Images of Achievement – Visualize your Success

Are you aware of how the FBI trains its agents to spot counterfeit bills? The FBI schools agents by training them to see all of the characteristics of bills printed by the U.S. Treasury—they deal only with genuine money. An FBI agent learns to recognize authentic ones, fives, tens, twenties, fifties and hundred dollar notes until his or her appraisal of them becomes second nature. An agent studies a bill, both sides of it, until he or she learns every feature that makes it genuine legal tender.

That way, when FBI agents see counterfeit bills, they immediately recognize them as such. Their minds aren’t cluttered with what “might be wrong” or “what usually is left off” or “mistakes that are commonly made.” They know what they’re looking for. They are specialists in the real thing. False bills seem glaringly obvious to them.

If you allow yourself to think about the penalties of failure or all the things that could go wrong, you’re far more likely to infuse your performance with those penalties and mistakes. Continually tell yourself what to do. Don’t concentrate on what not to do.

The mind has a fascinating capability. What you think about most is generally what you do most readily. A mistake most people make is to set goals in negative terms. A tennis player may set a goal of not double-faulting a certain number of times during a match. An employee may set a goal of not being late so often. Goals to lose weight, not talk so loud and fast, and not get upset so often are goals framed in negative terms. We need to stay away from negative goal setting.

Understand this about the mind: A fear is a goal in reverse. The mind can’t focus on the reverse of an idea. The term double fault reminds the tennis player of the condition he or she wants to avoid. Being late reminds the employee of the problem, not the solution. When we think we need to lose weight, our minds store the self-image of being overweight. We need the image of the desired weight we want to attain, not the pounds of fat we want to discard. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to concentrate on not being upset.

It’s the same thing as saying, “Don’t make mistakes.” Or worse yet, to a tight rope walker, with no net, “Windy day, don’t fall!” The mind always moves you toward your current dominant thought.

We should say, “First serve in,” for the tennis player. “I’m a punctual, on-time person.” …. “I’m reaching my desired weight.” …. “I speak slowly, clearly and confidently.” …. “I remain calm and relaxed under pressure.” These are all positive goal statements, images of achievement, that pull us in the direction of the desired behavior rather than away from the undesired habit.

This week, stop looking at your life through the rearview mirror; instead, focus on where you want to go!

Reproduced with permission from the Denis Waitley Newsletter.
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© 2010 Denis Waitley International. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Keep going in the pursuit of your dreams

Is Your Life Working the Way You Want it to Be?
by Jack Canfield

When things happen in the world that seem so far beyond our individual control, it can feel unsettling.

But don’t give up on your goals and dreams just because “the time isn’t good”… you can still make 2010 the year you uncover a whole new you for the better!

Even in tough times, you get to decide how to respond to certain conditions, opportunities, and outcomes—both good and bad.

Life will always be a series of choices and YOU get to decide on what will move you closer to your goals, or farther away from them. External forces will always be part of the equation, even during the good times when the world is thriving.

When people ask me about the single most important ingredient to success, I always share the same response: realizing what’s making you achieve success, and then realizing what is stifling your success.

Sometimes recognizing the things that are NOT working in your life can be painful, yet VERY powerful to shaping the life you want.

Don’t try to rationalize them, make excuses for them, or hide them. This is when it’s even more critical to take personal inventory and evict those excuses, rationalizations, and hidden habits that don’t serve you. These things will keep you from the life you want to be living. Let me give you some examples. Ask yourself if you relate to any of these questions:

Do you want to be active, fit, and strong? Then you have to stop making excuses about your weight, diet choices, and lack of exercise.

Do you want to be in a loving relationship based on friendship and respect? Then you have to stop rationalizing why you and your partner are not communicating well.

Do you want to embrace Monday mornings and feel excited about going to work every day? Then you have to stop hiding your true passions and go after whatever it is you really want to be doing day in and day out.

Do you want to lose the debt forever? Then you have to stop ignoring your spending habits and get real about a creating budget that will pull you out of debt and allow you to reach financial freedom.

Do you want to feel more connected to the people in your life, such as your children, friends, and colleagues? Then you have to stop complaining about your poor relationships and figure out why you don’t feel as connected as you’d like to be.

These things can be painful to look at because the truth is that you have to do something about them in order to make it work in your life.

