Seldom Remembered Business Goal - Reaps Huge Benefits

When a New Year dawns many people set new business and personal goals.

Consider adding this goal to your list.

"Keep a positive attitude moment to moment."

In spite of the twists, turns and vicissitudes all is in right order for you and all in the Universe.

I'm sure you'll agree that positivity is missing in most everything we see in the world. It seems that more is wrong than right. Yet, this has been the case for eons. Notice that humans have persevered and created many improvements in living along the way.

In fact, 87% of what we see, hear and experience is negative. Combating the negative by creating a moment to moment positive attitude is crucial to maintain "happiness and peace-of-mind." You need to be one of the 13% who are living with a positive attitude.

With that in mind being positive and living happy with peace-of-mind sounds easy... it seems possible. Then, if you look at social media, everyone seems to be lamenting and/or worrying about this, that or something and this will bring all the negative back into your world.So then, what is a person to do, to have an attitude of positivity moment to moment?

• Choose "Positivity"
• Commit to a moment to moment "Positive Attitude"
• Form a habit of being positive moment to moment.

Firstly, the moment you hear yourself have a negative thought or make a negative statement say, Cancel, Delete or Stop. Saying one of those words reminds your monkey mind to shift from old habits to a new habit. Then, rephrase your thought or statement to positivity.

If you are dealing with a situation that wasn't in your plan... Take a deep breath and say,

"All is in right order. What can I learn from this? How did I arrive here? I have the strength, courage and ability to persevere."

When you accept the situation as is, and plan your next steps you have empowered yourself to persevere and the Universe Laws are there to support you.

You can achieve positivity moment to moment by incorporating these attitudes:

1. Show you care
2. Accept responsibility
3. Treat everyone, including yourself with respect
4. Keep your word or renegotiate vs dropping the ball with an excuse or no information
5. Think remarkable outcomes in spite of the messy world
6. Enjoy a little craziness

"The Law of Positivity" is this...

When you have and practice a positive attitude you will become more excellent in whatever you do. Be positive, and you'll be happier!

To start and maintain your New Year with positivity set positivity as one of your goals. You will reap the rewards.

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Perfectly Imperfect Reduces Stress

I remember my friend Paul once asking me "What do you call the medical student with the lowest passing grade?" The answer is "Doctor".

You see the lowest passing grade is still a pass and the student is given the title of Doctor because of it.

We are living in a rather interesting world where people have a distorted idea of what they need to do and achieve in order to feel good about themselves. Often, they think that unless they can be perfect there isn't any point in trying. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt and anxiety as well as lack of confidence.

Let's think about the concept of the Bell Curve. This theory states that approximately sixty-six percent of a group in any field is "average". That leaves seventeen and half percent as "below average" and seventeen and a half percent as "above average". It doesn't matter whether you are talking about students, mechanics, accountants or knitters. The numbers more of less apply to any category.

I often see clients who are struggling in different areas of life who tell me that they have low self-esteem and are tired of "pretending" that they are doing okay when deep down they feel like failures. They have invested time and energy into focusing on things that they cannot or did not do instead of on strengths and accomplishments.

When challenged to begin reaching out for personal goals they are hesitant stating that they don't believe they would be "good enough" or reach their expectations for success. But, with further questioning it becomes apparent that their expectations are unreasonable. They not only want to be in the "above average" category consisting of the top seventeen and a half percent, but actually think they need to be in the top five or ten percent.

The highest passing grade or acceptable level would only be doing as well as eighty-three and a half of one hundred people (add seventeen and half percent in above average plus sixty six percent in the average group). Put another way, as long as they are doing better than the seventeen and a half percent that are below average, they are performing at an acceptable level.

Now that doesn't mean that one can't do better than this. It does mean though that healthy pride can be activated at a level lower than what skewed expectations would demand.

There are so many things in life that I don't do well. I am below average when it comes to sports for example. But I don't use that to determine my value as a person. I believe it is more important that I am honest, kind and have a good work ethic.

In fact, I am perfectly imperfect and proud of it!

Are you measuring your value by only considering your biggest weaknesses? Are you ignoring your strengths when it comes to determining your self-worth and confidence?

Maybe it is time to adopt the stance that you also are perfectly imperfect. And be proud of it!

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How To Stay Happy When You At Work

Are you happy to go to work? Do you see your work as fun or a burden? How do you feel when you are about to go to work? Are you searching for tips to help you to be happy to go to work? Do not stress out; at the end of this article, you will be well-informed about how to be happy to go to work and stay happy when working.

