Life...By Your Own Design - Creating a Conscious Custom-Fit - By Anne Aleyes

"Life," said John Lennon, "is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." He should know. The claims of New Age gurus aside, you can't avoid life's potholes and pitfalls. Surprises are part of the game. Some are wonderful. Some are fun. Some are funny. Some start out bad and turn out ok. And some, as with John himself, are tragic and not at all our conscious choice. But lives have an everyday rhythm, too -- a predictability that invites planning and design. Lives steered with even modest direction are usually more fruitful and satisfying than ones steered just by serendipity and the winds of chance.

Sure, we want life to be profitable and interesting, and in fact not many people would choose a life completely free of problems. But a life as free as possible from useless obstacles, brick-wall frustrations, exhausting time-wasters, and other energy-sappers ... yes, that's something to work on -- so you can concentrate on "the big stuff" ... the meaningful goals, substantial relationships, the victories and connections that make it all worthwhile.

So, here are some ideas to design a life that permits a maximum of that ... and a whole lot less of the other stuff that like gunk in a drain builds up, clogs the works, and costs you time, patience, and sometimes money, too. (Money you'd for sure rather spend on something else!) Engineers, designers, and builders work from blue-prints ... maps of what they want to create. Your life needs that, too. Let's call it a life custom-tailored to your desires, your requirements, with reliable reserves and sensible safeguards already built in.

• Design for convenience. Don't fill your life up with so many projects and commitments you don't have time to breathe, time to handle minor problems that arise, time to function without being harried. If your life were a road trip ... you'd give yourself enough time to get from start to finish without having to speed and break the law, without having to take foolish or dangerous chances, enough time to "get there safely" with room to spare -- even if minor traffic snarls caused delays, and enough time to enjoy the scenery and the conversation of your traveling companions.
• Design for dependability. Build "defensible space." Have "contingency plans." Be able to meet predictable crises ... and carry on without stumbling. Know with reasonable certainty on Monday what Tuesday will bring. Do the "maintenance work" every life needs. If your life were a car ... you'd check and rotate the tires, keep the fluids filled, change the oil, find out about "that funny noise" ... before you wound up standing by the highway at 10 o'clock at night, phoning for AAA, your spouse, a friend, ... or trying to flag down a stranger.
• Capitalize on available resources. Make use of your natural talents, strengths, skills, and abilities. Do what you do best. For sure, do what only you can do. If you're a square peg, don't force yourself over and over into round holes, jobs you have no feel for or interest in, situations that put you at risk, relationships that wear you out. Do what you were made (or trained) to do. Outsource or delegate the "other stuff." If your life were a house ... you'd take advantage of the natural terrain, the slope of the land, the trees and native landscaping. You would build it to function "where it is going to live" ... and accommodate all the reasons you want to live in that place and in it.
• Make it artful, unique, and authentic. Don't be "like everybody else." Conformity is one definition of a living death. If your life were a work of art (which it is) ... you'd make it one of a kind, meaningful, and memorable! When you come to the end of the road, know with conviction what it was to really be yourself!
• Create quality content. Spend your time, your self, and your resources on things that matter to you. If your life were a museum, you wouldn't cram it with cast-offs, other people's "contributions," and items best described as "junk and clutter." You'd choose and showcase each treasure, put it in the right light and setting, display and cherish it because it truly meant something to you ... something you'd like visitors and patrons to enjoy and respect as well.

You and your life deserve support like this. Design it in ... and make it happen.

(c) 2007 Enchanted Spirit, Inc., All rights reserved.

Anne Aleyes is a staff writer for Enchanted Spirit. She works in private practice as a spiritual counselor and therapist. Enchanted Spirit http://www.enchantedspirit.org/ offers astrology, tarot, feng shui, alternative health, metaphysics, and self-improvement.

A Hard Day... and then Work All Night and Weekend on Your Dreams... A Nightmare? - By Kevin Hogan

You work all day and it’s a HARD day.

You come home.

You cook for the kids.

You cut the lawn.

You do the laundry.

You clean the house.

