50 Ways You Can Be The Change

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday December 10 2008

G'day there everyone and welcome to the midweek point.

Congratulations to all of you who took my mention of getting to www.thewealthyattitudebookstore.com to pick your holiday gift. Your early selection helps me get a jump on fulfilling my promise.

For those who didn't get yesterday's message, here's the deal. My holiday gift to each of you is an e-book from our bookstore. All you have to do is go to the website at: www.thewealthyattitudebookstore.com then look through the stock, pick a book you would enjoy and then e-mail me at peter@thewealthyattitude.com telling me the book you would like and I will send it to you by return e-mail. Pretty neat, yes?

Have fun selecting the book.

Also, swing overand check out how your buddies at Daily Insight are doing in the mid of their week.

Now, a new contributor today really gives us something to consider as we all work to "being the change" we most want to see. You're going to like this.

50 Ways You Can Be The Change

by Todd Goldfarb

By advancing our lives in the areas of mind, body, spirit, relationships and environmental awareness we can improve our individual outlook and help the world become an even greater place!

As my favorite Gandhi quote states: “you must be the change you want to see in the world” and here are 50 of the best practices, exercises and philosophies you can begin implementing to “be the change”:

RELATIONSHIPS
1. Be Nice to People and see how positive energy attracts positive energy
2. Take Responsibility For Your Actions and stop making excuses
3. Volunteer Your Time and realize that helping others is the ultimate way to make the world a greater place
4. Ask for Help and give someone else the satisfaction of having the answer
5. Offer the Best Advice You Can and set someone off in a new and positive direction. Do it without expecting anything in return!
6. Smile More and spread happiness to others with the slightest effort
7. Pay Close Attention to Your Language and start seeing how your words and actions define you
8. Make a Donation and feel how giving spreads positive energy and love
9. Ask your Closest Friends and Family “How Are You Doing”? and let them know you are there for them

MIND
10. Do Crossword Puzzles and Other Mind Games and challenge your intellect
11. Find and Work in a Career You Love and spend your valuable time in a job that makes you truly happy!
12. Purposefully Deal with Stress and learn to melt tension away
13. Read Good Books and stir creativity in your brain
14. Take Classes and learn more about the things that really interest you
15. Write in a Journal and let the mind unwind itself through the hand
16. Start Viewing Yourself as Part of a Greater Universe and see how the first step to a healthy planet is a healthy you!

YOUR BODY
17. Vary Your Workout Routines and make your body stronger, more pliable, and resistant to illness
18. Try Ancient Forms of Healing and tap into human knowledge that goes back many millennia
19. Exercise with Trained Professionals and push the limits of what you think you are capable
20. Run a MarathonAgain, push the limits of what you are capable. If not a marathon, find some physical activity that is ultra-challenging for you and do it!
21. Take Long Hikes and appreciate the beauty of nature first hand
22. Sit in a Sauna or Steam Room and sweat out harmful toxins
23 Use Medicines and Pharmaceuticals as Last Resort and have faith in holistic measures and your body’s ability to heal itself
24. Love and Appreciate Your Body and get rid of negative feelings and associations you have with it

SPIRIT
25. Treat Yourself to Massages and literally rub away all stress and tension
26. Start a Spiritual Practice for Yourself and give yourself unparalleled perspective by connecting with the “true you”.
27. Laugh Hard Every Day and generate happiness for your soul
28. Accept Your Universe and have unswerving faith that you can handle it, no matter what happens!
29. Feng Shui Your Home and create a positive energy flow that extends to the external world
30. Listen to Soothing Music and calm your body, mind and spirit
31. Plan a Healthy Retreat or Vacation and ensconce your body and mind in health and vitality for an extended period

NUTRITION
32. Start Treating Your Food as Delicious Tasting Medicine and prevent sickness and disease with the nutrition you put into your body every day!
33. Eat Locally Grown Foods and support your local farms and growers
34. Take Responsibility For Your Health and understand that only you know what is best for you
35. Drink More Water and enjoy nature’s elixir of life
36. Eat Healthy Foods for the Brain and allow your thinking organ to work most efficiently
37. Cook More and really get to know your food; enjoy it in a more complete and satisfying way!
38. Eat Organic Foods as Much as Possible and understand that natural foods treat the body and the planet as they were originally intended
39. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables and begin learning the innumerable benefits these foods contain

