Posted 3/28/2004 by Josh Hinds

Should You Quit Your Job for Your Dream?
By Suzanne Falter-Barns

The next time you’re moodily sitting in your office, wishing you were living your dream instead, answer the following questions… or answer them now! They’ll give you a sense of whether or not now’s the time to make the break.

1. My job is making me crazy; so crazy I’d do anything to quit.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

2. If I left my job for my dream, I’m not sure what I’d do first, or even how I’d begin it.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

3. My boss runs my life … or ruins it. I feel completely misunderstood and trapped by this job. I don’t even know if I could quit - how would I survive? Who would even hire me?
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

4. I hate this job but I really need the money. I don’t see any other viable alternative.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree


5. If I stay at my work just a little longer, I stand a good chance of getting a promotion and a raise. Then I could find my way clear to saving a little money for my dream.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

5. Yeah, I could quit my job for my dream, but I could run off to Tahiti, too. That’s way too much risk for my taste.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

6. My spouse/partner is okay with the thought of me quitting my job for my dream. We’ve talked it through and he/she sees it as the next thing I need to do.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

7. My spouse/partner fully understands what life will be like when I make the leap to begin my dream. He/she will be there for me, emotionally and even financially if necessary.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

8. I have a business plan for my dream all organized and ready to go. I’ve even scoped out sources for capital, and necessary space and materials to get to work.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

9. I have a savings account for my dream with enough to get started, plus an emergency savings account worth 6 months of my general living expenses. I’ve also scoped out alternatives to my current health care and insurance.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

10. I’ve been developing a systematic plan for leaving my job for a while now… I feel I’m almost ready to go.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

11. I have an adequate support system in place to really help me move ahead with my dream. It includes good friends and advisors, adequate child or elder care, a supportive spouse, and even a coach or mentor.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 1-4, you’re stuck. Your job has forced you to forget about essential pieces of yourself ? it’s time to get some career coaching now.

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 5 & 6, you’re a borderline case. You haven’t yet decided whether your dream is all that important to the quality of your life. Just an experiment, you might want to sit with a blank piece of paper and really brainstorm what it would be like to live your dream.

If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 7-11… what are you waiting for? You’ve got a plan, you’ve set up the necessary support and you’re good to go; you should be able to weather the inevitable ups and downs. Be sure to allow your company enough notice to make the transition smoothly, so you can leave with glowing reviews. Congratulations!
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To learn more about finding the time, money and energy to live your dream, check out our free ezine, The Joy Letter, at http://www.howmuchjoy.com/joyletter.html

Posted 3/25/2004 by Josh Hinds

Build Your Creative Muscle
By Jon Gordon

Don't you just love when a great idea pops into your head? That creative thought, seemingly from nowhere, that changes the direction of your project, career, business strategy, marketing campaign, parenting philosophy, or LIFE.

We all have these aha moments at times in our life. Sometimes they are small and sometimes they are LIFE CHANGING. But wouldn't it be great if we could tap the energy of creation more often? Wouldn't you love to be able to fill your mind with brilliant creative thoughts when you need them most? We'll we can.

Einstein referred to creative experiences as "muscular" and like any muscle I believe we can build creative muscle-making it stronger, more active, and more energetic. Like most of the strategies I share, you don't need expensive equipment-no electrodes to shock your brain are required. No boss yelling at you to think of something quick is necessary.

And you certainly don't have to be Einstein, Leonardo Divinci or Bruce Springstein (Yes the boss is a brilliant and creative song writer). But like these creative geniuses you can learn how to be more creative and to become a magnet for more creative ideas.

While I do 3 hour seminars on this topic and I couldn't certainly put all this information in this article without you saying, "hey Jon send me a newsletter not a book", there are a few tips you can start doing immediately.

Action Steps

1. Become a conduit for the creative energy that exists everywhere. No matter what religion you are we can all agree that there is one source of energy from which everything flows-including creative energy.

Ever wonder why 2 or 3 people come up with similar inventions at the same time? In fact Alexander Graham Bell, credited with inventing the telephone arrived at the Patent Office only two hours before a competing inventor, Elisha Gray who had developed exactly the same idea for a telephone.

Or have you ever wondered why several books or movies with the same topics seem to appear at the same time? Or why when you think of a friend or colleague they call you? Or why you get great ideas in the shower?

