Understanding the Art of Stress Management

Most people in the world experience stress at different stages of their lives. Stress arises due to such circumstances or situations which are perceived as obstacles by an individual. The belief of inability to cope with such obstacles leads to stress. Stress may be big or small depending upon the situation and how people perceive it. It can be classified according to the level of difficulty to tackle and the level of anxiety it produces in the particular individual facing it. Some people may feel helpless and hopeless in these types of stressful situations while there are others too, who learn the art of understanding situations and ways to manage stress.

The first thing one should think while in a stressful situation is the primary or actual reason behind the stress. Often there are surrounding similar obstacles which contribute to stress but it is important to find and focus on the main cause. Simplification and solution to this primary cause of stress can eventually release the stress and the other smaller contributing factors become easy to take care of. Once the chief stress causing reason is clear, the next task is to think of the immense amounts of pressures and stress which people are facing around the world. There are conditions where even simple livelihood becomes difficult. If one compares his reason for stress to such conditions, some amount of stress is sure to decrease in the initial step itself. The next step is to tell oneself that "you are NOT alone!", because as someone thinks of the stress other people are facing, one should also think that nobody is facing a particular type of problem situation alone in this world. There are thousands of people who face similar stress causing issues. Finally the self-motivational part of thinking that if people with even lesser resources are confronting their stress, then it is surely possible for others too. Resources may include trustworthy people around us, things which can motivate us and things which can actually solve our problem.

Another reason to feel stress-free is the fact that nature does not differentiate between individuals. For example, usually when the sun shines, it provides heat and light energy to a particular region impartially, equal for all the individuals. People should learn to make use of the available resources positively so as to resolve their obstacles in the simplest of possible ways without causing much stress or anxiety. When such stress causing obstacles are resolved, an individual not only feels relaxed and free but also becomes experienced and mentally strong, to face such tough situations in the future. It becomes particularly important here, that not only should an individual seek help from close friends and relatives when in stressful situations, but should also share his experiences with them when one resolves these issues successfully. This can motivate them to clear their obstacles with patience and strength.

The world is full of various types of anxieties and stressors. It is the choice an individual has to make whether to think positive or negative about a situation. Stress can be in any smallest of things we try to do and there can be no stress in doing the biggest of things in life. It entirely depends on individual attitude, self-motivation and the use of available resources. There is a need to understand the art of managing stress with a positive approach of mind.

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The Right To Make It

The right to make it to where you want to go is always earned, not given. I did not mean it is too hard not to be easy. When you are willing, and I do mean genuinely willing, it is genuinely easy. When you are not willing, but want it anyway, it all seems genuinely hard. When your life is something you are willing to pay a price for, you will be willing to earn and earn quite easily with a powerful effort what you genuinely want.

For everyone willing to earn instead of wait for luck or fortune, genuinely conscious effort creates the power to achieve. The catch is that you have to use your efforts somewhat ruthlessly though whatever the obstacles may be. In fact, those obstacles may make you more powerful in every way that counts. Indeed, with more skill you can win more over what may come up in your way.

As you can tell, I did not write this article for beginners at goal achievement and self-direction. I wrote this for people who are sure where they want to go but need a sign or arrow pointing them in the right direction.

Sometimes, the most basic advice is best, especially when you are sure of your goals and objectives, and most of the time overly complicated or complex advice can be detrimental to creativity and goal achievement. After all, we want to get from point to point successfully and simply, not be a "Rube Goldberg complex plan cartoon" that has too many unnecessary steps. Let me put it this way: Strip the steps and get from point "A" to point "B" simply and you will be fine. The ultimate weakness is to make things too complex anyway, the simpler the better.

You know, my Dad once simplified all of my beautiful theory to two words, and I realized what he was saying with that: Direct is best, overly complicated and too many steps that do not work anyway to achieve the goal is the worst. Both ways have the same end in mind, but who will get there first and best? The direct and simple way will get there first and best, and all the "beautifully complex theory" in existence cannot change that. Reality comes down to what you can genuinely get done realistically, not fantastic theory anyway. Indeed, the winner is not the person who comes up with the best looking but unworkable ideal. The winner is the person who does it.

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Having Courage and Confidence As Your Tools for Creativity

"Courage is the key which unlocks your potential, resisting fear which may try to halt your forward movement. Vibrancy in life will happen when you go after life with determination and courage."

- Dr Anil Kumar Sinha

What could you achieve if you only had some nerve?

Just like everyone else, you are creative. You have a lot of ideas in your head and want to express them. The problem is you are afraid of what others might say about your ideas or at least about your produced results.

Even great leaders lack self-confidence at certain times.

Here is a tip to help you be creative and have a different perspective of what you do, think and feel.

"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." -Benjamin Mee

For obstacles to become opportunities, you need the courage and self-confidence to make things happen. I'm not going to say that it will not be a little difficult at first. You may be scared to create what your idea is. That's because you don't like to be judged or criticized.

Maybe in letting this happen, you may be surprised to the find that those who criticize or judge you don't understand what being creative really is. Most likely they are not creative. The other part of this is that you may find some people are not criticizing you; instead they are giving you feedback you need to look at for a greater creative or innovative result. That is the plus or positive you need to build on your self-confidence.

"Two times the number of confidence added by a dozen of courage is a formula for unstoppable success."

- Unknown

The idea of having the courage to do things is when you actually take action on your generated idea. This is where you can act "as if" you are confident, think with a positive attitude, speak assertively and take advantage of your strengths, skills and talent in being creative.

The confidence is when you can accept what others say to you and not let it bother you as in bringing you down. Many people have a bounce back resilience and don't let setbacks hold them back. As a creative person knows that it's a mindset that takes effort to maintain when the going gets rough.

"Some people tell you what you should and shouldn't be. Who said you had to obey them? Who made it a law? Nobody. Don't let anyone else dictate your life. Don't let people speak for you. Speak for yourself and stand by yourself whatever it takes."

- Brad D Roza quotes

Essentially, the more ideas you generate get up the courage to take action on them. You will find that your confidence will follow suit. Take actions every day to build your self-confidence as this gives you the courage to generate the ideas you have and want others to see.

