I heard an interesting analogy this weekend about fishing through the refrigerator to find something (anything) to eat or to choose from a beautifully carefully prepared buffet of great smelling and attractive looking dishes on a table of color and candles.
This world is like the buffet of tempting things from foods, movies, music, books, clothes and more. And, so many times our home is the refrigerator of choices and often the lack of tempting choices. As parents we can offer something much more desirable for our children but for whatever reason (you fill in the blank: lack of time, no money, not being creative) we tell our children to fend for themselves in the "refrigerator". Is it any wonder they want fun, colorfully wrapped, inviting fast food? Fun, enticing, alluring movies and movie stars are calling to them too.
My challenge is to knock off the excuses and start providing an environment that my children would rather spend their time. Ya, it is gonna take time, maybe some money and probably some creativity, but the reward is going to be worth it. I already put myself out there for my kids this weekend and they spent hours afterwards on a Sunday afternoon inspired to "do school", ie: journaling, writing, drawing, asking questions and planning.
For more information go to www.courageousbeings.com
Find out what a buffet of inspiration looks like.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
2 Rules to Achieving Success
I am inching closer to earning my Real Estate Broker’s license with the completion of my latest class. I can’t believe its really happening. I’m not a genius and I thought the goal was too big, but I figured that if average people can do it then so can I! Nothing is impossible. I believe you can achieve anything. If you find out what you need to reach your dreams then all it takes is action on your part. Do you need more education, training, a prosthetic leg, positive role models? You can achieve anything and if you say “I could never do that”, then you can’t. Maybe you should ask yourself “Why can’t I do ______?” It probably comes down to lack of time (which is very curable), lack of knowledge (also extremely curable), lack of money (again, curable), or lack of belief (which maybe the hardest to cure – but not impossible). The Bible says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13
Nothing is impossible. Just because you have an impossible goal doesn’t mean it won’t come to pass. You just have to work. Rule #1: Roll up your sleeves and work. Your dream won’t be handed to you. Think of your goal as a race. The finish line is ahead, but you have never trained before. Will you make it? It is doubtful and you feel it. You waiver and then you don’t even begin. That is why you prepare. Learn what others have done, read, watch and practice what you have learned. Will you fail? Of course! Do babies fall when they start to walk? Of course. Do kids fall off their bikes while learning to ride? Of course. Do professional baseball hitters ever strike out? Of course. So why are you so special to think your first attempts will 100% successful? Life doesn’t happen that way, so get over it!
Do babies give up? Do kids quit riding? To ball players refuse their turn at bat? Not likely. Then Rule #2: Don’t give up. The goal never gets any closer when you give up. Continue your training. Prepare yourself and give yourself time. Christ started his ministry at 30, Isaac married Rebekah at 40, Moses led his people at 80, Abraham had Isaac at 100 years old! Time shouldn’t be a factor. This race isn’t about completing it the fastest – it’s about completing it with success. Everyday you wake up is another opportunity for you to prepare; another chance for you to grow and learn. Keep your goals ahead of you, put in the work, and don’t give up!
Nothing is impossible. Just because you have an impossible goal doesn’t mean it won’t come to pass. You just have to work. Rule #1: Roll up your sleeves and work. Your dream won’t be handed to you. Think of your goal as a race. The finish line is ahead, but you have never trained before. Will you make it? It is doubtful and you feel it. You waiver and then you don’t even begin. That is why you prepare. Learn what others have done, read, watch and practice what you have learned. Will you fail? Of course! Do babies fall when they start to walk? Of course. Do kids fall off their bikes while learning to ride? Of course. Do professional baseball hitters ever strike out? Of course. So why are you so special to think your first attempts will 100% successful? Life doesn’t happen that way, so get over it!
Do babies give up? Do kids quit riding? To ball players refuse their turn at bat? Not likely. Then Rule #2: Don’t give up. The goal never gets any closer when you give up. Continue your training. Prepare yourself and give yourself time. Christ started his ministry at 30, Isaac married Rebekah at 40, Moses led his people at 80, Abraham had Isaac at 100 years old! Time shouldn’t be a factor. This race isn’t about completing it the fastest – it’s about completing it with success. Everyday you wake up is another opportunity for you to prepare; another chance for you to grow and learn. Keep your goals ahead of you, put in the work, and don’t give up!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Doing Hard Things
I have been making a lot of changes in my life. I am changing my homeschooling style; I am changing my eating and exercise habits; I am working on real estate classes to earn my broker’s license; and I am newly involved with a direct sales company.