ENVIRONMENT
40. Plant Trees and spread clean air throughout the world; donate trees here with American Forests. Even better, give trees as a present with The Arbor Day organization
41. Buy Carbon Offsets and support new and clean renewable sources of energy that offset global warming with Native Energy.
42. Conserve Water and be aware of over-usage at the sink, in the bathroom, and while doing laundry
43. Recycle! and realize how such a simple step like recycling can do so much to improve our environmental dilemma
44. Save a Piece of the Rainforest and help the earth’s atmosphere by purchasing 2,500 square feet of this precious land for $10 at The National Arbor Day Foundation!
45. Buy “Energy Star” Appliances and save a ton of energy with every day activities
46. Use the Internet to Shop
47. Research Reusable Energy Sources For Your Home and utilize more sustainable and renewable power sources which are available!
48. Conserve Paper and send e-cards instead of paper ones.
49. Take a Stand and volunteer your time to head an effort to “go green” at your work, school, place of worship or any organization you belong
50. YOU Decide and start “being the change” based on your most valued beliefs and ideals!

Here's a bit directly from Todd:

Here is some personal information about me:
Professionally, I am a business coach, marketing consultant, blogger and social entrepreneur living in Manhattan, New York.

I am the founder and publisher of We The Change and Worldwide Tipping Point. I am a certified holistic health counselor. I am a sought after public speaker who lectures to holistic practitioners all over the country teaching them how to market themselves. I am a producer of the upcoming documentary film The SHIFT.

I am also going through my own journey, and the content on We The Change is certainly a representation of this. I believe that We The Change begins with I The Change, and I try and not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.

A Brand New Year Can Begin Any Day

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday December 9 2008

Good day everyone and welcome to this darned cold Tuesday here in the mid west. We're a wee bit late getting to you today as the interwebby thing must have been cuddled up as well last night and wasn't going to play as it usually does. Anyway, it's up and co-operating now.

Just to let you know, we'll be letting you pick a book from our bookstore this week as our holiday gift to you and your family. We'll send you details later in the week, however, you may want to visit the bookstore and noodle what is there in preparation. You can visit here and peruse the stock. http://www.thewealthyattitudebookstore.com/

So on with today's offering. We go to our good friend Thea in Australia to share a neat message about preparing for the New Year.

A Brand New Year Can Begin Any Day

by Thea Westra

As we are approaching the end of another year and the beginning of a new year, it often appears to me that many of us may falsely believe that something magical will change our lives overnight, at the clock strike of midnight. We do similar things with birthdays and anniversary dates, or when we begin new jobs or relationships.

You hear so many saying it around us; "I can't wait for the end of this year" "Things will be much better in the new year." "Next year I'm going to …" "Once we get this year out of the way…" "Next year will be…" Once I leave this job, I'm going to…" "My next relationship will be…", and so on.

Honestly, you only ever have the one moment, that is this moment and now! If you have decided on something that you want for yourself, your life or the lives of those for whom you care, then the time to begin it is now.

It does all sound like clichés and a bunch of words you have heard many times over. Why do you believe you are hearing them many times over? What day will you take these words and live them? We know that they are the way forward.

If something is not happening that you want to have happen, or you live in waiting for something external, it is time to get truthful. Have you decided on what you want? Do you really know what you want? I can tell you that once you have a vision and you can really see it and you desire it, there is nothing that will stop you and nothing will get in the road of you reaching that target.

I know that you have experienced the sensation of this when you got your first car or first got behind the wheel of a car, when you first saw that girl or boy in which you were interested in getting to know better, the day you decided to apply for that job you wanted or when you wanted to get that lovely bunch of ripe blackberries right in the center of those prickly brambles.

You need to recreate that same sensation and that level of desire, for the things that you say you want. So, how is that achieved?

Firstly, get straight with yourself. Quit wanting things because others say it is what you should want. Spend some quiet times with just you and get connected to your own personal desires.
There are many exercises online that can support you with this, make more use of Google!

Once you have a list, of at minimum 100 things to do before you die, pick one that stands out and decide to accomplish that one thing, and by when. Now start telling your most supportive and most positive, optimistic friends all about what you're going to do. Find someone who has already done what you are seeking to do and get help, advice or model your behavior on their state of being and their way of thinking.

