Archive for May, 2007

by Annie Reed
“CHOOSE YOUR THOUGHTS CAREFULLY…YOU ARE THE MASTERPIECE OF YOUR LIFE” (The Secret).

CREATE A CLEAR VISION

Without a clear vision of life and work, we may wander aimlessly and have no real direction. Take time to visualize the ideal life. What would a perfect day look like? Visualize how you would like your family, work, and free time to be. Imagine it every day; fill in all the details of what you would like to create. The more clearly you begin to create this vision, the more you put those thoughts into actions, the faster it will happen.

“Visualize!! Rehearse your future” (The Secret).

A typical day for many women requires the giving of the invisible acts of power to others. She gives to her children, husband, the daily management of the home, finances, and career. Striving for balance in her life can be a challenge.

Dr. Wayne Dyer states in his book Being in Balance, “Being in balance spiritually and physically gives me the opportunity to be in a continual state of gratitude and awe. I see miracles everywhere. I take myself less seriously. I feel intimately connected to others. I have less stress in my life. I feel less pressured to fit in, or to accomplish more. And the irony is that I perform at a higher level because Spirit flows unimpeded through me.”

Dr. Dyer’s statement has touched my life. Being a wife, a mother of five children, working long hours as a Registered Nurse, caring for everyone around me used to be my lifestyle. The Spirit within called, “awaken Annie, you are a beautiful women of passion and desire to care for others, but what about you?” For years I continued to live in my head not listening to this calling in my heart and Spirit. There are no coincidences, God placed people and situations in my life to awaken me, and he was bold. “I got it!”

The journey began for Self discovery. I placed the intention out to the Universe and committed to the journey. It was none of my business how I was to get to my purpose and vision. It was my job to be an observer of my thoughts, feelings, to listen to my intuition, surrender and trust the process. I use every person, every situation that comes to me as a teacher/student relationship. I looked within my Self, learned the lesson and moved to a higher energy of Self discovery. I am coachable. I am grateful, and write a gratitude list each night. I am journaling my thoughts and feelings. I am consistent with the process. I physically care for my body by drinking water, walking, spending time in nature, eating healthy high energy foods, breathe! The keys to Nurturing my Self is spending time with me, loving me, surrender and trust the journey, and to believe in my Self! Peace, harmony and balance are within each and everyone of us-look for it and it will appear.

I am now living my passion. I ask for courage each day, to be bold on the outside and humble on the inside with a burning light of desire with a determination and commitment to my Self. Loving who I am and who I am becoming. To inspire women to nurture within, by teaching Self care empowering them to become entrepreneurs creating time for Self and family. To find a balance within bring peace, harmony, success and prosperity.

My greatest accomplishments are my five children. They have kept me grounded to who I am. They have given me strength as well as many lessons to nurture my Self. My oldest son is a Registered Nurse. My daughter a Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Technician, and a Combat Medic in the United States Army. My son and his beautiful wife are Combat Medics and Emergency Technicians in the United States Army. I have a daughter fifteen, and a son twelve.

I am grateful for my wonderful family, my many teachers of life lessons, and the Spirit teaching of the Principle of Nurturing the Women Within that I may full fill my purpose of being a compassionate inspired teacher of empowerment.

Believe in yourself, live your dreams and always ask for what you want!

Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Annie Reed fulfills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: Be a BraveHeart Woman

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by Craig Harper
It seems to me that many of us don’t really know who we are.
We have our very own personal identity crisis.

We spend our very busy lives doing stuff, achieving stuff…. but still not really knowing who we are.

What’s you’re identity?

Who are you really?

If we take away all your stuff… then… who are you?
Yeh, we know what you do for a job, we know what you look like, we know what you drive, where you live and what you’ve done… but who are you beyond all that?

Are you the sum of your achievements and possessions… or are you something much greater?

What are you known for?

What will you be remembered for?

Have you thought about it?

Do you care?

How do others see you?

When people (who perhaps don’t know you intimately) refer to you, what’s your label?

“Oh, you know Todd; he’s the surfie guy with the Brad Pitt body and the killer blue eyes.”

