Motivation Articles, Essays, Tips and Advice

At my workshops, I emphasize how critical it is to develop self-trust. When we trust our self, we are more likely to take risks, and this is an essential quality for pursuing your dreams. The converse is also true. If you don’t trust yourself, you won’t act on your big dreams.

We can deepen or increase this quality by putting the proverbial stake in the ground and committing to act on something that matters to us, even when, (perhaps especially when), the outcome is not guaranteed.

Here are a few things I know about beliefs. If you don’t believe in yourself and/or dream, it’s hard for others to. Often there is no evidence that your dream is a good idea. But when you believe in it and act on it, you can make it happen. Our beliefs are never neutral. They either move us forward or hold us back and we choose what we believe.

If you can learn to believe in something simply because it matters to you, even when there are no promises or assurances that it will occur, and then act on what you believe, miracles often show up.

After a life-time of working on myself, I have made a profound discovery. I have become overly self-sufficient.  I trust and believe in myself, but there is something bigger, better and more delicious available and sometimes my need to be overly independent can compromise that. I am suggesting that there is more to life than trusting ourselves.

I have come to realize that life can become easier, more gentle, rewarding and fulfilling when I don’t have to know all the answers or assume I have to do everything myself.

Faith is different than trust and belief and I am newly writing about this as I explore, discover and create a powerful new relationship with this extraordinary ally. Faith is present whether I choose it or not but as I believe in it, miracles occur.  And much like a compassionate parent, faith continues to be present regardless of how I act toward it.

As I open and surrender into a more relaxed state, I sense that I am held and loved by something much bigger and more profound then myself, something ever present. As I get quiet and empty this fact becomes known to me. We are never alone.

That means we don’t have to do it all our self or suffer in silence. It also means we can make significant changes in our life, at any time and at any age. Help is available to those who ask.

The shortcut step to accomplishing any dream is to learn to ask for help. But it’s how you ask that can make all the difference. And this is true whether you are asking someone to make an introduction for you or praying to God for forgiveness.

During a recent visit to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, I was awe struck by the beauty, magnificence and artistic expression that went into creating this masterpiece. But the piece I couldn’t take my eyes off of was the panel of God creating Adam. Both have their arms stretched out, longing for life, awakening and creation.

It is an act of faith when we reach out for what we want. This is why I feel it’s powerful to share your dreams. It’s vulnerable, but as you speak your dream out loud, you are sending a powerful message out about what you desire.

Some say through prayer we ask for what we want and through mediation we can hear the answers to our prayers. As dreamers, no matter what your faith, I invite you to open to a faith practice of asking for what you want.

Whatever form this takes for you, I encourage you to take some time to stop, feel your heart, connect to your longing and use faith as a powerful guide to aid you in taking your important next step.
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Marcia Wieder is a motivational speaker, specializing in helping people make their dreams real! In addition to her speaking and coaching she is the author of several books, including: Making Your Dreams Come True. Reach her by visiting her website at www.marciaw.com.

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Let’s take a little quiz.  Read the following five questions and answer them as honestly as possible. Ready? Begin…

1.  Do you want a successful career or a close relationship with your family?

2.  Do you want to earn a fortune or do the work you love?

3.  Do you want to enjoy a delicious love life or grow your business?

4.  Do you want to give to your favorite charity or invest in the new car?

5.  Do you want to travel the world or make money?

There’s only one answer to all of these questions. The answer is…

BOTH!

One of the most powerful habits that can bring more abundance in your life is the habit of thinking, “Both”.

Rich people live in a world of abundance.
Poor people live in a world of limitation.

Poor people think there’s not enough to go around in the world. They come from a fear-based mindset.  Their answers are “either/or”, but never “both”.

In a poor person’s mind-set they go for security above love, safety before self-expression and protection over possibility.

What about you?  Are you a possibility theorist or a fear-based thinker?

Rich people live in a world of abundance.
Poor people live in a world of limitation.

Rich people understand that with a little creativity, a willingness to be unconventional, and an open mind, they can have both. When you build your business (and your life) on the “Both” mentality, you will see opportunities that you were once blind to.

I invite you to begin today to alter your mind-set. Get in the habit of saying “Both!” Try it for the next seven days. Anytime you’re asked to decide on two options, say both and then use your creative genius to make it happen.

You’re asked if you want peanut butter or pralines and cream. Say both and then do a double work out that day.

You’re asked if you can write that article or take your daughter to soccer. Say both and then skip TV that night.

