Focus

Make a decision to take a step however small in alignment with your biggest goal.
I can't stress this enough "you need to think like an exocet missile"


QUOTES

"Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention." -- Greg Anderson

"Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." -- Buddha

"Our plans miscarry if they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind." -- Seneca

"Emphasise everything and you emphasise nothing." -- Herschell Gordon Lewis

I read something the other day that I just can't let go of. It's an idea that's stunning, yet so obvious, I can't believe I haven't come across it sooner...

Our thoughts are CURRENCY
Think about that for a moment.

Everything you think about you BUY.

We've all heard that what we focus on determines the results we get in life. That makes sense. If you want something badly enough, and you focus all your energy on getting it, you'll very likely achieve it. Whereas if you don't focus on getting it, you won't.

But the currency metaphor takes this idea a bit further. It suggests that we even get the things we DON'T want if we think about them long enough.

So if you constantly think, "I don't want to be poor. I hate not having any money. I don't earn enough to buy the things I want. My job sucks." -- if you SPEND most of your thoughts on the experience of being poor, that's what you get.

We all know someone who constantly complains about how unlucky they are, how nothing ever goes right for them. And when you look closely at their life, what do you notice? They're right. They DO seem to have worse luck than the average person.

How can this be true?

Well, let's look at the salesperson who's so worried about not making the sale; that's all he can focus on. In his sales presentation, do you think he's relaxed or tense? Do you think he's more concerned with solving his prospect's problem or selling his product? Do you think he'll respond empathetically or defensively to his prospect's objections?

Clearly, a tense and defensive salesperson who's aggressively pushing his product is not going to have the greatest chance of making the sale.

So, if thoughts are currency, and you buy whatever you think about, the importance of a positive mental focus becomes obvious. Imagine each week when you got your paycheque you went out and bought everything you didn't want. That's ridiculous, right? So, be as frugal with your thoughts as you are with your cash.

Here's how you do it:

1. Increase your awareness of when and how often your thoughts go negative. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "What am I focusing on right now? Is it positive or negative?"

2. If your focus is negative, replace it with its positive opposite. Instead of dwelling on the things that are missing in your life, focus on what you already have and what's possible in the future. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "What do I love about my life?"

3. Defend yourself fiercely against outside toxic negative influences. Stay away from complainers and blamers. Limit your exposure to the sensationalised and negative media. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "What's influencing my mental focus right now, and is it positive or negative?"

4. Surround yourself with positive influences (or simply notice what's already around you). Associate frequently with people who lift your spirits and inspire you. Decorate your home and workspace with pictures and colours that make you feel good. Play upbeat music that gives you energy. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "What can I do or focus on that will increase the quality of this experience?"

In his classic book "Think and Grow Rich," Napoleon Hill wrote, "you have ABSOLUTE CONTROL over but one thing, and that is your thoughts. If you fail to control your own mind, you may be sure you will control nothing else."

With a consistent positive mental focus, you will cultivate fertile ground in which success and fulfilment will take root and grow. With a negative focus, your life becomes polluted and toxic, killing off your dreams before they even have a chance

Some "jokes" I was recently sent- just feel like sharing them,so I don`t groan alone

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married.
The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A pair of jump leads walk into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll
serve you, but don't start anything."

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm
and says:"A beer please, and one for the road."

6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other:
"Does this taste funny to you?"

7. "Doctor, doctor, I can't stop singing "The Green, Green Grass
of Home."
"That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
"Is it common?"
"Well, It's Not Unusual."

8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy
says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning."
"I don't believe you," says Dolly.
"It's true, no bull!" exclaims Daisy.

9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were
nothing to look at either.

10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I
couldn't find any.

12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He
shouted, "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I
know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"

13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.

14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.

15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the
other and says "Dam!"

16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a
fire in the craft. unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you
can't have your kayak and heat it too.

17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were
standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories.
After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them
to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because", he
said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of
them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a
family in Spain;they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture
of himself to his birth mother. Up on receiving the picture, she tells
her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband
responds, "But they're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the
time which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also
ate very little which made him rather frail and, with his odd diet, he
suffered from bad breath. This made him .....(this is so bad, it's
good)................ a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by
halitosis.

