Archive for March, 2009
I just HAD to share this with you
Posted by: | CommentsFor the first time in recent months I’m truly excited. Let me
explain.
I know all of you are working your tails off to create a better
life for yourselves through entrepreneurship or at your job. And
it’s far from a cake-walk for most people, especially right now.
Well… I have someone you NEED to meet.
He’s a no-frills “regular” guy who went from getting laid off 4
times in six years to building three (yes three) million-dollar
businesses, *all* of which are run from his home office.
Most importantly, he designed it so he could live his dream of
spending time with his wife and kids – AND playing electric guitar
every day in his home recording studio! (as you’ll see, he plays a
pretty decent guitar 
The most amazing part is *how* he was able to make all of it
happen… you really need to see this…
Take 2 minutes right now and go here:
http://www.chargedaudio.com/go/beproductive1/
See you on the page.
Yours Truly,
Greg Frost
P.S. Almost forgot – he’s giving away over $697 in FR.EE training
that can be applied to your business or worklife TODAY… check it
out now:
http://www.chargedaudio.com/go/beproductive1/
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5 Great Techniques to Realize Your Goals
Posted by: | CommentsGoals keep us motivated. But sometimes, people find it too hard to achieve their goals. Maybe because they have set long-term goals before setting short-term ones, or they did not plan their goals carefully.
Goal-setting strategies are important especially for those who want to achieve long-term goals. Here are five goal-setting techniques to help you realize them.
Start with short-term goals that will lead you to long-term ones. Sometimes, people start with short-term goals unconsciously. Why unconsciously? Some of them may have considered the goals to be long-term at the time they planned them; and after achieving a goal, they realize that they are in fact, looking forward to a longer one. Some are contented with their short-term goals, but after a while will realize that they also need to attain long-term ones. Short-term goals seem to be our set off for longer ones. They will motivate the person to plan for longer goals, which will usually take some time before achieving them in full.
Make sure you really want the goal. By this, you have to ask yourself: “Do I really want this goal? Will this goal give me a better life?” Answering these questions will give you more passion to achieve your goal. Some people recall their past to find out why and how they came up with such goal.
Speak up. By this, it means you shouldn’t keep your goals to yourself only. Sharing your goals could help you get the support you may need from others. Some people are too shy to tell others about their goals for reasons like they are afraid they cannot achieve these in the end, or they lack the courage to speak up their minds. This is not a good habit because when the time comes that you really need their support, you will have a difficult time to get such support. You will then have to achieve your goals all by yourself. Also, sharing the fruits of your goals is uplifting to the mind and spirit.
Write down your goals. This strategy is more advisable for those who have a long list of goals. After writing them, it is advisable to review them because this will encourage you to achieve them.
Stay on track and don’t give up. Reviewing notes will help open your mind to see if you are on the right track. While on track, you may have to face challenges that might change your personality. A person who is overconfident might suddenly feel depressed after finding out that he is going the wrong way in achieving his goal. Thus this might lead to abandoning the goal. Never be discouraged. Facing obstacles is a test on how passionate one is to realize his goal.
Afraid of Losing? If You Are, Then You Already Did
Posted by: | CommentsDoes the fear of losing keep you from pursuing your dreams? Remember that everything begins in the mind. If you think you will lose and if you anticipate losing, you have already lost.
Gambling is not the issue here. A person who thinks that gambling is his way out of a wretched life loses just the same. A person who always relies on luck and uses gambling as a source of income also loses big time.
This type of person views gambling as a risk worth taking regardless of the effect it has on him. Gambling makes a person lazy and reinforces belief on easy money. Deep within that person, he is losing part of his self-respect every time he engages in gambling.
Now, put yourself in the shoes of a neophyte salesperson. First time salespersons usually have this kind of dilemma: to be or not to be; to approach or not to approach the customer. Your fear of not being able to sell or get an order makes you back out even before you try.
If you do not make the act of approaching the customer for an order, you already lost it. But, if you do, you still have a good chance of getting an order or learning a lesson. Of course, it depends on your convincing power of salesmanship. You have to be honest regarding your products or services. Do not promise what you cannot deliver. Deliver more than what you promise. These are just some of the steps towards establishing a lasting relationship with your customer.