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

- Aman Dhanda

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Message of the Universe: The Power of Positive Thinking Is Within You

"Do you know what today is?

Ah-ha!

Do you know what today means, in spiritual, numerical terms?

Me neither.

But... I know this: Your thoughts become things every single day, no matter what the occasion, no matter where the energy vortices, no matter when the equinox starts, no matter what the economy is doing, no matter who is in office, no matter what you want, no matter when you want it, no matter what, no matter what, no matter what.

Any other thinking just gives your power away.

Love you by leaps and bounds,

The Universe"

If everything you think about, either it being positive or negative, will render results, no matter how hard you try to stop it and encourage it. As mentioned on my previous post, if your destiny is already written, no matter how you are thinking will make no relevant difference to what should already happen to you as your life is already predisposed to happen a certain way. This statement is true ONLY if you know what will happen or how your destiny has already been preset. Unfortunately, no one came into this world with a manual detailing every aspect of your life, hence, you can't go and thinking this way as you have no clue what will ever happen to you today, tomorrow, next week or next year. What are we suppose to do then? Well, the same as you do every day. Nothing really changed besides your decision on changing how you think from this day forward. No matter what you do, or don't do, life will go on with or without you. So what is your next step? Look straight at that wave coming towards you and surf it. Get up on the board and keep yourself balanced, avoid falling off, and avoid getting sucked in by the vortex of this wall of water. Try to prolong as long as you can until the wave brings you back at shore. This is where the destination is. In some cases, you might look at one of these massive wave and decide to duck under the water because you are not ready to surf it. You might also try to surf it but fall off the board. So what do you do? Get back on it and wait for the next one to come.

This analogy is what life is all about when it comes to massive obstacles that hits you at times where you least expect it. Your response to these obstacles is what will make you succeed or fail in life. Do not let the little things stop you from your goals or dreams. You have the power to think positive and act on these thoughts. You decide how your life should be as you have no clue what is your destiny and what has already been written. You can't really predict anything but you can definitely control the outcome of these unforeseen circumstances that can happen in your life. You will prevail no matter what but it all starts in your thoughts. If you tell yourself that you will fail, then this is exactly what will happen. You are setting yourself up failure. However, if your thoughts are set to think about success, then this is what you will experience day in and day out. So if this statement is true, why not think about having a Lamborghini in my driveway and by magical prowess, it will appear? I wish it would be that easy but it is not and let's not forget the crucial elements to that equation: ACTION and BELIEF. Everything you think about should be followed with action and belief. Without these two, you just have dreams like any other person on this planet. So what makes YOU different? It's really up to you.

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Why You Should Think Long Term to Overcome Immediate Setbacks

Life Should Be Measured In Its Entirety

To dwell on your setbacks instead of playing the long game in life can be significant to your emotional wellbeing.

Obstacles are real while the future is promised to no one.

Disappointments can overwhelm you, though they are just one aspect of your life. The key is to keep moving forward and not get caught up in your problems for too long.

You mustn't allow what is holding you back right now to overshadow your long-term plans.

It was Henry Ford who said: "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

Opportunities are concealed in your setbacks if you're willing to look hard enough. It is once the anxiety settles that you will understand what you're dealing with.

It is human nature to catastrophise situations that are not as bleak as they appear. The mind has an inherent negativity bias owing to thousands of years of evolution.

That's why life should be measured in its entirety, not by your failures.

I equate it to visiting an art exhibition and observing a painting from six inches away. You're only likely to see bold brush strokes from that close up and not the entire masterpiece.

However, if you step back and observe it from a proper distance, you will notice the beauty of the canvas as a complete picture.

Many people focus on one aspect of their life not going to plan and judge the entirety of their life by this one measure.

If you're lucky enough, you will live a long life. So, avoid giving too much attention to your setbacks, since you're likely to bounce back from them.

Don't exaggerate what is taking place.

Yes, setbacks may seem real, but you will overcome them to the best of your ability. It is part of the human condition, to overcome, grow and expand into a greater version of yourself.

Author Amy Morin explains in 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do that keeping an eye on your long-term plans helps you to keep the big picture in mind instead of staying mired in your setbacks: "If you can remember to look at your long-term goals, however, it will help you put setbacks into perspective."

Cast your attention away from negativity and what is not working and focus on your long-term plans.

Consider the following questions instead of getting caught up in negativity:

What could be taking place behind the scenes I'm unaware of?

Are there hidden lessons contained within my setbacks?

You Are Never Trapped In Your Current Circumstances

The value of adopting a long-term view is in not taking life seriously because ultimately problems will resolve themselves if you are patient.

Develop a clear picture of your intended future, instead of focusing on the setback. Recall the mind's negativity bias I mentioned earlier?

It requires vigilance and purpose to readjust your focus and is worth the effort if you're to succeed.

Obstacles are part of life.

Whilst they're difficult to deal with, they allow for crucial personal growth for the journey ahead.

In light of this, adopt self-control and discipline as you think long-term.

No one knows what the future holds, but if you have a purposeful vision of what it might look like, you can overcome your short-term pain.

Author Larry Weidel writes in Serial Winner: 5 Actions to Create Your Cycle of Success how failures and setbacks serve a function in your life, not to defeat you but promote you: "Failures, setbacks, bad luck, disasters; they are there to serve you, not hold you back. They toughen you up and drive you to improve. Frustration fuels growth. It gives you the energy and resolve to clean yourself up, get organized, fix what you can, and take the next step."

Long-term thinking helps you to appreciate that things will improve and you are never trapped in your current circumstances.

Time tests your inner resolve, your strength of character and your ability to withstand difficult conditions. Emotional growth occurs when you allow a situation to play out as it should instead of hoping for an easy path.

An easy life seldom leads to the fruit at the end of the branch.

It is difficult to take a long-term view at times because our minds are not accustomed to thinking that far ahead.

We are used to dealing with what is taking place before us and have a limited view of what tomorrow will bring.

That comes at a cost to our wellbeing because if we follow this script, we are constantly putting out spot fires instead of working on our big-picture goals.