You’ll have to say no to the second helping of dinner and the dessert to follow and go through the action steps to get into shape… You’ll have to confront your partner about the areas that need work… You’ll have to get past fears about changing your job or professional path… You’ll have to cut back on your spending and be a bit more frugal… You’ll have to take a good hard look at your personal relationships and perhaps consider your own shortfalls and weaknesses in communicating your needs and concerns.

Plain and simple, you will have to do something uncomfortable.

Successful people don’t waste time in denial (or complain or make excuses for that matter). They face situations like a warrior. They look for the warning signs, they find out why things aren’t working, and they go about fixing them- even when fixing requires problem solving, hard work, risk, and a level of uncertainty.

It’s okay to identify a problem even though you haven’t a clue about how to go about solving it right away.

The first step is just recognizing the issue, and then having faith that you’ll figure it out with careful attention to it. That’s how successful people live—in constant focus on goals, on results, on problem solving, and on the actions that get them to where they want to be.

Following are three things to do constantly in pursuit of your goals and dreams, however big or small:

Make a list of the things in your life that are working against your success and ask how the situation can be improved. Commit to tackling just one of those issues and be brave!

If you need help organizing those “things” in your life, try using the following list of categories. I recommend reflecting on each of the 7 areas and ask yourself, what’s not working here in each one and then brainstorm 3 potential solutions.

1.) Financial Goals, 2) Career/Business Goals, 3.) Free Time/Family Time,  4.) Health/Appearance Goals,  5.) Relationship Goals,  6.) Personal Growth  7.) Making a Difference

Remember, by facing what is not working, you can only improve your life!  

Jack Canfield, America’s #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you’re ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

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How and Why Visualization Works

The art of visualzation – Denis Waitley

The art of visualization helps you make your goals part of your subconscious reflex habits, like brushing your teeth or driving your car. Imagine that you’re driving home. Think about the steps you take. You start the car, turn left at the light on Main Street, take a right to the expressway, and head west to the foothills. These interim steps break down your final objective into easily segmented steps.

Psychologists call this interior model or template a “cognitive map.” The cognitive map gives you an image by which to check progress at every moment. If you expect to reach a landmark in less time than you are taking on this particular trip, you might speed up a little to get back on pace. Scientists refer to the process of adjusting your actions to fit your image of what is right as using a “negative feedback loop.” This doesn’t mean that you berate yourself when you get off track. It means you mentally correct to the target.

This week begin to utilize or increase your utilization of the art of visualizing your dreams, so that accomplishment of your goals simply becomes a habit!

A fantastic visualization tool is MindMovies 2.0 check it out here

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Half Time Team Talk – What’s Your Goal Tally?

Half way through the year is a great time to reflect and take stock of our goals and progress so far. Did you start the year full of hopes, dreams and expectations? How are these working out? It’s time for a half time team talk.

A great business maxim is that ‘what gets measured gets managed’ and the same can be true of life. If you want to lose weight for example you need to know where you are now, if you intend to create more wealth, again you need to know your starting point. A vague notion of wanting to be a bit fitter or to have some more money lacks the specificity required to power your dreams.

The wheel of life is a popular coaching tool which enables you to examine the key areas of your life, health, finance, careers, relationships and so on. It not only measures current or intended ratings but also shows areas which are out of balance.

You may like to print the diagram below and mark your current rating.

A client was experiencing some money worries and scored a 4 in Finances. Rather than becoming negative about ‘only a 4’, we switched energy by assessing what factors had made it a 4 rather than a 3, 2 or 1. By doing so he became grateful for his job, his ability to have a bank account, credit cards etc. Even though he may have wanted more, being firstly aware and secondly appreciative of the current position is an important starting point.

Setting clear and effective goals is a great way of putting your request into the universe. Almost immediately, via your brain’s Reticular Activating System, you will begin to notice new opportunities and resources to help achieve your goals.

Something important to consider is how the goal makes you feel. If setting a goal to lose 20lbs or 10kg makes you feel dispirited then perhaps a smaller goal like 5lbs would be a more motivational place to start. Law of attraction teachers tell us that desire plus emotion plus action equals results. Therefore your goal should feel possible, even if you are not sure exactly how it will be achieved.

“You do not need to see the whole staircase, just take the first step in faith” Martin Luther King Jr.

