Author: Barry Share
There are thousands of self-help or life improvement programs for sale everyday world wide, so why is it that of those that are sold, 99% of the purchasers will not achieve their hopes and dreams.
There is an ever growing belief that these self-help programs are not the instant fix to riches and happines. That some how just by reading these manuscripts can change our whole outlook on life and eliminate the excuses we all make for not making the changes we need to make.
This article will investigate probably the most plausible cause why so many people fail with these programs.
First and foremost you must understand you are in charge of your life, you always have been and always will be.
This is quite a daunting thought for most people,in fact over 90% of people play the blame game,its easier to blame people, places and things than take full responsibility for our actions.
You can see this in so many lives, how many times have we heard, "it wasn't me guv it was him".
Or we find it's easier to blame the boss or work colleagues when we are not progressing in the work place. How often have we blamed our partners for holding us back? How often is it the government or authorities fault, we can always say we are too young or too old. It seems there is no end to the excuses we can find.
The best excuse for not achieving must be "It's not my fault I can't get anywhere, I am like I am because of the conditioning of my childhood, and it was my fathers/mothers fault".
Yes, you may have been conditioned to accept a certain lifestyle and to accept a certain standard of living but this doesn't mean you cannot change it.
When you can honestly stand and raise your hand up, take full responsibility for your actions, and accept everything in your past, your success and your failures, and know these are down to you, then and only then it is at that time you can say you are half way to becoming as successful as you want to be.
If you know deep down there is more to life, and you are prepared to be one of the small minority that take full control and responsibility for their actions good or bad, then these self-help programs will help you get into action so you can achieve wealth, health and happiness.
If you can just stop for one minute and look at the most important word in the last sentence, no not wealth nor is it health or happiness the most important word in the last sentence is actually the corner stone of any self-help program and the key to your new life and success the word is ACTION.
It is so important I will say it again ACTION... and that is the bottom line. Self-help programs cannot work if we don't take ACTION, and if you want to know the real truth here it is.
The truth is this, only about 3% of people (maybe less), that read through a self-help or life improvement program will take the action to actually change their thinking and so give them the success they desire.
10% will read through the program make a plan but fail to continue to apply it to their everyday living. The rest may not even finish reading the book.
So when you are buying any self-help or improvement program always remember, You are in charge, don't make excuses and you must take action for it to work.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Employee Motivation - The 8 Basics
Building a team of motivated people in your business is vital to get the very best results, but so many managers focus on the 'ra-ra-ra', rather than the important things - the things that make people feel comfortable in their working environment. Here are eight that you might want to have a think about:
The WeatherIs it too hot, or too cold. Your people need an environment which is, like Goldilocks said, 'Just right'. So is the office too stuffy in summer? Or too icy in winter? Is it draughty? Do people get wet when accepting deliveries, because the outside roof leaks? Literally make sure that external factors are as they wish.
The BreaksSometimes working in a day-to-day job can get boring and exhausting. So people need to know when their breaks are and that they wil be able to take them - it's not that complicated. Yet often, they just aren't able to have this basic courtesy in place. Planning and caring for your people's needs is vital. It's what you would want for yourself, isn't it?
HolidaysAnd vacations/holidays are important too - some would say it's the most important thing on the working year calendar. So enable this to happen, when they need to know, so that they can plan their invaluable time away from the business and refresh.
Being HeardYou people need you to listen to then and hear them - really hear what they are saying and respond with action and/or acknowledgement. Be out there creating good, open relationships with your people and take in what they say - what's important to them - and deliver solutions to make conditions great.
Achievable GoalsBy being really, really clear about what you expect from your employees, you will set the scene for committed staff. Through knowing exactly what their performance should look like to be judged excellent, by you, gets buy-in, big-time. So be clear, give them the resources to achieve success and they will be well onside.
Being ThankedAs they do a good job for you each day - tell them. It's easy - just say 'Thank You'! Appreciation for achieving success, especially when it's from the boss is so important. So recognising excellent performance, even for small tasks, cost nothing and takes but a moment - worth building into your day job activities - every day!
