Posted 12/31/2004 by Josh Hinds

Journal Your 100 Life Goals
By Doreene Clement

Recording and tracking your 100 Life Goals in a journal is a powerful tool that can add to your personal and professional well being. Journaling goals is a great way to focus, clarify, and understand what your true intentions are, and how you are going to reach your goals.

In your journal you will record and track your Life Goals, 1 thru 100. (Or your 10 Life Goals, or 150, or 1,000, whatever number of goals you have now, remembering you can add to and delete from your list of Life Goals through the years.)

To start- Find a blank book that is hardcover and has more pages than your number of goals. You also may use more than 1 blank book. Next, write "Goal Number 1" on page 1 of the blank book, then write your goal. (Your goals do not need to be listed in order of importance to you, they can be listed as you think of them.)

Example - Goal Number 1. I want to read over 100 books.

As you read each book you can record the titles and how you liked the book. Would you recommend it? Journal what feels important to you about what you have read.

You can leave one or more blank pages, then write your next goal.
Example - Goal Number 2. I never want to get stung by a bee or a wasp.

Example - 10.02.02 I was at the Blue Door restaurant on Wednesday, sitting near an open door, and there was a bee. As I was moving away from my table to get away from the bee, it landed in my food. No bee stings for me.

Again, leave as many blank pages as you might need. Continue by listing Goal Numbers 3, 4, 5, etc. After each goal you can journal what your feelings, ideas, dreams, desires, etc., are for your goals. Journal the people, experiences and circumstances as things happen in your life to accomplish your goals.

You can also journal your Life Goals on the computer. Create a document that uses the above system. As your goals change and evolve you can edit the list, or rearrange according to the order of importance. What was number 1 on your list can change to number 55.

As you think about your Life Goals, take the time you need to create the list. It may take you days, or years. It is your list, create it in your time.

(C) Doreene Clement All Rights Reserved
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Doreene Clement is the creator of, The 5 Year Journal, a journal where you can journal your life in one book for 5 years. You can tour the book at http://www.the5yearjournal.com

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Posted 12/28/2004 by Josh Hinds

Establishing Dreams and Goals
by Jim Rohn
(Excerpted from Week Six of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life, and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams. Think of it: We can look deep within our hearts and dream of a better situation for ourselves and our families; dream of better financial lives and better emotional or physical lives; certainly dream of better spiritual lives.

But what makes this even more powerful is that we have also been given the ability to not only dream but to pursue those dreams and not only to pursue them, but the cognitive ability to actually lay out a plan and strategies (setting goals) to achieve those dreams. Powerful! And that is what we will discuss in detail this week: How to dream dreams and establish goals to get those dreams.

What are your dreams and goals? This isn't what you already have or what you have done, but what you want. Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want?

Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there. Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there.

So how do we know what our dreams are? This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to yourself. If we listen to others, we hear their plans and dreams (and many will try to put their plans and dreams on us). If we listen to others, we can never be fulfilled. We will only chase elusive dreams that are not rooted deep within us. No, we must listen to our own hearts.

Let's take a look at some practical steps/thoughts on hearing from our hearts on what our dreams are:

Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don't do enough in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we are constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet, to peer deep within. It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams!

Schedule some quiet "dream time" this week. No other people. No cell phone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts (you get to do this in the workbook exercises this week).

Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving. What would you LOVE to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed?

What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy? When you answer these questions you will feel Great and you will be in the "dream zone." It is only when we get to this point that we experience what Our dreams are!

Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don't think of any as too outlandish or foolish - remember, you're dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record.

Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most? Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action, not just dreaming.

Here is the big picture: Life is too short to not pursue your dreams. Someday your life will near its end and all you will be able to do is look backwards. You can reflect with joy or regret. Those who dream, who set goals and act on them to live out their dreams are those who live lives of joy and have a sense of peace when they near the end of their lives. They have finished well, for themselves and for their families.

Remember: These are the dreams and goals that are born out of your heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become. Your specific goals are what you want to attain because they are what will make your life joyful and bring your family's life into congruence with what you want it to be.

Let's do something remarkable!

