over time GROW.

This visual representation has proven useful to me throughout the last decade and continues to keep me on track with important objectives. Here's one of the ways I used this principle to support my goal of fitness.

Personal Story - When I lived in Dallas, I frequented the gym. There were many days that I did NOT feel like going. Once there, often times I didn't feel like being there. Can you relate? However, I simply repeated the following words in my head, over and over again. "It's the simple disciplines, that don't seem to make any difference at all, in the moment, but the compounded effect makes all the difference in the world." Clearly, my one little workout wasn't transforming my body into a Cindy Crawford. I could see that each time I looked in the mirror. It WAS discouraging in the moment. However, I had faith in the process, and these simple words of wisdom. I trusted the compounded effect of many workouts over time, combined with a matching nutrition regime, WOULD give me results. My current level of fitness is a clear reflection that the compounding effect of choice works!

Ultimately, the habit of working out became second nature, and I rarely need to repeat, "It's the simple disciplines, that don't seem to make any difference at all, in the moment, but the compounded effect makes all the difference in the world." However, in the early days, I used it almost every day!

Brand this principle into your being, and use it anytime you feel discouraged or uninspired to act (I do!). It's a great reminder of the bigger picture.

Simple Disciplines - Simple Choices - Reflect upon the compounding effect for each of the simple choices below. The principle applies well in health, relationships, business success, money, self-care, self-esteem and in evolving one's Consciousness. The principle also applies well in cultivating internal emotions and states of being, such as love, joy and inner peace. Anything repeated over time ultimately creates a compounded result. What results in your life would you like to compound?

Reading 10 pages of a good book
Eating healthfully
Spending quality time with your children
Working out
A simple act of kindness
Saying, "I love you" to a loved one
Yoga or stretching
Meditating
Focusing on what you appreciate
Avoiding sugar or caffeine
Drinking a gallon of water per day
Saving money
Attending seminars
Listening to educational CD's
Getting up early
Cleaning off your desk each day
Volunteering
Listening closely to others
One extra hour of work
Being honest
Being on time
Pursuing a dream

"It is the simple disciplines (choices), that don't seem to make any difference at all in the moment; HOWEVER repeated over time, the compounded affect makes all the difference in the world."

Principle #2 in Action - "simple errors in judgment":

If you want to successfully boil a frog, it's best to turn the heat up over time or the frog will jump out and escape. I wish no ill will to frogs, however it makes the point about "simple errors in judgment." These little actions or non-actions seem relatively harmless initially and for a period of time. However, the compounding effect leads us to less pleasant results in our lives. This is the model of mediocrity.

"It is the SIMPLE ERRORS in judgment, that don't seem to make any difference at all in the moment, HOWEVER repeated over time, the compounded effect makes all the difference in the world."

This principle is clearly illustrated in the lower portion of the diagram above. Again the x-axis depicts the role of time, while the y-axis represents the accumulated negative impact or atrophy resulting from specific habits. The results range from mediocrity to disaster. This graph may depict the negative compounding effect of actions or non-action in any of the categories named above. I find it most useful to apply this principle to the habits I would like to change.

Each tick mark in the diagram represents one "simple error in judgment." As is the case in accumulating credit card debt, a little each month doesn't seem like a big deal. The negative consequences don't reflect much impact for quite awhile. Without referencing this graph, it may seem that watching two hours of mindless television each night isn't hurting you in any way. You may simply continue watching every day, while complaining about needing more time to pursue an important dream. Two hours of television is relatively harmless. However, the compounding effect of this "simple error in judgment" translates to 728 hours of television per year! That is over 30 full 24-hour days in a year!

Remember these elements in the negative compounding effect of choice.

1. Compounding Effect - Negative actions and non-actions ADD upon the others and create a cumulative effect.

2. Choice - ACTING or NOT ACTING is always a choice. Choose consciously. Frequency and lack of effort make a different.

3. Time - "Simple errors in judgment" create ATROPHY over time.

Examples of "Simple Errors in Judgment." - Reflect upon the impact of the items I've included on the list below. Some of these may initially appear harmless. What consequences could result over time in compounding these "simple errors in judgment"? What other "simple errors of judgment" would you add to this list? This list is not intended to elicit feelings of guilt or remorse. We have all exercised "simple errors in judgment." Use this list to stimulate awareness. In later chapters, you may or may not consciously decide to address something from this list.

Watching mindless television
Not saving money
Spending more than you earn
Being late
Complaining
Gossiping
Eating a cheeseburger or fries
Overeating
Spending time with negative people
Dwelling on negative thoughts
Interrupting people
Not being fully present when listening
Speeding
Smoking or using drugs
Disorganization
Listening to loud, abrasive music
Staying up late or sleeping in
Excessive time on the internet
Not working out
Not being friendly with others
Criticizing yourself or others
Procrastination
Maintaining a stressful lifestyle
Not taking personal time for yourself
Laziness - performing below your capacity
Not expressing appreciation to your partner
Time in a dead-end job
Too many desserts or candy
Arguing

Contrast and Compare - Another way to use this model is to compare a "simple discipline" or "simple error in judgment" with another.

If you read 10 pages of a good book today, and I don't, the difference between you and I on that day is pretty negligible. In fact, after a month, the difference is still not that great. However, if you continue to read 10 pages of a good book each day for the next ten years, the difference between you and I will be CONSIDERABLE. If you focused your attention in a specific area of focus over that ten-year period, it's likely that you would be an expert in your field.

If I eat one ice cream bar today, and you don't, the difference in our level of health is not very significant. However, if I eat an ice cream bar every day for a whole year, and you don't - all things being equal - there will likely be a CONSIDERABLE difference in our health. Cumulative Discipline - Generally, it's not just about the ONE single discipline, or one simple error of judgment. Some of our choices support our growth, and some don't. Becoming aware of these choices is the first step. Seeing a visual representation of their respective impact is also useful in fine-tuning our choice points. There will be numerous simple disciplines you'll apply over and over again on your path of growth. Enjoy the journey.

Autor: Mary Allen

Mary Allen, CPCC, MCC is author of The Power of Inner Choice. She hosts Conversations with the Masters interviewing best-selling authors via free, live conference calls. Visit http://www.lifecoachmary.com to learn about coaching, her popular year-long Success and Inner Peace Bootcamp and tap into a wealth of resources including her ezine SoulFULLY Living, and Your Daily Gems.

Added: November 6, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Public Speaking Tips to Impress Your Audience

There will come a time when a person has to effectively deliver a speech in front of a group of people, so books that teach public speaking tips have become hot sellers. The rules of public speaking are as simple as A, B, C. Captivate your listeners by knowing the background and expectation of your audience before the speaking event. That's the most important public speaking tip you have to practice before doing anything else.

Here are other public speaking tips and strategies that will help anyone become an effective public speaker:

1) Making tiny mistakes is fine, as long as you learn from them and don't repeat them. However, it is highly recommendable to prepare well before your speech to avoid any embarrassing instances.

