An Ultimate Lifestyle Secret - The Power Of Enthusiasm

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday May 21 2008

Welcome to this fine Thursday.

It was really fun yesterday as folks who saw my note and who had to call me, certainly made sure they brought a conscious level of “enthusiasm” to the conversation. Amazing what a little suggestion brings forth.

Quite a while ago, a traveling salesperson was transferred into a small rural town. He was met at the bus station by Ralph, the only other person working in the same town. Ralph had had his bags packed for weeks, hoping that he would be transferred out. "I can't believe they're keeping me here even one more day, it's a terrible place to work," he complained, "the people are rude and skeptical and no one will let you in their house."

Yet, in the first week, the new salesperson had put on more successful demonstrations than Ralph had in the previous two months combined! What made the difference? Did the new guy have more product knowledge than Ralph? No, in fact he had just started with the company four months earlier. Was he a harder worker? No, in fact Ralph sometimes worked extra hours late into the night. The real difference was Enthusiasm. The new guy was just excited about the product and the opportunity.

While Ralph dragged himself from house to house, putting in his time with a martyr's attitude, the new guy went at it with an enthusiastic flair. He quickly assembled a group of excited customers who helped him spread the word about his product.

In no time, that small town was one of the most productive areas in the company. And Ralph? He got transferred out all right -- straight to the unemployment line.

David Schwartz once made this profound observation: "Results come in proportion to enthusiasm applied." That statement is just as true today as it was when he wrote it in 1959 in his timeless book, The Magic of Thinking Big. Do you have a project that is not progressing as rapidly as you would like? Are you sometimes frustrated when a really great idea only produces mediocre results? Just apply a little more enthusiasm! Soon it will become catchy and infect everyone around you. A little extra enthusiasm can mean the difference between success and failure.

As the old saying goes ... the only difference between try and triumph is just a little "umph!"

Enjoy today’s offering by our friend Gilbert.

An Ultimate Lifestyle Secret - The Power Of Enthusiasm

by Gilbert Griffiths

The power of enthusiasm is born when your thinking is fixed firmly on your goal and your imagination and desire work together as teammates. Enthusiasm is an incredibly powerful tool to create momentum in anything that you are doing.

I have found that when I am enthusiastic about something it is much easier to accomplish it than when I have a task that I do not like. I believe that enthusiasm is a force coming from deep inside you that lifts you up and takes you along. Enthusiasm is more than just jumping up and down or shouting your lungs out. It is bringing joy into your task.

It is claimed that very little of value is completed if enthusiasm is missing. Most of the greatest inventions, masterpieces and accomplishments of all times were possible because the creator was enthusiastic about his or her task. Some even claim that enthusiasm for a task makes up for a lack of skill. I think that we have all seen sports teams fired up by enthusiasm beat teams that, on paper, were more talented.

Enthusiasm is the self-raising force that lifts your dreams up to the stars. All of us have dreams, however, only those people that are extremely enthusiastic about their dreams ever take the action necessary to bring them to completion. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes and the speed of your stride. Everything in your life seems better, brighter and easier when you approach it with unbridled enthusiasm. Remember, when you were little, everything was as bright and shiny as a new penny and you just could not wait to get your hands on it? Well, the world has not changed that much, but you have. Sure, there is more technology today, but life is just about the same, maybe a little faster, but only because you make it that way.

I am sure that if you approach everything with enthusiasm today, you will find that things are done more quickly and that your days will be as enjoyable as they were when you were a child. You see, enthusiasm is the wondrous engine of life that adds fun and excitement to everything you do. It is the underlying force that is at the bottom of all progress. Enthusiasm is a powerful tool and when used properly, it can be a superb catalyst toward progress. Enthusiasm is the mark of sincerity and, truth wins no victories without it. Enthusiasm is the power that lurks within each of us waiting to release our hidden genius, enabling us to produce fantastic results that no one dreamed we could ever do.

In conclusion, enthusiasm is the spark that will take the mundane and turn it into the creation of a lifetime. If you approach all of your tasks with true enthusiasm, you will find that you have unleashed the power and the passion that will ensure success in all of your ventures. It will be a success that will lead you to an ultimate lifestyle, a future full of happiness and the culmination of all your dreams and desires.

Goal Setting For Success!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday May 6 2008

Welcome to this fine Tuesday.

As I mentioned yesterday, and as we have just entered the final 2/3rds of 2008, I felt it would be appropriate to focus our attention on “goal-setting”, and manifestation for this week.

It’s often easy to drop the disciplines, especially if we feel that we are not on schedule with what we set “in stone” at the start of the year. However, with 2/3rds of the year left, it is absolutely possible to get everything on track.

Today’s offering is worth spending some time on.