To think long-term, set your sights on the future and review your plans to get there. Look within as you plan ahead and move towards your dreams and greater ambitions.

Imagine Your Proposed Future

Take action however small, whether it be through self-reinforcement, affirmations or visualisations.

Success is contained in the smallest details.

In his book The Time Paradox: The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life, psychologist and professor at Stanford University, Philip Zimbardo states there are six time paradoxes that shape our lives:

Past-negative

Past-positive

Present-fatalistic

Present-hedonistic

Future

Transcendental-future

If you wish to take an inventory of your time perspective, I encourage you to complete the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory test online.

Based on his principles, your relationship with time influences aspects of your life. So if you dwell on the past, you are less likely to appreciate the present moment or the future.

The key to long-term thinking is to imagine your proposed future. Focus on the smaller destinations instead of the larger picture.

For example, if your goal is to lose 10 kg (22 lbs) by the end of the year and you are injured (setback), this will make it difficult to exercise and achieve your goal.

You could choose to focus on the setback or what you are capable of doing during this period.

Use the time to tweak your nutritional habits by consuming fewer carbohydrates, owing to inactivity.

Later, when you can exercise again you are likely to enhance your weight loss due to following sound nutritional habits.

"You need to change your self-talk in order to shift the story you're telling yourself about setbacks and adversity. You need to seek the insight or wisdom in challenging moments," states author Adam Markel in Pivot: The Art and Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life.

Focus On The Long Game

There is always something you can do however small, to move you forward towards your goals.

Long-term thinking is something I've pursued throughout my adult life.

Whilst others excelled in individual areas and gained instant results, I focused on long-term outcomes.

I experience setbacks and obstacles like most people, though I don't allow it to consume me. When I find myself stuck in a situation, I consider it a minor speed hump in what is a long journey.

I enjoy author Whitney Johnson's view in Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work: "As I have grappled with my own failures, and as I have watched others dealing with setbacks, I have observed several responses that seem to ameliorate failure, transforming it into a stepping-stone to future success."

This is the framework of this article: using your setbacks as a stepping stone for future success.

It is what esteemed Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck calls developing a Growth Mindset. "It's difficult to maintain confidence in a fixed mind-set without distorting the world, such as acting defensively or blaming someone or something else for setbacks," says Carol Dweck.

To overcome setbacks, recognise it as a minor blip in what is a greater plan unfolding. Deal with what is taking place by all means, but use the lessons to develop a Growth Mindset instead of a Fixed Mindset.

Consequently, I invite you to focus on the long game for your life and not get mired in your short-term setbacks.

It was Charlie Chaplin who once said: "Nothing is permanent in this wicked world ­- not even our troubles.

The gift of your hard work and commitment requires seizing opportunities as they arise instead of dwelling on your past mistakes.

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How to Be Observant - The Road to Success (By Sergei VanBellinghen)

 

When you have big dreams and goals that you have not yet achieved, you almost certainly discover that the road to success is far from easy and always under construction. The journey along the way is great, yes, but it is, in fact, the times when you are often the most uncomfortable.

In truth, the most successful people I know all say that there are much more difficulties on the road to success than one would expect to find. Even if you choose to follow something you love doing, it does not mean that success will come naturally and effortlessly. It will simply be more enjoyable.

For many, it is not comfortable. It is hard. But in sticking with it, it is worth it, as it always is. Usually, most people have a few small jobs and then one job or a career that they have for the rest of their lives. But some of us don't. It was such for me; I got a different life.

Are you wondering what pushes someone to get on such an uncomfortable road?

Well, I am 53 years old today, I was born with horses around me, race horses, and so I grew up by beginning riding at age 3, I went on to be a horse jockey. Being too heavy and racetracks being closed in my country, I went on to be a horse vaulting Acrobat which you often encounter in circuses.

But as a child growing up, I always knew I wanted to build my own business. It was an incredible, profound sense of how I wanted to live my life, even before I knew what path I would take. My life is just one example of many which show that the road to success is not just a bed of roses.

Your Journey Always Begins Optimistically

When I then got the opportunity to work for a big circus in the Soviet Union, I refused because animals were treated poorly. Today, I boycott circus because of mistreatment on wildlife. When you begin to go after your goals, you think very optimistically.

It is because you have not yet faced any stumbling blocks nor understood the false myths about success. But that optimism is a part of the willpower which gives you the necessary drive to follow through on your path to success.

And if you want to see the journey to fruition successfully; then you must be aware of the price that you are going to pay to realize it. During an exhibition in the USA, I defected, worked with horses at first, but got into becoming an O.R. Technician for a veterinarian which in turn made me move to California where I worked in Hollywood movies.

The road to success is constantly being created. Here I was in a country where I did not know anyone, where I did not speak the language, where I had no place to stay, where I had no job and all of this with no money and doing this alone.

Could you do it? Could you pay that price for your success?

Of course, this is extreme, but it is how I chose to do it. So far, I have done it five times already. I had to make it happen to be where I am today. I had real awkward moments on my road to success, but I also had great times where I saw miracles going on in my life. I couldn't be more grateful for it!

The Price to Pay for Success

Over the years, you and I may have faced many hurdles. You know that you do not get there until you make it through all the barriers in your way. All the successful people you see do not come into the world already having success.

The ones who manage to overcome those obstacles succeed in realizing their dreams. So, I left the United States to Moscow, Russia where I worked in security, then back in my homeland Ukraine to work as a bodyguard and chauffeur for an acquaintance.

Each time a year brought another challenge and reason to throw in the towel, but I did not. And while I felt like I was the underdog, it just empowered me even more. I just followed the price to pay for success by going to Belgium as a chief of security. But after two years, the firm closed its doors. I found myself a year without work.

Everyone has bumps on the path to success or any other road for that matter. But I think we need it. Whether you face small or large challenges, they are all made for you to grow and progress.

I believe that if you are not at least somewhat uncomfortable, you are not pushing your mental barriers hard enough.

