Some people say that success is not for everybody, and the truth is, it isn’t. However, the strange thing is that anybody can achieve it. Confusing? Well, to put it into simple terms, success requires strong undying determination to excel in whatever you choose to be. And while anyone, regardless of gender, culture, or background, is capable of having determination; many people fall short on it and just give up before reaching their goals. Thus, it is within anyone’s power to be successful, but not everyone will achieve it.

There are a few steps which can assist you into attaining success and I am going to share it with you today. Keep in mind that having determination and perseverance is crucial throughout the whole process, and without it, it is for sure that you won’t be able to go far.

Well, the first step in becoming a successful person is simply to know what you want to be successful in. Many a times, we tend to chase after goals that end up less than satisfactory or even failing in them. This is because what we were pursuing weren’t really what we wanted.

Some of these goals may not even be ours, but instead, they are the dreams of our family members or even friends, who have passed down the responsibilities of what they couldn’t achieve to you. In some cases, your desires may coincide with theirs, and it’s a ‘happy ever after’ ending once you have achieved it. But on the other hand, what you are trying to achieve for their sake, may not be what you truly want, and this is when trouble starts brewing. Remember, determination is brought about by passion, and passion comes about by truly loving what you are doing. Thus, make sure you know what you really want to achieve and that it is your dream.

So once you have your goal in sight, work towards it step by step. Write down the steps that you need to take in order to be a step closer to changing your dream into a reality. For example, if you need capital to start up a business, what are you going to do to raise that amount of money? Will it be by networking and getting more contacts, borrowing from family, friends or the bank? Whatever it is, write it down and start doing it. Planning what to do is important and should be done at every step of the way. Fail to plan and you will plan to fail.

Last but not least, do not be afraid of failure. Every stumble and every obstacle you meet only transforms you to becoming a better person than the day before, if you learn from your mistakes. There will definitely be sudden changes and shocks in your life and sometimes, you may find your priorities changing a little. Your goals are not set in stone and it is always possible to change them whenever you want, as long as that is what you truly desire.

So start thinking about your goals and desires today! It’s never too late to join the hall of success!

Better to starve free than be a fat slave.-Aesop

The quote from Aesop, the legendary Greek fables writer, rightly depicts the attitudes of most people today. It is easier to say that, especially in societies and countries which are highly affluence. Each of us yearns for our rights, our freedom to do the things that we want to. We believe that that is the right way and the only way in which we can find true happiness.

The definition of freedom is subjective. One online dictionary in itself has 17 various definitions of ‘freedom’. It encompasses personal, institutional, regional and even national rights to the things that each deserves. Wouldn’t our lives simply be perfect, if we can do the things that we want, and receive fair treatment from people or the system? Unfortunately, this world just does not function this way. Most often, we will find ourselves trap in a situation or a circumstance where we feel uncomfortable, treated unjustly, or forfeited of certain rights that we deserve or worked hard for.

So if that is the case, does that mean that freedom is an illusion that we will never be able to have? And worse still, what if all we have in life is what we have now and there is nothing left to work for in the next phase of it?

True freedom can be found in looking beyond the circumstance we are in, to find happiness and contentment whatever it may be. The difference between us human beings and animals, is that we have the power and choice to determine what we want to make out of life. That in itself, is a freedom that we’d possess. It is the exercising of that freedom that is difficult.

There is always a cost to freedom. The funny thing is freedom does not come free. The cost for freedom usually has a high debt attached and always with the shedding of blood. Just ask any soldier returning from war.

Freedom can be a high price to pay. We find freedom when we can willingly lay down our lives for others, regard them as better than us, love whether or not it will be returned, and all for the greater good. Freedom isn’t about us as individuals, it’s about giving up the right to yourself. Even giving up the right to your own life, if necessary.

Through the rough struggles to choose freedom, to choose to be happy in whatever circumstances we land in life, we will be able to find true freedom.

Once we are able to do this, we will no longer be fearful of our circumstances. Instead, we will be the master of it and have the power to control how we react to each situation.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder

If you’re reading this, you may or may not have come across articles or books about this topic before. If you have, this article will not be a waste of your time. The fact is, gratitude is something that we often forget to exercise. And hence, it often becomes the root cause of unhappiness, greed, envy or even physical illnesses. All these will trap and plague us, blinding our eyes to the treasures in our lives laid before us everyday.

