What is the origin of true ambition? There exists really only one place to find true ambition and that is within you – in every thought, in every movement, in every motivation. Your ambition is an expression of who you truly are, your own self-expression.
Self-expression
Isn't self-expression really self-direction? How you think, how you move, how you motivate yourself. Ambition is a result of self-direction and self-direction is one of the six key principles necessary for building ambition. Positive self-direction says, "I know who I am and I know where I want to go. I'm accumulating knowledge and experiences and feelings and philosophies that will help prepare me for opportunities that I know will show up without notice or any help on my part." Because you know where you want to go, you have already been working on the parts of your personality that will make you better.
Working on your attitude, working on your health, working on your time management skills. Putting it all down on paper. And you constantly see yourself in the place you want to be, going in the direction you want to go.
Direction determines destination.
So here is a question you must ask yourself, "Are all the disciplines that I'm currently engaged in taking me where I want to go?" What an important question to ask yourself at the beginning of the month, the beginning of the week, the beginning of the day. Because here is what you don't ever want to do - kid yourself. Kid your neighbor, kid me and kid the marketplace, but don't kid yourself - fingers crossed - hoping you will arrive at a good destination when you're not even headed that way. You have to ask yourself often, Am I? Am I doing the disciplines that are taking me in the direction I want to go? Don't neglect to ask these important questions, questions that help determine your direction, the set of your sail, your destination.
> Is this the direction I want for my life?
> Is this someone else's direction?
> Is this a goal I have been ingrained with since my childhood?
> Is this goal my parent's, my spouse's, my boss', my children's or is it Mine?
Ask yourself these questions and then debate them. After you have answered these questions within yourself, then take it one step further and ask, "What am I doing that is working or not working?" Debate it all. Work with your mind to figure out the best possible direction for you - your self-direction. And then ambitiously pursue your own self-direction. Let the power of your own ambition take you where you want to go, to do what you want to do, to create the life you want to live!
Author : jim rohn
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
A Very Inpiring Story : The King And The Bees - James Baldwin
One day King Solomon was sitting on his throne, and his great men were standing around him.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and the Queen of Sheba came in.
"O King," she said, "in my own country, far, far away, I have heard much about your power and glory, but much more about your wisdom. Men have told me that there is no riddle so cunning that you can not solve it. Is this true?"
"It is as you say, O Queen," answered Solomon.
"Well, I have here a puzzle which I think will test your wisdom. Shall I show it to you?"
"Most certainly, O Queen."
Then she held up in each hand a beautiful wreath of flowers. The wreaths were so nearly alike that none of those who were with the king could point out any difference.
"One of these wreaths." said the queen, "is made of flowers plucked from your garden. The other is made of artificial flowers, shaped and colored by a skillful artist. Now, tell me, O King, which is the true,
and which is the false?"
The king, for once, was puzzled. He stroked his chin. He looked at the wreaths from every side. He frowned. He bit his lips.
"Which is the true?" the queen again asked.
Still the king did not answer.
"I have heard that you are the wisest man in the world," she said, "and surely this simple thing ought not to puzzle you."
The king moved uneasily on his golden throne. His officers and great men shook their heads. Some would have smiled, if they had dared.
"Look at the flowers carefully," said the queen, "and let us have your answer."
Then the king remembered something. He remembered that close by his window there was a climbing vine filled with beautiful sweet flowers.
He remembered that he had seen many bees flying among these flowers and gathering honey from them.
So he said, "Open the window!"
It was opened. The queen was standing quite near to it with the two wreaths still in her hands. All eyes were turned to see why the king had said, "Open the window."
The next moment two bees flew eagerly in. Then came another and another. All flew to the flowers in the queen's right hand. Not one of the bees so much as looked at those in her left hand.
"O Queen of Sheba, the bees have given you my answer," then said Solomon.
And the queen said, "You are wise, King Solomon. You gather knowledge from the little things which common men pass by unnoticed."
King Solomon lived three thousand years ago. He built a great temple in Jerusalem, and was famous for his wisdom.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and the Queen of Sheba came in.
"O King," she said, "in my own country, far, far away, I have heard much about your power and glory, but much more about your wisdom. Men have told me that there is no riddle so cunning that you can not solve it. Is this true?"
"It is as you say, O Queen," answered Solomon.
