Want It? Imagine It!

"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it" - William Arthur Ward

A Forgotten Ability?

Did we all know about a powerful success system when we were children?

It came quite naturally for us when we were young. We talked about how things could be instead of what was, of exciting adventures, happy scenarios, and favorable outcomes. When adults chanced on us doing this, they just smiled.

It was a time when we indulged our imaginations as only kids could.

But when we grew up, we were told that this was something we needed to leave behind. We were told that we needed to be more realistic. And that normally meant allowing outward circumstances to define for us what we couldn't do.

Problem is, we learned to see only limitations and restrictions. This was a far cry from what we used to do as kids, when outside appearances didn't really matter. Then, we imagined we could do anything.

"In imagination, there's no limitation" - Mark Victor Hansen

Well, it's time to recapture this creative ability again. In the midst of harsh realities, we need to develop this child-like capacity to imagine and believe.

Imaginary Help To Survive

Have you heard the story of Vietnam veteran, Major James Nesmeth?

During his tour of duty, he was captured and became a POW for 7 years. Isolated and imprisoned in a very tiny cell, he realized he needed to do something to preserve his sanity. But without books, TV, computers, musical instruments or any of the modern conveniences that we have today, what could he do?

He turned to the only resource available to him - his IMAGINATION!

Cooped up in a space about 4.5 feet high and 5 feet long, he imagined himself in his favorite golf course and playing golf. In his mind, he smelled the fresh grass, felt the grooves of his club handle, savoured the cool breeze, saw himself going through his swings and finishing a full 18 holes of golf. Daily, for 7 years, he did in his imagination what he couldn't physically do.

The day came when he was finally released and returned back to the US. One of the 1st things he did was act out what he saw himself visualizing for the past 7 years. He went to his favorite gold course and started actually playing what he could only do in his imagination.

But do you know what was most amazing than him actually doing what he only imagined?

Without having touched a golf club in 7 years, he played a great game of golf. He improved his game by 20 strokes and shot a 74 - as if he had been actually practising golf for 7 years!

Making Imagination Work For Us

Let's not neglect this creative ability which we all have. Let's train our imaginations to work for us.

• Let's see ourselves overcoming our difficulties, instead of failing.
• Let's see ourselves accomplishing our goals, instead of falling short.
• Let's see ourselves becoming more productive, instead of self-destructing.

We used to be good at it when we're young. We can be good at it again!

"One's ability to imagine is directly proportional to one's ability to be successful" -- L. Ron Hubbard

Cheers!
primeprojects

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Our Breakthroughs Start From Within

In his book, "Think and Grow Rich," Napoleon Hill states,

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

At first glance, it looks too simplistic.

The first time I read that, my initial reaction was, "Really? That's all I need to do - think and it will become a reality?" It does sound like a "mind over matter thing," doesn't it? Some might even think this is a scene from the movie, "Bewitched."

But it's none of those things. The quote is talking about "attitudes."

What is our attitude when we are faced with difficult and seemingly impossible circumstances?

Do we react in a negative way? Do we say to ourselves, "I can't do anything. The problems are too great. I see no way out. My hands are tied. It's hopeless!" Or do we face it with a positive attitude and say from the inside, "This mountain looks daunting, but I'm going to look for a way to overcome this. One way or the other, I'll go through this, over this, or under this. And if i have to, then I'll move this mountain - even if it means doing it one rock at a time!"

Whether we think we can or we can't, we're right.

When we say we can't, our mind shuts down and doesn't look for solutions anymore. But when we say we can, the creative processes of our mind go to work looking for answers.

This reminds me of a story about an elephant trainer.

When the elephant was still small, he'd tie it to a tree. The small elephant would struggle, but because it wasn't strong yet, it would fail. It would continue to fight against its bondage, but it fail everytime.

One day, it would be convinced that escape was useless. In its mind, the rope became impossible to break. It would no longer try to escape.

Eventually, the elephant would grow into its full stature with the strength to move large logs and even uproot trees. But the moment it's tied to a small stake, it will not even try to resist it anymore.

It will not make any effort for it to break free from the flimsy stake. This mighty elephant would just passively remain there, accepting its fate.

Why?

You see, even though the full-grown elephant was stronger than the rope tied to the small stake, in its mind the rope was stronger than him.

And so it is also with us.

In our circumstances, do we see ourselves able to break out, to succeed, to finally overcome, and to achieve our goals and desires?

If so, then that's half of the battle won.

We need to see that it can be done.

We need to be convinced that it can be achieved.

We need to act on the possibilities we see.

Then we can finally experience the breakthroughs we've always fervently hoped for!

Here's hoping that this simple foothold can lead to some serious favorable outcomes in your life!

Cheers!
primeprojects

Three Keys To Succeeding

I was reading through some articles, and I found one that gives common sense advice on succeeding. Although his particular field is internet marketing, the principles he talks about can be applied to just about any area of our lives. May this article help you on your way to building a successful life.

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Three Keys to Succeeding This Year
(c) Charlie Page
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When it comes to succeeding online - whether that means starting your own online business, earning money as an affiliate, or something more, there is a world of confusion.

Create a niche site, some say. But that's easier said than done.

Publish an ezine, say others. But what would you have to say?

Become a super affiliate we often hear. Again .. HOW?

In the years I've been online I have been blessed indeed to be able to learn what I needed to know to succeed. Sometimes I learned from others examples. Sometimes I learned from watching others mistakes. And sometimes I learned from painful (and costly) trial and error.

Based on all of that, I'd like to share with you three keys that I believe can help every one of you succeed this year, and beyond.