There is an energy of thought and an energy of creativity. It's always around us but because we are usually not open it's hard for this energy to break through our mental cutter, mental resistance and mental noise.

So how do we become more open to creative energy? We practice being open. We...

2. Get more sleep. According to the associated press, a recent German study is considered to the first hard evidence supporting the common sense notion that creativity and problem-solving appear to be directly linked to adequate sleep.

Sleep recharges our brains and helps us think more clearly. But more importantly it is a time when the noise is shut off and creative energy can break though. It's no wonder why you often wake up with great ideas. Or why Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards said the spaces between "I can't get no satisfaction came to him in his sleep. Or why Elias Howe thought of the idea of a sewing machine after waking up. Or why I awoke this morning at 5am with the idea to write this.

If you're not making time for sleep you are limiting your creativity and your life's potential. Before you go to sleep say "I am open to the creative energy that is supposed to flow though me. I am open to all the great ideas that I am meant to put into action."

3. Practice being silent. Make time for silence each day. In turning off the internal and external noise you in essence remove the static and clutter covering your creative energy antenna and you tune into a loud and clear station filled with creative ideas.

Before you begin relaxing in silence say the following "I am open to all the creative energy and ideas that will improve my life and the lives of others." Say, "I am open and ready. Like a magnet I am ready. When the time is right, I am ready."

4. Other exercises to help relax and quiet the mind include: meditation, yoga and breathing exercises.

5. Don't expect immediate results. Be patient. Give it time and you will notice more "aha" and "yes" moments in your life.
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Energy Tips by Jon Gordon, The Energy Addict. For additional tips, visit http://www.energyaddict.com - Jon Gordon is the author of "Becoming An Energy Addict: Simple, Powerful Ways to Energize Your Life".

Posted 3/22/2004 by Josh Hinds

Setting High Personal Standards
By Steve Brunkhorst

In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author Greg Anderson wrote, "Let us be about setting high standards for life, love, creativity, and wisdom. If our expectations in these areas are low, we are not likely to experience wellness. Setting high standards makes every day and every decade worth looking forward to."

He also reminded us that, "When we change our perception we gain control. The stress becomes a challenge, not a threat. When we commit to action, to actually doing something rather than feeling trapped by events, the stress in our life becomes manageable."

There are times when it's easy to feel overwhelmed and trapped by situations that we'd rather not face. These situations might even be extremely unfair.

It's easy to focus on how terribly unfair someone might have treated us. It makes sense to believe that unfair things should not be happening. Simply pretending that a problem doesn't exist is much easier than dealing with it directly. However, stress builds, the situation doesn't change, and it might grow worse.

In fact, focusing on the way things should be instead of dealing with the way they are can lead to disaster, both physically and emotionally.

Winners set high standards for dealing with problems. They set rules for what they will accept and expect from themselves and others. They realize that it won't work to stay on a road of denial, and it won't work to lash out against unfair situations by resisting what is true. They have a much more workable plan.

Indeed, winners keep a positive outlook. However, they know that they must do much more than simply think in a positive way. They mobilize resources and prompt new solutions. Self-confidence and courage allow them to take responsibility for situations, and take well-planned problem-solving actions.

When a solution is not possible, they take valuable lessons from the event. They know there is tremendous life-time value in all experiences.

Ask yourself: What are my standards for dealing with problems? What are my boundaries for the behaviors, attitudes, and actions I will accept from myself and others? What are the highest standards that I will expect myself to live by at all times in each important area of my life?

Establishing and living with high personal standards can prove to be a tremendously liberating and life-changing move. It can help in making wise and informed choices. It can assist us to experience more peace, contentment, and prosperity today and throughout the years to come!
___________
(C) 2004. Steve Brunkhorst is a professional success coach the creator of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing stories and motivational nuggets to help you achieve more. Subscribe by visiting Steve's site at www.AchieveEzine.com

Posted 3/17/2004 by Josh Hinds

Ten Insights On Failure
By Gary Ryan Blair

1. Failure & Perception
Put failure in the right perspective, it's an opportunity for regrouping and evaluation while accepting the experience as part of the journey of success. Rich lessons are the fruit of failure and your can extract them at will.

2. Failure & Change
Change depreciates the value of past information, thus making predictions difficult, ambiguous, and correspondingly risky. In the presence of change, you must adjust your course-of-action to align with desirable new realities.