“Sure you know Sarah; fifty-ish, heaps of money, owns that kid’s clothing label, drives a Porsche…. blonde hair”

“Simon?… oh yeh, he’s that arrogant, how-good-am-I bodybuilder with the gigantic arms, tiny head, bad skin, horrible breath and no self-esteem.”

And waddabout your family and friends; what kind of identity do you have with them?

“Yeh, dad’s kinda… well.. I guess he does love us….I think… he’s pretty moody though… but it’s probably because he’s tired, being the workaholic that he is… and anyway… as he always says; he’s doing it all for us kids….. funny, doesn’t feel like it sometimes”

For some people, their identity is their body (a body builder maybe, a model perhaps), or part thereof (the flat-chested girl who ‘buys’ herself some gigantic breasts).

I see this (my-body-is-who-I-am syndrome) a lot in my work, and as ironic as it may seem, I actually spend most of my time helping people develop anything but their body.

When our total identity (who we are) is something external (to our mind, our spirit, our nature - the essence of who we really are), then we set ourselves up for pain, disappointment and anxiety.

As long as our identity is rooted in something which can be taken from us (looks, jobs, money, toys), we’ll always be insecure.

For some people their identity is their career… “did I mention that I’m a CEO now?”

Their car… “wanna go for a spin in my….?”

Their house….”yeh, I probably don’t need the thirteen bedrooms but…”

Their money… “got most of my money tied up in property, shares and a few others strategic investments…”

Their academic achievements… “yeh, just finished my Phd”.. (great achievement but it’s not who you are… it’s a thing you did!).

Their fearsome reputation… “I’ve got seventeen black belts, I bench press a thousand pounds and I eat live chickens for breakfast”(and I’m an insecure idiot who desperately needs your approval).

Whatever their identity is….it’s the thing which gives them (a level of) confidence and self esteem (in front of others anyway)… makes them feel more secure, safer, happier, better about themselves (for a while).

Earlier this week I went to a funeral to celebrate the life of an amazing woman.

And while she had done much in her life (practical stuff, career stuff, sporting stuff), her children (all seven of them) got up and spoke about who their mother really was.

Her identity.

And this wasn’t just some feel-good, emotional fluff… no, they painted an accurate picture of who this woman was.

She wasn’t a job, or a possession, or a body, or an achievement… although she had ‘achieved’ much.

No, she was a selfless, loving, caring, generous, passionate, strong individual who influenced and affected many… and left the world (or her part of it) a better place.

As I sat in that service with tears rolling down my cheeks (there goes my wanna-be-alpha-male identity), I thought to myself… I hope there are a few people present saying similar things when I’m done down here on the big blue ball.

It’s great that we set goals and it’s great to strive to be a high achiever (I do).

And there’s also absolutely nothing wrong with being wealthy, having a great body, an incredible career, a great home, practical goals (financial, physical, competitive, career) and even a few toys…

… as long as what we do, what we own… or what we look like… hasn’t become who we are.

And as long as we are not the sum of our achievements and possessions but in fact, something much greater.

Who are you?

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is an Australian motivational speaker, qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.He can be heard weekly on Australian Radio SEN 1116 and GOLD FM and appears on Australian television on Channel 31’s ‘Living Life Now’ and Network Ten’s ‘9AM’.Motivational Speaker - Craig Harper

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by Yvonne Landon
For a great part of my adult life, I felt like I was searching to fill a void. The emptiness seemed to be unfounded because I had so much: a successful career as a professional educator, a beautiful home, a wonderful husband and daughter, and fantastic friends. The list sounds like a recipe for contentment, but something was missing.

As a young woman, I used to be somewhat of a renegade as a means of expressing my individuality; having a true sense of belonging was elusive. Could this be the cause or the effect of the void that I felt? I searched for answers for years before realizing my outward search was misguided. What I was looking for, my power and peace, was already inside of me. This realization set me on an interesting and rewarding path of self-transformation, leading me to where I am now - a successful entrepreneur who is more at ease with myself.

