(Excerpted from Day by Day with James Allen)
"Good thought and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying that nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but nettles." - As A Man Thinketh
Most everyone understands the biblical concept of sowing and reaping because we can grasp the simplicity of the logic. If we were to plant corn in our backyard garden we wouldn't expect spinach to come up. But even thought we can grasp the logic, we don't always as if we understand the power of this principle. And we certainly don't act as if this principle will affect us.
An example: For many years my morning ritual began with a thorough reading of the newspaper, most days spending an hour or more before dashing off to the office. I did not know then that our minds are most impressionable immediately upon rising in the morning and just before sleep in the evening.
Fresh from the reading (and thoughts) of the day's murders, indictments, invasions by foreign dictators, and all other manner of "news", it shouldn't have come as a surprise to me that my sowing of these thoughts would reap an "attitude" toward the rush hour drivers who were "conspiring" to slow down my arrival at work. Thus, by the time I did arrive, I had set the tone for my day, and it was not a positive one.
I gave up my morning ritual ten years ago and replaced it with a ritual of reading and meditating on some works that will sow "good thoughts" and thus reap "good results." I wasn't aware at the time that this was some sound advice offered up by the Apostle Paul, who wrote, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."
We always reap what we sow and that is especially true with our thoughts. As Emmet Fox writes, "The secret of life then is to control your mental states, for if you will do this the rest will follow. To accept sickness, trouble, and failure as unavoidable, and perhaps inevitable, is folly, because it is this very acceptance by you that keeps these evils in existence. Man is not limited by his environment. He creates his environments by his beliefs and feelings. To suppose otherwise is like thinking that the tail can wag the dog."
And that's worth thinking about.
Vic Johnson
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
TIME FOR YOU by Ron White (Issue for time-management)
He was completely infatuated with her. It was all that he could think and talk about. Yet, every time that he asked her on a date it was the same reply. She told him that she would love to go out with him, however, her schedule of work, school and other commitments was just too hectic and it wasn't possible.
In his frustration, he came to me and asked me for advice. He wanted to know how he could creatively help her with some of her responsibilities and free up some commitments so that they could spend time together. When he made this suggestion to me, I sighed deeply and bit my lip. I was searching for a tactful way to break the news to him, yet, I have never reached tremendous success in my efforts to be tactful so I just let him have it.
'Man, when she tells you that she doesn't have time. She has time – what she means is that she doesn't have time for YOU. I suggest that you dress in black for a week and pretend like she is dead, because it isn't going to happen.'
My words seemed to have been a kick to his gut that sucked all the life out of his lungs. After a few seconds of silence, he raised his head as he came up for air. "Thanks, buddy – I needed to hear that", was his beaten reply to me. After our conversation, he left and I do believe that although he didn't dress in black for a week – he did take my advice and move on. I am sure that both he and the female are grateful for that.
You see, I have never seen a woman (or a man) who is head over heels in interest for someone yet, just can't find time to be with that person. If the interest is there – the time will be there.
In life, you often hear the excuse. "I wish I could – spend more time with my family, start my own business, chase a goal, travel, or volunteer… but, I just don't have the time." You have the time… you are simply spending it somewhere else. You are a human and will make time for what you see as a priority. The question is – are you prioritizing the correct things.
You have the exact same amount of time in a day that Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Copernicus and da Vinci had. You have the exact same amount of time in a day that Michael Dell, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey have. The question is not – Do you have the time? The question is – How are you spending the time that you do have?
Begin to keep a journal and log the time you spend everyday. Do this for at least two weeks. Track the time you spend getting ready for work, in your automobile, at the office, eating out, reading, in entertainment, watching television, surfing the internet or simply doing nothing. You may be surprised at the amount of time that you spend on unproductive matters. It is very often shocking at the time each day that we squander and will never get back.
Zig Ziglar penned a term called automobile university and it is the answer to everyone who says that they don't have time to learn a new skill, a foreign language or gain an education on the mysteries of the day. Ziglar suggest that if you simply listen to audio programs as you drive everyday you can successful use the time to gain a new skill or education. This is effective time management.