3. Failure & Limitation
In a world of limitation, the fundamental question is not whether people should accept failure. Rather, the question is how to anticipate failure and redirect resources to grow from the experience.

4. Failure & Information
Information scarcity will present itself somewhere, somehow, sometime. The key is to learn from what this new failure teaches and prevent it, if at all possible, from happening again.

5. Failure & Perfection
Perfection is unattainable, but failure is always possible! Any assumption regarding perfection stands at odds with the most fundamental premise of success: failure is inevitable.

6. Failure & Planning
Because the future is so hard to predict, we must attempt to pierce uncertainties fog as best we can. Your goal is to estimate and anticipate failures with tolerable precision.

7. Failure & Execution
Failure is not only the output of an unsuccessful activity; it is also the input of a successful one. Performance only changes and improves to the degree that you change and improve.

8. Failure & Mistakes
Those with an eye for success respond first by anticipating mistakes. Second, we accept responsibility for them. Life is for learning lessons and mistakes are some of your best teachers.

9. Failure & Consequence
Some look at failure as an extremely blunt instrument and surrender their dreams because of its potential consequences. Although tempting, do not allow the consequences of failure to harden your heart.

10. Failure & Progress
The world is littered with the victims of failure. Yet failure leads to victory. Use each failure as feedback in your constant progression toward your goals. Our world is one of adjustment, of conflict, and of mutual gains and losses. In short, of failure and progress.
___________
Written by Gary Ryan Blair - The GoalsGuy is your online goal setting and personal leadership coach. Check-out My Personal Strategic Plan and learn how to achieve more in the next year than most people do in a lifetime. See why best selling author Brian Tracy said, "This is the most remarkable, simple, and practical guide for ANYONE who wants to create the ideal life!" To learn more go here.

Posted 3/16/2004 by Josh Hinds

Can You Pass the Prosperity Test?
By Randy Gage

I was working on the copy for my Prosperity Power Experience website yesterday. I was writing about the process I used to go from a dishwasher making minimum wage to becoming a multi-millionaire.

More specifically, I was looking at the mental process I went through in changing my mindset and my consciousness. I certainly changed the way I think.

And as I have told you many times before, that is the difference.

Poor people think differently than rich people. Healthy people think differently than sick people. And happy people think differently than sad people.

I began my transformation when I had my business seized by the IRS for delinquent taxes. That was the final catalyst that caused me to stop looking outside, and look instead at my own issues of self-sabotage.

I began an intense study of prosperity, which has continued to this day. Of course I studied the classics like, “Think and Grow Rich,” “As a Man Thinketh” and stuff from Getty, Rockefeller, and Carnegie. Then I went back even further and deeper, to the metaphysical teachings of Charles Fillmore, Ernest Holmes, and Emile Cady.

Now here’s the interesting thing…

Millions of people have read those books. And they have helped a great many people. But most of those millions of readers did not achieve true and lasting prosperity.

What happened?

They liked the books, and they accepted the information. But they were still mired in the same thought patterns.

They wanted to change but on a subconscious level ?they were still programmed with defeatist thoughts, lack of confidence, and feelings of unworthiness.

They were programmed on a subconscious level. By TV, radio, the Internet, their government, organized religion, and even their friends and family. They unknowingly started to believe that money is bad, rich people are evil, and it is somehow spiritual to be poor. You’ve heard me same this before. But here is the million-dollar question…

Has this happened to you?

In fact, it is highly likely that you are right now sabotaging your own achievements. Doing things that derail your career, keep you sick, unhappy, or broke. (Or all of the above!) You can think you want to be successful, but actually be doing things to sabotage that success.

It is fairly simple to find out if this is the case with you. Take the quick little quiz below, and see if you have been infected with “lack” programming and limiting beliefs:

1) Do you secretly fear that if you became wealthy your family and friends might not like you anymore?

2) When you grew up, were you ever told things like, “We may not be rich, but at least we’re honest!”?

3) Did your religious upbringing teach you that it is noble to sacrifice now, and that your reward will come in the afterlife?

4) Did you feel a little guilty when you started to earn more than your parents did?

5) Were you raised to “fit in” and not do anything to stand out?

6) Did you grow up liking shows like Dallas, Dynasty, Gilligan’s Island, MASH, and The Beverley Hillbillies -- where rich people were always presented as unscrupulous and conniving, or pretentious and bumbling?