The Obstacles and Sacrifices You Face

My road to success led me then to Vienna, Austria where I began to work on the streets as a customer sales representative for a sightseeing tour company. Following this, I got into my own business as a digital entrepreneur as a marketer and a self-improvement & success consultant.

Being an entrepreneur requires you to face obstacles and unpleasant sacrifices like working instead of fooling around. You think while others sleep; network while others enjoy a social life or research while others spend time in front of the big screen.

What you are after becomes an obsession. And when you feel like wanting something so terribly, it is only a matter of time until it comes to be yours. There are so many dark things that you may see on your way to success such as sleepless nights, rejection, doubt, disappointment, failure, stress, fear, long hours, pain, sorrow, loneliness, setbacks and more.

All kind of feelings will be encountered on your path to success. But if you want to see it through, you must be ready to face these feelings throughout your journey. You should allow yourself to reach the potential you have been given, even if the road to victory has bumps.

The Road to Success

Do not be surprised by what you are going to encounter because the road to success is paved with sacrifices and determination. Along the way, you will have to face stumbling blocks, twists, walls, barriers and curves.

You might never know how far the road will take you or if it is just around the corner, but at those times, push a little harder. Your journey will be determined by your willpower, hard work, belief, consistency, resolution, and above all persistence.

You need to be willing to take risks and fail as many times, only to get up and try all over again, and again. The road to your success is not a straight line, but much longer and has more bumps than you could imagine, particularly if you have or start your own business.

But when you do succeed and overcome all the obstacles, there is no greater pleasure than making your dream come true. Just stay focused on the end result. It doesn't matter how tough things are, never, ever give up. It is all part of the journey to success.

If I am telling you all of this, it is because you need to prepare yourself for the things you are going to face. This path is not for everyone and is not pink every day, but in the end, when you successfully make it to other side and realize that you accomplished your objectives, you will be grateful you did.

Today I help like-minded individuals on the road to success by helping them create a life they dream of having.

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Message From the Universe: You May Be Closer Than You Think

"Dreams are like that, most of the time you don't even know how close you are, until after they've come true.

Sometimes, even, the very day before they come true, it still feels like they're a million miles away.

Something to remember.

Tallyho,
The Universe"

Close to your dreams. No one will ever know, prior to starting a venture, if he or she will ever succeed in it. As well, it is impossible to determine how close you are from success when everything around you seems to not go the way you expected or anticipated. You may experience more failure than you would ever want in a lifetime, deal with major obstacles in life that seems to never end, work day and night without seeing a dime or even light at the end of this dark tunnel we call life. Guess what? That happens to everyone who is venturing out on their own. You may be so close to wealth and by pushing a little bit harder and further to what you are doing today, you will get to your destination. Keep digging a bit longer, keep knocking on more doors, keep on asking for things so at the end, even if you do not get to that chamber of gold or diamond, you know you've tried it all. You can live life with no regrets.

We all doubt ourselves as to how are we going to get to where we need to be, and forget that the Universe has a say in all of that. You should focus your energy in your thoughts and the Universe will focus on the HOW it should happen. You shouldn't waste your time on HOW it will all work, as you should work more towards thinking positive thoughts. No one can ever tell you how things will turn out, or if your business is on the right track, or if this job will offer you great opportunity in the future. Life is all about trying different things, about working towards your goals and figuring out what works best for you. The rest will come in due time as the Universe stands behind you and makes sure you get to wherever you need to go.

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17 Pretexts Why Most People Are Giving Up Way Too Easily

It appears that often, most of us are giving up way too easily when it comes to make a change or create something new in our lives. We begin by getting excited and captivated, but when we come across obstacles that are in our way, we decide to let our emotions get the best of us and give up.

Why does it happen? Why do people give up on things dear to their heart? Why have you given up on some of your dreams?

At the start, you get excessively happy to pursue a goal. You are even enthusiastic about it. You believe that it is something worth doing, something you want to master but after a while, when the euphoric emotions start to fade away, you often feel disappointed and walk away from the all thing.

This topic is a subject that takes me to heart! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure why most people call it quit way so easily. Typically, it is often because their goal gets too hard or it just takes too long. Unfortunately, people have all kinds of pretexts for giving in after a couple of failures.

But failure is a part of the process to success and is going to happen no matter what you do. You are always going to encounter walls, barriers, obstacles. It is normal in the beginning to be inexperienced or clueless about what you are doing.

"Every master was once a beginner, and every pro began as an amateur" - Robin Sharma

The Need to Face Your Difficulties

You should realize that obstacles in your way will not vanish, but you can get ready for them. You can prepare to overcome these walls, barriers, obstacles and even the doubts you have. As you progress, you get to learn more, practice more, and build more commitment towards your goal which in turn prepares you even better for difficulties that may arise.

Often, when you are facing problems, your emotions get in the way and try to take control. These feelings are not helping you to achieve the success you desire. During those times, you do not see the prospect of the long-term rewards because these protecting reactions only care about the present and not the future.

The primary cause people do not get what they desire is because they give up way too soon. Success may have been around the corner. Have you given up on things before? If you are anything that is human, you probably did.

At some point in life, we all packed it up and walked away. Do you remember the times where you have decided or tried something and then quit when it became too hard? How many times have you put off taking action until later, because you felt like it was not the right time?

The fact of the matter is that many of us give up far too rapidly! So, why do most people give up so easily? Here are my top 17 pretexts which people are using when giving up. I added a tip to each reason to get around it.

1. Lack of Determination

Understand that by having a lack of determination, all you worked so hard for will be gone the instant you choose to give up. You have control over this kind of decision. No one can do it for you or give you this willpower.

It is your duty to finish what you've started. If you can persist, be consistent, carry on with your efforts, and do not give up, you will inevitably arrive where you want.

2. Unbelief in Your Abilities

At one point in your life, someone close to you told you that you could not do it, and you did believe those words. Next time a person says such thing, begin to read biographies of people who have succeeded against all the odds knowing that such words have no power whatsoever.

The ultra-marathoner David Goggins has a video which is very inspirational. If you have never seen it, you should watch it. Do not worry; I will be here when you have finished.

