Gerald Celente Predicts: Revolution, Food Riots, and Tax Rebellions by 2012

The Dash

Top 10 Traits of Highly Successful People - That You Can Learn!

We have all read about people who are successful briefly. They win a gold medal, make a fortune, or star in one great movie…and then disappear. Or, there are those like Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes who achieve extraordinary success, at the cost of their own lives. These examples do not inspire me!

My focus and fascination is with people who seem to do well in many areas of life, and do it over and over through a lifetime. In entertainment, I think of Paul Newman and Bill Cosby. In business, I think of Ben and Jerry (the ice cream moguls), and a local hardware store owner who is famous for the money he’s give to children’s charities. As a Naval Officer, husband, businessman, politician and now as a mediator and philanthropist on the world stage, Jimmy Carter has had a remarkable life. We all know examples of people who go from one success to another.


These are the people who inspire me! I’ve studied them, and I’ve noticed they have the following traits in common:

1. They work hard!  Yes, they play hard, too! They get up early, they rarely complain, they expect performance from others, but they expect extraordinary performance from themselves. Repeated, high-level success starts with a recognition that hard work pays off.
   
   
2. They are incredibly curious and eager to learn.  They study, ask questions and read – constantly! An interesting point, however: While most of them did well in school, the difference is that they apply or take advantage of what they learn. Repeated success is not about memorizing facts, it’s about being able to take information and create, build, or apply it in new and important ways. Successful people want to learn everything about everything!
   
   
3. They network.  They know lots of people, and they know lots of different kinds of people. They listen to friends, neighbors, co-workers and bartenders. They don’t have to be "the life of the party", in fact many are quiet, even shy, but they value people and they value relationships. Successful people have a rolodex full of people who value their friendship and return their calls.
   
   
4. They work on themselves and never quit!  While the "over-night wonders" become arrogant and quickly disappear, really successful people work on their personality, their leadership skills, management skills, and every other detail of life. When a relationship or business deal goes sour, they assume they can learn from it and they expect to do better next time. Successful people don’t tolerate flaws; they fix them!
   
   
5. They are extraordinarily creative.  They go around asking, "Why not?" They see new combinations, new possibilities, new opportunities and challenges where others see problems or limitations. They wake up in the middle of the night yelling, "I’ve got it!" They ask for advice, try things out, consult experts and amateurs, always looking for a better, faster, cheaper solution. Successful people create stuff!
   
   
6. They are self-reliant and take responsibility.  Incredibly successful people don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on. Sometimes they are criticized for taking this to extremes – Jimmy Carter carried his own briefcase and a President "shouldn’t" do that!  Extremely successful people take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success.
   
   
7. They are usually relaxed and keep their perspective.  Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance, they know the value of timing, humor, and patience. They rarely panic or make decisions on impulse. Unusually successful people breath easily, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in a crisis.
   
   
8. Extremely successful people live in the present moment.  They know that "Now" is the only time they can control. They have a "gift" for looking people in the eye, listening to what is being said, enjoying a meal or fine wine, music or playing with a child. They never seem rushed, and they get a lot done! They take full advantage of each day. Successful people don’t waste time, they use it!
   
   
9. They "look over the horizon" to see the future.  They observe trends, notice changes, see shifts, and hear the nuances that others miss. A basketball player wearing Nikes is trivial, the neighbor kid wearing them is interesting, your own teenager demanding them is an investment opportunity! Extremely successful people live in the present, with one eye on the future!
   
   
10. Repeatedly successful people respond instantly!  When an investment isn’t working out, they sell. When they see an opportunity, they make the call. If an important relationship is cooling down, they take time to renew it. When technology or a new competitor or a change in the economic situation requires an adjustment, they are the first and quickest to respond.
    

These traits work together in combination, giving repeatedly successful people a huge advantage. Because they are insatiable learners, they can respond wisely to change. Because their personal relationships are strong, they have good advisors, and a reserve of goodwill when things go bad. And finally, none of these traits are genetic!  They can be learned! They are free and they are skills you can use. Start now!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Ways to Create and Manage Opportunity

Most of us are used to the concepts of risk management or time management. Many of the same principles can be applied to creating and responding to opportunities. Instead of thinking of opportunities as just "coming along", you can actually increase the number of opportunities available to you, and there are specific principles you can use to assess whether a "possibility" has real "probability" and "profitability" for you. In times of rapid change, increasing the number of options you have available, and a system for prioritizing and responding to possibilities are critical business functions.

1. Enlarge your circle of friends.   To increase the number of opportunities available, you need to go beyond traditional networking to generate friendships and trust with people who "aren't like me". Use any system you prefer, but be certain that your friendships include various ethnic, economic and social backgrounds, people who "think differently" - artists, engineers, teachers, "kids" and "old timers". Don't just "think outside the box"; network outside your circle!
   
   
2. Always be open to possibility.   Years ago one of my mentors told me, "Everything I have is for sale, except my wife." That may be rather crude and politically incorrect today, but his point was that any business opportunity, any creative idea or investment suggestion was worth at least a few seconds of his time. Look for the unlikely, consider the unthinkable and ponder the improbable. Life's biggest opportunities are often disguised.
   
   
3. Practice creativity.  Intentionally think of a way to turn every crack-pot, bad idea into something useful. This is not about finding a way to invest in every scheme that comes your way, it's about practicing creativity, turning ideas on their heads, finding the kernel of wisdom or value, and throwing the rest away.
   
   
4. Avoid being overly tied to your goals.  Goals, and plans for achieving them, can be extremely useful. They can keep us on track, focus our efforts, and motivate us when we're tired. But they can also blind us to new possibilities. Work toward your goals; don't let them run your life. New ideas and alternative possibilities will come along. Don't drive right past them in your hurry to finish last year's project!
   