"Well, I have here a puzzle which I think will test your wisdom. Shall I show it to you?"
"Most certainly, O Queen."
Then she held up in each hand a beautiful wreath of flowers. The wreaths were so nearly alike that none of those who were with the king could point out any difference.
"One of these wreaths." said the queen, "is made of flowers plucked from your garden. The other is made of artificial flowers, shaped and colored by a skillful artist. Now, tell me, O King, which is the true,
and which is the false?"
The king, for once, was puzzled. He stroked his chin. He looked at the wreaths from every side. He frowned. He bit his lips.
"Which is the true?" the queen again asked.
Still the king did not answer.
"I have heard that you are the wisest man in the world," she said, "and surely this simple thing ought not to puzzle you."
The king moved uneasily on his golden throne. His officers and great men shook their heads. Some would have smiled, if they had dared.
"Look at the flowers carefully," said the queen, "and let us have your answer."
Then the king remembered something. He remembered that close by his window there was a climbing vine filled with beautiful sweet flowers.
He remembered that he had seen many bees flying among these flowers and gathering honey from them.
So he said, "Open the window!"
It was opened. The queen was standing quite near to it with the two wreaths still in her hands. All eyes were turned to see why the king had said, "Open the window."
The next moment two bees flew eagerly in. Then came another and another. All flew to the flowers in the queen's right hand. Not one of the bees so much as looked at those in her left hand.
"O Queen of Sheba, the bees have given you my answer," then said Solomon.
And the queen said, "You are wise, King Solomon. You gather knowledge from the little things which common men pass by unnoticed."
King Solomon lived three thousand years ago. He built a great temple in Jerusalem, and was famous for his wisdom.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Inspirational thoughts
"People waste most of their waking hours every day going through the motions, chatting idly, shuffling paper, putting off decisions, reacting, majoring in minors and concentrating on trivia. They spend their time in low priority tension relieving, rather than high priority goal-achieving activities." -- Denis Waitley
If you are always shouting at your children, when it's really serious, they won't h-e-a-r you. A whisper beats a shout." -- Mark Victor Hansen
"To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift." -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effect."--Franklin D. Roosevelt 1882-1945, Former American President
"The kindest thing you can do for the people you care about is to become a happy, joyous person." -- Brian Tracy
"A good laugh is sunshine in a house." -- William Makepeace Thackeray
If you are always shouting at your children, when it's really serious, they won't h-e-a-r you. A whisper beats a shout." -- Mark Victor Hansen
"To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift." -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effect."--Franklin D. Roosevelt 1882-1945, Former American President
"The kindest thing you can do for the people you care about is to become a happy, joyous person." -- Brian Tracy
"A good laugh is sunshine in a house." -- William Makepeace Thackeray
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Success And The Law Of Cause And Effect
Success is achieved or lost, depending on how you see yourself. You have the ability to control your success simply by determining whether or not you are truly worthy of it. How you feel about yourself is all that is standing in the way of your amazing results. Maybe you're saying, "Wow! That's it, Mark? That's all I have to do – love myself? That's easy!" Not so fast. You may think you love yourself. You may pump yourself up in the morning by looking in the mirror and saying, "Go get 'em, Tiger." But what you think you believe and what you actually believe can be two totally different things. Look at your past and present results. Are they astounding? Do you have everything you've ever dreamed of? Have you reached your full potential? Are you fulfilled and satisfied? Chances are the answer to most of those questions is no. And that's okay, because I'm going to show you how to transform any remnant of a negative self-image into an amazing, positive self-image for earth-shattering, mind-blowing, successful results.
It is detrimental to your success and to your well being to make negative statements about yourself. Why? It's all about the law of cause and effect.
There are two words there – cause/effect. A lot of the time we only see the effect. We don't look behind it and see the cause.
Whatever the effect is, the cause is identical. If you go into a business meeting and you believe that there is no way you're going to get the deal, you've sealed your fate. You have become the writer of your own self-fulfilling prophecy. You said you weren't going to get the deal, you believed it was impossible and so you proved yourself right. Why did this happen? The law of cause and effect, that's why.