First, you should realize that your state of mind has a direct impact on your attitude at work. And your work has a lot of influence on your mood. Given that, it is crucial that you find the right job or work that makes you happy. However, if you are not satisfied with your existing work, you need to find ways to be happy so that you will not feel burdened.

#1. See The Bigger Picture - The Work Is a Means to an End

You should have personal goals to achieve in your chosen career. To be seen as an experienced professional or worker in your chosen field, you must satisfy certain conditions such as years of experience and overall attitude to work.

Your work is undoubtedly one major way to climb specific ladders in your career. Consequently, you need to see your work as a means to achieve your career goals, and every passing day, you are getting closer to becoming an authority in your career.

#2. Change Your Attitude - Feel Fulfilled

Nothing can be more effective than changing your attitude about your work. While other people, including you, view your work as being overly tasking and boring, see your work as exciting and fun. Picture the complicated processes in your work as a puzzle game and gift yourself a trophy or prize when you finish each day's work completing your duty - like a cup of cappuccino.

#3. Embrace Co-workers - You Are Not Competitors But Partners

Irrespective of the attitude of your co-workers, you need to embrace them to be happy at work. You are meant to complement one another and achieve the organizational goals together. And you need them to meet your targets and deliver expected goals. You are partners; find a reason to like each one of your colleagues.

#4. Find a Reason to be Proud of Your Work

If you are not proud of your company, you certainly will not be happy to go to work. Instead, jot down what you do like about your company and find what your company stands for in your field. Be a part of something that your company does that makes you happy, then you will always be happy to go to work.

https://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Stay-Happy-When-You-At-Work&id=10100073

6 Effective Ways to Focus on Your Personal Goals and Avoid Getting Distracted

Like many people around the globe, is it becoming more and more difficult for you to avoid the ever-present distractions of our time and move purposefully toward the targets you set for yourself?

If your answer is yes, then I want to assure you that all hope is not lost yet. You still have the chance to do more in your life. You have what it takes to do what you want to do despite being bombarded on a minute-by-minute basis by the incredible amount of information, for example, which tends to get you stuck and confused rather than empower you to take action and succeed in life.

I've personally had to deal with lots of distractions as I try to become more productive as an online writer and publisher. Finding time to feed myself alone can be a demanding activity which robs me of a sizeable amount of time to create more content online.

As I work from home, a single visitor to my home can stay for such a long time that they often end up disrupting my day's schedule. It's too bad if it's all about small talk!

Unforeseen life events are another source of distraction.

Now, if you're a mompreneur or a single parent working from home with those lovely precocious kids all around you, I can well imagine how your day could be turned into a nightmare.

TV, emails, phone calls, and excessive noise from neighbours who hardly understand the harm they're causing are just a few more sources of the distractions that are making all of us do less, thereby missing our targets, day after day.

What is the solution to all these? I've got six ideas to share with you to help you focus better. They've been helping me a lot and I hope you too will find them extremely useful.

1. Never lose sight of your original vision.

In whatever you do, let your original motivations be your guide. Remind yourself frequently about why you decided to do what you're doing. This should give you the needed will-power to stay committed no matter the distractions.

2. Listen to advice but let your intuition be the final decider.

Do not allow the enormous number of tips-based and how-to articles, podcasts and videos on the internet these days to make you stray from your goals. If anything, they should provide a guide so you do things right and maximize your outcomes. In the final analysis, what your gut instincts tell you should moderate or even override some of these pieces of advice.

3. Identify the things or people that are a constant source of distraction in your work life.

This will enable you to devise the right approach to at least minimize the nuisance and achieve your production targets.

4. Have a daily schedule you can implement.

It is no use putting too much on the plate only to end up doing so little at the end of the day. Your daily to-do list should be an enabler rather than a noose around your neck. Make it simple and achievable so that you can have a laser-sharp focus on only what is doable.

It is better to properly implement one or two tasks within a set period of time than to have lots of poorly executed personal projects. Too many uncompleted projects can make you waste resources. They can frustrate you or become a source of pain and permanent regret.

5. Make room for "any other business" inside your schedule.

Like it or not, the unannounced visits will happen once in a while. You'll have to attend to the children - and oh, some can really be demanding! There's absolutely nothing you can do about that. You must eat well in order to stay healthy and productive.

Life's unexpected occurrences will always be with us.

This is why you have to find an effective way to accommodate all these within your otherwise tight schedule.

I believe this is the only way to go on being focused and productive in spite of the obstacles that may come your way.

