The Hidden Opportunities

Do you have goals and dreams? Have you started pursuing your dreams but things aren’t going your way? Have you become exhausted and finally decided to quit?!

Stop.

Here is a great principle from Albert Einstein that will open your eyes to an important truth: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

Over time, successful people learned to develop the insight and wisdom to find opportunities in the middle of difficulties. They have the ability to shift their focus from the problem to the solution, the lessons, and the opportunities.

Everything that happens in your life has a purpose. That purpose is to teach you a lesson that is important for your personal growth.

You must open your heart and mind to receive these lessons and see the opportunities that surround you.

Don’t let difficulties hinder you from realizing your potential and going after your dreams. From now on, when you face a difficulty in your life, look for an opportunity that you can benefit from and use it to transform your life and move forward.

Remember those days when you were thinking that life has no more to offer and that everything is against you. But as time goes by, you started to realize that those moments were very important for your growth and that you learned a lot of valuable lessons that contributed to your success in life afterwards.

Life is a challenging journey, and you have to become an adventurer. Go through life with confidence and belief in yourself.

Sit today and look for ways you can transform your life challenges into great opportunities. This single shift in your focus can dramatically change your life forever.

Focus on what you want and look for opportunities everywhere to help you achieve it.

One day you will realize that the best opportunities came from the biggest difficulties.

Always remember that, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

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Creating an Incredibly Successful Life

The American Dream. The Pie in the Sky. It’s what everyone seems to be searching for. It’s an endless search for successful living and happiness. Do you look around observing how certain others seem to be living that life of success that you are after? Does that lifestyle seem to be slipping away the more you chase it?

Perhaps the answer to success is not in the chase. Perhaps the answer to successful living lies within the one who is doing the chasing. Let me explain.

What sets you apart from everyone else? Go ahead. List some areas in your life that are absolutely, without a doubt, totally different than anyone you know. What are some habits that you have and no one else can claim? They’re your habits. List them out. The more, the better. 

Now, how many do you have? Five? Ten? Twenty?

There’s the answer to the eternal question of how to attain a successful life. Viola! That’s it! We can all go on now and live a life of happiness and eternal contentment.

Okay. Maybe it’s a little more involved than that. Just knowing how you’re different doesn’t make you successful. But knowing what to do with those differences is key. More specifically, four areas you can tap into, that you may not have thought of, may give you a much-needed boost toward your life of success.

1.    Know Yourself
When you listed out your differences, you were setting yourself apart from everyone you know. That, in essence, is you. One of the main things that makes you unique is how you’re are different than everyone else. As a society, we are programmed to try and be like everyone else. Do not do this. Lock in on your differences. Claim them. Own them. Enhance them. You will soon be the one everyone else is looking at, wondering how you are so successful. Knowing your difference is knowing you.

2.    Be Yourself
Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Actually stepping out and being someone different takes courage. It takes guts. Take a look at who you consider successful. Are they just like everyone else? No. They are the people who cared enough to jump out of the mold that everyone is trying to fit in. Refuse to be shoved into a mold. Don’t believe what you hear. Don’t believe anything, unless you question it. The mold-people are mindless and are led by someone else with a leash, which requires no thought process. Most of the time they are being led by another mindless, mold-person who is being led by another. It’s an endless and mind-numbing cycle. Do not fall into this. The best way to actually be yourself is to actually think for yourself. Develop your own opinions. Develop your own values. Strengthen your core.

3.    Love Yourself
Once you know who you are and you have taken action to be yourself, do not be ashamed. You have been created for a purpose. Take pride in that fact. Finding your purpose (if you don’t already know it) is an adventure. There’s no reason you can’t (or shouldn’t) enjoy being you while on your adventure. Love is a verb. You should love yourself. Treat yourself to some things that you really enjoy. What do you like to do? When is the last time you did it? What is life if it isn’t an adventure to be enjoyed? Love it. Love yourself.