3. Someone Else's Goal

If you ever work for someone else or had goals chosen by relatives for you, you know what I am talking about. These targets that are not yours! It is tough to keep being motivated if you feel that this is not your purpose in life.

You need to choose your own goals, take possession of them and act.

                                     

4. Life is Already Good

You should realize that the better your life, the more you feel tempted to let things the way they are. You might think that your life is good enough, so you settle, and give up on going further.

Let me tell you that no matter how good your life now is, it can always improve. Therefore, next time you feel like settling or stagnating, think about the facets of your life you dislike and focus on cultivating them.

5. Not Desire to Put Time in

Do not underestimate the time it takes to complete specific goals because you then get overwhelmed and have no desire to put the required time in.

You do not need more time; you just need to use it more efficiently. Focus on your priorities which are the most important things first. Use the Pareto Principle and spend 80% of your time on what will get you the most results, instead of just looking busy.

6. No Self-Confidence

When making changes or starting something new, you need self-belief, self-confidence. If there are any doubts about your abilities to succeed, you will have the desire to want to give up.

When I need a boost in my self-confidence, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and recall all of my skills, experiences, knowledge, as well as other assets I have.

7. Not Wanting to Do the Hard Work

The road to success is everything but an easy one. In adding to the issue of time, the difficulty comes into play. As soon as something is getting harder than you thought, it can be discouraging but know that the goals you should be most proud of are usually the most challenging.

If something is harder than you thought, it is time to work harder than you should. Strengthen and cultivate the abilities you need to progress so that over time, things will get easier.

8. Absence of Focus

What keep you from focusing nowadays are all the many distractions you have, which takes your time away from aiming at the important stuff! Social Media is an excellent example of that! The absence of focus leads to unproductive efforts which incline you to quit.

Create time by switching off or logging off social media sites and turn off your phone's notifications. This way, you will stay focused on the task at hand.

9. Interruptions

Interruptions and distractions might be coming by way of other people, television, phone or noise. You should know that it is impossible to jump from one goal to another, as you never feel or find that you are making any progress forward.

You should avoid any interruptions by finding a place where you will be in peace. Work on one thing at a time. Efficiency is the key here.

10. No Immediate Results

Today, everyone is a hurry to get instant gratification. But remember that anything worthwhile creating takes much time, and each flower needs time to blossom.

The more you work towards your goals; day in and day out, the earlier you will achieve them.

11. Very Little Reward

By working so hard and put in all that time, you thought you would have better outcomes. You get disappointed because your goal does not transform into the desired results. A lot of people give up easily when it feels like they are working hard for nothing.

You have to set mini milestones along your path and bit by bit you will see the rewards. Success will not come overnight to transform your life. As in any sport or as for any athlete, you need to train and practice to master.

12. No Enthusiasm or Inspiration

As you start making a change or creating something new, you feel full of enthusiasm and you are inspired and motivated. Then these feelings start to wear off, and you realize it is not that easy. Your inspiration fades away, and you just abandon.

Just think about your end goal, and remember why you are doing this. Remember what inspired you about your objective and put emphasis on those features.

13. Habits are Difficult to Change

Getting started is not always the hard part. The awkward phase is often getting rid of your habits or lifestyle, and to replace them. Changing a pattern is not an easy thing to do. There is also the fear of a new habit and the appeal of an old one.

You have to focus on your progress, not perfection. Realize that falling back sometime into old patterns is a normal reaction. Personal change is like taking two steps forward and one step back. What is crucial is to keep momentum to move forward.

14. Not Worth the Effort

Perhaps you had an idea but realized that it was just a short wish. You then understood that it was not worth the effort, the sacrifices or that you are going in the wrong direction.

Revisit and evaluate your goals, and if they are no longer what you want, then it is not giving up. Know that you were born a winner!

15. Scared of Leaving the Comfort Zone

Even if things in your life may not have been perfect before, you felt comfortable with them. It was a comfortable and easy routine. But in leaving your comfort zone to get into a world of doubt and struggles, you miss it.

You should only know that without leaving your comfort zone, there won't be any growth or progress and that once you have obtained what you want, you will be able to go even further.

                                 

16. A Ridiculous Idea

People think you are too old to begin all over and start something new. They believe that following your dream is not a realistic concept, or they believe it to be a childish fantasy.

Well, what people think is their problem. It is your life and your future. So choose wisely!

17. It Should Be Easy

You think it should be easy but when things are not running as they should, you quit, and so no more effort is required. You just give up, and the problems related to that go away. Easy does it!

The minute you start something, surround yourself with and talk to people who encourage you and are interested in your success.

A Final Word on Giving Up

The one important thing that sets successful people apart from the people who do not is their capacity to persist, keep going even after failure and never give up.

My final suggestion to you is that sometime, you may have to lock yourself in a room and scream at with all your strength. Do it until you get it out of your system. Then move on and get back to work.

Know also that your current circumstances are not the final outcomes.

A great thing about not giving up is that it a skill you can acquire. Be patient enough and do not be discouraged by the lack of instant results. A lot of people are using the above excuses and give up way too easily. Just decide that you're not going to quit. And instead be unstoppable!

http://ezinearticles.com/?17-Pretexts-Why-Most-People-Are-Giving-Up-Way-Too-Easily&id=9764379

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

I love this parable. Whether it is authentic or not, the message is important and very, very true.

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life... "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves." One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego. "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith." This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed." 

Author Unknown

Lately I have found myself feeding the dark wolf; mostly anger, sorrow, regret, some resentment, self-doubt and ego, also a whole lot of feeling frustration. Not because I feel entitled. Anyone who knows me knows that is not part of my make-up. I feel frustration sometimes because my ego gets in the way. And by my ego, my old self, my unconscious self, rears its childlike frustrated head and whines because life is not moving as smoothly or as easily as I want it or would like it to be. My unconscious self stamps its little girl foot and shouts "But it's MY turn!" or better yet "I'm feeding my white wolf, when does life get easier?"

The white wolf answers me "You have more work to do child."

