Thinking Outside of the Box

How to Think Outside the Box

Create success by thinking outside the box! Here is how to  do it!

Back in the Saddle

I owe any readers I still have here an apology. I  have been gone a long time I know. I was sick for almost a year with an illness that put me on full life support and almost took my life. However, I beat it and looked forward to living life again after almost a year of constant medical care and away from my home.
I got home feeling motivated and ready to succeed. Then figuratively speaking, I fell flat on my face and stayed there mired in my own confusion and hopelessness. One thing I did wrong is allow negative people to come back into my life. Then even others who seemed to need but never give back. I fell into patterns of making sure everyone else was safe and secure first be it money, time or emotionally. I couldn’t get up because I had nothing left for myself to pick myself up.

Then it all changed. Maybe it was the going hungry while I saw those I helped had plenty yet never offered. Or maybe it was loving someone with all that I had when they only showed me love when they needed me around and ignored me the rest of the time. Maybe it was just my finally getting angry that I had so many footprints on my back from people that used me to step up but kept going.

Whatever it was I pulled myself back up to my knees, which is still where I am in many ways. The difference is though that by that simple act of forcing myself to my knees, I was able to pull myself respect back up with me and my dreams. I looked at them and decided hey, I still deserve this, and I need to take care of me and love myself the way I have done for all these others.

And you know what? So do you. It does not matter where you are in your life right now. Just take a step. Just one. I know you can. You deserve to have a life you want. Yes, you do. Don’t argue. You were not born to this world to be a doormat. Don’t listen to negative people. Better yet take a hard look at their lives. Chances are they are being negative about yours, so they don’t have to deal with their own. I believe in you. So no matter what you have one person here that sincerely believes you have strength and power to rise. My email is always open as a virtual hand to help you up. I also intend to get this blog moving again. Don’t give up. You matter.

The Driving Force: Achieving Personal Success

By: L.Starling

 

“Some succeed by what they know, some by what they do; and few by what they are.” – Ebert Hubbard 

 

   Success really isn’t that easy to define, especially when it refers to a college student’s perspective of success. Success means many different things to many different people. Between ages, culture, finances, and ethnic groups, success can be classified in numerous ways. That being said, a student’s idea of what success truly is will constantly change throughout his/her life.

   In my own life, I’ve had to fight for my education. Growing up in a strict religious atmosphere, I was taken out of school at the age of fourteen and had to work in my family’s business in a warehouse. For me, academic education had always been a struggle, so I didn’t allow myself to measure my success on acquiring degrees. My personal success was determined by the amount of effort I put into whatever I believed in and cared deeply for at the time.

   But how does one achieve one’s own measure of success? What are the common steps in order to succeed? Perhaps the first step would be to make a list of the values that we hold of great importance. Then we might get a clearer perspective on what direction we’re driving our lives.

   According to the motivational specialist, Anthony Robbins, from his 12th volume of Power Talk: Strategies for Lifelong Success, he states:

“The truth is that even in the information age, information is not enough. Action is what unites every great success. Action is what produces results. Knowledge is only potential power until it comes into the hands of someone who knows how to get himself to take effective action. In fact, the literal definition of the word ‘power’ is ‘the ability if act’”.

   According to Robbins there are seven basic triggering mechanisms that can ensure your success:

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Trait #1: Passion

Trait #2: Belief

Trait #3: Strategy

Trait #4: Clarity of Values

Trait #5: Energy

Trait #6 Bonding Power

Trait #7 Mastery of Communication

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   Many others can benefit from Robbins formula, but despite his teachings, there is another factor that must be considered. Are college students really aware of which direction they are heading? Are students paying attention to their lives and making realistic decisions in order to attain their dreams? Or is it the power of judgment from the outside world that influences a young person’s decisions? 

    In reference to the essay Indian Education, written by Sherman Alexie, Sherman had a different view of academic success. Having lived on an Indian Reservation, Sherman’s writings greatly illuminated how powerful outside influences can impact a child’s life.

   Early on, a child is learning the most basic and most complicated forms of values in life. Depending of the atmosphere they grow up in, a child’s idea of success becomes formulated and is carried on throughout their future. If personal values are not balanced, or if one value clashes with another, such as the two common beliefs “Seize the moment!” and “Don’t jump the gun!” a great conflict can disrupt that child’s logic as they become a student. According to William Zinsser in his essay College Pressures, he states that “it will be the student’s own business to break the circles on which they are trapped. They are too young to be prisoners of their parents’ dreams and their classmates’ fears. They mush be jolted into believing in themselves as unique men and women who have the power to shape their own future.”