   
5. "He who hesitates is a damned fool!"  This quote from Mae West is a classic call to action. Being "light on your feet", or in Muhammad Ali's old phrase, being able to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" is useful business advice. There are times when opportunity knocks, but only stays at the door for a moment. Be prepared to respond quickly.
   
   
6. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."  Being able to respond quickly is not the same as being foolish. About 95% of the opportunities, ideas and invitations that come your way will not be worth pursuing. If it's a good idea today, it will likely still be a good idea after a night's sleep and consultation with your trusted advisors. Balance, thoughtfulness and a healthy skepticism are also critical.
   
   
7. Assess the probability of success.  Just as risk management compares the odds of being struck by lightening (extremely unlikely) to the chances of a critical shipment being lost (more likely), and assigns different values to each, so opportunities have differing probabilities of success. Just because an opportunity could work out, doesn't mean it will.
   
   
8. Assess the potential payoffs.  Again, borrowing from risk management, it's essential to asses the potential for "winning big". The guy who invented the Frisbee had a strange idea with a low probability of catching on, but the rewards have been enormous! The same goes for turning a coffee bar into Starbucks or sneakers into Nike. What were the probabilities that a couple of college students could turn some computer code into an operating system and end up with Microsoft? Low probability of success, but huge payoffs!
   
   
9. Actively invite opportunities.  Let friends, co-workers, colleagues, competitors and customers know that you are receptive to new ideas. They are much more likely to share a possibility with you if they know you are always "looking for ideas", having fun with possibilities and trying to understand the "next big thing".   Let them know you aren't necessarily hoping to change careers, just open and interested in new opportunities. And don't ridicule anything! Every idea is someone's baby and, amazingly, most of them have some value hidden in there somewhere!
   
   
10. Assess opportunities in terms of your values.  You know your strengths, your interests and your core values. There will be opportunities that will ask you to become someone you aren't. You could make a fortune in stocks, real estate, software, or a thousand other industries, but you have to live with yourself. First, maintain your integrity.

The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal

We all have goals that are important to us. They range from quitting smoking, to creating our own businesses, to raising great kids. Unfortunately, most of us also have the experience of being unable to reach our goals, of having them always seem just out of reach. We can see them. We want to complete them, but we never quite cross that finish line. Here are 10 steps that are almost like magic! They will help you reach your goals, every time!

1. Precisely define the objective. Exactly what do you want? Measure it, put a number on it.  How many pounds do you want to lose?  How many dollars do you want to earn?  No one can achieve a fuzzy goal.  Be precise.
   
   
2. Align the objective with your values. You won’t work toward a goal that conflicts with your values or sense of purpose.  Make sure your goals are consistent with your religious and moral beliefs, and with other goals that you have.  Internal conflict will undermine your performance, every time!
   
   
3. Develop appropriate affirmations.  A series of positive, powerful, present-tense statements that describe the benefits of having your goal and how you’ll feel when you’ve reached it are essential.   They should be short, active, exciting, and you will need to write them down and repeat them many times, every day!
   
   
4. Develop powerful reasons to achieve your goals.  "If you have enough why’s, you’ll find a way."  We reach goals that excite us, that stimulate our imaginations.  We reach goals that are vital to our health, our family and our future.  Find lots of reasons!  When it’s important enough, you’ll make it happen.
   
   
5. Write your goals and your reasons down!  Write them on file cards every day!  There is power, magic and mystery in writing your goals down.  Put the cards where you’ll see them through the day.   Put them on your mirror, or on your desk.  Carry them with you and read them, over and over, through the day.
   
   
6. Set a deadline. Again, have the courage to be exact.  Quit smoking by your birthday, double your income by the end of this year, get out of debt by September 1st.  A goal without a deadline is just a pipe dream!  Give yourself the discipline of a date.
   
   
7. Define intermediate targets. To lose 40 pounds in 4 months, determine to lose 10 pounds EACH month.  Having smaller goals makes each one easier to achieve, and you can track your progress to your larger goal.  A journey of a thousand miles is just a series of steps, one after another.
   
   
8. Make your goals public. Tell friends and family what you plan to do, and your target date.  Ask them to hold you accountable and to help you along the way.  Knowing your friends are rooting for you is a powerful motivator.  Set yourself up for success by making a public commitment to reach your goals on time.
   
   
9. Get a partner. High achievers rarely do anything significant by themselves.  Get a running partner, make a friendly bet with your spouse to quit smoking, make it a family project to get out of debt.   Always have at least one person who totally supports you, and make sure they are part of your campaign.  Hire a coach, if appropriate.
   
   
10. Celebrate every intermediate victory! Give yourself a reward for each day without a cigarette, have a family celebration for each bill that gets paid off.  High achievers find reasons to celebrate every day!  Like that journey of a thousand miles, you must celebrate – really celebrate! – each step along the way.

Remember, "if you can imagine it, you can achieve it."  Any goal that truly fires your imagination and fills your heart with joy, is reachable!  Set targets, develop an adequate support system, break large goals into smaller steps, and go for it!  You can do this!
Here’s to your success!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Tips for More Fun and Better Health

Professionals and small business/home office workers have tremendous freedom to schedule their days, arrange the furniture, choose the music and take care of themselves at work. Unfortunately, they also have all the responsibilities, make all the decisions, and carry all the burdens. The result is too often we forget to take care of ourselves. Use the advantages you have! The following tips can make the day go easier and help you work smarter, better and healthier.

In the morning, limit caffeine to one cup. Or better yet, switch to herbal teas! Start out calm and you’re more likely to stay that way through the day.

Use up-beat music and humor (I love my daily Far Side calendar!) to get your morning off to a great start.

Make sure your first appointment of the day is a great one! Meet a friend for breakfast, greet co-workers with a big smile, schedule a favorite client first thing in the morning. Start the day with some fun!

1. At mid-morning, stand up, stretch and move around, at least for a moment. Take several deep breaths, wave your hands above your head, be silly, dance a jig, move your body!
   