4.    Share Yourself
If you want to feel good about yourself and who you are, share yourself with someone. (I’m not talking about something illegal or immoral. J) Give yourself to something you believe in. It may be helping children. You may go out and help clean up some neighborhood after a huge storm, hurricane or some natural disaster. You may attend a synagogue, church or some other place of worship. Maybe you can give some of your time there.

The point is to find a conviction; a deep-seeded belief and give of yourself. You will experience a type of chest-poked-out pride that can only leave a smile on your face so big, people will wonder what you’re up to. It’s one of the most rewarding feelings you can experience.

There you have it. There are four things that you can chase instead of the proverbial successful lifestyle. There’s a paradox here. Adopt and live these four things and you will “find” yourself closer to a successful life than you could imagine. The successful lifestyle we are all looking for is not in someone else. It’s not a bunch of secrets that only a few possess. It’s in you. It always has been.

Keep looking and living forward.

Remember Live Your Life By Choice Not By Chance.

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SELF IMPROVEMENT AND SUCCESS

Everything that happens to us happens in purpose. And sometimes, one thing leads to another. Instead of locking yourself up in your cage of fears and crying over past heartaches, embarrassment and failures, treat them as your teachers and they will become your tools in both self improvement and success.

I remember watching Patch Adams – its my favorite movie, actually. Its one great film that will help you improve yourself. Hunter “patch” Adams is a medical student who failed to make it through the board exams. After months of suffering in melancholy, depression and suicidal attempts – he decided to seek for medical attention and voluntarily admitted himself in a psychiatric ward.  His months of stay in the hospital led him to meeting different kinds of people. Sick people in that matter. He met a catatonic, a mentally retarded, a schizophrenic and so on. Patch found ways of treating his own ailment and finally realized he has to get back on track. He woke up one morning realizing that after all the failure and pains he has gone through, he still want to become the a doctor. He carries with himself a positive attitude that brought him self improvement and success. He didn’t only improved himself, but also the life of the people around him and the quality of life. Did he succeed? Needless to say, he became the best damn doctor his country has ever known.

So, when does self improvement become synonymous with success? Where do we start? Take these tips, friends…
*Stop thinking and feeling as if you’re a failure, because you’re not. How can others accept you if YOU can’t accept YOU?

*When you see hunks and models on TV, think more on self improvement, not self pitying. Self acceptance is not just about having nice slender legs, or great abs. Concentrate on inner beauty.

*When people feel so down and low about themselves, help them move up. Don’t go down with them. They’ll pull you down further and both of you will end up feeling inferior.

*The world is a large room for lessons, not mistakes. Don’t feel stupid and doomed forever just because you failed on a science quiz. There’s always a next time. Make rooms for self improvement.

*Take things one at a time. You don’t  expect black sheep’s to be goody-two-shoes in just a snap of a finger. Self improvement is a one day at a time process.

*Self improvement results to inner stability, personality development and dig this …. SUCCESS. It comes from self confidence, self appreciation and self esteem.

* Set meaningful and achievable goals. Self improvement doesn’t turn you to be the exact replica of Cameron Diaz or Ralph Fiennes. It hopes and aims to result to an improved and better YOU.

*Little things mean BIG to other people. Sometimes, we don’t realize that the little things that we do like a pat on the back, saying “hi” or “hello”, greeting someone “good day” or telling Mr. Smith something like “hey, I love your tie!” are simple things that mean so much to other people. When we’re being appreciative about beautiful things around us and other people, we also become beautiful to them.

*When you’re willing to accept change and go through the process of self improvement, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. The world is a place where people of different values and attitude hang out. Sometimes, even if you think you and your best friend always like to do the same thing together at the same time, she would most likely decline an invitation for self improvement.

We should always remember that there’s no such thing as ‘over night success’. Its always a wonderful feeling to hold on to the things that you already have now, realizing that those are just one of the things you once wished for. A very nice quote says that “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”  We are all here to learn our lessons. Our parents, school teachers, friends, colleagues, officemates, neighbors… they are our teachers. When we open our doors for self improvement, we increase our chances to head to the road of success.

