Positive Thinking and Positive Affirmations

Positive thinking creates positive experiences. Our thoughts are constantly affirming what we believe. If we have a positive belief we affirm this with our positive thoughts and the same is true for negativity. To affirm means to support and strengthen, so affirming our choices means to support and strengthen our choices. The choice is ours whether we want to be healthy, unhealthy, happy or unhappy.

Their is power in our thoughts but not so much as our beliefs. It is true that we think what we believe but it is also true we can think what we don't believe. Every affirmation we think or say is a reflection of our beliefs but not every thought we think is an affirmation. It is important to realize that many beliefs that are from the past may no longer be true or are invalid for us now. We can use positive affirmations to challenge negative beliefs and to replace them with positive healthy beliefs. Basically it is training our minds. Positive thoughts keep us focused on choosing consciously our thoughts to be in alignment with our positive affirmations. The more determined we are and the more we are prepared to accept change, the more positive affirmations will work and thoughts will become affirmations. In other words the more you believe in what you are affirming the more powerful they are.

Continually repeating thoughts we can reprogram our minds. Reprogramming our minds changes the way we think and feel about things and in the process we replace dysfunctional beliefs with new positive beliefs. It is when we accept and believe a positive affirmation and thought that change happens. Knowledge and repetitive positive affirmations and thoughts will create the change.

I can help others to create positive affirmations or thoughts, beliefs, and choices. I can help one to reprogram the mind to be at positive and healthy functioning.

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Self Esteem - How to Build Self Esteem

Building self esteem is vitally important for everyone. Being adult, child or teenager, self image is the foundation. No one wants to be the person who can't ask questions or is too shy to say something of value. So how do we improve our self esteem?

Firstly as parents we hold a very important role in this sphere. The way we relate to our kids will impact them for life. Yes a very scary but true fact. The more encouraging we are to our children, the more we allow them to learn from their mistakes and the less we put out kids down, the better their self esteem will be. A child who is constantly being put down and belittled will eventually doubt their own capabilities which in turn will crush their desire to try new things for fear of failure.

Teenagers go through a rough time. Their bodies are changing and consciously and subconsciously they need to learn how to deal with this. Some will embrace the changes and run with it and will be incredibly popular amongst their peers, enjoying the attention received, whilst others will have a much harder time. Those that struggle with the changes could be very uncomfortable with their peers for a very long time.

It truly is amazing to note how many adults lack self esteem. This may be caused from childhood or it could be a result of an ugly divorce, lack of job or loss of job or generally life not going in the right direction. Generally adults do not like changes, and when necessary do not always have an easy time accepting them. This in turn can cause them to doubt themselves and have a low self image.

Raising your self image is not easy. It's definitely a mind game. You need to change your outlook on life, your perspective of yourself and then take action. You need to think more positively, I can do it, I will be able to do it - POSITIVE THINKING.

Instead of focusing on what you think people don't like about you, think about what your good qualities are and how to enhance them. Many times what you think people think about you is far from the reality!

Give yourself a pampering session. Most times we are so involved in worrying and taking care of others that we don't spend enough time on ourselves. I know that seems a little indulgent, but yes we all need a little bit of me time, a little spoiling and pampering. This in itself can push your self esteem to new levels. Think about it when you feel good about yourself you project it onto others!


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How To Keep Your Motivation Going

A) Focus on what you really want. Concentrate on what you do want and not on what do you don't want. Your thoughts attract what happens in your life. If you spend your life thinking "Why does my life have to be a struggle?", then your life will be a struggle. If you think "I am enjoying my life at the moment, I feel positive," then you will have a more positive outlook. If you have a setback (and you will) turn it around and find the positive in it. Use that positivity to move you closer to your goals. If you think like this, you will see that a setback can actually be a big positive moment and actually make you stronger. Remember the old saying, "learn from your mistakes," and you will reach your goals.

B) Keep a diary of your progress. This is very important, especially when your motivation is flagging a bit. Every time you feel a bit 'flat', just read your diary and see how far you have come. If you keep a record of all your successes and failures, then you check on your progress and, if necessary, change your approach so you don't repeat any mistakes. Don't just rely on your memory. If you are anything like me you will only remember the failures, which will make you feel discouraged and un-motivated. You might feel like you are failing more than succeeding, when you are in fact a big success.

C) Mix with people who have the life you want. When you surround yourself with people who live the lifestyle you desire, it builds your self belief, keeps you focused. Being around successful people means you can watch and learn how they get to where they are. It makes you think "If they can do it, then so can I." Spend lots of time with them and ask them what they did and how they succeeded. You might be surprised by what they say about their failures. Everybody makes mistakes, but it is the ones who learn from their mistakes who are the successful ones.

D) Read inspirational and motivational books. I found that reading about other people's success stories, really inspired and motivated me, particularly biographies of millionaires such as Richard Branson. It makes me feel very motivated knowing that people who start from scratch, like me, can make it to the top of their chosen life.

If you can keep your motivation going you will find that your journey to the lifestyle you want will be that much smoother, more fun and a lot shorter! Enjoy your journey and the destination will be that much more fulfilling.

