A Great Quote for the New Year…

“Thought is the blossom;
language the bud; action
the fruit behind it.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Jetstream and Your Life in 2009…

I keep getting asked, “When are we going to see the sun again in Nashville?”  This drizzly, cool, cloudy pattern has been with us now about a week and people are simply getting tired of it.  They need to see some sunshine!  The reason for this weather is that the jet stream – which controls the flow of cold and warm air across the country – has stalled.   When this happens, the same weather can occur for days and days.  For it to change, the jet stream has to first change pattern.  If not, what you see is what you get…

We’re beginning a new year soon and I have a question for you:  Is there something that you desire to change in your life as we begin 2009?  Are you tired of being out of shape, out of money, out of patience, out of hope?    Just as the pattern of the jet stream needs to change for a new type of weather, if the pattern of your behavior doesn’t change, neither will your resulting circumstances.  It’s simple cause and effect.  So, here’s what I suggest you do:  First, sit and think.  Think for a long time, in quiet.  Think and pray.  Come face-to-face in your mind with what you want to change and then picture how you want it to be different.   Next, get a piece of paper, write 2009 at the top and write down your new goals. Simply writing something down increases the probabilities that you’ll do it .  Write it as if your already doing that new behavior.  For instance, instead of, I will jog two miles three times a week write, I jog two miles three times a week.  Do this with every change.  Also make a calendar to plan your progress.  Using the exercise example, for week 1, write down you’ll walk around the block three times a week.  In week two, write you’ll walk 1/2 mile three times a week.  In week three, you’ll walk a full mile three times a week and so on until you have the full plan.  Here’s the great part, now that you’ve got your goal and your calendar to make it happen, just follow the plan.   The more you do it and the more progress you make, the easier it will become.   The hardest part is beginning.  Resolve to follow your plan for at least 90 days and the next 90 will be much easier.  You’ll be shocked by the positive results if you do this.

So…  What’s your big plan for change in 2009?

A Thought about Success…

I recently read this quote:

“High achievement always takes place in a framework of high expectation.”
-Jack Kinder

I started thinking about that and realized I need to set my goals higher and expand the realm of what’s possible in my mind. That means squashing doubts and fears when they pop up. Not easy, but necessary…

I’ve had lunch with a couple of people in the last few days who are accomplishing amazing things. They’ve worked very hard to get where they are, but they also believed they could do it…

What do you believe is possible for you?

Happiness…

Here’s the thought for the day…

If your happiness depends on what others think or say about you, then you are handing over an amazing amount of power to the people around you. Your happiness should be determined by you and no one else. Is it easier to be happy when others love and adore you? Sure – but does that mean you should hand it over? No. It’s up to you. Do some soul searching. What do you really want and why? What brings you true joy and why? Where do you want to take your life and why? Answer these questions and you start taking control back because now, YOU can do something about it.

You’ve Got to See This…

Thanks to FLOWERDUST.NET for bringing this to my attention…

Life Balance?

There seems to be some argument about whether life balance can really exist.  Understand, balance isn’t a point you’ll reach and always stay there –  that’s not going to happen…  Instead, it’s a way to design your life so that on most days, your needs are met, you genuinely enjoy life and you’re not always on the edge of crisis.

With that in mind, lets return to the question, is life balance possible?  If you ask someone that question who has chronic trouble balancing his or her life, they will probably say, “No.”  However, if you ask someone who lives a balanced life,  they’ll obviously say, “Yes.”  Just the mere fact that there are people who say yes gives you the answer – it IS possible.  That should give all of you who don’t think so some hope.   Don’t give up yet!

What would you say if I asked you this question?

Tornadoes and Christmas Music…

If you love weather like I do, then you’ll enjoy this.  Ever seen tornado footage set to Christmas music?  Now you have!

Success Needs Three Things…

It always amazes me (although it shouldn’t anymore) that when I talk to people who have made it big in anything, whether it’s career, family, money, health, whatever, they didn’t become successful just because they were smart or talented (although being smart and talented doesn’t hurt). The three biggest reasons people succeed are:

1. Their desire becomes a MUST.
2. They BELIEVE they can do it.
3. They STUDY HOW to do it.

People who make things happen study other people who make things happen. They look for patterns and clues as to what they can do to increase their chances of success. Many have mentors that guide them along the way. They almost all read books on their subject of interest. They work hard at becoming experts; becoming familiar with the hurdles and obstacles that will likely get in their way and how to creatively overcome them. They strategically plan their success on paper before they make a move. They believe failure is not an end, but a teacher of how not to do it next time. They believe in their mission and in themselves. Successful people constantly are moving forward, using momentum as a force to pound through doubts and fears. To talk with and be around people like this is very uplifting. If you want success, surround yourself with these kinds of people. Learn from them. Seek them out. Use what they know to help you along. Most are willing to share what they know. Understand that there’s a strategy to success. It takes work, knowledge, ambition, help and a belief in yourself. Put all of these things to work in your own life and watch out!

If you were to set up a lunch with someone successful just so you could pick their brain, who would it be? Better yet, pick that person and make the call today…

Great Quote III

Found this quote on Dan Miller’s Blog today.

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” – Pope John XXIII

If only more of us did this…  Can you imagine? 

Can you do this?

Does Reading Make a Difference?

Just heard a stat that the average American reads one book per year and 60% don’t get past the first chapter…

The average CEO reads 5 to 6 book per month and earns more than 500% more than the average worker…

Excuse me. I’m going to go read now…