Develop A Clear Vision & Plan For Your Future

Most people have a general idea about what they want for their lives. The capacity to relay that vision to others is the challenge. This is something that sets apart a leader from the rest.

The main quality that all leaders share is that they have a clear and exciting vision for the future, and the ability to communicate that vision.

Only a leader can think about the future and plan for the future each day.
Communicate Your Vision

Excellent leaders take the time to think through and develop a clear picture of how life will look in one, three and five-year increments.

Leaders have the ability to communicate this vision in such a way that others “buy in.” Eventually, others see this vision as belonging to them.
Motivate People To Give Their Best

It is the vision of the future possibilities, of what can be, that arouses emotion and motivates people to give their best.

The most powerful vision is always qualitative, aimed at and described in terms of values and mission. It is not a quantitative vision, described in terms of money and numbers.
Money Is Important

Of course, money is important. The decision and commitment to “be the best in the business,” though, is far more exciting.
Keep Your Cool

Another key to leadership success is for you to “keep your cool.”

A study at Stanford Business School examined the qualities that companies look for in promoting young managers toward senior executive positions, especially the position of Chief Executive Officer. The study concluded that there are two important qualities required for great success.

First, the ability to put together and function as part of a team.
All work is ultimately done by teams. A manager’s output is the output of the team. The ability to select team members, set objectives, delegate responsibility and finally, get the job done, is central to success in management.
Practice Patience Under Pressure

The second leadership quality required for rapid promotion is the ability to function well under pressure, especially in a crisis.

Keeping your cool in a crisis means to practice patience and self-control under difficult or disappointing circumstances.
All Eyes On You

The character and quality of a leader are often demonstrated in these critical moments under fire. In these moments everyone is watching, observing and taking notes.

Rudyard Kipling once said, “If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, then the world is yours and all that’s in it.”

Your job as a leader is to have a clear vision of where you want to go. Keep your cool when things go wrong, as they surely will.
Create Your Own Dream Future Board

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:

First, project forward 3-5 years and imagine your ideal future vision. What does it look like? What steps can you take right now to begin turning your future vision into your current reality?

A great tool to help visualize your future and focus on your goals is a vision board.

Also known as a dream board, the concept involves placing images of your ideal life, belongings, goals and affirmations onto a board or book.

Once created, you should look at it as often as possible to activate your reticular activating system. Notice the resources and opportunities necessary to make your dreams become part of your reality.

Doing so will also activate the Law of Attraction!

Second, resolve in advance that, no matter what happens, you will remain calm and cool. You will not become upset or angry. You will take a deep breath and focus on the solution rather than on the problem.

Leave a comment below stating one of your future goals and I’ll be sure to follow up with you!

Plus-You Can Now Join Our FREE Mastering Success Facebook Community at www.masteringsuccess.group

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What Do You Long For?

Everyone has a longing or longings of some kind whether for love, relationships, success, recognition, approval or world travels. It's basic human nature. If you long for nothing in your life that you don't have or desire I'll wager that you are living either in denial, you have settled or given up on a dream, hope, desire or some aspect or even every aspect of life - you are existing day to day just waiting for your last day.

I'm not just talking here about goals, plans or dreams but the basic need to fill some empty part of your life. To long for can take many forms from a simple something to happen in your life today to a miraculous cure of some disease or trauma.

Why do we long? Is it pride? Ego? Arrogance? Fundamental basic human needs? Hope? Visions? Yes, it can be these any many more.

Over the years I have longed for many things in my life, career and relationships - some of them have happened while others still elude me for some reason. Do I give up - quit - keep waiting - keep trying or just accept what is and what may never be?

I don't know about you but quitting has never been in my DNA. Frustration - yes, disappointment - yes, regret - yes, but in the end letting these rule the time I have left seems to waste life - whatever it brings to me.

Yes, sometimes age, health and financial circumstances can cause us to reconsider our lifelong longings, but this doesn't mean they can't change, adjust or be replaced with something else given our new circumstances.