Get pictures, slogans, objects and anything you can find to put in your immediate environment (work, home, car, clothing), which will consistently pull your focus back to the thing that you have now given priority status in your everyday life.

Next, make a blue print for a plan of action, working in reverse from the end date of your project and back to today. Get a couple of those great, inspiring friends to give you detailed feedback on your plan and block any leakages so that it is water tight. Make it so that, if you gave your plan to me, I could do exactly as it tells me to do and without fail, I would produce your intended end result, with ease and fun in the process.

Now follow through! Act on your plan, and do exactly as it tells you to do at the times that you said. Regardless of whether you feel like it, whether you feel tired or just not in the mood. Keep stepping forward and take those actions that you said. You may want to set up someone to whom you are accountable each week, for fulfilling particular actions and producing specific results.

There will be a part of you, part of your identity that will struggle and keep you in position, where you are now. The only way you will break through is, by breaking through. You will need to go a little beyond where you are comfortable, and change. Yes, you will change. Isn't that what you want?

I could have written much more about all the above and there are many more things to attend than just the simplistic content for this article. I know you will find ways to bridge the gaps that I have left for you. All there is for you right now is to decide exactly what YOU want, why you want it, and by when you will be the person to accept and receive it.

© Thea Westra is the senior thought leader, at her Forward Steps site. She resides in Perth, Australia with her ultra-supportive partner Greg. Thea publishes a monthly ezine (among many other publications and products) at http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/ Enjoy her life success blogs at http://www.timeformylife.com/blogs.htm and get personally connected here, http://www.ask-thea-about.com/

Triumph In Troubled Times

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday December 8 2008

Hello there all and welcome to another shiny new week.

As we're all aware, this new year looming up on us is going to be incredibly interesting for us entrepreneurs and home - business professionals. many of us are going to do really well in the new economy, while others well, won't. Please make sure you position yourself in the former.

To get us kicked off on an appropriate note, we turn to our friend Philip for an offering that really speaks for itself.

Our friends over at Daily Insight have some neat stuff going on. Check out what their are up to here: Daily Insight

Triumph In Troubled Times

by Philip Humbert

One of the differences between winners and losers is their ability to cope with adversity, and there seems to be plenty of adversity to go around right now. From terrorism to economic recession and financial troubles, many of us would agree that, "These are the times that try men's souls."

But here is a truth that applies even in the best of times: Eventually trouble comes to each of us. Sometimes the trouble is financial. Sometimes it will be an illness, a fire or a business failure, but sooner or later, trouble comes to each of us. And interestingly, our response to life's "small" challenges is a much better predictor of our long-term success than our response to the "disasters" in life.

Disasters are big. We can't deny or avoid them; we must deal with them. It is no accident that Winston Churchill described the Battle of Britain as "their finest hour." When emergencies strike, we rise to the occasion.

The real test is with the "termites," the little things that are so easy to ignore. Things like paying our bills on time and living within our means. Things like staying fit or eating well. Things like time for loved ones, for rest and renewal.

These things are not dramatic and they are not urgent. We can neglect our health for years before problems occur, but winners are pro-active. They are "first responders." They see storm clouds in the distance and take action while others sleep.

Recently I saw a biography of Donald Rumsfield, and one of the points they made is that he "moves toward problems; he never turns his back or walks away." That is a sound strategy!

High achievers expect challenges. In the face of life's uncertainties, they maintain an attitude of optimism, humor, strength and determination. They know that as they become more and more successful, the size and complexity of their problems will grow. How could it be otherwise?

So, here are seven keys to solving problems:

1. Expect difficulty! This is no surprise, it is not "unfair" or unusual. Life is complicated. Get good at it.

2. Keep a buffer around the edges of your life. Maintain a "reserve" of extra time, savings in the bank, and a bit of energy to handle the unexpected.

3. Optimism and enthusiasm are essential. Fear and pessimism will never inspire greatness.

4. Words matter! View difficulties as "challenges" rather than as problems. How we talk about our difficulties makes a huge difference in how we handle them.

5. "We get by with a little help from our friends." Have a team of cheerleaders, experts and colleagues to help you analyze and over-come any problem.

6. Be proactive. Take care of problems while they are small. Preventive maintenance is good for your car, your relationships, and your life.