Jim Rohn
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Article Submitted by Jim Rohn - Announcing The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan! One of the Most Comprehensive Resource and Success Plans Ever Created For You To Reach All Of Your Goals in the Next 12 Months! For details on the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan go here.

Posted 12/20/2004 by Josh Hinds

Make a One Decision Not Just a New Years Resolution
Get MORE out of the upcoming year!
by Judith Wright

Every year the majority of us make a promise to ourselves that we will change some habit we find unseemly – we make a New Year’s resolution. And for a time, even if it is just a fleeting moment, we actually believe that we will keep that promise.

We will stop eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s every time we have a bad day, we will only wear our workout pants when we’re actually going to the gym, we will water the plants, eat nutritious meals, and be at work on time. And this year, we’ll actually do it…Yeah, right.

Soft Addictions Block New Years Resolutions
The problem with all New Year’s resolutions is that we expect ourselves, in one fell swoop, to break the habitual cycles we have developed over months, weeks and years. The behaviors we return to again and again – like procrastinating, overeating, and watching hours of TV every day – can’t just be wiped out cold turkey. More than just a bad habit, these behaviors are actually Soft Addictions that are robbing us of the time, money, energy and meaning we deserve.

New Years Resolutions Alone Don’t Work
The average New Year’s resolution lasts just three weeks, and for many of us, that’s a stretch. It’s not that we don’t want to take these behaviors out of our lives, it’s just that we’re going about it the wrong way.

Trying to make a “quick fix” every January 1st isn’t going to solve the problem. To really make a change in your life – to find the MORE in life you are looking for – takes more than a New Year’s resolution. It takes a commitment to achieving the vision you see for your life.

What’s the Difference?
We make New Year’s resolutions to deal with the surface problems in our lives – we want to lose weight, be more organized, make more money – and we think that fixing this problem will make us happy. However, even if we do achieve the surface goals, the deeper problems are still looming. Many of us have lost weight or got the ‘right’ job or guy but have still been unhappy.

Make a One Decision
This year, I challenge you to make more than a resolution, make a “One Decision.” The One Decision is your commitment to living a life of MORE. We all face the decision between living deep, meaningful lives or surface, unconscious ones. To make lasting change in our lives, we need to commit to one way of living versus another. This is not just a decision. It is the One Decision that determines the quality and direction of our life.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t realize that the decision is yours to make. We often go through life thinking, This is just the way it is. It seems the best we can do is get by. We numb ourselves to the pain and just cope or get by. By making a One Decision, you choose to pursue the greater MORE in life, more connection, meaning, fulfillment, and satisfaction. And along the way you find more time, money, and energy.

A One Decision does not mean you will never have Soft Addictions. That isn’t the point. But the next time you find yourself mindlessly snacking or procrastinating by gossiping for hours on end, you can recall your one decision and give yourself the opportunity to shift or make a different choice.

A One Decision Example
The expression of a One Decision is personal and unique. But here is an example of how one person expressed her decision.

I have decided. I have made the One Decision. I have decided to live an exceptional life a conscious life, to fulfill my spiritual hungers to live deeply to open myself to all life has to offer and greet it. I have decided to be open to my feelings, to let them wash across my face. A life worth living is one where all experiences are worthy of being experienced. I need not numb myself. I invite it. I choose life!

Making Your One Decision
Here are several steps you can do to make your One Decision.

1. Reflect on your reasons.
Find a quiet spot to reflect on why you want to make a One Decision. Why do you want more in life? What soft addictions or failed resolutions are getting in your way? Do you have yearnings you want to fulfill? What excites you?

2. Identify your desires.
What do you want ore of in life—more life, love, meaning, feelings, intimacy, connection, satisfaction, money, energy, passion? What would make your life a well-lived life? Proclaim what you want more of by writing it down.

3. Claim your commitment.
Write down your personal commitment. Compose a paragraph expression your One Decision. Use the previous two questions as raw material.

