"Motivational Quote of The Day"

"I Have Not Failed...I Have Just Found 10,000 Ways That Won't Work"
(Thomas Edison)

Change you're Thinking/ Change You're Life

Can it really be that simple? By changing the way you think about something you can change you're entire life.
And I suppose the next question to that is," If it is that simple, then why does everyone not do it? "
We seem to be programmed in a negative mindset. As children when we can't grasp something that is new we are told by our parents to keep trying untill we get it right and guess what? WE TRY UNTILL WE SUCCEED! As adults, things are quite different. We try something a few times and we give up for a various number of reasons. We don't want to look bad infront of other people. We're afraid of what others might say. We tried it before, so therfore because we failed before the results will be the same. We have been programmed to think and act in a way that has been reinforced by our experiences and feedback from othere people around us.
If there is some area of you're life you want to change, untill you change how you think and how you act, then the same recurring pattern comes up. Let me give you 4 simple step to changing any area of your life.

1) Know You're Outcome....
The clearer you are in what you want the more you empower you're brain to come up with the answer. Let me explain what I mean.
When i ask people who come to see me for changing some area of their lives, i usually get one of three answers:
a) I don't really know
b) I want more money, a better job, a better relationship, slimmer, etc
c) They tell me what they don't want, e,g. I dont want to be fat, I don't want to be depressed all the time, etc.
Let me tell you the problems about these answers.
a) If you don't know exactly what you want, how can you ever achieve it.
b) These answers are to general....More money, how much more etc.
c) If you keep thinking of what you dont want you seem to get more of it.

2) Take the appropiate action to start you on the right track of getting what you want.
The problem here is most people don't have any urgency in getting what they want, "Il start tomorrow" becoming their label to remain were they are. Most of us have a list of should's. "I should go to the gym," I should start up that new business," I should lose weigh."
The problem is, we never get "OUR SHOULD's." Untill we make something we want to change "A MUST" it is not untill then we start to change. By making something a must, we are sending a totally different message to our subconscious mind to start the change process.

3)Notice what you're getting from you're actions.
The true fact about life is we almost never succeed the first time we try something that is life changing. SO we need to monitor, if you like, what actions we are taking and if they are getting us closer to our desired outcomes. When we are conscious of what steps we are taking, we are no longer in reaction anymore and can see if our actions are working or not.

4)If the actions you are taking are not working / Change you're approach.
Very simple. If what you are doing is not working, try something else. We keep trying different approaches untill we achieve our goal.
Remember; IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE. YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT.
It's insane thinking that by doing the same thing over and over that is not working, somehow you might get a different result.

So if it is this simple, then why do we find it so hard to change areas in our lives.
Anything we focus on, on a consistant basis you get better at. The problem is most people do not control their mental focus. They focus on things like, "WHy does this always happen to me," or "How come my life isn't working" and the thing is if you focus on these things on a consistant basis you're actions in life compliment your thought pattern.This is what you will experience in life.
What changes you're life for the better is not learning more. It's making better decisions and taking the appropiate actions to compliment those decisions.

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU WHO ARE READING THIS>
Think of 1 area in you're life you want to change and apply these 4 steps to it. Start a dairy and monitor you're daily thoughts and actions and notice how quickly things start to change in your life.



Please leave a comment on this post with you're views, thank you.

Motivational Quote for the day

" IF YOU DONT SET GOALS FOR YOURSELF, YOU ARE DOOMED TO WORK TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF SOMEONE ELSE "
(Brain Tracy)

Declaration of Self Esteem

I AM ME

In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me

Everything that comes out of me is authentically me

Because I alone chose it - I own everything about me

My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,

Whether they be to others or to myself - I own my fantasies,

My dreams, my hopes, my fears - I own all my triumphs and

Successes, all my failures and mistakes Because I own all of

Me, I can become intimately acquainted with me - by so doing

I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts -I know

There are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other

Aspects that I do not know - but as long as I am

Friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously

And hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles

And for ways to find out more about me - However I

Look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever

I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically

Me - If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought

And felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is

Unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that

Which I discarded - I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do

I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be

Productive to make sense and order out of the world of

People and things outside of me - I own me, and

therefore I can engineer me - I am me and

I AM OKAY

(Virginia Satir 1975)

SELF ESTEEM

What is Self Esteem ?

Self esteem is the opinion you have of yourself. It is based on your attitude to the following:

Your value as a person
The job you do
Your achievements
How you think others see you
Your purpose in life
Your place in the world
Your potential for success
Your strengths and weaknesses
Your social status and how you relate to others
Your independence or ability to stand on your own feet

I think this sums it up but you may be able to add a few other important factors I have not included here.

What is Low Self Esteem?

Low self esteem results from you having a poor self image caused by your attitude to one or more of the above. Example: you do not value the job you do highly or you feel you have no purpose in your life.

What is High Self Esteem?

High self esteem is the opposite! It is a very important aspect of your life. If you have a high level you will be confident, happy and sure of yourself, without being arrogant. You would be highly motivated and have the right attitude to succeed.
Self esteem is therefore crucial to you and is a cornerstone of a positive attitude towards living.

Self Concept is an important factor in your self esteem

Self concept is how you see yourself and is important because how you act and communicate with others is connected closely with this. It is clear that to have a high level of self esteem you will need to have a positive self view and the opposite is also true. A negative self view will lower your self esteem because you will be focused on your failings and your insecurity will lead to a low level of self confidence.
Concept means idea so your self concept is the idea that you have about yourself. The way you see yourself, of course, may be completely different to how others see you. There are ways to improve this however. First though think about what you think of yourself right now and whether or not it is holding you back.