Let us examine in detail the basis for your inaction, which is essentially the basis of your fear. What is your excuse for not approaching the customer or for not getting that order?
Fear can make you lose an order. It can stop you on your tracks as you approach the customer. Fear can stop you from doing an action because it can overwhelm you and make you afraid of taking a “no” for an answer.
Actually, there is probably an underlying reason for your anxiety, one that links to the fear of losing your job. If your performance is below par, expect to be fired. Your performance has to be above par. To be able to do this, get rid of the fear of losing. Adopt a mindset that echoes, “I can and will get that order.”
Let us take the perspective of an aspiring businessperson. A first time entry into any business venture normally results to nervousness due to fear of losing his capital. This fear escalates especially when the capital comes from hard-earned savings. Seeing hard earned savings go to waste as a result of a bankrupt business can drive anyone crazy. If this happens, he will have to start saving again; that is, if he is still young and has the physical stamina to do so.
The fear of losing is just one side of reality. Let us check out the other side, which emphasizes the courage to win.
Again, everything begins in the mind. Maintain the desire to win. Encourage your mind to nurture the courage to win. Take some calculated risks. Be optimistic while keeping your feet on the ground. Be creative and think out of the box.
If you continue delaying your plans to achieve success because of your fears, you lose valuable time that could otherwise have been used for fruitful ventures. If you eventually decide to scrap or abandon your plans, you lose the chance of a lifetime. Time lost is irreversible.
So, are you willing to confront your fears?
The Art of Adapting to Change
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the main reasons that may hinder us from reaching our
innermost goals and desires is our inability to be flexible.
This fact may be hard to swallow, but it’s true. We do
everything we can to eliminate any type of suffering in our
lives, yet challenges and pressures can bring out the best
in us.
If you have been burdened by mistakes in the past, learn from
them, forget about them, and move on. Some people tend to
focus on how bad their lives have been due to these mistakes.
As a result, they remained stuck in their miserable lives.
Treat your mistakes as lessons, and apply them as learning
references in your future endeavors.
So what if you invested in a business and you lose a ton of
money? In this situation, some people would remain deeply
discouraged for a long time that their personal lives are
being affected negatively. They can’t eat well and they
just stare at the ceiling all night long, thinking how this
bad incident happened. Furthermore, they would probably vow
not to venture into new opportunities again.
You don’t have to be like them. If you’re afraid to fail,
then you risk all your chances to achieve your goals in life.
Try again; but this time, be more careful and use your past
mistakes as guide maps.
Look at it this way. If you try, at least you get a 50%
chance of getting what you want. But if you did not try
at all, you have absolutely no chance of attaining your
desires in life. It’s a no-brainer.
But when you try, make sure you follow through. I’ve met
so many people who have accepted my proposal to write
reports for me, but most of them would stop right in the
middle of their work and quit. They have the drive to
start, but they lack the motivation to go through all the
difficulties. Yes, this is another fact of life. Those
who persist may have some hell of a time at present, but
they shall have the last laugh.
Let’s fast forward into the future. Let’s say you did try,
you followed through, and you succeeded. Congratulations.
So you became wealthy by reaping the fruits of your labor.
This does not mean you’ll stay in that situation for good.
Problems may rise again, so always be ready to adjust to
the current situation. The only thing permanent in this
world is change.
If you need to sacrifice something for a better cause,
then do it. If you have to miss your favorite show on
TV or if you have to deny your friends’ invitation to go
out on a Saturday night so that you can devote more time
to those activities that will lead you closer to your
goals, so be it.
You may encounter difficulties. You may receive criticisms.
You may even be regarded as being “different” or “strange”
by other people. Don’t let them discourage you. Just
keep on striving, and success will be yours for the taking.
5 Incredibly Simple Ways to a Grand Vacation
Posted by: | CommentsPicture yourself sipping an ice-cold soda and lounging on a hammock. Visualize squishing your toes in powder white sand and enjoying the aquamarine view, uninterrupted by the gentle waves.