7. Choose new problems! Learn from every experience and (try) not to have the same problems twice. Learn from difficulties, make changes, and move on. Pay the tuition once, then never repeat the same life-lesson!

The key is understanding that challenges are how we learn and grow. Success is the result of solving problems and moving forward in the face of difficulty, so expect "interesting" situations. Taking them in stride builds your confidence. Never fear trouble; triumph over it!

Stop Blaming Everyone Else.

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday December 5 2008

Hello there all and welcome to the end of what has been an outstanding week.

Friday is usually the day we wrap up the week with a video, however, as we are also winding up the Jan Janzen extravaganza today, we are proud to offer you both today. Now that's a deal.

Jan is also graciously inviting you to participate in something quite special that is a pure bonus if you have the great sense to purchase her latest book. Here's the note she sent along:

"I want to make another very special offer to your Daily Reader subscribers.

A book is one thing and although there are two very wonderful bonuses you get with the book that people are LOVING, I wanted to offer you something extra special.

For every person who buys a book within the next seven days, (that is until December 12th midnight), I will gift you a special teleclass early January that will help you release the blocks and challenges around making 2009 your best year ever. This 75 minute teleclass will combine coaching, practical tools and clearing the blocks at a DNA and cellular level so that you can make 2009 your best year yet.

Someone who just attended one of my teleclasses this week wrote: “Thank you very much for the incredible session. It has been one of the most strong and amazing experiences I ever received.”

The teleclasses are powerful and effective in removing the blocks “automatically” so you can prosper and have an amazing 2009. I normally charge $29.95 for one of these sessions but with the purchase of Getting Off the Merry-Go-Round, it is my gift to you to start off the new year.

If you can’t attend in person, you will be gifted with a recording of the call."

Now folks this is an outstanding offer so take full advantage and get your book ordered here: Getting Off the Merry-Go-Round

Yesterday I sat wondering, the worldwide economies are chaotic, the U.S.A prepares for the instillation of a new leader, the Canadian political arena is in complete turmoil, and yet? Yet, I sense optimism at levels I have never before encountered, I see ordinary folks taking complete control of their own life experience and living it by their own design.

I'm really not "against" anything, and I'm "for" a ton of stuff. I'm "for" personal responsibility, I'm "for" choosing love over fear, I'm "for" living life from a foundation of Gratitude, and I'm "for" acknowledging loudly that each and every one of us has a right to be here, to be free, to be wealthy, and to be happy.

In today's short video offering, Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban beautifully remind us that we truly are "In The Arms Of The Angel". You're going to like this.

In The Arms Of The Angel

Also, enjoy the final installment of Jan's offerings. And Jan, thank you kindly for your contributions this week. You honor The Wealthy Attitude with your very presence. Thank you.

Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, have an awesome weekend. See you on Monday.

~peter~

Stop Blaming Everyone Else!

by Jan Janzen

It’s easy to blame everything else. It’s the government, the weather, the lousy boss, the dishonest employee, the crooked accountant, the lazy lawyer, the cheating partner, the bad economy. It’s really easy to blame parents. Do you get out the violin and play a good tune when it comes to how tough it was growing up, how disadvantaged you were or go into the “poor me” story with regularity.

Accepting the fact that you chose Mom and Dad to be your earthly parents, your brothers and sisters to be part of your life, and all the accoutrements that came with that choice, will make life a whole lot easier. Start looking at the good that came out of the situation. Begin finding the benefits that the hardships caused, the ability they gave you to handle adversity, challenge or problems, and appreciate that you wouldn’t be who you are today if things had been different.

I’d never have the ability to deal with people of all beliefs, customs and backgrounds if I hadn’t grown up being trained in a door-to-door ministry where you had no idea who was behind each and every door. I would never be able to confidently speak in front of thousands if I hadn’t been trained in public speaking from the age of eight. And I would certainly never have the focus and discipline to write a book in less than two months for the second time if I hadn’t been well-trained to adhere to a strict schedule.

You can do the same. Start appreciating what Mom and Dad gave you, even if the beatings taught you discipline, even if the lack of love taught you the importance of love, even if the abuse taught you compassion for others – those are all valuable lessons, don’t you think?