   
2. Eat a light lunch of fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. The traditional soup and salad is great, or a half-sandwich and an apple. Your body needs sustenance, not a heavy load, so lighten up!
   
   
3. Take a few minutes during your lunch break to do something totally different: read poetry, call an old friend, take a nap, go for a run. What you do is not as important as getting your mind and body away from your work. Take a real break!
   
   
4. During the afternoon, stand up and stretch at least once every hour. Gently arch your back, touch your toes, or touch the sky. Turn your head from side to side, and take some deep cleansing breaths. And while you’re at it, smile!
   
   
5. When stress and work pile up, take a mini-vacation. Close the door (or go to the restroom, or a broom closet if you have to!) but get alone, close your eyes, and imagine a tropical island, or your favorite picnic spot. Life is good! Breath slowly, and relax.
   
   
6. Once a day, do something "extra" – call an old client to check in, thank a colleague for a referral, send a note to a friend. Have fun with this. Make it a game to combine business with pleasure and broaden your circle of contacts. (Hint: Send a quick 'thinking of you" email!  People love 'em!)
   
   
7. At the end of the day, clean off your desk, and straighten up the office. The janitor will do the routine stuff, but take pleasure in closing down for the day. Develop a routine that signals the end of the day, it’s time to quit, time to go home.   
 

The meaning of life!

My Top 10 Quotes for Living Well!

Over the years many people have offered their models of the "Good Life", and some have left quotes that nicely summarize important truths. The following are ten of my personal favorites.

1. Know Thyself. - Socrates. From ancient Greece comes this reminder that introspection, keeping a journal, paying attention to the heart of things, comes first. Before we can know the world around us, and make reasonable decisions about our roles and goals, it seems we must first come to grips with who we are and what we value.
   
   
2. To Thine Own Self Be True. - Shakespeare. In life there is no substitute for integrity. My grandmother was fond of saying, "We either stand for something, or we'll fall for anything." Integrity is about going beyond the truth to full and complete honesty, openness and fairness.
   
   
3. And the Greatest of These is Love. - St Paul. He also observed that "without love I am just a clanging symbol or a noisy gong." Without love, caring relationships, and compassion, life is indeed a dry and shallow thing.
   
   
4. Imagination Rules the World. - Albert Einstein. The good life is at least partly based on dreams that are worthy of us, dreams that elevate and challenge and inspire our best. Bobby Kennedy noted, "Others look at the world and ask, 'Why?' I dream of a world that never was and ask, 'Why not?'" Martin Luther King's defiant cry, "I have a dream!" will live long after most of us are gone and forgotten.
   
   
5. Too much of a good thing is wonderful! - Mae West. The good life is about living large, about expressing the joy and love of life. It's about song, exuberance, and about taking chances, and "going for it".
   
   
6. Opportunities multiply as they are seized. - SunTzu. Success depends on the courage to act, and courage in turn requires a level of faith that every opportunity acted upon will lead to more and better ways to serve, learn, grow and prosper.
   
   
7. Do, or do not. There is no "try". - Yoda (The Empire Strikes Back). Life requires action, boldness and decisiveness. Mae West also observed, "He who hesitates is a damned fool."
   
   
8. Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. - Antoine de St. Exupery. Henry Thoreau recommended, "Simplify, simplify, simplify. Let your concerns be as 2 or 3, no more." Friends, work, the media and this thing called the Internet, along with our own "wish lists" try to seduce us to complexity, busy-ness and anxiety. Keep it simple!
   
   
9. The artist is nothing without gift, but gift is nothing without work - Emile Zola. Only focused, intelligent, diligent effort turns potential into reality. Without creative effort, talent and "gift" seem to atrophy and die. Truly a case of "use it or lose it".
   
   
10. There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein. I highly recommend practicing the attitude of gratitude. What else is there?

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

The Top 10 Ways to Add "Extra" Value

Everyone wants the best possible value in every transaction, but each of us defines "value" in different ways.  Some customers want the lowest price, while others will place a higher value on reliability, convenience or things like color, popularity (think Pokeman cards!) or durability.  The challenge for  business is to provide extra value for every customer, at the lowest possible cost of doing business.  The following "Top 10" suggestions are particularly suited to service businesses such as coaching or consulting, but can easily be adapted to other environments.

1. "Try before you buy."   Give clients a free sample, taste or experience before asking them to commit.   This can often be done in groups or teleclasses.  Done correctly, it gives you a low-cost opportunity to expose large numbers of potential clients to the value of your service, while giving the potential client a safe, easy way to sample your work.
   
   
2. Follow-up after the sale.  Much like allowing prospects to sample your work, groups or teleclasses allow you to follow-up, add extra value and potentially sell additional services after the original commitment is over.  Many coaches combine these pre- and post- groups into weekly or monthly teleclasses that are open to past clients forever!
   
   
3. Client newsletters.  Use a weekly newsletter to keep past and current clients informed, add extra insights, techniques, tips and solutions to common problems.  Published by email, they are free, and very easy for clients to forward to friends and colleagues, providing you with potential additional marketing.  Extra:  Insert a quick 1-page newsletter with your monthly billing statement!
   
   
4. Let clients share their skills.   Invite your clients to share their experiences, their own tips, discoveries and enthusiasm with each other.  Host a monthly forum and invite guest speakers. Often a client will have particular expertise or a skill they are willing to share with your other clients either in person or in your newsletter.  Everybody wins!
   
   
5. Public newsletters.  In the "information age", the value of  information is rapidly approaching zero, so capitalize on this trend and give away what you know!  Display your skills, expertise and wisdom in either electronic form or on paper and invite past and present clients to participate, pass the information along, and provide a marketing forum for your business at the same time.  Again, everybody wins!
   