   So, in conclusion, I believe that it is beneficial for a college student to determine who they are and what they truly desire early on in life; otherwise they could become lost inside the opinions of others without even realizing it. To be a success really depends on one’s outlook, what one admires and judges. In essence success can depend on what you know… or what you do. But most importantly success is in knowing who you are. 

L. Starling
http://www.starlingbooks.net           

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Works cited

Robbins, Anthony.  “Power Talk-: Strategies for Lifelong Success. Unlimited Power.   

Audio Book.  October 12th, 2005 

Alexie Sherman. Indian Education, written by Sherman Alexie. Patterns for College

Writing (2004) 126-133. Sept 6th, 2005. October 11th 2005.          

Zinsser William.  “College Pressures.”   Patterns for College Writing (2004) 447-55.

October 11th 2005.

Hubbard Ebert.  “Quotations” The Quotation Station. Posting date unknown. 

October10th, 2005  <http://www.4degreez.com/quotes/quotes_religion.mv>

 

About the Author

This article was wrtten by L. Starling.

http://www.starlingbooks.net

Starling Books is a website that focuses on independent writers and artists and promoting quality work of a spiritual nature. We also specialize in Artwork, Prints, Graphic Design, Web Design, High Impact Still Photography, Traditional & Graphic Novels that relate to meditative healing and Global Awareness.

(ArticlesBase SC #1420499)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - The Driving Force: Achieving Personal Success

How To Avoid Negative Energy

How To Avoid Negative Energy

Author: Lesley Mcintosh

Where does negative energy come from? Some of it is from the other people we spend time with. Don't we all know people who just suck away our energy? However, it also comes from our own thinking habits. Here are some examples of both sources of negativity and what you can do about them.

Negative Energy People

Perhaps you have a friend who needs to challenge everything you say. Some people you know may point out the negative aspects of everything. Then there are those who are just plain depressed and who seem to want the world to join them.

What can you do about these "negative energy people"? First recognize that it isn't always just that person. It is often the way you interact with that person. For example, a critical person can be a useful person if critical analysis is what you need at that moment. However, such a person may drain your energy if you waste your time defending yourself from their petty and unnecessary comments. Ignore them or ask the person to stop!

There are other ways to change the negative energy between you and another. One way is to talk about something you both have a common interest in. This can dissolve the negativity, unless it is a very depressing topic. Another simple technique is to ask negative people for some good news. Get them to tell you about anything that is going well in their lives. It's hard to maintain negative feelings when talking about something good. This one really does work most of the time.

If the above ways don't work, or if the person is just always depressing, the solution is simple, but not necessarily easy - spend less time with that person. You have to spend some time with unpleasant people, of course. They could even be people you love. However, you have no obligation to take part in their negative thinking, and you can reduce your exposure.

Negative Energy From Our Thinking

At times, don't we all produce our own share of negative energy? It comes from primarily one place - our thoughts. You may have heard the saying, "change your thinking, change your life." Don't believe it? Start to imagine all the things you need to do and all the things that could go wrong in your future, and see if you aren't feeling more stressed. The lesson here is obvious: Drop your negative thinking.

It is a simple, but not always an easy solution. Start by watching your mind. When does it indulge in negativity, and what triggers it? What can you change to trigger it less or discourage it? You don't want to ignore problems that you need to pay attention to, but how often do you do the same five minutes of thinking about a problem fifty times over? Just do what you need to do and drop it!

The flip side of negative thoughts is positive ones. This doesn't mean you need to be overly optimistic. You can change your state of mind by simply recognizing of all the good things you already have in your life. Continually thinking about the advantages you have, the good things about your character, and the wonderful things you have seen and are seeing, makes it difficult to feel very negative.

Start doing what you have to. For example, if it's difficult for you to remember to think positively, write a list of the things you are grateful for. Then put it in your pocket and pull it out and read it from time to time. Maybe you can experiment with affirmations. Start watching for things that are going right in your life and pay attention to those. Positive and negative energy come from where you aim your mind. Why not choose better places?