Imagine a life without worries, deadlines, or pressure – just uninterrupted bliss and pure pleasure. Ah, this is life! Truly a dream vacation!
Taking a breather from the daily routine is a healthy practice. However, it might not turn up well if the vacationers are not able to plan the travel very meticulously. So to make that trip unforgettable, pleasant, and memorable, here are some suggestions:
Make a plan. Schedule your trips ahead of time. This allows you to have the time to check and adjust for possible conflicts in schedules. Make a list of possible places to go to, as well as activities to engage in. Be flexible in your time frame and make allowances for delays in travel or extensions in stay.
Seek advice from people who have been to your dream destination. They might have a number of tips to share to make your trip hassle-free and cost-effective. Also, make use of other sources of information. The internet has lots of details on travel destinations.
Be prepared. If you plan to travel abroad, fix all your travel documents to avoid the hassles of having to negotiate with customs or immigration officials, or to avoid delayed trips. Make sure your travel documents are valid for the length of your vacation. Moreover, it will be wise to make certified duplicate copies of important files such as your birth and insurance certificates and even credit card records. Do not hesitate to avail of the services of accredited travel agencies if you are not aware of the policies that govern vacationers like you.
Prepare your pocket. Travels, especially abroad, require much expenditure. If this is your first time to visit the place, prepare to stretch the budget and reserve some for miscellaneous expenses. Avail of foreign exchange services at the bank, not at airports and terminals. Check for the expiry dates of your credit cards for you to enjoy continuous shopping and avoid embarrassment. Stretch your cash by seeking out affordable packages for your dream vacation and by availing of discounts or special season rates. Again, friends who have been there can help you in finding hotels, restaurants, tourist spots, and souvenirs that are reasonably priced.
Pack lightly but wisely. For your own convenience, pack lightly but be sure to bring the necessities: clothing, money, documents, personal hygiene products etc. A week before leaving, check the weather bulletins in your destination to help you in deciding items to pack. Also, do not bring objects that may cause airport delays, such as weapons.
Avoid lugging large bottles of shampoos and lotions. Travel packs are available to help you travel lightly. Make no mistake of bringing that jacket when traveling to a tropical island get-away. Instead of a jacket, pack a sarong or a wrap-around to keep you warm on chilly nights. It also works great as a mat on the beach.
Take security precautions. Secure a map of the area and numbers of important local institutions such as the hospital, police station and convenience stores. Don’t wander in a foreign place alone. Orient yourself with its landmarks, food, language, customs, and its inhabitants. Be familiar with the cultural peculiarities of locals to avoid offending them.
Always keep a good eye on your belongings and do not show off your cell phone, camera, wallet or cash. Be cautious when dealing with strangers. Always lock your luggage.
Maintain a good physical condition. Consult a physician to assess your capability to travel and engage in strenuous activities. Bring your medicines and vitamins, if necessary. Be careful of what you eat and drink while on vacation. Stay on the safe side and drink only bottled or mineral water.
Just follow all these and you are all set for a grand vacation!
5 Fun Things to Do With Your Preschooler during a Blackout
Posted by: | CommentsBlackouts may be rare, but you’ll want to be ready when a power outage does happen. Aside from the usual safety measures, you should also prepare for some activities to occupy your preschooler with during a blackout. When power is interrupted during the day, 3 to 5 year-old children may become bored and uncomfortable. When it happens at night however, darkness can turn their mild discomfort into anxiety.
Here are five fun activities that you and your preschooler can enjoy even without electricity. The first two can make your preschooler more comfortable when power outage happens in the daytime.
1. Take your preschooler gardening. If the power failure occurs when it’s too hot to stay indoors without an electric fan or the air conditioner, cool your child outside with some gardening. If you already have a garden, let your child help you water the plants and pull out the weeds. Talk to your child about the different flowers and plants in around your house. If you don’t have a garden or a yard, you can help your preschooler start a plant in a pot. Try tomatoes or cucumbers, as they have seed packets with care instructions available in many supermarkets. These vegetables can grow as well in pots (12 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep) as they do in a garden. Your preschooler will enjoy taking care of this plant, always remembering that it was “born” on that day when the power was out. Imagine his delight when the first vegetable begins to grow!
