Posted 4/26/2002 by Josh Hinds

PROGRAM YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS
By David P. Schloss

Have you ever stopped to think about how incredible the human brain is? It has the ability to process thoughts and images at an unbelievable pace, like a computer, only faster.

From the day you are born what you see and hear, both consciously and subconsciously, are programmed into your "computer." Friends, relatives, TV, radio, all play a big part in the programming and are still telling us how to act, what to wear and what to buy. For instance, what insurance company is, "Like a good neighbor?"

This programming would be fine if it helped us to be positive and successful and charged up about life. But that?s not always the case. So, is there any hope for us? YES! Because unlike a real computer, we can think for ourselves, we can chart our own course!

We have the power to choose, so we must begin programming our subconscious minds in a positive way immediately. Remember, as you sow in your subconscious mind, so shall you reap in your body and environment.

Your mind can be your number one ally, or it can be your biggest enemy. It's all up to you. Your mind stands at the ready to retrieve whatever you decide. For example, if you look at a task and think, I can't do it, your mind will go into its memory bank and begin pulling out all of the reasons why you?re right. It will remind you of all the times that you tried the same thing, or something like it before, and failed miserably. Another part of your brain will back this up by telling you that you?re crazy to even think of trying this again!

The opposite is also true. If you looked at the same task, and thought, I can do it, your mind will again begin pulling out reasons why you?re right. Your mind will remind you of those experiences when you were a great success, and the rest of your brain gets in the act again by telling you that you can do this, and there is no way you can fail. This is why what Henry Ford said is so true, "If you think you can, or if you think you can't, you're right!"

I can't overemphasize the importance of positive programming. Especially when you consider that a lot of what we are bombarded with on a daily basis is negative. Take the evening news for example. Most all of what you see on a usual news broadcast is negative. From the stabbings, shootings, and robberies, to the meteorologist telling us there is a 30% chance of rain, instead of 70% chance of sun. And don?t forget the sportscaster chiming in with phrases like "sudden death" victories.

Many people who believe they aren't programming negatives, probably are, if they?re watching the late evening news and then going straight to bed before they have a chance to turn around the negatives they absorbed from the broadcast. They awake the next morning by something called an alarm clock, (try using the word "alarm" in a positive way) and then head for the television for more of the same news before going to "fight" traffic on the way to "work."

It?s important to stay current with what is going on in the world, but it?s just as important to make sure that you do not start or end your day with negative events. If you?re going to watch the late evening news, make sure you take some time afterward to program some positive thoughts before you go to bed.

Successful people have many things in common. Most importantly, the development of a positive winning attitude. They?re positive thinkers, and have learned how to program their minds with the power of positive imagination. They see themselves succeeding, not failing.

Decide now to improve your life. Celebrate, relive and learn from your successes. Also learn from your failures. Ask yourself what went wrong, why it happened. Then determine how it will be better next time. Not how you hope it doesn't happen again. How it WILL be better! With this accomplished, move on. Don't continue to dwell on failure or you'll never get started again.

Remember, you are what you believe and will become what you program. It's been said that winners make things happen and losers let things happen. Winners make things happen because they program themselves for success everyday!
________
David P. Schloss is President of Motivation Plus, Inc. His motivational books and audio cassettes sell throughout the world and are available for individual purchase or corporate bulk discount. Contact Motivation Plus at 954-755-7980. To read reviews, and find more info click on the following book titles - Don't Tie Yourself Up in Nots : How to Untie Yourself from the Can Nots and Should Nots of Life, Don't Just Stand There...!, Grow Your Own Money Tree!, and If At First You Don't Succeed, Buy This Book!

Posted 4/20/2002 by Josh Hinds

How to Turn Dreams Into Achievable Goals
By Andrew Wood

There is an ancient Chinese saying that says that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In order to turn your dreams into reality you must first turn them from dreams into achievable goals.

Starting the dream list.

Let?s start your personal goal-setting process now by listing a broad range of things you?d like to accomplish, experience, or own. Set no limits on their price or what you presently think your chances of ever achieving them are. On a blank sheet of paper right now, begin to write until you have 100 things written down in front of you. Call it a Wish list, a Dream list, a Wants list. It doesn?t matter. Just pick up a pen and write.

Where are the ten places you must visit before you die? List your top ten places to visit here:

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________
6._______________
7._______________
8._______________
9._______________
10.______________

What are ten events you?d really love to experience first-hand? What events would be so awesome that you would talk about them for the rest of your life?

