Posts Tagged ‘goal-setting articles’
Increase Your Knowledge: Read-and-Reap
Did you know that you see with your mind as well as your eyes? The mind stores memories and highlights of past experiences as well as color intensity, hue and a variety of other details. How you see (your eyesight) and how the brain makes sense of what you see is at the heart of a total visual experience.
On Being Eye-Minded?
Human beings are eye-minded. This means that in our waking lives we are likely to think, imagine and remember in terms of what we see. Just think about that! Scientists report that being able to read as well as reading on a regular basis:
- Promotes brain cell production.
How to Develop a Reading Habit
When you form a regular reading habit, you reap untold benefits. Unfortunately, most of us just don’t seem to get around to it. So what’s a professional to do in this era of information overload?
Here are a few tips to jumpstart your reading routine and develop an “oh-so-necessary” reading habit:
Since vision is our dominant sense, it is probably the most compelling way we communicate with others. As we read, we bring images into play in our minds and the minds of others; we speak a visual language of wisdom and insight.
Often our greatest successes come when we look at pictures of information, apply wisdom and insight gained from these visual experiences, and see the results in our mind’s eye. So?GO AHEAD! FORM A Read-and-Reap HABIT TODAY.
Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, Strategy@Work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit http://www.extreme-career-makeover.com/
Do you Have the Burning Desire to Lose Weight or Reach any Goal?
NOTE: This article is one of the component parts of the 9-step WTA3 program contained in the ebook titled “The Action Path -Your Key to Success!” due out in 2005 at http://www.your-key-to-success.com/index_actionpath.html.
- Do you have a Burning Desire? -
Do you have a burning desire to lose weight and reduce your body fat to 10%?
Do you have a burning desire to get a flat, well-toned midsection?
Do you have a burning desire to increase your net worth to $500,000?
Do you have a burning desire to improve your personal relationships?
Do you have a burning desire to start a business next year?
Do you have a burning desire to reduce your credit card debt?
The key phrase is “Do you have a burning desire to…”. We all have hopes, dreams, wants and wishes. Do you have a ‘Burning Desire’ to make the right choices on a daily basis and take positive action steps toward your goals?
Let’s start with a common goal of reducing body fat or losing weight. While losing weight is a more common goal, reducing body fat to your body’s optimum level is the better route to take. For this illustration, imagine you had a personal goal of losing 10 lbs in 30 days. Because you’re smart, you know that losing weight can be accomplished by taking in fewer calories than you burn. This is a law of nature and makes logical sense. Even though we are aware of this basic principle, losing weight continues to be a difficult goal for many people to accomplish. Now the question; do you really have a ‘Burning Desire’ to lose 10 lbs in 30 days? If you’re like many, your answer is “…yes, I have a desire to lose weight…” but in reality you don’t have a ‘Burning Desire’.
Another source for creating your own ‘Burning Desire’ is a program from Tony Robbins titled, Get the Edge! You can see a product review of his program at http://www.your-key-to-success.com/product_gettheedge.html.
To further illustrate our day-to-day choices and the difference between a desire and a ‘Burning Desire’ let’s pretend that you are two days into your diet and you’re at your favorite hamburger restaurant for your usual lunch. What are you going to choose from the menu? What choice are you going to make?
Will it be the usual double cheeseburger, large fries and a soft drink?
Will it be a double cheeseburger, small fries and a small soft drink?
Will it be a single burger, no small fries and a diet soft drink?
Will it be a burger (no bun), small salad (light dressing) and water?
Will you leave your favorite hamburger restaurant and find a different place to eat?
Most will order the usual lunch or might only cut down slightly. You might even justify it by convincing yourself that later in the day you’ll eat less, you’ll exercise more at the gym or you need all this food because you are ’starving’. By choosing to order the usual lunch, you’ve made a choice to take action towards your goal of losing weight. Let me repeat in a slightly different way. By selecting the usual lunch, you have made a (wrong) choice to take (a negative) action towards your goal of losing weight. Every minute of every day you have the power, potential and intellect to make good choices that will help direct you to take positive actions towards meeting your goals. Will you succumb to a need for immediate gratification or can you delay it for a short period with your eye on the prize, of a larger, more gratifying long-term goal.
