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"... if we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin." ~ Ivan Turgenev

Do you regularly find yourself saying that you'll get to it later.  Do you feel like there are things you have to do before you do the things you need to do?  Sometimes you just have to get started.  Sure, there are times when you need to go in order but, most times that is just an excuse. 

Stop making up reasons not to do the things you need to get started.  If you wait, time passes you. 

Affirmation -- Say: "I will begin something today."

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” ~ John Lennon

It is important to be prepared. To reach goals in life and business, you have to have a plan to attain them. Work diligently to set a path for yourself.

However, don’t get too narrow. You have many goals. Don’t work too hard at one goal at the expense of other goals or things in your life. I know a man that worked so hard to provide a roof over his kid’s head that he was never home to raise his kids.

Work hard but remember the moments in life and the important people in life. What do you and they really need? Take a moment to dial it back if it’s out of control and you are too focused on one goal.

Affirmation – Say: “I will make sure that all things in my life are given the right amount of attention.”

Consider your sources

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. ~Anais Nin

Anytime you think you are factual about a situation, think again. Objectivity is nearly impossible. You can improve your outlook by first checking your own agenda. Your beliefs and desires will skew anything. When listening to others - consider the source. Who are they? Who are you? These two questions will have impact in any circumstance - even something that appears to be neutral.

If you factor in your point of view and the other persons point of view, you will have a better perspective.

Affirmation – Say: “I will consider all sources in every situation and this will help me make better decisions.”

Advice

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." ~ Erica Jong

How many times do you ask for advice and never take it?  There are many reasons for this.

• You want someone else to blame for something not working
• The advice is not right for you at this moment in time.
• What you are told to do is too daunting.
• You didn't like the answer.
• Procrastination with things you don't want to do.
• The person who gave you the advice didn't have enough information.

Instead of asking for advice - do some soul searching.  Ask yourself questions related to your problem.  Take the time to break things down and do the pros and cons.  It's ok to ask what others would do in your situation but, stop short of having others tell you what to do.  Find the answers within yourself and watch yourself grow.

Affirmation: "I will seek the answers to my own questions.  It will make me stronger."

Socialize

“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Are you feeling lonely? Is it getting you down? Feel isolated? Then you need to reach out. When you feel that there is no one in the world but you, then you can get fatigued and unmotivated to do anything. Reaching out to others and creating wonderful experience can rejuvenate you. It will help you reach your goals. A simple phone call, a dinner out, tea or coffee with someone will create some inspirations and remind you that not only are you not alone but you are in good company with which to share your dreams.

Affirmation: “I will talk to someone about my dreams and how they will come true.”

Rich

“Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” ~ Sarah Bernherdt 

Abundance comes to those that think about money in a healthy way. If you worry about debt then you are living in the past. Don’t ignore it and don’t beat yourself up with how you got there.  Instead, focus on what you can create to fill your life and amazingly, you will fill your wallet, too.

Affirmation: “I will make money by pursuing my dreams.”

Choose happiness

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." ~ Riki Lynn Tull

It is not easy to control your thoughts and attitude.  It takes practice to get it right.  If you remind yourself daily that you are the only one that has the power to make yourself happy - then you will see it happen.  Constant water carves out rivers, gorges and the Grand Canyon.  Small happy thoughts everyday will make a difference.  Give it a try.  Otherwise, let others and other events control you and your destiny.  What do you have to lose?

Affirmation: "I have the power to control my thoughts and change my attitude no matter what happens to me."

Change

“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw

So many want to do better, be better, do different, be different – however, until you change your thought processes and beliefs, you will always end up in the same place you were before. The mind is so powerful, it can trick you. The last thing your brain wants you to do is change because that might mean you’ve been wrong. Just because you did something different and it didn’t work, it doesn’t make it wrong. 

It’s time – it’s time to change your mind.

Affirmation: “I will change my thoughts and beliefs so that I can be what I aspire to be.”

Support

“Here is the basic rule for winning success. Let's mark it in the mind and remember it. The rule is: Success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be in is the support of other people.” - David Joseph Schwartz

All sports teams have their fans! Who are your fans? Are you constantly surrounding yourself with people that want to hold you back or people who cheer you on? The winning sport team is the one with all the fans yelling and cheering them on…even when they are down. It may not be your partner or your family or even friends but there is support our there for you. Your fans are the support you need when you are succeeding and when you are struggling. Find them – you need them.