I am reminded of Christopher Reeves (the first Superman) after his accident that changed the rest of his life forever but if you have read his story you know that he accomplished a great deal from his wheelchair, in fact much more than many people who can walk, talk, think etc. His story has been an inspiration to me when I have faced challenging or difficult times.

But what about you - given up on something? Just because you may not be making the progress you think you should, is no reason to let go. Yes, the dream or desire you long for may take a different path or have a different outcome due to unexpected changes in your life but this is no reason to quit, give in or settle.

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Investing In Yourself Is A Must For An Extraordinary Life

If you are not investing in your personal development, you are brutally limiting your true potential.

Personal development impacts your entire life, not just your work life, business life or your personal life.

It's shocking how many people don't try to improve themselves and sadly, these are the exact people who often complain how unfair life treats them and wonder why they are always dwelling in mediocrity.

In brief, here are some guidelines to follow when you embark your personal development journey:

#1 Imagine How You Want to Design Your Life

Without a vision, men perish.

You need a clear picture of where you want to go in order to determine what kind of life you want to live.

Success is change. You need to pre-determine the kinds of changes you must go through professionally and personally in order to arrive the Promised Land you've never reached.

What you practice in private will emanate in the public. Personal and professional lives always intertwine with each other.

For example, if you imagine yourself being more compassionate and forgiving to others, this trait will exude and impact both of your lives.

Also, if you wanted to develop your leadership skill for your local community, such improvement of skill will easily be transferrable to your professional career as well.

The key is to identify and imagine the kind of person you have to become in order to achieve your goals.

#2 Have A Reality Check

Before you resolve to any changes in your life, make sure you know where you are standing right now.

Discovering your current strengths and weaknesses will help you formulate a plan of action to make the necessary changes meaningful and effective.

#3 Set Ambitious Yet Realistic Goals

Once you know what your strengths and weaknesses are, create both long-term and short-term goals that you need to achieve in order to move towards your ultimate destination.

Never set goals without an action plan. You must set concrete, quantifiable, manageable milestones with clear deadlines so that you feel the urgency to take action and get things done.

#4 When Things Don't Work Out As Planned, Change

Change is the only constant in the Universe.

When plan A doesn't work out, you need to try plan B, plan C and so on until you succeed.

Planning doesn't guarantee success because no one can predict all the uncertainties that are shaping the future.

So don't be discouraged when your initial personal development plan fails. When you hit a roadblock, it simply means it's time for alternative solutions.

#5 Track & Evaluate How You Are Doing

When you have a small victory, have a look how you did against the plan of action steps.

This is critical because you always want to learn from any potential mistakes and subtle lessons along the way. Be brutally honest and truthful when you do your self-assessment.

Be okay if you suck at anything in the first few times. Mastery of anything takes years or even decades to develop.

Alternatively, have someone else perform this objective evaluation for you. It will definitely sound painful and ego-busting when you hear the brutal truth, but the benefits will well worth it.

Finally, remember to keep your personal development simple.

Don't overwhelm yourself with unobtainable goals that are setting yourself up for failure.

Sure, push yourself, expand your limit and keep going every day.

But always be aware of your current capabilities so that you are motivated enough to stay in the long game instead of giving up too early.

If you are committed to your daily tiny investment on yourself, you'll be assured to lead an extraordinary life very soon.

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The 15 Success Habits All High Achievers Have

Ever wondered what success habits separate high achievers from the rest of the dreamers?

Some people perform better. They achieve more and always succeed in what they do. But what more do they have that helps them get such results?

Truth is, they aren’t any different from us – at the beginning we’re all equal. But what differentiates them from the rest is the behavior they adopt on the way to achieving their dreams.

15 Success Habits High Achievers Have

High achievers have different habits than the average people. Their days consist of others activities and their head is full of other thoughts.

So here are the success habits and best practices of such people that make them stand out, get things done and move forward:


1. They Get Up Early

The average person needs a lot of time to wake up. That’s because he usually goes to bed late, stays in front of the computer, and is now hitting the snooze button, trying to put off starting the day.