Other great tools in achieving your goals are the use of affirmations and visualisations. By mentally rehearsing having already succeeded, you are training your subconscious mind to go to work on your behalf.

Regular use of positive, empowering, present tense affirmations, such as “I am feeling fit and healthy at my ideal weight of xyz”, will condition your brain to support your goal.

Visualisations help because the brain works in images. Find a picture of the former slimmer you and put it on the fridge or next to your bed. Perhaps use an image from a magazine, but remember to consider how it makes you feel. If you chose a ‘perfect’ model type figure, does that inspire you or depress you into the biscuit tin?

Finally reward yourself for your progress. Follow these simple steps:-

• Measure
• Set goals
• Take action
• Review
• Reward.

The reward will enable your brain to associate pleasure with the progress towards your goal, which in turn, will make even more progress come quickly and easily.

A simple, fun tool to help with the setting and acheivement of goals is The Goals Workshop Program -  goal setting software.

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Visualize success in 3D

However you define your particular view of success, taking a 3D view will provide better clarity and help you reach your goals with more speed.

Success can mean different things to different people and each one is right. Whether you are seeking to improve your finances, your health, relationships or connection with your spirit, the good news is that right now there is more information and materials available on the topic than at any previous time in human history.

What then is stopping you from achieving success in any area in which you chose? I believe the answer comes down to the 3D approach.

The first D stands for Desire – are you clear about what you want and why you want it? Is it for you or for someone else? Do you have what Napoleon Hill referred to as a white hot desire that will get you up early and keep you up late?

The derivation of the word enthusiasm is en Theos or through God. In other words when we have passion or enthusiasm for a task or project, we are expressing the divinity within us. Take a minute to reflect on this statement:

Your heart’s desire and God’s will is the same thing

These incredibly powerful words are a key component in you achieving the success you are seeking. If you are in touch with a strong will and purpose you will find the motivation and resources you need to be successful. If you are half hearted or seeking something out of alignment with your true self then it will be all the more difficult to achieve. This is why it is so important to believe in what you are doing rather than trying to run someone else’s race.

The Second D stands for Discipline – the daily actions which take you in the direction of your goals. The word discipline often has negative associations yet can be seen as an expression of self control and mastery.

The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret – Robin Sharma

Let’s imagine your success goal is losing weight and feeling vibrant and healthy. The discipline involved may be to cut out certain foods which don’t serve you, or committing to exercise 3 times per week or drinking 2 litres of water per day.

Discipline is like a muscle which can be developed and just as you would not start at the gym by lifting the biggest weights, you can begin by taking small steps and gradually increasing. Start by setting a goal for something that you can achieve and stick to it. Then gradually build momentum.

Researchers on the NASA space programme found that it can take between 21 and 29 days to create a new habit. The neuro pathways in the brain are like a well trodden path through a forest. At first there is no trail to follow then it gradually becomes clearer, until eventually with regular use the forest trail and the brain connections have been clearly formed.

So if it’s that easy to do why don’t more people achieve success? Because it’s also easy NOT to do it. It’s easy to stay in bed rather than go for a walk or run. It’s easy to eat that cake or smoke that cigarette and that’s the problem. If you have not exercised your disciple muscles for a while then it is easier not to stick with your commitment. So begin with something small, experience success, build the muscle and then look for more.

The third D stands for Determination – this is essential for when the bumps in the road appear. You have your strong desire, you have your daily disciples in place but almost inevitably, things will not always go smoothly. This is when you need you determination to succeed.

You may find that other people are critical or try and hold you back. Visualise crabs in a bucket. When one tries to make a break for freedom the others grab and pull it back. It’s hard to create a new set of habits and routines in your old environment and therefore it makes sense to surround yourself with supportive and energising people.

Look for new associations, whether face to face or online. Read empowering books and listen to uplifting audios. If necessary reduce or even eliminate your old associations which are not in alignment with the new person that you are seeking to become.

So now you have the 3D view of success. Desire, Discipline and Determination. Set your goals, commit to daily action and stay the course. Stop reading and go do it! Your bright future starts right now!