7) Do you have chronic health challenges that doctors can’t seem to solve?

8) Did you ever get jealous of people with expensive clothes, cars and houses which may have led you to develop a “hate the rich” mentality?

9) On some level do you think it is somehow noble, romantic, or spiritual to be poor?

10) Did you ever end a negative relationship then immediately replace it with another one with a person just like the last one?

11) Have you sometimes used judgmental expressions like “poor as a church mouse,” “filthy rich,” or “obscenely wealthy”?

12) Do you make excuses for failure by saying things like, “you have to have money to make money,” “you have to know someone,” or “you have to get in at the top”?

13) Do you relish being the underdog and fighting against the odds all the time?

If you answered ‘No’ to all 13 questions, you have a very strong prosperity consciousness. You can probably pass this test along to someone else.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to three or more questions, you likely have some issues of worthiness on a subconscious level. You may be in a holding pattern, afraid to leave your comfort zone.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to five or more questions, you are quite likely in a self-sabotage mode, making small advances in life, but not really breaking through to the real success and happiness you deserve.

If you answered ‘Yes’ to seven or more questions, you are headed toward, or already experiencing a definite downward track toward serious emotional, physical, and financial challenges. This is the kind of “victim cycle” I was on when I lost everything at 30 years old.

Now if you fall into one of the last three categories, I have some resources that can help you a great deal.

Because I really did discover the secret of health, riches and happiness. I took the practical insights from Getty, Carnegie and Napoleon Hill, put it together with the metaphysical teachings of Fillmore, Holmes and James Allen, then tested and experimented, and sorted through the results to find out how to apply it in your day-to-day life.

I don’t want to bore you with the details, and it’s not my intent to show off. But I want you to know that I am qualified to speak in this area. But I will tell you I am living a very prosperous life. I live in a condo on the ocean in Florida, have a second place in Costa Rica, and a flat in Paris for the summers. I drive my dream car, have closets packed with designer clothes, and have the money to do the things I enjoy in life.

I ended my old pattern of dysfunctional relationships, and attracted the love of my life. Now the people in my life are my greatest treasures. My health is better than excellent, my work is meaningful, and I am truly happy.

I have spent the last five years analyzing the changes that took me from scraping half-eaten French toast and pancakes off of sticky plates to living a lifestyle most people don’t dare even dream of.

That knowledge is what I reveal in the prosperity resources I have developed. So if you didn’t score the way you would like, please consider getting some of these resources to turn things around for you.

If you only answered ‘yes’ to a few questions, start with my prosperity book series and build from there. They are a good start on developing the mindset and consciousness to increase your prosperity.

If you were in the five, six, or seven neighborhood of ‘yes’ answers, you need some extra help. In addition to the books, get my “Prosperity” audio album. It is 8 discs or tapes. There is one side for each of the 7 Spiritual laws you must live by to prosper, and other segments on getting out of debt, and the principle of attraction.

If you were at the eight and above neighborhood, you really need some serious work on your belief system. You have core beliefs that will constantly keep reappearing to sabotage your success efforts.

We need to identify those underlying beliefs that are holding you back, and replace them with empowering beliefs that serve you. Nothing short of “The Midas Mentality” 31-Day program and a trip to the Prosperity Power Experience is what you need.

Both the program and the live weekend are designed to take you through the process of releasing limiting beliefs and immediately replacing them with a powerful new way of thinking. Take some time and study up about them. I know that both the Midas program and the live weekend can make the difference for you.

You can find details about all of these products at ProsperityUniverse.com. You’ll also find some great articles on developing wealth and other prosperity issues. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Have a great day!
Randy Gage
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Article Submitted by Randy Gage - For more than 15 years, Randy Gage has been helping people transform self-limiting beliefs into self-fulfilling breakthroughs to achieve their dreams. Randy Gage is a modern day explorer in the field of body-mind development and personal growth. He is the author of the best-selling series of books, "Prosperity Insights" -- He is the director of BreakthroughU. For more resources and to subscribe to Randy's free ezine newsletters visit RandyGage.com.

Posted 3/15/2004 by Josh Hinds

Here's Why "Attitude is Everything!"
By Jeff Keller

Attitude is Everything. It's the name of my company, and it's a philosophy I endorse with every ounce of my being, because I know first-hand how this principle has changed my life for the better. And yet, in my travels, people come up to me and say, "Sure, attitude is important. But is it "everything?" Well ... I truly believe that it is.