But if that’s the firth thing you want and think about in the morning – how to avoid an early start of the day – then how do you expect the rest of it to be any better?

A different approach, however, is to go to bed earlier and have a good sleep. To wake up motivated to take action because you got stuff to do. To face the day, make the most of it, realize what a gift it is and be excited about what it will bring.


2. They Read

Instead of checking email and using your phone all the time, watching TV, being on all social medias and constantly updating random statuses, you should sit down and do some reading, or writing.

That’s an activity for your free time that will make you think, grow, learn and improve in general. And it’s what high achievers do daily.


3. They Have A Morning Routine

Another thing you’d better do after getting up early is to have a success ritual.

The benefits are amazing – you get energized, boost productivity, jumpstart the day, have time for yourself, plan out the stuff you need to get done later, and have a peaceful morning.
So think about it if you don’t have a routine already.


When you’re serious about becoming successful and achieving more in life, sleeping in is not an option.

But it’s also important how you spend that first hour after leaving bed. And filling it with productive, positive and creative activities like meditation, a quick workout and some writing or reading, is the best option.


4. They Have A Vision

A life without direction is pointless.

Those who actually achieve something and get somewhere, are seeing that place much earlier than the time they actually get there. Because in their minds, they’re constantly visualizing the upcoming success in details.

That’s a powerful technique that can get you closer to whatever it is that you want in life. No matter how big.


5. They Rest Properly

Successful people sleep well, take breaks, power nap, meditate to clear their mind every day, and have other rituals that help them relax, rest their body and mind, and not feel drained at the end of the day.

This helps them work harder, be more focused, get better results, and eliminate stress and depression.


6. They Take Responsibility for their Actions

Blaming other people, or even circumstances or life in general, is an awful habit many people share. But that’s not how a determined person sees things.

Instead, he takes responsibility for his actions, even if he’s made a mistake, learns from it, accepts it, and moves on trying to do it right next time.


7. They Talk About Ideas with Other Purpose-Driven People

If you’re surrounded by negative people who let you down, complain about their lives all the time, or are just talking about other people and events in their life, you won’t change for the better.

But you can still turn that around and choose to communicate with positive individuals, spend time with creative people, full of life and positivity, ambitious human beings with goals and dreams.
And soon you’ll see yourself thriving.

After all, environment is crucial for success and we’re the average of the five people we spend most time with.


8. They Have an Evening Routine

For maximum results you should start the day with a morning routine, and end it with a bedtime ritual.

It may include stuff like examining the day and assessing your performance, making a plan for tomorrow, brushing your teeth and flossing, meditating (again), and doing some reading so that you can go to sleep faster.

And it definitely doesn’t include any food, electronic devices, alcohol, or falling asleep on the couch in front of the TV.

9. They Prioritize

Even if you have 50 things to do today, there are just a few that are really important. Your job is to define them and focus on them first.

These are the things that help you move towards your goals, that help you improve, earn more, be in a better shape, etc.


10. They Say ‘NO’ to Some Things

High achievers know they have to say ‘no’ to stuff that seems pretty tempting now, but which can only harm them in the long term.

So they often miss parties or other social events, get up early even though they really want to stay in bed, work out when their mind tells them to stay in front of the computer for a little more, and don’t eat the junk food they crave.

Sacrifices like that are what shapes your character and make you the person you need to become in order to lead the lifestyle you imagine.


11. They Grow Spiritually

As I mentioned, some of their best (and daily) practices include reading, meditating, interacting with creative and passionate people, etc.

And all that helps them grow. Soon, it becomes a habit for them to look for chances to learn new stuff, try new things, gain experience and evolve.


12. They Eliminate Distractions

Distractions are everywhere. And always will be. But if we realize how important our current activity is, and choose to focus only on it, other people coming in the room, notifications, worries, fears and random thoughts won’t matter that much.

So concentrate on what you’re doing now. And if it’s connected to your dreams, you’ll find a way to eliminate everything that distracts you and will actually get some work done.