Taking on a new challenge is exciting and I know the benefits of being successful. Being successful is my goal. Becoming a better person, becoming healthier, becoming smarter and wealthier are all on my list of things to accomplish. You may have one or all on your list of things to do or be also. How can I be successful? Will it happen soon? The changes I want all require something of myself that I don’t have – yet.
This weekend I heard an interesting discussion. It centered on why people are not successful in reaching their goals. Some may say this didn’t work for me, or that was too hard, or the other thing was all wrong. But the final analysis focused on their perseverance. Did you actually fail? Or did you quit?
It struck me that many times in life we quit just short of making that new habit stick. We quit too soon. We quit when it gets hard. We quit before we exhaust all our options. Successful people don’t quit. They try new things, they focus on their goal, they realize their dream is worth fighting for. Successful people find a mentor, educate themselves, and read motivational books. They join like minded people and support groups. They look for solutions and not reasons to quit. I get discouraged and ask myself how long will success take? That answer depends on me. How can I make my goal? Do I need a new skill, new habit, new attitude, new solutions? A resounding Yes to all of those questions! Is it going to be hard? Will it hurt? Will it cost me something? Yes! Yes! Yes!
It is now March and a fourth of the year is gone. Any New Year’s resolutions you had are probably being challenged. It is probably becoming hard to continue. Success depends on you. Are you quitting too soon?
Taking on a new challenge is exciting and I know the benefits of being successful. Being successful is my goal. Becoming a better person, becoming healthier, becoming smarter and wealthier are all on my list of things to accomplish. You may have one or all on your list of things to do or be also. How can I be successful? Will it happen soon? The changes I want all require something of myself that I don’t have – yet.
This weekend I heard an interesting discussion. It centered on why people are not successful in reaching their goals. Some may say this didn’t work for me, or that was too hard, or the other thing was all wrong. But the final analysis focused on their perseverance. Did you actually fail? Or did you quit?
It struck me that many times in life we quit just short of making that new habit stick. We quit too soon. We quit when it gets hard. We quit before we exhaust all our options. Successful people don’t quit. They try new things, they focus on their goal, they realize their dream is worth fighting for. Successful people find a mentor, educate themselves, and read motivational books. They join like minded people and support groups. They look for solutions and not reasons to quit. I get discouraged and ask myself how long will success take? That answer depends on me. How can I make my goal? Do I need a new skill, new habit, new attitude, new solutions? A resounding Yes to all of those questions! Is it going to be hard? Will it hurt? Will it cost me something? Yes! Yes! Yes!
It is now March and a fourth of the year is gone. Any New Year’s resolutions you had are probably being challenged. It is probably becoming hard to continue. Success depends on you. Are you quitting too soon?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Conversation and Relationships
"For good or ill, your conversation is your advertisement. Every time you open your mouth you let men look into your mind. Do they see it well clothed, neat, businesswise?" Bruce Burton
Searching for a quote on relationships, I came upon this one by Burton. I struck a chord with me. Probably one of my weakest character traits; my tongue. I also thought the connection between "relationship" quotes and this "businesswise" quote was interesting. I am a walking billboard. Every word is either for good or for ill in regards to my personal relationships or professional ones.
Training my mind to restrain my words has been a life long process. Reading inspirational and motivational books has given me new words. Finding like minded positive people has given me models to follow. The change starts with you. Start by restraining your tongue. Discipline your words. Automatically you are talking less and listening more. Most people find a good listener is very "well clothed, neat, and businesswise".
Searching for a quote on relationships, I came upon this one by Burton. I struck a chord with me. Probably one of my weakest character traits; my tongue. I also thought the connection between "relationship" quotes and this "businesswise" quote was interesting. I am a walking billboard. Every word is either for good or for ill in regards to my personal relationships or professional ones.
Training my mind to restrain my words has been a life long process. Reading inspirational and motivational books has given me new words. Finding like minded positive people has given me models to follow. The change starts with you. Start by restraining your tongue. Discipline your words. Automatically you are talking less and listening more. Most people find a good listener is very "well clothed, neat, and businesswise".
Friday, February 5, 2010
What are you Feeding your Brain?
Do you have chores that you dislike? Any chores you do quickly, even mindlessly, or some chores that you actually enjoy? I think cooking falls into my category of dislike. Like most chores, it is a regular occurring function that requires cooking time, preparation time, and shopping skills to be completed. It is almost annoying that we need to eat regularly and that a onetime dose doesn’t suffice.
I have realized that to create the habit of positive thinking also requires regular “feeding” times as well. A one time convention of the latest motivation speaker may last a few days before our old habits force their way into our thinking. A positive thinking book may last a day giving us a fresh point of view to our problems, but old ways creep back into place. This is why I believe that if you want long lasting changes in your thinking and decision making habits then you have to feed yourself regularly. Daily at the least. Multiple times a day to break negative thinking quicker.