Life can often become so overwhelming that as we get caught up in the rat race – we are not aware of how we are spending our time. It may be time for a time inventory of your life. First begin by journaling what is most important to you in your life. Then track how your time for two weeks. It could be very eye opening.
Remember you have the same amount of time in a day that Einstein, Henry Ford and da Vinci had. The question is – are you using your time as effectively as they did. Therefore, you have no cause to complain for your lack of time, only your management of that time. Time plays no favorites – it will either be its slave or it will be yours. You make time every day for what you value. What do you value?
-- Ron White
In his frustration, he came to me and asked me for advice. He wanted to know how he could creatively help her with some of her responsibilities and free up some commitments so that they could spend time together. When he made this suggestion to me, I sighed deeply and bit my lip. I was searching for a tactful way to break the news to him, yet, I have never reached tremendous success in my efforts to be tactful so I just let him have it.
'Man, when she tells you that she doesn't have time. She has time – what she means is that she doesn't have time for YOU. I suggest that you dress in black for a week and pretend like she is dead, because it isn't going to happen.'
My words seemed to have been a kick to his gut that sucked all the life out of his lungs. After a few seconds of silence, he raised his head as he came up for air. "Thanks, buddy – I needed to hear that", was his beaten reply to me. After our conversation, he left and I do believe that although he didn't dress in black for a week – he did take my advice and move on. I am sure that both he and the female are grateful for that.
You see, I have never seen a woman (or a man) who is head over heels in interest for someone yet, just can't find time to be with that person. If the interest is there – the time will be there.
In life, you often hear the excuse. "I wish I could – spend more time with my family, start my own business, chase a goal, travel, or volunteer… but, I just don't have the time." You have the time… you are simply spending it somewhere else. You are a human and will make time for what you see as a priority. The question is – are you prioritizing the correct things.
You have the exact same amount of time in a day that Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Copernicus and da Vinci had. You have the exact same amount of time in a day that Michael Dell, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey have. The question is not – Do you have the time? The question is – How are you spending the time that you do have?
Begin to keep a journal and log the time you spend everyday. Do this for at least two weeks. Track the time you spend getting ready for work, in your automobile, at the office, eating out, reading, in entertainment, watching television, surfing the internet or simply doing nothing. You may be surprised at the amount of time that you spend on unproductive matters. It is very often shocking at the time each day that we squander and will never get back.
Zig Ziglar penned a term called automobile university and it is the answer to everyone who says that they don't have time to learn a new skill, a foreign language or gain an education on the mysteries of the day. Ziglar suggest that if you simply listen to audio programs as you drive everyday you can successful use the time to gain a new skill or education. This is effective time management.
Life can often become so overwhelming that as we get caught up in the rat race – we are not aware of how we are spending our time. It may be time for a time inventory of your life. First begin by journaling what is most important to you in your life. Then track how your time for two weeks. It could be very eye opening.
Remember you have the same amount of time in a day that Einstein, Henry Ford and da Vinci had. The question is – are you using your time as effectively as they did. Therefore, you have no cause to complain for your lack of time, only your management of that time. Time plays no favorites – it will either be its slave or it will be yours. You make time every day for what you value. What do you value?
-- Ron White
Thursday, February 15, 2007
THE ROSE by Jim Rohn
Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art - the art of living. You can't buy style with money. You can't buy good taste with money. You can only buy more with money. Lifestyle is culture - the appreciation of good music, dance, art, sculpture, literature, plays and the art of living well. It's a taste for the fine, the unique, the beautiful.
Lifestyle also means rewarding excellence wherever you find it by not taking the small things of life for granted. With Valentine's Day approaching I wanted to illustrate this with a personal anecdote:
Many years ago my lady friend and I were on a trip to Carmel, California for some shopping and exploring. On the way we stopped at a service station. As soon as we parked our car in front of the pumps, a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, came bouncing out to the car and with a big smile said, "Can I help you?"