20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty
Different puns to his friends with the hope that at least ten of the
puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

Changing Your Mood

In the no-mans land between your old comfort zone and achieving success you are likely to have "down in the dumps" days. To counteract these have a "Cheer me up kit" ready, this could include:-

A CD of your favorite music
An Audio CD of motivational speakers
Your Dreamboard- pictures of your goals
Your list of past Successes
A few selected Photos of friends and family
Your best memories of holidays
Your favorite restaurant, beach, hideaway

ACTION:-
Prepare these now because they must be at hand in case of a bad day

Quote:
Somebody should tell us right at the start of our lives that we are dying... Then, we might live life to the limit! Every - minute - of - every - day! DO IT, I SAY! WHATEVER IT IS YOU WANT TO DO! Do it NOW! There are only so many tomorrows... Michael Landon

A Few More Imponderables

These were sent by my friend, Jill. I love these sorts of insights, but always wonder a bit about the people who come up with them. Just how do their minds work, any way? Enjoy!

I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.

Life is sexually transmitted.

Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days people don't talk about seeing UFOs like they used to?

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

We could all take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things and drink whatever comes out?"

Why is there a light in the fridge but not in the freezer?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?

Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Daily habits determine your destiny

Robert Collier said that “success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Show me your daily habits and I can predict your level of success without knowing anything else about you. Here’s an excellent article by lifecoach Philip Humbert, on the power of daily habits:

This resounded with me- I hope you like it:

Daily Habits Determine Your Destiny

Almost everything we do is the result of our habits. We get up about the same time, go through a familiar routine of showering, brushing our teeth, and getting ready for the day. Most people take the same route to work every day, whether they drive the freeway, ride the train or take a bike. Of course, there are minor variations as we decide what to wear, make allowance for road construction or get up early for a breakfast meeting.

But the fact remains that habits simplify our lives. Imagine if you woke up with no idea where the bathroom or closet might be, what your schedule was, or what responsibilities you faced. Life would be stressful beyond belief! Fortunately, we have “ordinary routines” that help us navigate our way to our first cup of coffee, and guide our activities through the day. Most of the time, our habits serve us well.

And here’s a vital point: Habits start out as very simple choices.

There’s an old diddy that goes something like this: Sow a thought, and reap an action. Sow action, and reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character and reap a destiny. Think about the power of that sequence! To a remarkable degree our ultimate success or failure in life is the long-term result of simple thoughts and ordinary, routine habits.

So, why not intentionally choose daily habits or “disciplines” that will take you where you want to go in life? Here are a few examples.

Many people get in the habit of listening to sports or talk radio while they commute and, of course there’s nothing wrong with that. But other people get in the habit of listening to motivational, inspirational or educational CD’s, and over time, they benefit from that daily habit.

Or how about people who routinely grab a hamburger and fries for lunch, while others habitually reach for a salad? Some people habitually come home and turn on the TV, while others come home and go for a run, mow the lawn or do homework with the kids. Any of those choices are “easy” but some lead to better long-term outcomes than others. Some people have the habit of spending, while others choose the habit of saving and investing. Either option is easy and fun, but they have very different long-term results.

As a coach, I encourage my clients to make a handful of fundamental decisions about the habits they want in their lives. I encourage them to be clear, specific and committed to each of them.

One habit Mary and I have had for twenty years is that the first three words we utter every morning and the last three we say at night are the same: “I love you.” Many of my clients have developed the habit of reading something positive every single day, even if it’s only a few pages. Over time, it becomes a part of who they are and how they live their lives.

For years I’ve had a “Daily 7″ that I pursue and the “code” may not mean much to you, but the list has powerful meaning for me. My Daily 7 are: “Read, Write, Walk, Work, Nest, Network, and Fun.” Each word stands for a pattern or habit that I want in my life. Some days, they get more focus or effort than others, but over the years those seven “code words” have helped me stay healthy, enriched my marriage, made me money and expanded my community. My “Daily 7″ are habits that help me create the life I’ve chosen for myself.

I encourage you to choose a few simple, positive habits that will enhance your life. Reduce them to simple actions you WILL take every day. If they are complicated, you may not stay committed to them, so use the KISS formula and “Keep It Simple and Straight-forward.” It’s easier to develop the habit of “exercising for 15 minutes” than to “get fit.”

For better or worse, life is made up of our small daily habits. High achievers have habits that reflect their values and aspirations in life. Unfortunately, most people have habits that keep them comfortable but do not achieve the things they want in life. Over time, work to remove habits that overtly hold you back, but it’s even more important to add positive daily habits that reflect your highest and best qualities.

