You can have anything you want in life. That is, as long as you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want it. That's right, four really's. The first REALLY is a wish. There might be many things that you would like to have. You might have a whole list of things you want or goals you want to achieve. It starts with a wish.
You can have anything you want in life as long as you REALLY, REALLY want it. The second REALLY is that what you want is very, very important to you. It's not just a wish. I'm sure that there are many things that would be nice to have, many things that would make your life more comfortable; but it's much more than that. It is something that would make your life complete. It is something that, when achieved, will give you a great sense of accomplishment.
You can have anything you want in life as long as you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want it. The third REALLY is the INTENTION to have it. When you intend to have something it sets the wheels in motion. A plan begins to take shape. You begin to think about how it will all come about. When will you make the time to do it? Whom will you need to help you? How long will it take to achieve? You don't have to figure it all out, but you begin to feel the excitement of the process of achieving what you want. You may not be exactly sure how it's going to happen but your confidence grows.
You can have anything you want in life as long as you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want it. The fourth REALLY is that failure is not an option. There is no way that you will not achieve what you want to achieve. It is not a question of "IF" it only a question of "WHEN"! For so many of us it is this fourth REALLY that is the most troublesome; we get so far and then for some reason we get discouraged. Things are not happening fast enough, we begin to doubt our abilities, we pay to much attention to the naysayers. Keep your eye on the prize. Never give up. Enjoy the journey. Enjoy every step of the way. Appreciate the struggles and frustrations as well as the victories. It's your life. Make it your best life. IT'S ALL GOOD.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Why Are Some Things Difficult?
During my meditation this morning a revealing thought came to me. (That's what happens sometimes when you meditate). I've written a book, "Simple Happiness, 52 Easy Ways to Lighten Up". It came out at the end of last year. It's a self published book and as a result, the marketing of the book is up to me. Sales of the book are going well, but I always wish they were doing better. When people ask me "How's the book doing?" I always say "Great!" but inside I wish it were doing better. I quietly tell myself that it's a difficult task to market my book along with all the other things I have to do to make a living and support my family.
I realized this morning that it is this insidious self-talk (telling myself that it's a difficult task to market the book) is what is keeping the book from being a national best seller. People who have read the book really like it and have gone out of their way to tell me so.
The first chapter of the book is "We Become What We Think About". Here I am thinking that marketing the book is difficult. Guess what? By hanging on to these thoughts, the marketing of the book has felt like a struggle to me. Today I'm going to take a piece of my own advice. When I catch myself in this negative mode of thinking, I'm going to say to myself, "Oops, there I go again" and then tell myself that marketing the book is easy and fun and soon everybody will be reading "Simple Happiness". I will also savor the accompanying good feelings that come with that positive thought.
I've learned two things today:
1. Meditation is a very worthwhile and productive activity.
2. Follow my own advice. (It leads to success and happiness)
With Love and Hope,
Jim
I realized this morning that it is this insidious self-talk (telling myself that it's a difficult task to market the book) is what is keeping the book from being a national best seller. People who have read the book really like it and have gone out of their way to tell me so.
The first chapter of the book is "We Become What We Think About". Here I am thinking that marketing the book is difficult. Guess what? By hanging on to these thoughts, the marketing of the book has felt like a struggle to me. Today I'm going to take a piece of my own advice. When I catch myself in this negative mode of thinking, I'm going to say to myself, "Oops, there I go again" and then tell myself that marketing the book is easy and fun and soon everybody will be reading "Simple Happiness". I will also savor the accompanying good feelings that come with that positive thought.
I've learned two things today:
1. Meditation is a very worthwhile and productive activity.
2. Follow my own advice. (It leads to success and happiness)
With Love and Hope,
Jim
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Have Fun Along the Way
I just got an e-mail from a friend that contained a quote from Abraham Hicks. It goes: "You think that the goal is to be over there and we say the goal is the journey over there. The goal is the fun you have along the way on your way to over there."
Many of us are in a hurry to reach our goals. We (I) grow impatient when things don't seem to be moving along at a quick enough pace. We (I)become anxious when things seem to be at a standstill. I am going to memorize this little quote and bring it to mind often throughout the day. I know in my heart that things are unfolding just as they are meant to unfold. Everything is just as it is supposed to be. It's my job to appreciate each moment as it comes. It's my job to learn from every experience, positive and negative. I will try to be compassionate with myself when I make a choice which seems to hold me back. In the letter of St. James in the Bible he says, "It's all good"
Tomorrow when I rise, I will resolve to be awake to each moment of my day's journey. I resolve to have fun at every step along the way on my way to over there.
Many of us are in a hurry to reach our goals. We (I) grow impatient when things don't seem to be moving along at a quick enough pace. We (I)become anxious when things seem to be at a standstill. I am going to memorize this little quote and bring it to mind often throughout the day. I know in my heart that things are unfolding just as they are meant to unfold. Everything is just as it is supposed to be. It's my job to appreciate each moment as it comes. It's my job to learn from every experience, positive and negative. I will try to be compassionate with myself when I make a choice which seems to hold me back. In the letter of St. James in the Bible he says, "It's all good"
Tomorrow when I rise, I will resolve to be awake to each moment of my day's journey. I resolve to have fun at every step along the way on my way to over there.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Do What You Love
Find out what you love to do and do it. That's a big part of being happy. What is it that excites you? When do you feel most alive? What activity makes you lose track of time? When do you feel like you are in a state of flow? If you can find the answer to these questions your life will become much more exciting and fulfilling.