You trim the shrubs.

….and now it’s time to work on your dreams?

THAT is the reality of what most self appointed guru’s are asking you to live your life doing.

Here’s a fact:

It isn’t going to happen like that.

Not in real life.

One of the biggest reasons people feel unmotivated is because it seems too difficult to make the changes they want to see in their lives.

After doing all that...stuff, when you finally get a “free moment” isn’t it easier to sit back and do nothing, moan and groan about how awful everything is, and dwell in the river of mediocrity.

That IS what it feels like.

But it only feels easier to do that because we’ve gotten USED to doing that.

In truth, you are already working hard at staying right where you are.

How long have you been in the life situation you are in right now?

When you feel pain through 12 hours or more of the day, the last thing you are going to actually
Take action on is something new that is also uncomfortable. Face it. It’s much easier to think, “I deserve something good. Something fun.”

And that is true.

What you’ve been doing is like balancing on a fence. Momentum wants to pull you in one direction, while your exhaustion, fears or doubts are pulling you in another direction. It takes tremendous endurance to stay balanced between two powerful forces like that!

Since you’re already working hard at staying stationary, it is a mathematically simple matter to shift your focus and redirect your energies to begin moving forward. But emotionally?

WOW, it’s not so easy.

How to…?

It seems like a major leap to move from where you are to where you’d rather be. Like here’s you and here is the moon…

Take note. There is probably just ONE SIGNIFICANT THING that stands between you and your ability to move forward. This one thing will be different for everyone, but review the most common reasons below and see which is happening in your life:

Fear:

You’ve gotten it into your head that something bad will happen if you begin working toward what you want. You have a feeling of dread or doom, and you feel sure that you’ll somehow screw it up or fail. You don’t want to experience that feeling of failure, so you choose to not try at all.

You work all day to get where you are when you come home. Tired and paid. Now you are going to work at “success?” “Achievement?” You’re going to work hard at making something good happen in life but you don’t KNOW it’s going to happen?

What should you fear more: taking a chance and possibly failing, or never trying at all and creating a certain life of mediocrity?

When you look at it like that, you’ll see that fear of failure is ridiculous. It seems overwhelming at times, yes. But it means nothing in the big scheme of things. So you may stumble and fall a few times. Big deal! Just get your backside, in gear, and get moving again!

It may sound overly simple for me to say that, but once you experience it for yourself, you realize how wild a fear of failure really is.

Doubt:

Even if you don’t fear failure, you might lack confidence in your own ability to overcome challenges and create the life you want. You might even doubt your ability to know the right path for you.

The only way to know for sure is to try! If you want to make positive changes in your life, you HAVE to be willing to believe that you have what it takes.

You have to believe that even if you don’t initially have what it takes to succeed, you can work on developing it. Do you think that ANY successful person was just born that way? Obviously not! Each and every successful person has to go through a learning curve, and continually push themselves past their limits.

They had to start small and take one step at a time, honing their skills, developing new ones, and further strengthening those too. You are no different. In all probability, you have the same exact ability to do what successful people do.

When I go to Vegas and sit at the blackjack table, I meet a lot of people. Most of them are surprisingly happy. (They had better be wealthy or they need to sit at a different table.)

Sometimes we introduce ourselves. One time I was playing with the guy who played Minnie Me in Austin Powers. Another time, with the Producer of Wedding Crashers. Another time with the owner of a NINE figure hedge fund. (WOW)

The thing is, we were all just a bunch of guys sitting down playing cards and having fun.

And, all of us were in town working.

And all of us agreed we loved our work.

Laziness:

Let’s be honest; sometimes we all feel lazy. We like taking the easy way out as often as possible. We’d rather sit and stare at a television screen or computer screen because we don’t have to think too hard, or work too hard. We can just collapse into a vegetative state and not have to overcome challenges or face our fears. Unfortunately, this creates a set of consequences all its own, some of which you may be experiencing right now.

Let me share a secret with you: you can still have your periods of laziness AND excel beyond your wildest dreams! It’s all about balance.