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Dare to Dream Again

Do you remember when you were a child and no dream seemed too big? Some of us thought we would walk on the moon, some dreamed of riding with Roy Rogers, others imagined stepping to the plate in a big league game. Every one of us, when we were young, had a common trait—we were dreamers. The world hadn’t gotten to us yet to show us that we couldn’t possibly achieve what our hearts longed for. And we were yet still years from realizing that in some cases we weren’t built for achieving our dream (I realized about my junior year of high school that I was too short and to slow to play professional basketball. The dreamer is always the last to know).

Eventually, we started to let our dreams die. People began to tell us that we couldn’t do the things we wanted. It was impossible. Responsible people don’t pursue their dreams. Settle down, get a job, be dependable. Take care of business, live the mundane, be content.

Do you know what I say to that? Hooey!

It is time to dream again!

Why? Here are just a few reasons:

• Avoiding regret. The facts are in, and someday we will all lie on our deathbed looking back through the history of our lives. We will undoubtedly think about what we wished we had done or accomplished. I for one don’t want to regret what could have been, what should have been. So I am deciding today to pursue my dreams.
• Making the world a better place. All of the great accomplishments that have ever happened began with a person who had a dream. Somebody rebuffed the naysayers and said to himself or herself, “This can be done, and I am the one who will do it.” And in many instances they changed the world for the better. It isn’t just the Martin Luther Kings and the J.F.Ks, either. Think of all the people we have never heard of who have started things large and small that help people worldwide every day.
• The world needs people like you to dream of something great and then to pursue it with all of your heart. Maybe you belong to a business, school or organization that started out with good intentions but has settled into the same ol’ same ol’. Shake them up and remind them of how they could really help people if only they would dream!
• Personal and family fulfillment. One of the things that happens when we stop pursuing our dreams is that a little piece of us dies and we become disheartened, if only in that area of our lives. Stepping up and pursuing your dream rekindles that passion and zeal that everyone has the capacity for and lets us experience fulfillment. Having a purpose puts the zip in our step and the zing in our emotions!
• Leaving a legacy. How will your children remember you? As one who sought all that life had to offer, using your gifts and talents to their fullest extent, leading the family with a zest for life or as an overweight couch potato who could have been? Our children need to see that we dream; that we search for something better. They in turn will do the same!

So where do we start? Here are some ideas:

• Reconnect with your dream. Set aside some time to let yourself dream. What have you placed on the back burner in order to live the status quo? Settle on one or two dreams that you can and will pursue. Don’t come up with too many. That will only deter you further.
• Decide that you will do it. This may seem elementary, but many people never decide and commit fully to their dream. They simply keep thinking about it.
• Tell others that you are going to do it. This puts you on the record as to what you are dreaming about. It makes you accountable. It will help you do it if for no other reason than to avoid embarrassment!
• Develop a step-by-step plan. This is absolutely essential. You must sit down and write out a few things:
• A timeline. How long will it take to the end?
• Action steps. Point-by-point what you will do and when you will do them.
• Resources you will need to draw from. What will it take? Who will need to be involved for help or advice?
• An evaluation tool. You need to evaluate from time to time whether you are progressing or not.
• A celebration. Yep, when you are done you should already have planned what you will do to celebrate. Make it big!

I have found that there is no better time than now. So, set aside some time today to get started on your dream. Follow the action plan and set your sights for the top of the mountain! You will be glad you did!

By Chris Widener

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Why other people don’t set goals

There have been numerous studies which have demonstrated the value of Goal Setting in the achievement of success, yet it is estimated that only 3% of us have clear written goals. This article examines what prevents the majority of people from setting goals.

 Why people do not set goals – 1. Lack of awareness

 Firstly, it is evident that most people cannot realise the importance of goals. This is perhaps understandable if, for example, you grow up in an environment where no-one had goals, or you spend the bulk of your time with a group of friends where goals are neither discussed nor valued.

 We will tend to learn from the books we read and the people we associate with. If you are not exposed to the principles of goal setting you may potentially go through life without ever realising how powerful they can be.

 Why people do not set goals – 2. Lack of Knowledge

 The second reason that many people don’t set goals is because either they don’t know how or sometimes think they have them already, when in reality, they have a series of vague dreams or wishes like, “Be happy,” or “Make a lot of money.”

 These however, are not goals at all but merely fantasies that are common to nearly everyone. In our definition, a goal is something distinctly different from a wish. It is clear, written and specific. It can be quickly and easily described to another person. You can measure it, and you know when you have achieved it, or not.