The CAUSE of the unsuccessful meeting was that you consciously thought failure was going to be the outcome. Chances are you said it in your mind and out loud, too. That repetitive negative self-talk sunk down into your subconscious and became a belief. Your mind now knows that failure will be the result of this meeting. There is no room for success. Your conscious mind knew it, and your subconscious mind accepted it because of the repetitive self-talk, and now that failure is sent out through your body language and speaking voice into the Universe to ENSURE that you will fail.
You determined the results of the meeting before you walked into the room! That's the bad news.
The good news is that this cause and effect behavior can work just as easily with positive self-talk. If you know you have a meeting in a few days, you can talk yourself into success by ACTING AS IF you already have the deal. It's just as easy as being negative, so why not create the positive results you want? Every time you think of the meeting you can say, "I am so grateful that my meeting is going to be a phenomenal success for me. I am worthy of getting the deal and radiate success wherever I go." You create the cause and the effect. You determine whether you succeed or fail. You write the ending to the story – be it happy or sad. Which ending do you want?
"You are where you are because you want to be there. If you want to be somewhere else, you'll change."
Author : Mark Victor Hansen
It is detrimental to your success and to your well being to make negative statements about yourself. Why? It's all about the law of cause and effect.
There are two words there – cause/effect. A lot of the time we only see the effect. We don't look behind it and see the cause.
Whatever the effect is, the cause is identical. If you go into a business meeting and you believe that there is no way you're going to get the deal, you've sealed your fate. You have become the writer of your own self-fulfilling prophecy. You said you weren't going to get the deal, you believed it was impossible and so you proved yourself right. Why did this happen? The law of cause and effect, that's why.
The CAUSE of the unsuccessful meeting was that you consciously thought failure was going to be the outcome. Chances are you said it in your mind and out loud, too. That repetitive negative self-talk sunk down into your subconscious and became a belief. Your mind now knows that failure will be the result of this meeting. There is no room for success. Your conscious mind knew it, and your subconscious mind accepted it because of the repetitive self-talk, and now that failure is sent out through your body language and speaking voice into the Universe to ENSURE that you will fail.
You determined the results of the meeting before you walked into the room! That's the bad news.
The good news is that this cause and effect behavior can work just as easily with positive self-talk. If you know you have a meeting in a few days, you can talk yourself into success by ACTING AS IF you already have the deal. It's just as easy as being negative, so why not create the positive results you want? Every time you think of the meeting you can say, "I am so grateful that my meeting is going to be a phenomenal success for me. I am worthy of getting the deal and radiate success wherever I go." You create the cause and the effect. You determine whether you succeed or fail. You write the ending to the story – be it happy or sad. Which ending do you want?
"You are where you are because you want to be there. If you want to be somewhere else, you'll change."
Author : Mark Victor Hansen
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Major Key to Your Better Future is You
Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth. It’s really the open door to it all. In fact I’d like to have you memorize a most important phrase. Here it is, “The major key to your better future is YOU.”
Let me repeat that. “The major key to your better future is YOU.” Put that someplace you can see it everyday, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, at the office, anywhere where you can see it everyday. The major key to your better future is YOU. Try to remember that every day you live and think about it. The major key is YOU.
Now, there are many things that will help your better future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic and progressive company, that would help. If the company has good products, good services that you are proud of, that would certainly help. If there were good sales aids, that would help, good training would certainly help. If there is strong leadership that will certainly help. All of these things will help, and of course, if it doesn’t storm, that will help. If your car doesn’t break down, that will help. If the kids don’t get sick, that will help. If the neighbors stay half way civil, that will help. If your relatives don’t bug you, that will help. If it isn’t too cold, if it isn’t too hot, all those things will help your better future. And if prices don’t go much higher and if taxes don’t get much heavier, that will help. And if the economy stays stable, those things will all help. We could go on and on with the list; but remember this, the list of things that I’ve just covered and many more - all put together - play a minor role in your better future.
The major key to your better future is you. Lock your mind onto that. This is a super important point to remember. The major key is you. Mr. Shoaff always answered when asked, “How do you develop an above average income?” by saying “Simple, become an above average person. Work on you.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average handshake.” He would say, “A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average smile. Develop an above average excitement. Develop an above average dedication. Develop an above average interest in other people.” He would say, “To have more, become more.” Remember; work harder on yourself than you do on your job. For a long time in my life, I didn’t have this figured out.