Hopefully, some of what I learned will help you on your entrepreneurial and self-discovery journey:

1. Engage in Personal Development: The road to personal development is paved with many beneficial tools; choose activities that resonate with you. I have experienced positive shifts in my thinking by reading and watching and listening to materials that inspire and educate. I remain open to beliefs and opinions that help me expand my vision without judging, giving me the opportunity to learn and experience from different points of view. I attend seminars and workshops that assist me in clarifying my vision and give me the opportunity to associate with people whom I admire. These events help create momentum in my life and have served as a catalyst for some of the friendships and true sense of community I now enjoy.

2. Say goodbye to perfectionism: It used to be that everything had to be perfect; I thought that “perfect” was the yardstick by which to measure myself. Striving for perfection was exhausting! I learned perfectionism is about having to be in control of outcomes. How liberating to now know that, the only thing I can control is my reaction to people and events. Now I give myself permission to be excellent not perfect.

3. Learn to receive: In my many roles, I was always giving — my time, my energy, whatever was needed. After all, “it’s better to give than to receive” — right? I enjoyed giving but rarely allowed myself to receive, and at times found myself overwhelmed and resentful. Being open to receive is a reflection of “being worthy”. Receiving is a form of giving that goes beyond the exchange of tangible items and attracts many intangible blessings into my life.

4. Create balance of mind, body, and spirit: Finding time for me used to seem impossible. Once I made myself a priority (without guilt), it became easier to schedule ‘me time’. I use my time for introspection and to clarify what is important to me. I honor my physical body through detoxification, balanced nutrition, exercise and rest. Massages, meditations, prayer, music and dance are other tools in my toolbox. And where would balance be without including fun and laughter?

Satisfying my restless spirit is a journey. Along this path I have learned that life’s challenges are meant to teach me valuable lessons. By being open to receive, people and events come into my life to facilitate my personal and spiritual growth.

I can truly say that I’m now more comfortable with myself. I’m adaptable, but who I am, my content, does not change based on the context. I seek to be of service to myself and to others.

Allow your restless spirit to find a home! Go to the calendar and schedule time for yourself now — begin your journey within.

Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Yvonne Landon fulfills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: Be a BraveHeart Woman

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by Patric Kavetoa
There is no mystery about successful business intercourse…… Exculsive Attention to the person who is speaking to you, is very important.”There is nothing more Flattering as that”

Some time ago,I attended a New Years eve Party - I wasn’t drinking ,as I was the sober driver. A man there,who by chance had the same role as I, came and sat next to me, we both sat there in silence for ten minutes,not a word spoken. As we sat there on the couch, he happened to mention to his wife in passing that He felt alittle jet lagged,as He had just arrived back from overseas.

He Remarked on His trip to the Middle East. I exclaimed. “How interesting! I’ve been to several countries myself, but never been there.Tell me, what on earth made you go over there?”

With that one question, it kept him talking for forty minutes, I
learnt his name, about his life,family,friends,and eventually He spoke of His career,as an Audio Engineer,and the ins and outs of what I could only guess,was a job, that needed competency and intelligence.

I knew nothing of what He spoke of, but I was fasinated,and I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat, listening to him speak passionately about his job,and his travels.

He never again asked me where I had been or what I had seen. All He wanted was an interested listener,so he could expand his ego and tell about where he had been.

You may ask,is that unusual? No. Many People are like that.

Lincoln wrote a letter to a very good friend,asking him to come to Washington,as Lincoln had problems.His friend arrived,and Lincoln talked for hours over the proclamation of the freeing of slaves.He went through the arguements for and against such a move,and after he had finished, He shock the hand of his friend and sent him home,without even asking for his opinion.

“Lincoln had done all the talking himself, which seemed to clarify his mind,he seemed to feel easier after the talk,he didn’t want my advice, just a sympathetic Listener to whom he could unburden himself”,his friend said.

If you aspire to be a good conversationalist,be an attentive listener. To be interesting,be interested.Ask questions that other persons would enjoy answering. Encourage them to talk about themselves,and their accomplishments.

Remember that people you are talking to are a hundred times more interested in themselves, and their wants and problems, than they are in you and your Problems. A persons toothache means more to that person than a famine in China that kills millions. Or a boil on the bum interests one more than forty earthquakes in Africa. Think of that the next time you start a conversation.

Principle #3
“Be a good a listener.Encourage others to talk about themselves and their interest.” Showing a genuine interest in other people can be very therapeutic for the Listener and the reciever.