"Yes," I answered. "A full tank of gas, please." I wasn't prepared for what followed. In this day and age of self-service and deteriorating customer treatment, this young man checked every tire, washed every window - even the sunroof - singing and whistling the whole time. We couldn't believe both the quality of service and his upbeat attitude about his work.
When he brought the bill I said to the young man, "Hey, you really have taken good care of us. I appreciate it."
He replied, "I really enjoy working. It's fun for me and I get to meet nice people like you."
This kid was really something!
I said, "We're on our way to Carmel and we want to get some milkshakes. Can you tell us where we can find the nearest Baskin-Robbins?"
"Baskin-Robbins is just a few blocks away," he said as he gave us exact directions. Then he added, "Don't park out front - park around to the side so your car won't get sideswiped."
What a kid!
As we got to the ice cream store we ordered milkshakes, except that instead of two, we ordered three. Then we drove back to the station. Our young friend dashed out to greet us. "Hey, I see you got your milkshakes."
"Yes, and this one is for you!"
His mouth fell open. "For me?"
"Sure. With all the fantastic service you gave us, I couldn't leave you out of the milkshake deal."
"Wow!" was his astonished reply.
As we drove off I could see him in my rear-view mirror just standing there, grinning from ear to ear.
Now, what did this little act of generosity cost me? Only about two dollars - you see, it's not the money, it's the style.
Well, I must have been feeling especially creative that day, so on our arrival in Carmel I drove directly to a flower shop. As we walked inside I said to the florist, "I need a long-stemmed rose for my lady to carry while we go shopping in Carmel."
The florist, a rather unromantic type, replied, "We sell them by the dozen."
"I don't need a dozen," I said, "just one."
"Well," he replied haughtily, "it will cost you two dollars."
"Wonderful," I exclaimed. "There's nothing worse than a cheap rose."
Selecting the rose with some deliberation, I handed it to my friend. She was so impressed! And the cost? Two dollars. Just two dollars. A bit later she looked up and said, "Jim, I must be the only woman in Carmel today carrying a rose." And I believe she probably was.
Can you imagine the opportunity to create magic with those around you, and all for the cost of a few dollars, some imagination and care. Remember, it is not the amount that matters but the thought and care that often has the greatest impact upon those you love.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Lifestyle also means rewarding excellence wherever you find it by not taking the small things of life for granted. With Valentine's Day approaching I wanted to illustrate this with a personal anecdote:
Many years ago my lady friend and I were on a trip to Carmel, California for some shopping and exploring. On the way we stopped at a service station. As soon as we parked our car in front of the pumps, a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, came bouncing out to the car and with a big smile said, "Can I help you?"
"Yes," I answered. "A full tank of gas, please." I wasn't prepared for what followed. In this day and age of self-service and deteriorating customer treatment, this young man checked every tire, washed every window - even the sunroof - singing and whistling the whole time. We couldn't believe both the quality of service and his upbeat attitude about his work.
When he brought the bill I said to the young man, "Hey, you really have taken good care of us. I appreciate it."
He replied, "I really enjoy working. It's fun for me and I get to meet nice people like you."
This kid was really something!
I said, "We're on our way to Carmel and we want to get some milkshakes. Can you tell us where we can find the nearest Baskin-Robbins?"
"Baskin-Robbins is just a few blocks away," he said as he gave us exact directions. Then he added, "Don't park out front - park around to the side so your car won't get sideswiped."
What a kid!
As we got to the ice cream store we ordered milkshakes, except that instead of two, we ordered three. Then we drove back to the station. Our young friend dashed out to greet us. "Hey, I see you got your milkshakes."
"Yes, and this one is for you!"
His mouth fell open. "For me?"
"Sure. With all the fantastic service you gave us, I couldn't leave you out of the milkshake deal."
"Wow!" was his astonished reply.
As we drove off I could see him in my rear-view mirror just standing there, grinning from ear to ear.
Now, what did this little act of generosity cost me? Only about two dollars - you see, it's not the money, it's the style.