Often the answer to these questions has to do with what you're good at. What are your gifts? Where do your talents lie? These are not questions that you should struggle with. There's no wracking your brain to figure things out. The answers will come to you if you let them. Try sitting quietly by yourself and simply ask yourself any of these questions. Then wait. The answers may not reveal themselves on the first asking. Be patient. Just keep asking the questions of yourself and soon enough ideas will appear.
Your job is to not only wait for the answers. That's part of it. The real fun starts when you begin to take action on the inspirations that make themselves known to you. Happiness comes from engaging in activities that bring you joy, not just thinking about them. You may need to step out of your comfort zone a bit. You may need to take the risk of flubbing up a few times.
Relax with the whole process. Remember that what makes you feel most alive today may evolve into something very different over time. Who knows where it will lead . The important thing is that you start. The journey will take care of itself. There will be turns along the way and it's OK to make a wrong turn once in a while. As James Taylor sings, "It's enough to be on your way."
Often the answer to these questions has to do with what you're good at. What are your gifts? Where do your talents lie? These are not questions that you should struggle with. There's no wracking your brain to figure things out. The answers will come to you if you let them. Try sitting quietly by yourself and simply ask yourself any of these questions. Then wait. The answers may not reveal themselves on the first asking. Be patient. Just keep asking the questions of yourself and soon enough ideas will appear.
Your job is to not only wait for the answers. That's part of it. The real fun starts when you begin to take action on the inspirations that make themselves known to you. Happiness comes from engaging in activities that bring you joy, not just thinking about them. You may need to step out of your comfort zone a bit. You may need to take the risk of flubbing up a few times.
Relax with the whole process. Remember that what makes you feel most alive today may evolve into something very different over time. Who knows where it will lead . The important thing is that you start. The journey will take care of itself. There will be turns along the way and it's OK to make a wrong turn once in a while. As James Taylor sings, "It's enough to be on your way."
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Live the Life of Your Dreams lV - Goal Setting
When writing down your goals try to be as specific as possible in your description, ie. "I want a five bedroom victorian style home on two acres on the bay. It will have a tennis court and beautifully landscaped swimming pool..." The clearer the picture you have of your goal, the easier it will be to visualize its attainment.
Once you've spent some time filling up the three columns with things you'd like to do, be, have, etc., (see my blog from 6/28) go back over each entry and estimate how long it will take you to reach that goal. Some may be short term (six months to a year) some may take two years, five years, ten years or longer. Next, go back to your list and pick out your three most important goals - those that really excite you; those that, when achieved, would make your feel like your life was a success. I've taken my three main goals, printed them on a card the size of a business card and had the card laminated. I carry them with me every day. I think of my goals whenever I reach into my pocket. I think of them when I put the card in my pocket in the morning and I think of my goals when I empty my pockets at night. The card helps me keep my goals in the forefront of my mind.
An important element of achieving your goals is to visualize the attainment of each goal and really pay attention to how good you feel getting to that point. Savor the good feelings as you see yourself living the life of your dreams.
Another strategy is to put together a vision board. Cut out pictures and words that illustrate your main goals. Keep it in sight so you can refer to it often during the day. Again, it's important to feel good as you see yourself becoming the person you want to be.
The important thing is to WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS! Don't just think about them...WRITE THEM DOWN!
There was a study done some years ago in which graduates of Harvard Business School were asked two questions. The first question was, "Do you have wirtten goals?" The second question was, "What is your annual income?" The results were that those MBA's who had written goals had incomes three times higher than those MBA's who did not have written goals. Any questions?
Once you've spent some time filling up the three columns with things you'd like to do, be, have, etc., (see my blog from 6/28) go back over each entry and estimate how long it will take you to reach that goal. Some may be short term (six months to a year) some may take two years, five years, ten years or longer. Next, go back to your list and pick out your three most important goals - those that really excite you; those that, when achieved, would make your feel like your life was a success. I've taken my three main goals, printed them on a card the size of a business card and had the card laminated. I carry them with me every day. I think of my goals whenever I reach into my pocket. I think of them when I put the card in my pocket in the morning and I think of my goals when I empty my pockets at night. The card helps me keep my goals in the forefront of my mind.
An important element of achieving your goals is to visualize the attainment of each goal and really pay attention to how good you feel getting to that point. Savor the good feelings as you see yourself living the life of your dreams.
Another strategy is to put together a vision board. Cut out pictures and words that illustrate your main goals. Keep it in sight so you can refer to it often during the day. Again, it's important to feel good as you see yourself becoming the person you want to be.
The important thing is to WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS! Don't just think about them...WRITE THEM DOWN!
There was a study done some years ago in which graduates of Harvard Business School were asked two questions. The first question was, "Do you have wirtten goals?" The second question was, "What is your annual income?" The results were that those MBA's who had written goals had incomes three times higher than those MBA's who did not have written goals. Any questions?
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