Affirmation – say: “I will find support of people who believe in me and my goals.”

Help

“Tell everyone what you want to do and someone will want to help you do it.” -- W. Clement Stone

Many of us are too proud to ask for help. Or maybe it’s just not in our personality. Also, it’s possible we want those to pay better attention to our struggles and help us. Guess what? Not everyone is that in tune to you. Not everyone can read your mind or is focused on what you might need.

People want to help you! I promise. They just need to be asked.

Affirmation -- Say: I will ask for help when I need it.

Your Gift

The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away ~ Joy J. Golliver 

If you have discovered your life passion, yet you do not share, then you are not living your life purpose. As a matter of fact, you are being rather selfish if you do not share your gift with the world. You need to shout to the world all that you have to offer. You are not pushy, you are genuine. There are people in this world that will only be able to connect to you and no one else.

Affirmation – say: “I will share my gift to the world.”

Opinions

“Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinions of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.” - Katherine Mansfield 

It’s good to get feedback – but only when you ask for it. Heed good criticisms but don’t let them paralyze you! Others will try to influence you but they might not be coming from a place that is right for you. It’s easy to take other people’s advice because if it doesn’t work out then we can blame them! No more! There will be many times when you just need to do what you have to do – regardless of others warnings. They aren’t always right!

Affirmation – say: “I will trust my own judgment and go for it.”

Lean

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” - Bob Moawad

It's super important to get support from others and get help - but, be very careful to not lean too hard. They might not be able to hold you up or they may not know that are supposed to hold you up. This could lead to a hard and unpleasant fall. When you ask for help be sure to also figure out a way to do it yourself later. Let them teach you to be stronger!

Affirmation – say: “ I will ask for help and then learn to do it on my own.”

Alone

“You're only lonely if you're not there for you.” – Phil C. McGraw

The lonely times in life are when you don’t love yourself. Relying solely on others for self worth will create loneliness. If you are lonely reach out to yourself first – do something for yourself that brings a smile to your face. Loneliness is a world you create for yourselves and only you can undo the loneliness. First desire it and then act upon it.

Affirmation – Say: “I will choose to leave loneliness behind me. I will find love within myself.”

Adversity

“Sometimes we think that if we hang on to our anger and bad attitude, we show that it’s not ok – but real strength is smiling in adversity.” - unknown

Life can be tough – there is no doubt. It’s only as tough as we make it. We have choices on how we view the rough times in life. It is easy to complain. It takes real strength to let things go or see the good in a situation. If you are angry at someone or a situation, try letting go. It drains your energy and makes you ineffective at solving problems. In other words, take the high road and make wonderful things happen.

Affirmation – say: “I will let go of anger and I will forgive so that I may become stronger.”

Problems

“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.” - Unknown

There is another saying, if the only tool you have is a hammer then everything is a nail. If everything is a problem you will always be negative. Mentally, shift your problems into learning moments and / or opportunities. Think to yourself – how can I change this into something good.

Affirmation – say: “I will flip my problems into opportunities and lessons to learn.”

Abilities

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” - Lou Holtz

Sometimes it is hard to have faith in our abilities. We are all capable in some way or another. Don't let the small things get you down or the harsh things others might say stop you. Believe in yourself and your abilities - the only thing keeping you from where you want to be is yourself.

Affirmation – say: “I will achieve because I believe.”

Risk

“The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.” - Jawaharlal Nehru

Go ahead and take that risk! What are you afraid of? That your life will be different? Better? You will have to settle with your life, as it is, if you take no risks. Status quo is only ok for a moment - if only to catch a breath but, the moment you stop taking risk is the moment you stop growing…moving…improving.

Affirmation – Say: “I will take that risk in order to grow and prosper.”

Try

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher

Are you trying to leap Mount Everest with one bound? Are you trying to do it ALL at the same time? Think out the process of what it is that you are trying to accomplish. Break it down to small steps and do only what you can today. No one says you have to finish your entire goal today. Start with something small and simple. Build upon what you start.

Affirmation – say: “I will try a little today and a little tomorrow and I will create success one step at a time.”

Determination

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” -- George Sheehan

You will become the person you were meant to be when you realize that there are no other options. Determination is when you decide that nothing is going to stop you. Are you letting things and people stop you? What are you telling yourself? What excuses are you using?

Affirmation – say: “I am determined to keep going and nothing will stop me.”