Success Takes Energy And Focus

Staying focused on our goals can be very difficult when our energy levels come and go. This thought came to mind this morning as I am out of town on business and feeling this desire to just loaf the day away. I have a lovely hotel room overlooking the harbor and it has put my mind at ease. I have been on a great run with business this pass year. I have also been busy writing my book and planning my Executive Coaching business. The tug of war is on. Relax or get at it. The pace I have been going at has robbed me of some energy. I find when the energy level drops, so does the focus. The two are very much connected.

So my challenge today is to write an article on success then complete a presentation I am presenting as a guest speaker on Tuesday morning. I am presenting to an executive team tomorrow morning on a large project our company is proposing to a client. I have in my brief case a book and CD for an exercise and weight loss program I want to start. I also have some reading and studying to do for my coaching business. My website needs some updating. It looks like today is not a day for procrastination. Loafing is out of the question. I am focused. I could feel overwhelmed but I am not. I am just not sure my energy level is there. It's time to create some energy. I will be back.

So I now have some renewed energy. It came from going to the Hotel Health Club and hopping on the tread mill for 45 minutes. Yes exercise can and will increase your energy level. I ran out to the supermarket and got some healthier food. A salad, apples and soda water. I am certain a lunch full of carbs would have me taking a long after noon nap. So here I am, back at it.

Before you say don't bore me with all this Paul, ask yourself how often does this happen to you? You just blow off the day. Exactly. If this is what you do, tomorrow is going to be a day that controls you. Why? Because you are not fully prepared. You will be rushing and reacting. You will be exhausted at the end of the day and not certain of the outcomes from your day. What an awful place to be.

So here is the process that went through my mind this morning. It's about making a deliberate decision.

• I created a list of the have to do, followed by choose to.
• I prioritized them.
• I looked at the time I had to complete them.
• I reminded my self that I will be sailing to Bermuda and taking two weeks of in June.
• I reminded myself that I am going to Australia for three weeks this September.

The decision became easy. I was going to have a ton of what I call "gliding days" coming up. So as you can tell I have finished my article and I am now getting to work on Tuesday's speech which is already written in my head. I just need to get it to paper. Next I will get at my website. Make some necessary changes. Then have a half hour nap. I will then do some studying while I watch the golf. I will review tomorrows presentation this evening. The diet and exercise program will have to wait. But wait. I did get my exercise in and I ate healthy. Not a bad result for a winter Sunday in a hotel room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6905020

Are You Afraid Of What It Takes To Succeed?

More and more of people are using the power of positive thought to try to achieve their dreams. The part to understand is that they will remain dreams if you do act upon them. Leaving behind the world of easy mindless entertainment is the challenge that most of you will face. Web surfing and television require no thought. Both are a vehicle to provide your brain with lazy stimulus. Then again who would even consider the notion that success is easy. That's why true success is for those who pursue it. It all begins with you and your determination. Quite simply. How bad do you want to succeed. Contrary to what you believe it does not have to be painful. In fact, it can be fun.

OK Paul. Whats with the fun bit? Have you have lost your mind? Again I push it back to you. How fun is staring at a glass panel that produces images for your mind to process. OK. You get it. I am not a television watcher. I can go days without watching. That is of course, unless it's golf. Golf takes talent, practice,persistence and the burning desire to win. To win by the way is the goal. Successful golfers do all of the above. So now you understand my passion for golf both on and off the course. It is a journey of always trying to be better.

Let's get back to the title of the article. "Are you afraid of what it takes to succeed"? Most are. The main reason is that it takes you outside your comfort zone. Out past the easy stuff. Just imagine what life would be like if you dialed up your comfort zone. Lets imagine your comfort zone is doing things better than the average person. It's OK to want to be better today than you were yesterday. In fact it's healthy to push ones self. People who exercise and have active working minds live happier and more productive lives. In my mind that should be everyone's dream. The key to a long life.

So what are you afraid of? What is holding you back? If someone was to paint a picture of your happiest moment would you go after it? Would you be willing to give up a few hours of mindless entertainment every week to reach that end? Yes, this is a paragraph of questions. Have you been able to answer yes to any of the questions? Everyone dreams of a better you. A better life. Yet so few act on it.

So here is a little exercise to plant the seed. I got this idea from one of my mentors Jack Canfield from his book "The Success Principles". It's about creating goals. Grab a pen and paper and start to write down every thing you want in life. Absolutely everything! For example. A new car, summer cottage, a healthier you. How about a raise at work or better still, to be self-employed. Where are you going to go on that dream vacation. Don't stop. Write till you can write no longer. Phew. Are you done? Two things have happened here. First is that you did no realize there were so many things you want and are missing in life. Secondly, is you now have some goals. The first step to achieving a goal is to write it down. The next step is to organize them and start to work on achieving them.

I truly believe you have to look after number one in life. Yes, that's you. By doing so, you can be a better father or mother. A better husband or wife. A better employee who gets rewarded for your efforts. Get over the notion it's selfish to be the best you can be. A healthy, happier you has so much more to give. The biggest gift of all will be what your children learn from you. The gift being how to become a success. You don't have to teach it. They just watch and emulate you. There is no greater motivator in life than to watch your children grow and become successful. They will love you for it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6876145

Fly Past The Road Blocks To Your Success

How does one manage to stay upbeat when life throws challenges at you faster than you want? Are you ready for the challenges when they come? How do you react to these challenges? You can't live life in the "what if" frame of mind and we certainly can't live with our heads stuck in the sand.

How does one plan for these road blocks? I believe the mastery of this is related to understanding your goals and what your success of the goal means to you. You know the car will need repairs at some point. You know the proposal you have worked so hard to prepare will face some objections. Here in lies the key. If you know what the potential road blocks are to anything you attempt you can plan ahead for them. For some positive-attitude people this is a breeze. But if you are a fear for the worst type, this is all very difficult. To repeat one of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain. "I spent much of my life worrying about things that never happened" My spin on that is when they do, be ready. The important thing to understand is you don't live in the fear of it happening. They usually appear for a reason.

The following are some first steps that will help you stay focused on your goal.

1. Make sure you are fully committed to the goal.
2. Write down a list of possible road blocks to your goal.
3. Write down how you will respond or act once faced with the road block.
4. Once you have dealt with the road block ensure there is closure to the road block so it does not appear again.

Mental toughness can be a learned talent. An important thing to remember once a road block appears to be certain you understand what the objection is. There may be some validity to the objection. If that is the case you may need to adjust your plan or goal. The good news is your plan or goal is now stronger as you have fine tuned it. All good would you not agree? Approaching road blocks with blinders on can be deadly. Charging down a path that has no certain end is fool hearty.

When road blocks occur we must look at them with a purpose. They appeared for a reason. There are usually two main reasons for objections.

1. You have not explained your goal or plan clear enough.
2. There are real issues regarding the validity of your goal or plan.

In either case if you go back to the above two points you will find the solution. Correct it and be on your way with a stronger and well thought through goal.

Life is all about learning and putting into action what we have learned. Wisdom is earned. The will to succeed is the most important part of goal setting. I believe even more so than the goal itself. It is your commitment to success that will see you to victory. Starting out knowing in your heart you will become a success is paramount. The road to get there will be a joyous journey well worth taking. Let's get started.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6805673