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The Structure of Excellence

What is it that makes a Tiger Woods, a Bill Gates, a Shumacher or Leonardo Di Vinci? What is the structure of excellence, is it discoverable, is it replicable and perhaps most importantly is it possible to install the structure of excellence in ourselves and in our own lives so that we to can achieve excellence and become the architects of our passions and dreams?

If we study the lives of those that have achieved excellence in any walk of life we discover many common characteristics - hard work, dedication, a natural inclination and talent that has been developed and perfected over time, along with certain powerful supporting beliefs. Although an understanding of these traits is interesting and to some degree useful it is still quite superficial in that it does not tell us why these people are so dedicated, hard working and able to discover and develop their talents in the way that they have - it still doesn't give us the structure of excellence.

Why is it that some have big bright futures stretching out in front of them while many see their future as down right dark, gloomy and unclear. why is it that some lead lives of outstanding achievement while so many lead lives of quite desperation?

For the answer perhaps we could look to language for a clue. If someone describes their future as down right dark, gloomy and unclear and i was to ask them where in their visual field when they imagined their future the image was located and to describe its structure i would not be at all surprised to hear that the image was down and to the right, was dark and gloomy and unclear. If i was then to ask the person with the huge bright future stretching out in front of them to describe where in their visual field they saw the image of their future i would not be at all surprised to hear that it was out in front of them, that the image was big and bright. We would I'm sure find a similar pattern in the internal dialogue of these two people one being more negative, and the other positive, strong and confident and encouraging. We would also find distinct differences in the types of feelings each of them generate and experience.

So now perhaps we are getting a little closer to an understanding of what the structure of excellence really is, simply put it is the way in which we use our minds, the kind and type of pictures, sounds and feelings that we habitually run in our neurology. Those that habitually create dark gloomy unclear images and negative critical voice tones tend to experience heavy and gloomy feelings and as a result can feel, down stuck or depressed. Those who tend to use big bright pictures and strong encouraging internal dialogue tend to generate positive, strong feelings and as a result are more motivated, happier and feel better about life, themselves and the future.

So could it really that simple - could the difference between those that live lives of quiet desperation and those that are able to get themselves to consistently do what is necessary for the achievement of excellence be as simple as the types of pictures, feelings and sounds they habitually use? The answer it seams is - yes.

The types of pictures and sounds and associated feelings we create in our neurology create the states that we experience, and state is the master key to excellence for in the right state we make better decisions, have access to much more of our resources and can achieve much more success and even excellence.

There is a psychological technology called neuro linguistic programing or NLP for short. NLP has been described as the user manual for the mind and to put it in the simplest terms is a set of tools that enable us to model the very structure of excellence in others and replicate and install that excellence in ourselves. NLP enables us to understand and change the types of images, sounds and feelings we habitually run and install new more useful strategies. The results of which can often bringing about fast, dramatic and lasting changes.

I am talking about a set of tools that enables us to discover and install the very structure of excellence itself. For surely each and everyone of us has it in us to achieve our own personal definition of success and perhaps with a better understanding of the structure of excellence who knows what we may all still achieve.

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How to Build on Your Success by Becoming More Decisive

Are you the type of person that makes decisions quickly or do you find it difficult to make your mind up? When it comes to getting a job done and meeting a deadline your success can depend on the ability to be decisive. Many people fail to meet deadlines because of indecision. Not only do they let people affect their ability to make prompt and definite decisions but they hesitate due to factors involving their own decisiveness.

Procrastination is a weakness that many of us may face on a daily basis. The ability to be decisive when it comes to avoiding distractions is important if you are to succeed in reaching your potential. Too many people make excuses for not chasing their goals early on in life continuously putting there dreams to one side and saying they will come back to them when “the time is right”. However, you only have a chance of succeeding in reaching those aims if you start acting immediately.

The biggest achievers of this world have shown that their success comes from quick decisive action and the ability to take stock of situations when things do not go to plan and to change decisions when necessary. Henry Ford was an example of someone who used his decision making ability to full effect. Some might say he was so determined when he made a decision that he was stubborn. His model T car was made despite the advice of many of his staff who said it would be the ugliest car around. Although this turned out to be partly correct and the car was not as successful as other models, Ford still stuck to his guns and made a fortune from the model. Now, regardless of what would have happened if he had scrapped it, Ford showed that by being strong minded and decisive he was able to make something succeed that most people doubted.

To become more decisive you need to be able to ignore the opinions of others. If you want to make sacrifices and chase your dream doing something that satisfies your inner desires, you need to listen to your self and no one else. Friends and family may try to discourage you from your goals as they may think they know what is best for you. However, your burning desire to succeed at something should be all the encouragement you need to take those first steps towards achieving immediate goals.

One major problem with the education system is that it does not teach the youth about the working world enough. Too many students work their hearts out trying to get the best grades they can only to find that they have no idea what to do with themselves after graduating. Schools, colleges and universities do not encourage people to make decisions before they finish studying and so the habit of indecision stays with people as they go into work. It may be necessary to take any job straight away after leaving your studies behind you whilst you think about what you want to do with your future. However, many will find that they are stuck in that same job a year or more later and are unable to climb the career ladder.