2. Do some Kiddy Yoga. If the electricity is out on a cold day when you wish you had the heater, have fun with your preschooler and keep warm at the same time with Kiddy Yoga. Bring out some mats, and lie down flat on your backs. Begin with breathing exercises and do some stretching. Then choose the simplest poses and positions that your preschooler can manage. You need not be ‘by the book’ with the Yoga disciplines. Rather, have fun with different positions that develop your child’s flexibility and balance. Create names for the different poses that your child can identify with, like the Pelican (for one-leg stands), or the Camel (for arched backs).
These last three activities are designed to redirect your child’s nervous energy during a blackout at night time. If you have a toddler or preschooler at home, it’s handy to keep a spare plastic flashlight with batteries, aside from the ones you really keep for the house. A flashlight can become an interesting toy when the power is out. Just remind your child to never shine the light directly into his or anyone else’s eyes.
3. Play ‘Blackout Tag’ – To play this game, find a wide open space inside your house. Point the beam of the flashlight onto the floor, then tell your child to try to “step” on the light with his foot. When your child is just about to stomp on the lit spot, suddenly shift the light a foot to the right, or a bit to the left. Your preschooler will have fun trying to chase the light with his foot. Of course, once in a while, let your child “catch” the light by successfully stomping his foot on it. After five good stomps, you can switch roles and have him shine the light on the floor while you try to chase it with your foot. You can’t tell him to be easy on you though, so be prepared to run and dance around that beam!
4. Play ‘Spotlight’. Find a cozy nook inside your house, and settle there comfortably with your child. Make sure you are both facing outwards, towards the rest of the room. Now using your flashlight, put the “spotlight” on different objects around the room. Ask your preschooler to try and name each object you put the spotlight on, as quickly as he can. Keep it interesting by shining in various directions. You can focus on high things attached to ceiling (“light bulb”, “wind chimes”), and low objects found by the floor. Alternate the spotlight between objects that are familiar and unfamiliar to your child. You can also switch to another room. This is a good way to introduce your preschooler to the names of things around the house and build on his vocabulary, even if it is in the dark.
5. Roast marshmallows over a fire. This activity is a sure winner with your child. Instead of feeling fearful and gloomy in the dark, make it a fun “pretend camp” for your preschooler where she can roast marshmallows over the fire. If you don’t have a fireplace, even the flame of a solidly set candle will do. Just don’t make the marshmallow touch the wick of the candle or the wax. Supervise your child carefully around any kind flame and watch him devour the yummy, gooey treats.
With these five creative and enjoyable activities, you just might find your preschooler looking forward to the next black-out!
4 Powerful Ways To Fire Up Your Motivation
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s so difficult to go on when everything seems to fail, isn’t
it? Are there times in your life when you really want to call
it “quits” because you just can’t see any good results from all
the hard work you’ve done?
Hold your horses!
Never ever think of giving up. Winners never quit and quitters
never win. Take all negative words out of your mental dictionary
and focus on the solutions with utmost conviction and patience.
The battle is never lost until you’ve abandon your vision.
But what if you’re really exhausted physically, mentally, and
most of all emotionally? Here are some sources of motivation
to prompt you in reaching the peak of accomplishment.
1) The Overwhelming Feeling of Attaining your Desired End
How would you feel after accomplishing your mission? Of course
you will feel ecstatic. You might be shedding tears of joy. Let
this tremendous feeling sink in and encourage you to persist
despite all odds.
When I was studying for the Board Exams, I used this technique
to motivate me. I would envision the sweetness of folks calling
me a CPA. It would command respect. People will look up to
me as a higher level of authority. And I would have better
chances of finding a good job. I absorbed all these great
perceptions into my inner being in order to achieve my ultimate
goal.
2) The Reward System
How would you feel if you’ve entered a contest, but there are no
prizes for the winners? It’s not very encouraging, isn’t it?