13. They Take Immediate Decisions

People usually spend too much time trying to make a decision. Even if it’s an easy one, they struggle with choosing an option as they try to choose the best one.

But you should let go of perfectionism. And, instead, just take one of the two things and make the best of it.


14. They Get Rid of Time-Wasting Activities

Most of the things we do daily aren’t productive. In fact, they are only slowing down our self-improvement process. And the best we can do is stop doing them and do more of what works and has helped so far.

Reading newspapers may not have any positive effect on you, but if you spend that time planning out your whole day in details, you’ll be much more productive and will see the bigger picture of where you’re heading in life.


15. They Approach Other Successful People

Often we’re too scared to even try to talk to someone that’s superior to us. But people like that are usually friendlier and more open-minded than we expect.

After all, they too started somewhere and wanted to change and ask more successful individuals for advice. So they might as well take the time now to give you some tips, help you in some way or encourage you and give you feedback.


In Conclusion

Great habits, right? And none of them are hard. You can start applying them right now. But start small – one change at a time.

Can you add other practices that lead to greater results in life?

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How to Discover Leadership Qualities Within Yourself

You’re an introvert.

You don’t have a boisterous personality. You’ve never seen an actual popularity contest, but you are certain if you were in one, that you wouldn’t win. Clearly, you aren’t cut out to be a leader.

Are you?

That depends. If one were to believe the depiction of leaders that exists in movies, television, books, and the classroom, the answer to that question might be yes.

After all, based on the typical portrayal of a leader, aren’t the brash, outgoing, forceful, outspoken, and charismatic? How can a person without these characteristics be an effective leader?
How to Discover Leadership Qualities Within Yourself

Here’s the truth. You can be a great leader without possessing the nature or personality traits of the stereotypical leader that has been presented to you. You have innate leadership qualities.

You just have to figure out what they are, and how you can use them.

Try to answer the following questions, and you might discover these qualities within yourself.

1. Are you willing to come in early and stay late?

You may have received messaging that tells you that good leaders get people to perform by having a commanding presence.

This isn’t true.

Successful leaders earn the respect of their teams when they lead by example. This means demonstrating the willingness to put in the same work that your team puts in.

If you are willing to put in the same long hours that your team must work, you’ve already established some leadership abilities.


2. Will you step in when a team member needs help?

Shouldn’t true leaders model adherence to firm expectations?


Shouldn’t they demand that team members overcome their own struggles and contribute effectively?

Doesn’t that help equal enabling?

You might think that your desire to help people around you is a weakness. It is not. When you help somebody, you aren’t modelling being taken advantage of.

You aren’t modelling permitting irresponsibility.

“AS A LEADER, YOUR ABILITY TO RECOGNISE AND STEP IN TO HELP SOMEBODY IS PRICELESS.”

By doing so, you are communicating the message that each member of the team that is important, and that it is okay to model teamwork and cooperation.


3. Is it important for you that every member of a team is valued?

Good leaders are task oriented.

Great leaders are also task oriented but they balance that with true concern for the development and well being over everybody on their team.

If you have a natural tendency to try and help your team find their talents and discover how and where they can contribute, that is a great sign that that you have the ability to lead your team and boost morale.


4. Will you stand up for an idea you believe in or advocate for a coworker?

Sometimes, the best thing that a leader can offer is quiet yet sincere advocacy both for the ideas that they believe in, or for the people on their teams.

If you have the ability and the willingness to do this, you are already well on your way to becoming a leader.

If people know that you are willing to stand up for them and protect their interests, they will be more willing to follow your lead and believe in your leadership abilities.


5. Would you rather seek consensus than victory?

It is a common misconception that a great leader is always seeking victory when it comes to disagreements and confrontations.

This is untrue.

“GOOD LEADERS RECOGNISE THAT WINNING BATTLES OFTEN RESULTS IN HURT FEELINGS AND RESENTMENTS.”

These things can have a negative impact on morale and future interactions with the parties who ended up on the losing side of the confrontation.

If your natural instinct is to find common ground and work towards solutions that benefit everybody, and that make everybody feel good about the resolution, you have one of the most important leadership qualities that there is.