You are only human and you can recover from the errors you've made. Anyway, bouncing back from your mistakes makes your personality as a public speaker more trustworthy.

2) Bring out your sense of humor. You may tell jokes if the topic allows you to; but if you're not good at it, better leave the jokes from your agenda behind, for there is nothing more that can aggravate a speaking disaster than a bad punch line.

3) Master the art of telling stories. Own the stories you tell by using your real personal experience to bring life to the material you are delivering. These stories make you a real human, and animation can add color to them.

4) Use technology to sustain your momentum as a speaker but not vice versa. Your power point slides, if you are using one for your presentation, should contain visual graphics and not long sentences. Speak to your crowd and not your presentation.

5) Focus on bringing the positive thoughts to your words and not on how you are doing as a speaker. Enjoying your speech helps you deliver a compelling message.

You will enjoy speaking in front of a whole bunch of people if you always practice these effective public speaking tips.

Autor: Michael Lee

Michael Lee is unbelievably giving away over $2355 worth of the best self-help ebooks FREE at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/goldaccess.htm> for a limited time. Download as many as you want before you miss out!

Added: November 5, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Us Them

I remember as a child looking at the big houses and shiny, new cars in the street thinking "Wow! Those people are so lucky!". As I grew up, I observed how much it seemed so normal to separate "us" - the middle class, from "them" - the wealthy. It never really occurred to me as a teenager to question this, but as an adult chasing my big, grandiose dreams, I have found myself eternally perplexed by the self separation that seems to happen amongst humans.

Why do so many people seem to 'wish' for the abundance of wealth that life offers, yet never truly believe that it's in any way possible for them? My question is... Why not? The only way that wealth is ever going to happen is to first believe it is possible. The crazy thing is, it is SO MUCH MORE POSSIBLE than most people ever really know!!

I came from a middle class family, and we often (I mean really often!) struggled with money, but we always kept the dream alive. My father always had an entrepreneurial spirit and started many new business ventures, even though, unfortunately, the financial jackpot always eluded us. We had a better kind of wealth though - love and encouragement. You see, our parents always encouraged my sister and I with strong words like "You can be anything you want to be, if you want it bad enough".

So now, at 31, I own a multi-million dollar property portfolio, I quit my job several years ago for a life of freedom, I've married the man of my dreams, I live abroad and I frequently travel the world. So what's the difference between me and the other middle class people who didn't realize their dreams? Only a belief that it was possible.

For instance, I would walk into a store and try on the most expensive pair of shoes I could find, even though I knew I didn't have the money to buy them. I wanted to be comfortable with that kind of wealth, and I was also very aware of keeping my language, internal and external, positive and aligned with my dreams. Instead of looking at the shoes and immediately saying "I can't afford those!", I would say "I choose not to buy them, today". Being wealthy starts with feeling wealthy. Consider all the people who didn't feel wealthy and won the lottery... most of them squandered it all away, because even though they really wanted it, they never really felt worthy of having it.

So take the time to reflect on what you're thinking, feeling and saying (both to yourself and out loud), and decide if it's aligned with your goals and dreams. If not, consider finding a new approach... and be sure remove the phrase "I can't afford it" from your vocabulary!

As for me, I've still got a long way to go, and I never want to stop growing and striving for more, (does that journey ever stop?), but these days I can see a $40 Million dollar mansion, or 180 ft Super yacht and comfortably say "that's for me", and know for sure that it is.

Autor: Katrina Wilton

Katrina Wilton is Director and Co-Founder of Australian Company Glow Health & Wellness Pty Ltd Created with her sister Sabrina Holmes Glow is a company dedicated to empowering women to love who they are and live the life of their dreams.

Introduced to personal development at the tender age of 12, it has become a life long passion to learn and grow personally and spiritually, and share those learnings with others, which is what her websites are designed to do.

After 8 years with an eating disorder, and serious consumer debt in her 20's, Katrina's personal journey to health and wealth is one worth sharing. At only 31, Katrina is now a successful Entrepreneur and Property Investor, happily married and living in the United States.

http://www.PersonalPowerForWomen.com

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

3 Magical Questions to Motivate and Inspire Your Entrepreneurial Life

As kids it was easy. As kids we knew how to dream and how to motivate ourselves - and our parents - into getting the things we really wanted. We simply didn't know we couldn't get what we wanted. But as adults it's a different story. Even the things we started out wanting to do often become the "have to's" we avoid.

Remember when you started? Remember how excited you were to tell the world all about what you were doing and how wonderful it made you feel? Remember how you just dove in, in your own way, and got started... until.... Until that first road block when you got overwhelmed with the work of developing your message, your business cards, you client base, your schedule, etc. etc.

Do you want it back? You can have it again any time you wish.

It only takes 3 magical questions you can ask yourself anywhere, anytime in 3 minutes or less. And the more often you ask yourself these questions - whether it's while you're driving, in the shower, or just hanging up from a phone call that didn't go your way - you're sure to find yourself re energized and feeling good again.

Ready? Here they are:

1. What do I really want?

What is the outcome you really really want? Envision it. Let yourself see it as if it's already happened. Maybe it's finding a way to make it right with that client who's upset (envision that client smiling again). Maybe it's landing the biggest contract of your life (envision shaking hands with your dream client with the signed contract complete). Maybe it's as simple as getting what you need done in the day so that you can make it to your child's recital tonight (envision watching your child on stage). It doesn't matter, just envision it as if you've already accomplished it. Don't worry about the how, just the what.

2. Why is having that really important to me? What will I really have now that I've accomplished it?

Is it a sense that you've done the right thing? Is it a feeling of freedom or success? Is it a feeling of satisfaction? Is it a feeling of connection with your family? Whatever it is for you, let yourself experience the emotion of already having it. And pay attention to how your body responds to that feeling. Does your stomach relax? Do your shoulders drop? Do you sit up a little straighter? These are important signals to be aware of.

3. What one thing could I do right now that might move me in the direction I most want to go?

Take action! Do the thing that comes to mind first - even if it's as simple as allowing yourself to feel more of the 'why' for another minute, or as random as taking a walk. The action you take serves as an acknowledgment of the outcome you most want. Without action, it remains a dream. But with action, you begin to make it a reality. Think of it like a car. If it's sitting still, you'll never get there. But if it's moving you can begin to steer it in the direction you want to go.

The more often you ask yourself these 3 questions, and follow through, the more you can feel like a kid at Christmas about your life and your business all over again.

Autor: Lori Chance

Lori Chance is a writing coach who uses her experience as a life coach, mother, woman and entrepreneur to enhance the lives of herself and others. She recently published Who Am I? How to Answer the Single Most Important Question You'll Ever Ask, a resource for women in transition.