Every moment of every day offers us opportunities and yes, tests, to choose to not only feed our joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith, but to also to live as a shining example for other's whose dark wolf is snarling in the background. I have a dear friend who calls these tests "God's little Pop Quizzes". We are not supposed to look at our obstacles as obstructions but as guide posts on our journey. And if we stumble, that's not a failure, but another opportunity to get it right the next time!

Our reward for living a life of love is all the white wolf embodies in the above parable, and it takes constant awareness and work to maintain that level of Zen. This world we live in is constantly throwing dark wolf scenarios at us through the media and yes, right down to individuals we encounter each and every moment of every day. It all stems from fear!

So what do we do, you ask? Stay aware. Stay hopeful. Keep your eye on your prize (yes, your prize! Everyone has their own idea what their prize is), and live in the simple truth there is a Soul "pot of gold" at the end of our life's rainbow. The path you take is completely up to you, and the rewards are already in front of you!

And when you falter, be gentle with yourself, and ask what you can do differently the next time around. As Gandhi said, "Be the change in the world you want to see."

http://ezinearticles.com/?Which-Wolf-Are-You-Feeding?&id=9498094

Message From the Universe: Being Where You Need to Be

"There's a reason you chose Earth, exactly when you did, as exactly who you are, with those already in your life and those who soon will be: To be an example, to shine your light, and to give hope.

Yeah, you were needed.. super bad.

Kind of obvious now, huh? 

The Universe"

We all have a mission on planet Earth and whoever we come across will either teach us a lesson, contribute to our success or make us fail. Depending who you are as a person, you either will let your experiences teach you a lesson for you to grow or crush and break you down. You decide the path you want to go. Failures are lessons, and nothing else. Nothing is permanent, except death. In 50 years from now, death will no longer be permanent with advance medical and scientific research, but for now, I guess death is a pretty permanent event in your life. So how do you want your life to be? Will you let things or people bother you to a point of you allowing it to control your own life? How will you react when facing adversities? What are you going to do overcome your pain and still keep on moving forward? Only you can answer these questions. No one will ever do anything to you when helping you with these struggles. Learn to depend on yourself to get to where you want to go. Some family and friends can assist you when walking towards the right direction, but the rest is left up to you. Make sure to not disappoint yourself in this journey.

Nothing is easy and if it was, everyone would do it. If being a millionaire is your ultimate goal, expect to work your ass off to accomplish your goal. You will come across many obstacles along the way, many friends and family members who will do everything they can to stop you from accomplishing your goals while trying to come out as giving you the best advice to guarantee your ultimate success. You need to learn to listen to your inner voice that will be the one guiding you on the right path. If you do come across failure, learn from it and keep on going forward. Some little tweaking might be needed to make things succeed. Once you have reached your goals, you will forget all the suffering, all the sacrifices, all the hurdles you faced throughout your journey to ultimate success. So what will be coming next? Well, it really depends on you. Your new journey has just begun and you will come across the same hurdles and challenges. The difference now is that you know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and if you put in the same amount of energy, the same dedication and belief in yourself, you will again succeed far beyond your expectation. You will now know what it takes to make it big on planet Earth.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-Being-Where-You-Need-to-Be&id=9694998

Attention Purpose Seekers! It's Your Time!

Seeking our purpose can be extremely frustrating and confusing. We know that there is more to life than what we are currently experiencing, but we are not quite sure what that "more" is. Purpose seeking is a way of life for so many people. They don't have a clue what they are supposed to be doing with their life. They go from day-to-day, month-to-month and year-to-year trying to figure out what they were born to do.

Unfortunately some individuals leave this earth with their purpose still in them. But that does not have to be your story. It is not by accident that you landed on this article. I believe that this is a divine connection. It's your time to go from purpose seeker to being someone who is living in purpose.

Do you feel like you are purposed to help others? Do you feel led to inspire others to move past obstacles and achieve their goals? Are you a creative goal-getter on fire to make a difference? If you answered "yes" then part of your purposeful living design could include becoming a Certified Life Coach.

As a Certified Life Coach you can discover your purpose, unleash your purpose and transform your purpose into profits. You can also find the missing piece to why you feel like something is missing in your life. Becoming a Certified Life Coach can make a huge difference in your life.

As you are on the journey to discovering and unleashing your purpose it is important to break through any purpose blockers. There is always going to be something or someone trying to hinder your success, but you have to make up your mind that you are not going to let anything or anyone stop you from living the life that God has destined for you to live. It's your life so live it... PURPOSEFUL!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Attention-Purpose-Seekers!-Its-Your-Time!&id=9452538

Metaphors Gone Wild: Granite and Obstacles

"Looking back," talk show host Jack Paar once remarked, "my life so far seems like one long obstacle course, with me as its chief obstacle." The insight has value for those inclined to blame others or to blame life itself for their failure to achieve goals. If you are willing to acknowledge you might share Paar's comedic view of success and failure, you have taken the first step toward achieving your goals for your life.

CLARIFY YOUR GOAL 

It's been said that a problem well-defined is a problem half-solved. In the same way, a goal that has been examined from several perspectives is a goal more likely to be made a reality. Be sure your goal is a realistic one. Put time limits on it. And do periodic progress checks, noting what has been done to move you closer to your stated wish for your life.

ASK FOR FEEDBACK 

President Kennedy would often invite people who had nothing to do with politics to sit in on Cabinet meetings. Why? Because they typically viewed the situation in ways that differed from the political view. Before you make a final decision on the goal you are pursuing, subject it to the scrutiny of those you respect. Include people who have some expertise in the area associated with your goal, as well as people who know you well and can help you avoid pitfalls.

APPLY THE DOUBLE-REVERSE METHOD 

Look at your intended goal from a negative perspective. Ask, "If I wanted this goal-journey to fail, what would I do?" In other words, consider all the things that could go wrong. Once you have your list, then determine what you can do to ensure the items on the list do not become your manifest destiny.