Next Issue:
“The Socrates Secret.”

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Global Work at Home Online Business SolutionsVisit http://www.the22ndfloor.com or email me at Patric@the22ndfloor.com

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by Mothproof

Whether we admit or not, most of us have quaint notions of what tarot cards are.

On the surface, they are merely a deck of illustrated cards used in predictions, while the tarot card reader is an eccentric person dressed in robes seated behind the fortune-telling booth in the town fair. This image of tarot cards is, of course, clichéd, and yet we’d rather feel comfortable with its familiarity than dig deeper. We resort to the more convenient explanation rather than actually investigate the sometimes unpleasant yet gratifying truth of tarot cards.

Perhaps, the most famous among the tarot cards is the Death Card, a card quite unfairly invested with too much negative meanings and energies behind it, so much so that we usually think of tarot cards as tools of the occult, vehicles of evil even. While we can’t deny the fact that indeed tarot can be used for such purposes, tarot cards can also be perfectly well-intentioned and can be actually used for good causes.

As a matter of fact, the earliest use of tarot cards in fifteenth century Italy was as a game, much like a deck of regular playing cards but with the addition of trump cards. It wasn’t until late 17th or 18th century that tarot cards began to take on a more serious role in divination.

Over the years, the pictures in the tarot cards, their rich symbolisms, procedures, purposes, and meanings evolved in such a way that the characters portrayed in them have come to mirror all our follies, fears, strengths, and hopes. By stringing them together into a tale, we are able to retell and uncover the past as we would have liked it unfold, as well as get a sense of a manageable future we can feel safe with.

A radical and inevitable shift indeed for tarot cards from a simple game to life-changing therapy.

Carl Jung, a world renowned psychologist has always considered tarot as an alternative psychotherapy. By utilising the rich imagery encapsulated in every tarot card, we are able to voice out our concerns, look into our past, and prepare for the future. In some cases, children who don’t yet know how to speak can use the images and characters in the tarot deck to piece together their thoughts and tell their story. Tarot cards then offer an alternative language system through which we can bring our Unconscious up to the light.

Jung explains that tarot cards represent different archetypes of human personality and situations. The Death Card then is not just simplistically a dreary card foretelling iretractable death to the querent (person who asks questions in a tarot card reading). Rather, the death card can be seen as the death, an end of something inside us: a vice, long standing pain, bad habits, sorrow, signaling rebirth.

We do not just blindly pick out cards from the tarot deck. Every moment of our lives we are armed with choices, choices that spell out and define our fate. It’s not just what you keep out from your life that matters; it’s also what you allow to make a difference. Even if they’re just a deck of tarot cards.

Neoli Marcos writes for PsychicGuild: online provider of horoscopes, dream interpretation and tarot card reading.

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by Deanna Mascle
Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn’t fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn’t dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that — dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can’t do this. It’s too hard. It’s too impossible. No one can do this.

However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble, bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’

Now look at all the headers strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’

As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’

As you iterate through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.

Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer. For one to accomplish his or her dreams, there has to be had work and discipline. But take note that that 1% has to be a think-big dream, and not some easily accomplished one.

Ask any gym rat and he or she will tell you that there can be no gains unless you are put out of your comfort zone. Remember the saying, “No pain, no gain”? That is as true as it can be.

So dream on, friend! Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

If you are looking for more inspirational messages and quick inspirations then try http://bestinspirationline.com

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by Linda Berry
Do you fully appreciate the role of “focus” in your life? I invite you to examine a few aspects of your habits with your focus. You may be thinking to yourself, “I didn’t realize that I had habits with my focus. Isn’t focus a function of seeing? Isn’t focus a calibration of clarity? Isn’t focus something I do as a part of perception?” Yes, but there is more. You also, quite literally,” Bring things into focus”.

Consider:

· We are what we focus upon.
The Law of Attraction teaches us that our thoughts are things. They are measurable vibrations of energy. Thoughts are as much a tangible object as your house, your car, or the computer screen on which you are viewing these words. Thoughts are conduits that bring our focus into form, and attract more of the same vibration into our energy field. This is science.