Feel free to learn more about Lori online at Destination Words. You may also enjoy reading of her blogs.

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feeling Stuck in a Situation? How to Reassess and Achieve Progress

I think we all, at some time or another, find ourselves at what appears to be a dead end. A dead end can look or feel many different ways, but the important point is that we feel stuck in moving forward, there's pain involved in being stuck, and like the old Western movies where the hero finds himself in a box canyon, we don't see any way out of the situation. What we choose to do, as we contemplate that "dead end," can determine how successful we are not only at getting unstuck in a situation, but ultimately how successful we are in life. I can tell you that I went through many approaches as I contemplated writing this article. Hopefully by sharing my experience you can recognize your pattern if you're stuck, or at some point in the future you can save yourself from staying stuck in that box canyon.

Let me take you back a few weeks, to the point where I was ready to write my next article. I had such a good topic in mind. I did some research and thought about what a valuable topic it would be. It all seemed great until. . . I couldn't get myself to write the article. My first approach was to "fight back." This seems to be the favorite approach for many of the people I meet who seem least happy in their lives. Like a wind-up toy that just keeps bumping into the wall over and over, sometimes we know it doesn't work, but we don't know what else to do. In my own example, several times I forced myself to sit down and work on the article, I promised myself rewards, I tried all those tricks I teach other people to do. Yet, the story wouldn't come. I call this approach "fighting back" because, to me, it feels like willpower and force. Sometimes "fighting back" can work to get us moving again, but I find it more likely makes us tired and frustrated. Obviously this approach wasn't working for me.

Next I thought about "giving in." When you feel like you can't succeed it can be helpful to lull yourself into an "out." Maybe it was time to do something else, maybe I had run out of topics of interest, maybe I'd never be able to write an article again. My goodness, the gremlins can be creative! I call this "giving in" because it's passive and tends to be so disempowering. At least when you are "fighting back" you are doing something in action. In contrast, "giving in" is usually personal {I'm just not ____ enough (fill in the blank with your favorite! Creative, smart, educated, so many to choose from!)} and "giving in" is about inaction.

Blaming is another approach that comes in handy at dead ends. When it's uncomfortable to hold ourselves accountable for the state of things, it's reassuring to pin it on somebody or something else. I used this one too! In my case, I blamed it on circumstances. I had a lot going on, there were more important things to do, and the list goes on. This "blaming" approach is detrimental because we are giving our power away to a person or a situation. With this approach, we're waiting for something external to happen so we can feel like we're moving again. In my case, I recognized what I was doing, and chose to put myself back in control.

If I had stayed with any of those previous approaches, you probably wouldn't be reading this article. So what finally freed me to take action? I finally stepped back to reassess. With this approach, I stopped focusing on what was wrong and started thinking about what I ultimately wanted. I asked myself why I liked writing, what I thought it did for me and for others. Instead of focusing on the "wall" that had me blocked, I focused on everything else. And I realized that sometimes a dead end looks that way because we're too close to get a good view. I use the metaphor of a large boulder in the middle of the road where you want to pass. If you walk all the way up to the boulder, so all you can see is the boulder right in your face, you're unable to see what your options are for getting around, over, or under the boulder. From that perspective, it appears you are completely blocked. It's only by stepping back or turning a different direction that you're able to see what else is possible to get past the boulder.

Reaching what appears to be a "dead end" is a fact of life for any of us who want to grow and reach new limits. The dead end itself is not a problem, as long as we remember we have tools besides fighting back, giving in, and blaming to free ourselves from our perspective. The next time you're feeling stuck, or find yourself in one of those other approaches, take a moment to reassess.

Copyright 2007 Karen Van Cleve. All rights reserved.

Autor: Karen Van Cleve

For the end of stuck and the start of passion in living well, please visit http://www.KarenVanCleve.com for resources to provide you with great tools and support to make real, sustainable change. You may also subscribe to our f*r*e*e newsletter, The Spark, to ignite the passion in your life.

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

How to Identify the Silent Killer of Home-Based Business Success

It seems harmless and innocent enough, but its crippling effects run rampant in the business world.

Entire days are lost, projects sloppily thrown together, and work pushed aside as entrepreneurs become slaves to its hypnotic pull.

It was designed to make life easier and speed up communications, but instead has become the nemesis of the already overextended business owner.

Have you guessed what it is? If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're also a victim of the cursed 'email.'

How many times a day do you check your email? How much time to spend each time you visit?

During a recent mastermind call, a colleague discussed challenges he was having with productivity and event management. As we broke his day into segments, we discovered he was spending 15 minutes of every hour checking email - the majority of which is spam.

Another member then shared the fact that he too had fallen into the email trap and had recently started a stat sheet. In one day alone, he checked his email 21 times! He was trying to curb his habit but was still struggling.

Several more of us chimed in confessing we had "slipped" in our email discipline efforts and were checking it more often than we should be.

Before the call ended we made a pact to check our email no more than twice a day and for a maximum of 10-15 minutes only. We will share our results at our next meeting.

An analogy one of our members shared really helped put things in perspective. Would you as a responsible business owner walk to your mailbox 10-15 times a day to collect bulk mail and advertisements? If not, why would you do it at your computer?

These challenges are not reserved for home business start-ups and amateurs. My mastermind colleagues who were discussing these difficulties are six and seven figure earners. Email infatuation does not discriminate!

My own coach, a multi-millionaire who has built several companies, recently discussed his obsession with email and the impact it was having on his productivity!

It's an ongoing dilemma and all you, I, or any of us can do is be aware of it, keep our activities in check and do whatever it takes to stay the course.

This time I have taken extra steps to remove email from my mind. I open the application between 11:30 and noon and between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m., take care of business then shut it down.

Tim Ferris, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, defines email as, "The greatest single interruption in the modern world" and recommends weaning yourself down to one visit a day. He's actually reached the point where he checks it once a week.

If anyone needs you badly enough they will pick up the phone and call, and if they don't, how important could it really have been?

Are you ready to get a handle on the silent business killer? If discipline is an issue, find an accountability partner or state your intentions to your mastermind group or peers. If you can't do it yourself, have others rally around you.

It takes 26 to 30 days to create a habit. Stick this out - create productive, winning habits and once you've mastered the monster, you'll be on the fast track to business success.

Sincerely,

Kevin "K-Man" McNabb

Autor: Kevin McNabb

Pave the road to freedom and prosperity. Learn the secrets of exploding your SUCCESS from over 50 of the World's Greatest Expert's. This article is available for reprint, with the resource box intact. You can make money with this article by adding PPC ads to this article, so that you will generate revenue from the click-thru's. ==> http://kmcnabb1.successuniversity.com/new ==> http://kmcnabb1.successuniversity.com/slim Are You a Network Marketer? Then why not join the #1 Personal Development Site dedicate to Network Marketers. ==> http://www.global-online-networking.com/index.html

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Everybody Wishes - But Few DO

Every day, we hear people wishing for things... things that we would like to see happen, things we are going to do someday and things that should go our way. It seems that the moment these wishes are uttered, the person expressing these wishes enjoys a relative peace of mind that temporarily satisfies the speakers yen. In parallel, the speaker feels that the world has now been notified that:

• We are worth it
• It is mine for the taking
• I am successful

These wishful words are usually, more often than not however, a verbal and mental sedative that give us a false sense of impending achievement as countless wishes rarely materialize.

