The Impossible Goal...Really Isn't.

Ever have a goal that just seems so big you put it off? Want to become a pilot, run a marathon or maybe even rise to the top 1% of your profession? The impossible goal . . . really isn't!

How do goals become reality? Once your goal becomes your passion, you can begin building the foundation that will support it's eventual attainment. Consider reading and studying how others have achieved similar goals.

For aathletes there are plenty of books that reveal training schedules, diets and how others have done it. For those who aspire to achieve peak earnings mentors are a great place to start. Hang out with, attend courses and follow the real leaders in your chosen field. Ask how they started, blended work with family, attracted, then retained their clients and customers.

In most cases, you will find that the mentors you choose have also made hard choices. They have adopted principles upon which their decisions are made. Their actions are congruent with those principles. Their foundational character sets the tone for the structure of their goals.

Finally, with the foundation in place - just build. Create a plan and implement strategies to achieve your goals. Realize your final success does not occur in one fell swoop. It is the result of many steps in the direction of your goals.

So . . . go ahead and set your goals! Remember, destiny is not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice!

Creating Your Home Retreat

You might find yourself day dreaming of calming tropical beaches when life gets hectic but sometimes it's just not that easy to get away. That's why it's important to create a no-frills retreat in the most accessible place most of us have, our home.

Find a quiet room or corner to designate as your in home oasis. Even if it's not an entire room, be sure your oasis has a different feel than the rest of the house. If it's a section of a room, invest in a partitian to separate it from the rest of the area. Make sure it's away from technology, including telephones, computers or the television. Leave the BlackBerry in the other room too!

Soothing colors can help add relaxing ambiance. Experts recommend pale greens or neutrals such as taupe or beige. Avoid jarring, energetic shades such as yellow or red. If you do decide to add color, keep it monochromatic so vivid contrasts aren't distracting.

Get rid of all the clutter. Then set up a big, comfy armchair and a small table that's just big enough for a mug of your favorite drink, perhaps a plate of food and a lamp. Less is more when decorating for stress relief. Add serene family photos to the walls so you'll be surrounded by the ones you love, and consider placing scented candles in the area. Choose scents such as lavender, sandalwood or sage, which can have a calming effect on the mind and body.

Last be sure to make an appointment with yourself daily to take time to relax, reflect and think.

How Is Your Attitude?

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right”.

I'm sure many of you have heard the expression, attitude is everything. Attitude might not be everything but it is definitely important, especially right now. Now it is simply your attitude and mentality that will give you the edge over others who are trying to prosper in this highly volatile economy. Most people are intelligent enough to know that this statement is true. Some people reading this may argue that a positive attitude doesn't always work. Maybe not always but I know one thing for sure, negative thoughts and attitudes seldom work to your advantage!

Once I was told, “An optimist is someone who tells you to cheer up when things are going his way”. If you are reading this blog times may be difficult and you want serious answers to important questions such as, how can my family profit in this environment? There are many answers to this question.


Maintain a Positive Attitude Assuming a Negative Result

In other words be prepared for the worst case scenario while at the same time moving forward to get the best possible result. This will take the mental pressure off and allow you to focus on getting the job done. This approach, I believe, allows you to be positive and realistic in your mental assessment.

If it Bleeds, it Leads

There’s an old expression in the media business, “If it bleeds, it leads.” The media loves to cover negative news more than positive because it sells better. When the economy is in turmoil and The Gulf of Mexico is filling up with BP Oil the media loves to run these negative headlines to keep reminding people how bad things are. When people hear the bad news, it affects them by creating fear which then creates worry thus creating a negative thought process.

Is the media simply reporting the news or does it actually affect future news in this regard? The answer is obviously both. The media reporting negative news alone can’t shape reality. Or can it? Perception often is a persons reality, with the constant bombardment of negative news from the media an environment of a self fulfilling prophecy can occur.

But are things really as bad as the media reports? Let's take a topic I know a little about, foreclosures. When you hear that foreclosures have doubled or even tripled this may sound catastrophic at first until you realize that the vast majority of homes (90% or more, depending on the local market) are NOT in foreclosure.

Fear

Many people reading this are prone to inaction because of fear. Remember, it’s not a matter of doing everything perfectly, but putting forth your best effort. A lot of effort at a “C” level beats doing less things at an “A” level. Don't let today's fear rob you of tomorrows great opportunities!