Motivational Words of Wisdom, Inspirational Words of Wisdom

How many times have we heard “Xerox this”, when the copier involved may not be a Xerox brand at all? What brand do you think of when you hear the words “Just do it”?

Branding is a powerful tool in our business lives. While Nike and Xerox are prime examples of this idea, all businesses can benefit from branding. The key factor in branding is this. On the most basic level, the level where clients live and work, your company is represented by a person. In your business that person may be you. Here is a seven step formula that will give you a great start toward establishing yourself as the brand of choice.

1. Know where you stand now. What name pops into your customer’s mind when they need what you do? If it’s not your name, why not? Do you have a name or slogan that is easy to remember and clearly describes what you offer?
2. Know where you want to go. What do you want to be known for? Like it or not, customers will define us if we don’t define ourselves. Do you want to be the low-price leader? Do you want to be the value-added vendor? We can’t (as much as we might like to) be everything to everyone. Choose a theme for your business and promote that theme at every opportunity. Soon, you will become associated with the ONE benefit that is your strong suit.
3. Narrow your niche. Be such an expert in your field that you are the natural choice to call when what you do becomes what they need. Marketing, either offline or online, creates the greatest impact when it frames YOU as the only smart solution to a client’s problem.
4. Give away some work. If giving away your expertise means increasing your exposure, strongly consider it. You are BUILDING a reputation. There is nothing wrong or manipulative in trading work for exposure, rather than cash. Sometimes a good word from an influential customer pays bigger dividends than the best advertising.
5. Be everywhere at once. Oh, if only wishing made it so. The Internet can get you close. If you market online, participate in several question and answer forums or newsgroups where decision makers and people of influence hang out. Choose your answers very carefully, but answer every question you can, always bringing home the message that you are the best choice. If you market offline, consider adjusting your budget to have a presence in each medium (TV, radio, print, billboard) to reach the widest possible audience.
6. Listen and follow up. If you give your product or service (or even advice) to someone, follow up to see how it worked out. Be brief and humble, but follow up to make sure you are on the mark. When you do this you not only evaluate the quality of what you have given, you have an excellent opportunity to see how it effects real people in the real world.
7. This should have been the first point, but make sure you KNOW your stuff. NOTHING can replace the good will you create when you do your very best work for every client or friend.

If you really know your stuff, and are willing to invest some time, you can become the natural choice for solving problems that arise in your field. When those calls come, you can begin to build an endless chain of referrals that will carry your business to new heights.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Why Is Life So Hard? To learn more visit the Why Is Life So Hard web site today!

Words are powerful things. From ancient times until today, scholars and wise people have believed that words contain power. The words we choose do have power, and they reflect a good deal of what is going on inside us.

Whether you express thanks a hundred times a day, or haven’t let these words pass through your lips in quite some time, the fact is the power of thanks can change your world today.

Thanks Changes UsWhen we have a heart attitude of thankfulness, greed and all that goes with it go out the door. It’s just not possible for greed, envy, bitterness, jealousy, and all those other nasties that attempt to invade our brain, to live in a heart full of gratitude. People often attempt to change and grow by shedding old, bad habits. While a focus on what you want to change is good, the fastest way to achieve that change is to replace bad thoughts and attitudes with good. Ask yourself what you have to be thankful for today. Keep your focus in the now. Can you walk? Can you read? Can you change? Are you in control of your own destiny? These are but a few of the things for which we can all be grateful.