· Our focus is our connection with our future.
When we give anything our focus, we are engaging vibrations that will bring it toward us. Nothing finds us that we do not first focus upon. It is critically important that we pay attention to our focus. It is the vehicle we ride into events to come.

· We can not help moving in the direction of our focus.
Isn’t it interesting that what we fear most appears in our reality with such regularity? Isn’t it curious that the very things we try diligently to avoid, always come to us? This is the science of energetic attraction at work, and it works for you, or against you, but work it will! When we fully comprehend this aspect our focus, we are able to sculpt our existence in alignment with our purpose. When we shift our thinking to what we do want, it comes to us! Pay attention to the fact that whatever you think about and focus your energy upon, is on its way to you.

With careful attention to your thoughts, you can develop the habit of positive focus! Your reward is literally the life of your dreams. Allow this acronym to assist.

R- Realize the power of the vibration of your focus.
E- Embrace the possibility of living a life by your own design.
A -Allow your thoughts to move to the most enticing of scenarios.
L- Let go of the anxiety and attention you are giving to the things you do not want.
L- Love the view of your existence, resplendent with all of your deepest desires.
Y- Yesterday’s focus attracted today’s reality!

T- Think about the most enjoyable, loving, appealing thing your mind can imagine.
R- Re-program your mind! Replace each negative image with an excellent image.
U- Utilize the science of attracting energy by luxuriating in feelings of gratitude!
L- Listen to your own inner dialogue. Place your focus on that which is appealing.
Y - Your focus is finding you, every time, always, no exceptions.

W- Walk in trust, away from anything that feels uninviting.
A- Astonish yourself with the beauty that is yours to behold.
N- Navigate a true course with joy on your horizon.
T — Thank your personal spiritual source for the abundance of your experience now.

Devote 5 minutes before you retire to pondering deeply the happiest existence you can imagine.
Hold your heartfelt happiness in your feeling place, habitually.
Smile and lift your spirits!
Consciously live in joyful gratitude!
Laugh at every opportunity!
Make a delicious reality your constant focus!

You are what you focus upon.
Your focus is your connection with your future.
You can not help moving in the direction of your focus!

Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Linda Berry fulfills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: Be a BraveHeart Woman

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by Liz Cassidy
We cover the topic of Locus of Control in our Leadership programs, so it is 2nd nature for me to take full ownership for whatever outcomes I am creating in my life. After all why teach it if I am not living it?

The past few weeks have seen some events seemingly “happen to me” which rocked my belief in my own control over the results I get. Before I get on with that part of the story a short discussion on what exactly is Locus of Control and how can we use it…

Julian Potter, a psychologist, developed the theory of Locus of Control in the 1950’s. Simply put: people with an internal Locus of Control tend to see themselves as being responsible for the outcomes of their actions and hence are responsible for their destiny. Whereas, at the other end of the continuum, people with an external Locus of Control see environmental factors (or luck) as being more responsible for the outcomes in their lives and for their ultimate destiny. (Where would the Lotteries be in a world full of people with an internal Locus of Control?)

The theory was provided with a basis in research, and became enshrined in modern psychology following the research by Martin Seligman in 1965 leading to the Learned Helplessness model.

Back in the days when animals were the subject of Lab experiments, Seligman and his team found that research subjects (dogs) behaviour changed dramatically and unexpectedly when subjected to random feedback (pain). Some of the dogs learned to become helpless when their behaviours made no difference to the feedback they got - and they gave up!

The outcomes of this research and its ramifications changed the face of psychology, and showed that the Locus of Control is largely learned, and importantly can be re-learned.

That’s the end of the history and psychology lesson. What does this have to do with your leadership, your career and my recent series of unfortunate events? Plenty in fact…..

Given that I generally sit at the internal Locus of Control end of the continuum, (as do many people who run their own businesses) having external happenings dare to impact on my results came as an unpleasant shock.

The events seemed random, and my actions did not appear to make a difference to the results.

Sound familiar? Some of you reading this are saying “Welcome to my world, Liz”

Looking at Seligman’s research - I would be a classic case for Learned Helplessness, had things continued unabated. I confess to retreating into my shell for a short period “turtle like”, and peeping out only to see if the storm had passed.