   
6. Use your website.  Ask your webmaster to add a newsgroup or set up a chat-room on your website.  As you develop written material for your clients, post it on your website and make it available to other clients (you can password protect it) or to the general public.  Let clients know that your information and experience are available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
   
   
7. Celebrate with your clients.   This ranges from sending flowers or champagne when they win the big contract, to sending birthday cards and holiday greetings.  Everyone needs more hugs than we receive, so give your clients recognition whenever possible.  Let them know you care.
   
   
8. Commiserate with your clients.   Sometimes things don’t work out well, they lose contracts or miss the big promotion.  That’s a great time to "gift" an extra session, to pay for the lunch or pick up the tab for the phone calls.  Again, it’s about caring and building personal relationships that add real value and go far beyond minimum expectations.
   
   
9. Use your network for your client’s benefit.  One of the most astonishing "extras" is to provide your client with the name of the perfect accountant, lawyer, chiropractor or web designer based on your rolodex of contacts.  As your team of resources grows, use their combined talents and strengths to make appropriate referrals and put people in contact with each other.  This is a huge extra that costs you nothing!
   
   
10. Ask your clients what they need.   Routinely, ask your clients how you could go further, provide better service and be more effective with them.  Almost always, they are delighted to be asked, they know the answer, and the request they make will typically cost you little or nothing to fulfill but will mean the world to that client.
 

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Secrets for Being HAPPY!

One of my favorite songs is Bobby McFerrin’s refrain, "Don’t Worry, Be Happy". I recently had the opportunity to observe people’s reactions when a highway was closed because of an accident ahead. As we waited, I watched as some listened to radios, a few began tossing a Frisbee, other’s seemed to be working or reading, and some opted for a quick nap. But, there were also a handful who were clearly agitated and angry. Pacing about, swearing, and upset, they decided that the best response to this event, which none of us could control, was to be very unhappy. I was reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s comment that, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." The following are my Top 10 Tips to increase happiness in your life:
 
1.  Decide to be a happy person. As Lincoln observed, most people, most of the time, can choose how stressed or happy, how troubled or relaxed they want to be. Choose to be happy.

2.  Watch and Read less news.  As a recovering news addict, I know this can be difficult because the stock market fluctuates, politicians politic, and sports teams compete. But, most of the time, you don’t need the stress. So, just don’t watch. I think it was Henry Thoreau who noted that if you’ve ever read about a train wreck, you understand the principle and don’t need to know any more about it.

3.  Practice the Attitude of Gratitude.  We all have so much to be grateful for. Just thanking the many people who assist us, encourage us, teach us and open doors for us could take all day!
 
4.  Take Time.  My dog has taught me much about loyalty, about noticing the sights, sounds, and smells in the yard, about being relaxed and about play. Eat when you’re hungry, nap when you need it. Get your ears scratched whenever possible!
 
5.  Laugh everyday. Hear a joke, tell a joke, laugh at yourself, laugh with your friends and family and co-workers. There are very few medicines as powerful as laughter, and I don’t think you can over-dose, although it is addicting!
 
6.  Love well.  Express your affection, appreciation, friendship and warmth to those around you, and they will almost always respond in the most amazing ways! Be generous…it pays great dividends!
 
7.  Work hard.  This one comes as a bit of a surprise, but there is tremendous satisfaction in being competent, and joy in completing our assigned tasks. One of the great sources of happiness is to do work that is worthy of you, and to do it well.
 
8.  Learn something new, everyday.  To be happy, most of us must also be growing, expanding, learning and challenging ourselves.  Read, listen, adapt and stretch to accommodate new ideas and new information.
 
9. Use your body as it was designed.  Walk and run, stretch, throw things, and lift things. Dance! Exercise is good, but so is making love, mixing up a batch of cookies, or exchanging backrubs. You have a body and it can be either a source of joy, or a source of aches and pains. Your choice.
 
10:  Avoid toxins.  I prefer writing positives (things to do) rather than negatives (things to fear), but reality says there are negative people and there are bad chemicals, stressful noises, and unsafe places. Don’t go there!  Avoid poisons whenever possible. It seems to work out better that way.

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

4 Steps To Having the Life You REALLY Want!

Over time, the TIP's Letters that receive the most response have dealt with creating and living the life you really want.  Many of us are incredibly frustrated at not being able to reach our dreams and have the life we want.  I believe there are 4 simple (not easy, but simple) techniques for getting there.   You really can achieve your goals and live your dreams!

1. CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT!  Many of my clients have never defined what "better" or "happier" really means.  How many dollars do you want to earn?   How much time together as a family?  Working from home doing what?  What, precisely, would a better relationship look like?  This can be hard work, and it involves tough choices. One client wanted to stay home with her children, improve her marriage, and make more money, but also wanted to break the "glass ceiling" and be recognized in a profession that is notoriously competitive and involved traveling several times a month.  All of these are worthy, wonderful goals, but to some extent they were mutually exclusive and she had avoided the process of choosing and writing down what she wanted most.  We worked together (with her family's help and input) to design a clear and attainable balance that she was able to pursue very quickly, ending years of frustration!
   
   
2. COMMIT TO PAYING THE COST IN ADVANCE!  Any worthwhile project is going to cost a lot.  An Olympic medal will require hours of training every day, and that means paying costs in terms of social life, postponing a career or education, and "blood, sweat and tears." Whatever you most want in life will require that you say "NO!" to other things.  Making money means less recreation, writing a book means watching less TV, being closer with your partner or children may mean changes in your work, hobbies or social activities.  A few years ago, many people were talking about the frustrations of women who felt that a part of the feminist message was that they could "have it all".  Well.  None of us get to have it all!  A recent client quit coaching when he realized that his dreams of being "the kind of father I never had" and spending time with his wife and children conflicted with pursuing his career the way he had always done it.  He "couldn't" turn down a call, and was "out there" developing leads and closing sales seven days a week.  Unwilling to choose, we decided coaching wasn't useful for him at this time.
   