I saw a saying a long time ago that was so simple.... but when I read it.... I knew that it had some meaning that demanded I change my own habits.

'Happy are those who dream dreams, and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.'

I took a double take on those words and committed them to memory and at that moment in time vowed that I would speak with conviction in everything I did, knowing full well that I would have to 'pay a price.' The price may be time, it may be money or it may be sacrificing old habits and leisure time.

I didn't know what that meant at the time but knew that something needed to be changed. Soon thereafter I was introduced, in a specialized training program, to an audiotape from Denis Waitley who is known throughout the world, major corporations and the US Olympic Committee as an authority in Personal Development. My initial skepticism of the need for such listening was met with a feeling of... 'this is so simple, it is just common sense' and figured I had mastered everything that needed to be mastered. To my surprise, every day of a 5-day training program required a dedicated listening to Denis's audio tapes and I quickly realized that 'Common Sense' is really not that common after all.

No wonder Denis Waitley, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Napoleon Hill et al are leaders in the $8 Billion Dollar Personal Development market! I left that Training program and purchased most of Denis's work and over the years I added many more experts work into my personal collection of tapes & books.

Wishing for success, and committing oneself to success are two very different things and carry two very different energy levels. The 'wish' element is a passive utterance that carries a hopeful desire that someone, or something will be willing to help us achieve our expressed thought. The 'commitment' element however draws from an inner energy source which when properly articulated, committed and acted upon has the power to drive us... and the power to alert the world that we are on a mission. With Persistence, Perspiration and Passion, the three PPP's, we can in fact make our dreams come true.

Churches everywhere remind us all of what I will term common sense values that we should follow; it is not rocket science. Yet even with this common sense teaching we still return to church and are constantly reminded. By the same token, tapping into our very own mental state to condition our thought process to be independent, strong, tenacious and committed requires training, and guidance.

If you have dreams of your own that you want to come true, the power to make those dreams come true starts within you. It is usually clouded though, and suppressed. It needs to be awakened. Leverage the experience and guidance of others who have learned to overcome fears, establish direction and adopt a burning desire for the attainment of their aspirations.

A simple way to develop an action plan and to condition your mind for success is to develop a one-way communication plan with experts on a weekly, or monthly basis. Set some time aside, find a good book and invite these authors into your own home and let them tell you how they achieved success and what you can do to obtain similar results.

Another option is to use technology, videos and e-mail. Success University, in a little over two years has become the world's most visited Personal Development website using technology to bring 50+ of the world's foremost authorities right into your own home at a fraction of the cost one would have to pay for other means. Instant download movies, monthly DVD's delivered by the postman and weekly e-mails bring crisp, timely, profound and outstanding material into your home. The beauty of this system is that the results of your listening can enhance your relationships, love life and even your finances.

I invested hundreds of dollars building up my audio-video and book collection over the years and now... this same material is available to everyone almost instantly and certainly conveniently on a weekly/monthly basis for less than the daily cost of a cup of coffee.

Invest in your own future and find the inner strength, independence and ingenuity that is trapped within your past conditioning. Watch the 11-minute video at http://www.positivepsyche.tv/ It could very well represent a very big, and positive change, in your own life!

Autor: Enrique Ruiz

Rick is an IT Manager, Real Estate Investor, Property Manager and Home Business e-entrepreneur. He writes varied articles with most focusing on the creation of multiple streams of income and the development of a positive mental mindset to foster creativity, tenacity and the attainment of financial independence.

You can visit Rick's websites at ReachingTheWorld.Biz and PositivePsyche.Biz where you will find information regarding home business opportunities, residual income, money, debt, inflation, millionaire trivia and the attainment of a positive mental mindset.

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Motivating and Driving the U.S. Blue Collar Worker

You should know by now what drives you. Of course you do. It is a little bit more than knowing what makes you tick. It is the one thing, feeling, person, interest or passion that motivates you.

Yes, motivation. It means the same as drive. Well, kind of. It gets you out of bed, keeps your heart pumping, gives you goose bumps when you think about it, builds a fire in your gut, always on your mind and you gotta have it.

So, you are a Blue Collar Worker. Nothing wrong with that. Unless you think there is. And I suppose your job is motivational enough to get you out of bed because you have to support yourself and provide for your family. Not exactly the point I am making though.

I sincerely hope you enjoy what you do for a living. It is very honorable work. The Blue Collar jobs keep the American economy rolling. And it keeps your paychecks rolling too.

Anyway, if you are happy with your employment as a manual laborer and would rather not do anything else, then you can stop reading this article. No need to go any further if you are already satisfied.

You, and only you, know exactly what you want out of life. You probably have already come to the conclusion it is not your current job. You already know that working for somebody else is not your forte, or your passion. Certainly not a goal or a dream.

Goals. I will bet if you had a goal or two, it would fuel some motivation within you. As I said earlier, you probably already know what you want. So set some goals to achieve what you want. Setting goals will lead you to your dreams.

Do not expect what you want out of life to be dropped in your lap, your mailbox or delivered by a fairy under your pillow while you sleep. Do not expect that just by dreaming about your ambition that it will happen. The goals and dreams in your life will not appear magically in front of your eyes. You must take action.

Get motivated, get moving and start driving towards your dreams. Nobody knows better than you about what you want out of life. Nobody will do it for you. You alone have to make it happen.

I know how tired you are after a hard day at work. I know about how much time it takes to raise a family and meet your obligations. But I did not say that driving towards your goals and dreams would be easy. Nobody can honestly say that.

Get motivated, make some plans and take some time out of each day to work on your goals. You can make plans, set goals and still keep your day job. Dedicate some time for yourself, even for only an hour a day. You already know what you want, so get started. Get behind the wheel of your passion and drive.

Autor: Tom Watson

Tom Watson is the owner of Blue Collar USA, a website dedicated to encouraging, helping and motivating the hourly wage earner. For a good motivational read, get "Changing Your Life - Motivation for the Blue Collar Worker". Tom also offers a FREE report when you sign up for his mailing list. Visit Blue Collar USA

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Career Success - 5 Ways to Guarantee You ll Stand Out in the Corporate Crowd

If you haven’t experienced it already, you will soon find out that promotions, raises, and career-accelerating assignments often go to the most visible people and not necessarily to those who are most "deserving” of opportunities for professional growth and advancement. It’s not about luck or talent; it’s about strategy and ongoing effort! Use these tactics (alone or in any combination) to improve your odds of being one of the chosen.