I am discovering more about myself by reading Norman Vincent Peale books. I have started one today that was published in 1984. Just reading a chapter a day gives me plenty on which to reflect. I enjoy all his anecdotes since he had personally met so many people and helped thousands more. He even gives “recipes” to help me learn how to feed myself. Last week I worked on fear and this week I am learning how scattered thinking is keeping me from producing the results I want.
Regularly feeding your mind nutritious “food” may seem like a chore. But just as some of the chores you do routinely out of habit, learning positive thinking skills will become something you do as naturally as eating.
I have realized that to create the habit of positive thinking also requires regular “feeding” times as well. A one time convention of the latest motivation speaker may last a few days before our old habits force their way into our thinking. A positive thinking book may last a day giving us a fresh point of view to our problems, but old ways creep back into place. This is why I believe that if you want long lasting changes in your thinking and decision making habits then you have to feed yourself regularly. Daily at the least. Multiple times a day to break negative thinking quicker.
I am discovering more about myself by reading Norman Vincent Peale books. I have started one today that was published in 1984. Just reading a chapter a day gives me plenty on which to reflect. I enjoy all his anecdotes since he had personally met so many people and helped thousands more. He even gives “recipes” to help me learn how to feed myself. Last week I worked on fear and this week I am learning how scattered thinking is keeping me from producing the results I want.
Regularly feeding your mind nutritious “food” may seem like a chore. But just as some of the chores you do routinely out of habit, learning positive thinking skills will become something you do as naturally as eating.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Insight in Finding Opportunities
I have been reading Napoleon Hill today and found a great quote. He says, "A rich man's money came to him side by side with the development of his insight, his ability, his knowledge of people, and his knowledge of the world". What came to mind after reading that was how insight played a role in our business.
I like to birdwatch out my window while I work. I just throw out some bird seed and see who comes to dinner. After some time, I noticed who was new at the feast. Lately it has been a sparrow with a glandular problem. I say that since he is fat. The other sparrows and house finch are sleek and thin, but this one is round. Now, babies are round too, but this guy wasn't being fed by his mum, so naturally he stood out of the crowd. I've seen injured birds, a hawk, and a road runner once or twice. To the bird watching student, these events are noticable.
As a business owner, special events happen too. Normally called "opportunities", these unusual occurances jump out at you if you watch for them. I'm speaking of being a student of your business. Watching daily in the newspaper, reading the property listings from your agent, and driving neighborhoods increases the development of your insight as a real estate investor just as Hill mentions above. When an unusual deal crosses your path, you recognize it like a new species of bird who drops into your diner. Our first deal came after a 10 month search (being the student). "The deal" (insight) stood out from the others and we moved on that opportunity.
Success doesn't happen over night. Take the daily steps of being a student of your business. Gain the education even if it is a slow process. Time will pass, and you will have the education and "insight" built into your business process.
I like to birdwatch out my window while I work. I just throw out some bird seed and see who comes to dinner. After some time, I noticed who was new at the feast. Lately it has been a sparrow with a glandular problem. I say that since he is fat. The other sparrows and house finch are sleek and thin, but this one is round. Now, babies are round too, but this guy wasn't being fed by his mum, so naturally he stood out of the crowd. I've seen injured birds, a hawk, and a road runner once or twice. To the bird watching student, these events are noticable.
As a business owner, special events happen too. Normally called "opportunities", these unusual occurances jump out at you if you watch for them. I'm speaking of being a student of your business. Watching daily in the newspaper, reading the property listings from your agent, and driving neighborhoods increases the development of your insight as a real estate investor just as Hill mentions above. When an unusual deal crosses your path, you recognize it like a new species of bird who drops into your diner. Our first deal came after a 10 month search (being the student). "The deal" (insight) stood out from the others and we moved on that opportunity.
Success doesn't happen over night. Take the daily steps of being a student of your business. Gain the education even if it is a slow process. Time will pass, and you will have the education and "insight" built into your business process.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Make a Change and Create Opportunity
When a person is not succeeding as well as desired, it only makes sense that some change is indicated. Norman Vincent Peale
I recently heard that most people don’t have a time management problem, they have opportunity overload problem. I would have to agree. At this moment, I’m alone for a few hours and could choose to see a movie, read, clean house, cook, exercise, clean the yard, paint, sew, or brush the dogs. None of those activities listed are on my to do list, yet the opportunity is available. Choices are always before us. So how are you deciding how to spend your time? One of my favorite quotes is from Earl Nightingale, "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." It helps me focus on what it is I really want and not to let how long it takes for me to achieve the goal deter me from beginning.