Be inspired with this quote from Jack London:

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant flame than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time” --Jack London

A One Decision is not meant to replace resolutions or the commitment to overcome Soft Addictions, but it is a critical step towards success in achieving resolutions and releasing Soft Addictions. Make this year count. As you start to think about your resolutions, give yourself the gift of a One Decision.
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To learn more about the One Decision and the other 8 key skills to living a life of MORE, go to www.judithwright.com

JUDITH WRIGHT is the national best-selling author of THERE MUST BE MORE THAN THIS: Finding More Life, Love, and Meaning by Overcoming Your Soft Addictions. Called ‘one of the most sought after self-help gurus’ by the San Francisco Chronicle, Judith has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning American, over 250 radio programs, and in over 30 national magazines and newspapers.

Posted 12/17/2004 by Josh Hinds

Since I haven't mentioned it here lately in our Motivation blog. I'd like to invite you to join our FREE Let's Talk Motivation newsletter. You can click here to do so now if you'd like... Here's to your success, Josh Hinds :-)

Posted 12/12/2004 by Josh Hinds

The Difference Between Good … And Great
by Suzanne Falter-Barns

Ever notice how some people have all the luck? They seem to attract clients and business effortlessly, and win awards without even trying. Even the media seems to seek them out. So what makes THEM the anointed ones…. and not you?

The difference is passion.

Passion is what makes us get up in the morning, excited about what we’re going to do. It’s what pushes us through tasks we’d rather not do – and propels us through those that are ordinarily intimidating.

Passion is something else, too. It’s a healing essence that makes whatever we do seem guided, and so very attractive to others. Things that are passionately created are truly magnetic – we all want a piece, so we, too, can be healed.

I first became aware of this on a speaking tour I did in Florida a few years back. At the time, I spoke at a New Age bookstore/tea salon in Key West, FL called Kindred Spirit. This wasn't a 'must do' stop on the circuit of major bookstores; when the owners invited me to speak, they didn't even have a location yet for their store.

Still, there was something about Kelly and Karen, the owners, which resonated with me when I met them at a conference. They had a certain intensity, the air of women on a mission. It was clear they would have exactly the space they wanted, and it would be great. Not only that, I would do an event with them, and that would be great, too. The Powers That Be were clearly whispering in their ear.

When I got to Key West, my hunch was confirmed. Every inch of this store held things that were beautiful and unique, each artfully arranged. Karen had hand-painted fresh, original calligraphy on the walls, and they had composed their space so you could wander at will, finding treasures at every turn. There was even a tiny antechamber, beautifully decorated, where you could have a reading with a remarkable psychic. Lace-covered tea tables waited for you to sit down, relax, and have superb cup of tea.

The effect of being in Kindred Spirit was that my travel-jagged soul was immediately soothed. This store had the ability to heal people. That healing comes from what some call "the essence". It's an immutable standard for your work that comes from within, a refusal to deliver less than exactly what your soul told you to create. And this takes considerable work.

When I met Karen and Kelly, they were coming off of weeks of 12-hour days putting the finishing touches on their store and holding their first event. They had that slightly insane, but critically important vision you get that pushes you forward, and forward, and forward, until you do create exactly what you want. They had passion, pure and simple.

And please note that such work is not just a non-stop string of blissed out moments of creativity. There are many when you just want to go home and climb into bed. There are just as many when you lie awake worrying. Still, there is something sacred and holy that pushes you forward, whether it be the 'essence' or your own hands-on interpretation of God or Spirit.

Not surprisingly, all of Key West turned out for my talk at Kindred Spirit; the event was electric! All, I say, because people wanted that healing at the heart of Karen and Kelly's hard work.

So how do you summon up the essence? For Karen and Kelly, it was just a matter of finding the courage to leave their jobs and follow their heart. And that’s true for all of us. If you can listen to your inner voices, you’ll find that back there behind the voices of doubt is your own private cheering squad.

It wants you to go for the gusto and begin your dreams; it wants you to live your dreams – and it will make it more possible than you may believe. I say anyone can summon up their passion. They just need to find the courage to begin. Then they simply have to dig in and find that gift they’re blessed with, and move on to share it with others.

