Truth

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday June 18 2008

Say "aloha" to the midweek point.

Thank you all who continue to send notes on the meltdown of The Wealthy Attitude website, I appreciate it. One dedicated subscriber was able to point us to a place on Google where they cached snapshots of the site. It gave us a real break as we were at least able to get most of the "spine" of the site, and now we can set our sights on reconstruction.

I'm also deeply grateful to many of our contributors who really came to the fore with offers of neat "readers" so that we can continue this service uninterrupted while the site gets underway.

Today's offering touches on some very interesting points.

Truth...
By Alison Stoodley

I have noticed this many times and it holds true year after year: every word that comes out of my mouth is meant for me. What I mean by that is there really are no accidents and if a client or friend needs coaching in a certain area I need it too, or the opportunity to creatively deal with it would not be laid in my lap.

This week I have met with various egos, once in the form of denial, once in the form of outright lies and once in the form of the victim. All areas that I need to pay attention to. I find denial likes to hide out inside my health and fitness goals, telling me that I can deal with distractions, or that I can miss another workout and still get back on the horse easily.

My ego uses outright lies when someone asks me how I am and I tell them 'wonderful' when it is the furthest thing from the truth and I know it, but I don't want to bother others with my feelings. Of course this feeds perfectly into the state of 'victim' because it allows my ego to fill my head with such garbage as, 'no one careshow I really am', or 'can't they see that I am hurting?' or any number of other BS statements that are designed to keep me from connecting, really authentically connecting, with the people who love me.

So, now is the time for some truth....

1. I am in control of what happens to me.
2. I am surrounded by loving, compassionate people who are concerned for my welfare.
3. Support is simply a spoken or written word away.
4. I am capable of ANYTHING, my life is limitless.
5. Whatever I need, to accomplish my goals, is already within me.

My commitment to me is that when I forget these truths I will come back here and read this or ask a wonderful friend to remind me, because another truth is that the ego slips in occasionally and tries to make minced meat of our dreams and goals, and it happens to everyone. We are not meant to handle this stuff alone, we are meant to reach out and enroll our fellow man in our struggles, our dreams, our desires, our lives. We are meant to make authentic, powerful, loving connections with each other.

It is so true that no 'wo/man' is an island. We are surrounded by millions of people for a reason... remember what I said a paragraph ago? ...there really are no accidents.

Alison Stoodley is a single mom, a writer, a life coach and a speaker. She has been researching self-worth for 20 years and offers invaluable insight through her WORTH Program and private coaching practice. Alison has helped many people realize theirvalue and make positive life changes. She writes a regular column for the Town Cryer and is currently working on her first book. Check out her blog here.

"Truth" is what it's all about today.

The Power of Commitment

Note for Friday Feb 29th 2008 from: peter@thewealthyattitude.com

Welcome to the end of the second month of 2008.

I have to say that yesterday’s “kick butt” note, dare I say, “hit the mark.

Here we are now a full 1/6 of the year past, and time to once again ask "the questions".

1. Are you on track with your goals and intentions for the year?
2. If not, why not?
3. If yes, how are you going to celebrate?
4. If not, what are you going to do about it?

One of the questions that comes up in this conversation is, “We’re you committed to the plan”?

Commitment is a huge issue, and one that continues to trip folks up in the striving for a better life. Most folks say they want it, they pray for it, they beg for it, they wish for it, they gamble for it, but frankly, they are simply just not committed to it.

Our old buddy Michael Clouse, gives us something to help get us on track, and it's something to really give some time to over this coming weekend.

The Power of Commitment

by Michael S. Clouse

At some point in the past we've all done it... And if we're not careful, at some point in the future we might do it again... We've given our word, "I'll be there." We've made a promise, "You can count on me." We've committed to doing something—make 10 calls, bring two guests, or achieve that promotion—and yet we didn't follow through.

And we (or at least I) always had a good explanation... "The time just got away from me." "No one wanted to come." "It was harder than I thought." But somewhere deep down inside we had to wonder if those reasons really were our reality. True, we didn't make the calls, bring those guests, or achieve the promotion when we told ourselves we would. But why did we commit to something and then not complete the pre-agreed upon task, assignment, or goal?

Was our failure to succeed really due to a lack of time, some unlearned skill, or a much deeper self-esteem issue? Well, we could probably get a great conversation going as to why so many people have such a difficult time keeping their commitments. However, I would prefer to offer a simpler solution—a step-by-step approach that will, in effect, allow you to set, keep, and ultimately achieve any worthwhile goal you desire...

Now just to make sure we're all on the same page, allow me to share with you the definition of commitment I learned from one of my mentors, Jeff Olson, in 1995—nineteen words that still echo inside my head to this day: "Commitment is doing the thing you said you'd do, long after the feeling you said it in has passed." Now that's what keeping your word is all about!

So if "committing to...and then following through" is what you'd like to do more often, the following five step plan will help you set your goals and keep your promises, thereby allowing you to ultimately achieve what's truly important to you...

1) Decide What You Want
Achievers realize some people join the business because they want to drive a new car; some because they want to earn more money; and some because they want the extra time needed to enjoy a more rewarding life. What about you? To stay the course you'll need to be moving towards something you actually want! After all, part of your journey is discovering your real why...

2) Know Your "Why?"
True, deciding what you want is your first step, and yet it's only part of the solution! Therefore, if you really want to set, keep, and ultimately achieve every worthwhile goal, you'll need to become clear on why you want what you want. The best part is you'll know when you've found your "Why" because from that moment on you will do whatever it takes!

3) Follow A Proven Plan
You either have a proven plan (system or daily method of operation) you follow, or you don't. If you do, continue moving forward. If you don't, find someone who has already achieved what you want. Find out what they did. Do that. And then continue until you achieve the same result they've already proven was possible. Because it's easier to keep going when you get results—and it's easier to get results when you follow a proven plan.

4) Commit Yourself Publicly
After you've decided what you want, discovered why that is important to you, and are diligently following a proven plan to achieve it, you're ready for step four: public commitment! Decide in writing that you will be here, still actively involved, a year from now! On 3" x 5" cards write out what you want (your goal), followed by a sentence or two explaining your desire to have this (your "Why?”), and then include the steps you're taking (your proven plan) to accomplish it... Give these hand-written cards to 10 people you know, like, and trust, and would not want to disappoint. Believe me, if you'll do this, you will follow through.

5) Get Better Every Day
Leaders understand that wherever they are, and wherever they're going, the journey will be easier if they incorporate a daily personal development program. So what should yours include? Books, CDs, and classes. Because when you get better "it" gets easier...

Use this information—all five steps—to guide you and you will be well on your way to keeping your word and achieving all your dreams. And that's the real power of commitment!

All the best,