Questions to ask yourself

Are you happy with how you look?
Have you got an attractive personality?
Are you likeable?
Are you sociable or a bit shy?
Are you honest?
Are you a good person?
Are you able to communicate well?
Are you positive?
Are you fun to be with?
Are you decisive?
Do others respond to you positively?
Are you confident?
Do you live your values and according to your beliefs?

If you answer no to any of the above then focus on that question and ask yourself how you can change that no to a yes. Once you ask yourself the queation your mind will come up with the answers.This exercise will not only tell you what your present self concept is but how to improve it. It will help enormously in every area of your life if you can see yourself more positively.

REMEMBER: We have the answers to the questions within ourselves. When we ask for the answer and dig deep enough our brain will always come up with the answers to our problems.......WE MUST HOWEVER ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS...

Motivational Quote for the day

" You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them "

(Michael Jordan)

INNER FITNESS = OUTER FITNESS

Personal fitness is one of the keys to a long, happy and healthy life. In addition to increased energy, vitality, strength and flexibility, the benefits of good fitness include better concentration, more stamina and greater readiness to meet life’s challenges. Research also shows that good fitness greatly reduces the risk of a variety of illnesses and physical problems such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and adult onset diabetes.Despite the many positive consequences of fitness, people often struggle to achieve and maintain it. Sometimes this is due to lack of knowledge of effective health habits. It can also be because people need help to reshape their lifestyles and reprogram unhealthy patterns of behavior.Physical and mental fitness both involve developing a certain degree of flexibility and stamina. These are achieved through consistent exercise and healthy life practices rather than through “quick fixes.” In general, fitness is a result of personal congruence, respecting the value of the body, and promoting the connection between mind and body. Good fitness, then, is more than physical conditioning.

Complete fitness applies to both body and mind. To be truly “fit” means to be healthy physically and mentally. Ultimately, fitness comes from living a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition and exercise are the two areas of focus necessary for good physical fitness. Both are very important. Eating a healthy diet, for instance, leads to having a healthy heart, a sturdy cardio vascular system, low body fat, strong muscles, solid bones, etc. Being fit also means having a healthy attitude and outlook on life. Attitude, physical conditioning and good nutrition all support each other to produce a healthy life style.

Mind Fitness......"The inner Game"

The mental aspects of fitness are related to what can be referred to as the inner game of fitness. Success in any area of performance involves using your mind as well as your body. Preparing yourself mentally to perform well is the essence of your “inner game.”The “outer game” has to do with physical skills. In fitness training, for example, this would involve how many calories to eat, which types of exercises to do, how many repetitions to make, etc. The “inner game,” on the other hand, has to do with your mental approach to what you are doing. This includes your attitude, confidence in yourself, your ability to concentrate effectively, deal with setbacks, and so on. People tend to think of fitness training as being mostly focused on the “outer game” of fitness, but in order for people to successfully reach fitness goals, they must also develop their “inner game.” The hardest muscle to train and the most neglected is the muscle “between the ears.” You can have a room full of the latest and best equipment, but if it is not used, it is no help. Some key components of a successful inner game of fitness include:

• 
  Setting clear and achievable goals
• 
  Developing the motivation and self-discipline to follow through on those goals
• 
  Having tools with which to break old habits and set new healthy ones
• 
  Updating your self-image and mental maps of yourself
• 
  Appreciating and acknowledging your progress and building self-esteem
• 
  Creating the Future

Fitness is preparing for your future and constantly looking toward the future. People who are truly fit make fitness part of their identity. Good exercise and eating habits should be as natural as washing your face, brushing your teeth, bathing, etc.Achieving good fitness involves making yourself a priority. We do so many things for others in our lives (children, partner, boss, clients, colleagues, etc.); it is also important to consider, “Who is taking care of me?”Fitness is about doing what you can for yourself. When deciding what to eat, for instance, think of yourself as an expensive car. If you had a Ferrari or a Jaguar, what type of fuel would you put in it? Treat your body the same way. Think of your body as a temple. Care for it the best you can. If you owned a prize race horse would you feed it with junk food, let keep it up late at night, have it make do with 4/5 hours sleep and only exercise it now and again…….Well is your life not more important than a prize race horse…..How long will your body and mind keep up with neglect, destruction and misuse…….

So what is the key to a new life style?

Motivation and Confidence
Motivation is critical for people to achieve good fitness. Someone can tell you what you need to do and how to do it, but that will not make any difference unless their you are motivated.Many people desiring to achieve good fitness are challenged by motivational issues, especially when they are overweight, tired, discouraged, etc. People who are out of shape frequently feel very low self-esteem. They joke about their “multiple chins,” for instance, and feel embarrassed to be seen by others. This can even start a downward spiral. They will avoid going to the gym to work out because they are embarrassed to be seen in their gym clothes and, as a result, end up even more out of shape. Good fitness requires a lot of learning, discipline and control. It can be difficult for people to keep up their momentum, and they may find themselves struggling with laziness and boredom.

Some people will go to the extremes of having their upper intestine removed or have their stomach stapled because of their ambivalence towards losing weight. It is important to realize, however, that drastic or extreme measures such as these do not ultimately lead to fitness. They leave flabby skin, affect the body’s ability to retain sufficient water and nutrients, and rob people of the opportunity to learn about healthy living for themselves.
People’s belief and confidence in themselves and what they are doing are crutial factors in the game to stay fit. Belief and confidence are built up piece by piece. Another important motivator for people can come from thinking of others whom they care for and who look to them as role models or mentors.