Strangely enough, with two different people in the same company one may earn an extra $100 a month, and the other may earn a $1,000. What could possibly be the difference? If the products were the same, if the training was the same, if they both had the same literature, the same tools. If they both had the same teacher, the same compensation plan, if they both attended the same meetings, why would one person earn the $100 per month and the other person earn the $1000? Remember here is the difference...the difference is personal, inside, not outside, inside.
You see the real difference is inside you. In fact, the difference IS you. Someone once said, “The magic is not in the products. The magic is not in the literature. The magic is not in the film. There isn’t a magic meeting, but the magic that makes things better is inside you, and personal growth makes this magic work for you.
The magic is in believing. The magic is in daring. The magic is in trying. The real magic is in persevering. The magic is in accepting. It’s in working. The magic is in thinking. There is magic in a handshake. There is magic in a smile. There is magic in excitement and determination. There is real magic in compassion and caring and sharing. There is unusual magic in strong feeling and you see, all that comes from inside, not outside. So, the difference is inside you. The real difference is you. You are the major key to your better future.
Author - Jim Rohn
Let me repeat that. “The major key to your better future is YOU.” Put that someplace you can see it everyday, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, at the office, anywhere where you can see it everyday. The major key to your better future is YOU. Try to remember that every day you live and think about it. The major key is YOU.
Now, there are many things that will help your better future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic and progressive company, that would help. If the company has good products, good services that you are proud of, that would certainly help. If there were good sales aids, that would help, good training would certainly help. If there is strong leadership that will certainly help. All of these things will help, and of course, if it doesn’t storm, that will help. If your car doesn’t break down, that will help. If the kids don’t get sick, that will help. If the neighbors stay half way civil, that will help. If your relatives don’t bug you, that will help. If it isn’t too cold, if it isn’t too hot, all those things will help your better future. And if prices don’t go much higher and if taxes don’t get much heavier, that will help. And if the economy stays stable, those things will all help. We could go on and on with the list; but remember this, the list of things that I’ve just covered and many more - all put together - play a minor role in your better future.
The major key to your better future is you. Lock your mind onto that. This is a super important point to remember. The major key is you. Mr. Shoaff always answered when asked, “How do you develop an above average income?” by saying “Simple, become an above average person. Work on you.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average handshake.” He would say, “A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average smile. Develop an above average excitement. Develop an above average dedication. Develop an above average interest in other people.” He would say, “To have more, become more.” Remember; work harder on yourself than you do on your job. For a long time in my life, I didn’t have this figured out.
Strangely enough, with two different people in the same company one may earn an extra $100 a month, and the other may earn a $1,000. What could possibly be the difference? If the products were the same, if the training was the same, if they both had the same literature, the same tools. If they both had the same teacher, the same compensation plan, if they both attended the same meetings, why would one person earn the $100 per month and the other person earn the $1000? Remember here is the difference...the difference is personal, inside, not outside, inside.
You see the real difference is inside you. In fact, the difference IS you. Someone once said, “The magic is not in the products. The magic is not in the literature. The magic is not in the film. There isn’t a magic meeting, but the magic that makes things better is inside you, and personal growth makes this magic work for you.
The magic is in believing. The magic is in daring. The magic is in trying. The real magic is in persevering. The magic is in accepting. It’s in working. The magic is in thinking. There is magic in a handshake. There is magic in a smile. There is magic in excitement and determination. There is real magic in compassion and caring and sharing. There is unusual magic in strong feeling and you see, all that comes from inside, not outside. So, the difference is inside you. The real difference is you. You are the major key to your better future.
Author - Jim Rohn
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Sense Of Urgency Is Tremendous
Perhaps my findings are not the only solution, but with all my heart I believe the fires of greatness in our heart can be kept aglow only after we develop a sense of urgency and importance for what we are doing. I mean a sense of urgency to the extent that we feel it is a matter of life and death; and it is a matter of life and death, for in growing we are aliveand in quitting we are dying in a sense. If you don't believe this, talk to anyone who has lost the sense of urgency of getting things done and has been drifting in complacency, mediocrity and failure. If you are without a sense of urgency in your work, you know what I mean.