Goal Setting For Success

Goal setting is one technique that directs your subconscious and conscious decisions to succeed. Goal setting strengthens your motivation to attain your business or personal goals. In general, this technique emerged from numerous practical experiences as well as psychology research.

Goal setting helps you decide or prioritize your desires. By knowing exactly what you desire to accomplish, you will have a better focus and concentrate your efforts. Furthermore, proper setting of goals can be extremely motivating. As it becomes a habit, you will discover that your self-esteem is turbo-charged.

Actually, people set goals when they plan what they want to achieve for the day, week or month. These include simple goals like clean the house, do the laundry, finish homework, etc. You make a decision on what you want to do, then discover what is needed to accomplish your goal. From there, you move into complex goals leading to your future.

Here are some goal setting guidelines:

1. Be accurate. You need to set an accurate goal and indicate specific time frame and resources required. Having measurable goals helps in measuring levels of achievement. Doing this will enable you to discover exactly when the goal has been achieved. Furthermore, this will motivate you on setting another goal.

2. Write down your goals. This ties them together and provides reinforcement.

3. Set only goals that are realistic. Take note that you only want to set achievable goals. Disappointment sets in if you set a very high goal and fail to reach it.

4. Set priorities. If you have numerous goals, then you need to number them according to importance. This will help you from feeling overwhelmed, direct your concentration to the most significant ones, and achieve goals one by one.

5. Keep goals manageable. Work on achievable and small goals. If your goal is too big, then it may appear daunting and difficult to achieve. Small and incremental goals provide more reward opportunities. Derive smaller goals from huge ones.

6. Set performance-type goals rather than outcome goals. Set goals wherein you have complete control of the situation.

It is very frustrating to be in situations not within your control. These include bad business surroundings, bad weather, poor judgments, or injury.

When you establish goals based on your personal capability, you can maintain control over your achievement.

7. Never set “low” goals. As it is vital not to establish unrealistic goals, also never set your goals “too low”.

People are inclined to set easy goals because they often fear failure. You must achieve balance in setting your goals. It should not be too low that it would not present a challenge or too high that it becomes unreachable.

Remember this: Goal setting is an important element in achieving success. Also, flexibility and persistence are needed in setting your goals.

When faced with unexpected problems and difficulties, use your determination and persistence to stick with your goals. However, you should also become flexible with your activities and objectives. If your strategies do not work, then try another means and keep on trying until you discover one that really works for you!

Tools to Help You Focus and Concentrate on Your Goal

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday May 5 2008

Welcome to yet another brand spanking new week in which to play.

I want to thank everyone who wrote over the weekend about the impact that Ben Dunlap’s had on you. I certainly contained an amazing message.

Now, here we are at the first full week of May, and with 2/3rds of the year left there isn’t time to dally. If you are going to fulfill the promises you made in January, you need to make sure that all is clearly in place to make them manifest.

We’re going to get started this week with a few personal tweaks that should assist you in staying focused.

Tools to Help You Focus and Concentrate on Your Goal

Even with the right mindset, there’s every chance that you still won’t be able to focus and concentrate on the matter at hand. If you wish to attain your objectives quickly and efficiently, you should consider getting a little outside help in a manner of speaking.

The Atmosphere Speaks for Itself

The best place to work depends on your mood, your personality, and the type of project you’re tasked to accomplish. In most cases, adequate space, clean surroundings, and peace and quiet are enough to get brain cells to work. Some people however may wish to work outdoors in order to obtain more inspiration. The right answer will always depend on what you want!

The Sound of Music

Music – regardless of whatever genre you prefer to listen to – has the power to make all distractions fade and allow you to focus and concentrate more on your intentions. Of course, your need for music may not be something that you could and should share to other people.

To avoid irritating other people, use earphones when listening to your favorite tunes.

Attend Workshops

There are lots of workshops and seminars being offered to help individuals improve their focus and concentration. If you have time and money to spare, this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss as developing the ability to focus and concentrate in an instant will do wonders for your career!

Self-Study through Books

Of course, if you don’t have enough time to attend lectures about focus and concentration, you can always learn from books instead. There are lots of books, and e-books, out in the market today to help you better understand the mechanics of focus and concentration.

Taking a Bath

Soaking yourself in a soothing warm bath will not only refresh your body but your mind as well. It’s even more helpful if you do this a short time before you work. No matter what time you intend to work on your goal, as long as you take a bath prior to working, you’re sure to feel refreshed and energetic!

Don’t Work on an Empty Stomach

Sticking to your diet and keeping yourself half-starved is not an option when you have a goal to reach and a deadline to beat. Eat plenty and healthily before you start working and you’ll find it significantly easier to memorize things and analyze and solve problems.