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________
6._______________
7._______________
8._______________
9._______________
10.______________

What ten skills would you most like to acquire? What would you like to become excellent at?

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________
6._______________
7._______________
8._______________
9._______________
10.______________

What does your dream home look like?
Describe your dream home...

How much money would you like to earn per year? What amount would provide for your family, with everything you need, plus ample left over for savings? When will you retire?

And how much money will you need to live on? To be safe, don?t forget to add at least four percent inflation per year! (Of course, I don?t think any of that money for retirement ever goes to clothing)

What type of physical shape would you like to be in? What weight would you like to be? How many miles would you like to be able to run, cycle or swim with relative ease? Did you know that most people who run marathons start running at age 43? The middle-aged belly becomes the middle-age motivation. What negative habits [like smoking] would you like to eradicate?

What would you like your family to experience over the next five years? A trip to the museums of Washington DC, London or Paris? Perhaps you?d like to send your children to a private school or a special sports camp in the summer? A camping trip in Yosemite?
Maybe you want to go to Disney World in Florida. (Just be careful not to go on It?s A Small World, you won?t be able to get that song out of your head for days)

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________
6._______________
7._______________
8._______________
9._______________
10.______________

What ten toys would you most like to own?

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________
6._______________
7._______________
8._______________
9._______________
10.______________

What five things would give you the greatest sense of accomplishment in your business life?

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________

What ten things would give you the greatest sense of accomplishment in your personal life?

1._______________
2._______________
3._______________
4._______________
5._______________
6._______________
7._______________
8._______________
9._______________
10.______________

Turning dreams into goals. Start your goal setting process by creating a list of dreams. Force yourself to write down one hundred things before you go back and hone your list. List places you want to visit, experiences you want to have and toys you?d like to own. List things you?d like to accomplish, skills you?d like to acquire and the amount of money you?d like to make. Detail the type of house you?d like to own, the business or career you?d like to create and the lifestyle you?d like your family to enjoy.

From this wonderful list pick the ten most exciting things and add deadlines. Next, go back and set intermediate or halfway goals for each. Finally, list short-term goals that will contribute to the accomplishment of the intermediate goals and ultimately the long-term goals. There is no limit to the number of goals that you set, just make sure you list only those that you are truly committed to attaining.
____________
The Millionaires Library author, Andrew Wood, is recognized worldwide as a business, marketing, leadership,and personal development expert. He is the author of The Millionaires Library, which delivers you the essence of knowledge from over 1000 business, sales, marketing, leadership, and personal development books in a single powerful set. Visit his site by clicking here.

Posted 4/18/2002 by Josh Hinds

Three Keys To Greatness
by Jim Rohn

Eight years ago I went into the studio and recorded a 56-minute video for teenagers called "Three Keys To Greatness." Although my focus was for teenagers, the principles I shared certainly apply to adults as well.

Recently I was asked to list these three things using one to two sentences for each. Now for your benefit here they are again.

1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people, including kids, will pay the price if they can see the promise of the future. So we need to help our kids see a well-defined future, so they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards of tomorrow. Goals help them do this.

2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people.

Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around.

3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your paycheck or paying yourself, simply setting aside 10% for saving, 10% for investing and 10% for giving, and over time this will guarantee financial independence for a teenager.

If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing these three simple things over a long period of time I believe they will be assured success!

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
______________
This article was submitted by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. Copyright (c) 1999, 2002 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine - plus get 20 to 60% off items Jim Rohn and other motivational speaking superstars click here now!

---

Setting S-M-A-R-T Goals
By Michael Angier

GOAL SETTING IS A SKILL, and unfortunately, it's not something that's usually taught in school. Studies have shown that less than three percent of people actually write their goals down. And it's this SAME three percent who accomplish more than all the others put together.

If you want to get better at setting and achieving goals, here's an acronym that will help you focus and have more success reaching your objectives.

Set SMART goals.

SMART stands for:

Specific
Measurable
Action-oriented
Realistic
Timely

SPECIFIC. Achieving goals demands focus. Our mind needs specific targets to work effectively. It can't operate well with vague generalities. State exactly what you wish to accomplish.

MEASURABLE. Many people set goals they'll never know whether or not they've attained. "To be successful--to be more knowledgeable," aren't goals because there's no benchmark. Be sure to have measurable goals with a deadline.