Before I explain further, let's consider the definition of attitude. Think of your attitude as the "mental filter" through which you experience the world. There are many filters you might have.

For instance, some people see the world through a filter of optimism; others through a filter of pessimism. Some see opportunity wherever they go; others see obstacles around every corner. And, of course, most people perceive the world somewhere in between these extremes.

That said, having a positive attitude gives you a significant advantage. First and foremost, people with a positive attitude are optimistic. They focus on "can" instead of "can't." They see possibilities instead of limitations.

Now, I'm the first to admit that success requires more than just a positive attitude - there are other principles you have to apply. But it all starts with attitude! Without a positive attitude, you can't tap into any of the other success principles. Your attitude is the foundation, the starting point for your success and fulfillment.

Let's examine how your attitude activates the other keys to success:

* Confidence. Can you be confident and persuasive if you're not optimistic? I don't believe so. The confident person believes in his or her abilities and strides forward with the expectation of success. Others can see and feel that confidence. Negativity breeds doubt and hesitancy.

* Persistence. We all know the value of making repeated attempts until we reach our objective. Why on earth would you persist if you didn't believe you'd succeed in the long run? Optimism leads to persistence. Negative people give up at the first sign of trouble because they feel there's no use in making further efforts.

* Resiliency. Getting back on your feet when you've been knocked down - that's surely one of the most important success principles. Those who are negative get even more pessimistic when things don't go as planned.

Positive people get frustrated temporarily ... and then they look for the opportunity or learning that comes from adversity. I've also discovered that those who are extremely positive don't resist life's events, curse their fate or bemoan how bad things always happen to them.

Instead, they believe that everything happens for a reason. This approach helps them to overcome setbacks and "go with the flow."

* Courage. There's no sustained success without courage. When you believe you can do something, you have the courage to move forward despite being afraid. Negative people, on the other hand, tend to back away from their fears and thus sabotage their potential.

* Enthusiasm and Energy. Show me a person with a dynamic, positive attitude and I'll show you someone who is energetic and, in all likelihood, enthused about what he or she is doing. These people have a spring in their step and you feel better just by being around them.

How many negative people do you know that you'd describe as energetic and enthusiastic? How many negative people do you look forward to being around ... just because they give you such a boost each time you're with them? None, I'll bet. Negativity is an energy drain, while optimism is an energy enhancer.

* Health. This is one of those relationships that you have to experience for yourself to appreciate. We all know times in our lives when we got sick because we were under significant stress and consumed with negativity. Well, when I was in my 20s and had a negative attitude, I felt tired and battled a variety of minor ailments.

The moment my attitude improved, my health improved. I looked and felt younger. The truth is, the cells of your body literally come alive when you're positive.

* Encouraging Others. As you begin to see and use more of your own potential, you're also able to see the greatness that lies within each individual. You have faith in the ability of others, and they pick up on that!

Furthermore, the positive person is a far more effective leader. Would you want to follow someone who didn't believe in what they were doing ... or who expected a negative outcome? Of course not.

* Gratitude. When your outlook is negative, you tend to focus your attention on what is "wrong" with your life and you don't appreciate the beauty that is all around you. As you become more positive, you're in awe of the beauty and you walk around with a sense of wonder.

Positive people appreciate everything more. They also find that they feel better when they're dwelling on their blessings, rather than complaining and finding fault.

* Perspective. This is a logical progression from your increasing feelings of gratitude. You appreciate the many positives in your life and recognize that they far outweigh any problems or temporary inconveniences.

You don't make a big fuss over a flat tire or a lost sale because you know that they pale in importance to your health, your freedom and your friends and family.

* "Approachability." Think of the negative people you encounter every day. These individuals have a frown and you don't feel any warmth emanating from them. They create distance. The optimistic person, on the other hand, initiates a smile, and you tend to smile right back! You feel a certain connection with positive people and enjoy the time you spend with them.

* Spiritual Growth. People who make the commitment to develop their attitude invariably experience heightened spiritual awareness. Negative, unhappy people simply do not find a meaningful connection with a Higher Power. However, when you're filled with positive thoughts and feelings, you begin to appreciate yourself and others more.