Don’t Be Shy to Use Self-Affirmations

Self-affirmation sentences are sadly underestimated by many. Positive thinking can go a long way in helping your brain work better and longer. Don’t be shy of saying what you want and what you intend to be through self-affirmations. As you say these words to yourself repeatedly, your mind will unconsciously absorb it more and more until it becomes the truth for you!

Use Breathing Exercises

Lastly, learn how to breathe properly as this can help relax your mind and body better. Breathing exercises, when done properly, can get the stress and pressure out of your system in an instant, enabling you to focus on the issues at hand immediately.

Of course, having all the tools you need to improve your focus and concentration won’t be enough either if you don’t have the right mindset. It goes both ways so make sure that you’ve got the right tools and the right attitude before tackling any Herculean task at work!

Most People Will Not Be A Success!

A note from: peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday 16th April 2008

Welcome you to the midweek point.

I want to get right to it today.

I got an e-mail from someone yesterday “moaning” that they just couldn’t seem to get their life, or business, in the order they desired. So, being the nice Scottish soul that I am, I invited them to give me a quick phone call to discuss. I think they might have regretted it. :-)

First thing I asked when we dispensed with the usual pleasantries was, “tell what you have written on the goal cards you have in your wallet?”. I knew immediately that this was going to be a very short conversation, and it was.

When I pointed out to this fellow that, if he were going to set out from his home in Utah to drive and visit a relative in New Brunswick, Canada, he would in reality need a “map”. He agreed. At that point he said, “I think I’ll get back to you later”.

How is it possible in this day and age, with all of the amazing information we have, that some fully grown, adult bodied, able folks, who can read and write, and who own computers, can still think that they can get what they desire in life without a plan. GGGrrrr.

Share today’s offering around……Please!

Most People Will Not Be A Success!

Jerry Moyer

You may not like it but the simple truth is that most people will not be a success. This is not because they don't have the potential but rather because they don't understand how success works.

Let's cut to it. Most of you have heard about goals. Most people know about "goals"...they just don't usually reach them! This isn't how it needs to be. Most people "play" with their goals. If you want to be a success and reach your goals this simply won't do.

When looking at goals, I look at it this way. Goals help you get from where you are to where you want to be. Having an actual goal will help you move from where you are to where you want to be.

Ok...let's get started!

#1. Decide what you want.

#2. Write it down on a card.

#3. Carry the card in your pocket at all times.

#4. Read it as often as possible every day!

The purpose of a goal is to raise the level of conscious awareness. When you're going after a goal...it forces you to stretch yourself, you're striving for something new. The truth is that everyone who is, or ever was successful, either consciously or unconsciously set a goal.

I'm going to finish here with a quick exercise to help you write a goal card.

The wording on the card is of critical importance. We are going to "re-program" the sub-conscious mind. Everything you write must be in the present tense.

Start your card with "I am so happy and thankful now that...."

Present tense. Now that. This isn't a fantasy...we're going to start living the goal right now. Like the farmer who plants the seeds knowing the crop is coming, we are planting seeds.

The remainder of the goal card is up to you. The keys are keeping it in the present tense, making it a "worthy goal", and something that will stretch you. It makes no sense writing a goal that you already know how to do...or have done before.

"I am so happy and thankful now that I am ..............................................................................................".

Go ahead. Fill in the blank with anything you want. You must put it in writing to make it real. Something you just occasionally think about isn't a goal. It's a fantasy and will never happen. Write it down. Make your goal card and you'll be in elite territory. Statistics show that only 3% of the population actually have written goals. Don't fall into the trap. Take the time right now to write a goal down on a card.

A few ending thoughts. You don't need to know how you are going to accomplish your goal. You don't need to have the answers to these type of things at this stage.

What you need is simple. You need to have a "goal".

The Every Day Magic of Thinking BIG!

By Philip Humbert

There is something uniquely human about looking to the skies. From ancient times, wise men and woman have encouraged us to "look to the hills, from whence cometh my strength." We all know the call of distant horizons.

Humans have always wondered what's beyond the horizon, over the hill or around the bend. We long to see farther, go further and do more. The urge to dream big dreams is part of what motivates our heroes, from the ancient story of Ulysses, to more recent heroes like John Glenn, Chuck Yeager, or Amelia Earhart.

And yet too often we get bogged down in the trivia of every-day things. Of course life requires that we do our daily work. Taking care of the house, running the errands and paying the bills are not trivial things! They are the routines that make life possible. We rely on each other to complete our daily tasks.

But, as the old song asks, "is that all there is?" We know the answer, and it troubles us.

Sometimes, we need to step back and lift our eyes to the hills and beyond. Sometimes we need to ask the big questions, and contemplate the big answers.