You need to find the courage to make a definite decision about your future. You should sit down and analyse yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, what you think you are capable of and what you want to achieve in life. Then you must do your own research and not be held back by others or hold yourself back by procrastinating.

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No Goals, No Go

One of my favorite conversation-starter questions to ask people is "What are your goals?" The answer can tell a great deal about a person.

Nearly every time, there's something in common among those who feel stuck in their current situation, unhappy with one or more aspect of their life, and feeling as though they are going nowhere: they have no goals.

In some cases, it's simply a case of not understanding the power and presence that goals provide (and in these cases, simple instruction is the answer). Goal setting is a breeze once you understand how to do it.

With other folks, they may understand the power of goals, but they simply haven't taken the time or effort to set any (or to update their last batch of goals). It's important to set new goals as soon as you achieve your goals, otherwise you can lose momentum.

Other folks claim to be "going with the flow" (which often means drifting, going nowhere) and waiting for inspiration to strike.

The trouble with that approach is: inspiration typically doesn't appear until you become crystal clear about what you want.

Writers get blocked when they stare at a blank page, waiting for something to come. Writers can easily be inspired by imagining the end result of their writing (whether it's increased sales thanks to effective ad copy, or an emotional reaction elicited by a short story).

A person without a vision is like a ship afloat on the ocean. Sure, it might be a fun ride, you may get to relax a bit, but next thing you know, a couple of months have passed and you're now running out of rations, clean water, sunscreen and sanity.

But a ship with a destination in mind travels with passion AND purpose, and becomes unstoppable. When you have clear, concise goals, the Universe can then deliver exactly the clues you require to follow your course and reach your destination.

Don't wait on inspiration -- because inspiration is waiting on you, right now at this very moment.

Create a vision. Invoke your passion. Ask for a sign. You will get one.

But if you don't select a destination, don't be surprised if you just keep drifting in limbo -- and then you have no right to whine about how "nothing is happening" because that part was ultimately up to you --- and you never chose a destination!

Be brave, be daring, be confident, and have faith. Whatever you ask for, YOU CAN HAVE.

Go for it!

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Three Steps To Help You in Your Goal Setting

We are coming to the close of another year and the beginning of a new one. This is not a story about New Year’s resolutions, but it is a story about something very similar – goal setting. Getting your goals and objectives in order is extremely important.

I know the New Year brings about all kinds of resolutions, or goal setting, but everyone has a hard time staying with it to completion. I would like to help you in the setting of your goals, so that you have the best chance of hitting your target.

Here are three steps you can take to get you started in the right direction.

1. Make a List

I’m a list maker. I have lists all over the place. A list for what I have to do the next day, or what I would like to accomplish during the week. Lists are good. They give me a short view and the long view of what it is I want to do. My lists help me to see what my goals are. You need to start with a view of what exactly you want to do. Write everything down that you want to accomplish. Don’t worry how farfetched an idea it is, write it down.

Next is two divide your list into two parts. The short view – what you want to accomplish in the next two months, and the long view – everything that you want to accomplish in the next year. Some say not to look to far down the road, but I think you need to have long term goals as well.

2. How Are You Going To Get There?

When I talk to my grand-children, and they tell me what they want to be when they grow up, they will tell me all kinds’ wonderful things they aspire to be, but if you asked them how are they going to get there, they look at you very strangely. They are young and don’t have a clue on how to get to the fulfillment of their dreams. Many adults in the network marketing arena are exactly the same way. I was in that very same crowd.

You have to formulate a plan of action that is going to get you from point A to point B. If I want to sign up one person a week into my primary business, the numbers say that I have to talk to sixty people a month, that’s fifteen people a week, and that’s three people a day. Sign up one person a week, is four people a month, and that’s 48 people a year. That would be nice.

I have just set a goal, both long term and short term, and I have a plan of action on what I have to do to get me where I want to be.

3. Take Action – Get Started

This is probably the hardest part, at least it is for me. My wife knows me very well. She has been bugging me to paint the garage door all summer long. She knows that once I get started, I will finish the job and I will do a very good job as well. It’s just getting me started, that’s the hard part. Just like the Rolling Stones song says, “If you start me up, I will never stop.” That’s me. So what she did was get the paint and she started. I come out and see her doing it all wrong. Now I get involved, and she slowly steps back and out of the picture, leaving me to complete the task. She knows it just takes getting me started.

I don’t care how well you have planned and put together this incredible system, if you don’t get it put into action, you might as well just sit down in front of that TV all day, because that’s how much you will accomplish. Get off your duff and get moving. Just start. It’s doesn’t have to be perfect, but once you get rolling, you will get better and better with more practice.

One final thought, goals are meant to be a measurement of where you are and, what you might have to tweak, to get to where you want to be. So if you don’t hit your goal square in the target, that’s OK. Make the adjustment and fire at it again. The only time you will ever miss your target, is when you quit shooting.

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