Well, I must have been feeling especially creative that day, so on our arrival in Carmel I drove directly to a flower shop. As we walked inside I said to the florist, "I need a long-stemmed rose for my lady to carry while we go shopping in Carmel."
The florist, a rather unromantic type, replied, "We sell them by the dozen."
"I don't need a dozen," I said, "just one."
"Well," he replied haughtily, "it will cost you two dollars."
"Wonderful," I exclaimed. "There's nothing worse than a cheap rose."
Selecting the rose with some deliberation, I handed it to my friend. She was so impressed! And the cost? Two dollars. Just two dollars. A bit later she looked up and said, "Jim, I must be the only woman in Carmel today carrying a rose." And I believe she probably was.
Can you imagine the opportunity to create magic with those around you, and all for the cost of a few dollars, some imagination and care. Remember, it is not the amount that matters but the thought and care that often has the greatest impact upon those you love.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Friday, February 09, 2007
THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF EMPOWERMENT by Jerry Clark
I just picked up a message from my voicemail from one of my students asking me a question. The question was so fascinating that I thought it deserved a little reflection in answering it; and, I thought it would be good for all of you to hear my answer.
Here’s the question, "Jerry, how do I eliminate attrition in my network marketing business?"
Here’s my quick, sarcastic answer to that question: Quit… Ok, since that’s not an option for you, here’s another answer.
The best way to eliminate attrition is to stop thinking that you’re going to eliminate it. Once you stop thinking about eliminating it, you actually spend less time thinking about it altogether. When you start thinking less about it, you actually give it less power. The less power it has in your consciousness, the less power it has in your business. Whoa… Pretty deep eh? (I said eh for all of my Canadian friends)…
Ok, let me break it down for you. First of all, attrition is a natural part of life – both personal and professional. People come and people go – in life and in business. Let’s not get caught up with this part of nature… It’s called, as Jim Rohn says, the way it is.
Ok… Now that you realize that you’re not going to completely eliminate attrition, let’s focus on the thing we can eliminate… Any disempowering attitude you may have toward it… One way to make sure you maintain an empowering attitude toward attrition or anything else for that matter is to create a Consciousness of Empowerment… You do this by making sure you consciously choose to engross yourself with positive and empowering material via the friends you have, the audios you listen to, the books you read, the seminars you attend, and the people you model yourself after… That’s been one of the secrets that have allowed me to increase my income by over 500% within the last few years alone… I know that it can make a similar difference (and better) in your life as well…
So once again, as you embark into this New Year, be sure to have one of your major focuses in obtaining a Consciousness of Empowerment… If you do, attrition, rejection, disappointment, frustration, and even fear will all be used as a catalyst for your success instead of an excuse for your failure…
Here are some things to reflect on as you enhance your Consciousness of Empowerment:
The greatest joy -- Making a Difference
The most satisfying act -- Giving
The most powerful internal gift -- Allowing Yourself the Ability to Receive
Our greatest natural resource -- Laughter
The most motivating word -- A Word of Encouragement
The most prized "state of mind" -- Peace of mind
The most powerful force in the Universe -- Love
The world's most Magnificent Computer -- The Brain
The two most Self-Perpetuating words of Creation -- "I AM"
The most valuable part of any attire -- A SMILE!
The most catching emotion -- Enthusiasm
The most endangered natural resource -- Gratefulness
The most powerful tool of manifestation -- Faith
Reflect on these ideas and make them a part of your life, and notice how your Consciousness of Empowerment develops exponentially…
So what have you resolved to manifest in this year?
Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to require a Consciousness of Empowerment in order to pull it off…
Until next time,
Go, Go, Go and make it happen!
Jerry "DRhino" Clark
Here’s the question, "Jerry, how do I eliminate attrition in my network marketing business?"
Here’s my quick, sarcastic answer to that question: Quit… Ok, since that’s not an option for you, here’s another answer.
