Nothing is So Easy

"Nothing is so easy as to deceive oneself; for what we wish,
we readily believe."

*-- Demosthenes


"The need to be right all the time is the biggest bar to new
ideas. It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to
be wrong than to be always right by having no ideas at all."

*-- Edward deBono


"Goals give you more than a reason to get up in the morning;
they are an incentive to keep you going all day. Goals tend
to tap the deeper resources and draw the best out of life."

*-- Harvey Mackay

Be the Star that You Are - By Wambui Bahati

When I was a child, I developed a great love and respect for the theater. From my early adult years through the present, I have had the good fortune of performing in some extraordinarily wonderful productions all over the country. It wasn’t all a piece of cake though, as the saying goes. Life and work with the theater can be brutal on the psyche. When I used to audition regularly for shows in New York City, I found it was possible for me to be too tall, too short, too light, too dark, too skinny, too heavy, too young, too old, too pretty, and not pretty enough -- all in one morning.

Auditioning is about waiting or hoping to be chosen. I would enter a room and hope that I was what they were looking for. A role does not necessarily go to the most talented person (talent is after all, relative and depends heavily on personal opinion). It is much more than that though, casting a show is not just about finding the most brilliant performer. It involves finding a person who also fits the physical and vocal characteristics of the character, the right looks and the right voice. And besides that, there are not that many parts to go around. Therefore, no matter how many talented, gifted, awesome, or right-for-the-part people there may be, everyone is not going to get a part.

Even after we're cast and still pretty close to elated about working in a new show, we find that we are very dependent on the decisions of others. There are producers, writers, and designers – a whole creative team is involved in a show. On top of that, sometimes even the critics end up defining our roles in a given show. We can be creative within the boundaries that they set. They determine the lines we say, the songs we sing, who the other cast members are and whether or not we will be fired.

Live theatre is wonderful! Fine actors and an excellent creative team can produce magic. They take someone's story – mere words on paper and give it life, emotion, motion and excitement (hopefully). That's Theater.

Sadly, many of us live our personal lives as if they were someone else's theater production. We live our lives and limit our creativity to the boundaries set by others. Today I encourage you to be your own producer and creative team for your own personal life. We have the ability to produce and star in a magnificent, long-running, spectacular hit. That hit is our life.

Isn't it exciting? We don't have to wait to be chosen. We can cast ourselves in any role we want to play. The key is in deciding what that role might be. And it gets even better. In life, if we decide we don't like our part, we have the power to rewrite it. This is the Joy of (so-called) real-life. Yet, so many of us wait for others to dictate the role we will play. And worse yet, we feel powerless to do anything about it. We react instead of act. We must not allow any outside person or group of people to decide what part we are going to play in our own lives.

In commercial theater, there are no unimportant roles. If the role were not necessary, it would not have been written. Believe me when I say producers are not interested in paying an actor who is not a necessary part of the show. Likewise, the Universe did not create anyone or anything that is not necessary. You are necessary and every part you play is important.

In commercial theater, on nights when there is no show, the theater is referred to as being "dark." If being the star of our own show (remember, in real life every role is a starring role) gets to be too exhausting, we can exit the world stage without exiting life. It's called meditation or contemplation, and some call it prayer.

Closing our eyes and going "dark" is essential for our well-being in the real world too. Use this time to remember your objectives and to thank the Universe that you are in a hit show. Ask the Universe for guidance if there is a particular scene you are having trouble with. Sometimes it might be necessary to write yourself a role where it appears that you are a background player for a while. Just for a little while.

Listen for the cue that you need to hear, see, or feel. If you should happen to miss a cue, wait for the next one. Don’t beat yourself up over a missed cue or a late entrance. It's your show. The life critics have no power over you. They cannot shut down your show unless you give them that power. Just like in commercial theater – they are only giving their opinion. That’s what they do and it has nothing to do with you. They created that role for themselves.

Stop replaying what you believe to be the missed cues and sour notes of your life. Maybe the drama you are featuring yourself in is physically and mentally draining you. Perhaps you find that the comedy you’re playing in now is a little too frivolous for you. If this is the case, then it's time to write yourself some new songs, or at least write some new lyrics to the old melodies. Decide to learn some new tunes and perhaps even a new dance step. What kind of lighting will be appropriate?

Also, consider the script. What are you saying and doing? Are these your words? Are you thinking and feeling for yourself? Write your own script. Make an outline. Have a plan. Are your feelings and thoughts sincere? Are you considerate of others and the parts and shows that they have written for themselves? Do you respect their right to do a show that you may not agree with? If we are really excited about creating, starring, and having fun in our own show, we have no time to be concerned or to criticize someone else's show.