 Why people do not set goals – 3. The Fear of Failure

 The third reason that people don’t set goals is because of the fear of failure. Failure can be both emotionally and often financially painful. Often however, the fear of failure is even more distressing and debilitating than the failure itself.

 Everyone has experienced failure at some time. Each occasion, they resolve to be more careful next time and avoid failing in the future. They then make the mistake of unconsciously sabotaging themselves by not setting any goals at which they might fail. They can end up going through life functioning at far lower levels may be truly possible for them.

 If we stay within the ‘safe harbour of the known’ we will be protected from potential or actual failure, however we will also be condemning ourselves to small lives of frustration and wondering, what if.

 Imagine success and failure either side of a swinging pendulum. If the pendulum points straight down, in the neutral position we will most likely be protected from failure, but at the cost of not experiencing success. The further the pendulum is pushed to the failure side, the further it can swing back to success.

 Why people do not set goals – 4. The Fear of Rejection

 The fourth reason that people don’t set goals is because of the fear of rejection. People are afraid that if they set a goal and are not successful, others will criticize or ridicule them. This is one of the reasons why, when you begin to set goals, you should keep your goals a secret or only share with trusted supporters who will encourage you and, if necessary, keep you accountable.

Don’t tell just anyone. Let people see by your results and achievements what you have accomplished, but don’t tell them in advance. As Brian Tracy says “What they don’t know can’t hurt you”.

To find out how using goal setting software can propel you towards success, further information is available from The Goals Workshop.

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Why doesn’t everyone set goals?

Personal development authors, teachers and speakers for over 100 years have been extolling the virtues of goal setting as a key method of achieving our hearts desires. Yet it is estimated that only 3% of the population have clear, written goals. What are the reasons behind this paradox?

1.Awareness

Firstly, it’s a sad fact that the majority of people don’t realize the importance of goals. If you grew up in an environment where no-one had goals, or you spend time with a group of friends where goals are neither discussed nor valued, you can very easily reach adult life without knowing that your ability to set and achieve goals can have such an important effect on your life.

Think about it, how many of your close friends or family have clear and committed goals?

2.Knowledge

The second reason that many people don’t set goals is because either they don’t know how to or perhaps they think they have already have them. In reality, however, what they often have are a series of vague dreams or wishes like, “Be happy,” or “Make a lot of money.”

These wishes are not goals at all, but merely fantasies that are common to everyone. In our definition, a goal is something distinctly different from a wish. It is clear, written and specific. It can be quickly and easily described to another person. You can measure it, and you know when you have achieved it, or not.

Author and personal development expert, Brian Tracy, suggests that it is possible to take an advanced degree at a leading university without ever receiving one hour of instruction on goal setting. It is almost as if the people who determine the educational content of our schools and universities are completely blind to the importance of goal setting in achieving success later in life. Of course, if you never hear about goals until you are an adult, you will have no idea how important they are to everything you do.

3.The Fear of Failure

The third reason that people don’t set goals is because of the fear of failure. Failure can be both emotionally and often financially painful. Often however, the fear of failure is even more distressing and debilitating than the failure itself.

Everyone has experienced failure at some time. Each occasion, they resolve to be more careful next time and avoid failing in the future. They then make the mistake of unconsciously sabotaging themselves by not setting any goals at which they might fail. They end up going through life operating at a much lower level than their true potential.

If we stay within the ‘safe harbor of the known’ we will be protected from potential or actual failure, but will also be condemning ourselves to small lives of frustration and wondering, if only.

4. The Fear of Rejection

The fourth reason that people don’t set goals is because of the fear of rejection. People are afraid that if they set a goal and are not successful, others will criticize or ridicule them. This is one of the reasons why, when you begin to set goals, you should keep your goals confidential or only share with trusted supporters who will encourage you and, if necessary, keep you accountable.

Don’t tell just anyone. Let people see by your results and achievements what you have accomplished, but don’t tell them in advance. What they don’t know can’t hurt you.

The Goals Workshop process enables you to define, refine and set about achieving your goals using one of a kind software, goals book and audio session

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Goal Setting Software

The Goals Workshop is a new approach to goal setting and goal achievement. The programme uses a blend of a comprehensive guidebook, audio coaching session and interactive goal setting software, to bring you the results you need.

Here is a video of my new goal setting software in action.

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