Thanks Changes OthersHere’s a fun experiment. Take the time to stop someone you love today and tell him or her how much you honestly appreciate them. Now this does not have to be some soap- opera moment with hot, romantic glances and swelling violins. Although you can do that if you like. ;)Simply take time to think about what the person you choose means to you. What impact do they have in your life? How do they make your world richer by simply being there for you? Once you have zeroed in on that, take a moment to tell them sincerely how you feel and thank them for their contribution. Now watch their eyes as you tell them. Thanks Changes the WorldOnce you take the time to sincerely thank that special person in your life, you will have changed the world for the better. Now that person will take those good feelings and probably pass them on to others. Think of the impact you could have on the world if you simply took the time once a day to single out a special someone and show that sincere appreciation. What if that person caught the “Thanks virus” from you and passed it on to just one other. Now what would happen if only one person a day began to do this? Pie in the sky? Far from it. To think…one simple attitude and one simple action…changing you, changing me, changing the world. When you develop an “attitude of gratitude”, you crowd destructive emotions from your heart and mind, become happier and make others happier too. I call that a win-win-win.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Why Is Life So Hard? To learn more visit the Why Is Life So Hard web site today!

We’ve all heard the phrase “use it or lose it”. Doctors and trainers tell us that we must exercise our muscles or they will lose the ability to perform and we will grow weak. Our professors tell us to challenge our minds so they will grow strong and we can achieve our goals.

How can we use what we have everyday to ensure that we remain strong, able to face life’s challenges? By understanding the law of use. Simply stated, use what you have today, and tomorrow you will have more. Here are two ways to begin harnessing the law of use in your life today. Participate in new ways of thinking.

What is the biggest challenge you face today? Define that challenge, then look at it from different points of view. If the challenge involves other people, pretend you are those people and see it from their point of view. Now imagine that YOU are the ONLY resource available to solve the problem. What will the outcome look like then? What if you did nothing about this challenge? What if all you did for the next week was face this challenge? Imagining all the scenarios will help you see the big picture, stretch your ways of thinking, and help you put things in perspective too.

Stretch your physical world.

Often the routine of our physical world impacts our ability to find creative solutions to challenges we face. Shaking up our physical world a bit can help us gain perspective and open our thinking as well. Open up your creativity by writing with the opposite hand for one hour today. Make your next meeting a “stand up” meeting where no one sits down. You’ll be amazed at how quickly people become very creative indeed. ;)Other things you can try include driving to work via a different route, putting your shoes on in the opposite order or closing your eyes as you think.

When we make these small physical changes, we trigger our minds to look at things in a new way. Not only do we grow, but we learn to see the world from a different point of view. When that happens, we exercise our vision as well as our mind and body.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Are you unhappy with your life? Visit the Stop Living An Unhappy Life web site today!

Do you dream BIG? Using all of your faculties to imagine that you can obtain your wildest, biggest, seemingly impossible dream? Now that you’ve imagined it, have you asked yourself how to get it? If not, that could be what is halting your forward progress. 

The mind is a wonderful thing. It works day and night to solve the things that are presented to it. In fact, it won’t stop until we acknowledge that the result is to our liking. How often have you pushed something out of your consciousness only to have it resurface in your dreams? That’s the mind still working on the solution that was requested.

According to Allen and Hansen in The One Minute Millionaire, since questions predetermine the answer, the problem that most of the population faces is that they dream too small. How often have you found yourself asking for a new job, a 5% raise, or a couple of new clients? Hansen and Allen suggest that while you have effectively mastered asking and manifesting your requests, you should be asking, “How do I earn or create a million dollars?” In other words, think, dream, and question big! Imagine putting the mind to work on that one!Joel sat by the water staring ahead but not seeing the glorious view, or appreciating the beautiful day. Instead he was buried in distress. He had just a few days to come up with the money to make his bills, and he was horribly short. So he sat by the water trying to think of ways to secure the much needed cash. Borrowing the money was out - overtime would provide the funds, but not in time. While he was contemplating his dilemma an older gentleman of about 70 sat down at the other end of the bench. After a few moments he asked Joel why he had such a heavy heart. Joel replied that his finances were strained month after month, and this month was the worse yet.

The older gentleman looked at Joel for several seconds and replied, “So, what are you going to do about it?” To this Joel snapped “Well, if I knew that, I wouldn’t be sitting here!” The older gentleman thought for a moment and said “I think that you have finally found the problem.” To this Joel looked at him with exasperation clearly etched on his face.