6. Finally, get enough rest.

You need not overwork your body and mind in order to get what you want out of life.Find enough time to engage in healthy habits which will enable you to sleep soundly and rest better.

What is the use? You may ask. According to the experts, one big benefit of having adequate sleep, rest and relaxation time for yourself is that it allows you to gain clarity and psychological stability.

It goes without saying that you will come back more energized to focus on your tasks and achieve your desired results.

So, there you have it. The distractions will never go away completely. In fact, the world is gearing itself up for more to come. That's the reason why you need to cultivate these habits to stay focused on your tasks and personal goals.

http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Effective-Ways-to-Focus-on-Your-Personal-Goals-and-Avoid-Getting-Distracted&id=9916820

What Are You Searching For?

I have not yet met anyone in my world travels who didn't want a little more inner peace. And, I have never encountered anyone who would trade a little money to rid themselves of their stress and worries.

So, is this what each of us is secretly or overtly searching for? Well, to be truthful I'm not sure. People who say they want less stress continue to pursue wealth, fame, power, position and more stuff. People who say they want to be happy often seem to sabotage this goal with poor choices, bad judgment and emotional immaturity. And people who say they want more inner peace still harbor old emotional baggage, replay old slights and hurts and let other people control their behaviors, attitudes, emotions and even their thoughts.

If we are truly searching for any or all the items listed above one would have to wonder whether we are just giving lip service to these goals, desires and dreams or if we really want them but just don't seem to know where to find them, how to achieve them or how to keep them.

I too have been guilty. I am just like you in that I would like a little more happiness and a little less stress yet when it comes to doing what is necessary I often fall short.

Sure, I have read all the books, hundreds and hundreds of them, attended the seminars, had personal coaches, spent hours and even weeks setting and planning my personal goals and dreams and spent more hours than I can remember praying and meditating and yet, here I sit from time to time, still questioning whether all this reading, study and searching is worthwhile.

During my years of study, research and searching I have come to a few conclusions.

1) Many of the people who supposedly have it figured out, don't.

2) Many of the people who preach and teach this stuff to others and get paid handsomely to do so, don't have a clue.

3) Some of the people who you would least expect to have the answers often do.

4) Even many of the religious fanatics, diehards or steadfast believers in God still struggle with the same issues, questions and challenges as those who have never set foot in a church or Synagogue or read the Bible.

Why is this? Are we doomed as a species to just search and never find or discover the true meaning of our life or as the title says, why we are we here?

Humans have been asking for centuries; why am I here, where am I going and what am I supposed to do with my life while I am here?

One could get easily discouraged and feeling a little sorry for themselves spending years contemplating simple questions like these.

Have you ever asked yourself any of these searching questions whether in times of doubt or discouragement or happiness and contentment? Success or failure? Do you have any answers yet, or are you like most of us, that you just keep on trudging ahead through life one day at a time just earning, spending, working and playing?

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-You-Searching-For?&id=9673917

Using Affirmations For A Better You! 3 Key Steps (By Richard Brody )

After four decades of presenting hundreds of seminars, and training programs, to assist in personal development, and provide methods of more effectively, introducing self - help, I have come to believe, that one of the most valuable approaches, is properly, consistently, using positive affirmations. While many people say, they want to be, or even believe, they are, positive individuals, few of us, are capable, or willing, to maintain this positive, can - do, attitude, despite any obstacles, thrown in our path. Using affirmations effectively, is a combination of an art, and a science, because, one must proceed, in an introspective, objective manner, understand his personal goals and aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, and prioritize, what he seeks to become better at. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly review, consider, and discuss, 3 keys, to effectively use these, to become a better, you.

1. List your goals, objectives, strengths/ weaknesses, priorities: Before you can use any affirmation, in a significant way, it must be something which truly matters to you, and will motivate you, to take action, in a positive manner! Know, and understand, your personal, professional, and work - related goals, and list those, rather than trying to seek, what others do! Analyze and consider, what you do extremely well, fairly well, and/ or, need to improve in. Consider your personal, existing, strengths and weaknesses, and use areas, where you are strongest, to their best avail, while addressing any weakness, etc. Once you have fully developed, and better understand, and recognize, these, you are prepared to proceed, to create your, personal Affirmation List.