But what if you are a professional victim? What if you like that merry-go-round of drama, chaos, and old stories of oppression, persecution and catastrophe? If so, you will find it most challenging to live a life full of joy, peace, love and prosperity because the two do not go hand-in-hand. Ever. Retelling old accounts of people who did you wrong, rehashing old sicknesses and accidents and recounting stories of financial woes will keep telling the subconscious mind, “This is important. Keep these files prominent and handy for future reference.”

Why are some people such great victims? It’s like they relish the pain and suffering. There are very likely some old files that look like this: “You need to suffer to be good. Good people suffer, wicked people prosper. If I’m not sick, I don’t get any attention. Nobody loves me, hugs me, or kisses me when I’m healthy, so I need to be sick.” Do you see how old beliefs will fuel the fire of victimhood? So if you would win the Academy Award for Victim of the Year, ask yourself why you enjoy being the victim. What is it about the drama, the victimhood, the pain and the struggling that you believe you need to hang on to? If you think that you need to be crucified to be seen as good, godly or righteous, then you will sabotage yourself every time. Why wouldn’t you? If your subconscious mind links suffering and pain to being “good enough,” “saved,” “righteous,” and “spiritual,” then you will do a mighty fine job. Look carefully at what is the motive behind your playing victim and decide whether or not you are ready to let it go.

It’s a very powerful place to understand that once you stop complaining about all the things you can’t change such as your parents, the weather, the economy or the world, you really move into a magnificent place. You can only change yourself and that’s powerful. So decide right now that 2009 will be an amazing year. Let go of the Tribal Mentality beliefs that you won’t get what you want because that’s a lie. You ALWAYS get what you want – even when that is pain, suffering and struggle. The most prominent files in your subconscious mind ALWAYS win.

Change the files today from your past, your upbringing, your genetic coding and let go of the blame and the victimhood. It’s not pretty and you need to move out of that place now if you want to create an amazing life. Move into a life where you are utilizing your Sacred Gifts, doing what you love, what makes your heart sing and brings peace, joy, love and prosperity to your life and everyone around you.

The world needs amazing people leading amazing lives.

Go for it. You can do it!

What I Learned About Life From a Pot of Soup

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday December 4 2008

Welcome to this very fine early winter Thursday.

Well folks, four weeks from today we'll all be acknowledging that the New Year is firmly here. The question is going to be whether you'll be "celebrating" the start of another year, or looking for a place to go hide.

It is our conviction here at this desk that the New Year will be absolutely full of opportunities for those folks who bravely look upon the conditions as a chance to do, and be, better. Are you going to be one of them? We expect you will be! Buckle up, it's going to be a fun ride.

Our friend and contributor of this week's offerings is certainly someone who knows clearly that the ability to rise above prevailing exists in each and every one of us. Now that's worht celebrating early. Break out the bubbly.

Jan provides yet another great offering for this fine day.

What I Learned About Life From a Pot of Soup

by Jan Janzen

Every one of us has inherited specific traits or genetic coding from our ancestors. Genetic coding, inherited through our DNA from our parents, has a tremendous effect on your life, from your weight issues to your bank account. For example, the Polish, Ukrainian, Russian and many of the other European countries have a very strong work ethic drilled into them at a DNA and cellular level. They need to work hard, and there’s an expectation of poverty and challenges.

They don’t really seem to believe, in their very core, that they will ever succeed financially. Life is hard, something bad will happen, war will break out, depression, economic hardship, famine, epidemics, and sickness are normal and death is always imminent. Life is a difficult struggle.

How exactly does your genetic coding affect what you get in life? Your subconscious mind will pull the most dominant file around every single thought you have. If famine, starvation or cruel slavery are an integral part of your genetic coding, then an overriding belief that something bad will happen will lead to you playing it safe, staying small, or never really exerting yourself.

We all have different ways of responding to our genetic coding. I personally made soup. My two freezers were full of soup. Every free moment I had on the weekend, I made soup. I would open my freezer, see all the soup stored in it, and feel safe and secure. One day I realized that I didn’t care what my savings account looked like, how much money I had to my name, or how many investments I had. I felt safe because I had soup in the freezer. Absolutely crazy but true!

My genetic coding is Russian. What does a good Russian woman always have on the stove? Good soup. The ruble may plummet, war may come, the government may be overthrown, but a bowl of soup – now that fixes everything! I released those beliefs and lost the fervent, panicky, obsessive need to make soup. It took me seven months of eating soup daily to go through all of my soup. What was fascinating was that as my soup stock dwindled, my bank account soared.