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1480365_24.html

4 Steps To Achieve Success In Your Life
by: Amy Twain


They say that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. There are basically 4 easy steps that you need to follow in order to achieve the much desired success in your life. Therefore, you could take the first step right now and you can see and feel how everything comes to you. You could achieve almost anything that you really aspire for in your life when you try to follow the 4 simple steps given below. 1. Simply believe that you could achieve your goals and dreams. First of all, you really have to believe it before you can even attain it.

Your own beliefs are only true to you; you could believe anything you want in your life. However, if you never truly believe in something, your thoughts will close each chance or probability which can lead and direct you to success. And that’s why first you have to believe that success could be doable and attainable. If you think you could have it and achieve it, then sure you can! On the other hand, if you think you can’t, then you can’t. It is as simple as that—it all begins with you. 2. Set a defined and specific goal. So the second step is to set your specific goal.

A more defined and clear goal helps you to be more concentrated and focused in your direction for achieving it. You really have to discover what you truly want to have and write it down. If you are not recording or writing down your goals, they would just remain dreams forever and you will not be able to accomplish them. The more defined and clear your goals are, the easier you’re going to achieve them. 3. Develop techniques and strategies on how to accomplish those goals. Do not worry if you’re using the wrong methods. You would find the right ones during your journey to success and triumph just as long as you do not easily give up and you try on constantly improving on your strategies.

I do believe that if you faithfully follow the first two steps, the strategies would come to you automatically. 4. The last and fourth step is to enforce consistent and massive action. In the end, it’s the action that would bring you the results. Nothing is going to happen without acting on it. You are the one making and building your future, definitely. So, if you are poor today, it’s because you’re not taking any active steps to create wealth before. If you’re not taking any action towards your objectives, nothing is going to happen likely in the future. Several people are trying to attain success in their lives, yet some of them are just hitting a blank wall because they end up not going anywhere and ultimately, they never achieve what they truly desire in life.

Only a small percentage of people accomplish what they want in life…and why is this so? It’s because successful individuals are following the 4-steps process above to attain whatever they want.

About The Author

The author of this article Amy Twain is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy recently published a new home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem overnight. More info about this “Quick-Action Plan for A More Confident You” is available at http://www.FabulousSelfEsteem.com.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.innerzine.com

Live the Ehappy Life!

Just a website you might enjoy!

http://www.ehappylife.com/#

Success And Habits--Are My Habits Holding Me Back From Real Success?

It is amazing how habits can play such a negative and positive role in our lives. What are your habits? Are they good habits or bad habits? Are these habits holding you back from real success? And, on the flip side, are some of your habits contributing to your success? It is so important to take a step back and evaluate your habits. Determine which ones are detrimental for success, and which ones are actually beneficial to your goals for success.

Some habits are very easy to determine, however those are usually the most difficult to change. It is critical to your journey to success to eliminate these bad habits from your life. Bad habits such as smoking, unhealthy food choices, inactivity and lack of sleep will contribute to low productivity. Low productivity leads to low self-esteem, and low self-esteem can bring on feelings of depression, which in turn leads to an unsuccessful life.

Although bad habits are hard to eliminate from your life, it is not impossible. People with good habits tend to become more successful more easily than those with bad habits. So, how can you begin to change your habits?

Tips on changing bad habits

• Try replacing a bad habit with a good one makes it much easier than eliminating a bad habit alone. Finding a constructive habit to replace that bad habit will help you feel better about yourself and help you on your road to success.

• Exercise is not only beneficial in helping you overcome your bad habits; it can help give you energy to be more productive, which will help you accomplish those goals.

• Reward your accomplishments. This is extremely important to your success of kicking those bad habits. Set small goals. Once you have accomplished this goal, reward yourself. It will give you the confidence to keep on going.

• Keep on trying, even if they are baby steps. Too many times, people will work really hard at something, such as a diet or quitting smoking, only to lapse one or two times. That one lapse tends to bring down confidence and then more and more lapses. You need to pick yourself up and just start where you left off. If you let those setbacks take over, you will not meet your goals. Or, what about trying to start a new business? Many people will procrastinate because of their fears. Keep on trying new ways. If you give up, your business will never thrive. But, if you keep trying, imagine the possibilities! Success!

Now that I have given you some tips to eliminating or changing bad habits in your life, I want to point out the fact that not all habits are bad. Many people develop great habits in their lives.

Tips on incorporating “good” habits into your life

• Get excited – If you enjoy what you are doing, you are likely to be more successful.