2. Write 10 positive statement, in the present, and affirmative: An affirmations list, must be proactive, in the present tense, and positive, Never say, I won't do something, but, rather phrase this, as if you are already doing what's needed and necessary. For example, someone who feels, they need to lose weight, should not say, I'm going to eat less, but, rather, something, like, I eat healthy, exercise, and pay attention to doing, healthy things. Someone who's afraid to address a group, should not state this in the negative, but, rather, in a statement, such as, I enjoy speaking in public, and those listening, love listening and paying attention, to what I have to say. Limit this to 10 positive statements, write them down, and repeat them, at least 3 times, every day (normally, upon awakening, in the middle of the day, and in the evening). Write it down, and read these out - loud, in whatever location, works best, for you!

3. Prioritize: Your 10 statements, should focus on, areas which you consider, as priorities, and continue doing these specific statements, until you have transformed your inner - thinking! Then, you can tweak, and adjust them, to properly, proceed, forward, in a relevant, meaningful, way.

Regardless of what one does, he can always become better, and more effective. Becoming so, begins with having more self - confidence, and effectively using affirmations, is a key component, in doing so!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Affirmations-For-A-Better-You!-3-Key-Steps&id=9905975

5 Tools to Get Over Your Fear of Failure

Everyone can relate to the fear of failure at some point in his or her life. When a positive trait like achievement becomes too strong in someone's life, its on the way to becoming a major handicap. Often time's we view failure as more of a bigger story we tell ourselves "I am not good enough" " I will never become a successful entrepreneur" "My ex spouse was right- I'll never make it on my own-I am a loser." However, we have to remind ourselves it is just that-a story. We have to reframe our minds and turn failures as something positive and something we can learn from. It's important to not turn to external activities (drinking, drugs, eating etc ) to avoid your fear of failure and instead create more positive ways to deal with it.

Here are 5 Tools to Get Over Your Fear of Failure:

1. Talking it Out

It is important to face your fears and not suppress them by having someone you can trust to discuss your discomforts or shortcomings. By having someone to talk to about your fears it can better frame the situation by objectively looking at it from afar and realizing that the big problem was not so big after all. By talking with someone its also important to not dwell on your fears and an opportunity to strategize how you can break down the tasks into smaller pieces to not make it look so daunting and motivate you to face your fears.

2. Meditation

Meditation is an excellent way to reduce fears of failure. As you begin practice you begin to notice patterns of fear arise and the hold they have on you. With practice you can recognize these thoughts as just that-thoughts-and not to become attached to them. You'll no longer find your subconscious fear or resentment running your life from beneath your awareness. Through meditation, as you train yourself to not let your emotions control you or to be completely subject to them it will become easier to do this in your life as a whole as well.

3. Surround Yourself with Positivity

Another tool to help you with your fear of failure is to surround yourself with positivity. Getting rid of toxic people in your life who only dwell on why something will and cannot be done is not very motivating and puts additional fears into your mind. Also, do not read negative media often. Sure it is important to keep up with world events but constantly listening to the traffic accident on the highway or the latest terrorist attack is stifling in your attempt to move forward in your own personal goals. Your physical surroundings are key as well. If you work from home and hate the colour of your walls, do not get enough sunlight and are not energized by your atmosphere that can make things worse. Surround yourself with pictures, positive affirmations, and anything else that generally makes you feel good to improve your mindset and attitude towards your goals.

4. Failing More Leads to Success

Yes that's right-failing more leads to success! Persistence is key. Successful people do not give up after suffering a defeat. Even Malcolm Gladwell said it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. Statistics say that most entrepreneurs fail in their first business and that on average they finally succeed on their third business attempt. Failure seems to be the stepping stone to success. Understanding what happened and what you learned from it is the most important aspect of failing and the wisdom you will bring towards your next attempt of success. We all fail, its how quickly you pick yourself up and how long you waste time feeling sorry for yourself that usually determines success.

5. Self Growth

Every time you fail, your fear of failure becomes much smaller, which allows you to take on even bigger challenges. Each failure makes you stronger, bigger, and better. Failure teaches you that a certain approach may not be ideal for a specific situation and there are better approaches. Every mistake is a learning opportunity and a chance to look at your mistakes with a new perspective. Failing is essential in personal development and you simply will never grow as a person if you don't put yourself out there and be willing to try and inevitably make mistakes.

So there you have it folks! Setting yourself up for failure is integral to your success in your personal and professional development. Just remember that failure is a stepping stone to your goals and to not let the failure define you as a person.

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Tools-to-Get-Over-Your-Fear-of-Failure&id=9348744

How Do You DISCOVER Your Goals?