The best way to eliminate attrition is to stop thinking that you’re going to eliminate it. Once you stop thinking about eliminating it, you actually spend less time thinking about it altogether. When you start thinking less about it, you actually give it less power. The less power it has in your consciousness, the less power it has in your business. Whoa… Pretty deep eh? (I said eh for all of my Canadian friends)…
Ok, let me break it down for you. First of all, attrition is a natural part of life – both personal and professional. People come and people go – in life and in business. Let’s not get caught up with this part of nature… It’s called, as Jim Rohn says, the way it is.
Ok… Now that you realize that you’re not going to completely eliminate attrition, let’s focus on the thing we can eliminate… Any disempowering attitude you may have toward it… One way to make sure you maintain an empowering attitude toward attrition or anything else for that matter is to create a Consciousness of Empowerment… You do this by making sure you consciously choose to engross yourself with positive and empowering material via the friends you have, the audios you listen to, the books you read, the seminars you attend, and the people you model yourself after… That’s been one of the secrets that have allowed me to increase my income by over 500% within the last few years alone… I know that it can make a similar difference (and better) in your life as well…
So once again, as you embark into this New Year, be sure to have one of your major focuses in obtaining a Consciousness of Empowerment… If you do, attrition, rejection, disappointment, frustration, and even fear will all be used as a catalyst for your success instead of an excuse for your failure…
Here are some things to reflect on as you enhance your Consciousness of Empowerment:
The greatest joy -- Making a Difference
The most satisfying act -- Giving
The most powerful internal gift -- Allowing Yourself the Ability to Receive
Our greatest natural resource -- Laughter
The most motivating word -- A Word of Encouragement
The most prized "state of mind" -- Peace of mind
The most powerful force in the Universe -- Love
The world's most Magnificent Computer -- The Brain
The two most Self-Perpetuating words of Creation -- "I AM"
The most valuable part of any attire -- A SMILE!
The most catching emotion -- Enthusiasm
The most endangered natural resource -- Gratefulness
The most powerful tool of manifestation -- Faith
Reflect on these ideas and make them a part of your life, and notice how your Consciousness of Empowerment develops exponentially…
So what have you resolved to manifest in this year?
Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to require a Consciousness of Empowerment in order to pull it off…
Until next time,
Go, Go, Go and make it happen!
Jerry "DRhino" Clark
THREE KEYS TO GREATNESS by Jim Rohn
Eight years ago I went into the studio and recorded a 56-minute video for teenagers called, "Three Keys To Greatness." Although my focus was for teenagers, the principles I shared certainly apply to adults as well.
Recently I was asked to list these three things using one to two sentences for each. Now for your benefit here they are again.
1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people, including kids, will pay the price if they can see the promise of the future. So we need to help our kids see a well-defined future, so they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards of tomorrow. Goals help them do this.
2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people. Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around.
3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your paycheck or paying yourself, simply setting aside 10% for saving, 10% for investing and 10% for giving, and over time this will guarantee financial independence for a teenager.
If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing these three simple things over a long period of time I believe they will be assured success!
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
Recently I was asked to list these three things using one to two sentences for each. Now for your benefit here they are again.
1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people, including kids, will pay the price if they can see the promise of the future. So we need to help our kids see a well-defined future, so they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards of tomorrow. Goals help them do this.
2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people. Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around.
3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your paycheck or paying yourself, simply setting aside 10% for saving, 10% for investing and 10% for giving, and over time this will guarantee financial independence for a teenager.
If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing these three simple things over a long period of time I believe they will be assured success!
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
OBSTACLES ARE THE STEPPING STONES OF SUCCESS by Harvey Mackay
A man was walking in the park one day when he came upon a cocoon with a small opening. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It looked like it had gotten as far as it could, so the man decided to help the butterfly. He used his pocketknife and snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon.
The butterfly then emerged easily, but something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to emerge was natural. It was nature's way of forcing fluid from its body into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.
If we were allowed to go through life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we could never fly.
History has shown us that the most celebrated winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.