• Stay focused – With focus comes success. Sometimes there are steps that need to be taken that you really do not wish to deal with. However, you need to realize that achieving smaller tasks will get you to your overall goal. For example, as a person starting a new business, there may be many obstacles or tasks that need to be addressed that you do not care to handle. But, if you do not stay focused and complete these smaller tasks, your business will not achieve the desired results. Each task completed is just a stepping stone to greater achievement. Stay focused on that overall goal to become a success.

• Create a schedule and make a list. You should try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. Distractions will happen. Allow for time and have plans to handle unexpected situations. A list should be prepared every night of what you need to do the next day. This will keep your focus on what is needed to accomplish your goals, and to become a success.

• Meditate – Meditation relaxes you and allows you to connect with your powerful side. This will help you to think more clearly to create more good habits, such as eating well, exercising and leading a more positive, constructive and fulfilling life.

• Saying “yes” to opportunities will allow for new successes to come your way. You can be assured that if you can build up on your accomplishments from your new successful habits, you will achieve any goal or dream you have roadmapped for your life.

"Written by Natalie R. Manor, CEO, author, speaker and executive coach, creator of The Roadmap to Your Extraordinary Success series, The Roadmap, Natalie Manor & Associates is your ultimate resource for leadership and communication development success for managers, emerging leaders and executives to maximize your potential and increase your productivity. Success@The-Roadmap.com, (800) 666-2230, http://www.NatalieManor.com

Big Things

I dream
big dreams
for you
I see great things
I see them all
in you


Don't be afraid to reach high
You just might fly
Don't be so hard on yourself
we all have fallacies and flaws
Don't step back in time
move confidently
onward


I think that there
is more
waiting for you in
those stars
How will you know
if you don't try
How will your wings
learn to fly
if they stay by your side


I see big things
blessings coming to you
open your heart
Then you'll see them too


Connie Whiting
Copyright 2007

Don't Tell Me

Don't tell me what I can't do
I prefer
to aim for the impossibilities
in life

Don't tell me what I can't see
I believe
sight involves the heart
not just the eyes
so many stumble
walking blind

Don't tell me who I can't be
I will overcome
anything to find my path
find the reason for my
taking breaths
and occupying space
I will search until I know
where I belong in this
millions upon millions
linked human race

You can see me as you want to
you can stay where it is safe
run around your secure
little wheel
in your rat race world

I will fly
I will be
I will let life make
what it will of me
then
use each tear,each pain
to build my castle in the air
I'll live there
don't tell me it can't be
done
Impossible is not a word
I hear

Connie Whiting
Copyright 2009

Help Others Find Inner Peace

People with pessimistic attitudes go through their lives fighting their thoughts and emotions every day. If they are rejected for a job position, they feel that they are not good enough to have any job. They start to think that everyone believes they are stupid, and the cycle of pessimism traps them into psychological immobility. In fact, everyone experiences rejection at some time during their lives, but when your mind focuses on the negative aspects of a situation, it is hard to find inner peace.

The first step in finding inner peace is to think carefully about your goals. What are you trying to achieve, and what are you doing that will take you there? Can you realistically reach your goals, or are you setting goals that are far beyond your reach? Do you have any goals? By putting your priorities in order, you will be on the path to peace because only chaos can result from clutter and disorganization of the mind. You can start by setting small goals that can be easily achieved. Then, instead of focusing on failure, you can see the good job you've done in reaching your goal. If you fail to reach a goal, use this situation to learn how to do better next time. Don't wallow in your failure.

When you feel good about yourself, you will have an easier time finding peace of mind. Peace is essential for happiness. If you constantly feel sad, you are living under a great weight that brings you down to a point where you could sink into a permanent state of self-pity. Self-pity only encourages negative thinking. Remember, you are not the only person facing rejection or hurt in life. There are other people much worse off than you are. People with negative thinking miss out on inner peace because they let every little setback throw them off track. They criticize themselves for no real reason and go down a road that only leads to misery.

Sometimes, hearing the word 'no' is a good thing. If you've lost out on a job, maybe that is for the best. What if you had been awarded a job position only to find out that it was not what you really wanted, or that you couldn't do it as well as you thought? Of course, maybe you like being involved in situations that may lead you to harm. Maybe someone says 'no' to you to keep you from hurting yourself. Maybe they say 'no' because they love you.