---> 1. KNOW YOURSELF

The good thing about the Internet is that there are so many different ways to make money.

And the bad thing about the Internet is that there are so many different ways to make money. ;)

So what's a boy (or girl) to do?

Know yourself. Respond to what feels right, what sounds right to you.

Remember what you learned as a youth -- if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Nowhere is that more true that on the Internet where scams and snake-oil salesmen abound.

So, how *specifically* does 'knowing yourself' help you succeed online?

Here's how.

If you are losing sleep over the ability to pay your bills and need some very fast money you may be much better off getting a second job for a while than 'starting an online business'.

I know -- that's not the advice you are used to hearing. But it's the advice I would give my daughter.

There ARE situations where trading time for money makes *very* good sense - times where the efforts you make MUST bring a return or you will lose everything.

A bird in the hand still beats two in the bush, and making any real money online when you are just starting out is hard. Very hard.

The truth you are not being told is that the "overnight success" "here's a picture of my PayPal account" "look at my shiny new race car" stories are by FAR the exception ... IF they are even telling the truth.

You know that in your gut, so trust yourself when the voice in your head says "better think twice".

Here's another example.

If you are staying up until the wee hours of the morning viewing site after site that sound too good to be true then you are headed for trouble.

Someone is about to pick your pocket.

It might be with the promise of huge commissions or of doing all the work for you (why would they do that?) but one way or the other they are going to take your money. So be careful. Very careful.

---> 2. GET OFF THE OPPORTUNITY TREADMILL

What does that mean? It means stop looking for the next big thing and start looking for the next real thing.

Specifically, if a business you are considering does not make sense to you but is asking you to 'trust them' please don't.

Business online is just like business offline. Those who stick with things succeed. Those who jump around don't.

Nowhere is this more evident that in network marketing. I've read, but not confirmed, that the average person starting out in network marketing stays with the program they choose for less than 90 days.

My friend, no one succeeds at anything new in less than 90 days ... especially if they are doing that business part time.

So, forget the word 'opportunity' for a moment and focus on the word business.

Here are a few clarifying questions that might help.

Is the business you are considering delivering a real product?

Does that product help people achieve meaningful goals?

Do you understand how the business works?

Could you explain the business to your best friend and be comfortable?

WOULD you share the business with your best friend and still be comfortable in the friendship?

If you answered yes to all of these questions you have the beginning of a basis to go into a business.

If not, run.

---> 3. FOCUS

We touched on this above but it is *so* important that I want to hover here for a moment more.

To succeed online (or offline for that matter) you will have to focus on *one* thing at a time.

* Focus your attention
* Focus your resources
* Focus your passion
* Focus your time

If you learn to focus your resources in this way on *one* thing and prove that it is for you (or that it is not for you) you will succeed faster. Period.

How can you focus?

Think of something you want to accomplish. It might be a business you are considering or a new site you want to build or a way to advertise a product.

Now examine that from the outside in and then the inside out and then examine it again.

Ask questions. Be a skeptic. Check out testimonials to be sure they are real. Ask people who have succeeded with the idea you are pursuing.

Now go further and Google something about the idea to see what people are saying and to check the validity of any sites you might be considering.

Once you *know* that you want to move ahead take action and give it your all.

Only then can you know what will work for you!

One last word - the fact that something doesn't work the first time does not mean that it will not work.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the world of advertising where beginning advertisers wrongly think they can run one ad and have it succeed.

Professional advertisers know that it takes testing - and patience - to make an ad campaign work.

If your first attempt at something fails consider analyzing why and trying again before moving on to something else.

Use your focus to discover how to do better on the next try. The list of people who failed on their first try and then went on to greatness is legion.

I hope that this year is your best year ever.

May it be so for us all.

*******************************************************
Charlie Page helps people succeed online. How can he help you? Find out now at his main site or call his toll free number. http://www.RealWorldTactics.com
*******************************************************

It's a simple article, but quite powerful. I especially appreciate what he said about knowing ourselves and focusing. Seems basic, but many times overlooked. I suggest that we look for ways to apply these tips to our lives.

To greater heights!

Cheers!
primeprojects

Courageous Choices

Going through my readings, I came across an old friend - a poem that was the subject of discussion during my college days. Our professor encouraged us to explore whatever insights we glimpsed through this simple poem. Here's the poem;

The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I don't recall exactly all the things we talked about. What I remember was that we were trying hard to impress each other -- And we succeeded! Ha-ha-ha - after all, we were young, brash, and impressionable!

Anyway, looking at this poem again, there are some insights I can appreciate.

When faced with diverging paths, we should not just stand staring at which one to take, we must eventually choose.

Life is filled with major decisions that need to be made.

- What career to take
- Who to marry
- To start a business or to continue with your present job

Choices. Each one has its own pros and cons. And while it's true that we need to evaluate each one carefully, we cannot linger in the valley of indecision indefinitely.

Although we can learn as much as we can about each choice, we cannot know everything about them. While we can try to imagine possible outcomes, we cannot see everything that will happen based on whatever path we decide on.

But this is not a reason to stand still. We must eventually commit to a path so we can finally move forward.

"Think before you act and then act decisively. Fortune favors the brave" - Brian Tracy

In choosing, we should not be afraid to take risks.

In the many options we face, it's natural to pick the safer one. To take the path everyone has taken gives us a measure of comfort and security. I've done it. You've done it. Who hasn't?

But there are times when the well-trodden path isn't always the best one to take. There are times when we need to go against the tide.