   
3. RE-COMMIT TO YOUR GOALS EVERY DAY!   Every day, remind yourself of your priorities and re-commit to them.  For some this means time to meditate or pray.  For others, it means a quick call to their coach, a friend, or members of a mastermind group.  I encourage clients to start their day by writing a brief statement of where they are going and what they value in life. Every day, 1001 minor tasks and distractions will interrupt you.  The phone will ring, the boss will give you a "special" project, the kids will interrupt.  Life will get in your way.  Count on it!  Plan for it and innoculate yourself.  Every pilot and ship's captain knows that winds and currents will take them dangerously off-course.  This is a natural process, something they know about, expect and plan for.  It is not a surprise or source of frustration!  Every day, plot your location, check your direction, and make sure you stay on course!  It only takes a few minutes, and it is essential.
   
   
4. EVERY DAY, TAKE ACTION!   This is perhaps the most difficult step.  Rarely, does life give us a "big choice".  Most of the transforming moments in life start as a chance meeting, a casual conversation, or an article in a magazine.  We all know this, and yet when it comes to pursuing our most important goals we wait for that "big moment", that magical day when the stars are aligned and everything is "just right".  For most of us, that means we will never reach our dreams or have the life we want.To become fit, go for a walk.  To create the business of your dreams, call someone today.   Want to be a better parent and have a more satisfying family life?  Tuck your kid into bed tonight, hold hands with your mate, and tell them how much they mean to you.  Want a promotion or a raise?  Make that extra contribution today!  We've all heard the saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", but no one ever adds that the journey also requires, according to my math, 5 million, two hundred and eighty thousand additional steps after that first one!  Every day, take one step closer.
   

QUICK TOOL:  Every morning, get a 3x5 card.  On one side, write a brief statement of your biggest goals and most important dreams.  Jot it down using whatever words seem right at the moment.  Then, on the other side, list one or two specific actions you will take TODAY that will bring you closer to your goal.   Make them specific, do-able, and clear.  Put the card in your pocket, purse, or on the dash of your car, and go about your day.  In 30 days, I promise you will be astonished at the changes in your life!

IN SUMMARY:   Life will distract you from achieving your dreams.  It will blow you off-course and you will be confused and frustrated at times.  So what?  Today, and every day, declare your commitment to what you really, REALLY want.  Write it down and talk about your dream.  Understand, and agree to make the necessary sacrifices - you must pay the costs of developing the life you want - and take action!  In the end, only action counts!  You can have whatever you want, when you decide to pursue it intelligently, with all your heart and with all your passion.  Just do it!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Things That Make Life Worthwhile

Below are some of the things that, over the years, my clients have taught me about making life a wonderful adventure. You will, hopefully, have additions that uniquely enrich your life, and I hope you'll add them to this list and pass them along to others.  In the meantime, I share this list with the hope that it will challenge you, and make your day more rewarding!

1. Take time to dream -- it hitches your soul to the stars.
2. Take time to work -- it is the price of success.
3. Take time to think -- it is the source of power.
4. Take time to play -- it is the secret of youth.
5. Take time to read -- it is the foundation of knowledge.
6. Take time to worship -- it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from your eyes.
7. Take time to laugh -- it helps with life's loads.
8. Take time for health -- it is the true treasure of life.
9. Take time for friends -- they are the source of happiness.
10. Take time to love -- it is the source of joy.
    
    
    
    "Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

The Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Goals

Human beings are goal-seeking creatures.  We are impatient and try, and fall, and try again until we learn to walk.  We babble and coo and struggle until we learn to talk.  Skinned knees mean nothing in the quest to ride a bicycle. Recently, the world has watched Olympic athletes over-come incredible obstacles in the quest for a medal.  When a client tells me they have had a goal, but in the past 6 months they have made little or no progress towards achieving it, I encourage them to ask themselves the following 10 questions:

1. Do I really, really want this goal?  It may sound nice, it may be something I should have or might enjoy, but do I really, deep in my soul, want it?  Or, not?
   
   
2. Is the goal actually just a means to some other goal?   Is my stated goal really a way to look good, or to please someone, or a handy excuse to work on something that sounds wonderful while I avoid something I don’t want to do?  Great-sounding goals can be a marvelous distraction!
   
   
3. Is this goal consistent with my morals and values?   Often there is a subtle, unnoticed conflict between our stated goals and our values.  For instance, the concept of "fair profit" may be causing confusion, or we may be caught between our goals of building a business and our values of spending more time at home.
   
   
4. Is this goal consistent with my beliefs about myself and my abilities?  The years of training and total commitment to winning an Olympic medal are only possible if the athlete profoundly believes they have the potential to succeed.  Doubts about what is "possible", or beliefs that life is unfair will undermine performance every time.
   
   
5. Why do I want this goal?  Having many solid, vitally important reasons for our goals will drive us more powerfully than anything else.   "I want to be a doctor to save a child’s life" is a very different reason to stay up and study all night than "because being a doctor might be fun."  Why do you want this goal, and how badly do you want it?
   
   
6. Who else wants me to attain my goal?  Knowing that family, friends, business partners or the entire world is cheering for us, counting on us and supporting us is critically important.  Who else knows about and wants you to achieve your success?
   
   
7. How, specifically, will I benefit from achieving my goal?  Being clear and specific about the benefits that will come from completing our goals is a powerful motivator.  "Reducing my blood pressure will help me live to see my grandchildren" is very different than "If I do this, my doctor will stop criticizing me."
   
   
8. What one critical step can I take today that will move me toward my goal?  Some goals are so large or so far off that they are really just dreams or fantasies.  A useful goal is one you can work on today.  Make an appointment, open a savings account, eat a salad for lunch, tell your spouse you love them – whatever your goal, find a specific task you can do today, and then just repeat it a few thousand times!
   
   
9. Are there smaller projects that will both lead to my larger goal, and give me pleasure in the meantime?  If the goal is to run a marathon, train for a local fun-run first!  If the goal is to be a millionaire, getting the first $10,000 in the bank is a worthwhile and useful start.
   