You begin to sense that there's a purpose behind everything and that you are part of a bigger plan. You also trust your intuition more and realize that you're receiving guidance on your journey.

I think you'd agree that this is a pretty impressive list of characteristics. And the way to access all of them is to build a more positive attitude. Never forget, however, that your attitude is a choice that you make every day. The quality of your life ... and the impact you make in the world ... depends on that choice. In the end, I think that you, too, will find that attitude IS everything!

-- Jeff Keller
(c) Attitude is Everything, Inc.
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Jeff Keller is a motivational speaker and author of the best-selling book, Attitude is Everything. He recently released a new audio program called "Success from Soup to Nuts". For more information about his motivational presentations and resources, visit www.attitudeiseverything.com

Posted 3/10/2004 by Josh Hinds

The 11th Element: Why the First Ten Elements Don't Work Without It
By Robert Scheinfeld

Why do we need another element for business success? Dozens of books have been written outlining the ten traditional elements, those very real but sometimes difficult to verbalize components the experts say are part of any successful venture.

While these have nothing to do with capitalization, expenditures, cost of goods, sales, marketing or team-building, they certainly can be important.

The ten elements I'm talking about are desire, belief, the law of attraction, goal setting, modeling, creating clear and detailed plans, taking massive action now, persistence, visualization, and affirmations. But they're all missing the one ingredient that's absolutely essential for the creation of business success and wealth-the 11th Element that, when managed correctly, virtually guarantees success.

Let's look at each one more closely so we can see why they don't work.

Element 1: Desire

The experts tell us it takes a burning desire to achieve wealth and success. Not necessarily. A lot of people with burning desire go down in flames and others without it succeed to their own amazement. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, has made publishing history without any burning desire to be a billionaire. She only wanted to earn enough money to support herself and her baby. Wendy's Dave Thomas only planned to run three or four restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, not a nationwide franchise.

Sam Walton wasn't planning one of America's largest corporations when he opened his little discount store. Desire must be aligned with your life purpose and mission to have an impact.

Element 2: Belief

"Whatever you believe becomes your reality." That experts' viewpoint is disproved everyday. We've all known people who firmly believed in their potential for success and still fell flat in the process. Like desire, belief is often a component, but it's not necessary.

Element 3: The Law of Attraction

You'll find this "law" in multiple forms throughout business and self- development literature. The premise is that the people and situations you attract are in harmony with your dominant thoughts. In other words, if you think you're going to be rich and famous, you'll naturally attract the people and opportunities that will make it happen. If that were true - and if it's a law, it must be true all the time - then everyone would be rich and famous. It takes a lot more than dominant
thoughts to be a success.

Element 4: Goal Setting

Set goals, review them daily, and success will follow - wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy? Your goals are congruent with your life mission and you ask for help from your Inner CEO, the internal guidance system that helps you attain your goals based on their relevance to your mission and purpose. Otherwise, going after what you think you want in your conscious mind may focus you in the wrong direction. This explains why goals are so often unattainable.

Element 5: Modeling

This suggested shortcut to success advises we find someone who's doing what we want to do and copy them. Sounds simple enough, until you realize that it's almost impossible to find out what someone else really did to become successful because either they don't know, don't remember, or won't tell you.

Historically, the most successful people have broken the pattern not followed it. Michael Dell of Dell Computers said, "We learned the importance of ignoring conventional wisdom and doing things our way."

Billionaire J. Paul Getty wrote, "Try being a nonconformist for a change. Be an individualist - and an individual. You'll be amazed at how much faster you'll 'get ahead.'" Copycats often come in second.

Instead, pick and choose distinct aspects of successful people's actions and adapt them to work for you in new and creative ways.

Element 6: Create a Clear and Detailed Plan

Plans are important and all successful businesses have them, but working with only our conscious minds, we don't have enough information about our life purposes and mission to develop workable plans. Furthermore, flexibility is vital because even the best plans are changed by circumstances.

Am I suggesting that you don't make plans? Of course not! I'm saying that your chance for success will be greater if your plans come from the combined effort of you and your Inner CEO.

Element 7: Take Massive Action Now!

We're urged to not waste another minute. Immediate action is the key. The truth is, "timing is everything." When I was looking for an agent for my book, "The 11th Element: Unlocking Your Master Blueprint For Wealth and Success," it took two frustrating years to find just the right agent and publisher who understood my message and cheered me on.