ChallengePeople like to do new things, to explore, to seek out and utilise their potential, Sometimes this means they will have to be 'stretched' in what they do. With a helping hand, to support, coach and grow the skills of your people, you are setting in place a keen, ambitious and ready-for-the-next-experience star in the making. So find new ways to develop them.
SecurityIn today's business climate, it isn't always easy to build the best future consistently - things change too much, too quickly. But you can go some way to ensure that it is a safe place to be. With this level of security, your people will loosen up and feel capable of being with you, rather than against. It is a measure of your own leadership as to how well this works.
The WeatherIs it too hot, or too cold. Your people need an environment which is, like Goldilocks said, 'Just right'. So is the office too stuffy in summer? Or too icy in winter? Is it draughty? Do people get wet when accepting deliveries, because the outside roof leaks? Literally make sure that external factors are as they wish.
The BreaksSometimes working in a day-to-day job can get boring and exhausting. So people need to know when their breaks are and that they wil be able to take them - it's not that complicated. Yet often, they just aren't able to have this basic courtesy in place. Planning and caring for your people's needs is vital. It's what you would want for yourself, isn't it?
HolidaysAnd vacations/holidays are important too - some would say it's the most important thing on the working year calendar. So enable this to happen, when they need to know, so that they can plan their invaluable time away from the business and refresh.
Being HeardYou people need you to listen to then and hear them - really hear what they are saying and respond with action and/or acknowledgement. Be out there creating good, open relationships with your people and take in what they say - what's important to them - and deliver solutions to make conditions great.
Achievable GoalsBy being really, really clear about what you expect from your employees, you will set the scene for committed staff. Through knowing exactly what their performance should look like to be judged excellent, by you, gets buy-in, big-time. So be clear, give them the resources to achieve success and they will be well onside.
Being ThankedAs they do a good job for you each day - tell them. It's easy - just say 'Thank You'! Appreciation for achieving success, especially when it's from the boss is so important. So recognising excellent performance, even for small tasks, cost nothing and takes but a moment - worth building into your day job activities - every day!
ChallengePeople like to do new things, to explore, to seek out and utilise their potential, Sometimes this means they will have to be 'stretched' in what they do. With a helping hand, to support, coach and grow the skills of your people, you are setting in place a keen, ambitious and ready-for-the-next-experience star in the making. So find new ways to develop them.
SecurityIn today's business climate, it isn't always easy to build the best future consistently - things change too much, too quickly. But you can go some way to ensure that it is a safe place to be. With this level of security, your people will loosen up and feel capable of being with you, rather than against. It is a measure of your own leadership as to how well this works.
Maintaining Your Motivation
I recently spoke to a group of sales professionals at the end of their training conference. The attendees had participated in many learning sessions over a two day period – most of which were product related. I was scheduled to speak after dinner and I was somewhat concerned how attentive they would be by this time.
Fortunately, in the days preceding, the company had structured the entire program to create energy, excitement and to foster a sense of team enthusiasm. They had a theme and encouraged their vendors to incorporate the theme into each of their individual presentations. They awarded prizes for the team with the most energy and highest level of participation, and by the time dinner was served, the group was pumped. They were excited. And they were highly motivated and charged up. When I left that evening, I knew that these individuals would bring a renewed energy and drive to their work place. I was also confident that the company would see a definite increase in their sales in the weeks to follow.
It reminded me how motivational a conference, training workshop or corporate gathering can be. It reinforced the importance of participating in sessions like these on a regular basis, if for no other reason, but to ignite our own personal motivation.
Running a business is tiring, stressful and challenging. Small business owners are required to wear many hats, often at the same time, while executives of large organizations often have more problems and politics to manage on a daily basis. It is not uncommon for the business to drain our energy and motivation, regardless of how much we enjoy the business. If you do not take time to recharge your batteries and refresh your perspective it is easy to find yourself frustrated with your business.
That is why it is imperative to have a personal motivation plan in place. This means taking advantage of opportunities that will help you maintain your motivation. Here are few suggestions to help get you started.