Surrounding yourself with the right cast members is important too. Sometimes it is hard to give your best performance if you are among cast members who are not giving 100 per cent. If you continue to play opposite players who are not playing full out, you will eventually lower your own expectations, believing this is the norm. Don’t let any player steal your thunder. Do not give less than you have in order not to make the others look bad. Fire those around you who drain your energy and are unnecessary burdens. Recast those parts with others who understand your "big picture" and have similar goals, those that you trust, and most of all those who you can laugh with.

Your show will be a hit as long as you remember that you hold and have access to all of your show's creative power. Ask yourself from time to time, is this a show that I'm proud of? If the answer is ever no, then rewrite, recast, or exit into the wings and decide what your next cue is. Remember, if you don't cast yourself in your own show, you will, by default, play a role in someone else's show. Why not be a shining star in the greatest show in the Universe - your own show- your life?

Wambui Bahati (Miss Inspiration) is a professional speaker and entertainer.

Her passion: "Reminding You of Your Magnificence."

http://www.inspiration-motivation-celebration.com
http://www.wambui-bahati.com

In Our Daily Lives

"In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that
makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy."

*-- Albert Clarke


"Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let
them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness,
insight."

*-- Helen Keller (1880-1968) American Writer


"Dreams not pursued by action are simply that, dreams with
little prospect of being attained. Action taken without a plan
or direction is simply that-- action with little prospect of
success. Tie the plan and the action together and the dreams
can become reality."

*-- Julie V. Watson

Are You An Optimist Or A Pessimist? - By Tim Connor

Is the glass half full or half empty? Will this product, policy, strategy work or fail? Can I really achieve my dreams or am I living in fantasy-land?
These and hundreds of other questions are asked every day by well meaning and hard working people.
Lionel Tiger in his great book, Optimism, the Biology of Hope, written over forty years ago discusses how optimism impacts a person’s attitudes, outlook, success and health. He suggests that people who are less optimistic about life, the present and the future tend to get sick more frequently and often die sooner.
In the book, Learned Optimism by Segleman, he discusses how each of us begins every project, activity, task, relationship, career etc. with either a YES or a NO or a YES I can and I will or NO I can’t and I won’t in their hearts.
You can’t measure optimism. You can’t bottle it, regulate it, run out of it or manufacture it but you can learn to develop it if you will only take the time and effort. Some people feel it is better to be realistic than optimistic – why set yourself up for disappointment? Tell me what is realistic? Looking back over the past 100 years. Where would we be if: Edison, Bell, Gates, Ford, Land, Disney etall. were realistic? If their attitude had been, it hasn’t been done yet so I guess it can’t be done!

There are numerous benefits to having an optimistic outlook. And just as many pitfalls in not having one. Here are a few of the benefits.
Benefits:
You will achieve more, you will have more fun. you will be happier, you will have more friends, you will enjoy life more, you will be healthier.
Pitfalls:

The pessimists of the world will laugh, smile or even gloat when your optimism seems to give you no real obvious benefits. But no one can determine the hidden payback that may not be evident to society but is a known in your own heart and mind.

If you are wondering, questioning or challenging my thinking here I’ll leave you with a thought. If I am positive and optimistic about something and I am wrong, what have I lost. If you are negative or pessimistic about something and you are right what have you gained?

In the end it really isn’t about whether we were right or wrong, negative or positive or optimistic or pessimistic. The only thing that matters is did we live a peaceful, happy and contented life with whatever views we held.

Tim Connor, CSP is an internationally renowned sales, relationship, management and leadership speaker, trainer and best selling author. Since 1981 he has given over 3500 presentations in 21 countries on a variety of sales, management and relationship topics. He is the best selling author of over 60 books including; Soft Sell, Your First Year in Sales, Peace of Mind and The Male Gift Giving Survival Guide. His latest books just released are; 81 Management Challenges and Above Ground, A Story of Life’s Gifts To You. He can be reached at tim@timconnor.com, 704-895-1230 or visit his website at http://www.timconnor.com.

Believe You Can

"Believe you can do it. Believing something can be done puts your mind to work for you and helps you find ways to do it."

*-- George Shinn {Author of “The Miracle of Motivation"}


"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it
you will end up among the stars."

*-- Les Brown


"Fortune favors the bold and brave."

*-- Goethe

All in a Name - By Lesley Moore

Do you define yourself by what others say, or by who you say you are? Are the definitions created by what you feel inside, or by what you do on the outside?

At age 37, I had mastered the act of wife, mom and teacher. On top of that, while my friends barely made it to the gym three times a week, I was pushing myself physically five or six times a week. I was a classic gym-junkie doing aerobic classes, spin classes and grunts over the weights, but the one thing I wasn’t…was a runner.

I mean, I could run, but only if it wasn’t too hot, too cold, too windy…or more than 30 minutes. And while I never stopped trying, it never really felt right and was kept on the list of things that I’m not.