The older gentleman drew a deep breath and began to explain it slowly. “You see, young fella, you have spent so much time dwelling on how to meet your monthly obligations, that you have not spent any time trying to solve your lifetime obligations. I don’t mean the financial obligations to others, but the ones you owe to yourself. So, I suggest that you broaden your line of sight and try to determine how you’re going to make your success for one year, ten years, twenty years, and finally a lifetime. Don’t fret, ask the questions and the answers will come. In the meanwhile you’ll find you’re your daily, weekly and monthly expenses will take care of themselves.”

The older gentleman got up from the bench, placed his hat on his head, tipped it to Joel and carefully made his way back down the path. At the end of the path Joel saw a chauffeur waiting patiently for the gentleman, with the door held wide. Joel looked after him for a few minutes and decided then and there to put the advice given to him to use. He figured that he had nothing to lose, and the old gentleman must know a bit about what he suggested if he could afford a chauffeur driven limousine.

Are you going to take the advice of the old gentleman too, and broaden your line of sight? Are you asking the BIG questions and letting the little ones fall into place on their own? Let your mind do what it does best and solve the problems for you. Just remember that you asked the question, so be on the lookout for the answer when it comes. Please note the usage - When it comes, not if … for the answer will come.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Are you unhappy with your life? Visit the Stop Living An Unhappy Life web site today!

One’s religious or spiritual beliefs and practices are very personal and unique to each individual. No one can force your beliefs, but there is one commonality amongst people who follow the laws of attraction — their trust in the Universe, God, the Angels, or some “Higher Power”.

No matter what your individual belief, isn’t it logical that something that is more powerful, spiritual, and knowledgeable than us mere humans should hold the answers to the questions that you are seeking? Questions like, where will I find my success, how can I change my path, or where will this choice lead me?

Are you in touch with your spirituality for all of the decisions and situations that life tosses at you? Do you tend to separate your spiritual beliefs from you monetary wants, needs, and goals? If so, why?

Is it because of limiting beliefs that money is evil, or perhaps that asking for money is self-serving, or that wealth is a sin? In The One Minute Millionaire, Hansen and Allen point out that one of the most respected men of the bible … Abraham … was quite wealthy, and his wealth was a result of his loyalty.

Poverty is often associated with virtue, while it is a common belief that wealth is evil. However, it’s not the money that is evil, but the negative actions that produce evil. Case in point, there are many wealthy people who do wonderful thoughtful things for others because they have a great deal of money: donations to charities, sponsorship of surgeries, and summer youth programs, to name a few. On the other hand, there are those who gain money by illegal or immoral means, use money to partake in illegal activity, or use wealth as a weapon to take advantage of those not in a position to fight back. Acquiring the wealth isn’t evil.

Abundance is an important factor in the laws of attraction. When there is more than enough, lack is not allowed to enter the scene. Sharing your abundance with others is pivotal in creating more and more, for both yourself and others. Suffice it to say that your higher power would be practicing self-defeat by letting your hopes, dreams, and desires, wither away to nothing. You can’t share what you don’t have. This said, if you haven’t been asking your “higher powers” for the answers to all of your questions, ask immediately. And if questions are being asked, and answers do not appear to be getting through, take your spiritual pulse, recognize what you are vibrating and take the steps to correct it.

After all, it is the freedom to be your own boss, to direct your own path, or to make your own choices that is the ultimate reward. And it is the “higher power” that you believe in that helps you create your reality. Just remember to ask for the answers that you are seeking, listen for the answers when they occur, and believe that you are worthy of the rewards when you stand to receive them.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Are you unhappy with your life? Visit the Stop Living An Unhappy Life web site today!

With the media’s recent focus on weight gain, it’s no wonder that much individual attention is being drawn towards the numbers on the scale.   But is it working?  With each passing year, the statistics tell a tale of the increasing number of overweight people across the nation. 