A sense of urgency is that feeling that lets you knowyesterday is gone forever, tomorrow never comes. TODAY is in your hands. It lets you know that shirking today's task will add to wasted yesterdays and postponing today's work will add to tomorrow's burden. The sense of urgency causes you to accomplish what today sets before you. Thank God for the sense of urgency that can change a dull, shabby existence into a sparkling life. Right now, ask God to give you a sense of urgency. Believe that He did, and then act accordingly.
Author : Charles "T" Jones
A sense of urgency is that feeling that lets you knowyesterday is gone forever, tomorrow never comes. TODAY is in your hands. It lets you know that shirking today's task will add to wasted yesterdays and postponing today's work will add to tomorrow's burden. The sense of urgency causes you to accomplish what today sets before you. Thank God for the sense of urgency that can change a dull, shabby existence into a sparkling life. Right now, ask God to give you a sense of urgency. Believe that He did, and then act accordingly.
Author : Charles "T" Jones
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Live With An Attitude Of Gratitude
Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you just can't fall asleep and you have to get up early the next morning for a very important meeting of which you are the keynote speaker. Your alarm clock goes off early in the morning waking you from what little sleep you had. You stumble out of bed, have a quick shower, grab a coffee and some toast, and off you go to fight the traffic on the way to work.
Does that sound like the start of a terrible day? Most would answer 'yes'. Few people however, would answer, 'no'. These are the people, who are in my opinion blessed with a gift. A gift that determines how they view their life. These people live with 'an attitude of gratitude'. For them, the situation described could be worse. Much worse. For example, think of the man who doesn't have a bed, let alone a roof to over his head. When he is awoken from what little sleep he is able to get, it is by the rain falling on his cold body. He too stumbles to his feet and begins his journey to work in his bare feet. His work is in the field of survival. He searches though garbage cans for scraps of half-rotten food to eat and odd bits of clothes to keep him warm.
The purpose of this example is to illustrate that we all have so much to be grateful for. Even in times when it seems that nothing could be worse, there is always a reason to be grateful. And when you feel a sense of gratitude, you feel a sense of happiness and content. My challenge to you today is to learn to look for the good in every situation and live with 'an attitude of gratitude'.
I assure you, if you were the fellow searching for food in garbage cans you too could find things to be grateful for. You just have to look hard enough and 'open your eyes' to what is around you. You have to focus on what's good in your life, not what's bad.
"I once was distraught because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." - Unknown
Life works in mysterious ways. Time and time again there have been stories of people who are in a dire strait yet they are found helping others who are experiencing greater turmoil. This is because once you have helped someone in greater need than yourself, you always feel better. You feel better because you have helped another human being, and this forces you to change your mindset from focusing on your problems to focusing on their solutions.
Always focus on the solution, not the problem and live with an attitude of gratitude! Mother Teresa was a primary example of this phenomenon. Her entire life revolved around helping others in need. As a result she experienced a great deal of love and self-satisfaction in her life.
I challenge you now to take a moment to think of five things in your life that you are grateful for today. For example, your friends, your family, your job, your sense of smell, touch, sight, and sound. The list can go on and on. Imagine what your life would be like without these things. Write them down on a piece of paper and really think about the things you are grateful for. You will be amazed at how great you will feel!
Author : Glen Hopkins
Does that sound like the start of a terrible day? Most would answer 'yes'. Few people however, would answer, 'no'. These are the people, who are in my opinion blessed with a gift. A gift that determines how they view their life. These people live with 'an attitude of gratitude'. For them, the situation described could be worse. Much worse. For example, think of the man who doesn't have a bed, let alone a roof to over his head. When he is awoken from what little sleep he is able to get, it is by the rain falling on his cold body. He too stumbles to his feet and begins his journey to work in his bare feet. His work is in the field of survival. He searches though garbage cans for scraps of half-rotten food to eat and odd bits of clothes to keep him warm.
The purpose of this example is to illustrate that we all have so much to be grateful for. Even in times when it seems that nothing could be worse, there is always a reason to be grateful. And when you feel a sense of gratitude, you feel a sense of happiness and content. My challenge to you today is to learn to look for the good in every situation and live with 'an attitude of gratitude'.
I assure you, if you were the fellow searching for food in garbage cans you too could find things to be grateful for. You just have to look hard enough and 'open your eyes' to what is around you. You have to focus on what's good in your life, not what's bad.