1. Build Your Success Brand

Everything you do on and off the job should be directed toward building your unique identity. Make sure it accurately depicts you as someone who can deliver, regardless of what job you do. There is a degree more valuable than an MBA. It’s called the GSD (gets stuff done). If you don’t have it yet, make it your number one priority to get it as soon as possible!

2. Acquire Expert Status

Specialists always earn more than generalists. Position yourself as an expert in a critical area. Drill yourself a niche an inch wide and a mile deep. Attend conferences even if you have to pay your own way. Get published. It’s much easier than you think with no cost internet-based article marketing options available to you. Later you can add speaking about your specialty and gain more recognition and visibility even if all you do to get started is offer to give presentations about your department to others in the company.

3. Develop a Reputation for Innovation

Any improvement you come up with that makes your work or the work of others easier can help you make a name for yourself as someone who is an asset to productivity through innovation. Don’t miss any opportunities for sharing your gems with others; however, don’t take it personally if no one immediately adopts your approach. Just the fact that you have improved methods in general and others know it benefits you. If they don’t “sell” in-house, you can still write and speak about them in other places. Either way, you’ve increased your visibility and that is key to your professional development strategy.

4. Deliver Presentations with Style and Confidence

You can get all the practice you need in private when you join Toastmasters. Nothing says you’re a person to watch more than mastering the skill of speaking in public so you can deliver better presentations. It’s worth every minute you spend honing your skill and developing vocal power. And anyone can do it with a little practice and a supportive audience.

5. Don’t Miss Chances to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone to Create Opportunities

You can get ahead by doing what’s expected on the job better than anyone else but you’ll get ahead faster by creating your own opportunities. Every company has overlooked and overworked areas, problematic key relationships (with customers and/or suppliers, competitors, or even their own employees) as well as emerging or stagnant markets. You’ll score points for creating well constructed proposals with ideas for addressing these creatively and practically whether or not your ideas are adopted by the powers that be.

The bottom line? It’s never too late to make it a “brand you” day.

Autor: Linda M. Lopeke

Get 30 free career tips and take the cash-for-college challenge at http://www.smartstartcoach.com

Career advancement expert and mentor Linda M. Lopeke is a leading authority on how to succeed on the 21st century workplace and the creator of SMARTSTART Mentoring Programs: Success-to-go for people working @ the speed of life!

Added: November 4, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

Banishing Fears - Move into Success, Health and Happiness

Anxiety disorders have been diagnosed in 18 percent of the US adult population. And how many more of us live lives that are limited by fears of things that never happen? We spend a lifetime fearing or worrying about some eventuality that never arrives. And we frequently worry in wild disproportion to what might actually occur. The bottom line is that none of the fear - and the resulting anxiety, stress, distraction of it all - really does any good. It reduces our ability to be present in our lives, and leads to serious deterioration of our health and our immune system.

Are you living a life based on unwarranted fears? See if these statements sound like you:
o It's better to leave things as they are. This situation is not great, but something different could easily be worse.
o If I don't take care of this project myself, it just won't go well. No one cares as much as I do about it.
o People can't really know what's right for themselves. I am safer following the rules of authority (parents, church, peer groups, etc.)
o Stability is built from "tried and true" and "staying on the straight and narrow."
o Society would be chaotic if we didn't act from a sense of duty and obligation.

Though these statements don't sound all that abnormal, they do point to limiting beliefs about change, trust, control, guilt, and obligation (the five most prevalent fears). To begin the process of ridding yourself of these attitudes, try this four step process:

1) In what way does having this belief benefit my life?
2) In what way is having this belief a detriment to my life?
3) How would not having this belief benefit my life?
4) How would not having this belief be a detriment to my life?

Insights gained from this process can help uproot unwarranted fears. For example, through this process, some smokers have learned they were more interested in the occasional 10 minute break during work rather than an actual desire to have a cigarette. Taking a proactive approach by suggesting a fresh air break to the boss may prove a welcomed strategy for all involved.

Removing stress and fear from our lives improves our ability to think clearly, allows our immune system to operate properly, and leaves time and energy to move toward our optimal goals.

Autor: Mary L. LaBay

Author and expert Mary Lee LaBay offers workshops and training focusing on discovery and alignment with your unique purpose and path. Visit http://maryleelabay.com or contact her at MaryLee@MaryLeeLaBay.com.

Added: October 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

It Is The Start That Stops Most People

Lao-Tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." John Maxwell said, "Success is a journey not a destination." You combine the two and create, "The success journey begins with a single step." That is what stops most people...that first step. That little step separates the abundance from the failure. Without that first step you are guaranteed to not accomplish your objective.

Without reaching out and picking up the phone and making the first lead follow-up call or prospecting call we are assured failure. It is that one motion of picking up and dialing that first number that separates the winner from the loser. In terms of time it is less than 2 seconds that will determine your outcome.

Now I realize that there is some pain involved with lead follow-up and prospecting. There is also pain involved if you don't do it. There are two kinds of pain, the pain of discipline (the making of the lead follow-up and prospecting calls) and the pain of regret. The truth is we are going to experience one of them. It is unavoidable to not experience one. You have to choose which you would rather live with. You are the one who ultimately does the choosing.

When we take the step to make the calls we are experiencing the pain of discipline, the pain of potential rejection. You also may experience the pain of sacrifice and pain of hard work. To avoid the pain of regret you must pursue this course with single-minded purpose. You must decide and commit to the disciplined path. "All glory comes from daring to begin." Spoken by Eugene Ware. If you do not begin you have selected the pain of regret.

If we don't attack our dreams we will experience the greatest pain in life, the pain of regret. Sydney Harris wrote, "Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is the regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."

The regret of doing what we know we should do, the regret of not achieving our goals and dreams, the regret of not crafting a grand lifestyle for our family and ourselves and the regret of not living up to our potential or by living off our potential. At what point does potential turn into regret? There is that moment in time. It's different for each and every one of us. Are you nearing that point? Bill Parcels said, "You lose with potential. You win with performance."

Performance is contained in the pain of discipline. Discipline involves work and commitment. Success is not purchased at anyone time, but on the installment plan. We only achieve success through disciplined effort over time. When we make the calls daily to our leads, prospects, past clients, sphere, expireds, FSBOs, we will achieve success guaranteed. We will also move far away from the pain of regret.

When we create a habit of daily discipline, an almost "magical" thing will happen. One day you will realize that your discipline has turned into desire; the desire to do the calls daily, the wanting to make the calls because of the habit and the results. The road will get easier to stay on.

The reason the first step is so hard is the pain position. The position of the pain is different for the discipline verses the regret. The pain of discipline we feel now...today. The pain of regret we may not feel for hours, days, weeks, months, and years. This will often cause us to make the wrong selection, because we would prefer to not have pain now or ever. The pain of discipline will pass and transform to desire. The pain of regret can linger forever. Start the process to discipline. Start today toward discipline and sway from regret. Begin your success journey today with a single step.