Was choosing the usual lunch the right choice for you to meet your goal of losing weight? It probably wasn’t the best choice, but only you can make the decision to make the right choice. Your decision to eat a high calorie lunch was probably based on a short-term craving and the need for immediate gratification. After the meal, you’ve met your short-term craving but you’ve moved farther away from your long-term goal of losing 10 lbs. You need to be aware that your day-to-day choices are often based on a superficial need to satisfy your immediate gratification. When short-term wins over long-term, it shows that your immediate gratification cravings have registered more votes in your brain. Your objective it to move the pendulum; make your long-term goals register more votes so you will automatically start taking more consistent and positive action steps. You need to create a ‘Burning Desire’ to make long-term win over short-term.
Don’t forget to check out the other examples, such as increasing your net worth, outlined in other chapters of this book. You can also check out a product review of Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle at http://www.your-key-to-success.com/product_burnthefatfeedthemuscle.html.
Stop reading and take your first positive action step to create a ‘Burning Desire’. You can apply this technique to any goal. To make this exercise easier, use the form in the appendix section of this book.
- List at least 6 reasons why you want to attain a weight loss goal (or any other goal). List both the positive reasons (I want to look good for the Caribbean vacation) and the negative reasons (I can’t fit into my pants). Positive reasons are “What will I get if I attain this goal”. Negative reasons are “What will happen if I don’t attain this goal”.
- Next to each reason you listed above, write a short, visual description of that reason. It’s important that you visualize your reasons. If one of your reasons is “…I can’t fit into these pants…”, describe this visualization as a picture with your stomach hanging over the edge of your belt or waistband. Make sure you complete this visualization description for each reason. As you go through this visualization process you may start thinking of more reasons – go ahead jot them down on your list.
- Take 10-15 minutes and read your 6 (or more) reasons along with your visualization descriptions. Which one or two reasons trigger the most emotionally energized response?
- Take the top 1,2 or 3 emotionally energized reasons, write them down on a business card size piece of paper and place them in your wallet, purse, desk and/or car. For the next 3-5 days, take out this card and read the reasons and the visualization description out loud.
- By the end of the 3-5 days, if you still get emotionally energized and excited; congratulations, you now have created your own ‘Burning Desire’.
What if this didn’t work and you’re not emotionally excited – what if you didn’t create a ‘Burning Desire’. Your current goal has reverted back to a wish, a want, a dream or a hope. At this stage you have a few options. First, you should go back to step #1 and try this exercise again. Often during the first attempts, you may not have put enough time or energy into the process. Right now is the time to change for the better – take a positive action step and give it another chance. Second, if you’ve tried this exercise or other techniques and still can’t seem to create a ‘Burning Desire’, than you may need to pick another goal, abandon the goal or change the goal. Changing the goal is not giving up; changing the goal is often one of the best ways to get yourself re-energized, motivated and excited about moving forward.
By taking these 5 steps to create a ‘Burning Desire’ for each one of your goals (large or small), you will make your goals much more attainable, you will start to consistently meet more of your goals and you will have more fun along the path to success. This technique can be used in other areas of your life such as your business (career), your personal finances and your relationships. Other chapters in this book will provide the details on how to use this technique to succeed with more of your personal goals.
Author’s Personal Note: I have successfully used this technique in the area of weight loss and have lost 10 lbs (in 45 days), reduced my body fat by 3% and dropped from a 35-inch waist to a 32-inch waist. What was my ‘Burning Desire’? I had about seven of them, but two created the most passion and drive.
First, was when my youngest son commented about how big my stomach was getting and that I looked out of shape. This comment was my negative reason that drove me to make a change. If I didn’t attain this goal, I would continue to hear these comments . Second, I had a closet full of size 32 pants and was ready to go out a buy more tight-fitting 34 size pants. Since I personally don’t like (despise) spending money on clothes, I created a visualization of all the money I would save by not having to buy another 3-4 pairs of pants. If I did attain this goal, I would have another $150 to do what I love most – invest.
My personal visualization for the first reason was a flat stomach instead of the love handles and no ‘fat’ comments from my son. My visualization for the second reason was seeing $150 invested in 3 shares of a blue chip stock on my portfolio statement, instead of pants hanging in my closet. While my personal visualizations might not get you motivated, these visualizations created enough push, motivation and drive for me to change my dietary habits and eat right (not necessarily less) and exercise more often. Remember, each of you will have your own personal visualizations that will get you to take action.
It was the first time in my 40+ years that I’ve ever wanted to lose weight and while it was difficult to make these dietary and exercise changes; I sacrificed my short-term immediate gratification needs for the benefit and success of my long-term weight loss goal. Not only did I receive gratification from meeting my weight loss goal, but I received even more gratification by knowing that I could make the appropriate day-to-day choices to minimize my short-term immediate gratification needs to meet a long-term, more gratifying goal. It was worth the efforts. Other personal success stories can be found throughout this book.