Whether you are leading an organization or business, or merely seeking to be the best, most productive individual, you can be, you must have goals, which have some sort of special meaning, or significance, to you! How often have you heard, or read, some discussion/article, which emphasizes the importance of goal-setting? Even after that, have you been able to settle on, and focus on goals which are relevant, motivating, and important, to you, personally? Most individuals state their personal goals, to be what they observe those around them saying. However, is everyone the same, and does everyone, automatically have the same goals, values, needs, concerns and priorities? When was the last time you took the time, to be introspective enough, to give yourself a checkup, from the neck up? Let's review some ideas, which may assist us, in being able to DISCOVER our true goals.

1. Delve deeply: Don't merely jump at the first thing, which comes to mind, or what someone else may want, desire, need, etc. Rather, delve deeply, into what truly might make you happy, and satisfied, and how that relates to your personal goals, etc.

2. Ideas; ideology; intent: What do you want the main intent of your life to be, at least at this juncture in time? Why have you come up with these, and what would you consider your compelling ideology, which drives you towards doing something, or taking a specific direction? Are your ideas, your own, or are you merely being a puppet, and repeating what others have spewed?

3. Strengths; solution-solving: Everyone has certain strengths and weaknesses. Do you know yours? How will you use your personal strengths, while adequately addressing your areas of weakness? Do you merely consider challenges as problems, or as obstacles, which you will solve, through quality solution-oriented evaluations, and actions?

4. Clearcut; cooperative: How clearly do you see what needs to, or should be done? Can you come to a clearcut action plan? Do you focus on cooperation, or negatives, etc?

5. Opinions; options; opportunities: We've all heard the adage, which makes an analogy between one's opinions, and their posterior! Basically, that everyone has one, but that doesn't make it right! There are always a variety of options and opportunities, so prepare yourself to be ready, willing and able to opt for the best available way, and proactively move forward, in your honorable quest.

6. Values; value; vision: Do you possess a personal, compelling, vital, vibrant vision? Does it align with quality values (and absolute integrity), or do you merely opt for the path of least resistance (or the easy way out)? Does your way emphasize value, in every conceivable manner?

7. Evaluate; emphasize; expectations: Are your hopes and expectations, your own? How do you evaluate and compare things? What do you place the most emphasis on, and why?

8. Relevance; rationale; realistic; rational: Do you avoid getting bogged down in petty issues (Don't sweat the petty stuff), and focus on the most relevant matters, first? Can you appreciate fully, your rationale, behind why you feel, and do, as you do? Is your way realistic, and achievable, and are you pursuing a rationale, but extraordinary set of realities?

Goal setting is essential, yet often quite challenging. Hopefully, this mnemonic discussion, helps you better DISCOVER your goals.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Do-You-DISCOVER-Your-Goals?&id=9443640

Being Positive Means More Than Just WISHING!

Nearly everyone realizes how important it is, to maintain a quality, consistently positive attitude! The reality is you can't become the best you can be, until and unless, you seek the best way to perform, and focus on how you can, rather than why you can't! In my over three decades of involvement in leadership training, and personal development/ self - help, I have trained thousands to not only think positively, but to also arm themselves with the tools, to be ready, willing and able, to achieve, when others fail! Maintaining a genuine, positive attitude, means not only hoping and WISHING, but proceeding in a positive way, in everything you do, and focus on!

1. Wisdom, 5 W's: Just using rhetoric which sounds positive, is far different from truly maintaining that type of attitude! When it is accompanied with a commitment to achieving and performing, and one seeks knowledge and relevant wisdom, he propels himself to maximum greatness! Great leaders understand this, yet most of us, in our everyday lives, seem to permit our fears and insecurities overwhelm our positivity and forward - thinking! To do so, we must get into the habit of asking the right questions, including: who, what, why, where and when! Who will we trust and rely on, what are our real goals, why do we do what we do, where to start, and when will be proactively proceed?

2. Ideas - oriented; interesting: What are you really interested in, and why? Would others find you, and your ideas, interesting and worthwhile? How do you come up with your central ideas, and are you propelled and focused on concepts and ideas, or do you proceed by using, merely empty rhetoric, silliness, and popularity (or lack of stress, etc)?

3. Strategic; sustainable system: Just as in leadership, each of us must strategically plan, our personal goals and priorities. Are you goals - oriented, and do you look at the larger, more sustainable, future, or do you merely proceed day - to - day, constantly applying band - aids, rather than seeking solutions. Do you look to how to become your personal best, and believe you can, or do you just do whatever is easiest, least challenging, and settle for being mediocre?