   
10. Depending on your answers to the first 9 questions, the 10th question is: "Is there another goal, or another version of this goal, that is really much more important and much more doable?"  If the first 9 questions haven’t motivated you to action and created tangible, specific results, then ask number 10.  Humans naturally seek and accomplish large goals, but we do best when the goal is tailored to our values, priorities and personal situation.

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Principles for Positive Business Ethics

This morning, I read about a company using on-line auctions to defraud customers. Last week, I consulted on an ethics complaint where a business coach betrayed a client’s confidentiality. And, recently a Physician was convicted of insider trading based on information from a patient, a violation of both business ethics and her professional ethics.

Business ethics are the key to profits. If clients and customers don’t trust you, and your business ethics, they will not do business with you. Would you buy from a company you didn’t trust? Of course not!

Business ethics have become a hot-button topic. There are often ethical conflicts between making money, and doing what is right. There can be dilemmas about doing what is best for your employer, what’s best for your own career, and what’s best for the customer. Business ethics is about negotiating these mine-fields. Here are my Top 10 Principles for Positive Business Ethics:

1.  Business Ethics are built on Personal Ethics.  There is no real separation between doing what is right in business, and playing fair, telling the truth and being ethical in your personal life.

2.  Business Ethics are based on Fairness.  Would a dis-interested observer agree that both sides are being treated fairly? Are both sides negotiating in good faith? Does each transaction take place on a “level playing field”? If so, the basic principles of ethics are being met.

3.  Business Ethics require Integrity.  Integrity refers to whole-ness, reliability and consistency. Ethical businesses treat people with respect, honesty and integrity. They back up their promises, and they keep their commitments.

4.  Business Ethics require Truth-telling.  The days when a business could sell a defective product and hide behind the “buyer beware” defense are long gone. You can sell products or services that have limitations, defects or are out-dated, but not as first-class, new merchandise. Truth in advertising is not only the law, business ethics require it.

5.  Business Ethics require Dependability.  If your company is new, unstable, about to be sold, or going out of business, ethics requires that you let clients and customers know this. Ethical businesses can be relied upon to be available to solve problems, answer questions and provide support.

6.  Business Ethics require a Business Plan.  A company’s ethics are built on its image of itself and its vision of the future and its role in the community. Business ethics do not happen in a vacuum. The clearer the company’s plan for growth, stability, profits and service, the stronger its commitment to ethical business practices.

7.  Business Ethics apply Internally and Externally.  Ethical businesses treat both customers and employees with respect and fairness. Ethics is about respect in the conference room, negotiating in good faith, keeping promises and meeting obligations to staff, employers, vendors and customers. The scope is universal.

8.  Business Ethics require a Profit.  Ethical businesses are well-run, well-managed, have effective internal controls, and clear expectations of growth. Ethics is about how we live in the present to prepare for the future, and a business without profits (or a plan to create them) is not meeting its ethical obligations to  prepare for the future well-being of the company, its employees and customers.

9.  Business Ethics are values-based.  The law, and professional organizations, must produce written standards that are inflexible and universal. While they may talk about “ethics”, these documents are usually prescriptive and refer to minimal standards. Ethics are about values, ideals and aspirations. Ethical businesses may not always live up to their ideals, but they are clear about their intent.

10.  Business Ethics come from the Boss.  Leadership sets the tone, in every area of a business. Ethics are either central to the way a company functions, or they are not. The executives and managers either lead the way, or they communicate that cutting corners, deception and dis-respect are acceptable. Line staff will always rise, or sink, to the level of performance they see modeled above them. Business ethics starts at the top.

Ethics is about the quality of our lives, the quality of our service, and ultimately, about the bottom line.  An unhappy customer complains to an average of 16 people.  Treating employees, customers, vendors and the public in an ethical, fair and open way is not only the right thing, in the long run, it’s the only way to stay in business.

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

The Top 10 Steps to Set and Achieve Your Goals - Every Time!

It’s been said that everyone has goals, whether we know it or not. We have goals to keep our current job, or to get a different one. We have goals to save for the future, or to travel, take a vacation, or purchase the things we need and want to make our lives more enjoyable. An important distinction, however, is that top achievers are very intentional and focused on their goals, while many of the rest of us are not.

Top achievers know that the wording, structure, timing and format of a goal can make it’s achievement much easier – or far more difficult. Top achievers understand the basic skills for setting and reaching their goals, every time! They know how to design goals that create success. Here are the 10 most important steps to set and achieve your goals:

1.  Reachable goals are SPECIFIC.  Top achievers know that to reach their goals, the brain must know exactly, precisely, what they are trying to accomplish. Never word a goal with vague terms like “some” or “a little bit”, or “more”. Be specific! If you want to lose 8 pounds and reach a weight of 175, specify those exact numbers. If you want to save $200 this month, be exact. Your brain can help you accomplish almost anything if it knows precisely what you are aiming for.

2.  Reachable goals are SIMPLE. Many people describe their goals in complex terms of retiring on the beach in Hawaii, with nice cars and lots of money, and…. Their list goes on and on. Any ONE of those things is a great goal, but the combination becomes over whelming and the brain gets confused. If you want to retire in Hawaii, just say so! If you want to increase your sales by 10% this month, say so! Keep your goals simple, clear, and focused.

3.  Reachable goals are SIGNIFICANT. No one can muster the enthusiasm, hard work and courage to reach a goal they don’t really care about. A reachable goal is one you really, really, REALLY want! It’s something that will change your life, enhance your health or wealth, and make you proud. It gets your juices flowing, gets you up in the morning, and keeps you going all day long, because it is important! Set goals that are worth achieving!