However, I know enough about the human mind and it’s workings to know that when an unhelpful pattern is settling in, then creating a break in the cycle can cause huge differences in attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and outcomes. Again, so what?

Separately, I had another pattern of lack of exercise in my life which has recently been affecting both my weight and shape. To break this cycle, I recently started weight-training with a multiple times Australian Body Building and Weightlifting champion Damon Hayhow.

If you are going to break a cycle - break it in a big way.

In the midst of retreating into my shell, I had a weights training session. During this particularly brutal session, where I freely admit to having a lousy attitude, I stood looking at a deadlift bar, the weights on either end being beyond my previous experience or ability. I focussed completely on lifting the bar, visioned myself lifting it, felt the pain of it and had total certainty that I was going to lift it. (The rather loud positive reinforcement in my right ear helped too).

I stepped forward and did a set of repetitions which I could not have attempted the week before. The only change was my mental approach - I was in total mental control and felt hugely elated and powerful as a person immediately afterwards. The actual weight on the bar was irrelevant (and frankly insignificant too) - what was important was the fact that I did it. I had taken my Locus of Control back internally and achieved what I set out to. Sharing my “discovery” with Damon that this Weight Training sport is not about muscles, it is about mental attitude, he agreed. When people come into the Gym with the attitude that they cannot lift the weights - they don’t!

Facing a difficult situation, when you take mental control back, you immediately make a difference to the outcome.

Needless to say, having taken mental control back through breaking this cycle the next period has seen me in a different frame of mind. Action and outcome focussed with startlingly different - though not surprising - results, in the gymn as well as all other areas.

Knowing about LoC theory and living it so dramatically in 2 different areas of my life at the same time has been a powerful experience for me.

Use a shift in one area of your life to create and apply changes in another.

This was my recent journey of inadvertently exploring the Locus of Control in a particular set of events. How can you use it and apply it?

It’s important to note that internal vs. external is not good vs. bad. Each is useful in different ways at different times. What is important is to look at how your Locus of Control is serving you. Are you getting the results you want - or not?

If you are indeed getting the results you want then this article has been simply an interesting diversion. Read it and pass it on.

However, if you are not getting the results you want in your; life, career, business, relationship, team environment or health then re-evaluate where your Locus of Control is and if this is a factor affecting your results in an unhelpful way - it may be time for you to do some major cycle breaking!

Liz Cassidy, founder of Third Sigma International is an author, Facilitator and Executive Coach focused on creating outstanding results for her clients. For more information go to http://www.thirdsigma.com.au/living_your_values_centered_life.cfm

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by Linda Baccus
The word “embarrassed” has roots to the earliest times in our life. We learn to be embarrassed because we are less fortunate, our shoes and clothes are out of date, or worn and torn. We learn to be embarrassed because the house we live in is on the other side of the tracks or in the wrong part of town.

Speaking of tracks … we are embarrassed because of what we failed to learn as children. We learned our ABC’s more slowly than the others. The school system evaluates us and locks us in a downward track. We have been told since we were young by our parents, friends and teachers we can’t do something so often we believe it. The kids at school laugh at us. The more they laugh, the more embarrassed we become. We protect ourselves through limiting beliefs. These limiting beliefs continue to expand through school, work place, marriage and family.

Then we find ourselves really embarrassed. We will not step forward to be a leader. We find ourselves having trouble reading and writing at age 25, 50, 60. “What will my friends and family say” if they learn their friend, mother and grandmother is not as “smart” as they are. We are afraid of the fear of being laughed again as adult and being left out, because we do not fit the mold.

So, are you afraid to step forward and answer questions because you are inexperienced or uneducated? You should not be!! The information you know and the way you can present it may be just the key to unlock the entire presentation for someone else. You may be able to say it in a way that reaches others better than the more experienced or well educated can because you are where they are.

Have you ever noticed that most of the best managers in baseball or head coaches in football and basketball are not the stars of the game? Ted Williams, Larry Bird and a host of other All-Stars and Hall of Famer’s have failed as team leaders, while Walter Alston, John Wooden and Joe Gibbs have had Hall of Fame careers as team leaders but had mediocre careers as players. The reason is that these men can relate to the day-to-day struggles of the men they lead better than the all-time greats for whom the game came so easily.