The same principles apply to your vision. Reward yourself after
accomplishing a goal. Set a particular incentive for every
objective.
Let’s say if you’ve achieved a particular task, you’ll treat
yourself to your favorite restaurant. When you’ve finished
a bigger task, you’ll go on a vacation.
Got the idea?
Just set something gratifying to indulge in after completing
a certain undertaking.
3) The Powerful Force of Humanity
If you want to succeed, surround yourself with the right
kind of people who will support and encourage you all the
way.
Be with people who have the same beliefs and aspirations as
yours. Positive aura is generated by this fusion of
collective energy from people of “like minds.”
On the contrary, being with people who oppose your ways of
thinking may trigger a negative, yet very powerful, kind of
motivation.
Has anyone ever said to you that “You’ll never get anywhere”
or “You’re wasting your time with what you’re doing?”
Didn’t it made you furious and determined enough to prove to
them how wrong they were? This is what I’m talking about.
When aggravated, you will do anything to make those who are
against you swallow their words. But of course, your main
focus should be on the accomplishment of your goal and not
for the purpose of revenge. Never let your emotions toward
others alter your main objective.
4) Take Care Of Your Health
Exercise regularly. Fill your brains with enough oxygen to
allow you to do your daily tasks with more vigor and energy.
Take regular breaks if time allows. Having the will power
to continue despite all hardships is extremely important, but
you should still know your limits.
If you don’t take enough rest, you will not be able to think
clearly and you will not be able to do your tasks properly.
In the process, you will just get more frustrated.
Take sufficient sleep and recharge yourself after a hard day’s
work. Never, ever ignore your health. I’ve learned my lesson
when I sacrificed my health for the sake of success. I’ve
worked very long hours everyday and just got minimal sleep.
As a result, I became ill.
It’s not worth it. Success won’t matter if you don’t have
good health to enjoy it.
Fire up your motivation and live life to the fullest!
Double or Triple Your Time in a Day
Posted by: | CommentsThey say that time is much more important than wealth. Most effective people think so. They know how to get more time in a day, and they have mastered the art of utilizing time effectively to do more productive things that contribute to their advancement or success. So how do they do it?
Proven Technique Number 1 – They delegate and assign simple routinary tasks to other people so that they can have more free time to do as they please.
This is very elementary but of great significance. If you have the money, hire people to do the housework, the repairing, and even some of your office jobs. Let others do the research. But of course, you have to reward them accordingly so they will get motivated to render their services again.
You can then focus on the more important things in life, like planning and managing your activities.
Proven Technique Number 2 – They plan seriously.
The less time you think you have, the more critical it is for you to plan. By planning carefully, you’ll be able to manage your time better and avoid costly mistakes that eat up much more of your time.
You might say that you’re so busy you don’t even have time to plan. Maybe you can insert some time planning while doing your other activities. The planning phase is very important in organizing your thoughts to carry out the desired effects.
You might say that this is boring stuff, but you should never underestimate this process. This is like a guideline to steer you into the right direction.
Your plan will be your road map. Spend enough time to ponder through the different approaches and activities, and you will soon realize that you can save a lot more time by doing this.
It will be best if you can choose a quiet place to make your plan.
Your mind can focus and think more clearly this way.
Every individual has his unique perception of a well-made plan. There are no specific rules in making it. But in case you’re in a tight situation, let me give you some tips.
Write down your objective. This is a precise definition of your target.
Brainstorm the strategies & tactics you will employ to accomplish your objective.
Assess the advantages & disadvantages of carrying out those strategies & choose those tactics where the pros outweigh the cons.
Set a timeline or deadline in completing your mission.
Make modifications & back-up plans in case Plan A doesn’t work.
As your plan evolves, you will gain experience. Learn from your mistakes.
Most important of all, don’t delay. Start applying what you have learned today, and have lots of great time!
Don’t Let Procrastination Keep You Down
Posted by: | CommentsAuthor Denis Waitley believes that one of the main causes of procrastination is a fear of success. “People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now,” he explains. And Miguel Cervantes, the author of Don Quijote, wrote that “delay always breeds danger, and to protract a great design is often to ruin it.”