But not that kind of balance that leads to eternal mediocrity.

It’s about doing what you love. It’s about literally living your dream.

I wouldn’t be serving you at all if I told you to avoid the activities you enjoy. You NEED those things.

I’m just like you. I work hard. Every time I learn to work smarter, I do and then I work harder TOO. But that’s in large part because I love my work.

The difference is I like to plan my business with my pleasure and as my pleasure.

For me, Las Vegas is great fun. I really do love to play blackjack (particularly when I'm ahead of the casino and they are paying for the hotel room), relax in a penthouse suite, see a provocative show. For me it’s all good.

And I do that at night.

In the daytime I work training or mentoring or whatever it is I’m in Las Vegas for.

If I want to play more, all I have to do is more gigs in Vegas. Not rocket science.

You need to have a fun social life, and plenty of downtime to relax and recharge. But you also need MORE than those things. You need a sense of pride and accomplishment about what you do. And what’s cool is that you can work at something you love and play at something you love too!

So, what’s stopping you from moving forward? Is it fear, doubt, laziness, or something else? Identify your inner blockage, (oh! Great book title written by a plumber or gastroenterologist!) and then take steps to blast it the heck out of your life. Stop working hard at mediocrity, and start working hard at success. Let your inner momentum carry you forward toward the life you truly want – and deserve.

Do you want to live your dreams? Really? Dreams you can fulfill in the REAL WORLD? Use the free resources on the left hand side of http://www.kevinhogan.com/ I'll see you there!

Kevin Hogan, Psy.D. is the author of 16 books including The Psychology of Persuasion, Covert Hypnosis and Irresistible Attraction

Risking Everything - By Tommy Yan

The movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape takes place in a small sleepy town of Endora with the storyline built around a poor, fatherless, dysfunctional family. While you may be familiar with Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mary Steenburgen and Juliette Lewis, the star who stole my heart was Darlene Cates. She played Momma, a former beauty queen who, because of circumstances, became a 500-pound recluse who had given up on life—except for eating, sleeping and channel surfing.

She had little purpose in life and would rather be dead than seen in public. One day, her "slow" son (DiCaprio) was put in jail for climbing the water tower for the umpteenth time. The Sheriff had had enough and made good on his promise of arrest after looking the other direction since the first incident.

Momma was worried to death about her son suffering in a cold cell. Unfamiliar with his surroundings, he might scream and sob all night or inflict self-injury. This time she knew nothing else would get her son out except a face-to-face confrontation with the law.

Of course, she did a lot of soul-searching...

This meant facing embarrassment, shame and humiliation. This meant people stopping to stare, kids pointing and laughing, townsfolk gossiping, heckling and telling fat jokes. This meant risking everything she valued in life to get her boy back.

Gilbert (Depp) drove the family to the courthouse steps. Momma got out the car and with her walking cane, made a staggered beeline to the Sheriff's office. She screamed the Sheriff's name and demanded for her son. When the sheriff made an excuse about police procedure she screamed even louder, "My son! Give me my son!"

The office staff was quite invisible at this moment. Their codes, policies and procedures didn't prepare them for matters of the heart. They cowered beneath the undying love of an angry mother.

Momma wouldn't take no for an answer. This caught everyone, including her family, by surprise. With the guts and determination Momma showed, the sheriff had no choice but to give her what she wanted. There wasn't a braver soul in Endora.

Momma risked everything to get her son back. There was no other alternative. There was no other choice. She had to conquer her inner demons.

Have you ever taken any risks?

I don't mean gambling your paycheck away at poker, driving 85 miles-per-hour on a 65 miles-per-hour highway, or eating fast food every day. I'm talking about serenading your sweetheart when you can't hit a note, going up against your boss and his gang of "Yes Men" in a company meeting, or jumping out of an airplane for the first time in your life. You know, the stuff that really matters. The stuff that causes you to stretch and makes something of you.

Imagine you had to do something you're uncomfortable at, or perhaps it was your first time...