"I once was distraught because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." - Unknown
Life works in mysterious ways. Time and time again there have been stories of people who are in a dire strait yet they are found helping others who are experiencing greater turmoil. This is because once you have helped someone in greater need than yourself, you always feel better. You feel better because you have helped another human being, and this forces you to change your mindset from focusing on your problems to focusing on their solutions.
Always focus on the solution, not the problem and live with an attitude of gratitude! Mother Teresa was a primary example of this phenomenon. Her entire life revolved around helping others in need. As a result she experienced a great deal of love and self-satisfaction in her life.
I challenge you now to take a moment to think of five things in your life that you are grateful for today. For example, your friends, your family, your job, your sense of smell, touch, sight, and sound. The list can go on and on. Imagine what your life would be like without these things. Write them down on a piece of paper and really think about the things you are grateful for. You will be amazed at how great you will feel!
Author : Glen Hopkins
Friday, February 19, 2010
Inspiring Story : Attitude Is Everything
Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy", I protested.
"Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning, and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body. I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door", Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?", I asked.
Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?", I asked.
"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me", said Jerry. She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes", I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply... I took a deep breath and yelled, "Bullets!" Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
Jerry lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy", I protested.
"Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning, and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body. I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door", Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?", I asked.
Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?", I asked.
"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me", said Jerry. She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes", I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply... I took a deep breath and yelled, "Bullets!" Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
Jerry lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Major Key to Your Better Future is You
Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth. It’s really the open door to it all. In fact I’d like to have you memorize a most important phrase. Here it is, “The major key to your better future is YOU.”
Let me repeat that. “The major key to your better future is YOU.” Put that someplace you can see it everyday, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, at the office, anywhere where you can see it everyday. The major key to your better future is YOU. Try to remember that every day you live and think about it. The major key is YOU.
Now, there are many things that will help your better future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic and progressive company, that would help. If the company has good products, good services that you are proud of, that would certainly help. If there were good sales aids, that would help, good training would certainly help. If there is strong leadership that will certainly help. All of these things will help, and of course, if it doesn’t storm, that will help. If your car doesn’t break down, that will help. If the kids don’t get sick, that will help. If the neighbors stay half way civil, that will help. If your relatives don’t bug you, that will help. If it isn’t too cold, if it isn’t too hot, all those things will help your better future. And if prices don’t go much higher and if taxes don’t get much heavier, that will help. And if the economy stays stable, those things will all help. We could go on and on with the list; but remember this, the list of things that I’ve just covered and many more - all put together - play a minor role in your better future.
The major key to your better future is you. Lock your mind onto that. This is a super important point to remember. The major key is you. Mr. Shoaff always answered when asked, “How do you develop an above average income?” by saying “Simple, become an above average person. Work on you.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average handshake.” He would say, “A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average smile. Develop an above average excitement. Develop an above average dedication. Develop an above average interest in other people.” He would say, “To have more, become more.” Remember; work harder on yourself than you do on your job. For a long time in my life, I didn’t have this figured out.
Strangely enough, with two different people in the same company one may earn an extra $100 a month, and the other may earn a $1,000. What could possibly be the difference? If the products were the same, if the training was the same, if they both had the same literature, the same tools. If they both had the same teacher, the same compensation plan, if they both attended the same meetings, why would one person earn the $100 per month and the other person earn the $1000? Remember here is the difference...the difference is personal, inside, not outside, inside.
You see the real difference is inside you. In fact, the difference IS you. Someone once said, “The magic is not in the products. The magic is not in the literature. The magic is not in the film. There isn’t a magic meeting, but the magic that makes things better is inside you, and personal growth makes this magic work for you.
The magic is in believing. The magic is in daring. The magic is in trying. The real magic is in persevering. The magic is in accepting. It’s in working. The magic is in thinking. There is magic in a handshake. There is magic in a smile. There is magic in excitement and determination. There is real magic in compassion and caring and sharing. There is unusual magic in strong feeling and you see, all that comes from inside, not outside. So, the difference is inside you. The real difference is you. You are the major key to your better future.
Author : Jim Rohn
Let me repeat that. “The major key to your better future is YOU.” Put that someplace you can see it everyday, in the bathroom, in the kitchen, at the office, anywhere where you can see it everyday. The major key to your better future is YOU. Try to remember that every day you live and think about it. The major key is YOU.
