Posted 11/29/2004 by Josh Hinds

Likely Action
By Brad Yates

What ever did we do before Mapquest…?

Now, when I have a destination in mind, I can type it in and be told the best course to take, and how long it will take, and even get suggestions of restaurants along the way.

Before this, I had to figure it out for myself.

I’d look at maps, and wonder which road was best. Sometimes I could add hours to a trip just in the planning stages wondering the right thing to do. I didn’t want to start until I knew I was going to do it right.

Ever done that?

Ever done that in other areas of your life…?

We had a saying in hypnotherapy school: Perfectionism leads to Procrastination leads to Paralysis.

It’s always funny to hear people who are paralyzed say with a certain amount of pride that they are perfectionists. As though they are saying, “I am THAT good.”

Maybe. But they are also often THAT stuck. Hardly a bragging point.

We all have wants and desires, hopes and dreams. And things we want to do that could make a wonderful difference in our lives and the lives of others. But, too often, we don’t take action because we demand knowledge of the right way to do it.

This is what Mike Dooley calls the “cursed hows.”

We want to know how it is going to happen.

Silly us.

The Universe has many ways of making something happen and yet we routinely limit ourselves to what we can think up on our own.

Our job is to decide what we want, and focus on that in a positive way. Not to figure out how it is going to happen. That’s the Universe’s job.

But…

This doesn’t mean we sit like a lump waiting for payday.

Many of us are familiar with the legend of Lana Turner sitting innocently at a soda fountain when a producer discovered her and turned her into a star.

In my Hollywood days, I apparently thought I was so much better than Miss Turner that I would be discovered in my apartment. Didn’t happen.

We need to be out there taking action.

So, then we get stuck in that original question: which is the right action to take?

Don’t get hung up on that.

As one of Mike Litman’s mentors put it, “You don’t have to get it right you just have to get it going.”

So, instead of waiting until you know the right action, take a likely action. That is, an action that is likely to move you toward your goal.

If your goal is to lose weight, a likely action would be to join a gym. Signing up for the “Ice Cream of the Month” club would not.

If you lived on the coast of California, and wanted to go skiing in Wyoming, chartering a fishing boat would not be a likely action. Going on Mapquest would.

There are many other actions you could take. Many would be better. You may not be in a place to come up with the best plan of action. But you can certainly come up with lots of likely plans of action. Act on one of them.

When thinking of your goal, ask yourself: “What could I do that might get me there?” No need to censor yourself -- let the ideas flow, and ask of each, “Is this likely to move me in the right direction?” Then choose one and begin.

Sure you might make a mistake, and there may be consequences for that. You don’t have to be married to an idea you can change strategies along the way. But there is a definite consequence for not taking action: you stay stuck.

If you insist on waiting for the best action, the snow may be melted by the time you get to Jackson Hole.

Decide what you want. Be clear. Then take likely action. That’s how the Universe knows you are serious about your intention. If you aren’t willing to move on it, the Universe may consider it just one of countless whims. Show your commitment to your objective by getting going.

And don’t be surprised as better ways to do it “magically” show up along the way.

Now...what are you waiting for…? Get going! Do something now!
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Brad Yates, C.Ht. specializes in cutting-edge mind/body techniques for the enhancement of motivation and the removal of internal roadblocks to success - making the journey easier, quicker and more enjoyable. Check out his 'Master Key to Success' at his website.

Posted 11/28/2004 by Josh Hinds

Associate With Positive People
By Jeff Keller

Have you ever heard the phrase, "We become part of what we are around?." Have you given much thought to how this principle has been molding and shaping your life? It's worth thinking about. The people you associate with have a profound affect on how you feel and what you'll ultimately achieve.

I'm sure most of you have heard this principle before. Some of you have heard it a hundred times. But this is one of those areas where there is a large gap between theory and practice. In other words, you know it's important to limit involvement with negative people, yet you continue to hang around with them.

By the way, I'm not talking about your relationship with your spouse or significant other. I'm referring to discretionary relationships, both at work and in your leisure hours.

In today's literature, we frequently see the terms toxic people and nourishing people. As you might expect, toxic people are the ones who always dwell on the negative. The dictionary defines toxic as "poisonous" toxic people continually spew their verbal poison. In contrast, the dictionary definition of nourishing is "to nurture or promote the growth of." Nourishing people are positive and supportive. They lift your spirits and are a joy to be around.

Negative people will always drag you down to their level. They hammer away at you with all of the things you can't do and all of the things that are impossible. They barrage you with gloomy statements about the lousy economy, the problems in their lives, the problems soon to be in your life, and the terrible prospects for the future. If you're lucky, they might even throw in a few words about their aches and pains and recent illnesses.

After listening to toxic people, you feel listless, depressed and drained. Psychologist Jack Canfield describes them as "energy vampires" -- they suck all the positive energy out of you. One thing is certain: these "vampires" will wear you down and kill your dreams.