If I'd followed the "Take Massive Action Now!" Theorists, I might have ended up in a very different place. Take the time tap into to your invisible network and listen to your Inner CEO.

Element 8: Persistence

Study the lives of wealthy and successful people and you'll find plenty of examples where persistence paid off. However, for every example of persistence leading to success you'll find thousands of instances where it led to nothing but failure and disillusionment.

Persistence only works when you're correctly aligned with your mission and purpose. Aim instead to be appropriately persistent, sticking to the path when you're properly aligned and backing off when you're not.

Element 9: Visualization

Visualizing what you want won't bring you wealth and success because without drawing on the 11th Element resources, your picture is going to be limited and ineffective. Pictures are open to interpretation.

What you're visualizing and what your Inner CEO is seeing may be worlds apart so you don't get what you really wanted. And the results you're visualizing may not be in alignment with your purpose and mission, so your Inner CEO may not approve them.

Element 10: Affirmations

In theory, if we consistently write or speak clear, short, present tense descriptions of our goals, they will become reality. If this is true, why do affirmations fail so often? What happens is your Inner CEO hears you say, "I make $10,000 a month," and since there's no question and no request for help, there's no reason to tap into the invisible network to help you get the desired result.

**The 11th Element**

The 11th Element is a simple system for creating consistent breakthroughs. You can apply it to produce extraordinary results, quickly, easily and with much more fun, no matter how large or small your goals. It brings your Inner CEO into play and gives you the optimum access to the invisible network that will provide the answers and direction you seek. It gives power to the 10 traditional elements giving you the ability, through the various techniques, to tap directly into the invisible network and produce stellar results.

So while none of the traditional 10 elements works by itself, together with the 11th Element system you have an unbeatable template for success.
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To learn more about The 11th Element, the invisible network, your "Inner CEO" and how you can apply my system to create extraordinary results, in less time, with less effort and much more fun, visit here.

Posted 3/08/2004 by Josh Hinds

Start Conversations as Easily as You Start a Car
By Arlen Busenitz

Starting a car is easy. Put the key in, turn it, and the car starts. Would it not be great if starting a conversation was this easy? It can be--if you know how!

Unfortunately, many people don't know how. They struggle with starting conversations. If they do break the silence, the conversation sputters and dies.

This leads to boring parties, embarrassing silences, lack of friends and social skills. Not being able to easily start a conversation hinders business success and enjoyment in life. Do you know what I am talking about?

Starting a conversation can be as easy as starting a car. The reason you can quickly start a car is because you know the two steps:

Step 1: Put the key in the ignition
Step 2: Turn the key

These two steps work every time with virtually any car. So also there is a 2-step method for starting conversations. It will enable you to start conversation anywhere, anytime, with virtually anyone.

Here is the 2-step method for starting conversation:

Step 1: Break the silence
Step 2: Ask a good question

Simple is it not? Don't let the simplicity of the 2-step method fool you. It works! I have used the 2-step method with total strangers, friends, businessman, and even shy people with great success. Let me explain more.

Step 1: Break the silence

A person cannot start a car until they put the key in the ignition, neither can a conversation start until the silence is broken. Generally, a greeting works great to break the silence.

"Hi Tom"
"Good morning"
"Hello"

There is a second way to break the silence and that is with a comment. This works well with strangers.

On a plane: "This has been a long delay."
To a clerk: "Looks busy today."
To a friend: "That was a good football game last night."

Now that the silence is broken, it is time to get the conversation flowing with the second step.

Step 2: Ask a good question

Almost any question will work. In fact any question is better than dead silence. However, a good question will get the conversation moving. Here are a few examples:

"How are you doing today?"
"How was your week?"
"Where are you from?"
"How often do you fly?"
"What do you enjoy about this class?"

You might be thinking, "What if the conversation does not start after I ask a question?" This will sometimes happen. When it does, just remember the car illustration. Turn the key over again and ask another question. The conversation will eventually start.

That's it! Break the silence and ask a good question. Do this and you will be able to start a conversation as easily as you start a car.
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--(C) Arlen Busenitz. Arlen is the author of "Conversation Magic: 7 Keys to Unlock your Ability to Conquer Shyness, Make Friends, and Confidently Talk with Anyone." Free tips
and articles at www.conversation-tips.com