4.  Reachable goals are STRATEGIC. High achievers know that the best goals accomplish many great outcomes, all at one time. Running a 10K race will almost certainly: 1) feel great! 2) help you lose weight. 3) lower your cholesterol level 4) strengthen your heart 5) lower you risk of heart disease 6) increase your energy and stamina, and 7) improve your outlook. Design your goals to strategically impact as many areas of your life as possible. You’ll have more reasons to reach your goal and more excitement when you do!

5.  Reachable goals are MEASURABLE. A goal without a measurable outcome is just a pipe-dream. You can’t achieve a pound of “happiness” or 6 inches of “self-esteem”, but you CAN get a new job. You CAN run a mile in under 7 minutes, or do 100 sit-ups. Someone has wisely observed that, “What gets measured, gets done.” Define your goals in terms of height, weight, dollars, inches, or hours. Then measure your progress until you achieve your desired outcome.

6.  Reachable goals are RATIONAL. To reach your goal, you will need a plan, a path, and a vehicle for getting there. Your goals must make sense! When you explain them to friends and family, your goals should create excitement, draw support, and encouragement. Your goals should be just out of reach, but not out of sight! You want to stretch to be your best, not strain after impossible dreams. Set goals you CAN and WILL achieve!

7.  Reachable goals are TANGIBLE. Choose goals that you can see, hear, smell or touch. Go for things you will enjoy and that you can clearly visualize. The brain has  hard time going for “financial security”, but it can visualize a bank statement with nice, large numbers on it! Define your goals in terms that excite the senses, then go for it with all your heart!

8.  Reachable goals are WRITTEN. High achievers always know precisely what they want, because they’ve written it down. Often, they write a short description of their goals every single morning, as a personal reminder of their priorities and their objectives. The act of writing your goals down vastly increases your chance of success. Write it down! Then, keep your notes where you can see and read them every day.

9.  Reachable goals are SHARED. We are far more likely to stick to our plan and reach our goals if we know our friends and family support us. Being part of a team increases our determination, our stamina, and our courage.  Caution: Never share your goals with anyone who may ridicule, tease or discourage you!  The world is full of doubters and you have no time for them. But, find a support team, a group of cheerleaders, and a coach who will encourage you every step of the way. High achievers count on and work with other winners!

10.  Reachable goals are CONSISTENT WITH YOUR VALUES. One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their goals is that they have conflict between their behavior and their values. However, when your values and your goals are in agreement, there is no stopping you! Clarify your values first, then set simple, specific, measurable, tangible, written goals that are consistent with those values. You will achieve them, every single time!


  "Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Stumbling Blocks that Limit Business Growth

Never in history have more entrepreneurs launched more new businesses! In America, thousands of business open their doors every single day! Unfortunately, most of them (over 90% of them) also close their doors within two years. Businesses are started with high hopes and glorious dreams. It is easy to start a business. It is much more difficult to build it, to make it succeed, to avoid the traps and pitfalls and frustrations, and enjoy the fruits of success over the years. In working with hundreds (probably two to three THOUSAND) entrepreneurs over 25 years, here are the mistakes I see most often. Avoid them!

1. Fear and Confusion.  There is either a sense of being over-whelmed by the size of the tasks, or a refusal to master the work of being an entrepreneur and business owner. There are specific skills to owning and running a successful business. Learn them! You can master this! You can focus and succeed! (This is often the time to hire a coach!)

2. Lack of Capital.  Capital comes in three forms: Time, money, and energy. Some people have one or two, but not all three, and they fail because they simply can not sustain the growth phase of their business.  EVERY business is a commitment of everything you have. You may start “small”, but that does not mean casual or part-time!

3. Lack of Courage or Commitment.  Building a business is always risky. Some people perceive the risk as frightening, others see it as an exciting challenge, but there is always risk. Manage it. Limit your potential losses. Understand the risks and enjoy the process. You will make mistakes. Learn from them and go on.

4. Refusal to select and target an audience.  No one can sell their services to “everyone” – a message that goes to everyone is unlikely to create a sense of urgency in anyone in particular. Attorneys focus on one type of law. Physicians specialize. So should you.

5. Choosing the wrong audience.  A market that can not or will not pay or an audience that is too small or dispersed is a recipe for disaster. The “poor” desperately need medical, dental, legal and other services, but who is going to pay you? The same problem exists when trying to reach an audience that is dispersed over a large geographic area and not easily identified.

6. Fuzzy or unfocused message.  What exact benefits do you provide? To whom? Under what circumstances and at what cost? How can people contact you? Be precise, be clear, be specific.

7. Lack of planning – too many random efforts.  Many entrepreneurs try a little radio, a direct mailing, join a service organization, offer free samples, and then report that they have “tried everything and nothing worked”. Pick one, and stay the course! You become identified with your marketing techniques. Choose a logo, a color-scheme, and a marketing technique and stay with it!

8. Too much advertising, too little relationship building.  Advertising works best for tangible products because customers can see the results. Intangible services are very difficult to advertise and are almost always purchased based on the quality of the relationship. The more people know you, and the more they know about you and your caring, your professionalism and your quality, the more business you will do. Build networks of relationships!

9. Laziness and/or Greed.  Your business ONLY exists to serve the customer! You must make a profit in order to continue serving the customer, but service is the key to success. Everything must be focused on that. The statement, “I want to be my own boss”, or “I want a business that supports me” may be true (and be totally honest and reasonable), but they are a dangerous focus for your business. Customers first!

10. Having a product or service that fails to produce adequate benefits, or fails to serve as promised. Some professionals are incompetent. Some don’t use current technology, or are sloppy in their delivery. Particularly with services, even ONE mistake will undermine client confidence, loyalty, and trust. Do your best – every time!! 

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Get your priotities straight

At a workshop, a time management expert stood in front of the group he was presenting to and said: "Okay time for a quiz".

He pulled out a one-gallon, wide mouthed mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced a dozen large rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, " Is this jar full?" Everyone in the group answered, "Yes".

He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he proceeded to pour the gravel into the jar. He shook the jar, causing the pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the rocks. He continued to do this until no more gravel could fit. Then he asked once more, "Is the jar full?"