On the other hand, how do you feel when you are around people who are positive, enthusiastic and supportive? I'll bet that you are encouraged and inspired. You start to pick up their attitude, and you feel as if you have added strength to vigorously pursue your own goals.

If you had a choice, wouldn't you rather hang out with nourishing people? Well, in fact, you DO have a choice. It's up to you to determine who you spend your time with. If toxic people surround you in your daily life, you can do something about it.

To begin with, develop friendships and associations with people who are positive and supportive. In addition, seek out people who are action-oriented and service-oriented. As you spend more and more time in the company of people who have these traits, you, too, will develop the same successful characteristics and put them to use in your life.

Consider who you have been spending your time with. Examine your friendships and relationships at work and during your leisure hours. Those who occupy your time have a significant impact on your most priceless possession ... your mind! It is your responsibility to regulate what you allow into your mind.

Here are some steps you can take to be more responsible in this area:

* If you regularly have lunch with toxic people at work, stop it. You should be able to find a diplomatic way of extricating yourself from this "poisonous" group.

* If you have a toxic relative (which could be your mother, father, son or daughter), it is important to put some limits on your involvement with them. This does not mean that you abandon this relative and never speak to him or her. However, you should not go out of your way to call that person several times each day if he or she is going to put you down or fill the conversation with negative remarks.

* Form your own positive group with friends or colleagues. Make a commitment to meet with these people on a regular basis (e.g., once a week or once a month) to discuss goals, exchange ideas and offer support. These should be people who accept you as you are and yet challenge you to be the best that you can be.

In case you're wondering, I'm in favor of trying to help friends who are negative. I think we should make efforts to steer them in a more positive direction. But if we've been trying for the last 9 years and the person insists on being negative, maybe it's time to severely limit the amount of time we spend with that person - or to stop spending any time with that individual.

As you increase your associations with nourishing people, you will feel better about yourself and about your ability to achieve your goals. You'll become a more positive, upbeat person -- the kind of person others love to be around. I used to think that it was important to associate with positive people and to limit involvement with negative people. Now, I believe that it is essential if you want to be a high-achiever and a happy individual.

By the way, as you continue to associate with positive people, the law of attraction starts to kick in. That law states that LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE. When you are positive, you'll attract more positive people into your life. Of course, if you are NEGATIVE, you'll attract negative people.

So, surround yourself with positive, nourishing people -- they will lift you up the ladder of success.

-- 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's also released a fabulous audio program called "Success from Soup to Nuts" -- For more information about his motivational presentations and resources, go to http://www.attitudeiseverything.com

Posted 11/26/2004 by Josh Hinds

Here are a few motivational quotes I thought you'd enjoy...

"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become" -- Jim Rohn

"Success is the maximum utilization of the ability you have" -- Zig Ziglar

** As you're doing your holiday shopping this year, don't forget to drop by our Success Store to find that perfect motivational or personal development book or tape program... Happy holidays -- and all the best in the coming year... Josh Hinds :-)

P.S. If you'd like to read through even more inspiring quotes, you can search through more then 13,000 of them at our Motivational Quotes Database.

Posted 11/23/2004 by Josh Hinds

I wanted to mention that we just added Robert Kiyosaki to the Motivational Speakers Hall Of Fame section on the site. Have a look around, and feel free to email your nomination to us if you feel we're missing someone that deserves to be included.. To Your Success, Josh Hinds :-)

Posted 11/23/2004 by Josh Hinds

The Big Secret
By Tom and Penelope Pauley

Today I want to tell you the BIG SECRET...

What is the one thing that determines whether you live a rich, successful life?

Is it the school you went to?

Well, there are a lot of doctors, lawyers and top-tier MBA's wishing that were true.

Is it whether your parents were rich or poor?

The history of the world is told, it seems, by those bold and daring folks that came from humble beginnings to make a rich and lasting contribution to the wealth of humanity.

Is it what country, station, race, gender or religion you were born to?

Gandhi, George Washington Carver, Carrie Nation, Sam Walton, even the Beatles testify to the folly of such thinking.

The big secret to wealth is and always has been very simple. So simple in fact that we have for centuries ignored its effectiveness. And when you hear it now, you may be tempted to discount it as a homily or even a remnant of religious thinking.

The truth is we use this secret in a very specific and systematic way to become Rich Beyond Our Wildest Dreams. And you can too.

Ask and Receive.

That's the big secret. You can have anything you want, all you have to do is ask correctly and be willing to receive.

It took my family from a 2nd personal bankruptcy to a rich and happy life.

Regardless of where you start, the simple system we teach can help you live the life of your dreams.

Register for our free 5-lesson course and we will tell you a few tricks about money.