If everyone wanted to stay in their comfort zones, we wouldn't have inventors, explorers, visionaries, and adventurers. We'd probably be still living without electricity, medical breakthroughs, modern conveniences, scientific technologies, and other things we've taken for granted. We'd think the world's still flat. America wouldn't have been discovered. It would still be the dark ages for us.

So, when the time comes for you to take that riskier path, don't be afraid to do so!

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar" - Raymond Lindquist

Cheers!
primeprojects

When Can Right Believing Still Fail?

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" James 2:17 NIV

How important is believing the right thing?

Very (!), considering that what we believe normally affects our lives. Take for example, the "Placebo effect" concept. It says that, if we believe we will receive positive benefits from a particular medicine, then most likely, that is how it will turn out for us. EVEN IF what we believed as beneficial medicine is nothing more than sugared water - something that has no medical qualities at all!

So it's vital that we believe the right thing. I'm all for it. Given a choice, I would rather believe the right thing rather than the wrong one, wouldn't you agree?

HOWEVER, is it possible to believe the right thing ... and ... still fail?

To answer that, let me tell a story which I heard many years ago. It's about a man who was rescued from the ocean. Apparently, he had been adrift at sea for many days. When he was spotted and brought aboard a ship, he was in very bad shape.

Although very weak, he was happy at being rescued. He kept smiling and telling anyone who cared to listen about his good fortune at being saved.

After the ship's doctor examined him, he told the captain that the man was suffering from extreme starvation. He needed to eat immediately. If he didn't eat within the next twenty minutes, he would die.

The captain instructed that a simple meal be brought to him at once. However, even though the food was brought to him, he was still chatting with everyone. The captain interrupted him and said, "Sir, we can talk later if you wish. But right now, you've got to eat. The doctor told me that if you've got to eat within the next ..." he looks at his watch "... uh, ten minutes ... that's right ... ten minutes have gone by since the doc said you needed to eat to survive."

"Yes ... yes ... thank you! Thank you! I believe if I eat this, I will not die but live!" He exclaimed. "Do you guys hear that? I really thank you for helping me! I thought I was a goner, but now I have another chance!"

"Sir!" The captain broke in, "You need to eat now. The doc said ...."

"Yes, yes! I know. If I eat this, I believe I'll live and not die. But I'm just so happy I need to tell all you guys. I had no one to talk to all those days at sea. So I just gotta tell you guys. But don't you worry, I'm gonna eat this. Know why? Cause I believe when I eat this, I'm gonna live!"

He just kept talking ... and the minutes kept ticking. The captain kept pleading. But the man just kept on and on. Finally, with a 2 seconds to go, the man said, "I believe that if I eat this, I will not ... not ... not ...." He falls down - dead!

Absurd story, right? Yeah, but it sure makes its point!

The guy believed right, that if he ate the food before him, he would not die but live. So why didn't he live?

Because He DIDN'T ACT ON THE TRUTH HE SAID HE BELIEVED!

Conviction without follow-up actions is meaningless and delusional.

To put a different spin on a movie director's mantra,

"LIGHTS!" - When you get a "light-bulb" moment.

"CAMERA!" - When you focus on the goal before you.

"ACTION!" - Go get 'em, tiger!

"The important thing is to dare to dream big, then take action to make it come true." Joe Girard

Cheers!
primeprojects

Make Information Profit You!

"Apply yourself. Get all the education you can, but then, by God, do something. Don't just stand there, make something happen." Lee Iacocca

We're living in an information age. Thanks to technology, it's easier to get information now than before. We could get good information, or bad information, but we can never complain of not having information. In fact, what some complain about today is, information overload.

Today, everyone has access to information that will help make their lives better. In just a few hours, I've scanned over some articles providing helpful information. Here are just a few titles I've come across:

"How To Pray For Results"

"3 Things You Can Do To For A Better Memory"

"How To Develop Habits That Lead To Success"

"How To Make Money Online"

"How To Lose Weight And Keep It Off!"

You get the idea. Helpful information that covers every kind of need, whether it's spiritual, physical or material, is available to anyone who has a computer and an internet access!

If that's the case, why is it then that not everyone is being helped by all this available information?

Well, you see, having information, even great and profitable information, is not enough. Info that others are willing to die for, or pay big bucks for, isn't going to do us much good, if all we can say about it is that we have it. Something else needs to be mixed in to make this information profit us.

About 2 years ago, around 30 ladies gathered in our community to learn how to cook gourmet food. It was a "show and do it" activity. They were taught and shown how to make them, and then they actually cooked the food themselves. All 30 ladies received valuable information and know-how concerning these food preparations.

Of the 30 ladies who learned to do gourmet cooking, only 5 made good use of this information. Of the 5, 4 of them used what they learned in cooking for their families. They shared stories of how they wowed their families and friends with the food they served.

The other 1 of the 5, used what she learned in taking orders and getting paid for them. To this day, she is earning some serious money based on that one community activity.

And what about the rest, the other 25 gals who were taught the same thing? Nothing! They did nothing with the information they learned. Consequently, they, their families and friends, and their financial situation did not benefit from the great information they received!

So, what is the one thing that needs to be added to convert information into a profitable experience for us?

ACTION!

Information by itself, no matter how revealing and profitable, will not benefit us unless we act on it!

How many blogs, articles, and newsletters have we read? How much information have we collected?

It's ok to keep learning. But in all our learning, we need to start acting on them.

"Just do it." Nike

Cheers!
primeprojects

Waiting For Perfect Conditions?

"He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap" - Eccl 11:4

This was written thousands of years ago, and yet the wisdom it brings us is timeless. This brief statement exposes the mistake of putting off decisions because of waiting for perfect conditions.