Autor: Dirk Zeller

Dirk Zeller is an Agent, an Investor, and the President & CEO of Real Estate Champions. His company trains more than 250,000 Agents worldwide each year through live events, online training, self-study programs, and newsletters. He's the widely published author of Your First Year in Real Estate, Success as a Real Estate Agent for Dummies , The Champion Real Estate Agent, The Champion Agent Team and over 300 articles in print.

Real Estate Champions is a premier coaching company. Training covers a wide spectrum from new agents, to seasoned, as well as those interested in real estate marketing or real estate investing.

You can get more information by visiting Coaching And Tools For Realtors, Real Estate Marketing, Realtors- Have A Drive To Succeed

Added: October 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Get the Golden Ticket in Life

Recently while speaking to a client, I realized that she was getting extremely taken out by comparing herself with what she perceived the other person had. She went on and on to describe on how it seemed that other people were living this extravagant life while she was struggling with her business, working her but off, and not feeling like the results were showing up. I happened to know the person she was comparing herself who she perceived "had it all" together because she traveled the world and visited exotic places.

I said don't you know "You have the Golden Ticket". She looked at my confused and said "What do you mean?". The woman you are comparing yourself to right now is dying to have what you have. You have a man that adores you and two kids that are healthy and adorable. Do you know how many women have to go through IVF every year with no results? I personally have been tested of my faith to have children. I keep going back to "I have the golden ticket" Why? I list what I do have. The grass always looks greener when you are comparing yourself to the illusion of what the other person has. My dear friend Barbara Brooks taught me the best statement there is "the grass is greener where you water it". Now the other woman also has the Golden Ticket because she has access to opportunities that no one else has.

Every moment is an opportunity to look out and see what you don't have. Every two seconds there is an advertisement telling us why we are not enough. Well I am here to tell you that you have the Golden Ticket. What is it?

Find it! And Cherish it. Do you have a job that pays your bills? Do you have your health? Do you have fingers? Toes? You have something right now that someone else is wanting. So I say WANT what you have -and everything else is a bonus. Isn't it fun to say you have the Golden ticket? Now if I could just get myself to that chocolate factory with out gaining weight. Now that would be really fun!

Autor: Brooke Emery

Brooke Emery, founder of the Attraction Boutique, is an entrepreneur and marketing consultant. Brooke is a Law of Attraction Coach and licensed and certified Strategic Attraction Coach .

After years of being a consultant, connector and rainmaker and over a decade of taking self-help classes Brooke decided to marry the two passions and has created Attraction Boutique to be a resource for you to gain clarity on how the Law of Attraction can be applied to you. She has created a free e-guide called "7 Ways To Create Your Perfect Day"

Added: October 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

What Are You Doing?

Have you ever heard someone either speaking directly to you or perhaps over heard a conversation coming from a group of people talking about how some day they are going to do this or do that, hope to, or one day things are going to change or whatever?

Sure we all have at one time or another. Well do you notice a pattern of what they do not say?

They never or rarely ever follow up their statement with what they are doing or will be doing to make their statement a reality.

It is always someday, hope to, I wish, one day, etc.

"Nothing happens by itself. It all will come your way once your understand that you have to make it come your way, by your own exertions." Ben Stein

Reality is that nothing in their lives will change until they first take action. Even if they played the lottery and won at least they took action and bought a ticket, you can not win the lottery by not playing and playing means taking action.

These are the type of people that will make statements "oh he/she was just lucky" when they see someone succeed at something. Well perhaps some luck was involved but the reality of it is that these people who succeeded actually make their own luck by taking some form of action to attain what it was they were seeking.

These people only see the outcome of someone's success, they did not see the hard work, the extra hours, the sacrifices of putting off personal pleasure to do more work, turning off the TV, getting up extra earlier to more time in on a project or whatever extra these people did to achieve their goal.

If they are been witness to all these things they would no it was not luck but work, focus, desire and drive that allowed these people to succeed.

If you are always making statements such as: I want, I hope, I wish, someday, or any other similar phrases because you are not happy with the way things are going in your life and wanting things to change you need to stop sitting on the sidelines and get into the game.

Unless you follow up those statements with focus, a plan of action, a strong desire to succeed and take consistent action everyday you will continue to get what you already have.

So I will ask, "what are you doing to change your life?"

Copyright 2007 - All Rights Reserved Delton Doucet

Autor: Delton Doucet

Delton Doucet is the father of 4 awesome kids, publisher of the Empowering Today Newsletter, numerous articles, and an internet marketer. "Discover How You Can Take A Measly $9 Dollars And Turn It Into Over $27,000 a Month Like I Did!" ====> http://www.9DollarATM.com

Added: October 4, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Knowing Yourself - As Close as a Bear

Most people have heard the phrase "if it had been a bear, it would have bitten me" when they discover something they are looking for that is right in front of them. Colloquially, it usually means that the person using the phrase is somewhat embarrassed that he or she did not notice that the object of their desire, their search was so easy to find, yet was not seen.

In this time of transition on earth with the ubiquitous articles, conversations and workshops focusing on "Ascension", "Lightworkers" and "Spiritual Transformation", it is possible to wonder if these desired attributes might not fit into the category of the bear. Are they truly characteristics that must be yearned for, searched for and, hopefully, ultimately attained? Or, are they truly so embedded within consciousness that they are closer than hands and feet?

I pose this question to you, the reader: What do you wish to experience in this life that is the secret, haunting dream of your heart? If there were no limitations of time, money or endurance, what would you do/be?

The answer to the above thought is the answer to your own "transformation". The hidden meaning of each of our lives is encoded, buried if you would, within the very coding of our DNA. The cells of our bodies are witness to the daily discounting of their design. They submit to the electromagnetic current produced by the mind as each person goes about the tasks of surviving. They fall victim to the mass conscious belief systems of limitation, fear of lack, distrust of the utter yearning that each innately possesses.

The media touts all too many solutions to this common issue. True joy can, of course, be found in the newest car, the sweetest tasting snack or the perfection of a sunny vacation. The newspapers, television, radio and Internet contantly remind the public that relief is just around the corner, right after the newest acquisition or meal. These messages are so profuse that the subtle voice of the heart is silenced under the din of their arrival.

Here is a provocative thought: What would happen if you sat silently, if only for fifteen minutes a day, and followed the rhythm of your breath? What feelings would surface? What unbidden thoughts would find themselves floating into your awareness once the screaming voice of the necessity of the moment was quiet? What would the mirror of your inner image screen (your imagination) provide for you? Are you ready to consider that, perhaps, the source of your yearning might appear, might request that you pay attention to it at last?