CHIP AWAY AT THE PESSIMISM BLOCKING YOUR SUCCESS 

Optimism, self-confidence, self-reliance--these and other attitudinal elements will go a long way toward removing the obstacles you may have initially thought were holding you back from your dreams. When your spirits start to sag, when the process proves to be taking longer than you had anticipated, talk to an optimist. Or, read about the many trials a famous person had to undergo before he or she could claim success. See a movie in which hope reigns. Do whatever you can, including making notes on your progress so far, to regard obstacles as only temporary impediments.

CARLYLE'S GRANITE METAPHOR 

Thomas Carlyle wisely observed that "the block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong." Your personal and professional success may indeed depend on which metaphor you are clinging to. If you regard obstacles as surmountable blocks, you are far more likely to realize the hopes you have established. You can use that metaphoric block of granite as an actual stepping-stone. But, if you succumb to negative views and give up, you will fail to do what you are capable of doing.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Metaphors-Gone-Wild:-Granite-and-Obstacles&id=9870352

Successful People Tap Into Mental Muscles - Six Intellectual Faculties To Achieve Any Goal Desired

Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, "A Strong Body Makes A Strong Mind".

But does it really? We know how to exercise our physical muscles to keep them strong. But how do we exercise our mind to keep it strong? I am going to introduce you to your six intellectual faculties which are your mental muscles. Successful people and those that live above the ordinary tap into them all the time. Why do you think 5% of the population own 95% of the wealth? The more you exercise these six intellectual faculties the more freedom and power you will have to achieve any goal you desire.

Most of us live through our five sensory faculties: see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Why? Because we have been conditioned to do so. We have been programmed to allow outside influences to dictate how we think, behave, feel, and the results that we experience in our lives.

Here's an example: Marcie has a dream. She wants to quit her job and start her own business. She has been thinking about this goal for a very long time. Finally, she shares her goal with family and friends. What does she hear? Nothing but disparaging, discouraging, disheartening comments surround her.

Here are some examples: "Are you serious? You have an amazing job with great benefits. Have you thought about what that would do to your family? Don't you listen to the news and read the paper? Haven't you read about the success rate and statistics regarding anyone starting a new business in this economy? They are pretty low don't you know."

And on and on it goes. Sound familiar? If Marcie listens to those comments and allows outside influences to dictate whether or not she goes for her goal, she may very well put her dream out along with the trash. BUT if she taps into her six intellectual faculties, her mental muscles, no outside influences, obstacles, or objections can stand in her way.

The six intellectual faculties lay beyond the physical senses. They are in the conscious mind which is the thinking mind. These mental muscles when exercised will help us to achieve any goal we desire. Let's zero in on them. They are Imagination, Will, Reason, Perception, Memory, and Intuition.

Use your Imagination. It is the image maker. It is the beginning of all creation. It is the workshop of the mind. When was the last time you sat down, closed your eyes, and used your Imagination to take you on a trip? Close your eyes right now and imagine you have achieved your greatest goal. Imagine what it looks like. Feel in possession of it for a few moments...

Exercising our Imagination allows us to see our goal on the screen of our mind with clarity and in vivid detail. When we picture our goal in our imagination the next mental muscle helps to hold it there.

Use your Will. Exercising the Will means having the power to push out all distractions and outside influences. It gives you the ability to focus, concentrate, and hone in on one goal or objective. Exercising the Will keeps your mental eye on the prize.

Use your Reason. Exercising the Reason allows us to take harmonious thoughts and weave them into wondrous ideas. Our reasoning is our thinking. We have the freedom to think whatever we want to think. No one can tell us what to think. Unfortunately, most people don't think. They think they are thinking when the voice in the head is talking all day long. That is mental chatter and not thinking. Henry Ford said, "Thinking is hard work and probably why so few people engage in it".

Exercising Reason will point us to the right action steps to achieve our goal.

Use your Perception. This is our point of view. Expanding our Perception allows us to look from others' points of view and opens our visual prism to see with an open mind. Exercising our Perception helps us access more insight and awareness to see opportunities for achieving a goal that we might otherwise miss.

Use your Memory. We have a great Memory. It is just that we don't exercise it very much and it's weak from lack of use. There is a great book written by Harry Laraine and Jerry Lucas called The Memory Book. There is a chapter on remembering names. Completing the exercises on recalling names will blow your mind on just how perfect your Memory is. You may never forget another name again. Exercising the Memory means pushing aside the negative associations that the Memory reminds us from the past, and helps us forge forward toward our objective. As a result, we will create new, positive memories as we move onward to achieve our goal.

Use your Intuition. Most people don't listen to their inner voice--that knowing that comes from within. Exercising the Intuition means tapping into and trusting the inner wisdom that points it finger to the right course of action. Be Still and Listen. It is the hunches, flashes and inspiration that don't come in from the senses. Learning to trust and exercise our Intuition will help us to make right decisions with confidence in helping to achieve our goal.

If we exercise our mental muscles, our six intellectual faculties, the Imagination, Will, Reason, Perception, Memory, and Intuition, we can achieve any goal that we desire. Successful people and people who live above the ordinary tap into these gifts every time they want to achieve a life changing goal.

It is where our power and freedom live.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Successful-People-Tap-Into-Mental-Muscles---Six-Intellectual-Faculties-To-Achieve-Any-Goal-Desired&id=9832410

It Will Always Be About Me

The title of the article suggests conceit greed and selfishness. The title though true, has unseen substance that substantiates that it is about your self. There is a deeper meaning to the statement. You are what you are made of. You are nothing less and potentially much more. In order to accomplish something you never thought was possible you have to do things you never thought were possible. Effort will always equal results. The more effort the better the results. You are who you become. God has always wanted the best for us but we were given freewill to choose as we wish. There will always be obstacles to impede your progress. They are only obstacles because we allow them to be. If you allow obstacles to reign over you they will. When we become selfish enough to care for ourselves and love ourselves we decimate the obstacles. God has always loved us so we should do the same. Without care and concern for self the idea of caring for others can be compromised. To be made in the image of God denotes the beginning of caring for self. No other creature was considered. The creator of life itself chose to create mankind in his image.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them. Male and female he created them. The entire human race is based on being made in his image. We were designed to succeed. We are designed to magnify the glory of being made in his image. Because of freewill the choices we make are not always to our best advantage. If we became more selfish with our thoughts and perspectives as to what our future holds, we will make better choices. With consistent and better choices comes more success. Success will bring about a thirst for more of the same. It can become contagious. It can only start when you develop a love for self. A diamond is formed from tons of mud. That mud is deep within the earth and is of no value. It does not grow grass and will never be walked upon. With immense pressure and the right conditions it develops into a stone that is indestructible. The value of that mud is measured by the character it developed into. It develops into a true and rare stone a diamond. Each diamond is unique and no two will ever be the same.