Instead of planting, the sower mentioned above kept procrastinating. Why? Well, maybe the wind was too strong, too weak, or it just may not feel quite right. He was not going to do anything unless everything was perfect.

Of course we want to prepare properly for our plans. Of course we want everything to be just right and perfect.

But how perfectly prepared do we have to be to finally act? How perfect should everything be before we decide?

I remember having a talk with someone who spoke of having a lucrative business based on a hobby he was good at and passionate about. Some years ago, he talked about a wonderful service he could provide others for a fee, if only he had the right knowledge and equipment.

He was producing some amazing presentations with just a simple computer and his supposedly, limited knowledge. Fact was, when some people saw what he was producing, they were putting in orders which could have jump-started his business.

But he turned down these opportunities. He said that he wasn't prepared without the right know-how and equipment. Ok, that's understandable. Aside from his raw talent and imagination, he needed training and equipping.

Some saw his potential, and decided to sponsor him so he could finally launch his business. The training wasn't cheap, but they felt he was worth it. Not only did they put up the money for his education, but also upgraded his computer system.

Later on, these sponsors were gratified when they saw that his latest productions were even more awesome than before. But to their surprise, he was still turning down orders!

He just kept saying that although he had learned much from his training, it wasn't enough. He had to know more. Although he had a more powerful computer than before, he claimed he had to have a complete, state-of-the-art system before he could launch his business.

But the problem is, he's been saying this for some years now. The years have gone by, his knowledge and skills have increased, his equipment has been upgraded, and his productions have intensified ... BUT(!), his planned business and its projected profits are still nowhere near reality!

I discussed with him the possibility of starting small. Use what he had available and build from there. The business may not be perfect at the beginning, but it would be a start. I mean, just get it going and get some momentum working for him. Earning while he learns. While he didn't have everything yet, he did have what was necessary to start on a limited basis.

His response? No, not yet. Everything has to be there. Conditions needed to be perfect.

Meantime, time is quickly passing by and still, nothing seems to be happening where his business is concerned.

Fence-sitters may have the greatest and noblest intentions there are. But without decisive actions, they will always be fence-sitters.

Why be a fence-sitter when you could be an achiever, right?

Dream! Decide! Act!

Cheers,
primeprojects

Success Insights From A Birthday Party

We just celebrated our mom's 75th birthday this weekend, and it was a smashing success! Families and relatives shared this moment with her. Old friends whom she's lost touched with over time, and loved ones living abroad came and made for touching and poignant reunions.

The stories, the laughter, the tears, the food, the wine, the songs and the music all flowed memorably to make up a night that could only be summed up in one word - UNFORGETTABLE!

And all thanks to the organizing and systematic planning of my three sisters - Chinky, Yellie, and Annette.

It would have been so easy to just set the date, do nothing, and hoped things turned out right. But without the constant follow-ups they made through texts, chats, emails and telephone calls to family, friends, classmates, hotel managers, owners, caterers, techinicians, band, performers, and a whole galaxy of who needs to be there, the night would have been a big, fat, flop!

And I'm not writing this to campaign for my sisters' elevation to the status of demi-goddesses (maybe in an alternate universe, but definitely, not here!), but to bring out some tips that brought about desired results.

1. They Knew What They Wanted

It wasn't a case of just hoping something good would turn up. They defined what they wanted. They had a GOAL.

We may not be having parties at the moment, but this principle applies to just about any area of our lives. We have a choice - just to drift through life, or navigate towards our expectations. But it goes without saying, to reach our expectations, we need to know what those expectations are.

We need to define our objectives. We need to be clear about what we want and where we want to go. Without a target, we wouldn't know where to aim. In other words, we simply must have GOALS to shoot for.

Therefore, let's set some quality time to discover what GOALS we want for our lives.

2. They Planned How To Get What They Wanted

Now that they knew what they wanted, they planned how to get there. From a list of possible selections, they chose the elements that would most likely bring about what they were aiming for. The choice of locations, the decor, the resource persons to contact, the music and songs, the ambience, and the program script were carefully planned out.

We may know what we want, but if we just sit down in a corner somewhere, twiddle our thumbs, and just wish that we'd get what we want, the odds of us getting what we want are stacked against us. I mean, if that's all we needed to do to get what we want, then nobody has to work to get them, right?

I was talking with someone about a business objective. This person is immensely talented in what he does. But for some years now, he's been lamenting about how he could make profits if he only had the needed equipment.

But what he doesn't realize is that he's been making some darn, good products with the basic equipment he has now. Sure it takes him longer, and he probably wouldn't be able to take as many orders, but he at least has something to work with.

We discussed the possibility of starting on a limited basis. Maybe 2 orders a month would be all he could do at the moment. But from the earnings he'll make from this, he could build up the equipment he needed. He could at least start right away, instead of adding another year to the countless years he talks about what he wants to do.

I was suggesting a simple plan that would allow him to start right away. He seemed doubtful, and simply whined about not having the right equipment. It's a pity because others with lesser talents, opportunities, and equipment are actually making money with the little they have.

Let's chart a course towards our objectives. It may not be a perfect plan, but it's better than nothing.

3. They Went After What They Wanted

Now that they figured out what they wanted and how they would go about getting it, they put their plan into motion. People were called, appointments made, deals sealed, reservations confirmed, contracts signed and deposits paid. And the rest, as they say, is history!

And this is possibly one of the most crucial, if not the most crucial, part of the success journey. After defining the goal and formulating the plan, some get cold feet and fail to act on their plan.

Great intentions will never see the light of day without the needed action!