4. Head/ heart; hear; heal: Being genuinely positive, does not mean being pie - in - the - sky, unrealistic, or a dreamer! Balance your logical and emotional components, listen effectively, and proactively heal wounds, both your own, as well as others, so you can become stronger and more effective!

5. Ideology; integrity: Do you believe the ideology you articulate? Can you maintain your absolute integrity, regardless of controversy, or ease/ comfort level, when others abandon (or never attempt) theirs?

6. Needs - centric: Have you identified what makes you happiest, and what your core needs, concerns and priorities, are?

7. Generate goodwill; get results; greatness: Do you inspire others by the level of your existence? Can you get desirable results, and do you consistently focus on greatness and quality?

You can try to, but you can't really fake being positive! Begin by realizing it takes far more than mere, WISHFUL thinking!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Being-Positive-Means-More-Than-Just-WISHING!&id=9344322

In This Life You Make Your Own Success

There is a strong possibility that you are reading this article, expecting a miracle answer to why your dreams of "success" are still just dreams, and it might not become a reality anytime soon. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix solution to your dilemma. While you have high hopes and aspirations of some amazing future success, in the light of reality, such high hopes and aspirations will never come true magically. I have to add, that this is not to suggest, that your high hopes and aspirations will never come true at all. Some of you might be familiar with the phrase, "in this life you make your own success", and for those of you who are not, you better familiarize yourself with it pretty quickly, because it is absolutely true.

We all have dreams of a great future success, such as a better career, a loving family, a profitable business, or some personal goals. These dreams remain just that, dreams, because most of us do not bother to make an effort to make them become a reality. All too often people expect their dreams of success to somehow just happen at some point in the future, and then end up disappointed and frustrated, when nothing happens, and life just trudges along unchanged. We have to realize, that in order to achieve our dreams of success, we have to work for it.

If you are wondering right now why you have not had any success in your life, or you are just drifting through the years, hoping that "things will sort themselves out in the end", it is time to stop feeling as if life has dealt you a bad hand. Now is the time to take action and make your own success. While for some of us this new "take action" attitude might be a bit scary, you will soon come to the realization, that it is also incredibly liberating. By grasping this new reality that you have to work for that "elusive" future success, you also regain control of your own destiny. Life can be hard, tough, and often somewhat cruel. Some people seemingly land on their feet, and get all the success they could ever dream of, while others have to work so very hard to achieve a mediocre success, that pales in comparison. But, then again, that is life. Remember, life owes no one any favors. Rather than feeling sorry for yourself, and deluding yourself into thinking that some sort of invisible glass ceiling prevents you from achieving your dreams, adopt a completely new positive approach of "anything is possible if you work hard enough for it". Rather than handcuffing yourself to a safe life of little or no success, make the decision to take the action necessary, and work towards your life goals, dreams and aspirations. You quickly will be on the road to a better, more successful life, full of satisfaction and joyous achievements. So, what are you waiting for? It is time for you to take the reins of your life, work hard, and make your own success.

Your imagination gives you the power to find the means you require to design the life of your dreams. Keep your focus on the desired outcome, your dream lifestyle. The road to your destination will not be a straight line, like logic would suggest, but a series of zigs and zags. It is your imagination that will lead you anywhere you want to go. Dare to dream big, and follow your dreams in order to make the best out of your life.

http://ezinearticles.com/?In-This-Life-You-Make-Your-Own-Success&id=9380450

Success and Fame

Most of us somehow treat these two terms - Success and Fame as synonymous. That is precisely where success and its definition and the attendant emotions need careful understanding. After all there are many students who take to careers; many professionals who transition keeping this one goal of being successful. They may not use the word 'success' but would equate it with personal goals like achieving a particular designation, or maybe a pay package or maybe becoming a SME (subject matter expert).

There have been changing trends in the professional world, which was working in Public sector in 60s and 70s in India. This moved to working for Multi-national companies in the 90s, IT sector in the millennium and today we have the start-up wave. At all times, these were at best, external manifestation of success as the world conjured up meanings for us. The fact is, absence of an objective definition of success, enticed many professionals to follow these trends. All through these changes, happiness eluded those people who had not defined success with a personal meaning and an internal measure. A person wanting to do original work could get frustrated in a family run company with a rigid hierarchy and rules. While a person looking for job security could feel insecure in the professionally run organisation where only performance did the talking.

Not only is absence of an internal definition of success fraught with risk of not enjoying your success, but the Success, which the world confers, is ephemeral and not a true representation of the person's achievement. When we leave the definition to the world we land up with the delusion that success and fame go hand in hand. Let me use the example of Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi of India. The irony is best captured by the fact that most of us were left googling for him when his name got announced by the Nobel Awards Committee in 2014.