For me that would be swimming. I've been in the pool a few times during high school and even took some lessons, but don't ask me to rescue your drowning cat. The closest you would ever find me to a pool is when I'm in the Jacuzzi.

But couldn't I become an adequate swimmer if I had enough practice? What if I hired a swim coach? Couldn't I get comfortable in the water then?

Definitely. With enough practice anyone can get good at anything within reason. It centers on possibilities and your beliefs in what you can or cannot do.

If I were to take swimming lessons at the YMCA, I'd look rather silly because I'd be surrounded by children who'd probably laugh at me. But wouldn't the shame and humiliation be worth it if I saved someone from drowning some day?

Tommy Yan helps business owners and entrepreneurs make more money through direct response marketing. He publishes Tommy's Tease weekly e-zine to inspire people to succeed in business and personal growth. Get your free subscription today at www.TommyYan.com.

The Art of Changing Your Mind Before You Change Your Life - By David Bohl

In a recent issue of my newsletter, Lifestyle and Workstyle REFLECTIONS, I touched upon the concept of a strategic lifestyle plan. Much like the strategy an entrepreneur might use to develop a sound business model, the strategic lifestyle plan serves as a tool to manage one's life more effectively. The key, of course, being that the lifestyle one carves out for oneself is harmoniously aligned with one's values, goals and priorities.

As I mention in my article, a necessary step to making real, actionable change in one's life is to select alternate options and develop sound strategies for getting things accomplished. Instead of doing things "the way we've always done them," we must learn to shift our perspective and examine every aspect of our existence with a fresh eye and an unbiased mindset. Basically, this means learning how to change your mind, or your attitude, so that you can then change your actions, and ultimately, your life.

One of the most difficult aspects of obtaining that new lease on life we've been searching for, is, in fact, making the mental adjustment leading up to actual change, to the extent that there is a noticeable difference in the way we are thinking and behaving. At first, we might sit down and attempt to rewrite all the rules as we know them. However, in doing so we quickly realize that this is easier in theory than it is in practice. Most people establish set behavior patterns over time. In the same way that the development of such habits was a gradual process, the "undoing" and replacing of said learned behaviors with new ones, will also tend to occur slowly over an extended period of time.

Some tips for success:

1. Lower your expectations. Believe it or not, when we aim too high we lower our chances for achieving the results we desire. It's important to think big, but don't stop at the dream. Practice the art of trimming and shaping your ideals into a feasible plan that works in the real world. Divide that plan into small, attainable goals that are grounded in practicality. Find ways to reward yourself for the progress you make over time.

2. Go with the flow. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your new and improved workstyle and lifestyle. If you're unhappy, set some improvement balls in motion. If some things don't go as planned, keep moving despite setbacks. Modify your plan according to what's going on around you. Know that in remaining flexible, you're more able to roll with the punches and come out on top.

3. Assess what isn't working. Sure, you may be used to doing things in a certain way. But indeed, that "way" might be heading in the direction of obsolete due to changing times and needs. Instead of operating on autopilot, approach your situation with a critical, objective eye. Ask yourself: what's the problem here? What actions am I taking to try and remedy it? Are those actions working? If not, why, and what are my alternatives? What's the next step in my plan for improvement?

4. Live in the now. Most people have a habit of letting past circumstances color their actions. For example, if you recall that your coworkers reacted unfavorably to your suggestions in the past, you might feel less inclined to approach them in the future. Or, if you expect your husband or wife to respond to you in a certain way, you might try to "beat them to the punch" by being predictive about their behavior. This is a very limiting mindset that accomplishes nothing. Instead of dwelling in "what happened last time," approach each situation fresh and see where your efforts take you.

If this were a business plan we might call this an exercise in "thinking out of the box." Because it's a holistic view of our actual everyday life as we live it, let's call it "embracing a more expansive consciousness." In doing something as simple as opening our minds, we are suddenly able to find new ways of solving old problems, and can develop new habits and attitudes that bring us closer to fulfillment in our everyday lives.

Copyright 2007 David B. Bohl, REFLECTIONS Coaching LLC. All rights reserved.