Every life is full of rejection, so we would do well to turn our rejections into positive actions. Taking action can lead you to inner peace because activity makes you feel more positive about a situation. Positive attitudes result in peaceful states of mind. If you are feeling bad about yourself all the time, you need to break the cycle and get out of the habit of doing so. You can train your mind to think more positively. It will take work and effort, but it will lead you to inner peace, and this will be worthwhile.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the Author

To learn more about self-help and inner peace visit http://discover-self-help.com

Daily Motivation Secrets that Really Work

Everyday life can be frustrating in today's society. It is becoming more and more difficult for people to find happiness in the world we live in today. But it is important to try to stay positive and obtain daily motivation.

One reason is that it spreads onto others around us. If one person in the workplace is happy and upbeat, it is catching to others. If you are a happy positive person with daily motivation, then maybe the person sitting next to you at work will see it and it will give them, too, a lift.

Another reason to obtain daily motivation is for your peace of mind. Life does have its downfalls, however, we need to focus on the good things about our lives.

We will achieve way more success thinking positive than thinking negative thoughts. We need to try to look at things as they could be not as they are right now.

So how do we go about obtaining daily motivation? Well, there are four practical techniques.

1. Daily motivation books

There are books available for positive reading. You start out each day by reading a daily passage in the positive mode. It starts your day the right way and you can think on it all day long.

2. Daily motivational e-mails

With technology the way it is today, an e-mail a day may be the answer for your daily motivation. There are many websites out there that will send you free motivational e-mail messages.

3. Self help books

There a number of great motivational books that will help a person with daily motivation.

4. Being a good Samaritan

When life looks bleak, look at the next guy. Someone always has it worse than you. Try doing something nice for someone that is in need. It is a great way to fell motivated and positive.

Start out each day by setting goals. Whether it be a goal to get something done that you have been putting off for awhile or setting goals on how to be positive throughout the day. Goal setting is the key to self-motivation.

Positive thinking can only have a good effect on a person's attitude. If a person starts out each morning with positive goal to work on each day, it will encourage that person to be positive throughout the entire day. Daily motivation can be accomplished by something as simple as thinking positive thoughts.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.secretsofmotivation.com/

Are You Singing Your Song of Success? Five Secrets to Following Your Dreams and Achieving More Success in Your Life

Author: Ed Sykes

Recently, Susan Boyle, an unemployed forty-seven year old single woman from the small village of Blackburn, Scotland decided to compete in the television program, 201CBritain2019s Got Talent.201D She did not look like the typical 201Cstar quality201D contestant. So, when she first walked out on the stage, the audience and judges started laughing and giving her cynical looks. Then she sang. The audience and judges were instantly won over and she continued to the next round of competition. Because the program was on television and the video of her program appeared on YouTube, she won over millions of additional fans with her unique talent. Whether she wins the competition or not, she already won by living her dream. By taking the bold step of competing, Susan won over millions while creating unlimited opportunities to sing her song of success.

So I ask you the following:

Are You Singing Your Song of Success?

Are you letting your song of success go silent? The following are five secrets that will guarantee that your song of success is heard and you can also live your dreams:

1. Create Powerful Goals to Be Successful - Take the time to set clear, concise life and success goals that you can be excited about on a daily basis. Refer to your goals every day so that you can stay on course to achieve your dreams. Make your goals S-M-A-R-T-E-R: specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, time-based, encouraging, and rewarded.
2. Develop Your Positive Expectations to Be Successful - Even as the audience was laughing about what to expect, the judge asked her which singer2019s level fame she wanted to attain. Susan answered, without hesitation: Elaine Page, one of the most famous English singers of all time. This drew more laughter and skeptical looks. Then she sang and over the skeptical looks changed to awe. In Susan Boyle2019s mind, she was as good as the best singer in England. She had already developed her positive expectations to be a great singer and wouldn2019t allow anyone to deter her from her goal.
   
   What are your positive expectations for success? If someone were to ask you what career or life goals you want to achieve, would you be able to communicate it without hesitation? Develop your positive expectations so that you can move forward with your goals in the face of opposition.
3. Follow Your Passion to Be Successful - Susan2019s passion since she was twelve years old was singing. It was the one thing she loved to do. When she walked out of the stage, you could see the excitement and enthusiasm about at being given the opportunity to do what she loved showed in the way she talked, walked, and finally...sang.
   