6. Do you recognise the value of picking your battles?
Not only do good leaders seek compromise and consense wherever there is controversy, they also know that it is often wise to avoid controversy altogether.

Many people believe that conflict avoidance is something that others will take as a sign of weakness.

In reality, this couldn’t be further than the truth. Think about it. Everybody knows at least one person who continually is at battle with somebody over something.

They seemingly cannot let anything go, and so they move from one confrontation to another. It is very rare to see these types of people in leadership positions, and when they are in leadership positions, they are often seen as bullies.

Somebody who has innate leadership skills wisely chooses their battles. The result is that when they do decide to take a firm stance on something, that stance is usually respected.


7. Are you willing to give credit to others for their contributions?

A great leader is primarily focused on the development of others.

This means overseeing their growth and training as employees, ensuring that they are happy and fulfilled with the work that they are doing, and ensuring that they are recognised for their accomplishments.

“ALL TOO OFTEN, WHEN A TEAM IS SUCCESSFUL, ALL OF THE PRAISE AND CREDIT GOES TO THE PERSON AT THE TOP.”

A great leader doesn’t let that happen. They ensure that everybody involved receives specific and meaningful credit for their contributions.

If you have a tendency to pass compliments on to others, it can be a sign that you recognise the importance of giving credit where credit is due.
Summary

As you can see, there is every bit as much value in quiet, competent leadership as there is in a loud and brash leadership style.

In fact, in many cases, quiet leaders who truly care about their teams, work as hard as they demand others to work, and are willing to take principled stands, are more respected than their often demanding and confrontational counterparts.

So, if you are an introvert, contemplative in nature, and have a quiet demeanour, don’t assume that leadership is not in the cards for you. The truth is, these characteristics may be signs that your innate leadership skills are much stronger than you realise.
Let us quickly recap on the questions featured in this article:
Are you willing to come in early and stay late?
Will you step in when a team member needs help?
Is it important for you that every member of a team is valued?
Will you stand up for an idea you believe in or advocate for a coworker?
Would you rather seek consensus than victory?
Do you recognise the value of picking your battles?
Are you willing to give credit to others for their contributions?



If you would like to develop your leadership skills, you can make the effort to find ways to act as a leader where you are right now.

You don’t need a promotion or a title to be a leader. You can mentor co-workers, be a source of practical and emotional support, and simply be willing to work just a bit harder than is expected of you.

You can also find your voice by learning to express your ideas and to advocate for yourself and the people working with you.
Is there anything to like to comment on about this article? Leave a comment below.

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How To Gain The Confidence To Live A Remarkable Life

How To Gain The Confidence To Live A Remarkable Life

On A Wing And Prayer


A remarkable life begins with the intention to cast away the bowline on your former life, in exchange for new beginnings.

Whilst you may not know the steps required, you recognise your current experience is not what you want.

Once you state your intention to change your circumstances, the pieces of the puzzle will come together.

Most journeys are lined with detours, dead ends and eventual success. Our voyage comprises peaks and turning points where we confront our demons, only to rise above them.

"Your attitude and how you respond to both opportunity and setbacks are critical to pivoting. You need to develop habits that help you foster a positive mind-set, help you understand yourself, and increase your sense of control over your life," affirms author Adam Markel in Pivot: The Art and Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life.

We must assume responsibility for our future which means accepting everything that arises along the way.

Nothing is gained overnight. Where success comes fast, it can be easily squandered, so don't be in a haste to upgrade your life sooner. It's not how fast you reach your destination, but the lessons and experiences that matter.

The Value Of Connections

We cannot create a remarkable life without the help of others. As social creatures, valued relationships can propel us to new heights.

My greatest life experiences resulted from connecting with people whom I thought had little to offer. However, they imparted precious wisdom and knowledge when I needed it most.

Similarly, it's vital you surround yourself with people who sympathise with your cause and don't sabotage your plans.

The world is full of detractors and cynics, unable to pursue their dreams. They may have failed and will insist you cannot succeed either.

