LIVE LIFE UP HIGH

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Do you realize that your habits determine whether you will fail or succeed? If you practice the habits that the successful practice you will get the results that the successful receive. Adopting the habits of the successful includes understanding the thinking behind the habits. Let’s take a moment and sample some of the best habits.

Habit 1: Visualize the end result at the beginning.

Today I heard a great acronym for visualizing the end result at the beginning. The acronym CCMP stands for Clear Concise Mental Picture. The successful have a Clear Concise Mental Picture of the end result of their desire.  The top athletes do this all the time. They create a clear concise mental picture of winning and they fully experience it in their minds. They do this before way before they actually participate in the event. This is what you must do. Create a Clear Concise Mental Picture of yourself with your goal. See it, feel it and experience it before you get it.

Habit 2: Identify your 20% and work it.

I have written about the 80/20 rule in previous posts. It is important for every goal you create that you figure out the 20% of the activities that will provide 80% of the results. There are a vital few activities that are truly important for you to meet your goal. Focus your efforts here and you will accelerate your rate of success.

Habit 3: Follow a successful model.

Many people fail because they do everything by trial and error. While trial and error has its place finding and following a model of success is a better option. Successful people have gone before you. Find out what they did and do it. Simple.

Habit 4: Treat people right.

Truly successful people know how to treat others.  They follow the golden rule of doing unto others as they would have others do unto them. In fact, truly successful people know how to do unto others as others would have them do unto them. In other words, take time to find out the goals those around you and help them achieve their goals. When you help others achieve their goals you will receive help in completing your goals.

Habit 5: Believe in yourself.

Successful people have the habit of believing in themselves even when no one else believes in them. They know that they have value and that their dreams have merit. This is a must for success. Believe you can achieve your goal.  To paraphrase an old saying: whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you’re right.

Incorporate these habits into your life and you will go a long way towards achieving your goals. As always I welcome your comments.

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Today I was thinking about how dangerous comfort zones can be to our future success. While they feel great for the present, most of the best things in life for us are outside of our comfort zones. Indeed, we will never know what we are capable of doing unless we push ourselves into new experiences. Really comfort is overrated. Living life to the fullest, that’s where it’s at.

I recently saw a powerful article about breaking out of comfort zones that I wanted to share with you. Check out Henrik’s article 
 let me know what you think. As always, I welcome your comments.

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When I was planning to write the introduction to this article I was reminded of a story about goals that I read in Mark McCormack’s book, “What They Don’t Teach you At Harvard Business School“. This story is so relevant that I would like you to read it before you read the rest of this post (Read Goal Story).

Write S.M.A.R.T Goals
It is not enough for me to encourage you to write goals for your personal and professional life. I must encourage you to write S.M.A.R.T. goals. If your goals are S.M.A.R.T. you are more likely than not to achieve them. All your goals should meet each standard. If they don’t, they are more wishes than true goals.

Specific – Clarity in your goals is important. What specifically do you want to achieve?  Be specific.

Not good: I want to be rich.

Good: In 5 years I will have multiple profit streams that total $20,000 per month.

This latter example is clear and it gives you a specific target for which to aim.
 
Measurable –  Your goals also need to be measurable. They need to be measurable for two reasons: (1) You need to know when you have achieved the goal; (2) You need to know if you are making progress towards your goal.  

Example: I am writing a 150-page book on setting and achieving goals by December 22.

Attainable – I want to be careful with this one because people usually err on the side of not thinking big enough instead of thinking too big. Think big but to give yourself enough time to achieve the goal or break the goal down into manageable chunks. I know this is a little different from what some folks say but all the big achievers say it is important to think big. Don’t sell yourself short but at the same time don’t set your goals so big and your time period to achieve them so short that you become discouraged and quit.  As in most things balance is important.

Relevant- Make sure the goal is your goal. It should be relevant to you. This is where the why comes in. In his book called “ The Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It’s Not About the Money…It’s About Being the Best You Can Be!“, Gary Keller has a great section discussing the importance of your Big Why.  Here is an excerpt:
 

Above all else, we’ve discovered that one thing all high achievers have in common is they are working for a Big Why. The Big Why is about having a purpose, a mission, or a need, that in turn gives you focus. High achievers always have a Big Why powering their actions.