Great thinkers throughout history have known that procrastination is the main reason people fail to live more rewarding and more prosperous lives. Take this quiz to find out if a fear of success is causing procrastination in your life:
• Are you passionate about the life you’re living? Have you discovered your mission in life? Do you have a written list of long-term and short-term goals you want to achieve?
• Do you always ask yourself which of several tasks is the best way to spend your time? Do you always ask which task should be your higher priority in view of your short-term and long-term goals?
• If you won a large amount of money, would you continuing living as you are now? Are you living the kind of life that even money can’t buy?
• Do you concentrate on the job you’re doing in the present, rather than feeling sorry for yourself because you aren’t living the life you wish you were living?
If you answered “yes” to all of the above questions, you’re winning the war against procrastination. If you answered “no” to any of the questions, you need to recognize the possibility that procrastination is keeping you from living a richer life.
Ask yourself why you haven’t written a vision for your life. What are the benefits of establishing priorities? Do you postpone tasks for justifiable reasons, or do you simply look for excuses to procrastinate.
Always ask yourself if a job needs to be done at all. Make a list of what you most regret not having done in your life because of the poor decisions you made in the past about how to spend your time. According to research findings, we spend as much as 80% of our time on tasks that do not contribute to the success of our projects. Many people load themselves down with work that is unnecessary or that could be justifiably postponed.
Are you passionate about your life and work? Ask yourself how you would spend your time if you won ten million dollars and never had to work again. These questions can lead to some surprising revelations about what your priorities should be. You may discover that you would be happier by making a career change, although in most cases people don’t need to switch careers to start living a richer life-they just need to know what they really want.
As the novelist George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be the person you could have been.” Today is a good day to start.
To Plan Is To Conquer
Posted by: | CommentsBenjamin Franklin, who knew how to conquer procrastination as well as anyone, said that “by failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.” How do you plan your work? And if you don’t plan, how do you know if you’re reaching your goals? It’s time to find out.
Make a list of everything you’ve been putting off at work. Not just the big things, but all the little things, too. Make another list of everything you’ve been putting off at home-large tasks and small ones. If you can’t think of anything right away, walk around the house. Walk through the yard. It won’t be hard to fill a page with projects that have been talked about, but not carried out.
Make another list of things you’ve neglected to do in the area of your personal relationships. That includes letters, emails, phone calls, visits, family trips, and vacations. Then make a list of all the things you’ve put off doing for yourself-a class you want to take, an exercise program you know you should start, or a bad habit you know you should eliminate.
Don’t worry about priorities. Just get the juices flowing and write down everything that comes into your head. It may be hard to get started, but once you start the ideas will come more easily. Keep writing them down; you’ll be amazed at how one thought triggers the next. Words will start to flow onto your paper or computer screen.
Now let me explain why I asked you to do this exercise. First, you’ve probably been putting off more things than you realized. That’s the first step toward defeating procrastination-recognizing it as a problem. Procrastinators go to ridiculous extremes to explain their inability to take action. Accepting the truth that procrastination is a problem is the first step toward overcoming it.
Second, I hope this exercise has taught you the importance of getting started. The failure to take action breeds doubt, doubt gnaws at your self-confidence and your diminished self-confidence increases your indecision. The result is paralysis-and the vicious circle of inactivity keeps turning. After you recognize that procrastination is a problem, the next step is to focus on one thing you’ve been postponing. Take one thing you’ve been putting off and make something happen. You started your list with one thing; it led to another. Take one action and that action will trigger another.
Ask yourself how much time you waste in a day. Keep a log of how you spend your time. How do you plan your work to ensure that deadlines are met? Always ask yourself if the work needs to be done at all. According to research findings, we spend as much as 80% of our time on tasks that do not contribute to the success of our projects-many people load themselves down with work that is unnecessary, or that could be justifiably postponed. Learn what all successful people know: If you’re failing to plan, you’re planning to fail.