Let us ponder and discuss this man's success in his mission of preventing child trafficking and slavery. The key query which gets provoked is

His successful work in this field lead to the Nobel Prize being conferred on him OR

He became successful after this prize.

Can we call him successful even if he was not a Nobel Laureate? Interesting to realise that such questions are deeply discomforting for many of us and we may dismiss it. It is because we somehow believe that these cannot be applied to us working professionals and entrepreneurs. The discomfort is simply because we realise in our depths of our personality that we choose to decide what success would mean for me. But, but how can success, not acknowledged by the world, be Success really!!!? So without thinking much, we leave the definition for the world to decide.

If you Google for Kailash Satyarthi in 2012 you would get some 300 results which has now in 2016 has gone up 6 times. Is this fact a measure of success? Did Kailash Satyarthi work for this? Let us assume for argument that he somewhere in the corner of his heart did toy with the dream that he might noticed for his work. Even if he did that, it looks highly improbable that the prospective fame could have been motivating for him to take up such a noble work.

In fact true achievers work and achieve success, so that the cause they are working for, gets noticed. They are clearly subservient to the cause and they are vocal about it. They use the awareness of their work to leverage and enhance the circle of its impact. The word fame is about getting noticed by a wider audience to the advantages of the cause they working for. It enables soliciting support to enrol more interested volunteers. Equally and more critically it dramatically enhances the reach to prospective clients and beneficiaries of the services.

True achieves never get carried away by the awe, admiration and adulation which follows their success. They stonewall themselves so that they do not lose track of their objectives. Ordinary mortals can rarely differentiate the person from the cause or the organisation and more importantly the purpose it serves in society. Even today a Successful businessman, Successful Company, Successful Brands and Succesful products have a very fuzzy understanding.

Successful people are those who are keen to make a difference to people's lives through their products and services and ensure that they do a good job of creating, delivering and monetising the value. This gets acknowledged which we called fame. Fame generally has a domino effect and from the product spread to the brand, company and the finally the person very quickly.

Those who have the awareness and pragmatism to realise his source of fame, will remain grounded and work for future success rather than 'basking' in the glory. They are many more Entrepreneurs and businessmen who are almost unknown and love to be behind the scenes. It is a strategy which has enhanced their deep sense of happiness and fulfilment. They are fulfilled by the fame his company, team, products and brand are deriving from society.

Like these people, let us clearly define our internal measure of success so that we do no entertain any such expectation that our success will be noticed by the world at large and acknowledged as fame. It is important to realise that famous products and people is not at all a measure of their 'goodness' or 'utility'. Also Fame has nothing to do with the internal experience of Success called happiness. Hollywood and Bollywood starts bear testimony to this statement.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-and-Fame&id=9384935

How To Upgrade And Enhance Your Professional Development Plan

Your professional development plan should not be boring. In fact, it should be making you feel eager and excited. This plan will help you develop the skills you need to thrive and excel in the workplace. It will also make you a standout employee in nearly every commercial environment. Following are a few ways to ramp these efforts up for increased enjoyment and greater benefits.

A lot of people think that their training always has to be industry-specific. Unless your employer has strict requirements that you must adhere to, you have unlimited options in learning to choose from. This means that you can start participating in instruction that you actually like and that also moves you a bit closer to your own personal goals.

Sign up to learn a new language. Not only will this add value to your CV, but it will also increase your ability to engage with foreign clients. Choose a language that is commonly used in your current work environment. In addition to becoming a fluent speaker, make sure that you develop strong, bi-lingual writing skills as well. This is known as being bi-literate and it can increase your professional value many times over.

Think about getting your license to perform a service that your company usually outsources. This could save your employer a hefty sum of cash. This is also a great way to prime yourself for promotion. Just make sure that you are fully certified before the position you want becomes available.

Look for a diverse range of training opportunities as this will make your professional profile more appealing to prospective employers. Veering outside of the norm will set you apart from the colleagues that you are currently competing with in your field. It will additionally give you the ability to supply more services and solve more problems for any company that you work for.

Take a writing class to improve your written communication skills. Do not be afraid to experiment with different writing types as all of these can benefit your ability to draft impressive letters and word yourself in a formal and appealing way. You may even be able to help your company maintain its professional blog once you have complete a creative writing workshop.

Learn stress management skills by attending a special seminar and retreat. Not only do your employers want you to be adept in managing their operations, but they'll also want you to know how to continue functioning well in tense and stressful situations. Not only will you learn how to control negative and unpleasant emotions while you're away, but you're virtually guaranteed to have some fun in the process.