ACTION-ORIENTED. It's much easier to measure things being done. What are the action-steps you?ll take in the process of achieving your goal?

REALISTIC. This is your call. What's realistic to you may not be to someone else. Your objective has to be within the realm of YOUR believability. If you can't envision yourself doing it, you won't.

TIMELY. A goal must have a target date. If you desire to make a million dollars, but don't set the timeline for it, it won't be motivating. A deadline too far in the future is too easily put off. A goal that's set too close is not only unrealistic, it's discouraging.

If you keep these things in mind as you plan your goals, you'll meet with more success and have more fun doing so.
____________
(c) Copyright 1995-2002 Success Networks International. Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best-personally and professionally. Free subscriptions, memberships, books and SuccessMark Cards. Visit the site through the following link.

Posted 4/15/2002 by Josh Hinds

If you love success interviews then you're going to *really, really love* this interview by my friend and personal development radio show host Mike Litman. Mike is an absolute ball of energy and true to form this interview is fantastic! Mike brings you into the mind of the great Dennis Kimbro - he's the author of Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice and What Makes The Great Great (listen using the free Real Player) ... Click here to listen!

---

Say Yes
By Patrick Combs

Opportunities present themselves to us and they often challenge us to take a risk. We are faced with the choice of saying No or Yes. No keeps us safe and Yes, well Yes puts us firmly into the land of the frightening unknown. I, like you, have faced this challenge many times. Bear with me while I tell you three of my encounters with opportunity.

#1. At the time, I wanted nothing more than a professional demo video tape for my keynote speeches, but the going rate was about $3,000. Then by happenstance, I met this guy named Kenny, who owns his own video production company.

After knowing me for only a few hours Kenny generously said, "Hey Patrick, fly to Chicago and we'll make you a video for only the cost of the tape. It'll be cool - we don't need a
script or anything.

I'll just power on the camera and you do your thing. You'll be as cool as Henry Rollins." [Henry Rollins - a master of spoken word]. It was such a tempting opportunity, but I was truly scared to do it, for fear that I couldn't live up to Kenny's belief that I could be as good as Henry Rollins.

Kenny was such a connoisseur of hip, and I was scared of him thinking less of me after he shot the video. It just didn't make sense to fly all the way to Chicago and shoot without rehearsal and script, so I passed on his offer.

Opportunity #2. Hard Copy called me. I'd recently completed my second successful interview with Hard Copy regarding my $95,000 junk mail check adventure. This time they were calling for a different reason.

The show's executive producers liked my segments and wanted me to step up to a guest reporter role, with my first assignment to go undercover with a hidden camera in the Mall of America. My heart raced at the opportunity. It seemed like the chance of a lifetime.

But I was scared I couldn't live up to the executive producers expectations. They believed in me based on my interviews about the $95,000 adventure, but that was an easy story to tell. This would be a completely different experience and I had doubts about my ability to make something funny happen with a hidden camera in a mall.

I had no professional training whatsoever. I felt extra pressure knowing there would be a three person crew watching and thousands of dollars being invested.

I just felt like everyone's expectations of what I could do were too high because the check story had been so entertaining. I figured it would be bad to fail in front of the producers of a #1 hit show, so I passed on the offer, saying I just wasn't ready.

Opportunity #3. A corporation found my stuff on the web and called me. After speaking on the phone for five minutes they offered me the opportunity to do the keynote at their annual sales meeting. They wanted me to motivate their sales force and they were willing to pay me $5,000 plus expenses - twice as much as I earn on the college circuit.

I couldn't believe they were giving me the chance - I'd never spoken at a corporation before! I really loved the thought of being their keynote speaker, but I wasn't ready. Not only hadn't I spoken for a company before, but I'd also never developed a motivational sales talk.

I was planning on doing those things, but not for another year or so. As much as I wanted to do it, I was just plain seriously scared about falling on my face and being far from worth $5000 for one hour. After all, these wouldn't be college students who were younger than me. These would be older professionals. And another thing, it's almost impossible to make up a talk and get it right on the first try. Anyhow, I just felt that I couldn't take such a big risk when the success of their meeting was on the line, so I humbly declined.