   If there Iis there something you are passionate about? Is it a hobby? Is it a business opportunity? Is it a career opportunity? Well Let your passion for whatever you what show. Your passion will knock down barriers and create new opportunities for you. Your passion will keep you going even during the darkest times and evaluate elevate you even more during good times. Say Coleman Cox once said the following: 201CWhen enthusiasm is inspired by reason, is practical in application, reflects confidence, and spreads good cheer, raises morale, inspires associates, arouses loyalty, and laughs at adversity, it is beyond price.201D Be passionate about whatever the goals you what to achieve. Let your enthusiasm be your weapon against naysayers and cynics in life and you will achieve your goals.
4. Be True to Yourself to Be Successful - When Susan walked out on the stage and conversed with the judges, it was clear that she had a very unique personality. However, in spite of being in a high-pressure situation, in front of thousands of audience members, millions of television watchers, and the judges, she was comfortable in her own skin and true to herself. She wasn2019t going to change who she was because of this very important moment in her life. She was even more true to herself under pressure.
   
   How many times have you felt pressure to change who you are to be successful? This may occur at work, in business, or with your family. True success comes from staying who you are while achieving success. How many times have you heard stories about people who 201Csold their soul201D so that they can be successful and later become even bigger failures? Stay true to your values in the face of pressure and you will become successful.
5. Be Persistent to Be Successful - You will meet many roadblocks on your way to achieving your goals and living your dreams. You may never be given the opportunity to succeed, but be persistent. You ideas may be discredited, but be persistent. You may be laughed at for believing in your goals like Susan Boyle, but be persistent.
   
   Realize that many people do not hold the same dreams and goals that you believe in. When you are persistent, you will find the energy to pursue your goals in spite of others who are negative toward your dreams. By being persistent in achieving your goals, you will win over allies who will help you achieve your dreams.
   
   Bonus Tip: Have fun along the way to success.. Susan looked like she was having fun in the moment no matter what happened. Have fun along your journey of success and it will make your trip that much more enjoyable.

Apply the five success secrets at your business, your career, and your life in the face of all obstacles and you can live your dreams. Susan is singing her song of success; why not let your song be heard?

About the Author:

Want to learn how to sing your song of success? Go to The Sykes Group website to learn how you can be more successful in life. You will find out more at and take advantage of his special offer at "Jumpstart Your Greatness." You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site,
http://www.thesykesgrp.com , and signup for the free success newsletter, OnPoint.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Are You Singing Your Song of Success? Five Secrets to Following Your Dreams and Achieving More Success in Your Life

Ten Tips to Staying Positive in This Economy

Author: Marilyn Ellis

The media is on a roll! What fun and profit to be able to report doom and gloom and have viewers glued to their TV sets, listening to the pundits tell us how bad it all is and how worse its going to get. TV advertisers are loving it. How do you stay positive and continue to attract abundance in your life when there's a downright conspiracy to keep you focused on the negative? Here are Ten Tips to overcome and to manifest abundance, despite the so-called gloom and doom of the current market.



1. Refuse to buy in to the fear (media, newspapers, naysayers) Bad news sells. Good news is considered dull and unworthy of reporting. Have you noticed how the stock market reacts to even the slightest rumor? Thoughts are powerful! Be aware of what you are contributing to that power.



2. Be grateful for anything and everything. I know, sometimes it seems impossible and sounds like Pollyanna playing the "glad game". She was absolutely right. One suggestion is to compare your worries to that of someone else. Chances are there are a lot of other people out there who would love to trade places with you. Have you ever considered that? Can you see, hear, walk, and talk? Even with aches and pains, are you physically in pretty good shape? Do you have a home, a family? A lot of people are not so well off. When was the last time you noticed the natural world - sunshine or a snowflake, a bird or a butterfly, or a flower on the street or in your own garden? These are gifts too, you know. Be grateful about everything you can think of.



3. Be generous. Yes, people are cranky these days. They might push in front of you in line or cut you off in traffic. Some stranger might be rude to you. Consider that they, just like you, are doing the best they can. Perhaps they have a lot on their minds. Whatever, don't sweat the small stuff and just let it go. Next time you have change at the grocery store; drop it in the charity bucket at the checkout. Donate to or volunteer your time with a local charity. Donate rather than sell on eBay. Having a grateful heart and a generous spirit is the quickest way to attract abundance in your own life.