It is important to have a Big Why because it pulls you through the difficult times. Why are you setting these goals? Thinking about this also helps you identify your true desires. Your true desires are your allies.

It is also important that you determine that your goals are really your goals and not another person’s goals for you. Really think about this because you want to make sure you are living the life you want and not the life someone wants for you.

Time Sensitive – A goal must have a date of completion. Lack of a time constraint usually leads to procrastination and unrealized goals. In fact, you should think of each goal as a project.  It should have a definite start date and end date, as well as some measurable milestones along the way.

Other bite sized insights

Obstacles -When writing your goals you should also include any obstacles you think you may run into and think about how you will get around these obstacles. Don’t just think about external obstacles either. Think about things that you have done in the past that has kept you from achieving your goals. How can you overcome these obstacles this time?

The beliefs behind the goals – Your beliefs may keep you from achieving your goals. This can cause you to sabatage yourself. Take a look inside and see if you really believe you can and should reach this goal. If not, then determine why and eliminate this factor. Most times it is an irrational fear or lack of understanding that is holding you back.
 
Resources – It is wise to identify any resources you will need to meet your goal. Think about the people resources, financial resources and knowledge you will need to achieve this goal. Now don’t get discouraged or overwhelmed if all of the resources you need are not readily at hand when you write the goal.  There is something wonderful that happens when you, with persistent determination, go towards a positive goal. It seems that all heaven’s resources come to help you move forward.

I encourage you the write your S.M.A.R.T goals today.  As always I welcome your comments.

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Entrepreneur, Author and Blogger Seth Goldin has released a free ebook on blogging and the new web called Who’s There?

Who’s There is not an ebook about how to write better or how to follow the traditional conventions about formatting and building a blog. It’s not designed to sell you one service instead of another, either.

Although Seth describes the book as incomplete, he provides an interesting insight into the blogging world. At only 45 pages it is a quick read but don’t mistake its brevity for lack of quality content. This little book is packed with great insights and explanations. In short, “Who’s There” is a must read for entrepreneurs who are interested in blogging.

Download your free ebook [Seth's Blog] and let me know what you think.

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The Power of Choice
I know we ended our off last time discussing the power of choice but I think this point is so important that we need to delve into it a little deeper. Your power to choose is one of the most powerful God-given forces in the universe. You can choose to be rich or poor, a winner or a loser, a success or a failure, a giver or a robber, a person of accomplishment or a person of excuse. It is really all up to you. So before we start on this journey to your best business and professional life we must begin with the most powerful thing you can do. Choose.

Make Your Choice a Quality Choice
Most of us have experienced making a choice one day and then violating that choice the next day. What I am suggesting today is that you make a quality choice. A quality choice is one that is backed up with the commitment to do whatever it takes (without causing harm to others or yourself) to live up to the choice you have made.

Check out these 5 great quotes about choice

The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.
George Eliot

There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.
Denis Waitley

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
Kahlil Gibran

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.
Leo Buscaglia

You are the person who has to decide. Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside; you are the person who makes up your mind. Whether you’ll lead or will linger behind. Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s afar. Or just be contented to stay where you are.
Edgar A. Guest

Here are 12 powerful choices you can make
1. Choose to be the best version of yourself by God’s grace.
2. Choose to constantly increase.
3. Choose to be the best businessperson you can be.
4. Choose not to limit yourself.
5. Choose to be humble.
6. Choose to be a person of faith.
7. Choose to be a winner.
8. Choose to be prosperous.
9. Choose to be generous and loving to others.
10. Choose to discover and use your best gifts to help others.
11. Choose to discover and fulfill your destiny.
12. Choose to do no harm.

I encourage you to make a quality choice to live your best life today. As always I welcome your comments.

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How are you living?