Fear makes our lives smaller, doesn't it? When we say "Pass" instead of "It won't kill me to try," without fail, our lives shrink instead of expanding. Generally we say No for one of two reasons: (1) Lack of experience, and (2) Expectations that seem unrealistically high. But neither reason is a good reason to say No. Push through your fears and keep expanding your comfort zone.

In the three situations described above I was very fortunate. In reality, I had friends who gave me encouragement and who expressed a strong belief in my ability to succeed despite my perceived obstacles.

Granted, I reached out to them and expressed my fears, but without their strong support, I would have passed on the opportunities as the stories led you to believe. Instead, I pushed through my fears and said Yes to each of the adventures. And these were the actual outcomes.

I flew to Chicago and filmed the tape with Kenny - no script - I was scared right up until he pressed the power on button, yet the video tape turned out awesome.

I took the Hard Copy assignment at the Mall of America and although I was scared right up until the crew aimed the camera at me and said, "Do your thing," the segment turned out so good that I was signed to do six more segments.

I accepted the invitation to keynote at the sales meeting, and I practiced constantly for a month prior. Although everyone in the sales force was older than me, I did well and the company gave me an incredible letter of recommendation.

The moral of my stories? "I get by with a little help from my friends," as the Beatles so aptly put it. And, the universally applicable lesson: When you push through your fears, time and time again, you realize that fear stands for F.alse E.xpectations A.ppearing to be R.eal. Fear is a daunting illusion that almost always crumbles when put to the test.

Just Do It: Let's Get Off Our Buts authors Jon Rogers and Peter McWilliams call Fear for what it really is, "It is one of the great jokes of existence. Courageously journey to the center of your fear and you'll find nothing - just fear being afraid of itself."

Until next time, be great.
___________
Patrick Combs is the author of Major in Success: Make College Easier, Fire Up Your Dreams & Get A Very Cool Job -- an excellent read for anyone wanting to succeed at their greatest passion. Tons more of his writing is available free at http://www.goodthink.com. Patrick Combs is also a popular keynote speaker. To receive his FREE, email tips about greatness, subscribe at http://www.goodthink.com/newsletter.html

Posted 4/12/2002 by Josh Hinds

The Compounding Effect of Selfishness
By Gary Vurnum

Five-year-old Katie asked for a coin for her to throw into a fountain at a local shopping center. She was given one, and duly walked over to the fountain, stopped for a few seconds, and threw it into the water, and came back to us, smiling.

"What did you wish for, Katie?" I asked, expecting some mention of Barbie in the answer.

"I wished that my brother could stay at home with us all of the time, and not have to go into hospital any more." She replied.

I looked over at my wife, and saw that she had a tear in her eye.

On reflection, it made me realise how unselfish children can be in certain situations. They do not torture themselves with bias or perceptions of how their actions might impact upon others. They generally do what they want to do, and say what they want to say, until they get told to conform by parents or teachers.

Children do need to be informed of boundaries that shouldn?t be crossed, or words that shouldn?t be said. They should, however, be allowed to fully develop their natural imagination and caring instincts in a positive, supportive framework.

By the same token, it made me realise how selfish us grown-ups have become. It seems that, for a lot of people, every act is performed only because of an expectation of something in return. You don?t think so? Let?s look at some examples:

1) You complain that your sister bought you a Christmas present that cost less than the one you bought for her.

2) You take your daughter out for a bike ride only so that you don?t have to play a game with her.

3) You take two-hour lunch breaks at work on a regular basis, yet you complain at appraisal time about your poor pay-rise.

4) You give up your seat on the train only because you think it will make you look good in front of others, and not because you want to.

5) You lend your best friend a small amount of money to help her out, yet all you can think about is when she will pay you back.

Giving with the expectation to receive is not giving, it?s lending. If you are lending somebody something, even subconsciously, you automatically expect some interest in return. This interest element is what causes the problem.

In the same way that interest on money compounds, so does this bank of accumulated selfishness. Like your monetary debt is always in the back of your mind, your subconscious will not let you move forward unless you balance the equation.

The most difficult way to become successful is by attempting to achieve everything on your own. If you desire long-term success at whatever you do, you can only get (and stay) there with the help of other people. Only by focusing on the other person will you be able to give without expecting to receive. Help other people, without expectation, and you help yourself on the road to success.

To Our Success!
_________________
Gary Vurnum has quit his full-time job to devote himself to his family and his self-development. His life turned around after the birth of his severely disabled son, and he now wants to share with others the tools he used to remain positive during the worst time of his life. His life-changing ebook "The Science of Success" is available by clicking here!

