Inspiration/Motivation

**Nightmare** · 08-14-2007, 03:06 PM

Do you want to create commanding goals with the power to propel you
past
every obstacle? Bolster them with these potent tips and you'll be
unstoppable.

1. Know Your Purpose -- Above all, for a goal to have motivating
power, it
must be meaningful to you. Write out a Purpose Statement for your
goal. Know
what's in it for you. What will it contribute to your life? In
addition to
what you expect to gain from the outcome, think about how the
pursuit itself
will benefit you. What skills will your goal call on you to stretch
or
acquire?

2. Map Your Route -- It's become a cliché because it's true: Failing
to plan
is planning to fail. Know the mileposts between you and your goal
and have a
detailed plan for reaching the first one. As you near the first
milepost,
begin to develop details of your plan for reaching the next one. The
lure of
the next milepost will whet your eagerness to keep going and fire
your
enthusiasm for wrapping up the current one.

3. Keep Your Focus -- Be one-pointed in pursuing each step of your
goal.
Energy flowing in a focused channel can create a Grand Canyon.
Without focus
it creates a swamp. Mentally review tomorrow's steps before you fall
asleep
at night; repeat them as you start each day.

4. Create Momentum - Utilize Newton's First Law: A body in motion
tends to
stay in motion. Get moving on your goal as soon and as often as you
possibly
can. Don't wait until you think you have `enough' information or
time. Begin
where you are, with what you have and what you know. The road will
open to
you as you go.

5. Ask Questions -- Ask yourself questions about your goal
constantly. Ask
if there's a straighter path. Ask how else you can look at it or
what else
you need to do or know. Your mind will automatically produce or lead
you to
answers. Ask kids how they would approach the step you're focused
on, or
people wholly outside your field. Explaining your question to them
will help
you understand better what you're seeking, and their answers may
trigger new
ways to look at your situation.

6. Read Goal-Related Material Daily -- Capitalize on the fact that
you life
in the information age. Every day find at least one more nugget of
data
about your goal. Seek out the top-notch experts in your field, study
what
they say and do, and apply what you learn.

7. Have an Idea Catcher Handy -- Good ideas pop up suddenly and
evaporate as
quickly as they come. Be prepared to catch them. Record enough
details to
let yourself recapture the idea later. A single word or two that
seems
significant at the moment may look nonsensical later. Set aside time
every
day to transfer all the ideas you have collected into one central
file. Not
only will that keep good ideas from getting lost, but it will
program your
mind to continue producing and elaborating on them.

8. Talk It Up -- Ruthlessly guard your self-talk. Delete every doubt
instantly. Choose to believe you can achieve your aim whether the
way is
apparent or not. Learn to craft affirmations and use them
continuously.
Mastering your mindset is the one essential to achieving your goal.

9. Ramp It Up -- Use the Power of Two to invigorate yourself. Stay
at a task
for 2 minutes longer. Add 2 more ideas to your file. Make 2 more
contacts.
Ask 2 more questions. Increase the quality of your focus by 2%. Do
routine
tasks 2% faster. Every day find something you can improve by a
factor of 2.
It's just enough of a challenge to give you the winning edge.

10. Empower Your Goal with Gratitude - To keep your enthusiasm high,
consciously practice gratitude for your goal, for the fact that you
have it,
for all it is doing to give purpose to your life, for the ways it is
nourishing your personal growth, for all it is teaching you and
allowing you
to explore.

Gratitude empowers your vision and provides you with the humility
you need
to stay open. It adds passion to your will to achieve, keeps you
operating
from your heart and gives meaning to the smallest task. By all
means, give
thanks, and travel in its joy.

© Copyright Susan K. Minarik. All rights reserved.