I’m in the middle of an online class right now that is self paced. I started out with the plan of 1 chapter a day. After several classes taken that way, I wasn’t pleased with my progress. I spent some time thinking about the goal of the class – to pass. Not to get the best grade, not to memorize every fact. My goal is to be done so I can use these credits to be eligible to the licensing test. I made a change. Like Norman Vincent Peale reminded me in his quote above, if it isn’t right, make a change. I did 3 chapters today in about the time I was taking to do one chapter deeply.
Change also may be needed in perspective. Of all the opportunities available, which activities will bring you closer to your goal? View all that you do in a day and start filtering out and eliminating busy work, time wasters, and time fillers. Do you have to sort the mail everyday? What about making the bed? Literally take some time to think about what you do and how you do it. Is there another way? That “new” way may make the difference in reaching your goals faster or afford you more opportunities.
I recently heard that most people don’t have a time management problem, they have opportunity overload problem. I would have to agree. At this moment, I’m alone for a few hours and could choose to see a movie, read, clean house, cook, exercise, clean the yard, paint, sew, or brush the dogs. None of those activities listed are on my to do list, yet the opportunity is available. Choices are always before us. So how are you deciding how to spend your time? One of my favorite quotes is from Earl Nightingale, "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." It helps me focus on what it is I really want and not to let how long it takes for me to achieve the goal deter me from beginning.
I’m in the middle of an online class right now that is self paced. I started out with the plan of 1 chapter a day. After several classes taken that way, I wasn’t pleased with my progress. I spent some time thinking about the goal of the class – to pass. Not to get the best grade, not to memorize every fact. My goal is to be done so I can use these credits to be eligible to the licensing test. I made a change. Like Norman Vincent Peale reminded me in his quote above, if it isn’t right, make a change. I did 3 chapters today in about the time I was taking to do one chapter deeply.
Change also may be needed in perspective. Of all the opportunities available, which activities will bring you closer to your goal? View all that you do in a day and start filtering out and eliminating busy work, time wasters, and time fillers. Do you have to sort the mail everyday? What about making the bed? Literally take some time to think about what you do and how you do it. Is there another way? That “new” way may make the difference in reaching your goals faster or afford you more opportunities.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Golf lessons for improving your life
My husband plays golf.
He is totally self taught these last three years. This weekend he did 18 holes and achieved a 92. The beauty off that score is that he tied with my dad who has been playing for over 20 years.
So you don't play golf and don't know if that is a good score. I don't play either, but my husband was excited about his score. It signified improvement. After a couple of years, he looked back and saw improvement. Yes, you read that right. A couple of years of very part time practicing and he has shown improvement. Let those ideas sink in for a moment. Learning any new skill takes time to be reliably proficient.
One significant trick he did share with me has to do with focusing your effort. First consider that he has educated himself on the game. Videos and books on improving his game fill our library. The obvious implication here is that he uses them regularly to feed his mind with the valuable information the professionals have to offer. However, the trick is to take your information and pick one area you want to work on improving. For example, he would take one tip on a particular golf swing and memorize it. He would focus on that one tip during his warm up. He takes that tip and uses it on the course. He doesn't focus on his score. His focus is on improving that one swing. He analyzes what he was doing before and if this new technique is working for him.
In business and in your personal life, you may have a long list of areas you want to improve. Educate yourself in the new habit or skill you want. The focus. By concentrating on improving small areas at at time, you will be rewarded for your consistency of focused effort.
He is totally self taught these last three years. This weekend he did 18 holes and achieved a 92. The beauty off that score is that he tied with my dad who has been playing for over 20 years.
So you don't play golf and don't know if that is a good score. I don't play either, but my husband was excited about his score. It signified improvement. After a couple of years, he looked back and saw improvement. Yes, you read that right. A couple of years of very part time practicing and he has shown improvement. Let those ideas sink in for a moment. Learning any new skill takes time to be reliably proficient.
One significant trick he did share with me has to do with focusing your effort. First consider that he has educated himself on the game. Videos and books on improving his game fill our library. The obvious implication here is that he uses them regularly to feed his mind with the valuable information the professionals have to offer. However, the trick is to take your information and pick one area you want to work on improving. For example, he would take one tip on a particular golf swing and memorize it. He would focus on that one tip during his warm up. He takes that tip and uses it on the course. He doesn't focus on his score. His focus is on improving that one swing. He analyzes what he was doing before and if this new technique is working for him.
In business and in your personal life, you may have a long list of areas you want to improve. Educate yourself in the new habit or skill you want. The focus. By concentrating on improving small areas at at time, you will be rewarded for your consistency of focused effort.
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