Don't wait for circumstances to mystically align according to your liking. Normally they don't. And even if they do, it's not something you can count on on a consistent basis.

Don't wait for your goals to come to you as if by magic; go after them!

Make these simple tips your footholds to achieve your favorable outcomes.

Cheers!
primeprojects

How Do You Eat An Elephant?

One bite at a time!

Old joke. But in it, is a simple, yet timeless nugget of wisdom.

When we set goals, they shouldn't be too small that they fail to challenge us. But sometimes, a goal worthy of our time and efforts may be so big, that it overwhelms us. It could be so daunting that just leaves us staring and wondering how we can do it.

What's the secret in mastering this?

The answer is so shockingly simple, that if we're not careful, we just might underestimate and dismiss it.

Break down that big goal into small, manageable, "bite-sized" steps!

I have a brother who noticed one day, some joggers doing their daily running exercises near the house. Joey thought, "I'm going to do that!" So donning some jogging clothes, he began to run.

Well, attempted to run was more like it. He found to his dismay that he couldn't go more than a few steps without gasping desperately for breath! He wasn't as fit as the other joggers who had been doing their runs for years now. What looked like an easy thing for them at that time seemed daunting to Joey.

Did he give up? Nah! He decided that if he couldn't do what they could do yet, then he was going to concentrate on what he could do at that moment and build from there.

Joey decided that he was going to walk casually around the mini-park, and at least finish one round for the day. He continued to do this until he could walk briskly while doing his rounds. After a few days, he started mixing brisk walking and light jogging.

He kept doing that for weeks until he could maintain a light, steady jogging pace. He did what he could, but continued to challenge himself in increasing his speed, his stamina, and the length of time he could run without breaking into a walk.

Before he knew it, a running club noticed him and invited him to become a member. Soon, he was running in local marathons and cross-country runs. He even had a stint in a Hongkong marathon.

No, you won't see his name with the top finishers. But for Joey, to be able to do what he did was accomplishment enough!

It took time to get there. And in getting there, he had to break his goal into mini-goals. But he got there.

And by applying this simple truth, we can accomplish just about any goal we set before us.

Enjoy your elephant!

Cheers!
primeprojects

Avoiding Disappointments in 2008

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-- Mark Twain

When I read that quote, I had my doubts. But the more I read it, the more I realize how true it is. This seems to apply in most areas of our lives. Think about it.

Concerning Relationships

What disappoints you most about the one who got away -- The fact that you didn't do anything and that person just slipped away from your life, OR that after you made your move, that person just didn't want a more intimate relationship with you?

Concerning Business

What was more disappointing -- The business idea that didn't become a reality because you never acted on it, OR the one that you tried to put together but crashed and burned?

Concerning Sports

Was it the tournament that you never dared to join, OR the one that you joined, and got eliminated in the very first round?

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

We go through life once, and throughout our journey, we will be faced with many opportunities to be involved. But will we keep passing them by with different excuses? Too high, too low; too expensive, too cheap; too near, too far; too hard, too easy.

A guy once sat nervously in train terminal in a far Province. He was thinking of going into the big city to try succeeding as an athlete. After all, his friends kept telling him that he was fast and strong. When watching their sports favorite on TV, they kept hooting how he'd run circles around these big-name bozos.

But now that he was actually on the verge of putting his dreams into effect, he has been nervously postponing his decisions. He has allowed the previous trains to leave without getting on them. Now, the last train was leaving in 30 minutes.

He struggled to make a decision - should he go or not? To clear his mind, he decided to walk among the shops across the terminal. He drifted in and out of shops, had coffee in one, and struck up a chat with a shop manager. Finally, he made up his mind - he was going to go!

He ran back to the terminal. When he tried to buy a ticket, he was informed he missed the last train. He made up his mind 10 minutes late!

Because he dilly-dallied in deciding, the circumstances decided for him!

He never really went back to the terminal the next day. Something came up. Something always did. 40 years later, he sits watching his favorite sport on TV, wondering what would have happened had he gone when he had the chance. But he, you and I would never know now, would we?

Sucks right?

Avoid the disappointments Mark Twain talked about. Put into action your goals and plans. If things don't turn out the way you wanted, you at least have the satisfaction of knowing that you did something.

Target your goals. Plan your strategy to get there. Then go for it!

Cheers!
primeprojects

An Unrepeatable Success Recipe?

I remember a day when our Dad decided to surprise us by whipping up some "gourmet cooking." When we sat down to eat, we were amazed. What he prepared looked good, smelled good, and tasted really, really good! Compliments were abounding, and our Dad was beaming with pride.

Finally, as we were finishing the last pieces of this sumptuous meal, we talked about how to make this a family tradition meal for special occasions. Our Dad was grinning impishly when he said that this was a once-in-a-lifetime meal that was never to be repeated again.

So naturally, we all protested. Dad finally confessed that the reason we couldn't do the meal again was not because he didn't want to, but because he didn't know how to cook the same meal again!

Incredulous, we asked why he couldn't do it a second time after having done it the first time. Did he lose, misplace or simply forget the recipe? Sheepishly, he admitted that he couldn't remember the recipe because THERE WAS NO RECIPE!

He said that he suddenly had an idea what he wanted to cook for us. He didn't plan how to do it. He mixed ingredients without measuring how much of what should be put into the pot. He was, as he put it, simply experimenting.

If it turned out bad, that was the end of that experiment. But if it turned out well, then there was no way to duplicate his successful experiment.

It was an unrepeatable recipe -- a one-hit-wonder.