By this time, the group was onto him. "Probably not" one of them answered. "Good"! he replied.

He reached under the table, brought out a bucket of sand and started dumping the sand in. It went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more, he asked the question, "Is this jar full?".

"No" the group shouted.

Once again he said, "Good!"

Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. He looked up at the group and asked, "All right, what is the point of this illustration?" One business professional raised her hand and said, " The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit more things into it!".

"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point". The point is that if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all".

What are the big rocks in your life?

More time with your loved ones?
Advancement in your education?
Business growth?
Greater wealth?
Something else that you've always wanted to accomplish?

If you don't take the time to prioritise--put your major goals in first--then all your time will be used by less important things.

Make an appointment with yourself today to think about and reflect on this story. Ask yourself the question. What are the major goals in my life or business? Then, remember to put these major goals in first, or you'll never get them in at all.

Formula for Success...

The more desire you have to improve some part of yourself, the more successful you'll become.

After every basketball game, a high school teacher coach watches the videotape and analyses what the team did so he can reinforce the things the team did well and suggest ways to improve the things they didn't do well.

Just as the coach reviews the team's performance after every game so he can suggest ways to keep them in the win column, you should review your performance at work and develop a winning game plan. Actually, you can use the same strategy as the high school basketball coach. Here's the coach's winning formula:

Goals: First and foremost, you have to know what you're shooting for. In the team's case, it is to win. What are your goals at work? To be the best in your area or department? To get a promotion? To reduce the number of errors in your department? To increase productivity?

Skills: Once you have a goal, you must have the skills to be able to reach your goal. If you don't have them, you have to acquire them. If you want to be a computer programmer for instance, then you must learn their langauge, Whatever you decide you want to do, you must learn and develop the skills necessary to put in a top performance every day.

Execution: Now, just having the skills doesn't mean you can use them well. You must be able to perform them to perfection. That means practice, practice, practice.

Support: We all need to work together to reach our goals. No one member of the basketball team can win the game alone. Players need one another and rely on one another to get the job done. The same apllies at work (and at home too).

Leadership: The team has a captain or co-captains--leaders--to ensure the team executes the coaches game plan. Companies need leaders who direct their efforts toward profitable endeavours.

Desire: Last, but by far not least, you must have the burning desire to reach your goal -- whatever the goal may be. You can possess the sharpest skills, execute them perfectly, and have the most support and the best leadership-- but if you don't care, chances are good you'll still fall short. You must WANT it. And that's what it takes to win. You can have anything you want if you want it desperately enough!!

Good Luck!
Anne

Who am I?

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half the things you do might as well be turned over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed - you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great people and, alas, of all failures, as well.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a person. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin --it makes no differene to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am Habit:

Note: A habit is a system that you have mastered through practice.

ATTITUDES

Always making today my best day
Taking pride in a job well done
Treating others with respect
Isolating my negative thoughts
Treating tasks as opportunities
Utilising my talents every day
Doing the job right the first time
Expecting positive outcomes daily
Speaking well of others every day

Have an attitude!
Anne Bengtson

Be thankful

Be thankful you don't already have everything you desire,
if you did, what would there be to look forward to.

Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times,
during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
they will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you are tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life rich of fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Why it's important to learn a second language!

A family of mice were surprised by a big cat.
Father Mouse jumped and and said, "Bow-wow!" The cat ran away.
"What was that, Father?" asked Baby Mouse. "Well, son,
that's why it's important to learn a second language."

By Kim Willis

Obstacles in our Path

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.

The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand.

Lesson To be Learned:

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.

An Inspirational Short Story: You Are

One day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St. Louis, Missouri returned from their luncOne day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St. Louis, Missouri returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said:

"Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."
At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be. The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: "Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he's no longer here!"

One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:

"There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

• YOU are the only person who can revolutionize your life.
• YOU are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success.
• YOU are the only person who can help yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes.
• Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that YOU ARE the only one responsible for your life.

BY: Author Unknown

Insanely Obvious Sign

Obvious?

How to make someone's day

Sometimes all it takes is a small gesture to turn someone’s day around.

Three years ago, I worked as an intern in my town’s public library. I spent many mornings there typing up educational programs at the head librarian’s computer, surrounded by just bookcases. The job was a lonely one because the library hours were sparse. One day, a man walked into the library and handed me a cup of cappuccino.

“Just thought you’d enjoy something warm,” he said with a smile, and disappeared through the door.

That one extremely simple act has stuck with me over the past few years as being one of the most genuine expressions of kindness.

So why not do something nice for a person at random? If you need advice on how to make someone happy, the following are some favourite ideas from Thank Goodness It’s Monday, including contributions from the comments.

• Smile at a stranger
• Put a quarter in someone’s expired meter
• Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
• Buy flowers at your grocery store and give them to the cashier on the way out
• Call your parents to apologize for when you were a brat (especially if you have kids)
• Recreate one of your first dates with your significant other
• Put a post-it note on the bathroom mirror for your significant other, just to say I love you
• For kids, eat ice cream for dinner
• Smile as you’re holding the door open for themselves
• Tell your boss that they’re doing a good job
• Tell your boss your co-worker is doing a good job
• At the office, brew a fresh pot of coffee
• Give flowers to the receptionist
• Take a friend out for supper for no reason
• Let the other driver take the parking spot you’re competing for
• Give your friend chocolates, for no reason
• Let your child pick what’s for dinner, and have them help you prepare it
• Write a letter to a teacher who has influenced you
• Buy someone a present, but don’t tell them who it’s from
• Mow your neighbour’s lawn or shovel their driveway in the winter
• Tell somebody in customer service that they’re doing a great job
• Carry someone elses groceries to their car
• Leave goodies in your mailbox for the mailman
• Buy lunch for a homeless personally
• Teach your kid the Chicken Dance

by Candice Walsh