It’s time for You to take Action!
What are you going to do right now to take one positive action step towards meeting one of your personal goals? To get the momentum moving in your favor, you need to take immediate action. After reading this article, take the next 30 minutes to complete this 5-step process for one of your goals? You don’t have 30 minutes, take 5 minutes to start the process. The key is to take Action. You owe it to yourself to be successful and one key component for making your personal goals attainable, is to create your own personal ‘Burning Desire’. Start it now!
About The Author
For more information about this ebook, “The Action Path – Your Key to Success!”, by Mike Matthews, please visit http://www.your-key-to-success.com/index_actionpath.html. Your-Key-to-Success.com provides a resource for articles, products and services to help you get motivated to take action and succeed with your goals in the areas of your personal finance, your business and your physical fitness. Remember – Dreams will determine what you want in life, Actions will determine what you get in life. Sign-up for our free newsletter at http://www.your-key-to-success.com/index_newsletter.html.
Combining the Mind and Effective Goal-Setting
Goals are of vital importance in our lives. Many of us spend our lives without any definite purpose, simply drifting from place to place. Setting goals help us to focus our lives and to advance confidently in a definite direction. Without them, I don’t think our lives can truly be complete.
If you are looking for proof of the importance of goals, you need not look any farther than two pivotal studies on success and goal-setting, one completed by Yale University and the other by Dr. Lewis Terman of Stanford University.
In the first study, Yale University kept track of their graduates during a 20 year period and found that the 3% who set goals were worth more financially than the entire 97% of the students who did not!
In the second study, Dr. Terman of Stanford conducted a study of 1,528 students all with IQ’s above the genius level. His study found that intelligence had nothing to do with success and financial acumen but that goal-setting did!
So now we know that goal-setting is vitally important to our success, but how do we do it? I first recommend that you take a day or two (longer if needed) to spend some time meditating about your passions in life. Start to make a list. Some wise men recommend that you try to write down 100 goals for your life. Lou Holtz, the tremendously successful football coach at Notre Dame and more recently at the University of South Carolina, said that while still in his teens he wrote down over 100 goals for his life (one of which was to coach a college football team to a National Championship – which he did). A few years ago at about the age of 60, Coach Holtz had achieved every single goal he had written down. So he had to write another 100 goals and I’m sure he’ll get those before long too!
I recommend that you try to write 100, write them out and break them out into long-term, mid-term, and short-term goals. You can write your own definition of the time periods involved, but I would recommend that short-term is up to 5 years from now, mid-term is 5 to 15 years from now, and long-term is 15+ years.
Now that you have goals, you need to start taking advantage of them! This is where most would-be goal-setters fail. Anyone can write a goal, but I’d wager that if you asked 10 goal-setters what their short-term goals were after a week of setting those goals, that 9 out of 10 would not be able to answer!
You need goals in your life in order to achieve your dreams and have the success you desire. But just as important is a system for keeping your goals constantly in your mind. We’re back to using affirmations and mind-imagery!
After you’ve written out your 100 goals, take all of them and write them in the form of 100 affirmations. Example, if your goal is to earn enough money to take your wife on a second honeymoon to the Caribbean, then you could write: “I am enjoying the company of my wife in the Caribbean sun by January 1, 2009 with the money that I gladly save and invest for my benefit!”
Then, follow the advice of Rod Moore of Self Management Systems who said: “Each morning, the first thing you should do is spend 5 – 10 minutes and invest it in programming your mind to go get the goals you have set for yourself. By doing so, you are imprinting or programming your mind each day to focus on what you want. By doing this consistently your sub-conscious mind will begin to manifest your desires into your life.”
What I’ve found works best for me is to review my short-term goals daily, and then once a week review the mid-term and long-term goals making adjustments as necessary to the term of specific goals. I find that this keeps me focused on achieving the goals with the shorter term without forgetting about the goals on the horizon.
I want you to be tremendously successful and I believe that you will be with the techniques and exercises that we’ve discussed. Be a goal-setter, but don’t just set them and walk away. Set them and follow them and achieve the success you deserve! Until next time!
To Your Success,
Joel S. Nelson
______________________________________________________________
Joel S. Nelson operates Harvest Mind Enterprises, an operation targeted to individuals interested in developing personally by harvesting the power of the subconscious mind. For more articles on the topic, go to http://www.harvestyourmind.com/newsletter.html
© 2005 Joel S. Nelson
Joel S. Nelson has spent years studying the power of the subconscious mind and the science behind success. He believes that growing up we were all taught the wrong things about success and personal achievement by our parents, in school, and on T.V. and that society perpetuates those misconceptions. Joel’s goal is to reverse the damage done by bringing the science of achievement to one million people by the year 2020.