May be you as moved as I've been by the healing work of all creators, great, small, famous and unknown, who are driven by nothing more than their desire to deliver what they feel. And may you discover the same within yourself.
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Suzanne Falter-Barns is the author of How Much Joy Can You Stand? Learn more about how to find your own healing essence with 'The Passion Connector' available here.


** Quick Success Tip from Josh Hinds: There's also a Success Session interview with Suzanne Falter-Barns available in the members site I co-founded at AudioMotivation.com

Posted 12/08/2004 by Josh Hinds

Why the Elephants Don’t Run
By Jim Donovan

A number of years ago, I had the rather unique experience of being backstage in Madison Square Garden, in New York, during the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. To say the least, it was a fascinating experience. I was able to walk around looking at the lions, tigers, giraffes and all the other circus animals.

As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the ele-phants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no at-tempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They think the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they could not, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? How many of us are being held back by old, outdated beliefs that no longer serve us? Have you avoided trying something new because of a limiting belief? Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else’s limiting beliefs? Do you tell yourself you can’t sell because your not a salesperson?

Particularly in starting or running a business, we are cautioned not to take risks, usually by well intentioned friends and family. How many of us have heard, "You can’t do that?" These are the dream stealers who, due to their own limiting beliefs, will attempt to discourage you from living your dreams. You must ignore them at all cost!

I am not suggesting that you should not seek advice from qualified individuals and mentors, but that you avoid like the plague, being swayed by the limiting beliefs of others, especially people who are not in their own business.

Challenge your own limiting beliefs by questioning them. If you begin to question a belief, you automatically weaken it. The more you question your limiting beliefs, the more they are weakened. It’s like kicking the legs out from under a stool. Once you weaken one leg, the stool begins to lose its balance and fall.

Think back to a time when you "sold" someone on yourself. We are selling all the time. You have to sell your ideas to your spouse, your children, and your employees — even your banker. Maybe, as a child, you sold Girl Scout cookies or magazine subscriptions to raise money for your school team. That was selling too!

Once you realize you are, in fact, a capable salesperson, you have weakened that old belief and began to replace it with a new, empowering one. Look for references to support the new beliefs you want to cultivate. As in the example of the stool, you want to reinforce your beliefs by adding more and more "legs" to them.

Find people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish, discover what they did and model their behavior. Remember back to times in your past when you were successful and use that experience to propel yourself forward. If your challenge is in sales, read sales books and listen to tapes or attend sales seminars. This is a critical area of your business. One that cannot be undermined by limiting beliefs.

There is a technique called "fake it until you make it" that works well. I am not suggesting you live in denial, just that you begin to see yourself succeeding. Visualize your successes. See yourself vividly in your minds eye making the sale and reaching your goals. Affirm, over and over, that you are succeeding. Write your affirmations daily. Of course, make sure you take the appropriate action. As it says in the Bible, "Faith without works is dead."

Remember that your subconscious mind does not know the difference between real and imaginary. Before you go on a sales call, take a moment and mentally rehearse the scene, just like actors and athletes do. Tell yourself, "I’m a great salesperson." Do this over and over, especially just before a sales call. See the sale being made. See and feel the success. You will be pleasantly amazed at the result. Don’t take my word for it. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It has been said throughout history that what ever you believe, with conviction, you can achieve. Don’t be like the poor elephant and go through your life stuck because of a limiting belief you were given or developed years ago. Take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You deserve the best.
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Jim Donovan is a motivational speaker and the author of several books who asks, if you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Then take advantage of his special, limited time offer by clicking here.

Posted 12/06/2004 by Josh Hinds

Are You Good?
Robin S. Sharma

I have been spending a lot of time lately thinking about the fundamentals of greatness. I’ve been reflecting on some of the simpler attributes that separate the most unforgettable men and women who have graced this planet from the rest.

We live in an age where complexity is sexy and we seek out sophisticated strategies and tactics that will help us to become more successful at work and in our lives. But deep within our hearts, we know that authentic success is a simple process. Yes, we must be excellent at what we do. Yes, our products and services must be world-class. Yes, we must develop a high-performance team. Yes, we must build an architecture of execution so that the most important things get done. But more than anything else, I believe that to be truly great, we must be good.