My good friend, Lou Holtz, football coach of the University of South Carolina, once told me, "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity."
Beethoven composed his greatest works after becoming deaf. George Washington was snowed in through a treacherous winter at Valley Forge. Abraham Lincoln was raised in poverty. Albert Einstein was called a slow learner, retarded and uneducable. If Christopher Columbus had turned back, no one could have blamed him, considering the constant adversity he endured.
As an elementary student, actor James Earl Jones (a.k.a. Darth Vader) stuttered so badly he communicated with friends and teachers using written notes.
Itzhak Perlman, the incomparable concert violinist, was born to parents who survived a Nazi concentration camp and has been paralyzed from the waist down since the age of four.
Chester Carlson, a young inventor, took his idea to 20 big corporations in the 1940s. After seven years of rejections, he was able to persuade Haloid, a small company in Rochester, N.Y., to purchase the rights to his electrostatic paper- copying process. Haloid has since become Xerox Corporation.
Thomas Edison tried over 2,000 experiments before he was able to get his light bulb to work. Upon being asked how he felt about failing so many times, he replied, "I never failed once. I invented the light bulb. It just happened to be a 2,000-step process."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, elected President of the United States for four terms, had been stricken with polio at the age of 39.
Persistence paid off for General Douglas MacArthur. After applying for admission to West Point twice, he applied a third time and was accepted. The rest is history.
In 1927 the head instructor of the John Murray Anderson Drama School, instructed student Lucille Ball, to "Try any other profession. Any other."
Buddy Holly was fired from the Decca record label in 1956 by Paul Cohen, Nashville "Artists and Repertoire Man." Cohen called Holly "the biggest no-talent I ever worked with."
Academy Award-winning writer, producer and director Woody Allen failed motion picture production at New York University (NYU) and City College of New York. He also flunked English at NYU.
Helen Keller, the famous blind author and speaker, said: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. Silver is purified in fire and so are we. It is in the most trying times that our real character is shaped and revealed."
Mackay's Moral: There is no education like the university of adversity.
The butterfly then emerged easily, but something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to emerge was natural. It was nature's way of forcing fluid from its body into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.
If we were allowed to go through life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we could never fly.
History has shown us that the most celebrated winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.
My good friend, Lou Holtz, football coach of the University of South Carolina, once told me, "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity."
Beethoven composed his greatest works after becoming deaf. George Washington was snowed in through a treacherous winter at Valley Forge. Abraham Lincoln was raised in poverty. Albert Einstein was called a slow learner, retarded and uneducable. If Christopher Columbus had turned back, no one could have blamed him, considering the constant adversity he endured.
As an elementary student, actor James Earl Jones (a.k.a. Darth Vader) stuttered so badly he communicated with friends and teachers using written notes.
Itzhak Perlman, the incomparable concert violinist, was born to parents who survived a Nazi concentration camp and has been paralyzed from the waist down since the age of four.
Chester Carlson, a young inventor, took his idea to 20 big corporations in the 1940s. After seven years of rejections, he was able to persuade Haloid, a small company in Rochester, N.Y., to purchase the rights to his electrostatic paper- copying process. Haloid has since become Xerox Corporation.
Thomas Edison tried over 2,000 experiments before he was able to get his light bulb to work. Upon being asked how he felt about failing so many times, he replied, "I never failed once. I invented the light bulb. It just happened to be a 2,000-step process."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, elected President of the United States for four terms, had been stricken with polio at the age of 39.
Persistence paid off for General Douglas MacArthur. After applying for admission to West Point twice, he applied a third time and was accepted. The rest is history.
In 1927 the head instructor of the John Murray Anderson Drama School, instructed student Lucille Ball, to "Try any other profession. Any other."
Buddy Holly was fired from the Decca record label in 1956 by Paul Cohen, Nashville "Artists and Repertoire Man." Cohen called Holly "the biggest no-talent I ever worked with."
Academy Award-winning writer, producer and director Woody Allen failed motion picture production at New York University (NYU) and City College of New York. He also flunked English at NYU.