Many entrepreneurs are living their personal and professional lives in a cloudy haze. They don’t have clear written goals and plans to achieve them.  They really don’t know where they want to end up in life so they live their lives without a clear strategic plan, a winning personal culture and definite concrete actions to take them to this destiny.

You are destined for something great.

Some entrepreneurs are even waiting for their destiny to smack them in the face. They don’t know that they must discover the destiny that is already in them. There is a saying I heard recently,  ”destiny is not a matter of chance it is a choice”. This is very true. You have the right to choose your best personal and professional life. You have the right to move towards a destiny and to live a great life. Obviously there are some things you must do to reach this destiny but you can reach it.  

Let’s begin moving towards our destiny.

My fellow entrepreneurs, over the next few posts let’s take the time to explore some of the best information on effective goal setting, effective planning and goal achievement.  I will pull from some of the best thinkers and writers on the subject and synthesize this information for you in a way that you can take action on it right away. Step by step we will move towards your best life.

The power of choice.

If you want this life your first step is to make a choice. Decide today to be the best you can be and to live the best life you can live. Decide today to do whatever it takes to be your best, give your best, and have the best business and professional life you can have. Choose to have a great destiny and to leave a great legacy. I challenge you to choose greatness today.

Please join me over the next few posts as we move closer to our destiny and live our best lives.

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In this final post discussing Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Who Switched off My Brain?: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions, we will briefly describe the last three detox steps outlined in the book.

Detox Step 11 – Diet – Dr. Leaf suggests that you should never eat when you are angry or facing any other unpleasant emotions. Eating during those times can make your food toxic to you. Your toxic thoughts will interfere with the proper working of your digestive system. 

Another important point is that when you eat well you will properly feed your brain. Dr. Leaf explains that a major source of food for the brain is glucose. Of course, you need to eat this in the proper quantities.

Finally, it is important to think about what you eat. In the book Dr. Leaf mentions a few of the types of foods that help us think well and feel good.

Detox Step 12: The Spiritual aspect – In this section Dr. Leaf talks about the power of spiritual truth to deal with toxic emotions. The Christian faith is the guiding belief of her life and mine. I encourage you to live in your spiritual truth.

Detox Step 13: Relax – The “acceleration syndrome” is the cause of many mental, physical and emotional health problems. The key point here is to learn to spend your time wisely. You must focus on what is good for you and you must take time to relax.

We have reached the end of the steps to detox your thinking.  These last 3 detox steps are obvious and we hear them all the time, but sometimes as entrepreneurs we don’t do them. Make a decision today to begin using all the steps to detox your thinking and improve your life. 

As always I appreciate your comments.

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In this post we continue our discussion of Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book Who Switched off My Brain?: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions. We are specifically looking at the steps she recommends for detoxing your brain. In the previous post we discussed the first five detox steps. In this post we continue by briefly discussing steps 6-9.

Detox Step 6 – Think Forgiveness – Much has been written about the importance of forgiving yourself and others in order to acheive success. Dr. Leaf  joins these writers in expressing the power of forgiveness on your mind and body.  She says forgiveness is like taking an “emotional shower”. Forgiveness allows you to let go of toxic emotions and memories and build new and better memories. Make a decision to forgive and release those who have done you wrong in business and in life. This will add years to your life and life to your business.

Detox Step 7 – Love – Tune Into Your Heart -  Did you know that your heart considers and “thinks” about the information the brain sends to it. According to Dr. Leaf, the heart has a “mini-brain” that functions like a conscience.  She suggests that when you practice love and appreciation many of your internal systems are positively affected and help you live longer and healthier. The key thought here is to tune into your heart and practice love, kindness, gratitude and appreciation. These emotions help eliminate toxic thoughts. These emotions also help you to get more business and serve more customers.

Detox Step 8 – Monkey Hug- Therapy – Touch has long been touted as having a powerful affect on human beings (and others). Dr Leaf relates an interesting story in the book about a study conducted with baby monkeys. This study clearly shows the power of touch. It is a must read.  Caroline also mentions various studies that show that touch releases powerful chemicals from the brain that breaks negative feedback loops. The message: take time to hug and be hugged.