Life coach and consultant David B. Bohl inspires corporate professionals, entrepreneurs and other individuals to define and create well-balanced, fulfilled lives. For insights into the work-life balance, sign up for Lifestyle and Workstyle Reflections, the monthly newsletter from REFLECTIONS Coaching, LLC or visit "http://www.ReflectionsCoachingLLC.com" target="_blank">REFLECTIONS Coaching LLC> to learn more.

Are You A Procrastinator? Find Out Now... - By Melissa Glenney

Is procrastination preventing you from being the successful person that you should be? If you are the type of person that takes action and creates time to handle your responsibilities, then procrastination should not be an issue. Newsflash: Tomorrow Never Comes, Does It?

Procrastination habits like this can have extremely negative consequences on both your life and the lives of others around you. Most of us who have a problem with putting things off never stop to realize that this is a serious negative habit pattern that can impact our family and friends who depend on us.

This alone is a good enough reason to enter into a program that will help break the habit of procrastination. What more motivation do you need in order to handle your responsibilities on time? Doesn't your family deserve to live a life of abundance?

Take Stock of Yourself Now…

Is procrastination preventing you from being the successful person that you should be? Is the statement "I'll get it done tomorrow" becoming your daily mantra? Although it seems harmless to put off activities until you feel like doing them, the problem is that they all add up and before you know it, procrastination becomes “hardwired” as a long-term mindset

If you are the type of person that takes action and creates time to handle your responsibilities, then procrastination should not be an issue. However, for most people who become stressed and seem to never be able to catch up, they are the ones that never really "get back to it" when the time comes. You will find another reason to put the job off and once again that same old habit of "I'll get it done tomorrow" kicks in.

Newsflash: Tomorrow Never Comes, Does It?

As soon as you recall the thing that you decided to put off, what happens next? You guessed it - you decide that it can still wait for a better time. Procrastination habits like this can have extremely negative consequences on both your life and the lives of others around you. Most of us who have a problem with putting things off never stop to realize that this is a serious negative habit pattern that can impact our family and friends who depend on us.

What is worse is that procrastination is one of the most highly noted character flaws that prevent individuals from increasing their income and providing abundance for themselves and their loved ones. This alone is a good enough reason to enter into a program that will help break the habit of procrastination. What more motivation do you need in order to handle your responsibilities on time? Don't you deserve to move ahead in life? Doesn't your family deserve to live a life of abundance?

It's Tough To Admit...

I realize that some of you are reading this article and answering these questions to yourself are getting that "light bulb" moment. In other words, unless you truly look at yourself and are totally honest about the problem you have with procrastination, it is extremely easy to overlook the issue and never consider for once just how much further ahead in life you would be if you paid closer attention to your habits. Sometimes all it takes is one simple little article like this one that opens your eyes to an entire possibility you never knew existed.

Let us further give you some more questions to think about in order to help you realize that you are shortchanging yourself from living the life you should be due to procrastination. Below are a few more questions that should give you enough reason to start changing your bad habits and start taking responsibility today:

1. How many times did you put off a project at work that could've gotten you a raise in pay, more admiration from your colleagues, or the opportunity to move up the ladder of success?

2. When you look at yourself in the mirror and are unhappy with your physical shape and health, what daily habits could you have started months, or even years ago, that would have drastically improved your well-being? Why not start today?

3. Take stock of your atmosphere. How does it make you feel? Is your house cluttered because you keep putting off organization tasks? Is the inside of your car a mess? If these things do not seem important to you, I dare you to spend just one day cleaning and fixing everything up in your atmosphere. You'll be surprised by how much energy and motivation a neat and organized surrounding can give you.

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About the author:

Melissa Glenney is a stay at home mom with three children and several online businesses.
Get a free 5 day course on Overcoming Procrastination. Send a blank email to:
stopprocrastination@getresponse.com or visit
http://www.StopProcrastinatingToday.com/freecourse.html

What Is Your Greatest Purpose? - By Maria Moratto

In the film "Chariots of Fire" the British Olympic Committee Chairman is speaking to the whole group of athletes on their way to the Olympic Games in France. He asks the question: "What is Your Greatest Purpose and How Can You Attain It?" This is a question we should all ask ourselves.