Of course, you may think that this is an extreme point of view. Why should I even care about missing the treasures in my every day life? My life is fine the way that it is, and I have the right to pursue my next big house or car, or that up and rising colleague whom I can make use of to advance my career plan. However readers, I strongly urge you to read on to know how you can discover the secret of abundance and wealth and riches.

Gratitude is an important discipline to exercise. As mentioned in the quote above, we are alive only when our hearts are aware of the treasures that we already have. This refers to everything that we possess in our everyday lives. Be it our family, health, bank account, pet dog, neighbors or computer. Of course, you can have many reasons why each of these things is a hassle and frustrating problem instead of being a treasure. However, the fact is that we have the power to change the way we perceive the things around us. And only when we start seeing the things around us as blessings and treasures, then will we discover life in riches and abundance and happiness.

Below are several steps that will help you exercise gratitude.

1) Set aside time to be thankful, to remember the happy and nice things that have been happening in your life Your first thought for each day will pretty much determine how the rest of your day will be like… Only if you set your mind to do it. Force yourself to look at the bright side. It will surely be tough and seem pointless initially, but in the long run, you will see life in a positive light, and the daily challenges of life will seem much more manageable. You do not need too much time to practice this, simply take one minute each morning. It will make a lot of difference.

2) Look at the things you have, and not the things you don’t This is definitely something that does not come naturally. With the media and society bombarding us with messages that what we have is not enough, we are always open to greed and desiring things that others have and we don’t. A. Frank Clark once said that, “If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” And this is definitely well said. When we are contented with the things that we have, we will not be in a constant state of pursuing after things that we don’t have.

3) when you face a challenge, be grateful for it Aspire to learn something from each challenge, instead of grumbling about it. That way, challenges will be seen as invaluable periods of growing and learning rather than parts of life that we fear and strive to avoid at all costs. Most people who have a positive and successful outlook of life do not have things easy for them, nor are they problem- free. But they are determined to overcome the problem, and not allow the problem to overcome them.

Of course, the list is non exhaustive. And, different people will have different ways of finding contentment. For some, it may be spending the night having a simple meal with his family. Or for others, it can be a short walk in the park admiring nature and the environment around us. It may also be sitting still, wherever we are, listening to our breathing and being conscious of our body functioning.

Whatever it may be, do not delay anymore. Make it a priority to practice gratitude. And from there, you will find the power, treasures and wealth that you are already possessing.

You should always equip yourself with the appropriate tools to assist you in attaining your goals.

Just like one would need weapons, battle strategies and a whole load of soldiers to be able to engage in a war, you would need to have the right skill sets and information if you wanted to achieve your goal.

So plan out precisely what is going to be required to make your dreams come true, and that you meet these criteria and are capable of the sustained effort necessary.

For example, if you wanted to be the pitcher for the Yankees, you would obviously need to have a certain set of basic skill and physical attributes to qualify for the role. Moreover, these skills have to be honed to perfection as you are aiming to play in Major League Baseball where only the best are chosen.

However, sometimes just being talented in a certain area is not enough; you need to learn how to take advantage of your abilities. So no matter how good a pitcher you are, if you do not know how to advertise yourself, no one will know of your talent. So make sure you do not pass off any opportunity to take part in any activity that will allow to a step closer to your dreams. It would make sense to take part in a Major League Baseball Camp to pit yourself against other potential competitors.

Do not be afraid to ask for help during your path to success. Arrogance and complacency can be your greatest downfall. So if you are unsure whether or not you have what it takes to be a national pitcher, ask someone who does know—and make sure that person is reliable! If you want advice about making the Major League, ask someone with that sort of inside information like a scouting-level college baseball coach, a sports agent, etc.

Don’t ask your cousin Tom just because he watches the game all the time and knows everyone’s stats. Family and friends are normally the worst options to go for when looking for fair and objective evaluation, even if they are professionals in whatever field holds your interest. Only in the rarest of cases can someone be a professional first and a family member second.

So there! Once you have double-checked that you have all the necessary equipments (like time, money, commitment, etc) needed to reach your goal and if you’re still sure you have what it takes—go for it!