And it's basically the same with our lives. We can choose to set our goals and strategize how to accomplish them. Or we could just wing it as we go along, hoping we get things right.

But if, despite not having goals and plans and by simply chancing it, things do turn out successfully, how do we duplicate that success?

If we once overcame a problem successfully, what are the chances that we will do so again when the same problem rears its ugly head again? It's so easy to say, "Well, I licked this the first time around, I can do it again!" Yes, but how? Of the many things you did that made you successful the first time, what was it exactly that you did then that you need to redo now so you can succeed once more this time?

Not only that. How do we help others - say our friends and kids - when they need to know how we did it? What do we say to them? What can we teach them? What nugget of wisdom can we pass on to them?

The advantage of using proven success principles is that we can succeed, continue to succeed and help others succeed.

Cheers!
primeprojects

3 Things, Once Gone ....

I received an email today that makes you realize just how important life is. You should not allow it to just pass you by. For this blog's purposes, I would just like to comment on the stunning statement it makes ....

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back

Time

Time is an ever-flowing stream. Whether you want to or not, it's always moving forward. The minutes and seconds that pass you by are gone - forever!

In the TV series "Heroes," one of the characters called "Hiro" has the ability to stop time. When things are moving too fast, he simply freeses time, thinks about his options, and unfreezes time, continuing from where he left off. In the movie "Back To The Future," the characters are able to go back in time and make some simple changes that alter their present outcomes!

However, we don't have these make-believe abilities. We can neither turn back nor stop time. The only time that we have is our here and now. We can either waste it, or make the most of it.

Words

Ever spoken words that you wished you could have taken back? I know I have. Our words can either make us or break us. Much more sobering though is this truth - our words can build or destroy somebody else.

There are people with great potential that never amount to anything simply because they've heard all their lives, "You're a failure and will never amount to anything in life!" However there are those who have gone through some of the worst tragedies and have emerged victorious because they have heard encouraging words all their lives, "This failure is not final. You are greater than this. You will find a way to overcome. You can do it. I believe you can. I have faith in you!"

Opportunity

Was there ever a time you wanted to tell someone how much you appreciated them, but you let the moment passed? Funerals are full of these. How often I've heard people say, "I never told them how much I loved them."

Time is linked with opportunity. As time passes, so does the opportunity to maximize that time passes also. But just as there is coming time, so there are coming opportunities also. But there are differences. The opportunity you get today may be different from the opportunities you've had in the past.

What can we learn from this?

Use time wisely. Set your goals and zero in on them. It's possible to just drift through life, but why drift when you can optimize it, right?

Choose your words wisely. Speak healing words, not hurtful words. Speak them to yourself and to others. Remember, you have power over your words. And words have power. Use that power to work for you and others.

Use your opportunities wisely. Strategize for best results. Remember, plan your work and work your plan. Doesn't mean you can't be flexible. You can make adjustments along the way.

It's your life - maximize it to the fullest!

Cheers!
primeprojects

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Resolutions Overload?

Many posts have dealt with having goals and resolutions for 2008. And this is good. Having these is Success 101.

But what about the other end of the spectrum? What about having too many goals and resolutions?

You've listed goal after goal and resolution after resolution concerning weight, career, money, travel, budgeting, online business plans, relationships, quitting smoking, quitting too much drinking, quitting gossip, quitting the tendency to quit resolutions when things get difficult, quitting this, quitting that, doing this, doing that, etc.

Dutifully, you've listed them as blogs, articles, talk shows and others have preached about the importance of them. But now, as you look at this list you have compiled, you feel a certain swelling of pride. But as your eyes jump from one goal to the other, that pride begins to change to uncertainty. From uncertainty to mild panic, and from that, to a full-blown sense of being overwhelmed!

You have to too much on your plate and you don't know where to start. Too many resolutions and goals have left you feeling swamped. Resolution overload is now threatening to shut you down.

What to do?

1. Take A Break

Sometimes, when things get too overwhelming, you need to distance yourself. Take a walk and clear your mind. Breathe in, breathe out. Quiet your mind. Let rest come to your spirit. This is probably one of those times when it would be good to sleep on it and face the task again with a fresh outlook.

2. Go Back To Your List With Calm Objectivity

Remember, the list you made is a tool to help you, not a master to enslave you. The Resolution List is your friend. You will not run away from it nor pretend it doesn't exist. You are its master and not the other way around.

3. Sort Your List

Determine as best as you can which are the most important ones. You could probably use a scale of 1 - 5 to help you in rating them. Try to do that until you could isolate the top 5.

4. Focus On ONE Goal

I know, I know -- each one needs to be done. But choose one to start on. Better to get 1 out of 5 done, instead of sitting around for 3 months not getting anything done because you can't make up your mind on which to start on.

5. Plan Your Strategy

Try to work out a plan how you're going to accomplish that goal. Write down a simple step-by-step plan how you're going to go about your plan. It doesn't have to be complicated. Just a simple plan you can follow.

Keep notes of this to help keep your mind on your plan. Post notes in your mirror. Keep notes inside books and notebooks you use. Use the digital equivalent if you're more tech-oriented.

6. Work Your Plan

Now that you've planned it, NOW DO IT!

The best plans are useless when they are not executed. Don't get cold feet now. Act on what you have planned. Action - your action - is what's going to make your plan come to fruition.

Plan your work and work your plan. Lights. Camera. ACTION!

7. Stay With It Until You Get Results

Give it your best shot and don't quit until you finish. So maybe you hit some snags along the way. Find solutions to those and persevere. And if you don't get exactly what you want, you at least achieved something. That's better than getting 100% of nothing because you never dared to start.