You’re asked if you want to spend a week at the lake or a week at the beach. Say both and sign up for a house exchange.

You’re asked if you want to attend Yale or Berkeley. (Ha! This is the question my daughter Auriana poses as I write this article.) I say, “Let’s jump on a plane, tour the
campuses and make a choice. To which my 18-year-old daughter replies, “And whatever college I don’t get my Bachelors from, I’ll attend for my Masters!

Just say, “Both!”

Only you can make the decision to break through the limitations put on life. YOU have the power to change your beliefs about abundance and prove to yourself you really believe in enjoying “both!”

Your first homework assignment this month is to practice saying, “Both” for seven days and notice the changes in your life. Your second homework assignment is to celebrate those changes and all the abundance that you will begin manifesting into your life.
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Lisa Jimenez, M.Ed., has helped thousands of top salespeople shatter their self-limiting beliefs and finally get the breakthrough success they want. When it comes to personal productivity and creating unstoppable momentum — there is no one better for your salespeople than Lisa. Visit her website for business building success resources by Lisa Jimenez.

*brought to you by Josh Hinds’ GetMotivation.com

You’re going to be rejected in life, heck it happens to me all the time. And if you haven’t experienced much rejection, I’ll bet you’re not taking many risks.

Without taking risks you’ll lead a safe, predictable, and somewhat boring life. So let’s learn how to rock rejection. Read on.

I’ve been rejected zillions of times… such as when I was a 16 year old runaway in New York City. Of course I hadn’t figured out how I’d make a living before dashing out the door.

The only job I’d had was working at a bakery, and pastry-pushing wasn’t going to cover the bills. The only other “skill” I had was what I’d learned in modeling school.

After calling numerous agencies, one finally agreed to see me. Within three minutes I’d been dismissed as “too short” and “ugly.” When I heard those words the first thing I thought was “I can get around that.”

And that’s how I’ve dealt with rejection ever since. Could I have been destroyed by the dissing they dished out? Sure. But I had to eat. I had to find a way to make it in Manhattan. So I decided to rock the rejection. And it worked.

Fast forward several decades later, and here I am getting rejected still. So what? When someone says “no” I say “next.” Somebody out there wants what I have—I simply need to find them.

It’s one thing for me to tell you not to take rejection personally; it’s another to pull it off. The key is to desensitize. The first thing I do when rejected is to practice QTIP:

Quit
Taking
It
Personally

My preferred method of desensitization is to throw a Rejection Party. Yep, you heard it right. Party when you’re rejected and down—it’s the best way to peel yourself up off the floor.

How to Host a Rejection Party: Type A

Gather ten or more people together (more is better). They can be colleagues, friends, members of a networking or Mastermind Group, or even strangers with a desire to learn.

Here are the rules:

1. Each person in the group forms a question for something they want, such as “Will you invest $100,000 in my new company?” or “Will you buy my widget?”

2. Now walk around the room, approaching the other participants one-on-one and asking them your question. They’ll give you a “yes” or “no” answer, and will ask you their question too. You must give a “yes” or “no” answer. See step #3 for the rules on answering.

Keep a silent tally of the number of requests made of you. You can only answer “yes” if the person addressing you is making the ninth request. Say “no” to all others.

Once you’ve said “yes”, start counting again and say “no” to the next nine requests. You can say “no” however you want—apologetically, curtly, kindly—it’s up to you. The goal is to simulate real-world rejection in order to become immune to it.

After repeatedly getting rejected, you’ll find it doesn’t hurt so badly. You come to realize that each rejection gets you closer to acceptance. Remember the Rock Rejection Mantra:

Some will.
Some won’t.
So what?
Someone’s waiting.

Keep asking and eventually you’ll get a “yes”. Thanks to Jack Canfield for teaching me this technique.

How to Host a Rejection Party: Type B

As much as I like Rejection Party Type A I extended it to this new version, which I find mirrors the world more realistically.

The requester must ask for the same thing, but can change his or her pitch, trying on different approaches. For instance, the requester could say “Will you invest $100,000 in my new marketing company?” and the next time he or she could say, “Will you loan $100,000 to my new marketing company at 6% interest and a 10-year payback period?”

The requestee is allowed to say “yes” if he or she finds the request compelling enough. He or she doesn’t actually have to follow through (i.e., fork over that $100,000), but must honestly be intrigued by the request.

