Being Positive

Happiness is not a matter of events.  It depends upon the tides of the mind.

- Alice Meynell -

You have probably heard it before, but happiness is a choice.  It is not so much a result of circumstances beyond your control as a conscious decision to be happy.  This concept may be difficult to understand because commercials are always advertising that if we buy certain products or services, we will be happier.  Songs are telling us that if we just find the right person, our days will be filled with never-ending bliss.  Magazines are filled with articles explaining how, if we get the right job or start the right business, we can be happier individuals.  While these things can certainly add to our feelings of well-being, happiness actually begins with our internal state of mind.  Read on.

Expectation Drives Realization

He who does not expect a million readers, should not write a line.

- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe - (1749 – 1832)

 According to Goethe’s quote, if we are not planning to do something in a big way, we shouldn’t do it at all.  This idea is very challenging for many of us because many times we have been taught not to expect big successes in life.  So we make comments like: “I'm going to write this little book" or “start this little business."  We apply for jobs that we can easily get even though they are not the ones we truly want.  We believe that if we lower our expectations then we can avoid the disappointment of failure and increase our chances of success.  But what we are really doing is setting a limit on what we will achieve  For entire article.

More Than One Chance

 I've never quite believed one chance is all I get.
- Anne Tyler -

The above quote is one of the most hope-filled statements I have ever heard.  Unfortunately, many people feel just the opposite.  They believe that you either get only one chance or a limited number of chances at what you want in life.  And that is far from true.  Read full article.

Overcoming Obstacles

“Is it a temporary obstacle to your dreams and goals or a permanent one?  The choice is yours.”

 - Donna Satchell -

I was temporarily speechless when I heard my name announced as a winner at the 2008 Twinkie Awards at the High Museum in Atlanta, Georgia on June 14.  This annual show honors small business creativity and excellence.

I won the category of "Best Motivational Speaker in 5 Minutes or Less”.  I was at a loss for words because the other three contestants were all outstanding. Plus, I remembered losing in 2007, when I was certain I had presented a winning speech. That previous defeat was a major disappointment for me at the time. However, after giving the outcome a great deal of thought, I decided it would not stop me from trying again in 2008.  Read on to find out the seven steps I used to get motivated to compete in this year's contest.
 

An Attitude of Gratitude 

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.

- Eric Hoffer -

Gratefulness, appreciation, and thankfulness are all synonyms for a feeling of gratitude.  But what is gratitude?  It is recognizing that what you have, what you were given, or what you have experienced has value.  Gratitude is easy to express when things are going well.  For instance, when you win the lottery, are selected to the college of your choice, or receive a promotion with a huge salary increase, you naturally feel thankful.  Read on.

Learning is a Continual Process

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be
those who cannot read and write, but those

who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.
- Alvin Toffler -

Education ... it’s not just for youngsters any more.  Learning should be a continual process.  After leaving school, many people mistakenly believe that they have acquired all they need to know.  However, in order to succeed in today's fast-paced competitive world we must be committed to becoming life-long students.   We need to look at our lives and decide what knowledge we’ll need to move from where we are today to where we want to be tomorrow.  Also, when change comes our way, whether personal or professional, we have to be ready to grasp the knowledge and skills necessary to adjust to our new situation or environment.  Read full article.

Creating Success Through Success Collages

Success collages are based on the law of attraction.  The main principle behind the law is that we create our lives through what we focus on, consciously and unconsciously.  This concept is not new.  However, this idea gained much attention in 2006 because of the film, The Secret., which stressed that what manifests in our lives is a result of our thoughts and feelings. To read the entire article.

Managing Your Time

Do you find yourself constantly saying “I wish there were more hours to the day’?  Do you feel overwhelmed by all your daily activities?  Do you feel like you are running in circles and going no way?  If so, read my quick tips for gaining control of your time.

Be A Better Communicator

One of my favorite quotes is by Peak Performance Expert,  Tony Robbins, “The way we communicate ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”  This quote challenges us to improve our communications skills in order to improve our lives.  Whether we are talking with co-workers, managers, business colleagues, family members and friends we can be better communicators.  We can do that by being better listeners, being courteous more often and being willing to adjust our own communication style.  To read entire article.

How Good Is Your Customer Service?

Now that we are in a new year, many business owners, including myself, are in the midst of making major plans.  We may be setting sales goals, looking at how we can reduce expenses, deciding whether or not to invest in a new computer system. These and numerous other decisions and activities are occupying our minds.  To that list I would like to add that we examine our customer service.  It is one of the major keys to the success for any business.   For the full article.

Celebrating Customer Service Week This Year?

Will you be celebrating National Customer Service Week this year? Initiated by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA) in 1988 and proclaimed a national event by the United States Congress in 1992, Customer Service Week is celebrated the first week in October. For the full article.

Good Habits ... Essential For Personal & Professional Success

In today’s busy world, more so than ever, habits are key for personal and professional success. Habits are essential because they allow us to do things without thinking about it.  What would your life be like if you had to think through everything you did through every moment of every day? Read about three habits which can determine your degree of success.