Just like a diamond immense pressures and the right conditions develop the rarest individuals and no two will ever be the same. Steel will always sharpen steel. You will always be measured by yourself and others by the effort you apply. When the accumulation of wealth is a byproduct of your efforts you gain conviction. Self worth will always topple any other measurement of success. 

Believe who you are, perceive who you are, be who you are and then you will be what you were meant to be. It is a line of direction that offers fail proof alternatives. Remember it will always be about you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?It-Will-Always-Be-About-Me&id=8999360

The Art of Problem Solving in Ten Easy Steps

It takes only a minute of watching the news or listening to our Presidential Candidates vie for our votes, to become astutely aware that problems exist all around us. We are faced with them on large and small scales, at home, work, in our communities and in our world. Basically the bad news is... we cannot escape problems. Not such an uplifting message huh? But, here is what we can do; we can learn to solve them, both big and small, by approaching them with the right attitude.

This ten-step process is guaranteed to produce results. Remember to have fun and brainstorm each stage to construct a dynamic list of best possible outcomes!

Break it Down

Often times when we pause long enough, we can see that problems, like most things, can be broken down into smaller parts than the whole. All problems are structured around two common characteristics: desirable outcomes and obstacles or barriers.

Change the Lens

The "p" word alone makes a negative impression on those who encounter it, yet, what do we know about looking at something through the lens of negativity? A growing body of research suggests by changing our language about the problem we can actually change our thoughts and behaviors.

For instance, refer to the "problem" as a "challenge" or even an "opportunity," using language like this often encourages us to approach the notorious "p" word from an angle of creativity.

Define the Problem Clearly

This is oftentimes an overlooked step in the problem solving process. In order to fully understand the challenge, we need to take the time to understand everyone's perception or experience of the problem. Every team member or person who comes in contact with the problem may experience it differently. Therefore, before we can begin to comprehend the situation we need to realize how far reaching it is and the impact it has on everyone.

Use Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills are very important to problem solving, yet, research has pointed to a decline in critical thinking skills over the past decade. With information so readily available on our digital devices, we can fall victim to allowing our phones, computers and I-Pads to do our thinking for us rather than engage that part of our brain.

Symptoms of the problem are just that... don't allow yourself to be caught up in the "weeds" of symptoms associated with the problem either, instead, look for the root cause or causes.

Define the Ideal

So, what is the "ideal" solution to the problem? What must the solution accomplish or take care of to be considered a great solution? If you have engaged this process methodically, this should be a relatively easy step as you will have determined the parameters of the problem and the problem will have been defined through the examination of critical thinking with all angles thoroughly explored. Therefore, by the time you arrive at this step, you will be able to recognize the "ideal" solution or solutions.

Determine the Obstacles

This is yet another step in the problem solving process I often times see overlooked. Obstacles have to be considered.

By allowing time to take each identified solution and "brainstorm" through all the worst case scenarios, we are literally fire testing our solution and making sure it can hold up under pressure. This process is critical and will save a huge amount of time and effort in the end.

Make a Choice

The question to ask yourself here is, given your understanding and definition of the problem, what provides the best possible solution at the "current time" under the "present circumstances?" The reason the preceding words are bolded here is to call attention to the fact that solutions may change over time and be rendered ineffective based on a new set of circumstances. For this reason, it is always good form as a leader to continually monitor and evaluate processes to assure optimal levels of performance.

Set Deadlines

All of the preceding steps are rendered useless and ineffective if time is not taken to formulate a plan and set "by when" times for completion of processes.

Once a solution has been selected, implementation rests on identifying what needs to done, by when and by whom. Setting a series of short-term deadlines and developing a schedule for reporting helps the project stay focused and on track.

Measure Outcomes

An ongoing assessment process is crucial. Steer away from becoming attached to a solution as it may need to be tweaked or completely overhauled based on the results it is producing.

Action Everyone

The short answer here is... MOVE. Get going and create some momentum. Momentum generates the energy to produce your desired outcome. The two key words here are, be "consistent" and "persistent." And, if at any given time you run into an unidentified obstacle, pause long enough to reevaluate your solution to make sure you are on the right track.

Destiny by Design or Default... the choice is yours!


http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Art-of-Problem-Solving-in-Ten-Easy-Steps&id=9341379

You Are Needed More Than You Know

Do you know that you have something inside of you that can make a huge difference in the lives of others? Sometimes we don't realize that there are people who desperately need what we have to offer. We often underestimate our gifting and purpose, not truly being aware that God has uniquely made us to be a blessing in a powerful way to the life of someone else.

One of the best things you may do for yourself and for others is pursue your purpose as a life coach. As a life coach you can have many opportunities to share your gifts and talents with others and with the world. You can do private coaching sessions, group coaching sessions, lead seminars and workshops, and even write articles or e-books. Coaching is a broad profession with broad opportunities. But you will never have a chance to experience those opportunities if you never pursue your purpose as a coach.

If you feel like coaching is the next best move for you, then what needs to happen for you to move forward? What is stopping you from taking the next step to become a coach? Regardless of what obstacles you feel like you are facing, you can't allow anything to stop you from being all that you were born to be. You must be unstoppable in your quest for success. That is truly something that you deserve.

Just one decision to move forward can shift your life in a more positive and financially rewarding direction. Sometimes our blessings are hidden in unique opportunities, and that can be the case as it relates to you becoming a Certified Life Coach.

http://ezinearticles.com/?You-Are-Needed-More-Than-You-Know&id=9359886