Daily, the news reports phrases like “obesity trend”, “childhood obesity” and “fast food epidemic.”  Do any of these phrases make you feel good about yourself or your friends/relatives?  They’re so negative.  Can you name one person that would like to be called obese, or have their eating habits referred to as an epidemic?  How many negative connotations arose while you were reading this? 

Consider the potential sales of a scale that measures pounds lost instead of one’s current weight.  Create a happier mindset of people with a focus on healthful eating and good tasting home-cooking instead of terminology like ‘fast food epidemic.’  Perhaps children would be attracted to more physical activity if it was FUN, instead of a solution to combat ‘childhood obesity’ and all of its negative connotations.  Imagine how much better someone would feel about themselves, thereby increasing their energy and commitment levels for proceeding with a more healthful lifestyle. 

“Weight loss” is typically unappealing and conjures negative images from the start.  Weight loss is synonymous with giving up good food, participating in an exercise activity of some kind, and an all around upset of one’s joyful existence.  Boy, would you rush out to be miserable?  Why would anyone find this appealing?  There is a better way, one that feels good

The first step is letting go of current beliefs about food, diet, exercise, weight, ect.  Let go of the external feedback from the “experts/authorities” and focus on how it feels and your own beliefs.  Negative thoughts and beliefs about what you are eating, when you are eating and how much you are eating have a way of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.  The body is a well-running machine.  It takes care of itself by using the nutrients it needs and flushing out what it cannot use.  Simply drink plenty of water to make sure your body can flush out what it can’t use, eat the things that make you feel good and your body will bring itself back into healthful alignment. 

One morning before spinning class was about to begin Sinclair was talking with six other classmates.  They were complaining about how ineffective their weight loss programs had been.  Tracey was sitting quietly paying attention, but had not joined in.  When Sinclair asked Tracey how things were going for her, Tracey replied very quietly that she’d lost 15 pounds and was just 10 pounds away from her goal weight.  All conversation stopped and the other women zeroed in on Tracey.  They wanted to know what she’d been doing and silently dreamt of how they’d look with similar results.  When Tracey divulged that she only worked out three times per week, ate what she wanted and drank plenty of water everyone was floored and leaned in to take mental notes.  Tracey explained that her mother had long believed in affirmations and taught her this skill from a young age.  Tracey had stopped practicing it in recent years, but began to utilize this technique again when she decided to tackle the pounds that had crept up.  Not only did she affirm several times per day that she was a spectacular sexy size 4, but everything she put into her body was healthy nourishment and was helping her achieve her desired body measurements.  Tracey further told how she even managed to eat more than half a chocolate cake and still lost a couple of pounds.  With each bite she affirmed that her body needed chocolate cake to fuel her weight loss furnace, that every bite brought her that much closer to her goal, that each bite was the equivalent of a half-mile jog.  Wow!

Diets are very subjective.  One diet will not work for everyone, but focusing on what feels good, believing in the outcome, and affirming true desires will work for everyone.  What you look for will show up – every time.  Tracey re-taught herself to look for what she wanted, and introduced her spinning class to the tools that would help them get on track with attracting their desires.             

There is nothing more important that keeping yourself in a place that feels good.  Weight loss is not an exception to this universal law.  In fact, there are no exceptions to the Laws of Attraction.  Make it feel good and you can have your heart’s desire.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Are you unhappy with your life? Visit the Stop Living An Unhappy Life web site today!

The voice that says “YES, this is the right decision”, “No, let’s pass on this”, or even “Hmm, let’s mull this over a bit.” In each instance your voice within advises you to take action, even if it is in-action. But do you really listen to it, or do you scoff at the idea that you actually pay attention to your inner voice?

That voice is intuition. Your intuition is your guide, the one thing that you can truly count on that is always looking out for your best interest … if you choose to listen for it, not intercept the message, and ACT on its direction.