What happens to most people is that they go through life without a plan. One day follows the next and they keep doing the same things over and over, having only a foggy idea on how to go about pursuing their desires and following their dreams. It happens to everyone, including you.

Suddenly, when you are quite grown up, especially during one of your birthdays, you have an epiphany and the question you ask yourself is: "What on earth I am doing here?" Or perhaps you ask: "What happened to me? Or worse, you realize that life has passed you by and that it may be too late to following your rainbow.

You sit, many times quietly, many times in despair and disbelief thinking that you have wasted so many years when you could have done so much for yourself and for the ones around you. "Where did my life go?" you ask. Now, before you feel even more overwhelmed, not knowing who you really are and trying to rediscover your true self, know that it is never too late to start anew. You have heard the saying: "No matter how far along on the road you are, if you realize it is the wrong road, make a u-turn."

The desire to really know yourself and re-start life can be fulfilled if you take the time to study yourself and find your hidden treasures. From there, you can reinvent yourself and change your world. It is easier than you think. Many people have done it before you and many will follow your footsteps. You only need commitment.

So, where do you start?

First, take some time off and calm yourself. Recognize you are at a crossroads. Meditate. Then, forgive yourself. The Ho'oponopono prayer is a good beginning. It goes like this: (your name)/I am sorry/Please, forgive me/I love you/Thank you. Repeat it like a mantra.

Now, take inspired action and re-discover yourself. What are the first steps in the path of self-discovery? You must know who you truly are before knowing how you can best serve Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.

This is a short list of what you can do to get to know yourself:

1. Learn about your Multiple Intelligences

2. Learn about your Communication (Learning) Style.

3. Do a personalized astral map.

4. Learn about and prioritize your values.

5. Make a plan of what you would like to do, be or have.

6. Follow your inspiration.

How do you all that? You can begin by reading my many articles and e-books or do a search and find material online. There is a ton of information to get you in the right direction.

May you find yourself. And then, your greatness.

Dr. Maria Moratto, a personal development and self-growth author and speaker invites you to visit Prescription For Bliss at http://rx4bliss.com. Join Harmony, a personal development newsletter and receive a free and inspiring e-book and a set of gratitude e-cards. Contact Dr. Maria to schedule a talk for your events and TV, Radio, and media programs.
You may reprint this article in its entirety as long as you add this resource box.
© Dr. Maria Moratto 2007

What Do You Say When You Talk To Yourself? - By Devon D. Harris

Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing wrong in talking out loud to yourself; even in public. It’s when you begin to respond that you should have cause for concern. In fact, every minute of the day we engage in a continuous internal conversation or “self talk,” which is ultimately reflected in our moods, attitudes, actions and habits. By monitoring and exerting control over this inner dialog we can begin to effectively control every other part of our lives. Facing and overcoming daily difficulties and recovering from setbacks are knitted into the fabric of human experiences. Likewise, goal striving and stretching beyond our perceived limitations is also part of what it is to be a human being. To a large extent, much of our ability to succeed comes from our outlook on life. Success in business, building strong personal relationships, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle all stem from having a sunny disposition.
As I‘ve heard it often said, “no one wants to be around a doggone, disillusioned crybaby.” It all comes down to how you talk to yourself on a daily basis.

Tune in to your self talk

I am sure you’ve heard it said before, “it’s not what happens to you but how you react to it.” The way you react to any situation is a direct result of how you explain it to yourself. We must learn to listen to the things we are saying to ourselves and change the languages from negative to positive. Whenever I find myself sinking into a low mood I immediately begin to ask myself, "What was I saying to myself right before I started feeling this way?" I then change my self talk. It may sound trivial to you, but another tactic I use is to eliminate certain words from my vocabulary. For example, I chose not to use the word “problem.” A problem is something that is perplexing and burdensome. I prefer the word “challenge.” A challenge, on the other hand, is a test. It arouses and stimulates, you rise to meet it and it makes you stronger. Given the same situation, the two words will elicit totally different emotional responses.