Challenge the Universe: Demand Your Desires!
There have been so many times in my life where I have run into a series of obstacles that never seemed to stop. I could handle each and every one, but after a while, I would grow weary and want it all to come to an end so I could return to a reasonable life.
Over the years, I’ve learned that I can’t just hope for positive change, I have to demand it and act on it. This approach is has nothing to do with affirmations or affirm-actions. It consists of simply telling the Universe what I want and having it show me the signs that all is well.
Many people feel that they are victims of their god and the Universe; however, we are our own gods. We are our souls, our essence, and our spiritual deity. In the end, we allow ourselves to become victims of ourselves, our beliefs, and our own inability to accept responsibility for our actions.
Putting a challenge to the Universe opens the ears of the multitude of other entities that exist to begin placing situations in motion to achieve your desires, if it is for the overall good. You can fight it and continue down your path, but it will be a hard won fight.
At one time, I was at my lowest possible point in my life. At that point, I challenged the Universe for 10 positive events in my life to show me that this all wasn’t just a waste of time. In a matter of two weeks, things began to unfold in front of me. Now, I challenge the Universe often and I work with it to manifest my desires and achieve my goals.
Whatever you desire, you can manifest by issuing a challenge to the Universe, your god, or whatever deity you worship. But, in the end, you are only challenging yourself to achieve those things in your life that you desire.
About The Author
Edward B. Toupin is an author, publisher, life-strategy coach, counselor, Reiki Master, technical writer, and PhD Candidate living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books, articles, and screenplays on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. Check out some of his recent print and electronic books as well as his articles covering various life-changing topics!
For more information, and to find out about his upcoming title on book publishing, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his site at http://www.toupin.com!
Copyright (c) 2004 Edward B. Toupin
Goalsetting – How to Easily Set and Get Your Goals
Which of the following changes to your life do you want to make to your life this year?
- To have a slim and trim body?
- Find a stimulating job
- Take up a sport or hobby
- Buy your dream home
- Travel to an exotic destination
- Have more time with your family
- Establish your own business
- Double your income
- Become involved in the community
- Develop your creativity
- Improve your skills
- Create a plan for your financial future
- Have more fun.
- Enhance your current relationship or find a new partner.
- All of the above
To help you channel your energy into achieving this year’s goals, here are some practical ways to get you started. After all, there is no reason why you shouldn’t start immediately, is there?
Goalsetting – Getting Started
Write a list of what you want to achieve this year.
Make sure what you’ve written down is specific, measurable and attainable. Eg. Lose 5 kgs by 30th April.
Write no. 1 against the most important goal. Write no. 2 against the next most important goal.
Continue numbering the rest of the goals.
Look at the goal with no. 1 next to it. ie. Lose 5 kilos. Start a separate list with the heading Lose 5 kilos by 30th April.
Write down the action steps you need to take to achieve this goal:
- Join gym
- Decide which specific days and times you will attend
- Purchase gym gear
- See nutritionist
Enter the action steps into your diary/electronic organiser on the day/s you will do these:
- Jan 15th – join gym
- Jan 16th – book nutritionist
- Attend gym Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 6.00 a.m.
Ensure when you book time for yourself in your diary you treat it as a top priority. Unless there is an earthquake or equally devastating disaster occurring, keep that time sacred.
To ensure your goalsetting is successful, it is imperative to write your goals first and then plan the appropriate steps to take in your diary. Otherwise your goals could end up being wishful thinking!
Goal/Dream Chart
Having visual reminders is a valuable part of the goalsetting process. It’s a great way to prompt and keep you motivated to follow through. Cut out a picture of the body you’d like to have from a magazine and stick a photo of your head on top of it. Alternatively if you want to recapture the way you were some time ago, find an old photo of yourself. You can place these on your desktop, car dashboard and the fridge at home.
Do this for your other goals (minus the head). In fact having a dream chart with pictures or words of the things you want to achieve is a great stimulus for your sub-conscious mind. Sticking these reminders onto green paper is even more effective. I have one of these in my office and guess what? It actually works!
Action Is The Key
Once you’ve identified what you want, written it down, planned when you will take action and done your goal/dream chart, nothing will happen unless you get off your butt and take action towards those goals.