Steer clear away from them. Grave diggers, as I call them, will find every excuse to convince you it can't be done.

"The truth, in spite of what we might believe about remarkable people, is that you cannot master a skill on your own. Finding your calling will not happen without the aid and assistance of others. Every story of success is, in fact, a story of community," states author Jeff Goins in The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do.

Humility and kindness will take you far because you never know when your circumstances will change. To repay the services of those who help you or by paying it forward, is something we must take into account.

Unearth your innate confidence, irrespective of the reality you face. This leads to a resolute conviction because you discover the essence of your nature in moments of determination.

Failure and rejection become your allies since anything of value requires: commitment, dedication and time.

Fear vs Faith

Don't allow your fears and insecurities to cripple you.

Ninety percent of the world's population don't take action on their dreams because their fears overpower them. Gradually, the years slip away and they've achieved little, much to their regret.

They entertain dis-empowering thoughts that keep them safe within their comfort zone.

Yet, a safe refuge will seldom award you a remarkable life. It's the assurance of an average life which I'm sure is not what you want.

"Who we are and where we want to go determine what we do and what we accomplish. A life lived on purpose is the most powerful of all- and the happiest," state authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan in The One Thing: The surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results.

An extraordinary life is created by conceding parts of our life that are not working while attaining something greater.

To discover your calling is essential if you seek to align with purpose. Hidden in these treasures lies your passion, instead of a career or a job you loathe.

Those who pursue their purpose have an unwavering commitment to serve others and are pulled by the exuberance for life.

"You're either remarkable or invisible," declares author Seth Godin in his bestselling book, Purple Cow.

Follow Your Calling

I appreciate the notion to answer our calling since it's grounded in purpose and intention, key aspects of universal wisdom. A calling can be as minor as writing poetry for family and friends or as grand as humanitarian efforts in third world countries.

Don't succumb to those who advocate your calling is less than glamorous because if it resonates with you, there's a good chance you're following it.

There's talk nowadays of pursuing happiness, that it's now become a first world problem. At least we've reached the consensus, material possessions do not equate to fulfillment.

The greatest source of happiness arises from a focused purpose. It entails attending to big picture issues instead of trivial ones that occupy your time and energy.

You must trade the familiar for the uncertain and be guided by the appeal of the journey. For when you jump, the net will appear, but not a moment sooner until you take the plunge.

The promise of a remarkable life is a journey of self-discovery. It sets the intention and the seed of opportunity for the next phase of your life. You won't know what the imminent future holds until you start out on the path.

Author Michael Neill reminds us of a wonderful message in his book The Inside-Out Revolution: The Only Thing You Need to Know to Change Your Life Forever, "How things ultimately turn out isn't up to us. It never was. But if we do our bit and play our part, it's remarkable how far we can go."

You Have What It Takes

Don't despair, you're well adapted to surmount any circumstances life presents. All your needs have served you from birth until now and will continue to serve you as long as you maintain trust.

It's not important what a remarkable life looks like, however we must believe it's attainable. We should allow life to show us how to merge into this future and be willing to embrace what arises.

Don't become a bystander, waiting for circumstances to change or improve. Enter the arena as a gladiator and assuage your fears while silencing your doubts.

To the victor goes the spoils.

Spectators are self-imposed critics who sit on the side-lines, while others take massive action to create extraordinary circumstances.

Life is too precious to be an onlooker.

Author Jeff Goins reminds us again that the luck is something we create, "What makes a person successful, then, is not the luck, but what he or she does with it. Opportunities come. The question is what will you do when they arrive? Successful people are just as "lucky" as the unsuccessful. The difference is they do something remarkable with their lucky moment while the rest of the world sits around, waiting for the next lucky streak to come."

To live a remarkable life entails immense personal growth and self-improvement. The person you are now, is not the person you will become.

For success is a by-product of inspired action.

So, cast away the bowline and set your sail to navigate towards a prosperous future.

You never know where it will take you and that's the greatest adventure we can embark on - trusting in ourselves and living to serve our needs.