Attend a personal development workshop. Identify an area in your business or personal live that you would like to improve. At the beginning of each year, I determine what types of programs I want to attend and begin looking for them. I find that these sessions give me a short break from the daily grind of my business and help me see things from a different perspective. Training programs, night courses, or weekend seminars that focus on a specific topic can give you a much needed boost in your energy.
Join a Master Mind group. Meeting with other like-minded people can help you see your business from a different perspective. An effective group will have between six and eight members from a variety of industries and will usually meet several times a year. If you have the right chemistry between members, these meetings will not only help you improve your business, they will also motivate you to try new approaches and market your business differently.
Exercise. I am an avid runner and have completed two marathons and several half marathons. I occasionally find myself in a position when I cannot run for a period of time due to illness, injury, or the demands of work. Without fail, I notice a decrease in my personal motivation during these times. Regular exercise helps your body work more effectively and efficiently. Although I usually catch myself thinking about work related issues during my runs, I often notice that I develop more creative solutions when I am exercising.
Read or listen to motivational material. Instead of reading the daily newspaper with breakfast or coffee in the morning, try reading inspirational material instead. A well-written book that offers sound advice is more motivating than reading about the latest market declines. Listening to motivational tapes or CD’s in your car for one hour everyday can actually give you the equivalent of a university degree in a few years time.
Take time off. It is not a badge of honor to state, “I’m too busy to take time off.” In today’s fast-paced business world, it is critical to take time off for vacation and rest and relaxation. Even a long weekend away from your business can be restful. A true vacation also means completely avoiding email and voicemail. Yes, you will have hundreds of messages to deal with when you return, but you will have a renewed focus and energy to do this.
Lastly, associate with positive people. I have made it a point in the latter part of my career to distance myself from negative individuals. They drain your energy, will not support your goals and desires, and do little to motivate you. On the other hand, positive and optimistic people will uplift your spirits and help you through challenging times.
Fortunately, in the days preceding, the company had structured the entire program to create energy, excitement and to foster a sense of team enthusiasm. They had a theme and encouraged their vendors to incorporate the theme into each of their individual presentations. They awarded prizes for the team with the most energy and highest level of participation, and by the time dinner was served, the group was pumped. They were excited. And they were highly motivated and charged up. When I left that evening, I knew that these individuals would bring a renewed energy and drive to their work place. I was also confident that the company would see a definite increase in their sales in the weeks to follow.
It reminded me how motivational a conference, training workshop or corporate gathering can be. It reinforced the importance of participating in sessions like these on a regular basis, if for no other reason, but to ignite our own personal motivation.
Running a business is tiring, stressful and challenging. Small business owners are required to wear many hats, often at the same time, while executives of large organizations often have more problems and politics to manage on a daily basis. It is not uncommon for the business to drain our energy and motivation, regardless of how much we enjoy the business. If you do not take time to recharge your batteries and refresh your perspective it is easy to find yourself frustrated with your business.
That is why it is imperative to have a personal motivation plan in place. This means taking advantage of opportunities that will help you maintain your motivation. Here are few suggestions to help get you started.
Attend a personal development workshop. Identify an area in your business or personal live that you would like to improve. At the beginning of each year, I determine what types of programs I want to attend and begin looking for them. I find that these sessions give me a short break from the daily grind of my business and help me see things from a different perspective. Training programs, night courses, or weekend seminars that focus on a specific topic can give you a much needed boost in your energy.
Join a Master Mind group. Meeting with other like-minded people can help you see your business from a different perspective. An effective group will have between six and eight members from a variety of industries and will usually meet several times a year. If you have the right chemistry between members, these meetings will not only help you improve your business, they will also motivate you to try new approaches and market your business differently.
Exercise. I am an avid runner and have completed two marathons and several half marathons. I occasionally find myself in a position when I cannot run for a period of time due to illness, injury, or the demands of work. Without fail, I notice a decrease in my personal motivation during these times. Regular exercise helps your body work more effectively and efficiently. Although I usually catch myself thinking about work related issues during my runs, I often notice that I develop more creative solutions when I am exercising.