Rememer Live Your Life By Choice Not By Chance.

Impossible is Just a Word

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.

Remember Live Your Life By Choice Not By Chance….

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Five Tips For You and 2009.

1. Forget about the past. Whatever failures
happened in 2008 already happened. You can
use it as a benchmark to improve but never
as a guideline why you cannot achieve
success in 2009.

2. Many people wish for a better year in 2009.
Don’t wish - wishful thinking doesn’t get you
anywhere, especially success. Commit to what
you want to achieve and go for it.

3. Be positive. Think positive about
2009 regardless of the recession because
your mind WILL influence your actions.

4. If you have to complain, DO IT NOW.
Then get over it and start a fresh in 2009.

5. Have a plan. Whether you just want to
make just a few hundreds from the internet
or build a million-dollar internet business,
plan it out and know what are the steps that
will get you closer to your goal. You can’t get
to your destination if you don’t know what
and where is your destination.

Make 2009 a year to remember, and Dream Big.

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3 Steps to Make Your Dreams into Reality

Everyone has a dream – many dreams actually – but few believe that they can actually achieve them. Nevertheless, some people achieve their dreams while others live lives of regret. Some are inspired and follow through, while others delay or give up entirely on their dreams in exchange for whatever excuses they comfort themselves with.

What are the factors that make that difference between the person who achieves and the one who regrets?

Here are three simple steps you can take to help you live the life of your dreams:

1.      Motivation. Everyone has their own motivations for their dreams. Consider what motivates you towards your goal. It could be financial freedom, more free time, or a second home in the Caribbean. Whatever it is, remind yourself of it on a daily basis.

For example, having pictures of your dream Caribbean home hung on the fridge or in your work space will remind you of your dream and refresh your mind with motivation.

·        When you suffer inevitable setbacks or frustration, a visible reminder of your dream will help motivate you to do what is necessary to get back on track toward your goal.

It is also important to give yourself rewards along the way. Rewarding yourself after making a breakthrough, such as acquiring a new client, learning a new computer program, or sharing a smile with your teenager, is absolutely necessary to effectively following through on your path to success.

Treat yourself to a nice dinner, take the day off for a game of golf, or reward yourself with something else you like. Your reward will give you a refreshing break from the trials and tribulations on your path to success and bring you new energy to continue working toward your goal.

·        Giving yourself a reward here and there along the way will reinvigorate your motivation with its positive result.

2.      Planning. Although developing a systematic plan may seem obvious if you want to achieve your goals, many people overlook or downplay this process and then wonder why they aren’t moving forward toward their goal. Be sure to take the time to plan your path for greater success!

·        Once you have a broad plan to reaching your goal, you must fine-tune all the details. Put it down on paper, even if it’s an emotional or psychological life goal, and determine the steps necessary to make that goal a reality.

·        Put a time frame on it. Put all excuses aside with a finite deadline for each step.

·        Be realistic of your own competencies.

Creating a realistic step-by-step plan with a deadline will bring your dream to life. Setting definable little goals to achieve on the way to your desired large goal will enable you to follow your plan through to success.

3.      Action. Lastly, no dream or goal can be achieved without action. If you’ve developed your plan as recommended, you will see that there are a number of little steps you must take on a daily or intermittent basis that will further you on your path to your ultimate goal.

·        Your little steps give you the map to your treasure. Take action to follow your map. Each step you complete brings you closer to your goal.

·        Evaluate your actions and revise your map as necessary. If a plan falls through, then be adaptable to change it until you find yourself back on the path to success.

Motivation, planning and action will enable you to create and live the life you’ve always wanted. It may take some time, but following these steps will guide you to success.

If I can do it, you can do it.

So many people are talking doom and gloom with regards to 2009. Well here’s my take on it, things will be ok. We can easily get caught up in the media web of what ever they want us to believe.

Don’t get too concerned, just do all the things you can do in your power and everything will work out.