4. Get Moving! Nobody is going to bail you out, unless you are a bank or Wall Street Get creative and think outside the box. There are solutions all around you. They will appear when you relax and lighten up.



5. Keep away from the Moaners and Groaners. You know who they are. The ones that like to sit around and complain and focus on all the ills of the world. They are energy vampires. Get them out of your life. Turn off the TV News, the violent films, the violent music.



6. Get with the Movers and the Shakers - the people you know that have goals and plans to achieve those goals. If you don't know any, find some! Be very careful who you spend your precious time with. Your time is your life. Spend it wisely.



7. Build your network of helpers - aka already successful people. No one can succeed without the help of others. It is OK to ask for help. Don't be shy. Push through the fear. People actually like helping other people. You will be surprised.



8. Listen to your dreams. That's your intuition speaking. Whatever you dream can be made into reality. What is it that you have always wanted to be or do? Now is the time. Now is your chance. Take it. Have you ever heard the phrase, "If your dreams don't scare you, they are not your dreams."? Push through that fear and take the chance.



9. Keep Trying. Very few people are successful the first time they try something new. Don't stop trying until you get what you want. Going out on a limb is where all the fruit is!



10. Expect and recognize even the smallest blessings every day. As you consciously raise your awareness of the "little things" you will see more and the blessings will get bigger and bigger.



There are a lot of good things happening in the world. There are a lot of good people in this world too. Just because its not on the front page, doesn't mean that peace isn't in progress and prosperity isn't on its way back.



I'd like to leave you with my favorite quote from the poet, Goethe: "Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has power and magic and genius in it."



My grandfather gave me the best advice: "Believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear". I've tried to remember that advice and have taught it to my children as well. It's done us in good stead. It will do you in good stead too. I wish you positive thoughts and abundant blessings.

About the Author:

Marilyn Ellis,"America's Organizer Coach", Speaker, Author, Professional Organizer, Certified Life Coach

Her focus is on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs. If you are stuck on the rocks, lost in the fog or surrounded by sharks, she will shine her harbor light on you and bring you safely home. To learn more about Marilyn, her products, services and speaking topics, visit http://www.lighthouseorganizers.com or contact her at 1-866-379-6440

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/ten-tips-to-staying-positive-in-this-economy-722337.html

Get a Grip!

I am broken
I am shattered like a dream
I am lost.
I am bleeding
I am trampled like a weed

Every day starts again
like a hamster wheel
I run and run and
only spin
Don't remember how to feel

I am stumbling
I am falling
here within the dark

But it really doesn't matter
I'll just go back to start
because nothing is going to stop me
from being who I am
falling is just a chance to
get back up again

So I'll get a little dusty
there upon the ground
I'm not going to make it
a reason for a frown
I'll still grab my dreams
I'll not lose my grip
because I've got hands to
knock the dust off
and a heart that just won't quit

The power of belief is an amazing thing. While the poem below touches on a spiritual aspect any power of belief is a wonderful thing to see in action. You must believe you will be successful. Conditioning your heart and mind to believe is vital. If you don't believe in yourself who will? Are you thinking yes but you don't know ME. I'm a screw up. I have bad luck.No matter how hard I try it goes wrong. See the concept? You keep saying it and thinking you're a failure, then you are because that is what you believe.
But if you keep telling yourself you are a success your mind starts searching for ways to make that happen because you remove the defeated attitude from yourself and replace it with hope. Hope leads to action and action leads to success and it all started with belief.
Again while this poem is slanted towards a spiritual concept and the belief in God..you can apply the power of belief to any area of life and become a success. if you believe in you..so do I! :)

There is a place between the heart and soul
way back beyond those walls you've built
You might not even see it anymore
with so much sadness covering it
But just believe
that's all you have to do
When the time is right
God will bring it back to you
What could he bring you ask
after all the pain I've seen
once again just believe
go by faith
and you'll see
that there tucked in that little hiding space
in that tiny secret place
Are the dreams that refuse to die
They are hopes remaining for your life
just believe
and God will bring the good to be
maybe not in your time
and maybe you don't understand
but everything we need of worth
comes through his time and plan
He didn't give you life
just to let you cry
There's a spark inside of you
hiding with those sweet dreams too
just hold on ,through your grief
God will heal your heart
Just believe

Connie Whiting
Copyright 2007