**Nightmare** · 12-28-2007, 09:17 AM

by Samm J. Bogner
We all have moments when stress overcomes us. Releasing stress can be a
challenge that plagues us. My answer to stress, beyond proper nutrition,
exercise, warm bubble baths and keeping a journal is creating a Serenity Corner in my
home.
What is a Serenity Corner? It is a place within the home (or perhaps even a
cubicle at the office) where we invite nature to share our space. The size and
contents may vary somewhat, but keeping a little nature in our living space
or workplace will help to reduce the stress that we experience in our world.
The main features of a Serenity Corner are the elements of nature: air (or
light), water, earth and fire. The key is to use each of these elements in a
safe manner, particularly fire.
For the element of air, several options are available. Think of using things
such as full spectrum lighting (now available as bulbs that fit regular
sockets), air purifiers, and live green plants. These will help condition the air
for clear breathing, brighten the space up and add to the aesthetic
atmosphere. You may wish to use a potpourri displayed in a decorative bowl.
In addition, it may be fun to make a mobile of papier-mâché or origami birds
to hang from the ceiling. If this is not to your liking, consider gathering
feathers from the outdoors (or from pet birds if you have them) and arrange
them as you would a floral arrangement in a vase or bowl. All of these
represent the element of air.
For the element of water, a humidifier works well, but a tabletop fountain is
a visual and auditory joy. Consider making your own. That way, you can add
decorations that express your very own personality and preferences.
Consider using sea shells to enhance the natural effect of the water or if
you have a large enough space to make a small pond, consider placing goldfish
in it. The sound of rippling water is lovely and relaxing.
The element of earth is very easy to arrange. A Zen Garden, Bonsai tree or
other plants round out the combination nicely. Once again, an attractive basket
of potpourri can fill this spot if you are unable to find other suitable
items. You may wish to use a bowl of small gemstones or stones you have found
outdoors to represent this element.
For the element of fire, you may want to take extra precautions. While tea
lights or votive candles in decorative holders are especially nice additions to
a Serenity Corner, it is important to take into consideration any fire codes
for your building. Another option for representing the element of fire is to
use your favorite incense. If neither of these works in your space, an
attractive fiber-optic ornament or lava lamp can be visually pleasing.
You will certainly want to have other things in this corner as space allows.
Perhaps a large floor pillow or easy chair in which to meditate or read would
be to your liking. An assortment of reading material, from artistic to
philosophical, will help distract the mind from daily worries for a short time.
The most important aspect for the Serenity Corner is to invite as much of
nature into your space as you possibly can. Use your imagination! Then spend a
few minutes each day absorbing the beautiful energies that you have created in
your space. It is revitalizing and relaxing.

**Nightmare** · 01-05-2008, 08:28 AM

What happens to you is not as important
as how you react to what happens.
Everything you'll experience "good or bad" has value.
You experience personal growth on the road to success.
All growth means change and change involves risk.
You grow because you struggle, learn and overcome your obstacles.
Difficulties in life are the things that show you what you are.
Trouble is the common denominator of living.
It's the great equalizer of life.
Only when you are no longer afraid will you begin to live.

THE DAILY GURU

**Nightmare** · 01-11-2009, 11:02 PM

Make Peace With Imperfection

I've yet to meet an absolute perfectionist whose life was filled with inner
peace The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquility conflict
with each other. Whenever we are attached to having something a certain
way, better than it already is, we are, almost by definition, engaged in a
losing battle. Rather than being content and grateful for what we have, we
are focused on what's wrong with something and our need to fix it. When we are
zeroed in on what's wrong, it implies that we are dissatisfied, discontent.

Whether it's related to ourselves--a disorganized closet, a scratch on the
car, an imperfect accomplishment, a few pounds we would like to lose--or
someone else's "imperfections"--the way someone looks, behaves, or lives
their life--the very act of focusing on imperfection pulls us away from our
goal of being kind and gentle. This strategy has nothing to do with ceasing
to do your very best but with being overly attached and focused on what's
wrong with life. It's about realizing that while there's always a better
way to do something, this doesn't mean that you can't enjoy and appreciate
the way things already are.

The solution here is to catch yourself when you fall into your habit of
insisting that things should be other than they are. Gently remind yourself
that life is okay the way it is, right now. In the absence of your
judgment, everything would be fine. As you begin to eliminate your need for
perfection in all areas of your life, you'll begin to discover the
perfection in life itself.

by Richard Carlson, Ph. D.
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"