The point of this is to get you some momentum and help you gain the confidence that comes when you exert effort in accomplishing your objectives. Hopefully, this new-found confidence will spur you on to greater accomplishments of your other goals and resolutions.

Cheers!
primeprojects

We Can Help You Devise A Strategy To Achieve Your Goals!

When Things Go South ....

"Life Will Not Go According To Plan If You Do Not Have a Plan" - Gary Ryan Blair The GoalsGuy

How many have looked at the rising sun and have enthusiastically declared "My life is ahead of me!", only to look back 50 years later at the setting sun asking, "Oh, if only I had done it differently then ... why didn't I take a chance it when I had the opportunity?"

For many, they have chosen to just drift through life, hoping for the best and waiting for life to give them the breaks they feel they deserve. "This just wasn't the plan!" they would groan.

But if you'd ask them, "What was the plan anyway?"

Some would just stare at you with a shrug, while others would mumble, "Well, I dunno ... but it sure ain't supposed to be this!"

But how would you know? If you don't know where you're going, how would you know if you got there or not? If you don't know what you need, how would you know if you got it or not?

Without a goal or a plan, you would just drift aimlessly in life, ending up with things you really don't want or need.

I had a friend from a different country who visited us. He and his wife enjoyed their vacation here, and when the time to go home was near, they decided to buy presents here to bring back home. They decided to shop the day before their flight back.

After they finished shopping and arrived at the house, my friend plopped wearily down on the seat besides me. I asked if he was OK. He said he was fine ... except that he was a little upset and frustrated.

When I asked why, he answered that he and his wife decided to save time in the mall by parting ways. They had an understanding that they were there to buy presents for their friends. He was supposed to buy guy stuff for the men while his wife was supposed to take care of the ladies' stuff.

But while his wife was going around, she met with a couple of lady friends. Naturally, they had to have coffee and a chat. Naturally they had to visit the different bargains. And naturally they had to have those!

When he finally met with his wife and they were inside the taxi, his wife was telling him about all the steals and deals she bought for herself. When he asked what he bought for their friends, her eyes just grew wide, her fingers covered her lips, and only one word came from her mouth - "Oops!"

She forgot the plan. No wonder my friend was a little miffed. They couldn't go back. They'd spent their shopping budget. All they had left was what they needed to fly back home. They didn't want to go back. They were too tired to do so.

So does a plan really guarantee you'd get everything you want?

Not really. But planning and achieving only 50 percent of what you're aiming for is better than aiming at nothing and achieving 100 percent of that!

Remember that piece of conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland?"

"Chesire Puss," she began, rather timidly, ... "Would you tell me, Please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where -" said Alice

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.

Nuff said!

Cheers!
primeprojects

Do You Have S.M.A.R.T. Goals?

"Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal" (Elbert Hubbard - American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher)

How serious are you about your goals and resolutions? Are they worthy of your efforts?

Not many follow through, or even start at all. Why?Because they set goals in such a way that it wouldn't matter whether they're accomplished or not. For example, here are 2 common resolutions people make every year - to make more money and to lose weight.

Sounds like a plan right? But without going too deep, let's just ask some simple questions.

To Make More Money - What do you mean by "more money?" If you bought something for $1 and sold it for $1.50, would you consider having accomplished this goal?

To Lose Weight - Let's say you were trying to get 2 or 3 more gifts before the stores closed for the holidays, and that because the items you were looking for were at a low supply because of the strong demand for them, you had to criss-cross several stores for an hour just to find them. Sweating, you finally get home with those gifts, and before jumping into the shower, you weigh yourself.

Lo and behold, you've lost half-a-pound, or maybe even a whole pound! Would you consider yourself to have achieved this resolution of losing weight? What if you were 50 pounds overweight? Then you'll simply be 49.5 or 49 pounds overweight. So, have you really lost weight according to your resolution, or not?

See? Goals that are vague and ephemeral don't merit your consideration at all. And if they're not that important to you, they're not going to be acted upon.

Here's a simple and easy way to set goals that are challenging and specific enough to merit your serious attention and commitment.

When you set goals and resolutions, think S.M.A.R.T.! And that stands for,

Specific - This is when you clearly define your goals. It's easier to hit a clear target than a hazy one. Instead of "Making more money," you could say, "I'd like to make an extra $500 per month."

Measurable - This is the criteria that will enable you to track the progress you're making. Your $500 extra per month goal will help you see how you're doing with this objective. You might be making an extra $50, $100, or $400 per month, and while that's good and better than nothing, you at least know how near or far you are from your target.

Achievable - While goals shouldn't be too easy that they bore us, yet they should be challenging enough to engage us. If an extra $500 a month seems out of reach to you, then you could adjust it to something that you can attain within a period of time you've have set for yourself. You could go for making an extra $250 per month, but probably not an extra $1 per month (not challenging enough, even for kindergarten kids!).

Realistic - I know we should aim high in a way that our goals will stretch us and bring out our hidden potential. However, in aiming high, we should be realistic. It would be so easy to be swayed by the hype online and start fantasizing, "I'm going to make an extra million per month!" While that may be a realistic goal for some, it may not be for you. You may need to start somewhere in the vicinity of $500 before going aiming for $1,000,000. Before you can run, you need to learn how to walk first.

Timed - Project a time frame that lays out for you when you will start and when you expect to achieve your goals. When will you start making the extra $500 per month? It can't be "I'll make an extra $500 someday." Don't let "someday" pick the day for you, because "Someday" never comes!

There you have it! This 2008, have a great start -- live S.M.A.R.T.!