The sun is coming up tomorrow!!! Dream Big,be positive and expect the best.

Bring on 2009.

Succeeding In Life

Every person dreams of achieving their goals and ambition in life. In one time or another, perhaps you have imagined yourself to be a successful CEO, a rich and famous celebrity or the President of your country. Well, it doesn’t matter what you desire to be in life as long as you give your best shot in attaining that goal.

Keep in mind that success in life isn’t measured by the money that you earn or the fame that you garner. Although it is undeniable that success can be measured through the money and fame that an individual achieves, they are not the only criteria for measuring an individual’s success.

How You Attain Success Also Matters

If you achieved your success by deceiving or cheating others, then that can’t be considered as a true blue success. Genuine success can only be attained through hard and honest work.

Success gained through devious acts is not really something to be proud of, and in the future, you will surely regret your horrible acts. Your conscience will be the one who will disturb you and will make you end up unhappy and discontented with life. It is better to have a slow but sure and honest journey to success rather than take a devious and deceitful shortcut.

Perhaps the simplest formula in attaining success involves only three things: your dream or ambition, your will to succeed and the help and support of the people that surround you.

Learn To Look Back

If you have already achieved your goals and realized your dreams, do not be too proud of yourself. Learn to look back and acknowledge the people that helped you reach your dreams. For sure, a lot of people have sacrificed a lot and shared lots of their time, advices and resources just for you to be able to reach your goal.

Learn to appreciate the efforts of the people who have helped you succeed in life. You don’t really have to give thanks to them materially; a simple gesture of acknowledgment or appreciation will do.

Don’t Fear Failure.

Learn more at www.selfimageimprovement.com

Surely, there will be times when you will feel that reaching your dream is a hopeless situation, especially if you encounter failures along the way. Do not let failure dampen your desire to succeed. Failures are only challenges thrown at you to make you a stronger and better person. Once you have overcome obstacles in your life, you will surely realize how much you could’ve missed if you had let your negative feelings affect you.

Setting Highly Effective Goals

Having the right attitude is not only the key to become successful; you must also set the proper goal. Goal setting is one way of establishing several steps to guide you in meeting your objectives. This means identifying specifically what you want to achieve. If done the right way, your methods might result in a successful enterprise as you work your way to success.

Three Qualities of an Effective Goal

Before you start your goal setting, keep in mind the three qualities that will help you get to where you want. Your goals must be measurable, realistic, and well-reviewed.

By being measurable, it means that your goals should be concrete. Identify what it is you want and set the specific time you plan to reach them. Have a practical and feasible time frame. By doing so, you can easily keep track of your improvements and assess your strategies.

By being realistic, it means that the goals you set are something that could actually happen when worked for. Challenges are but integral parts of goal setting, so be prepared and try to aim high; of course, while keeping within the bounds of what is achievable. Don’t push yourself too hard.

By being well-reviewed, your family and your friends must be aware of your goal setting plans. Ask comments from them as to what else you can do to attain success or methods to apply to make the ride smoother. Their opinions may not be as similar as those of professionals, but they might be helpful enough in providing support and motivation.

Some Other Effective Steps in Goal Setting

• Begin setting your goals by identifying the things that are important to you. Set a specific time as to when you will accomplish the goals.

• Recognize useful techniques and effective strategies that will help you achieve your goals. From there, make a list of the strategies to easily facilitate recognition.

• Choose the best strategies from your list and identify which ones will work best for you.

• Shape particular plans to help you carry out each strategy. Narrow these down and start working into every detail of the strategy until you reach your goals.

Goal setting takes some time for you to get used to, especially if you’re the type who just plays by ear. The key is to start working from the smaller goals; achieving them one step at a time until you get to the big ones. Though it’s inevitably hard and challenging at first, the thought that you have started acknowledging the need for a plan and actually identified exactly what you want is something you should be quite proud of. In due time, you will eventually reach your ultimate goals; of course, starting with a sound goal setting plan.

Learn more here at www.selfimageimprovement.com