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 Have you ever wished that your life could be a lot better and more fulfilling than the one you are in right now? Have a self improvement worksheet you can put your plans on to turn them into reality.
Here are some of the things you have to plan out in your worksheet for a smooth sailing journey towards self improvement goal.

Get up early.

To be able to accomplish this and still avoid losing any precious sleep, you can go to bed just a half hour earlier to get up a half hour earlier than you usually do.

What this got to do with self improvement?

For different people the answer can vary slightly. To start with you need to fully awaken yourself and get rid of early morning sluggishness.

After you are completely alert step outside of your house and watch the sunrise. Nothing like the view of a fresh morning to set you out on your self improvement destination.

This simple but immensely satisfying act will lift your spirits and help with self improvement.

If you are unable to do this, take a brisk walk, jog or run depending upon what you prefer and what you are physically capable of.

Eat breakfast.

To start your day out on the right foot and stay in keeping with your self improvement plan this is practically a necessity. You need the energy this will provide you with to accomplish your daily tasks.

If you are overly pressed for time you might try cereal and milk or even a few pieces of fresh fruit would do.

Any of these are better alternatives than skipping breakfast.

Smile a lot.

When you go places, smile more at other people, even if you find it a bit difficult at first. Just curve your lips up a bit as you make eye contact with another human being.

An effective goal is written.

The primary purpose of your self improvement worksheet.

This is extremely helpful and essential because there will be times when your self improvement goals will make you uncomfortable and you may lose site of them.

When this happens, you need to have them written down to keep yourself on track and accountable. Posting your goals on the refrigerator, bulletin board, or in your planner ensures that you will be reminded of them on a daily basis.

Review them on a regular basis.

You must review your self improvement goals in order to stay on track. Check out your worksheet on the schedule you set. Reviewing them causes you to commit to their achievement.

According to studies, only 1% of the population actually understands how to effectively set goals. This is the reason why so many New Year’s resolutions are not followed.

And this is also why people keep failing at the very same goal. The desire to improve yourself is genuine, but the process you go about while seeking this desire is faulty. Then how can you achieve the self improvement results you want?

The positive results of achieving any goal are unforgettable. An individual’s failure to achieve is not because they are incompetent but because they simply do not know the process of success.

Have an effective self improvement worksheet. Follow what is written, be patient and celebrate your success to come.

In today’s fast-paced life, the wins usually go to those with exceptional skills and abilities. The old quote is true, “The race is not always won by the swift and the strong, but that is the way to bet.”

With this in mind, and with your desire to become increasingly successful, here are some ways to accelerate your abilities, thus enabling you to achieve greater and greater things.

Become dissatisfied with your current state. Growth for growth’s sake is good. Those who will achieve much are those who say to themselves, “I want to grow. I want to be better. And I am willing to do what it takes to get there. This current state is not enough!” This dissatisfaction will create for you an insatiable drive to do what it takes to get your abilities to the next level.

Visualize the benefits of increased abilities. Put them at the forefront of your mind. This will saturate your mind with the motivation that it will take for you to do what it takes to increase your abilities. What good will come out of my increased ability? How will I be better off as well as the others around me? The answers to these questions act as the carrot before the horse, moving you forward.

Understand your weaknesses. If you want to improve, one of the best ways is to start with some area that you aren’t particularly good at. This is the “shoring up method.” Sometimes it is easier to improve something you aren’t good at that something you are. And the gains will still look great for your overall situation! Take some time to consider what areas you are weakest in and focus in on them for a while. The results will obviously be much more pronounced than getting better at something you have already somewhat mastered.

Attempt greater levels of what you are already good at. Another tact to take would be to stretch yourself in an area that you already have some skill and ability in. What areas do you excel in? Now understand that when you leave the weaker areas weak and make extraordinary gains in one area, then you will be moving more toward “specialist” rather than “generalist.” That is okay, but needs to fit in with your overall goals.

Commit time each day to improvement. Steady improvement is the way to go. In fact, you may not see improvement for days or weeks. You may feel like you are failing each time. But alas, eventually you will get it and your skill will increase to the next level. The key is day in, day out, spending time working on improving. Even five minutes a day equals a half hour a week, 2 hours a month. That adds up! Remember, Practice, practice, practice.