Cheers!
Primeprojects

"We'll Help You Get There, Backed By My 100% Guarantee!" - The Goals Guy

Have A Strategy To Achieve Your 2008 Goals!

Ok, I guess seeing that "Have a Blessed and Prosperous 2008" for 5 days is more than enough (I still do enjoy looking at it though!). But it's time to move on. It's time to go about making our dreams for 2008 a reality.

I was watching a movie about military operations liberate some hostages. In the planning room, the officer said, "Ok, men. These are our objectives and this is how we're going to do this!"

Now that we have named our goals and resolutions, it's time we make a plan to achieve them. If dreaming and wishing about them are enough to bring them about, then we don't have to go any further. H0wever, that's not the case.

We need a strategy to make our 2008 goals a reality!

While reading up on this, I found a guy online who helps others come up with a plan of action so that they can realize their resolutions. His name is Gary Ryan Blair. Man, does he know his stuff! He's like -- some kind of Goals Guru. Fact is, he's been nicknamed "The Goals Guy." Here, read what he's written about making goals and accomplishing them;

"Create a Personal Strategic Plan!
by Gary Ryan Blair

Success is not an accident. It begins with a well-conceived plan. You can and will achieve more in the next year than you have in the past ten with a disciplined Personal Strategic Plan.

Personal strategic planning is a disciplined thought process, which produces fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide who you are, where you are going, what you do, and how, when and why you do it. All of this is done with a focus on the future.

The purpose of personal strategic planning is to help you:

- Provide direction, meaning, and purpose for your life.
- Make decisions that positively affect your future.
- Focus your energies on what's most important.
- Achieve the greatest results in the shortest period of time.
- Significantly increase your level of performance.
- Enjoy more time, money, balance and freedom.
- Eliminate uncertainty, anxiety, doubt and fear.
- Leverage your skills more effectively.
- Enhance your quality of life, and overall peace of mind
- Be more, do more and ultimately to have more from life.

Personal strategic planning is based on the premise that life will not go according to plan, if you do not have a plan.

A successful plan must include the following:

Personal Philosophy: Every person has a personal philosophy, consisting of some rules adopted from one's parents, culture, religion, acquaintance and so on.

Generally speaking, these rules, as a body are not well thought out and contain a wealth of inconsistencies and contradictions.

Legacy Statement: Your legacy serves as your life's defining statement. It serves a two-fold purpose. First it provides an overarching framework for all mission statements and goals to follow.

Second it answers the question, "What do I want to be remembered for?"

Mission Statement: A mission statement is a declaration of who you are, why you exist, and what you intend to accomplish.

In business, the organizational mission answers the big question: "What is our business?" In personal planning, the question is "What is my life's business?" In both cases, the answer must define the reason for being.

Core Values: Our values act as our compass, guiding us through life's terrain.

One certain way of knowing that you are living in accordance with your values is by defining guidelines and measurements for value centered living.

Code of Ethics: Words quietly influence our attitudes and opinions.

Codes of conduct, personal creeds, and pledges all reflect an effort to make sense of things, to organize behavior, and to better understand ourselves.

Lifetime Objectives: Your objectives should be written within the framework of your Legacy & Mission Statements.

The key to any Personal Strategic Plan is to visualize your desired outcomes in advance. Be sure to write and rewrite your Lifetime Objectives as affirmations of the future you are working to realize.

Goals: The key in writing your goals is to make them measurable, specific, and time-bound.

Goals need to be written for each of the ten critical areas of life to include: Personal, Health, Recreation, Family, Friends, Community, Career, Financial, Household and Spiritual.

Personal Board of Directors: A personal board will accelerate your progress by providing both wisdom and support for the attainment of a specific purpose.

Maintenance & Performance Check-Ups: On a monthly basis, you should pause to evaluate your performance. What progress have you made? Where have your been challenged? What do you need to do differently or more of?

It is also important to step back and consider whether any of your goals are unachievable.

Personal Reason Why: You won't become successful until and unless you identify, support and empower your reasons why. Your why's provide fuel for achievement, and are the reasons behind all action and inaction.

The hallmark of all high achievers is a burning why. They know what they want, how and when they will achieve it, but most importantly they know WHY they want to become successful at achieving their goals.

In Summary

You can significantly increase the odds of success, if you know who you are, what you want, where you are going, how you will get there, and what you will do once you arrive.

The best way to predict your future is to create it. Therefore, a well-defined personal strategic plan, properly executed, is your meal ticket to success.

In order to best prepare yourself for success, I am delighted to introduce you to My Goals - Personal Strategic Planning program

This exciting program is like having an insurance policy on success. It will focus your thinking and challenge you to reach for new heights.

Happy holidays to you and your family, and my very best wishes for a prosperous, joy-filled New Year!

Everything Counts!

Gary Ryan Blair

About the Author: Gary Ryan Blair is a visionary and gifted conceptual thinker. As President of The GoalsGuy he has created a world-class library of products and services which are designed to inspire people to realize their full potential while making the heart sing, the mind expand and the spirit soar. Visit The GoalsGuy Shop for all of your goal setting and life planning needs."



This Goals Guy; He rocks, right?

Here's to making your 2008 goals into favorable outcomes!

Cheers!
primeprojects

Here he is again!

Have A Great 2008!

This 2008, I send you good wishes and positive hopes!

May you have clarity of sight to see the opportunities ahead of you,

May you have the courage to step out and act on these opportunities,

May you have the wisdom to convert them into profitable ventures both for yourself and others,

And may you have the determination to see them through to the end!

May your accomplishments and successes be great, all through 2008!

Cheers!
primeprojects