Now, there are many things that will help your better future. If you belong to a strong, dynamic and progressive company, that would help. If the company has good products, good services that you are proud of, that would certainly help. If there were good sales aids, that would help, good training would certainly help. If there is strong leadership that will certainly help. All of these things will help, and of course, if it doesn’t storm, that will help. If your car doesn’t break down, that will help. If the kids don’t get sick, that will help. If the neighbors stay half way civil, that will help. If your relatives don’t bug you, that will help. If it isn’t too cold, if it isn’t too hot, all those things will help your better future. And if prices don’t go much higher and if taxes don’t get much heavier, that will help. And if the economy stays stable, those things will all help. We could go on and on with the list; but remember this, the list of things that I’ve just covered and many more - all put together - play a minor role in your better future.
The major key to your better future is you. Lock your mind onto that. This is a super important point to remember. The major key is you. Mr. Shoaff always answered when asked, “How do you develop an above average income?” by saying “Simple, become an above average person. Work on you.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average handshake.” He would say, “A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand.” Mr. Shoaff would say, “Develop an above average smile. Develop an above average excitement. Develop an above average dedication. Develop an above average interest in other people.” He would say, “To have more, become more.” Remember; work harder on yourself than you do on your job. For a long time in my life, I didn’t have this figured out.
Strangely enough, with two different people in the same company one may earn an extra $100 a month, and the other may earn a $1,000. What could possibly be the difference? If the products were the same, if the training was the same, if they both had the same literature, the same tools. If they both had the same teacher, the same compensation plan, if they both attended the same meetings, why would one person earn the $100 per month and the other person earn the $1000? Remember here is the difference...the difference is personal, inside, not outside, inside.
You see the real difference is inside you. In fact, the difference IS you. Someone once said, “The magic is not in the products. The magic is not in the literature. The magic is not in the film. There isn’t a magic meeting, but the magic that makes things better is inside you, and personal growth makes this magic work for you.
The magic is in believing. The magic is in daring. The magic is in trying. The real magic is in persevering. The magic is in accepting. It’s in working. The magic is in thinking. There is magic in a handshake. There is magic in a smile. There is magic in excitement and determination. There is real magic in compassion and caring and sharing. There is unusual magic in strong feeling and you see, all that comes from inside, not outside. So, the difference is inside you. The real difference is you. You are the major key to your better future.
Author : Jim Rohn
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Self Motivational Thoughts : Change Begins With Choice by Jim Rohn
Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.
We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.
We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.
And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice.
To Your Success, - Jim Rohn
We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.
We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.
And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice.
To Your Success, - Jim Rohn
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Positive thoughts from Thomas Edison
> Genius is 99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration.
> Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.
> Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
> Show me a thoroughly satisfied man, and I will show you a failure.
> Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.
- Thomas Edison
> Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.
> Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
> Show me a thoroughly satisfied man, and I will show you a failure.
> Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.
- Thomas Edison
Monday, February 15, 2010
The 3 Critical Mistakes Most People Make
If you’re finding that you’re not currently living the type of life you’d really like, I’d encourage you to have a look at how you might be responsible for your situation.
There are three critical things that you can change immediately that will have a dramatic impact on your quality of life. And, if I’m to be completely honest, the vast majority of people I’ve met in my life are guilty of committing at least one these errors… yours truly included in that count.
So what are the three critical factors?
1. The first is BLAMING others for your situation:
“The government is responsible for the terrible economic conditions right now – it’s no wonder I can’t afford to buy a home!”
“My boss won’t give me the respect - or the promotion! - that I deserve.”
“That was so-and-so’s responsibility, and now I have to clean up their mess.”
Blah, blah, blah.
The more you blame other people, the more power you give away. How can YOU make your life better, if everyone else is to blame? The first step is to take 100% responsibility for your life. You are in control. You - and only you - have put yourself in the situation you currently find yourself in. Without a doubt, some of you are reading this and thinking, “Well it’s true! So-and-so did put me in this, or that situation. Who is this Paul Keetch anyway?
Well, go on and keep thinking that way then. But I guarantee this: if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting the results you’ve always gotten.