People love doing business with good people. And yet, in this age of great ambiguity and relentless change, so many people cut “ethical corners”. Too many people think that dishonesty will get them ahead. Too many people have forgotten the importance of using words like “Please” and “Thank You”.

Too many people think that if you are nice, you will be eaten alive in today’s marketplace. But being ethical, compassionate and dedicated to adding enormous value to those around you is probably the best way to ensure your success. In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson: “ Everybody, soon and late, sits down to a banquet of consequences.”

Here are a few simple ideas to help you continue to raise your “Goodness Quotient”:

* Be the most polite person that you know
* Be honest to a fault
* Deeply commit yourself to being a world-class listener
* Send handwritten thank you notes on a regular basis
* Seek out opportunities to do random acts of kindness
* Commit yourself to being the most positive and passionate person that you know
* Be impeccable with your punctuality

Success and leadership come down to simple fundamentals that elite performers practice on a daily basis. The latest business books offer sophisticated ideas and cutting-edge suggestions. But to be truly great, stick to the basics that you know in your heart are most important. Be kind. Be excellent. Be passionate. And more than anything else, Be Good.

In Leadership and With Love,
Robin Sharma
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Robin S. Sharma, LL.M. is an internationally-known speaker on sales leadership, peak performance and creativity. The bestselling author of several motivational books including Leadership Wisdom from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, he is the managing partner of Sharma Leadership International. He can be reached at his web site: http://www.robinsharma.com

Posted 12/03/2004 by Josh Hinds

Just a quick note to say I added a new section on the site that features Prosperity And Abundance resources... To Your success, Josh :-)

Posted 12/02/2004 by Josh Hinds

Happiness Is A Way Of Traveling, Not A Destination
by Dr. Tony Alessandra

The only advantage of being a pessimist is that all your surprises are pleasant. But that's pretty small change compared to the big payoff that comes from projecting positive expectations.

Much of our happiness or unhappiness is caused, of course, not by what happens, but how we look at what happens. In other words, by our thinking habits. And habits can be changed.

George Walther, in his book Power Talking, shows how you can foster the mind-set that interprets setbacks as positive opportunities. He believes this is a skill that you can develop-one word, one phrase, one sentence at a time.

For starters, purge the words "I failed..." from your vocabulary, Walther urges. Replace them with "I learned..." to help your mind focus on the lessons involved.

Similarly, you might want to get in the habit of using "challenge" when others would say "problem," "I'll be glad to" instead of "I'll have to," and "I'm getting better at ..." rather than "I'm no good at ..."

The subliminal effect of changing even a few words, Walther says, can prompt your mind to come up with creative solutions rather than dreading or fleeing the problem.
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Dr. Tony Alessandra has authored numerous books, recorded over 50 audio and video programs, and delivered over 2,000 keynote speeches since 1976. If you would like more information about Dr. Alessandra's books, audio tapesets and video programs, or about Dr. Alessandra as a keynote speaker, visit his website at http://www.alessandra.com

Posted 12/01/2004 by Josh Hinds

Four Words that Make Life Worthwhile
by Jim Rohn

Over the years as I've sought out ideas, principles and strategies to life's challenges, I've come across four simple words that can make living worthwhile.

First, life is worthwhile if you Learn. What you don't know Will hurt you. You have to have learning to exist, let alone succeed. Life is worthwhile if you learn from your own experiences - negative or positive. We learn to do it right by first sometimes doing it wrong. We call that a positive negative.

We also learn from other people's experiences, both positive and negative. I've always said that it is too bad failures don't give seminars. Obviously, we don't want to pay them so they aren't usually touring around giving seminars. But that information would be very valuable - we would learn how someone who had it all then messed it up.

Learning from other people's experiences and mistakes is valuable information because we can learn what not to do without the pain of having tried and failed ourselves.

We learn by what we see so pay attention. We learn by what we hear so be a good listener. Now I do suggest that you should be a selective listener, don't just let anybody dump into your mental factory. We learn from what we read so learn from every source; learn from lectures; learn from songs; learn from sermons; learn from conversations with people who care. Always keep learning.