For more Resources for Success, go to www.philiphumbert.com .

Life Enhancers

10 Things To Enhance My Life Each Day

1) Visualise my 5 most Important goals- create the life I want to lead first in my mind.

2) Take action towards each one of the goals, even if it is the tiniest of steps.

3) Exercise my body and my dietry discipline.

4) Meditate-Take some quiet time-10 minutes is good-20even better

5) Read something inspirational,educating or entertaining.If it's all 3 so much the better.

6) Have fun, laugh as much as possible, exerience joy.

7) Write- anything,an article, diary or journal entry.Get the thoughts on paper-clears the mind.

8) Show some form of kindness, to a stranger is ok, but even more important to someone special.

9) Show gratitude. Tell my wife how much I love her, how much joyand love she brings to me.

10) Complete something.

Don't count the days- make the days count

Life Lessons

Over the years, there have been lots of collections of wisdom passed around. These resonated with me, I hope you enjoy them!

Remember: A friend will come bail you out of jail....
But a true friend will be sitting next to you saying ... WE sure messed up!

I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned...That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned...That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned...That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned....That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned...That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned...That I wish I could have told those I cared about that I love them one more time before they passed away.

I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned....That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth happen while you're climbing it.

I've learned....That the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

Hello To All- (Random Thoughts)

Hello, I'm using this blog as a tool to release all the thoughts that are running around my head. It may or may not make sense but it will be somewhere I can openly empty my mind.(At least at the moment there are no voices in my head- but give it time!!)
I was very interested in a comment in this weeks news about depression rates increasing. It seems that as a nation we are all chasing the impossible.Debt is at an all time high,divorce is at record levels,as a population we all seem to be binge drinking, drug taking,anything to escape from this life of "quiet desperation", that is if you beleive what you read in the tabloids.
Unfortunately as a friend of mine who is involved in the press once said "if it bleeds it leads", confirming that negativity is preferable to the people who run the press. It seems every day,there is some new appaling crime commited by "hoodie thugs", some new scare about the food we eat, or the air that we breathe or whatever.
Very rarely in the press do you find stories about the good things teenagers do, helping out on reclamation schemes, helping to build adventure playgrounds for younger children to enjoy, or helping older members of their community in some way. It's not just teenagers who get a bad press, there's always some killer or criminal on the front pages,and the stories that inspire or move you are always tucked away and are probably only a few lines.

It makes me wonder sometimes how all this negativity is affecting people. I have a family situation at the moment that is a classic example. My wife and I (apologies to the Queen!!),have been married for 20 years, so as you can imagine we've had some ups and downs.things like redundancy,deaths in the family, excessive debt.Through all of this we kept our eye on the main thing- we were stronger together than apart, we helped each other, got strength and comfort from one another and focused on getting through one day at a time.Now the fact is that I am extremely fortunate in my choice of wife-(she is one in 50million who can put up with me )

Now my brother and sister in law are another thing entirely. On the outside you would think they had it made.Lovely home, nice kid, jobs that they love and every material thing you could want.However one of them has decided that the grass is greener on the otherside and has left the matrimonial home and moved in with their parents, leaving the other devastated and on anti-depressants. (I'm being deliberately vague here because I'm not taking sides and I want to respect their privacy) The person who moved out is being very vague and is just saying that they are not sure if it (the marriage) is what they want any more.The one left behind is totally shocked with this bolt out of the blue and is left wondering where it all went wrong. We're told no-one else is involved but as you can imagine every situation and event is now under scrutiny and two adults and a child are left to pickup the pieces.
I know this is a long rant or wittering, but as I said at the start Iam using this to empty my mind of all the junk that accumulates in there.The discipline of not using profane language is also good for me , and is helping me to put things in perspective
I want to finish on a positive note so I'm going to tell you some of the things I do to keep my attitude positive.
Wake early and watch the sunrise-(great at weekends)
Spend at least 30 minutes reading a good positive book
Exercise-calisthenics mainly as they put you in touch with your body
Yoga
Deep Breathing
Goal Setting
Positive Affirmations
Watching a good comedy or film on dvd-Anything with Ronnie Barker usually works for me
A gratitude list - 10 things every day that you feel thankfull for-after a few days you will find this is so easy as you will have more to be grateful for
A cuddle with my lovely missus
Anyway got to go now- She Who Must Be Obeyed needs picking up from the shops
Watch this space