Genetic coding definitely plays a role in our views on money. Look at your own genetic coding and see what views around money your parents and grandparents (and so on) were raised in. It can definitely explain many reasons that you have issues around money. Perhaps you are embarrassed by any amount of it or you see it as a burden. Too much work, too much responsibility, too much to think about can be part of your genetic coding, or the belief that money is only for the aristocratic, the elite, the powerful or for an upper-class.

Most of us came from a hard-working lower to middle class background at a genetic coding level. Now we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, buying properties in exotic places and traveling the world and doing our business from a laptop. There is a very strong program that says, “And who the hell do you think you are – a rich person or something?” Can you hear the voice in the back of your head cutting you down, holding you back and keeping you small in your finances or some other area of your life?

If you are a woman, you carry the additional genetic coding that tells you your place is to support the man in your life, be the backbone of the family; be silent, submissive, subservient and hard-working. You do all the labor and the man will make money. Your primary role is to support the man and make sure that he looks good and is successful, which will in turn bring pride to you and to your family name. If this sounds like something out of an old history book, it’s not. This kind of genetic coding has shown up in my own life and in my client’s lives. It’s frighteningly real.

Women, you really need to let go of the belief that a man will look after you, that you don’t want to dirty your hands with money, it’s not up to you to look after yourself financially, it’s a man’s job, you can’t earn more money than your husband, father, or male partner, and that it is wrong, unspiritual, or not nice to earn money and lots of it. Those are real beliefs that you are holding onto at a subconscious level, and until you let them go, your financial success will always be limited and riddled with guilt.

Genetic coding also plays a role in weight issues because having some extra weight in many cultures is seen as a good thing necessary for survival. A woman who is too skinny would not be a good choice of mate as she wouldn’t be able to bear children easily or work hard on the farm and might even be an embarrassment to her husband because she would give the appearance of there not being enough food to fatten her up. With disease rampant, famines prevalent and life physically demanding, having extra weight was an important characteristic. There was also the cold. Fat insulates and helps keep you warm in the cold, harsh winters.

The problem with all of that genetic coding is that famine to date is not an issue where obesity is a problem, diseases like the bubonic plague no longer run rampant, and we sit on our butts most of the day at computers. We are a far cry today from working in the field from morning to night, hoeing, plowing and harvesting. And the last time I checked, there was central heating in most of the world where people are the fattest. So the genetic coding needs to be deleted because times have changed and the program that’s running is way out-of-date.

Genetic coding is a fascinating part of why we have what we do in our life. All the best intentions and goals for 2009 can be undone with just one strong genetic coding belief. Identify those beliefs and start to change them to beliefs that will empower you and set you up for an amazing new year!

Use ONLY Your Sacred Gifts

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday December 3 2008

Aloha there all and welcome to the midweek point.

I have to say that I'm personally having a ton of fun with Jan's offerings this week. As I once again review her perspectives I'm just a happy camper knowing that this lady is going to be a powerhouse in the personal development industry. Keep your eye on her.

Also, make sure you pick up a copy of her latest book, and even better, use it as a Christmas gift for your friends and teammates. You can get it here: http://www.nomorefeardoubtandguilt.com/

Also folks, our friends over at Daily Insight are working on some great new stuff, so keep your eye on them also. It's going to be grand.

Now on with this week's third offering by the delightful Jan Janzen

Use ONLY Your Sacred Gifts

by Jan Janzen

Most people go through life dragging their rear end, doing things they hate, thinking that this is all there is to live and never really living a truly magnificent life. Perhaps that describes you. Then every once in a while you get to do something that lights your fire, feels effortless and time flies because you’re having fun. But all too soon, you’re back to the ho-hum, monotonous, drudgery of life. Why wouldn’t you do what you love to do, what feels wonderful, energizing and fun? Too many people feel guilty when life is easy, effortless and joyful? It can feel “not normal or natural” to be in that magical, mystical place of grace and ease. But that is precisely the place from which you need to operate your life, your whole life, your every day life. Here’s how you do it.

You were born with Sacred Gifts. I am not talking about talents, skills, or passions. Sacred Gifts are gifts that are given to us at birth by God as tools that we have access to throughout our lives. They’re sacred because of where they come from and they deserve a great deal of reverence and respect. Their primary purpose is to be used to do good in this world.