Your inner self is comparing yourself with the exterior visual self of others. You do not know what they know or do not know. You believe what you see, so therefore that is what you use as a comparison. Strangely enough, when you get to know the “rich and famous” you find out they have all of the same insecurities you do — they do not let them block their progress toward their ultimate goals; they use them as vaulting points to reach the top.

Have you experienced, or you may be currently feeling “stuck” where you are in life. Are you ready to set yourself free? Learn what options are available to you. Find out what is behind the unknown door.

1) Use new approaches that will create new results in your future.

2) Be comfortable in expressing yourself.

3) Be the person you want to be seen as.

4) Welcome problems as an opportunity to learn. Be the victor in each situation, not the victim.

5) Learn to see truth in your life.

6) Help others become dedicated to personal development and growth.

Being grateful for all things in life is liberating. It frees the mind from fear and embarrassment.

Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Linda Baccus fulfills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: Be a BraveHeart Woman

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by Craig Harper
Most of us live in a culture and society which is totally obsessed with perfection.

An obsession which invariably leads to pain.

Emotional, psychological, physical, social and financial pain.

The perfection obsession is rampant.

It’s completely ridiculous.

It’s unhealthy.

It’s unrealistic.

And it’s potentially very dangerous.

I have personally seen it lead to anxiety, depression, social dysfunction, eating disorders, emotional problems, unrealistic expectations, ruined relationships, massive financial debt, destructive habits and unfortunately, the occasional suicide.

We (we, the society) want it all.

Badly.

Perfect bodies.

Perfect teeth.

Perfect careers.

Perfect academic scores.

Perfect relationships.

Perfect children.

Perfect lives.

We try and convince ourselves that we’re all about the deep and meaningful, but when we take an honest, realistic look at how we live as a collective of people… the overwhelming message (perhaps not from you and I personally) is to aim for perfection.

And in order to have (the appearance of) perfection, we (we, the society) will do almost anything.

We have ten credit cards and spend money we don’t have.

We obsess about labels and brands.

We obsess about how others see us and what they think of us.

We mutilate our healthy bodies with elective surgery and make rich surgeons richer.

We preen, pluck, suck and tuck ourselves within an inch of our lives (literally sometimes).

We starve ourselves.

We self-diagnose and self-medicate.

We lie to ourselves and others.

We spend our lives acting out our perfect marriage, career, existence.

We compromise our values.

If only we could all see the beauty of our flaws.

The beauty of normal.

If only we couldn’t understand the (potential) happiness in normal.

I love my life, my relationships, my career, my body and my existence on the big blue ball despite my big nose… my slightly chubby tummy…my fifty-seven bad habits, my numerous issues… and my atrocious singing voice.

I’m happy in my imperfection.

When we live in a paradigm that says “I will be happy when XYZ is perfect”, then we are destined for a life of misery.

When we learn to be happy with (rejoice in, even) our imperfect selves, our imperfect lives, our imperfect relationships and our imperfect bodies, then we’re on the road the real personal growth.

Aiming for better is admirable, possibly even noble… but striving for perfection is stupid.

The moment we stop chasing perfection and start aiming for enlightenment (self-awareness, self-realisation, a different way of thinking and being) is the moment we start to move towards genuine happiness.

Where we sit on the (world famous) Craig Harper Happiness Continuum (made that term up but I like it… you can use it!) is inversely proportional to our desire for perfection.

That is, the less we are… all about perfection, the happier we will be.

So… the take home message you crazy kids?

(1) Perfection is a myth.

(2) It’s perfectly normal to be imperfect.

(3) Stop trying to be some perfect, weird-ass version of you… and be you.

I know professional personal development writers aren’t meant to use terms like weird-ass, so… I’d like to apologise for my inappropriate, imperfect communication style.

Not.

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is an Australian motivational speaker, qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.He can be heard weekly on Australian Radio SEN 1116 and GOLD FM and appears on Australian television on Channel 31’s ‘Living Life Now’ and Network Ten’s ‘9AM’.Motivational Speaker - Craig Harper

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