The numbness that has taken possession of humankind can only be relieved by an acceptance, albeit a surrender, to the promptings of the feelings that lie dormant within the body's cells. Nature does not allow a circumstance to exist without an accompanying response to the situation. So long as mankind lives within the sightless realm of mass confusion and hypnotism, earth's environment will provide all of the clues to the awakening that is inherent within the mind.

Take a look around you. What do you see? What does it say to you about who and what you are? What does the view tell you about what you wish you were or could be? Does what you are seeing present "you"? Or does it reflect the conditioning, the programming of your parents, your religion, your government, your country? What lifestyle would you prefer if there were no limits?

There are no limits. The boundaries that appear to exist are living within the framework of the mind and can as easily be forfeited leaving nothing except the space for the true "you" to surface and be expressed. Will this cause changes within your life? Most certainly. If it did not, it would not be worthwhile to question yourself. Will you change? Absolutely. If not, it would be a useless exercise in interrogation with no outcome.

Are you ready to see yourself? Only you can answer that question - and the answer is so close that if it were a bear it would bite you. Like the bear, you may be living in hibernation during the long winter of your life. When you come out of the cave is ultimately your decision.

Autor: Toni Elizabeth Sar'h Petrinovich

Toni Elizabeth Sar'h Petrinovich, Ph.D. is a visionary, weaver of grace, quantum physicist and multidimensional traveler. Born with memory of the etheric worlds intact, Toni uses her gifts to expand the same re-membrance within the consciousness of other beings. She is the owner of Sacred Spaces in the beautiful San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State where she conducts personal sessions, retreats and etheric readings for all those drawn to the authentic Self. She is the author of The Call - Awakening the Angelic Human and its accompanying CD, DNA Re-Awakening. Toni is also a direct channel for the Light Orbs who are the Guardians of the Soul. She does long distance healing, spiritual counseling, soul readings, light orb readings and chakra readings by appointment. For more information regarding Toni's work or to contact her by telephone or email, please see her websites: http://www.sacredspaceswa.com and http://angelichuman.com

Added: October 11, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Are You Feeling Tired And Empty?

May the life force be with you!

Part 2. Of is your life working for or against you. How full is your personal bank account? If its empty then keep reading this article will help you.

In the last short article on this topic, I spoke about values and how our intrinsic value system pushes us in certain directions. The life you are experiencing now is just a manifestation of those desires and priorities. Most of what you want in life is the same as everyone else, so why is it one person seems to take flying leaps and bounds into the positive future and another person find everything a struggle? There can be a couple of influences that compound on the outcomes.

Firstly there is the matter of goals, for example people may have seen me struggle in my life and yet in truth the goals I have set for my life are so big that other people would never have even thought to do what I do, let alone do it.

Secondly, and most importantly, there is the personal care factor of the life experience; generally people don't know how to take care of themselves in the journey.

So today we will talk about the second in these topics; how do you take care of yourself, how do you get the life force to be with you?

People who struggle, people who become ill mostly have one thing in common, they are good caring people. The problem is a simple one, many people want to be loved and accepted, they want to please and take care of their loved ones and family so they continually make withdrawals from their personal energy bank account.

Imagine we start of with so much energy, imagine it as a ball if you like that surrounds you, then as time goes bye, we keep giving this energy away without getting anything back, or only getting a little back once in a while. We say yes when we want to say no, we dress in a way that our partner likes, we behave in ways other people think suitable, we are not taught to be able to say the magic word which honours our inner feelings "NO!" If you grew up in a happy healthy family, you naturally took on your parent's values and behaviours to some extent. If you grew up in a dysfunctional family then you would also have taken on those values and behaviours to some extent. But actually it is the Social values which often give us the most grief, and a part of our society at one time believed in "Sacrifice," as an essential part of being a good Christian.

But someone got it wrong, when we sacrifice we end up sick, mentally, emotionally and physically. When we respect other people more than our selves, we end up sick, mentally, emotionally and physically. The essential part of life is self respect, and this does not mean that you are mean to other people, is rather implies that you must find ways to keep depositing energy into your own bank account, or bubble of energy in order that you then have the energy to choose to help others, and be of assistance in a genuine way rather than doing things begrudgingly.

How do we deposit into our personal bank accounts? Its easy, do something every day which makes your heart sing, move with joy though your day, laugh at the silly things in life, play with your creative energy once in a while. Do things every day that you like to do, even if its just a few minutes, try this today.

Pick 3 things you love,
Could be a walk in the park or on the beach
Could be listening to music
Could be painting or drawing
Could be cooking
Could be playing with your cat or kids
Could be simply relaxing with your feet up.
Or buying a special cup of coffee and sitting quietly and savouring every mouthful.
It doesn't matter what it is, (providing its legal) but set 3 X 10 minute breaks, and make them happen in your day.

People say they don't have time, well for all those people who say you don't have time, I have news for you. If you don't have time, you wont have energy and you will keep struggling simply because your personal bank account will end up empty and you will end up crashing and burning.

Hard line: I am going to take the hard line here, simply because when people come to see me they are often, "crashing and burning," they are in tears, emotionally mentally and physically exhausted and confused. They hate their jobs, hate their lives, hate their families demands, they want to run away and start again.

Have you ever felt like that?

Often people do run away, they do start again and guess what; they create that same scenario over and over again, until they end up with cancer or some other illness which stops them from running.

So, if you can relate to this article why not email, or phone me? You can contact me via my website, or on icq, or free phone in australia. I can help you define your life and your life boundaries and in doing that, help you solve the energy crisis once and for all.

Life is really not meant to be a struggle, it is meant to be that your energy supports your life journey and your life is good.

That's all from me today, take care till next time. Many Blessings and may your bank account always be overflowing.

Autor: Lesley Williams

http://www.truityonline.com articles public - health and healing

Added: November 1, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Dorothy had limiting beliefs too!

Remember at the end of the "Wizard of Oz" when the good witch of the North told Dorothy that she had the power all along to return home? The power wasn't just in the ruby slippers but was really in her power of belief. How powerful are your beliefs in your healing arts business creation as a holistic practitioner? These beliefs can be good beliefs and they can be limiting beliefs.

The other day I had a conversation with a friend and asked him if he began to move forward towards what he had told me he wanted about a year ago. He was very emotional about his desire to bring the healing arts to people in the modality of a live performance. A fantastic idea that is sure to be a huge uplift to many people.

He said he hasn't moved forward yet. I asked him what was holding him back. He had many beliefs why he couldn't move forward now. "I need new marketing materials" and "I need to lose weight", and "I need new pictures taken" were some of the reasons he gave. These beliefs are all very real in his mind. Yet, these beliefs were causing him to unfairly limit himself. The result is that people are still waiting to hear his message of healing.