Our Sacred Gifts empower us with abilities that can’t be explained by what would be considered normal human abilities. They show up, sometimes totally unexpectedly, and allow us to experience results that we can’t even explain.

Doing something as simple and natural to you as having friends in for dinner, preparing an Excel spreadsheet, or being able to sew a beautiful dress without a pattern are all examples of Sacred Gifts.

These Sacred Gifts come to you so naturally that you may be inclined to believe that they are “normal,” “typical” and “usual.” I mean, can’t everybody write a book in a month? Doesn’t everybody want to help the homeless? Can’t everybody plan an event for 1000 people and love every minute of it? No, not necessarily. When you learn about your Sacred Gifts, you will be astounded at how life begins to make sense. You stop beating yourself up for what you don’t do well, stop judging yourself severely for what you do do well, and stop criticizing others for what they don’t like to do. You will be a much nicer person and much easier to live with both for yourself and for everyone around you.

Have you ever noticed that some people are naturally charismatic? People love to be around them, they are like magnets, successful and charming. They may seem happier than you, and they feel light energetically. They’re not stressed out and hating life. What’s their secret? The origin of the English word “charismatic” derives from the Greek word charism, meaning “a Divine gift believed to be given by God or a Spiritual Endowment.” When someone is operating from their gifts or their charisms, they are powerfully charismatic and effective. Do you want to be charismatic, magnetic and charming? Start operating from your Sacred Gifts and it’s amazing how your energy can shift to the positive!

So what are some of the characteristics of a Sacred Gift? The first and foremost important characteristic of Sacred Gifts is that they are given to us to be of benefit to others. This is one of the distinguishing aspects between a Sacred Gift and a skill or a talent. While a talent might be to your benefit, a Gift is for the benefit of others.

Understanding your Sacred Gifts allows you to operate from a place of confidence, joy and contentment. Now that I know my Sacred Gifts, I can let go of the rest of my life without the guilt. How many times do you beat yourself up because you think you should be better at something than you are? You think you should enjoy doing something more than you do. I used to try to do stupid things like my own accounting simply because I had taken an accounting course. I used to try to do my own flyers simply because I had bought a software program to do it that was “For Dummies”!

Today I do ONLY what I love and I give others the joy of doing what they love. who love Excel spreadsheets, and there are people who love formatting flyers. I find people who have the same passion for those jobs as I do for writing, for teaching, and for healing. It’s fascinating and saddening to watch people do things that they don’t like and aren’t good at, to see how it stresses them because they have a belief that they should be good at everything.

The Peter Principle states that in a hierarchy we eventually reach the limit of our abilities, and once that limit is exceeded, we begin to fail and operate from a place of incompetence. But it’s more than that. It has nothing to do with competence and reaching the top of our ladder. It has everything to do with what our Sacred Gifts are, full stop, period.

Once you understand your Sacred Gifts, you have the ability to understand completely why you love what you do, why it comes so naturally to you, and why you just don’t want to do other things. You can now be guilt-free when you say, “I’d love to help you organize the party, but my real gift lays in decorating the room. Can I do that for you instead?” Or “A better use of my gift would be to write out the welcome speech for you rather than be the greeter at the door.”


Think of the people who really stand out in your mind as being energetic and joyful, on top of a project, exceptionally good at anything from hosting a dinner party to hairdressing to a speaking to a riveted audience. That’s where you want to be in your life. Focus on utilizing your Sacred Gifts in your life to the benefit of others and you will be amazed at how energized you feel, how happy you are and how you can say, no, no, no, no, no, no and no to what are NOT your Sacred Gifts easily and effortlessly without the fear, doubt and guilt.


Operating from your Sacred Gifts can make 2009 your most amazing year yet.

The Myth of Procrastination

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday December 2 2008

Hello again all and welcome to day two of our "Jan Janzen Week".

I would strongly suggest that you use these missives as a foundation for your 2009 planning sessions. They will serve you well.

Enjoy today's offering.

The Myth of Procrastination

by Jan Janzen

It’s so easy to put off doing what we want to do. As we near the end of 2008, you may be acutely aware of where you procrastinated, areas where you are nowhere near the goals you set almost a year ago.