Avoid the ‘Too Much Too Soon’ Syndrome
Often people try making many changes at once then get disillusioned because there are too many things to do and just give up. If you’ve done this in the past, tackle one goal at a time. If you really have difficulty going it alone, you may benefit from using the services of a life coach like myself who will keep you on track.
Dare to Fail
In Billi Lim’s bestselling book “Dare to Fail” he shares the following story:
A woman once walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch.
“I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look”, she said. “What’s the secret for a long happy life?’
“I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day’, he said. “I also drink a case of whisky a week, eat fatty foods and never exercise.”
“That’s amazing, the woman said. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-six”, he said.
The Final Word On Goalsetting
You too can achieve your goals if you really want to. The goals you set must fit in with your values. For instance if you really value your health and well-being (and you should?you’re no good to anyone if you’re sick or even worse?dead,) then it will be easier for you to take action around this area.
Goalsetting is an ongoing process. Plan and get off your butt now to achieve what you want in your life otherwise you could get stuck in the usual rut and before you know it, another year has passed by.
Take action today!
About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia’s Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including “How to Survive and Thrive at Work!”
To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au
This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it’s entirety, including the author’s bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi, lorraine@office-organiser.com.au
Do Not Let Anyone Dissuade You From Reaching Your Goals!
Years back when I was formulating my plans for life, I heard the statement, “Reach for nothing and you will be certain to get it.” Admittedly, my goals during my youth were rather vague and uncertain. However, several years of experimenting with different goals has helped me to refine them into something workable and realistic. Now, nothing can dissuade me in my quests, even the comments of the naysayers. Here are four tips that are helping me to reach my goals:
1. Be realistic. I have heard the statment said, “If you want to be President of the United States, just put your mind to it and you will be.” Well, that sounds nice. However, it is an unrealistic goal for most people. Sure, someone will become president, but not everyone has the capacity, fortitude, desire, or willpower to see to it. Plus, presidents are elected and this particular goal depends on the will [read votes] of the people. Instead, if you want to be president, have a fall back plan that includes a lifetime of public service. Once in public service, you may end up refining those plans to something more manageable but just as an important. An example of this would be your managing a charitable organization. No, you wouldn’t be the president of the U.S., but you would still have the opportunity to impact people for the greater good. A laudable goal at that!
2. Be ready to refine. Life is not a straight line from Point A to Point B to Point C and beyond. There are so many curves, twists, turns, roadblocks, and other obstacles out there. The key is to size each change up to see how it measures against your goals. Whether you are religious or not, it could be that a “still small voice” is attempting to guide you in your pursuits. You may not need to abandon a goal, rather you may need to slow down or come to a temporary stop. Time will test the strength and reasonableness of a goal and — if it is to be — time will win out.
3. Be prepared for opposition. Great people of the ages have pressed on with their goals by having a relentless, unending desire to see the goal reached. Abe Lincoln became president after losing several political battles earlier in his life. Martin Luther King, Jr. spearheaded the civil rights movement which overturned a culture of separation of the races. Sally Ride broke through barriers by becoming the first American woman in space. Each person had something in common: they persevered, often over the strong objections of naysayers. While naysayers can seem to be your enemy, look at them as your friend: use their objections as a catalyst to press forward.
4. Be ready to claim victory. Yes, at some point you will have met your goals. Once achieved, acknowledge the long, difficult road you took, take a look back, and be prepared to start on your next goal!
Matt Keegan is a web designer and marketer who is in the process of working toward several goals including managing a successful business. Matt manages a popular business niche community for flight attendants at http://www.corporateflyer.net.
Six Keys To Build Vision – Point Two
2. Recognize the source and purpose of vision
· It’s purpose is to be shared with all those around us
Living life based purely on our own personal needs is really living life at the most primitive level. It makes no allowance for the wonder of investing into our fellow humans beings and the generations yet to come. The inheritance we leave behind is the materials that another generation will build upon. One of the reasons I love writing, is it is my personal investment to those who find my life helpful to theirs. The thought that someone one hundred years from now may glimpse my life and evaluate my thoughts, both excites me and empowers me to write more. A selfless life is committed to investing beyond our own needs and into the needs of another.
· Not wishful thinking or a good idea it is “supernatural”
If everyone planned their life as a result of their vision for it, we would call that common sense or just the natural process of living. The truth is, not everyone lives their life according to the ultimate purpose for which life is lived. Most people live life from one circumstance to another and plan in the midst of this process.