Second, life is worthwhile if you Try. You can't just learn; now you have to try something to see if you can do it. Try to make a difference, try to make some progress, try to learn a new skill, try to learn a new sport. It doesn't mean you can do everything, but there are a lot of things you can do, if you just try. Try your best. Give it every effort. Why not go all out?

Third, life is worthwhile if you Stay. You have to stay from spring until harvest. If you have signed up for the day or for the game or for the project - see it through. Sometimes calamity comes and then it is worth wrapping it up. And that's the end, but just don't end in the middle. Maybe on the next project you pass, but on this one, if you signed up, see it through.

And lastly, life is worthwhile if you Care. If you care at all you will get some results, if you care enough you can get incredible results. Care enough to make a difference. Care enough to turn somebody around. Care enough to start a new enterprise. Care enough to change it all. Care enough to be the highest producer. Care enough to set some records. Care enough to win.

Four powerful little words: learn, try, stay and care. What difference can you make in your life today by putting these words to work?

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
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Written by Jim Rohn - To order the special New Release Offer of The Jim Rohn 2004 Weekend Event with Special Guests Denis Waitley, Brian Tracy and more - over 24 hours on DVD, 24 CDs and 283-page comprehensive workbook; Plus receive 90 Days to Life Change as a bonus, click here.

Posted 12/01/2004 by Josh Hinds

I'm always busy, but nothing much gets done!
By Charlie Badenhop

I decided to finally clean out the shed in our back yard recently. My wife left the house early on a Saturday morning to run some errands and I knew that my cleaning the shed would please her greatly.

On the way out the door to fulfill my noble task, I take a quick look at the morning mail and notice a past due bill so I run upstairs to write a check.

Upon reaching for the checkbook, I see there is only one check left, so I call my mom in Georgia and ask her to send me more.

My mom tells me my uncle Fred is not doing well, and she makes me promise to give him a call, so I ring him as soon as I get off the phone with her.

He's happy to hear my voice, and reminds me that I still haven't sent any recent family pictures. When I get off the phone, I run downstairs, get the pictures, run back upstairs, and put them in an envelope.

I wake my computer up to get my uncle's address, and the phone rings. My neighbor's on the line asking me if I can move our bicycles so he can get a delivery. As I move our bikes I see another neighbor taking out their garbage, and realize I need to quickly do the same.

I run in for the garbage and the phone rings again. This time it's my daughter's piano teacher explaining the upcoming monthly teaching schedule.

Needless to say, by the time I get off the phone, I wind up just missing the garbage truck, and I slink back to the house knowing my wife won't be pleased having to keep the garbage for another two days.

At this point in time I realize that I need to establish my priorities and stick to them, or the day is really going to spin out of control.

I sit down to sort myself out, and after a bit of time spent thinking, my wife comes back home and cheerfully asks me what I have accomplished so far today.

Upon hearing her question I suddenly feel the beginning of a panic attack coming on. I missed getting the garbage out in time, I still haven't written the check for the overdue bill, I haven't yet addressed the envelope with the pictures for my uncle, and of course I have yet to begin cleaning the shed.

Soon the day will be half over, and not only am I not making headway, but I am losing ground!

Recognizing the emotional pain, I am in my daughter pulls me over to sit on the couch and climbs up on my lap. "Daddy," she says, "Why don't you do what you told me to do the other day when I was upset? " "Take three deep breaths..." "Look around you and notice that indeed the world is NOT falling apart..." "And give thanks for all that you have, and all of the people who love you!"

Better advice has never been given.

When you find your life spinning out of control, take the time to breathe and feel into the emotional experience you are creating. Regardless of the task at hand, if you maintain a clear concept of who you are and what you are wanting to accomplish, you can stay on track and feel OK with all that transpires.
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Charlie Badenhop is the originator of Seishindo, an Aikido instructor, NLP trainer, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist. Benefit from his thought-provoking ideas and a new self-help Practice every two weeks, by subscribing to his complimentary newsletter "Pure Heart, Simple Mind" at http://www.seishindo.org.