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5 Strategies to Keep Your Compliments and Build Your Confidence

5 Strategies to Keep Your Compliments and Build Your Confidence

How do you feel when someone pays you a sincere compliment? Great, right?


That compliment has more to offer than giving your spirits a momentary boost. You can put that simple compliment to work for you in ways you might never have thought of. Let's explore further.

1. Keep your compliments.

When someone compliments you, write it down. Value it and keep every single compliment that anyone ever pays you. Put it in a journal, a Compliments Catalog, if you will. Or keep a special file or folder online. Whatever method you use, record every compliment verbatim.

2. Embrace your fabulousness.
Positive feedback can be harder to accept than negative. Really make an effort in the moment to take the commendation in. It's a tribute to your skills, expertise, and effort. Accept it as the gift that it is.

The value of this feedback is more than making you feel good in the moment. When you're able to embrace it, you increase your confidence. Re-read it later, maybe at a time when you're feeling down or about to go into a big meeting or call. Any time you feel disconnected from yourself and need to be reminded.

Re-reading your compliments help you sustain your confidence level and your motivation. It's a lot easier to maintain than to build back up, so put your energy into maintenance.


3. Spread the joy.

Let people know the positive feedback about you or your business. To be respectful, check with the complimenter first, and if they're OK with it, share the joy. Social media or your website are great places to let people know what others have said. It's called, 'social proof.' Proof that others think you're exceptional. It'll raise your respect quotient and your online capital.

4. Amp up your bio.

Include recurring compliments in your online bio on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Or in the bio you provide to someone who is introducing you as a speaker.

You can take this even further in your marketing. Stories are valuable marketing currency we can all use to share our businesses with each other. Sharing stories of how you helped a client (or team member or supplier) allows for more and valuable connections with your audience. People will take notice if your bio is different and personal. Include a brief story behind a testimonial you received.

5. Pay compliments forward.

You can have an impact on other people's confidence too. When you have a great experience with them or their business, let them know. Then they can start their own compliments journal. You'll deepen your connections and expand your impact with some simple words of sincere praise. It's a valuable gift to others.

Value your compliments. You can use them in many ways to boost yourself and your business.

Here's one from me to you: I think you're brave and smart. Ready to embrace that?





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3-Step Plan to Reset and Restart Your Achievement

3-Step Plan to Reset and Restart Your Achievement

We all run into that mental brick wall. You know the one, it keeps you from making any progress on your goals. It keeps you from breaking out of a funk where you wander from activity to activity, unfocused, uncertain and unable to make progress.


Here's a 3-step process for breaking out of your slump and through that brick wall. They're simple, easy to remember and doable if you first commit to the process. "Step 0" is the hardest part. If we could commit to a process before this, we'd already be through that brick wall, right?

Step 1 - Take a Break

This is probably the most important thing we can do to break out of a funk once we're mired in one for any length of time. It's also the hardest one to do. We get caught up feeling like we need to keep at it. We're falling behind and never seem to catch up to where we should be. How can we take a break right now?

Ever watch baseball? When a player has a long stretch of bad hitting, the manager will often sit the player for 1 to 3 games and tell him to not think about anything other than relaxing. It' amazing how well this works. Often the player comes back and starts off hitting like Ty Cobb, Pete Rose and Miguel Cabrera all rolled into one.


Why?

Because that time to relax took all the pressure off. Not thinking about your problems allows them to fade, to have less urgency. When we see the world didn't end, it allows us to put it in perspective and start over with a fresh attitude.

Step 2 - Take Small Actions
You've probably got an action plan you're working from. If so, pick a few small, repeatable actions that you can reasonably do for the next week. This will give you a taste of success and allow you to start building momentum. It will give you the confidence to act on the right things, in the right order and at the right time. Start small. Build momentum. Build on each success.

Step 3 - Re-evaluate Your Plans

Now that you've got some small successes going and have taken off the pressure, it's the ideal time to look at your plans. Were they too complex? Too ambitions? Too deep for your skill level right now? Were they impossible to do without the help you didn't ask for? Was it external factors that got you into a funk and behind that brick wall?