Living life with purpose and intent, or according to our destiny is supernatural. It goes beyond the natural approach to living, by taking responsibility for the decisions we are to make ahead of time. At this level of living we move beyond the norm and venture into the supernatural. Wishful thinking is really living life in a knee jerk fashion. Vision is all about purposeful living. Fashioning our daily lives according to the blue print, which we have seen ahead of time. Visionaries do not live their life by “chance”, they live their life out of purposeful action.
· Vision is not contrary to our creators will
Regardless of our spiritual persuasion, we need to accept that we are designed for greatness. Heaven and earth conspire to create a quality of life, which goes beyond temporal living. Living life at its poorest form is ignorance and at its greatest level, enlightenment. Life lived at a quality of total awareness, is a life lived with extreme potential. Vision is available to every person on earth. Poverty of imagination is poverty at it’s worst. As our mind begins to dream of potential, our will begins to change towards the probabilities of what can be.
As we each take up our personal responsibility to dream on a level beyond the natural, we enter in to a dimension of creativity. Creativity is the gift that we were all born with, but circumstances conspire to rob us of the initiative to birth the seed of creativity. The will of our creator is to empower each one of us with the same creative capacity.
· Not based on abilities and talents, though we may use them positively or negatively
Poverty of spirit is the main reason why many of us live it what could have been, rather than what can be. When we excuse our lack of achievement on our lack of provision, we exclude ourselves from the power of creativity. One only needs to travel into less affluent Nations to recognize the creative genius that appears as a result of need. Resources may well be in poor supply, but invention and creativity is never an orphan.
Starting where we are at is a fundamental philosophy to success. If we are waiting for all we need before we start we will never start. The hidden inertia that compels vision forward is initiative. Resources and provision are drawn to those who live by vision, and the momentum that gathers as a result of initiative is fair reward to those bold enough to act upon it.
Tony Mckeown is a personal life coach and director of coaching 4 life New Zealand. He has a passion for empowering people to find their life mission and purpose.
He has authored training manuals, motivational rticles,numerous e-books and regularly hosts international tele-classes and conferences on vision. His practical approach to spirituality and leadership development are key qualities organisations seek him to impart. His clients are world-wide and can be contacted online.
His free monthly newsletter “get a life”,is by subscription and provides free motivational downloads from his coaching site: http://www.coaching4life.net.nz
Manifesting Your Dreams and Desires
What are your dreams?
Are you in a place in your life where part of it feels limited or exhausting? If so, it is the time for you to begin manifesting your dreams and desires. First of all you must remember that Miracles do happen and that it is time to reach for the top. Not to order from the bottom of the list, but to ask for what it is that you really desire. Go for the top. Go for the limitlessness. Show your fellow beings that through the process of releasing limited thoughts your cup is filled with the opportunities that the universe wants to bring to you. By daring to do this, you are teaching what you know. You have taken the courage to release. Now you must take the even greater courage to command and receive what you wish. You must stay in touch with the fact that you are in actuality manifesting every moment of the day what you desire.
Stretch your vision of yourself!
If you desire the bottom of the list, you are manifesting that as well. If you are looking for the top, you will bring that in. You will receive what you ask for.
You are in the process of manifesting your dreams through visualization.
It would be as if, you decided to go shopping at the clothing store. First you would pick the clothing store that is aligned with your style, not what is aligned with your budget, but with your style.
You see, what you need to do here is stretch your perception of self. The way you see yourself and the way others see you are two different things. When your Higher Self is in action, you don’t focus on a limited thought pattern. Open up to the highest and ask for support. When you are wondering if something is the highest for you, put out into the Universe and ask: Is this really the highest for me? You may do this in mediation or quiet moments.
You will be surprised at how little you are asking
You are asking very small. You need to expand.
All is available to you, but you’ve got to ask. This is sometimes a difficult process, but it is the most important piece that you can do, because without asking, you do not expand into the next level. Focus on places in your life where you know it is time to grow; as you are tired of the place you are in. Take the time to write them down and explore what your reality is and what your dreams are.
You can now go and just ask for the highest, and the highest good will come to you when you let go of the form it will take and any attachment to the outcome. It is important to practice expanding your visions.
If you write your dreams down on paper and think, “I couldn’t achieve that,” at least you have put it down so that there is something to work with.
Look at the issues of conflict and resistance here. If it feels like a piece of your dream isn’t coming to you, it’s because you’re not allowing for it to be received.
Allow yourself to receive the abundance of the Universe. Allow yourself to receive the energy of Love, true unconditional love without fear. Allow yourself to receive the energy and the true love and healing of who you are.