Start learning web design skills, even if your current employer isn't in the technology industry. This will give you the ability to troubleshoot website problems and make informed selections on how to improve company web pages. SQL training courses, CSS and HTML classes will all make you infinitely more valuable in every professional role you fill. Courses like these are always worth the necessary investment of money and time.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Upgrade-And-Enhance-Your-Professional-Development-Plan&id=9384578

The Importance of D.O.D: Desire, Optimism and Dream

I had a weekend of reflecting of the past few months and I realize I've been focusing on day-to-day work, family and 'my life' stuff.

But I have not really thought much beyond the short term 'stuff'.

It is obvious to me that if I continue in the same pattern, it will be yet another New Year before I know it!

That is OK, yet there are lots of things I want to do and experience. I know what will happen if I don't schedule them in or give these ideas some serious thought... they simply won't happen.

So, today I will take out my calendar and pencil in some of those activities and things I want to experience this year.

What about you? Are there things you would like to do? Have you set some plans in motion, penciled in dates on your calendar? Do you have some activities or even personal goals you would like to include this year?

As I sat down with my pen and paper to put down my ideas of the things I want to do and experiences I wish to create, I came up with this acronym.

D.O.D.

D - Desire:

What do you want to do or create this year? What do you truly desire? Take 5-10 minutes to quietly ponder the possibilities.

Simply allow yourself to open up to your hearts deepest desires. Maybe you want to travel, take a course, or move to a new location. Think of it as a game.

Wouldn't it be cool to... lose weight, become stronger, join a yoga class, or participate in a marathon? Wouldn't it be fun to shop for new clothes, to climb a pyramid, or go sailing?

I like to use self-hypnosis to get into that deep relaxed state where my conscious analytic mind is quiet and I can listen to my inner voice. I believe it is a good idea to consider desires in many categories of our lives.

For example, we may want to brainstorm ideas around our wealth and prosperity, yet we don't want to ignore our relationships or health.

Taking time to consider all aspects of our life and what we desire in each area is a positive step in creating balance and happiness in our lives.

If we focus only in one area, career and money for example, we may miss opportunities to grow and flourish in our relationships. Both are important to our happiness.

O - Optimism:

When an idea comes to you, allow yourself to expand on it in a positive way.

Sometimes we squash our ideas before we even allow our minds to completely formulate the complete idea. Do you do that sometimes?

Maybe you came up with the idea you would like to participate in long distance bike ride. You don't even own a bike, so you immediately dismiss the idea. Stop. Allow yourself to have some fun with the thought.

What would it feel like to go on a long distance bike ride? Who would you go with? What would you see? What would you have to do before hand to make this happen and is it something that would you would enjoy? Does this idea stir up some excitement for you? If it does, allow yourself to begin to...

D - Dream:

When you acknowledge a desire, whether it is a desire to travel, learn something new, change a habit or create something, and then you add a splash of optimism... you get a DREAM.

Continue to allow that idea or thought to grow and intensify; allow your mind to expand on this desire.

This is how DREAMS begin.

I consider myself an expert DREAMER! LOL! I am experienced and have created a lot of cool things in my life, through DREAMING.

Use the D.O.D. to get started; allow your mind to drift and play with ideas. All DREAMS begin with an idea.

Years ago, when I was first married we had many dreams of travel and adventure. One of those dreams was to live on a sailboat and sail the ocean blue.

A crazy idea for a young couple! How could we possibly make this dream come true?

We found it fun to dream of the 'what ifs'...

Many people would consider these thoughts as impossible possibilities. We played with this thought... this idea. When we travelled we noticed the sailboats, we imagined where we would go and what we would see.

Did you know, your imagination is a very important tool that we often do not use?

As children we are encouraged to use with our imagination and we are encouraged to play pretend. Once we enter school life gets serious and often imagination and daydreams are not welcome.

School is a time for hard work and focus, not pretend. This is when many of us begin to get the idea that life is hard work and dreams are for children. I do not believe this.

Back to sailing... life progressed and our dreams continued in the back of our minds until we found ourselves living in Costa Rica taking tourists out for day trips!

A few years later, we were pinching ourselves as we sailed from island to island in the Caribbean on our new home... a 42 foot Catamaran sailboat.

So, yes, I do believe DREAMS can come true when we take D.O.D. seriously.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-D.O.D:-Desire,-Optimism-and-Dream&id=8982356