I can’t tell you how incredibly effective Rejection Parties are—they’ve help hundreds of my friends and colleagues to desensitize, and to no longer be stymied or stumped by rejection. But the best part, of course, is the less you let rejection throw you, the more risks you’ll take. And risks are what rock our lives, help us find more meaning, help us reinvent ourselves, help us make a difference in the world.

So go ahead. Take risks. Get rejected. You know there’ll be a party afterwards!

For more tips and helpful info on networking, see the Cool Resources section on www.RulesForRenegades.com.
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Christine is author of the best selling book Rules for Renegades: How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career, and Revel in Your Individuality. She’s CEO of Mighty Ventures, an innovation accelerator which helps businesses to massively increase sales, product offerings, and company value.

* If you enjoyed the article above be sure to join our free Motivational Newsletter — Let’s Talk Motivation!

“Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” - As A Man Thinketh

Look slowly around you. All that you see at this moment was one day but someone’s dream - a “seedling of the reality” it was to become. In our lifetime we have benefited greatly from the dreams of so many.

Mandela, Mother Teresa, Einstein, Gandhi, Spielberg, Disney, Gates and the list could go on and on and on — all began with a dream. Who could forget one of the most powerful speeches of all time by Dr. Martin Luther King, “I Have a Dream”. While we haven’t become the color-blind society we should be, go back and read the speech and see how far we’ve come since Dr. King first spoke those “seedlings” into reality.

At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Celine Dion performed a song called The Power of the Dream.

“Deep within each heart,
There lies a magic spark,
That lights the fire of our imagination…

Your mind will take you far
The rest is just pure heart,
You’ll find your fate is all your own creation.”

Sounds a lot like James Allen, doesn’t it?

So maybe you don’t see yourself as a Mandela or Mother Teresa. But if you haven’t already discovered it, deep inside you there is a dream. It was put there by the one who created you, as we are told in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Ralph Marston, who’s Daily Motivator has brightened my day for some time now, writes, “On a regular basis, take time to imagine the very best that life can be. Step aside for a moment from the day-to-day concerns of life. Re-establish contact with your highest goals and most treasured dreams. Remind yourself of the beautiful possibilities that life holds for you. Renew your determination to bring them to fruition.

“Spend some quality time with your dreams. They are real to the extent that you value them. To the extent that you commit to them and work for them, they will come true.”

The final verse of Celine’s song ends with:

“There’s so much strength in all of us,
Every woman, child and man,
It’s the moment that you think you can’t,
You’ll discover that you can.”

And that’s worth thinking about.

* excerpted from Vic Johnson’s book, Day by Day with James Allen.
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Vic Johnson speaker and founder of a host of personal development websites. Take a moment to learn about his powerful program for success and achievement, Claim Your Power Now!

*brought to you by Josh Hinds’ GetMotivation.com

Networking is about creating an extended family. It’s about developing connections, caring about people, increasing the size of your “tribe.” Most of all, networking is not the awkward social ritual many of us think it is—networking is actually FUN!

Here are my top six networking essentials to rock your career and your life.

1. Practice “Palm Up” Networking. When you network, are you giving, or grasping? Palm up networking embodies the spirit of service, of giving and wanting nothing in return. When you network “palm down” you’re grasping for personal gain. Palm up = heart-oriented interaction.

Palm down = greedy grasping. Which attitude results in building relationships, providing value, and ultimately bestows benefits on both parties? You guessed it. The universe has a perfect accounting system. Give to others, it’ll all come back to you in time.

2. Do Daily Appreciation. Appreciate at least one person daily. Sometimes I do this via e-mail so I can be thorough. And often, to my delight, the recipient will tell me that they are saving the message for when they need a pick-me-up. You can also express appreciation over the phone or in person. Simply tell someone how much you appreciate who they are, what they do, whatever about them moves you. They’ll be flattered and you’ll feel great.

3. Equalize Yourself with Others. I believe we all have one unit of worth, no more, no less. No one can add to it, no one can take it away. We’re all equal. Just because someone is powerful, rich, famous doesn’t mean they are better than you. Practice equalizing yourself with others—this will enable you to more comfortably interact with others, and to reach out to people of all walks of life.

4. Rolodex Dip. This is a fun practice when you want to connect with someone but aren’t sure who. Flip through your contact database and pick a name. Then think of all the things you like about them. Now call them up to see how they are doing. They’ll be surprised and delighted.