2. The second critical mistake is JUSTIFYING your actions or attitudes:
When you justify you’re saying to yourself (along with anyone else silly enough to listen) that you are vindicated, that responsibility lies elsewhere. When you absolve yourself of responsibility for your situation, you are telling the Universe, “Someone else is in control here. I don’t have the power to control my life, and I don’t want it.”
Instead of justifying, try taking a good, hard look at the situation you’re absolving yourself from. Ask yourself, “How did I in some way participate in creating this situation?” Look for opportunities to learn from the past and you will be better equipped to deal with similar situations in the future.
3. The third and final critical error is COMPLAINING - and this is by far the most potent and damaging to your ability to live a happy and successful life:
When you complain, what are you focusing on? Of course, the answer is that you’re focusing on the negative aspect of whatever the situation is. Have you ever heard the idea that what you focus on expands? If you believe, like I do, that this is true, then when you focus on the negative, you’ll end up expanding the negative - the very thing you’re trying to avoid! Even the word avoid is hurtful to your ability to be happy. Instead of trying to avoid pain, try focusing on trying to find or enhance pleasure and the positive side of life.
So what’s the solution?
Try and go 24 hours - just one day - without blaming others, justifying your situation or actions, or complaining (about yourself or someone else) and see how you do. My guess is that you’ll find yourself making one of these critical mistakes - what I call happy killers - within the first hour.
That’s okay. Just start over. Every time you find yourself complaining, blaming or justifying just stop, be grateful that you’ve noticed this harmful behaviour, send out a cancel notice to the Universe, then reset the timer and start over again.
Do this, I guarantee that you’ll find yourself well on your way to living a more fruitful, productive and, most importantly, happy life.
- Paul Keetch
There are three critical things that you can change immediately that will have a dramatic impact on your quality of life. And, if I’m to be completely honest, the vast majority of people I’ve met in my life are guilty of committing at least one these errors… yours truly included in that count.
So what are the three critical factors?
1. The first is BLAMING others for your situation:
“The government is responsible for the terrible economic conditions right now – it’s no wonder I can’t afford to buy a home!”
“My boss won’t give me the respect - or the promotion! - that I deserve.”
“That was so-and-so’s responsibility, and now I have to clean up their mess.”
Blah, blah, blah.
The more you blame other people, the more power you give away. How can YOU make your life better, if everyone else is to blame? The first step is to take 100% responsibility for your life. You are in control. You - and only you - have put yourself in the situation you currently find yourself in. Without a doubt, some of you are reading this and thinking, “Well it’s true! So-and-so did put me in this, or that situation. Who is this Paul Keetch anyway?
Well, go on and keep thinking that way then. But I guarantee this: if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting the results you’ve always gotten.
2. The second critical mistake is JUSTIFYING your actions or attitudes:
When you justify you’re saying to yourself (along with anyone else silly enough to listen) that you are vindicated, that responsibility lies elsewhere. When you absolve yourself of responsibility for your situation, you are telling the Universe, “Someone else is in control here. I don’t have the power to control my life, and I don’t want it.”
Instead of justifying, try taking a good, hard look at the situation you’re absolving yourself from. Ask yourself, “How did I in some way participate in creating this situation?” Look for opportunities to learn from the past and you will be better equipped to deal with similar situations in the future.
3. The third and final critical error is COMPLAINING - and this is by far the most potent and damaging to your ability to live a happy and successful life:
When you complain, what are you focusing on? Of course, the answer is that you’re focusing on the negative aspect of whatever the situation is. Have you ever heard the idea that what you focus on expands? If you believe, like I do, that this is true, then when you focus on the negative, you’ll end up expanding the negative - the very thing you’re trying to avoid! Even the word avoid is hurtful to your ability to be happy. Instead of trying to avoid pain, try focusing on trying to find or enhance pleasure and the positive side of life.
So what’s the solution?
Try and go 24 hours - just one day - without blaming others, justifying your situation or actions, or complaining (about yourself or someone else) and see how you do. My guess is that you’ll find yourself making one of these critical mistakes - what I call happy killers - within the first hour.
That’s okay. Just start over. Every time you find yourself complaining, blaming or justifying just stop, be grateful that you’ve noticed this harmful behaviour, send out a cancel notice to the Universe, then reset the timer and start over again.
Do this, I guarantee that you’ll find yourself well on your way to living a more fruitful, productive and, most importantly, happy life.
- Paul Keetch
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)