In 1959, David Schwartz wrote a book called, The Magic of Thinking BIG that has changed thousands of lives forever. It's written in an "old" style and there's no mystery or drama in it, just the truth that we NEED big dreams. There is something in us that needs a larger destiny, a greater purpose.

I think the true heroes have always been people who balanced three very difficult, and very different, things:

1. Heroes do their work and fulfill the ordinary responsibilities of everyday life. They show up every day. They keep their promises. They do their work. They are responsible people.

2. Heroes also have the ability to hear and honor a big dream. Amelia Earhart heard the call. John Glenn heard the call. Teddy Roosevelt never stopped exploring the great American west. Helen Keller could see more clearly that most. Today's heroes are responsible people who do their daily chores, but keep one eye (always) on a bigger prize.

3. Heroes take concrete, effective action in the direction of their dreams. They didn't just look at the horizon and wonder, they get up and go. Yes, they probably work a bit harder than the average person. They probably get up earlier, stay later, or work more weekends, but they find a way to pursue their BIG idea.

There is real magic in pursuing HUGE goals! We get excited about "Big Harry Audacious Goals" (B-HAGS) in a way that small, safe, ordinary goals can never match. Mundane goals to increase our income or lose ten pounds pale beside the desire to fulfill our destiny!

The world responded to President Kenney's challenge to go to the moon because humans LOVE over-coming obstacles, solving problems, and making a difference! We enjoy being part of something meaningful and significant. We are creatures who naturally look to the horizon and ask "what's next?"

What's your BIG idea? What excites you? What takes your breath away, keeps you up at night, makes you smile all day long? What's your B-HAG? Sometimes it's "distant and far away," vague or fuzzy, but it's in there! Find it, dust it off and pursue it! People will join you and things will unfold in amazing ways.

Lift your eyes, dream your dreams, take action!

It's what makes life worth the living!

50 Life Booster Questions

Developed by Thea Westra, Senior Thought Leader
http://www.forwardsteps.com.au

1. What would you love to do or accomplish, before you die?

2. If you were to begin to achieve that/these, what is the first change you would start to make?

3. What would you need to include MORE of in your life?

4. What would you need to have LESS of in your life?

5. Rewrite your goal(s) so it is ‘moving towards’ something, rather than ‘moving away’ from something?

6. What is YOUR personal definition of success?

7. If you had to guess your life purpose, what would it be?

8. What daily habits could you replace with a better daily habit? List these.

9. What would a massive action ‘look like’ for you?

10. What action would you take, if you knew you could not possibly fail?

11. What has worked for you when accomplishing past personal goals?

12. What can you see about any past setbacks, which may actually benefit you?

13. What are you tolerating/putting up with?

14. What will you do, to completely erase petty things that are bothering you?

15. For what will you take 100% responsibility, from now?

16. If you were your own coach, what coaching would you give yourself right now?

17. Who and what are you listening to, most of the time?
How will you change that, if it needs changing?

18. What do you keep saying to yourself that usually thwarts your progress?

19. What could you now keep saying to yourself, to empower you?

20. What could you get done this week that you know needs doing?

21. For that task, what is the first step and the next step?

22. What could you put in your environment to remind you of your promises to yourself?

23. What could you include in each day to create and hold your vision for your future?

24. What have you 100%, decided to achieve?

25. What ways do you benefit by NOT deliberately moving toward what you want?

26. What activities and new habits will you deposit into your future, this month?

27. On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited to you feel about taking these actions?

28. What could increase that score?

29. What are your highest aspirations for this year?

30. What are the greatest lessons you have learned in life?

31. What is life asking you to do differently?

32. What are you now willing to do that you’ve been unwilling to step into?

33. What non-negotiable decision are you willing to make for your life, and stick to?

34. What in your life needs immediate attention?

35. What strategies could you use to better manage your daily priorities?

36. What is perfect about where you are in your life right now?

37. Describe in detail, your feelings once all your goals are achieved?

38. Which books could you read, people could you call and websites could you visit, to support your goals?

39. In what way are you a better person this year than last year?
What will be your answer, next year?

40. Where will you fine-tune your use of time in the next 24-hours?

41. Is there anything you are ignoring, to which you should be paying attention? Be honest!

42. What are you most excited about now? What are you looking forward to?

43. What ways will you will get more energy into your life?

44. What newly created, personal standard(s) will you abide by; hail, rain or shine?

45. What are your greatest strengths and how will you leverage those?

46. What would you most like to be acknowledged for, so far in your life?

47. What do you need to give to yourself so that you can give more to others?

48. What new belief could you take on to speed up your personal decision-making processes?

49. What do you already know for certain? Is that the truth?

50. List all the benefits that you got from completing this exercise, and what are your next Forward Steps?

An Online Version can be found at: http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/50-Power-Questions.htm