I actually don’t believe there is such a thing as procrastination. The dictionary defines procrastination as “postponing or delaying needlessly.”

There are three reasons why you postpone or delay needlessly. One is insufficient passion to get a task done. The second is fear of what will happen if you actually take action and get something done. Third, it may really not be the right time to do something and you are being directed at a Universal level to wait. So let’s forget about calling procrastination the problem. It is simply the symptom of these three issues.

Let’s say that you want to take your business to the next level of success because you are tired of being on the merry-go-round of “not enough money.” You know you should do more marketing. You agree you should be contacting your clients. You realize a more aggressive public relations campaign would grow your business. But you look at the marketing options and you can’t decide. You go to pick up the phone to contact a client—then you put it down and make yourself a coffee instead. You meet with a PR firm and make the excuse that you just don’t have the money. This may apply to renovating your house, starting a business, fixing your marriage, writing a book or a host of other things on your To-Do list for life. But you just can’t do what it takes to make it happen.

Ask yourself this question: How PASSIONATE am I about doing this? If you are trying to build a business that you don’t really like, your passion level on a scale of 1 to 10 is probably about a 2. If you are trying to renovate a home that you would rather sell, then your passion level may be hovering at a 1. So how passionate are you about what is on your To-Do List for life? Maybe everybody has told you that you should write a book because you tell such great stories. But as much as you like telling the stories, you have no passion to sit down and write, so your passion for actually writing a book is extremely low. Just acknowledging your passion level about what you are procrastinating about will give you a big clue as to why the task is not getting done.

If you really love to write and your passion is at a 10 to write a book but it’s still not getting done, then ask yourself: What am I afraid will happen if I write this book? Perhaps you are afraid that no one will read the book. Maybe you are afraid of all the things that you don’t know how to do – find a publisher or self-publish, find an editor, find an illustrator and a printer. What would change in your life if all of sudden it was a bestseller and you found yourself on Oprah’s Book Club list? Yikes, how would massive fame and notoriety change your quiet, private, sheltered life in rural Ohio? Those are good questions to think about.

If you are putting off getting out of a marriage that is no longer working, then what fears are you facing? It’s very normal to be afraid of life after marriage, especially if you have been married for many years. That’s a good reason to procrastinate and not ask for the divorce. Most people who have ended a marriage would tell you that it’s difficult to get out in the world again, by yourself, or to start dating again at 40, 50, or older. That’s a big fear. There’s definitely something to the saying, “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.” At least you know the mate you’re living with, and you don’t know who you will end up with once that marriage is over with, or if there even will be another partner. That’s enough to scare you into complacency and procrastination.

You can do this with every event in your life that you believe you are procrastinating over. Make a list of what you believe you are postponing or delaying needlessly. Then ask yourself: What is my level of passion around this? Secondly, ask yourself, what am I afraid of around this subject? If you don’t get answers on either of those questions—and that is possible—consider the possibility that you are being directly guided to wait. “Timing is everything” is a very popular saying, but we don’t seem to pay much heed to that saying in our own life.

How high is the quality of patience on your personal value scale? We live in a “have it now,” immediate gratification society that is focused on the present. Buy now, pay later is the predominant theme of marketing campaigns. So it can be hard to want something now, to have it on our wish list, our intention list or on our To-Do list but every time we go to do it, we get pulled off track, delayed or postponed in what looks to us as procrastination.

Perhaps there really is a Higher Power that is working with us that is delaying things for a very good reason. Maybe the ideal partner is still healing from the past relationship and isn’t quite ready for us to enter your life. Have you considered the possibility that the market isn’t primed yet for your new product because there is something that needs to come before it that will really set it off? I know that if I had decided to launch a pole dancing business in 1995, it probably wouldn’t have been much of a success. But launching it in 2004 was another matter, when everyone from Barbara Walters to Oprah Winfrey was talking about pole dancing and had even pole danced live on television! So trust that you may be delayed, postponed or held back from moving forward at your desired speed of things for good reason. Is procrastination a problem?

No, but lack of passion, fear and Divine timing are issues that can masquerade as procrastination.

Remove the word from your vocabulary and start looking at the real issues behind what the Tribe calls “procrastination.” I guarantee that if you do, 2009 can be a very different year for you. You can see the end of doubt, fear, guilt and procrastination!