5. Pick a “Sensei of the Day”: Each day I pick a sensei, a teacher. This is someone who has taught me a lesson or reminded me of something important in life. Your sensei can be a person, a pet, a plant, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is to acknowledge that there is much to learn and you are being offered valuable lessons constantly.

6. Do the Drive-By Schmooze. Parties, conventions, groups of all sorts are great opportunities to network, but sometimes you’ll be tired, not in the mood, or have too many events in one evening (like during holiday season!). This is when you’ll want to use the Drive-By Schmooze. Here’s how:

a. Timebox your networking. Decide that in 30 minutes you’ll do a check-in to determine if you need to stay any longer.

b. Set your goal. Determine the number of new connections you want to establish. Remember, your goal is meaningful connections, not simply contacts.

c. Let your intuition guide you. OK, this may sound flaky, but it works! Stand near the door, in a corner, out of the way. Stop your thoughts. Internally ask to be guided to the people you need to connect with. Then start walking. You’ll be amazed at who you meet.

d. Connect. You’ll always resonate with someone at an event. When you do, ask questions about them, such as: How did you get started in your field? What’s your ideal customer? We all love to talk about ourselves, and these questions will not only help you form a connection with this person, but will also tell you how to help them.

e. Offer help and follow through. If you can provide help, jot down ideas on the back of their business card, commit to follow up, and then do it. If you’ve had a fruitful conversation and want to take it further, offer to meet for lunch or coffee. People say life is 90% about showing up. Nonsense! Life is 90% about following through!

For more tips and helpful info on networking, see the Cool Resources section on www.RulesForRenegades.com.
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Christine is author of the best selling book Rules for Renegades: How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career, and Revel in Your Individuality. She’s CEO of Mighty Ventures, an innovation accelerator which helps businesses to massively increase sales, product offerings, and company value.

* If you enjoyed the article above be sure to join our free Motivational Newsletter — Let’s Talk Motivation!

What will your life be like when you’ve achieved your most deeply held dreams? Let’s take a look at how you can start living your dreams this very day.

Do you have a dream, a vision of the life you wish to live?
How specific is that dream?
How clear is that vision?
How do you intend to reach it?
What obstacles stand in your way?
Are your fears holding you back or are you using them to move you forward?

Your fears can actually lead you to success. Fear is an intense emotion. But that doesn’t mean it has to control you, or even stop you. Fear can prepare you and push you forward just as strongly as it can hold you back. Fear heightens your awareness and increases your physical strength. Fear brings your mind to sharp focus. With all that going for you, does it make sense to just run and hide? Of course not. Fear gets you in shape to take action!

Are you waiting for things to get better before moving ahead? If you’re serious about success; you need to start taking action today. If you’re waiting for things to be perfect, you’ll wait forever and nothing will ever get done.

The way to achieve is to bloom where you’re planted, to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. It’s easy to think up excuses for not taking action. “If only I had more hours in the day. If only I had a better job. If only I could meet the right person.” But excuses won’t bring you anything of value. You’ve got to change your “if only” into an “I will.” “I will make better use of my time. I will work on improving my career. I will create and nurture my relationships.” Take a chance. Have faith in yourself.

Your circumstances will improve when you make the effort to improve them. Start where you are right now. You have everything it takes to reach for whatever you desire. Stop wishing. Use your time, your energy, your thoughts and efforts to make it happen! You’ll be glad you did!
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As a professional speaker and author, Les Brown has risen to national prominence by delivering a high energy message which tells people how to shake off mediocrity and live up to their greatness. Visit his web site at www.LesBrown.com

* Learn more about Les Brown’s best-selling DVD program, Step into Your Greatness.

To-do lists are effective time-management tools — but only if they’re easy to use. Here are 6 strategies for making your to-do lists work hard for you.

1. Keep it simple - Whether you use a computer-based to-do list or a paper tablet, it must be simple. If it’s too complex, you won’t use it … guaranteed. That’s why I keep my to-do lists on paper.

I use a 5″ x 7″ tablet. I list “major” tasks to be accomplished, with big sub-steps underneath each one. For example, “Edit Golden Thread” is a major task. “Main article,” Quick Tip,” and “Introduction” are big sub-steps.

Note: A major task is not necessarily one that takes a long time.

2. Limit yourself - Small paper tablets work well, because there’s a limit to how much you can write on a page. I stick to a maximum of 10 tasks, all of which can be accomplished within a week of when I list them.