The Universe is bringing you all that you need now. All you need to do is ask. Much like you go to the restaurant and order from a menu, just order what you wish, and it will be brought to you. But just as you are ordering from a restaurant, order what is delightful and peaceful to the palate, not what is the essence of the budget. If you order bread and water, this is what be brought to you, so order from the highest categories, and you receive that.
The more you laugh, the lighter you dance.
Over and over in your life, you will see small ways in which this is performed and brought to you, and you will laugh. You will laugh at the signs; you will laugh with great humor at the ways these things fall into place.
Laughter, as you know, makes the heart so light.
Asking and Receiving Exercise.
Without asking, you do not expand into the next level of your consciousness. Most of us ask far too little of the Universe. Dare to acknowledge your deepest dreams and desires and dare to ask. Dare to ask big, and then open yourself to receiving. Expect miracles and stay open to receiving all the Universe has to offer.
1. Explore places in your life where you have not yet dared to ask for your dreams.
2. Affirm to the Universe, either through visualization, meditation, or in writing that you are formally asking for and are open to receiving whatever it is that you most desire.
3. Keep track of what you received and when.
About The Author
Shirley Knapp, Stowe, VT USA http://www.northwindsprod.com
Shirley Knapp is an internationally recognized spiritual teacher, and author of “Sustaining Joy” who leads groups in personal growth. She has been in a holistic private practice, teaching and embracing individuals and groups since 1986. Shirley’s goal is to empower us to move beyond personal barriers and limitations to lead a more empowered and joyful life. Browse our web site www.northwindsprod.com for other products with this focus in mind.
Manifesting Your Dreams and Desires
What are your dreams?
Are you in a place in your life where part of it feels limited or exhausting? If so, it is the time for you to begin manifesting your dreams and desires. First of all you must remember that Miracles do happen and that it is time to reach for the top. Not to order from the bottom of the list, but to ask for what it is that you really desire. Go for the top. Go for the limitlessness. Show your fellow beings that through the process of releasing limited thoughts your cup is filled with the opportunities that the universe wants to bring to you. By daring to do this, you are teaching what you know. You have taken the courage to release. Now you must take the even greater courage to command and receive what you wish. You must stay in touch with the fact that you are in actuality manifesting every moment of the day what you desire.
Stretch your vision of yourself!
If you desire the bottom of the list, you are manifesting that as well. If you are looking for the top, you will bring that in. You will receive what you ask for.
You are in the process of manifesting your dreams through visualization.
It would be as if, you decided to go shopping at the clothing store. First you would pick the clothing store that is aligned with your style, not what is aligned with your budget, but with your style.
You see, what you need to do here is stretch your perception of self. The way you see yourself and the way others see you are two different things. When your Higher Self is in action, you don’t focus on a limited thought pattern. Open up to the highest and ask for support. When you are wondering if something is the highest for you, put out into the Universe and ask: Is this really the highest for me? You may do this in mediation or quiet moments.
You will be surprised at how little you are asking
You are asking very small. You need to expand.
All is available to you, but you’ve got to ask. This is sometimes a difficult process, but it is the most important piece that you can do, because without asking, you do not expand into the next level. Focus on places in your life where you know it is time to grow; as you are tired of the place you are in. Take the time to write them down and explore what your reality is and what your dreams are.
You can now go and just ask for the highest, and the highest good will come to you when you let go of the form it will take and any attachment to the outcome. It is important to practice expanding your visions.
If you write your dreams down on paper and think, “I couldn’t achieve that,” at least you have put it down so that there is something to work with.
Look at the issues of conflict and resistance here. If it feels like a piece of your dream isn’t coming to you, it’s because you’re not allowing for it to be received.
Allow yourself to receive the abundance of the Universe. Allow yourself to receive the energy of Love, true unconditional love without fear. Allow yourself to receive the energy and the true love and healing of who you are.
The Universe is bringing you all that you need now. All you need to do is ask. Much like you go to the restaurant and order from a menu, just order what you wish, and it will be brought to you. But just as you are ordering from a restaurant, order what is delightful and peaceful to the palate, not what is the essence of the budget. If you order bread and water, this is what be brought to you, so order from the highest categories, and you receive that.
The more you laugh, the lighter you dance.
Over and over in your life, you will see small ways in which this is performed and brought to you, and you will laugh. You will laugh at the signs; you will laugh with great humor at the ways these things fall into place.
Laughter, as you know, makes the heart so light.
Asking and Receiving Exercise.