Detox Step 9- Play and Laugh – This one is self-explanatory. An interesting point here is that laughter releases feel-good chemicals that boost the immune system and does other great things in the body. To be a successful, well-rounded entrepreneur you must take time to play and laugh. Entrepreneurs by nature are driven to succeed. We must be reminded to take time and enjoy ourselves. Our lives depend on it. Consider this your reminder.

Check our Dr. Leaf’s book and as always I look forward to your comments.

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In my last post we discussed Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Who Switched off My Brain?: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions . In that post we discussed some of the dangers of toxic thinking. In the next three posts we will briefly discuss the 13 steps that Dr. Leaf suggests for detoxing your thought life. If you follow these steps, you will definitely think better, feel better and perform better. Ultimately, you will dramatically increase your level of success and the success of those around you.

Detox Step 1 – Consciously Control Your Thoughts – The key idea here is to pay attention to what you are thinking. Are you putting unrealistic expectations on yourself and others? Are you thinking fearfully? Do you have specific positive written goals that you are focusing on or are you just drifting through your day. Dr. Leaf suggests that you engage and analyze thoughts that enter your mind and make a conscious decision as to whether you want to accept or reject this thought.  Step 1 is an important step with several important sub-steps that you will want to read in the book.

Detox Step 2 – Frame Your World With Your Words – Most of us have heard that words have power. This is shockingly very true. As, Dr. Leaf explains, 

The words you speak feed back into the magic trees of the mind, reinforcing the memory they came from. When you make negative statements, you release negative chemicals. These lead to negative memories that grow stronger and become negative strongholds that control your attitude and life.

An important point here is that it is not just positive talking that is important, it is positive talk that is congruent to your positive thoughts that is important.

Detox Step 3 – Express those Emotions – The key here is not to deny what you feel. You need to express your emotions at an appropriate time, in an appropriate environment, in an appropriate way. When you repress your emotions you make yourself sick. Eventually these emotions will manifest themselves anyway and usually not in at an appropriate time or way.

Detox Step 4 – Take Responsibility and Take Control – In this step Dr. Leaf discusses the importance of being aware of what’s in your mind in terms of past experiences and conditioning. What are your memories and emotions? Once you are aware of these thought patterns you can begin to deal with bad memories by growing good ones. Also, be responsible enough to seek extra help (prayer, meditation and counseling) if you have long standing emotional strongholds.

Detox Step 5 – Dream On! – According to Dr. Leaf when you dream, important psychological and physiological processes happen in the body-mind connection. Because dreams give you clues as to what is happening in your thought life she suggests that you make a conscious effort to remember and record your dreams. Some experts believe that when you dream, the body can discuss its condition with your mind. The key is to decide to remember the dream.

I know many of my readers may be wondering what all of this has to do with entrepreneurship. I understand the hesitation but please remember proper thinking helps you to excel and take advantage of opportunities. Without proper thinking you will probably never fully realize your entrepreneurial potential.

As always I welcome your comments.

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I recently read a very interesting book on toxic thinking and its affect on all aspects of our lives. I found the book so interesting and so relevant for the serious entrepreneur that I decided to share it with you today. 

Did you know that the average person has over 30,000 thoughts a day? Further, did you know that an uncontrolled thought life can create the conditions for illness in your body? Toxic thinking can actually make you sick and if you are sick you can’t properly achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

In her book, “Who Switched Off My Brain?”, Dr. Caroline Leaf  helps you understand the anatomy of a thought, how a thought grows, what happens when thoughts go toxic and how to detox your thinking. It was really amazing to me to see how many systems of the body are affected by a thought. It has made me more determined to manage my thought life and to make sure I keep it positive.

In her book Dr. Leaf gives an example of three negative and incorrect beliefs that lead to toxic thoughts and emotions:

1. I must do well.
2. You must treat me well.
3. The world must be easy.

It would seem that these are harmless thoughts but the truth is they create unrealistic expectations and when they are not met they put your mind and body in stress mode and cause all types of health and performance problems.

Please check out the book and let me know what you think. As always I look for your comments.