3. Set a due date — and stick to it - Due dates help prioritize what you do and when. Do not work on tasks in the order in which you write them down. Jot down the due date beside each one, and do them in the order of their deadlines.

4. Use a dark marker to reinforce your feeling of accomplishment - Cross off sub-steps as you complete them with a regular pen. Use a dark marker to cross off the major tasks. Boy, does it feel good!

5. Redo the list every workday - Do it when you start your day (or the evening before). This gives you a clear idea of what you have to do right now, and what needs to be done before the end of the day.

6. Add “pop-ups” to your list - When something pops up during the day that has to be attended to (such as an important phone call), add it to your to-do list — even if you’ve already done it. To-do lists not only tell you what you have to do, you can use them to track your productivity and see if you’re using your time well.
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This article appears courtesy of the American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI) — the world’s leading publisher of homestudy programs designed to provide members with financial security, independence, and freedom.  The company’s flagship, AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting, teaches people a skill that allows them to leave their current 9-to-5 job, and start living a “retired lifestyle,” working whenever they want, wherever they want, while still making a six-figure income.  Learn more about the AWAI’s Accelerated Program here!

*brought to you by GetMotivation.com

Create a Big Vision …
To become a motivational leader, you start with motivating yourself. You motivate yourself with a big vision, and as you move progressively toward its realization, you motivate and enthuse others to work with you to fulfill that vision.

Set High Standards …
You exhibit absolute honesty and integrity with everyone in everything you do. You are the kind of person others admire and respect and want to be like. You set a standard that others aspire to. You live in truth with yourself and others so that they feel confident giving you their support and their commitment.

Face Your Fears …
You demonstrate courage in everything you do by facing doubts and uncertainties and moving forward regardless. You put up a good front even when you feel anxious about the outcome.

You don’t burden others with your fears and misgivings. You keep them to yourself. You constantly push yourself out of your comfort zone and in the direction of your goals. And no matter how bleak the situation might appear, you keep on keeping on with a smile.

Be Realistic About Your Situation …
You are intensely realistic. You refuse to engage in mental games or self-delusion. You encourage others to be realistic and objective about their situations as well.

You encourage them to realize and appreciate that there is a price to pay for everything they want. They have weaknesses that they will have to overcome, and they have standards that they will have to meet, if they want to survive and thrive in a competitive market.

Accept Responsibility …
You accept complete responsibility for results. You refuse to make excuses or blame others or hold grudges against people who you feel may have wronged you. You say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” You repeat over and over the words, “I am responsible. I am responsible. I am responsible.”

Take Vigorous Action …
Finally, you take action. You know that all mental preparation and character building is merely a prelude to action. It’s not what you say but what you do that counts. The mark of the true leader is that he or she leads the action. He or she is willing to go first. He or she sets the example and acts as the role model. He or she does what he or she expects others to do.

Strive For Excellence …
You become a motivational leader by motivating yourself. And you motivate yourself by striving toward excellence, by committing yourself to becoming everything you are capable of becoming.

You motivate yourself by throwing your whole heart into doing your job in an excellent fashion. You motivate yourself and others by continually looking for ways to help others to improve their lives and achieve their goals. You become a motivational leader by becoming the kind of person others want to get behind and support in every way.

Your main job is to take complete control of your personal evolution and become a leader in every area of your life. You could ask for nothing more, and you should settle for nothing less.

Action Exercises:

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, see yourself as an outstanding person, parent, coworker and leader in everything you do. Pattern your behavior after the very best people you know. Set high standards and refuse to compromise them.

Second, be clear about your goals and priorities and then take action continually forward. Develop a sense of urgency. Keep moving forward and you’ll automatically keep yourself and others motivated.
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Brian Tracy is one of the world’s leading authorities on personal and business success. His fast-moving talks and seminars on leadership, sales, managerial effectiveness and business strategy are loaded with powerful, proven ideas and strategies that people can apply immediately to get better results in every area. Visit the Brian Tracy web site

Sponsor Message: If you enjoyed the article above be sure to join our free Motivational Newsletter — Let’s Talk Motivation!

Just a quick note to mention that we’ve updated our collection of Jim Rohn articles and essays. If you’re unfamiliar with the work of Mr. Rohn, you are in for a treat — he is definitely one of the premier business thinkers of our time.

You can also learn more about him in our Motivational Speakers Hall Of Fame.

That’s all for now… and remember…

–It’s your life, LIVE BIG! Josh Hinds