Without asking, you do not expand into the next level of your consciousness. Most of us ask far too little of the Universe. Dare to acknowledge your deepest dreams and desires and dare to ask. Dare to ask big, and then open yourself to receiving. Expect miracles and stay open to receiving all the Universe has to offer.
1. Explore places in your life where you have not yet dared to ask for your dreams.
2. Affirm to the Universe, either through visualization, meditation, or in writing that you are formally asking for and are open to receiving whatever it is that you most desire.
3. Keep track of what you received and when.
About The Author
Shirley Knapp, Stowe, VT USA http://www.northwindsprod.com
Shirley Knapp is an internationally recognized spiritual teacher, and author of “Sustaining Joy” who leads groups in personal growth. She has been in a holistic private practice, teaching and embracing individuals and groups since 1986. Shirley’s goal is to empower us to move beyond personal barriers and limitations to lead a more empowered and joyful life. Browse our web site www.northwindsprod.com for other products with this focus in mind.
Goals – If You Don?t Know What You Want, Then How Are You Going to Get It?
Recently, I spoke with a client who wanted me to do a workshop at an upcoming conference. I offer a number of different talks, so I asked her what the focus of the meeting was in order to be able to suggest a relevant topic. She said that although the committee members had already picked several programs, they had not yet identified a focus for the conference. My first thought in response to this was, “If you don’t know what you want, then how are you going to get it?” However, I am savvy enough not to insult people, so we spoke a little longer and we came up with a program that she wanted me to present.
It never ceases to amaze me that people do not identify outcomes they wish to achieve. While the above example is related to a conference, it is by no means limited to that area. Many people engage in activities in their careers and businesses, but they haven’t defined what they want to attain. They are completing tasks, but they aren’t focused on accomplishing clear-cut results.
When I was a human resources executive, I often worked with people to determine the appropriate jobs that were needed in their groups. Many department heads would complete job descriptions for key jobs, which described all of the tasks that the employees would be required to do. It took a great deal of effort for me to get these individuals to realize that employees in key positions are not paid to perform tasks, they are paid to produce results. Through much coaching on my part, we were able to identify the outcomes that the individuals were expected to achieve in the various positions.
Why is it so critical to determine outcomes for a job, a meeting, a department, or any other situation? Because if you don’t know what your outcome is, the odds are that you will spend a lot of unnecessary time and money trying to reach a fuzzy target. And there is a very strong chance that the target will not even be reached. Outcomes let you know where you are going. They give you important information about how to use your resources ? time, money, and employees. When you know your outcome, you can continually make important decisions ? is this going to help me reach my goal or will this take me further away from my objective?
Clearly defined outcomes can also be very motivating. I worked with a coaching client who had an idea about a new business that she wanted to start. When she first got the idea, she was very excited about it, however, she never took action to get the business moving. She continually came up with excuses about why she wasn’t doing anything to make the business a reality. I finally got her to sit down and write a detailed description of what the outcome was that she wanted to achieve with the business. That was the missing key. As soon as she wrote down the detailed outcome, she began to do the things that were necessary to get the business started. For her, defining the outcome spurred the action that is required in any business. Five years later, she has a very successful business that she absolutely loves.
Some people have a great deal of difficulty in trying to determine outcomes. It is because they are looking into a future that isn’t certain and they can’t identify what it is they want. An easy way to get around this is to imagine that the outcome has already been achieved and then to describe what it looks like. Going back to the situation with the meeting planner, the question that I asked her was, “Let’s assume it is six months after the conference and you know that it was a huge success. What would have happened to let you know that it was successful?” People are much more able to describe the past then they are to identify an unknown future. By asking the question this way, I was able to find out that according to the planner, the criterion for a successful meeting was that the attendees would have the tools they needed to be able to more easily and effectively handle the many changes that were going on in their industry. When I discovered this outcome, I was able to suggest a program that would help the organization achieve this desired result.
Before you take action (small or large), you need to identify what your outcome is ? what do you want to achieve? When you do that, you will cut down your time, streamline your efforts, accelerate your progress, and reach your desired goal. When you know where you are going, there is a good chance that you will end up getting there.
Della Menechella is a speaker, author, and trainer who helps organizations achieve greater success by improving the performance of their people. She is a contributing author to Thriving in the Midst of Change and the author of the videotape The Twelve Commandments of Goal Setting. She can be reached at della@dellamenechella.com. Subscribe to free Peak Performance Pointers ezine – send blank e-mail to subscribe@dellamenechella.com.