Helen Keller, the famous blind author and speaker, said: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. Silver is purified in fire and so are we. It is in the most trying times that our real character is shaped and revealed."
Mackay's Moral: There is no education like the university of adversity.
SEVEN TECHNIQUES FOR OVERCOMING THE TENDENCY TO PROCRASTINATE by Dr. Denis Waitley
The science of physics recognizes two kinds of inertia - both of which can be related to procrastination. The first law states, "Standing objects tend to remain stationary." The second law is the inverse: "Moving objects tend to stay in motion."
Procrastination is stationary inertia. We aren’t moving, and we therefore don't move!
Procrastination overcome, however, moves us into the arena where the law of motion takes over. We frequently find that once we've started a project or process, we stay with it until completion. One of my favorite sayings from my friend Dr. Robert Schuller is posted on my word processor: "Beginning is Half Done!" (I've modified it to say, "Beginning is Half Won!")
Here are seven techniques to overcome procrastination:
1. Take five minutes to identify what you are putting off.
On a blank sheet of paper, note several important activities that you realize you are delaying or have put on hold.
2. Look at your list of tasks and do one of them right now.
Put the energy you've been directing toward excuses into the activity you've been avoiding. You'll discover that action eliminates anxiety.
3. If getting started is the hard part for you, set a designated time slot in the day to work on the list.
Set aside thirty minutes of your lunch hour for work specifically on one job, project, or personal goal that you've been avoiding or find difficult to start.
4. Don't worry about perfection.
What counts is quality of effort, not perfect results. Don't let yourself get bogged down with a preoccupation for perfectionism.
5. If what you are putting off involves other people, consult with them.
Your reasons for delaying action may be imaginary. Lack of communication often turns molehills into mountains.
6. If you fear the consequences associated with the action you've been avoiding, ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that could happen If I did this today?" The worst-case scenario most likely would be a minor inconvenience or a temporary setback.
7. Finally, Vividly picture how you'll feel once the task is done.
Freedom from anxiety. Freedom from nagging pressures. Freedom from self-doubt. Accomplishing put-off tasks will give you a great boost of confidence and energy!
Ground breaking requires TNT. To blast your way out of apathy and overcoming procrastination. Remember what TNT means: Today! Not Tomorrow!
Procrastination is stationary inertia. We aren’t moving, and we therefore don't move!
Procrastination overcome, however, moves us into the arena where the law of motion takes over. We frequently find that once we've started a project or process, we stay with it until completion. One of my favorite sayings from my friend Dr. Robert Schuller is posted on my word processor: "Beginning is Half Done!" (I've modified it to say, "Beginning is Half Won!")
Here are seven techniques to overcome procrastination:
1. Take five minutes to identify what you are putting off.
On a blank sheet of paper, note several important activities that you realize you are delaying or have put on hold.
2. Look at your list of tasks and do one of them right now.
Put the energy you've been directing toward excuses into the activity you've been avoiding. You'll discover that action eliminates anxiety.
3. If getting started is the hard part for you, set a designated time slot in the day to work on the list.
Set aside thirty minutes of your lunch hour for work specifically on one job, project, or personal goal that you've been avoiding or find difficult to start.
4. Don't worry about perfection.
What counts is quality of effort, not perfect results. Don't let yourself get bogged down with a preoccupation for perfectionism.
5. If what you are putting off involves other people, consult with them.
Your reasons for delaying action may be imaginary. Lack of communication often turns molehills into mountains.
6. If you fear the consequences associated with the action you've been avoiding, ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that could happen If I did this today?" The worst-case scenario most likely would be a minor inconvenience or a temporary setback.
7. Finally, Vividly picture how you'll feel once the task is done.
Freedom from anxiety. Freedom from nagging pressures. Freedom from self-doubt. Accomplishing put-off tasks will give you a great boost of confidence and energy!
Ground breaking requires TNT. To blast your way out of apathy and overcoming procrastination. Remember what TNT means: Today! Not Tomorrow!
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