Good Luck and Great Adventures!
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Tom and Penelope Pauley have stumbled on a quantum leap forward that shows how any person who can make a grocery list can achieve overnight prosperity. Their book, I'm Rich Beyond My Wildest Dream, has been praised wide and far as The Think and Grow Rich of the 21st century... Learn more here.

Posted 11/11/2004 by Josh Hinds

The First Secret Of Success
by Steve Goodier

"Success is dependent upon the glands - sweat glands," says motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. Here's a true story about a man who learned that lesson.

Harold was ready to retire. His wife Martha, however, was less enthusiastic. As she explained to a friend, "Harold has never done anything that required physical exertion. He never played golf, mowed the lawn or even washed the windows. When he retires, he will sit in his easy chair and expect me to bring him his food."

But to Martha's surprise, soon after he retired Harold joined a health club. And one night, when he arrived home from exercise class, he announced, "I signed up for the wrestling tournament. I am going to wrestle Friday night."

Martha was shocked. "Please don't do it, Harold," she begged. "You're not in shape. You will be so beat up they will have to carry you home!" However, he couldn't be dissuaded and she told him that if he went through with his "lame idea," she was not going to watch.

She stayed home that Friday evening as Harold wrestled. Then about 10:00 p.m., just as she predicted, two men practically carried Harold home. He lay down on the couch, bruised and battered, and, before she could speak, he said, "Don't say a word, Martha! This is not the worst of it. I won tonight. I have to wrestle again tomorrow night!"

Harold worked hard for his success, but he may not have been ready to succeed! He proved, however, that when you combine sweat with the belief that you can do a certain thing, tremendous results will often follow.

In fact, I believe Harold may have even surprised himself. As Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, "People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success." Have you discovered that secret?

(c) Steve Goodier
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Article submitted by Steve Goodier - He is the author of numerous books about personal development, motivation, inspiration, and making needed life changes. To learn more visit his web site.


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Posted 11/11/2004 by Josh Hinds

Just a quick note to say I've just added two new articles to our Self-help Articles Library section by Motivational Speaker & Trainer Jon Boe including: The Power of Belief and Expectation & The Magic of Positive Thinking. More to come soon... Josh :-)

Posted 11/07/2004 by Josh Hinds

Rediscover Your Childhood: Possibilities
By Phil Keoghan with Warren Berger

When it comes to childish possibilities, there are almost too many to choose from. If you're looking for some little starters -- things that are easy to do and will begin to get you in the right frame of mind -- flying a kite is an old standby.

The same can be said of board games, particularly old favorites from childhood like Scrabble and Monopoly. Pictionary is great because it forces you to draw, often with hilarious results. To boost the "experience quotient" on game playing, take the games outdoors to a park and arrange an all-day high-stakes tournament; put kids in charge as referees. These are just warmups to more elaborate possibilities such as:

Play it again. This has proven to be a big theme among people writing in to the N.O.W. television series. The idea is to go back and re-play a big sports game from childhood. If you're going to do this right, you need to go all out and do a lot of pregame coordination.

Assemble all the players from both teams in a Little League or high school game, even including cheerleaders if there were any. It works best with two teams that had a special rivalry: Maybe they played in the league championship, or maybe they competed in terms of last-place ineptitude (that's even more fun). And there are nonsports possibilities, too: You can restage a school play with all the same actors.

Go treasure hunting. It's every kid's fantasy to go diving for buried treasure. And it's all around. You can start on land with a metal detector, combing the beaches. But the good stuff is under the sea. Almost any scuba-diving experience brings the sensation of discovery, the feeling that you're seeing life forms and rocks that no one else gets to see. You may be lucky enough to find some pirate booty down there, but you'll increase your odds considerably if you join up with a salvage operation that specializes in shipwreck dives.

Stay up all night. I'm a big believer in "up-all-night marathons" -- seeing how far you can prolong an experience, going past the point of fatigue. We've all had that childhood thrill of staying up late and breaking the rules, even as an adult. I did it once in New York City, completing a full 28-hour stretch of tourism from dawn to dawn, with my cameraman Scott fuming the whole time (I don't know how his shoulder held up).

The best part was the wee hours of the morning, when it's just you and the die-hard night creatures. By 4:00 in the morning, my eyes were bleary, but I have a hazy memory of a deserted all-night bar where someone did a dance involving cellophane.

Get dirty! This is one of the true pleasures of being a kid: You can make a mess of yourself and enjoy doing it. You don't have to search far for "dirty" opportunities; the mud in the yard is a good starting point. But if you want to go all out, I'll suggest two of the messiest possibilities in the world.

The first is La Tomatina, which has been called the ultimate food fight. It takes place each summer in Bunol, Spain. The action begins when a firecracker explodes: That's the signal for everyone to begin throwing tomatoes at one another. By the time it's over, more than 40 tons of tomatoes will have been splattered and you will, without a doubt, be seeing red. (For more information, visit the Tourist Office of Spain's Web site, www.tourspain.es.)