 But it’s very easy to let your voice of intuition be clouded by other things. Fear, desire, self-doubt, and over-reasoning are all some of the many types of intuition blockers. Instead, trust that your intuition is your personal guide to the correct path for you at all times. Not just when your intuition falls in line with your thoughts on a subject. Turn off whatever limiting beliefs that may be overpowering your intuition.

Perhaps it’s your belief that intuition is just “mumbo jumbo”. It is easy to believe this because intuition is not thought of as a concrete thing. It is based on nonverbal things, feelings, unconscious thought, and instinct. This is definitely not a description for people who define things in black and white. Intuition is often looked at as gray. But it is not. Intuition is basically a synopsis of information that has been taken in through all of the senses, memory, subconscious, and reasoning. It is like a clear overview in Cliff Notes’ format.

When your intuition speaks to you do you hear it? Do you know how to identify it? Your intuition typically kicks in when you are quiet. Many people find answers to their questions in the dreams, or when meditating. Others find them “out of the blue”, when they are not looking for them. Many “feel” the right thing to do, or what the next course of action should be. There are many ways that your intuition will speak to you, and everyone’s is unique.

How does one learn to trust their intuition? Like everything else, if it is practiced it becomes second nature. Allow yourself to consciously ask for the answers to something that you are seeking and write down the results when they occur. Visualize you unlocking a door and seeing your answer tumble from within.

Through repetition and proof, your confidence in your intuition will grow and it will become second nature to trust it automatically.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Are you unhappy with your life? Visit the Stop Living An Unhappy Life web site today!

In the book “The One Minute Millionaire”, Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen discuss proven techniques and provide useful tools (in the form of Ahas), for becoming an Enlightened Millionaire (TM). One of the Ahas is about tithing, or “sharing the wealth” in layman terms.

Tithing is when a monetary donation (typically a tenth of one’s income or tithe) is made to a charity and/or church. Enlightened Millionaires follow two rules of thought regarding tithing. First, that abundance comes from making others better off. Second, the primary reason for obtaining wealth is to be able to give more of it away. In fact, Enlightened Millionaires DO commit to tithe the first 10% of their income.

Why is tithing something that so many already successful people believe in? Perhaps, because they recognize the cycle of the universe that says that in order to make room for more, we have to let go of some of what we have. It’s a classic Win-Win for everyone involved. Many children practice this, here’s an example. Sue and Jane are playing. They both come inside for a drink. Jane runs outside, trips and spills her fruit punch. Sue takes the remainder of her punch and pours it into her friends’ cup. Her mom sees this act of kindness and brings her a full glass of punch. Sue has just been rewarded for her selflessness and in fact received more than she gave. Tithing is based on the same principle, substituting money for fruit punch of course, lucky us!

I know that the idea of giving away 10% of all income that shows up has your eyebrows raised. Especially if you are presently not in a very good financial place, but I assure you that good will come of it. First, you get to decide where you would like your gift to go. Is there a shelter in your community or a youth center that needs assistance? Or perhaps your son/daughter’s school is on need of supplies? It’s your gift and you have control over deciding where it would do the most benefit. This alone should make you feel good inside. Being able to help those less fortunate is always powerful with the universe. It shows that you are grateful for what you have and willing to help those less fortunate than yourself. Second, think of how beneficial your gift will be. Those on the receiving end will be giving thanks for the gift that you gave, and putting their gratitude out into the universe as well. The more you give, the greater number of people that are being added to the universe in a positive prosperous way, thereby creating more opportunity for you to give, by making more available to you.

Give it a try. Make a commitment to begin giving 10% of all of your income away to a cause that is close to your heart. Once you start, keep a journal and write down the new financial opportunities that will begin showing up. Some of the things that others have seen manifest are new job offers for a larger salary, new clients, new business ideas, partnerships or contacts that have resulted in more funds, unexpected payments, etc.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Why Is Life So Hard? To learn more visit the Why Is Life So Hard web site today!