Posted 4/10/2002 by Josh Hinds

Simple Ways to Reduce Interruptions
by Maria Gracia

Interruptions soak up our time like a sponge. Here are three simple ways to limit interruptions so you can accomplish what you set out to do each day.

1. POST A DO NOT DISTURB SIGN.
Try to schedule certain periods during the day when you're available for questions, etc. and conserve other periods for your own purposes by closing your door or hanging a DO NOT DISTURB sign.

2. SCREEN YOUR CALLS.
While you're working on an important project, have your answering machine--or an office assistant--take your calls, and return calls at a more convenient time.

3. DON'T ENCOURAGE UNSCHEDULED VISITS. At the office, remove visitor chairs unless you have a legitimate appointment. Visitor chairs do nothing more than encourage people to stop by and shoot the breeze. At home, ask friends and family to schedule visits with you, rather than just stopping by.
____________________
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!
http://www.getorganizednow.com - FREE Idea-Pak and E-zine filled with tips, ideas, articles and more to help you organize your home, your office and your life at the Get Organized Now! Web site

Posted 4/07/2002 by Josh Hinds

Listen to this *amazing* interview (in real audio) from my friend and personal development radio show host - Mike Litman - Mike interviews Entrepreneur and Real Estate Mogul and 'the king of the ready made homes', Frank Mckinney - Frank is the author of "Make It Big - 49 Secrets For Building A Life Of Extreme Success" ... The Interview is in 2 parts and you'll have to have the realplayer (it's free) installed to listen. See the links below to listen...

Part 1
Part 2

---

Dump Those Negative Habits Now!
By Mark Victor Hansen

If you want to distance yourself from the masses and enjoy a rich and unique lifestyle, understand this - your habits will determine your future.

The fact is, if you keep on doing things a certain way, you will get a predictable result. That's the simple law of Cause and Effect. Successful habits create positive rewards. Negative habits breed negative consequences.

If you want to enjoy longevity, you must have healthy habits. If you are in the habit of starving your most important relationships of time, energy and love, how can you expect a happy outcome? If you spend money on the fly or don't save any money, your bad habits will lead you to a never-ending cycle of work.

Shift yourself out of your bad habits - Fortunately, you can jump from this bad habits path anytime you want. It's a very simple process - it just takes some applied focus. Here's the step-by-step process I recommend:

1. Clearly identify your bad or unproductive habits. Write them down.

* Be specific.

* Remember to consider the long-term consequences should you continue in this bad habit. As an example, a couple cigarettes a day may not seem like much, but after 10 years, the buildup of having smoked 7,300 cigarettes remains in your system.

* Consider habits at home, in your communications and relations with others, at work, in your driving habits, in your free time, and in matters related to your physical, emotional and spiritual health.

* Be totally honest.

2. Define your new successful habit and visualize its results in your life.

Your new habit is usually the simple opposite of your bad habit. To motivate yourself, think about all the benefits and rewards for adopting your new successful habit. The more vividly you describe the benefits and create the picture in your mind, the more likely you are to take action.

3. Create a three-part action plan.

For every bad habit, there are at least 15 action steps you can take to help you stop. Put some time into this and think about it - it's easy to come up with action steps, but they have to be YOUR action steps that you know are within your realm of taking. As an example, if you want to stop smoking, hypnosis therapy may be more preferable than a nicotine patch. Don't list action steps that you know in your heart you won't do.

4. For the next three weeks, schedule these action steps into your day.

If you know you want to start exercising three times a week, schedule it now in your appointment book. If you want to start reading uplifting books, schedule an hour in your daily schedule and make plans now as to where you will read without interruption. Whatever the new habit, work it into your schedule for the month ahead as most habits - even the very ugliest ones - can be completely re-patterned in this short timeframe.

5. Then, take action!

Start with one habit that you really want to change. Focus on your three immediate steps and put them into action. Do it now. Remember, nothing will change until YOU do.
_______________
Written by Mark Victor Hansen - Co-Author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series of books. For over 26 years, Mark Victor Hansen has focused solely on helping people in all walks of life reshape their personal vision of what's possible for themselves. Visit MarkVictorHansen.com for free articles and resources, secure shopping and web-only product specials, speaking schedule and current projects of Mark Victor Hansen!