How many times have you desired to do something a little outside of the box? And when I say outside of the box I mean something that is different from the way everyone else is doing it. Cirque du Soleil did something very much outside of the box. The creator of this unique form of entertainment took the traditional circus to a new and unexplored level. He explored a new realm of what people would find engaging in terms of seeing and hearing entertainment. Every show stretches the imagination and stimulates the mind. The results of going outside of the traditional circus box have been plenty of profit as demonstrated by the variety and multitude of shows around the world.

Use your mind right now to grasp the unimaginable. Decide there are no limits. What is something you can do within your healing art that has never been done before? How powerful can you be as a holistic practitioner when you can do your healing in a way that not only gets a result but in a way that causes people to talk about what a fantastic way you demonstrate your skills.

Understand that when you begin to wonder about new ways to bring your gift of healing to people your mind will begin to expand and become more comfortable with these new ideas. It's just like exercise. Doing a little more each day will begin to help you improve.

Think of any limitations you have like the thermostat you have for your home air conditioner. It's set for a certain temperature and when it cools your house to that temperature it stops until it needs to reach that temperature again. Our personal limitations on what our holistic business can be is very similar. Many times holistic practitioners feel that they can only reach a certain level in their business growth and that's it. When you decide to change your own personal holistic business thermostat that is the day you will begin to experience new growth and position yourself in a new light with your clients.

Decide to find time now to explore what your beliefs are towards your holistic business growth. Filter out what you now perceive as good and limiting beliefs. If you're having trouble doing this yourself, then seek out some assistance. There many qualified coaches available to help you do this mind expansion exercise. Assess what might be good in your limiting beliefs before you attempt to get rid of them. Sometimes there are some good thoughts there about risks that must be weighed carefully. To throw money at national magazine ads might not make sense for you at this stage of growth.

Once you have found out what good things are found in your limiting holistic business growth beliefs, see if you can then combine them with the outside the box thoughts you've had. Integrate these together to help yourself formulate and implement a new inspired drive within your business growth. And don't worry about being nervous. Just call it excitement and let the success happen.

Your assignment:

Plan some focus time for your holistic business growth. Realize that time spent ON your business instead of IN your business is very important. Write out what beliefs might be limiting you right now. Also write out your beliefs about your success. If you don't have any then now is the time to create them. Realize that your beliefs that are limiting you have great intentions. Combine these great intentions with your new beliefs and you will find outrageous holistic business success!

Autor: Sherri Frost

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: D.J. and Sherri Frost are Healing Arts Business Growth Specialists helping holistic practitioners grow their businesses. To get their FREE eCourse: 7 Critical Skills to Attract More Money, More Clients and a Soul-Satisfying Lifestyle, visit http://www.ProPowerNow.com You're welcome to "reprint" this article as long as it remains unaltered; please send a copy of your reprint to info@ProPowerNow.com 2007 Pro Power Services

Added: November 1, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php

JUST CELEBRATE IT! The Amount You Celebrate is a Reflection of the Vitality of Your Life

When you were a kid, what did you celebrate? If you were like most children, your birthday was a highlight of the year. You celebrated the last day of school, growing another inch, beating your big brother or sister at something. The simplest accomplishments became cause for celebration: the first bike ride without training wheels or your first jump into the deep end of a pool. If you're a parent, you love celebrating your child's accomplishments and growth. And those celebrations are personal - an accomplishment or discovery, rather than a simple event or acquisition.

Then we become young adults and the celebrations slow down: college graduation, the first big job or promotion, marriage, children, buying the first house. It starts to take a lot to generate a real celebration. In my corporate job, every "atta girl!" seemed to be followed by "and now we'll expect even MORE next year!" Is it really a celebration if there are strings attached? It sure didn't seem that way to me. I notice that many people celebrate vicariously through others: a child, a staff member, a friend, a favorite sports team. Celebrating someone else takes the place of celebrating ourselves. For many of us, an attitude of personal celebration becomes diluted by time, or tempered by skepticism or weariness.

As I was thinking about the topic of celebration, I realized that the amount you celebrate is a reflection of the vitality of your life, much like an EKG (electrocardiogram) is a reflection of the vitality of your heart. A vibrant, active person's EKG is an animated bristle of lines. A tired, lethargic person's EKG has languid, shallower lines. And, of course, a dead person's EKG is a flat line. If the level of celebration currently in your life were plotted like an EKG, would you be vibrant, lethargic, or dead?! Is there abundant energy and enthusiasm for what is happening in your life, or only enough energy to plod through your day? What if your life were more joyous, confident, energized, and appreciative? That's the effect that celebration can have! In the book, The Beethoven Factor, author Dr. Paul Pearsall reports that our attitude is the largest contributing factor to the ability to thrive through adversity. An attitude of gratitude and celebration propels us through even the toughest of circumstances.

It's not hard to return to an attitude of celebration to enliven your world. Kids do it naturally, so you can learn from them. Look for ways to celebrate who you are, what you have done in your life, what you have learned, or the way you enhance the lives of others. I believe that celebration is so important that I begin virtually every coaching call with a celebration. For some clients, it's the hardest question I ask! People are always prepared with a list of what they haven't done or where they wish they had better results. Because it isn't encouraged in our society, shifting to a focus of success and accomplishment can seem a little awkward and forced, initially. Like the Nike slogan of "just do it," though, you can choose to "just celebrate it!" When you choose to celebrate, so much changes. I think it adds the following elements to your life:

Joy: celebrating what's good in your life allows you to let go of the struggle and be in a place of happiness. It taps into the anchors of joy and celebration we had as kids, when celebrating was a more natural process. And because what you focus on expands, focusing on joyful celebration helps to create more of the same.
Confidence: Celebrating your success reminds you of your strengths, accomplishments, progress, and perseverance. The more of these kinds of celebrations, the more you are reminded what an amazing individual you are.
Energy: Who doesn't feel better when celebrating? The physiology of celebration - as simple as arms lifted overhead, smiling, and letting out a big "whoo hoo!" - heightens your energy level. Even athletes finished the most arduous races are re-energized when they celebrate their completion.
Self-esteem: To value who you are and what you mean to the world, it's important to know yourself, know your accomplishments and talents, and know and appreciate the
effect you are having on others. Celebration is a way to focus in precisely those areas so you can have strong self-esteem.

What is the first step to "just celebrate it?" It's easy: make a point of celebrating something every day. Celebrate what goes well, and what doesn't go so well. Celebrate your thoughts, words, actions and results. Remind yourself to ask the following question multiple times a day: "What can I celebrate now?" Don't put it off any longer, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Energize your life's EKG with a little celebration. Just celebrate it!

Copyright 2007 Karen Van Cleve. All rights reserved.

Autor: Karen Van Cleve

For the end of stuck and the start of passion in living well, please visit http://www.KarenVanCleve.com for resources to provide you with great tools and support to make real, sustainable change. You may also subscribe to our f*r*e*e newsletter, The Spark, to ignite the passion in your life.

Added: November 1, 2007
Source: http://contentdesk.com/view.php