And when it's time to wash off after La Tomatina, you can hop over to Wales to take part in a "bog snorkeling" competition, which has established itself as "the world's yuckiest race" (that is an official title, by the way).

Get back on that bike. If you think back on your childhood, you'll probably recall that some of your best experiences happened on a bicycle. If you've stopped riding a bike, you absolutely must climb back into the saddle seat, immediately. Start slow with rides around the local park to get your legs back. Then get started on planning an odyssey.

A week on a bike can take you through an entire country, and you'll see it close-up, in a way you never could by car or train. One of my favorites: Bike the wine trail in Napa Valley (but make sure you drink more water than wine lest you swerve off the trail). Bike trips are also great for bonding with your kids or with old friends, or even new ones.

Take lessons -- and pay attention this time. Remember those piano lessons or ballet classes you were forced to take as a child? Go back and retake them, but this time do it with a passion. Some of the things you didn't fully appreciate as a kid take on a whole new dimension when you do them as an adult (especially since you're paying for them now). And taking adult lessons is a great way to remind yourself that it's never too late to learn.

Jeff Goodby, who runs one of the world's most successful ad agencies, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, recently began taking violin lessons -- at age 52. Another acquaintance of mine took up horseback riding, something she'd tried and never mastered as a kid.

If you're learning a new skill as an adult, give yourself time to have fun and make mistakes. But also give yourself a goal and maybe even a N.O.W. challenge to shoot for down the line: a public performance in front of friends and relatives, a recital, a steeple jump.

Get scared. Only children seem to appreciate what a wonderfully cathartic experience it is to scare the heck out of yourself. I'm not talking "bungee scared" here so much as "monster scared." This is another great experience to share with your kids: Turn your home-sweet-home into a house of horrors (just temporarily, mind you).

If you don't know how to do that, ask the kids -- they'll have plenty of suggestions. If you don't want to mess with your own house, find the nearest haunted house that will let you spend the night. While there, swap ghost stories with your companions. If you're willing to go a long way for chills and thrills, think about spending dark nights in Dracula's castle. That's right, we mean the Count himself, also known as Vlad the Impaler. His Transylvania castle is now open to the public, and a trip there includes visits to his grave and spooky sčances (for more information, visit Quest Tours at www.romtour.com).

Get rolling. Like cycling, inline skating can take you back to childhood memories. But its advantage over cycling is that it can be a very social activity, allowing you to become part of a rolling community and special event.

A lot of cities have Friday Night Skate Nights that turn this childlike activity into a kind of performing art form for the masses (the Friday night ritual in Paris draws up to 25,000 skaters). If you really want to shoot for a N.O.W. event, you can organize some type of coordinated skate performance in your community.

Get in the "Zorb." Maybe it's just me, but I think this is another great New Zealand invention that is destined to be as big as bungee. A Zorb is a giant beach ball that you climb inside; it has two layers, and trapped within the outer layer are soapsuds. In the center of it all is you, trying to stand up and walk as the ball rolls down a hill. It has been compared with being inside a tumbling clothes dryer, but that doesn't do the experience justice. All I can say is that I never feel more like a child than when I am rolling around inside the Zorb (check out www.zorb.com for more information).

I have a lot of miscellaneous childish things on my own list. I can't explain why I want to do these things, but hey -- when you're a kid, you don't have to explain. That said, I would like to:

* Putt a golf ball coast to coast across Scotland.
* Be a ball boy for a day at the U.S. Open.
* Enter and win a hot dog eating competition.
* Wear a full-body Velcro suit and throw myself against a wall.
* Spend 3 days on the Bahamian Bruise Cruise with pro wrestlers.


** Reprinted from No Opportunity Wasted: 8 Ways to Create a List for the Life You Want by Phil Keoghan with Warren Berger © 2004 by Phil Keoghan and Warren Berger. Click here to order your copy now.
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Authors: Phil Keoghan is now in his sixth season as host of the Emmy-winning CBS prime-time series, The Amazing Race. He is also currently starring in and co-producing the new No Opportunity Wasted reality television series on the Discovery Channel, one of the most highly anticipated prime-time series launches in the history of Discovery networks.

He has co-produced a number of original series including Phil Keoghan's Adventure Crazy, which was a highly rated worldwide series for the Discovery Channel and currently airs in primetime around the world. He has been profiled in People magazine and TV Guide, and has been featured repeatedly on Oprah.

Warren Berger has written for Wired magazine, Men's Journal, and the New York Times. His book Advertising Today was named one of the Best Books of 2001 by Barnes & Noble.

For more information, please visit Phil Keoghan's Web site, www.philkeoghan.com, or www.writtenvoices.com.