My parents, though, were real runners. They were runners who ran because they could, not because the weather conditions were perfect or because they had nothing better to do. They were runners because they ran and not only did they run around the block, but often ran for hours, covering 20 miles during their training runs. The goal: 26.2 miles, to be exact.
I didn’t think much of it, until the fifth time I stood as a spectator for The New York City Marathon. There was my dad, cruising along at some speed clearly too fast for him at mile 16 (still smiling) and then my mom, some miles behind, just happy to hit the pavement slow and steady. It was that day, though, that I noticed the other runners as if for the first time. There were mothers, fathers, and friends running in packs. There were runners for a cause, and perhaps some looking for a cause, while others simply struggled to see a mile-marker somewhere in sight. There were old, young, skinny, overweight and even disabled runners, but no matter who they were, they all revealed one thing: their strength.

They had all endured 16 weeks of training, the pounding of the pavement, the silence of the streets and now shared a look of pain in their eyes as they reached mile 23. It was that look that made me wonder what gave people the strength to carry on, even when what they wanted to do was lie down. Who were they and who could I become if I could redefine myself as a runner?

And so, I began my quest to redefine myself. It was a huge challenge for me, but according to my mom, not as big as choosing just the right words for my shirt.

“The shirt will make or break your run,” she said confidently.
Questioning the truth behind her words, I stared at my shirt in awe. U Go Girl!
“YOU GO GIRL!” I said, feeling a little more hip than usual. It seemed crazy, but maybe there was something magical about those words. Perhaps I did have a real chance at becoming something I had not been before.
On race day I felt focused and strong, unafraid of bridges, big cities, strangers, failure and stomachaches. My dad and I were, Go Mercury and You Go girl and that was how we would remain for the next 26.2 miles. You go!

“Go Mercury!” a stranger yelled.
And then it came. “You Go Girl!”

At that, I turned to see a group of women yelling for me, as my blood rushed through my body. With an extra bounce in my step, I put my closed fist in the air as if to cheer myself on. This was clearly just the beginning as the crowds continued to chant our new names throughout the race, with their voices carrying me weightlessly through the air for ten miles.

After the next 13 miles, though, I was feeling quite heavy and wondered where the strength for 3 more miles would come. A dull ache began in my back and the arch of my foot seemed to be scraping on the pavement. I glanced at my husband, who had joined in for support and prayed he could read my mind.

“I’m tired,” I said weakly, in case he didn’t know.

“Twenty-three miles might do that to you,” he said with a slight laugh. “You got this,” he added with confidence. “You go girl.”

It was those three little words that transformed me in a matter of seconds, as if being handed a completely new title. I lifted my head high and began to hear the Central Park crowds roaring. The sensations from my body began to dissolve as I continued in stride, each stride lighter than the next, and each “YOU GO GIRL” giving me just the energy I needed. I looked carefully at each person that cheered for me, memorizing the smells and the sensations.

I’m going to make it, I said to myself as I saw mile 26 approach. I’m going to make it for sure.
Tears welled up in my eyes as my fist continued to acknowledge the strangers who supported my new name and then I saw the finish. ‘You Go Girl! someone yelled.

“I’m going!” I yelled back.
With the finish line in sight, my dad grabbed my hand. I could feel his strength, as well as my own as our feet crossed the line in unison and we smiled from ear to ear.

This was not just about finishing or about reaching a goal. It was about crossing the line in my own life and finding out who I could truly become. The list of possibilities now seemed endless and I couldn’t help but cry. You Go Girl!

Lesley Moore is President and Owner of LifeScope, Life and Executive Coaching. She specializes in working with individuals in transition, empowering them to create a life they love and with professionals to help them bridge the gap between expectation and performance. She is also a Personal Fitness Trainer and a Freelance Writer. Lesley graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Journalism and has studied coaching through the Mentor Coach Program, which is recognized by the International Coach Federation. For more information about Life and Executive Coaching, visit her website at http://www.LifeScopeCoach.com or e-mail her at lessmore4@comcast.net

Quality of a Persons Life

"The quality of a persons life is in direct proportion to their
commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field."

*-- Vince Lombardi


"Finding time to loaf - to think, daydream, or simply enjoy being
in the moment - is a critical part of maintaining a healthy mind
and body."

*-- Kathy Paauw


"Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance
floor."

*-- Jackson Brown

Get Ahead During The Time Others Waste - By John L. Mason

Don't be a person who says, "Ready! Aim, aim, aim, aim." As fast as each opportunity presents itself, use it! No matter how small the opportunity may be, use it! Do the thing you need to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not. "He who hesitates misses the green light, gets bumped in the rear, and loses his parking space" (Herbert Prochnow).

One of the deceptions of an unproductive life is that today is not the critical, important, decisive day. Every day comes bearing its gifts. Untie the ribbons, tear into the wrapping, open it up. Write on your heart every day that it is the best day of the year.