Your thoughts build self esteem

Self esteem and confidence are the foundation for competency and high achievement. It is impossible to develop any skills without first thinking highly of yourself and your ability to acquire those skills. Start your day in front of the mirror repeating affirmations such as, “I can do it,” “I like myself” or “I am the best.” These affirmations will build your levels of self esteem and self confidence. At first you may feel strange saying them. This is because, over the years, your mind has been programmed to believe otherwise. You may not even be the best right now and could construe this as lying to yourself. I prefer to look at it as telling the truth in advance. Additionally, since we were all designed for success, any self talk that causes us to be anything less than our potential is an even bigger lie. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time. Constantly repeating these affirmations will eventually replace the negative programming buried in your subconscious.

Your thoughts manifest your goals

Buddha reminds us that “What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.”
Consequently, we need to keep our thoughts on our future and our goals. We should be constantly thinking about the person we want to be. By focusing on our goals, we will be guided to actions that lead to their attainment. Even when things go wrong our attitude will not be one of resignation but instead, one of understanding that the path to success is paved with peaks and valleys. Difficulties will be seen as opportunities to get stronger. The more you keep your thoughts on your goals, the more likely they are to be realized. As Henry David Thoreau says, “Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be.”

High achieving individuals are generally more positive, optimistic and resilient. They exert control over the small voice in their mind and as a result attract the goals and dreams they have for themselves. You too will be just like them as soon as you start making note of what you say when you talk to yourself.

Keep on Pushing!

Devon Harris is a member of the original Jamaican Bobsled Team and three time Winter Olympian. He is currently a Motivational Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and Author of the children’s book, Yes, I Can!.
To hire Devon to speak at your next event or to purchase a copy of his book, visit his website at http://www.devonharrislive.com

Who's Driving Your Bus? - By Phil Evans

Who's Driving Your Bus?If we think about our own lives as being a journey on a bus, surrounded by a great variety of people, all with particular positions on our bus that relate to where they fit into our lives. Some are right there next to us; some behind us; some in front of us... but all are important in playing some role in how we are "positioned" in their lives, and they in ours.

As I write this I am reminded of the movie 'Speed' with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves - where they were all on a bus being controlled by a maniac demanding a ransom. The truth is that all too often our lives can be like that; out of control, with someone else doing the driving. A fearful situation? Of course it is!

The brutal truth is that so many people are living-out that nightmare bus-ride right now! Out of control - and don't know what they can do about it.

OK, now you've got the scene in your mind. In order to get some perspective on our own lives, we need to move to the back seat of the bus for a while, and become the observer of what is really going on.

We need to observe who the most significant people are, and how they are positioned in our lives.

Are they standing over us because they feel superior? Are they moving forward in their own lives and leaving us behind? Are they falling behind us because we've chosen to move forward?

So now we are faced with an important question, 'Who's driving your bus?'

Is it someone from your past who has dominated you and what you do, even though they may not still be present in your life now? Are they taking you where you want to go? Do you feel like you would like to the bus to stop and let you off? Now here comes the challenge...

From this rear seat of observation, we need to start to move closer to the driver's seat. It doesn't matter how long this takes, and it doesn't matter how much we are challenged by the people who may be trying to block our progress forward. We have to do this for ourselves... starting right now!

Our goal is to be in the driver's seat of our own lives!

It is inevitable that we are going to be challenged, and that's when we need courage!

Yes - we will all take different lengths of time to move forward... that's when we need persistence, and patience with ourselves!

Most certainly we will feel daunted at times by this process... that's when we need to have determination!

We are going to have to ask people to vacate their seats (which can possibly be their dominant positions in our lives) so that we can move forward towards that front seat we wish to occupy. We are going to have to sit in the middle of the bus at times while we learn to muster more courage and determination to move forward again. This is all part of the process, so stick with it because this is all for YOU!