Read or listen to motivational material. Instead of reading the daily newspaper with breakfast or coffee in the morning, try reading inspirational material instead. A well-written book that offers sound advice is more motivating than reading about the latest market declines. Listening to motivational tapes or CD’s in your car for one hour everyday can actually give you the equivalent of a university degree in a few years time.
Take time off. It is not a badge of honor to state, “I’m too busy to take time off.” In today’s fast-paced business world, it is critical to take time off for vacation and rest and relaxation. Even a long weekend away from your business can be restful. A true vacation also means completely avoiding email and voicemail. Yes, you will have hundreds of messages to deal with when you return, but you will have a renewed focus and energy to do this.
Lastly, associate with positive people. I have made it a point in the latter part of my career to distance myself from negative individuals. They drain your energy, will not support your goals and desires, and do little to motivate you. On the other hand, positive and optimistic people will uplift your spirits and help you through challenging times.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Change Your Mind - Change Your Life!
When did you begin to choose the life you are leading now? When did you decide on the job you have, and against the job you want? When did you decide that the money you make now is all you can make? Did you decide?
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life is a book about your future and the decisions you are making today, which will create that future.
"Determination and belief are the starting points for success. They open you to new opportunities to do and be anything you desire, and you only need a subconscious thought to plant the seed. How do we do this?"
This book is based on real answers to that question.
Change your Mind, Change Your Life will walk you through the steps to real answers and teach you to start asking the right questions. By learning how the mind works, we understand how to break the cycles that keep us on the outside looking in, instead of where we truly wish to be.
The understanding found in this book will open your mind and your eyes to a world which has always been there; you just didn't know the questions to expose it to you.
How often have we found ourselves looking across the road to discover something lacking in our own lives? By changing our Minds we remove the lack in our own lives. We remove the unnamed need that eats away at our day to day lives. By changing our Minds we walk away from a life that constantly needs repairs and begin a life that Rewrites our Reality.
Whether we know it or not our energies are focused and those energies are working in our lives, for better or worse. Like electricity, our own energies do not decide they will work in one area, and not another. Electricity doesn't stop working because the toaster is bad or the stereo is on a negative channel. Electricity flows through the circuit until it is complete. Our energies act in exactly the same way. Change your Mind, Change your Life expands this simple life truth, and shows you how to change your circuit path so the things you want in your life receive the energy, rather than sending it to the things that are strapping you down.
Read Change your Mind, Change your Life today, and start putting focus and energy into your own success.
By : Darla Rodgers
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life is a book about your future and the decisions you are making today, which will create that future.
"Determination and belief are the starting points for success. They open you to new opportunities to do and be anything you desire, and you only need a subconscious thought to plant the seed. How do we do this?"
This book is based on real answers to that question.
Change your Mind, Change Your Life will walk you through the steps to real answers and teach you to start asking the right questions. By learning how the mind works, we understand how to break the cycles that keep us on the outside looking in, instead of where we truly wish to be.
The understanding found in this book will open your mind and your eyes to a world which has always been there; you just didn't know the questions to expose it to you.
How often have we found ourselves looking across the road to discover something lacking in our own lives? By changing our Minds we remove the lack in our own lives. We remove the unnamed need that eats away at our day to day lives. By changing our Minds we walk away from a life that constantly needs repairs and begin a life that Rewrites our Reality.
Whether we know it or not our energies are focused and those energies are working in our lives, for better or worse. Like electricity, our own energies do not decide they will work in one area, and not another. Electricity doesn't stop working because the toaster is bad or the stereo is on a negative channel. Electricity flows through the circuit until it is complete. Our energies act in exactly the same way. Change your Mind, Change your Life expands this simple life truth, and shows you how to change your circuit path so the things you want in your life receive the energy, rather than sending it to the things that are strapping you down.
Read Change your Mind, Change your Life today, and start putting focus and energy into your own success.
By : Darla Rodgers
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