By the time the fool had learned to play the game, the players have dispersed, and the rules have changed. Don't find yourself striking when the iron is cold. Instead, scratch opportunity where it itches. Life is made of constant calls to action.

You never know what you can do until you try. Remember, the moment you say, "I give up," someone else is seeing the same situation and saying, "My, what a great opportunity." The fact is that no opportunity is ever lost; someone else picks up those you missed. A secret of success in life is to be ready for the opportunity when it comes. Ability is nothing apart from opportunity.

Time flies. It's up to you to be the pilot. It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time others waste. A secret of success is to do something else in the meantime. Make quick use of the moment.

It is later than you think. Be ready now. God's alarm clock has no snooze button. It doesn't do any good to "stand up and take notice" if you sit down as soon as opportunity comes by. Look at it, size it up, make a decision. You postpone your life when you can't make up your mind.

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done... Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow - perhaps it all will" (Eccl. 11:4,6 TLB).

- John Mason, from the book Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop (Want a free book? Go to www.freshword.com/resources)

John Mason is a national best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and book coach. You can visit his site at http://www.freshword.com/signup to receive this nugget and ones just like it in your email inbox every week. Very inspiring!

Enjoy Everything That Happens

"Enjoy everything that happens in your life, but never make
your happiness or success dependent on an attachment to any
person, place, or thing. "

*-- Dr. Wayne Dyer


"Anyone can be a genius, if they pick just one specific subject
and study it diligently just 15 minutes each day."

*-- Albert Einstein


"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may
learn how to do it."

*-- Pablo Picasso{1881-1973}

The Dos And Don'ts Of Being Successful - By Ed Smith

Interested in being more successful, but not sure what to do? Follow the dos and don’ts in this article and you will be on your way.

The first don’t is that you should not focus on the negative. So your first step is to forget about the don’ts and focus on the dos, thus the rest of the article will focus on things you should do to move your life ahead.

Do know what you want to accomplish. You need to know what you want in clear, quantifiable terms, before you can be successful. If you don’t know what you want you will have trouble laying out plans to accomplish your goal and won’t know when you have accomplished your goal.

Do have a written plan to accomplish your goal. The effort that goes into a plan is well worth it, as it causes you to think through all aspects of what is required to accomplish the goal. If you have a written plan, you have a grasp on the time and money required. Also you will have a feel for where you are now and what is required to move to the completed goal. You will learn if you need more training, more equipment, etc.

Do begin to act on your plan right now. Nothing kills more great plans than setting them aside until you “feel like it”, the time is right, or other excuses we give for not taking action now. I like the story about the researcher that supposedly stood on a street corner in Hollywood and asked passers by “how’s the screenplay coming?” to which 67% of the respondents said “almost done”. You be the one that said, “I am my way to a meeting with my agent on it now”.

Do make sure you do not have conflicting goals. If you want to make a million dollars, it rarely happens if you also have a goal to spend more time at the beach. Write out your goals and make sure there are no conflicts.

Do find your dream and turn it into a way to make money. Most people think that there is no way they can do what they love and make money at it. I recently read a story about a man that makes his living building sand castles. He loves the beach and loves to build things out of sand, and now makes a living traveling the country entering contests for the best sand sculpture, teaching sand sculpture classes, and other such activities. So you to can find a way to blend you leisure time activities, in with a way to make money and you will have the best of both worlds.

Do remember to enjoy the process. The latest research on happiness shows that high levels of happiness rarely last more than 2 weeks, and then we revert back to our base levels of happiness. This means that you happiness over a new job, promotion, raise, etc will be relatively short lived. So if you want sustained happiness, you must learn to find ways to enjoy the process, as opposed to the end result. As you work toward a goal, give yourself credit for the good work you are doing, and so on, and develop enjoyment in the day-to-day activities you are involved in.

Do set high standards for yourself and others in all areas of your life. Expect the best from yourself and others and everyone will rise to meet the expectations. People perform better if they know you expect their best, and that includes ourselves.

Do remember that everything counts. All of your actions, as well as inactions, either take you closer to, or away from your goals.

Do develop good habits. Start taking actions that will support you health, business, and personal life, on a regular basis, and they will turn into habits. I go to the gym 3 times a week and it has become a habit that would be harder to break than continue. Just as bad habits seem impossible to kick, good habits can become just as hard to stop and then you will make progress without it seeming like hard work.

Start to implement the “dos” covered in this article right now. Life can be short and the road to the top can be long, but if you start on the road now, you will be on the expressway to the top and success will soon be yours.

Edward W. Smith is the author of Sixty Seconds To Success, he produces and hosts the Bright Moment cable TV and internet radio show, is president of the Bright Moment Seminars, is a motivational speaker, and publishes the free, daily, email of the One Minute Motivator (quick peak performance tip). His website is http://www.brightmoment.com and his email is edsmith@brightmoment.com