Seek out and spend time with someone who has greater ability than you. One of the best things to do to increase your ability is hang out with people who are already more skilled than you. Watching, them, studying them, interacting with them, even competing with them will make you better. As in sports, to improve, you play with people better than you, not worse. They will raise you to a new level. Who around you can you get involved with who will help you with your ability?

Take a class or hire a coach. Go to school my friend. Take a course at a local college or vocational institute. Take a class online. Hire one of the many coaches available today. Pick a specific skill you would like to improve upon and find someone who is a specialist in that area. At the very least, pick up some audio or videotapes to help you grow.

Be the tortoise, not the hare. Slow but sure. Take your time, do it right. Keep going in the right direction. Learn your craft correctly. Don’t give up quality for speed. The whole idea of acceleration is this way: Slow start, work up to high speeds, go the distance. Luckily life isn’t a sprint but a marathon!

Hope these ideas help you as you commit to accelerating your abilities!

 What do I really want?
Take time to figure out what you want to do with your life. Find something you enjoy doing and stick with it until you are at your greatest ability. Be the you that you want to be.

Should I really change?
Asking yourself this will help you decide if you are already doing something that you do well and enjoy. Maybe you just aren’t concentrating on an area of your life that you’d like to see grow.

What’s the bright side in all of this?
With so much is happening around us there seem to be no room for even considering that light at the end of the tunnel. And if it’s a train at the end of the tunnel, take it for a ride and see what makes the world go round!

Am I comfortable with what I’m doing?
There’s always the simple way and the correct way when it comes to deciding what goes with which shoes, or purse, shirt and whatnot. It doesn’t take a whiz kid to perceive yourself as someone exceptional.

Have I done enough for myself?
Unhappiness in each phase can be hazardous in huge doses, but in tiny amounts you’ll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.

Am I happy at where I am today?
If the answer is yes, then grab onto this and become the best you can be.

How much could I have?
I assume in this case there is no such thing as having too much or too little, but it’s more on how much you actually require it.

What motivates me?
What motivates you? It’s an answer you have to discover for yourself. There are so many things that can make everybody content, but to decide on one may be the hardest part.

 There are numerous ways to lose your own sense of self. There are things you can do to help preserve that, no matter what happens. This sense of self is essential in any self-improvement program.

*Know your purpose
Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own exclusive compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

* Know your values
What do you value most? Is it love, family, freedom? Knowing exactly what is important to you will reassure you in times of doubt.

*Know your needs
Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be correct, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed.

*Know your passions
What gets your blood flowing? What makes you angry? Determined? Knowing what fuels your emotions will help you know what you need to do.

*Know your inner being
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. Don’t shun silence and alone time. Relish it. It is during these moments that your true self makes an appearance.

*Know your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.

*Give freely
When you are true to yourself, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit – your essence.

They say “To thine own self be true.” This is one of the truest statements ever made. Know yourself and be the you you were born to be.

You’ve written out your goals. You read them every day. You do the visualization exercises. You do everything you’ve read about in this newsletter and all the other newsletters, seminars, self-help books and web sites, but nothing seems to be happening in your life.

Why doesn’t this manifesting thing work for me, you ask?

Well, there is a bit more to it than most people lead on.

In order for the things you desire to start manifesting in your life, you MUST reprogram your thoughts and beliefs.

Yes, affirmations and visualization is the way to do it. But you can only manifest WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN MANIFEST.

If you wish to manifest money in your life, more than you’ve ever had before, you MUST BELIEVE that you already have the money that you desire.

What? Now what is the world do you mean by that, Dawn?

Yeah, it sounds a bit crazy doesn’t it? But it works, really, it does.

See, you do already have it. It just hasn’t materialized into your world yet.

God is your supply for EVERYTHING.

So, let’s say you want one million dollars, but your bank account says $45. And the most you’ve ever had after your bills are paid is about $150.

$1million sounds like an unbelievable amount of money to you. But you go on affirming it and visualizing it, reading your self-help books, doing all the things the “experts” tell you to do. But at the same time that you are doing that, a little voice inside of your head is saying, right under those affirmations, “Yeah, right. One million dollars? You buggin’.”

The reason that voice is there is because that statement, “You buggin;” is your CORE BELIEF.

In order for things to manifest in your life you have to change your core beliefs. Once you change your beliefs, you will change your life.