During this process of moving forward we must remain conscious of where the bus is now, and think about where we really want to take it once we're up front, and in control.

One very important point! At no stage in this process do we tread on someone if they get in our way (as we move forward), simply step around them and move on.

OK - you've made it! You have asked the driver to step aside and let you have your turn, and now you're in the seat. It's all up to you now!

If you're not too sure of what to do and how to do it, just stop and park for a while. It doesn't matter what you do and how long it takes, because this is your game now - so play it your way!

Get crystal clear on where you choose to take your bus now, and very clear on who you wish to accompany you on this new journey. The rest is a process of trusting your own judgment and decisions.

Good luck... and always remember - 'What other people do or say is their stuff; how we react is our stuff.'

Written by Phil Evans © www.peoplestuff.com.au
People Stuff - August 20, 2005

Why The Heck Bother With Decluttering Your Home? - By Lou Smith

Has a self-enforced captivity within your own home finally made you urgently open your eyes to the obstacle heaps hogging the living space you pay for?
So, you’ve finally noticed it. Brrr. If you feel a resistance to do something about it, and most clutter folks do, read on.

If you’re reading this line, then it at least means that you want to grab a hold of your life before the clutter rams it out the window.

You may say …”Yes, yes, but why bother?” … “What’s the bloody point?” After all, it all turns into a scrambled mess later on anyway.

The breaking point to do something about it is different for everyone.

It doesn’t matter what the point is. What matters is there is a reason in your life propelling you to make room for a fresh new space filled with flowing positive energy.

Some folks need to be shocked out of their boredom by a firestorm of mishaps around their own clutter (including health problems). Others get to it through pure willpower. And then, some “clutter bugs” get suddenly fired up by a vigorous craving to clean up their home because a burning need to change their lives just arrived.

And the easiest way of changing one’s life is by changing the surroundings. Doing it little by little, through a brand spanking new and wickedly effective purge of “decluttering” produces results fast.

Whatever works in getting you there is the right way to progress. But for the folks who wait forever until the mood hits, they better be careful.

They’ve become clutter bugs for a damn good reason. Often, it’s emotionally rooted and may run deep.
If you haven’t felt the urge to declutter in a long while, it may mean that you’re getting immune to it. So, if you are immune to it nothing can happen, right?

Oops. This is dangerous. Liking a clutter bug’s lifestyle can lead a person into deeper emotional waters without ever realizing it. Could one day be too late to change? Maybe.

Are you going to wait and see which way the “maybe” scales tip?

It’s perfectly fine to ask your good friends for help if you need it. Your friends may have been hinting why you need to de-junk for a while anyway :).

What are some of the gripping reasons for “clutter bugs” to decide to jump ship into orderly living surroundings while reclaiming their living space and life?

Take a look at the lean and mean What-A-Mess List that often pushes decluttering to be a white-hot priority:

• Emotional exhaustion from dealing with clutter for years

• Inability to have company over and socialize in your own home

• Inability to sleep in an overstuffed and grungy bedroom

• Clutter as physical warning signs of unfinished chapters in life still holding one hostage (living in the past, perhaps with a broken heart)

• Reclaiming the space around to make room for that special mate, circumstances, or opening of new doors of opportunities

• Desperate need to streamline usually “ignored” business paperwork that piles up together with ineffectiveness and profit loss

• Clutter starts to affect the harmony of a relationship or entire family life

• Bad shape of affairs when looking around your home for confidential documents increasingly wreaks havoc into one’s life

• The utility company cuts off gas and lights because the bills were unpaid for months despite warning mail outs

What a mess to abandon, wouldn’t you say?

So, whichever your scenario may be, frankly, staying oblivious to the clutter around you may prevent you from having brand spanking new turnarounds in life on many levels.

Flirting with the idea of decluttering your home … and life … is only the beginning. Down and dirty action with your sleeves rolled up is the organizing power that will turn you into a success over the clutter trap … and then some.

Lou Smith prepared this article after organizing Discount Window Blinds, 3-Day-Blinds, and popular Faux
Wood Blinds into moneysaving categories.