Whatever the cause, now is the time to see what you need to change to stay on track. Once you know the thing that knocked you off-track, you can be on guard for it again.

There you go. Relax. Act. Re-evaluate. These 3 small steps can get you back on track in any situation. They can work no matter the scale or the scope of what's going on in your life.




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7 Important Things Nobody Tells You About Motivation

Do you have 50 great ideas a day? New business plans? New blogs to start? New books to write? New courses to create? New speeches to give? New inventions to launch?

You may even start on some of these projects but lose motivation very quickly. It seems like ideas come up and fly away without you taking action on them. You’re wondering why some people can start on projects and keep pushing forward while you tend to lose interest after you start something.

Well, here’s the thing. Motivation isn’t something you’re born with. It’s not that some people are naturally motivated and others aren’t motivated at all. The big secret is that motivation can be cultivated which means that you too can do something to improve the level of motivation in your life. When you feel like scrapping the idea because you’ve lost interest, have a look at your motivation tank.

Here are 7 unspoken rules of motivation that will help you move forward to achieving your dreams:

1. Starting small helps you get motivated

If you love to bite off more than you can chew, take note of this principle. If you go after big tasks and giant goals, without breaking them down, you won’t feel very motivated. Instead of going for the kill every day, take small steps to achieving your life goals. Small steps means taking the smallest of steps. What is the very smallest action step you can break down? Take that step today. Buy the domain name. Write your first hundred words. Get the running shoes out of the closet.

2. Having a reason “why” helps you stay motivated

This is the biggest reason you don’t have the mojo to keep going. You start something but then suddenly feel like you have no reason to pursue it. If you’re going to go after something, get super clear on why this is important to your life. Come up with a list of reasons on why the dream is important or why the goal matters.  Keep this list at the top of your mind and look at it every day. Make sure you have emotional, psychological and purpose-filled reasons to go after whatever it is you want.

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” – Colin Powell

3. Your vision of what’s possible helps you keep going

So often, we start and stop because we can’t see the end product. We can’t see what the promise land looks like. If you want to stay motivated, you have to keep the vision of what’s possible in front of you. Spend a couple minutes envisioning achieving your goal or dream. What does that feel like? How do you view yourself after you’ve achieved it? Taste the sweetness of having done what you’re setting out to do.

4. Habits are the fuel for motivation

Yes, you should take small steps but not occasionally and not when you feel like it. The way to make sure you remain motivated, especially in the beginning, is to turn your dreams into actionable steps that you do consistently. Write for five minutes a day. Run for five minutes a day. Work on your business plan for five minutes a day. It’s not how long you do something as  much as how consistently you do something. Use habits to keep you moving forward.  

5. Acknowledging your progress is critical

You may move ahead but feel more behind. When you don’t feel like you’re progressing forward, you begin to feel like you’ve lost. The way to help you stay motivated is to regularly remind yourself of how far you’ve come along. To do that, acknowledge your progress. Track your progress and celebrate milestones. Look back and show yourself how much farther along you are.

6. Your inner circle impacts your motivation

If you don’t think your friends, mentor and inner circle matters, you’re wrong. You’re going to do what your circle of influence does. If your inner circle is lazing around and slacking , you’re going to do the same. If you hang around go-getters who are going after their dreams, you’re going to do so likewise. The people around you can be the sun that helps you flourish or the weeds that will cripple your progress. Add more sun in your life and cut the weeds out. Be conscious and aware of who you’re surrounding yourself with because they have a direct effect on your motivation.

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” – Edmund Lee

7. Failure can unleash your motivation

You might feel it’s over when you fail but that’s hardly the case. All success stories, world-changers and come-back stories share one thing in common, failure. All the greats have failed. You have to use the lessons of failure as an opportunity to spring forward. Use your failure to learn what didn’t work, then start over. Go stronger and bolder than you’ve gone before. Failure is a great motivator to get it right and to surpass previous attempts.

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