This guide is one in a series that will help you find a job. It contains information about where
to find out about potential vacancies.
Understanding the job market
Trying to find a new job can be both exciting and rewarding. It doesn’t need to be hard work if
you know where to look and how to go about it. Every day hundreds of new vacancies
become available. The trick is to find out what’s on offer and respond quickly.
Employers recruit in a number of ways, and you may be surprised to learn that only one third
of vacancies are ever advertised. Consequently, to be successful at finding a job that suits
you, you need to use all of the usual channels but also look at other methods of finding out
about vacancies. Most Jobseekers look at newspaper adverts to find vacancies, so do this
but also go to your local Jobcentre and register with recruitment agencies.
Know what you want
Before you start looking for a job, take a little time to work out what you want and what you
can do. Consider your skills and experience. Doing this will save you a lot of time when you
begin applying for jobs.
Remember, you don’t always see your own strengths. Ask your friends, family and previous
work colleagues what they think your strengths are. Even if you’ve never worked before, you
will have qualities that employers will be looking for.
Make a list of what you want, including:
• Location
• Full time or part time
• Temporary or permanent
• Hours
• Training or opportunities to progress
• Pay
Next, make a list of your qualities:
• Skills
• Experience
• Strengths
• Qualifications
• Personality
Employers place a great emphasis on personality and attitude. If you’ve got a friendly
personality and a good attitude to work and responsibility make sure you show it.
When you review your lists you may feel you’ve set what you want at a higher level than the
skills and experience you’ve currently got. This isn’t a problem. In this case make what you
want your goal and look for jobs that will be the starting point for you to develop the
experience and skills you need to grow your career.
Check out the options
Once you have identified the type of job you want the next step is to look for suitable
vacancies. Let’s look more closely at the three main routes to a job and then at some of the
less well known options:
• Newspaper adverts: most newspapers, local or national, have jobs sections. The
daily papers usually have a special jobs day each week when most of the vacancies
appear. Your newsagents will be able to tell you which days these are. Remember,
you don’t have to buy the newspaper as the local library will have a reference copy
you can look through.
• Jobcentre: Jobcentres display a wide range of vacancies which are updated daily. If
you can it’s worth visiting the Jobcentre everyday so you can respond to opportunities
as soon as they are displayed.
• Jobseekers Direct: if you find it difficult to get to your local Jobcentre then you can
use the telephone job service line. For the cost of a local call, you can contact
Jobseekers Direct to find out more about current vacancies. In some cases, they
may be able to arrange an interview for you while you’re on the phone.
• Recruitment agencies/consultancies: it is worth registering with recruitment
agencies because they are paid a fee by employers for finding suitable candidates for
their vacancy. Consequently, the quicker they find you a job they quicker they get
paid. They are also a good place for getting advice on finding a job and they may
help you to prepare your CV and with interview techniques. It’s worth knowing that
some agencies specialise in specific industries or skills. Others are more generalist.
Shop around to find an agency that covers the type of vacancies you are interested
in.
If you are considering temporary work then compare agencies. The rates they pay
for the same type of work may differ. A good agency will give you a fair rate of pay
and treat you well. Don’t forget that working as a temp is often the foot in the door
you need to get a full time job. It gives you a chance to show potential employers
what you can do, so don’t rule out temporary work.
• Careers Advisory Services: If you are 16 -19 the Careers Advisory Services will
offer you advice about your career. They will help you identify the right training
opportunities and provide plenty of support during your search for a job. Their
contact details are:
England
• The Internet: there are a number of websites that advertise jobs. On most of these
you can register your details so that companies can view them when they are looking
for staff. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can access it at your local
Library, usually free of charge or for a small fee. Using the internet is really easy; all
you need to do is type ‘Jobs Nigeria’ into a search engine
You can also look at all of the Jobcentre vacancies on line at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. All these websites are updated regularly throughout the day.
In addition to the specialist job and careers websites, many companies advertise
vacancies on their own websites. It is worth making a list of companies that might
have a vacancy that is suitable for you and visiting their websites. If they have a jobs
section you could visit the site on a regular basis.
• Careers and jobs fairs: an increasing number of job fairs are being held that cover
local jobs for local people of all ages and skills. Employers, particularly larger ones,
attend to promote their companies and find potential workers. On the day you will be
able to meet employers and also get specialist advice about finding a job. Some
employers may even take applications on the day. The fairs are usually held in hotels
or recreation centres will be advertised in your local newspapers.
• Networking: tell your friends and relatives that you are looking for a job. They may
hear about job opportunities that you can apply for and may even be willing to
recommend you to their employer.
• Work experience: joining a work experience programme has its benefits. Not only
will you be learning or developing your skills, you will also be getting valuable
experience by actually doing the job. It also gives you the opportunity to get your foot
in the door of a company where you can demonstrate your strengths.
• Teletext: some companies choose to advertise their vacancies on the text services.
These are updated throughout the day – the page number you need is:
Teletext, page 690 (Channel 4).
• Notices in shop windows or notice boards: more and more companies, especially
retailers, are advertising vacancies in this way. As there is no way of knowing when
these vacancies will be advertised, it’s just a matter of keeping your eyes open and
being quick to respond.
• Promote yourself: this option involves applying for vacancies that may arise within a
company. The ‘anticipating future vacancies’ guide will give you ideas on how
to promote yourself.
However, start by identifying 10 companies in your area that employ people in the
type of roles you are looking for. Read local business news to see if you can spot
any companies that are expanding or moving into the area. They may have a future
staff requirement so write to these companies, introduce yourself and ask to be
considered for any vacancies they may have. Attach your CV to the letter; there is a
guide in this series that can help you prepare one.
It’s always a good idea to phone the company to check if they have received your
details. If they have no vacancies available ask them to keep your details on file so
that you can be considered in the future.
Finally, keep records of who you have contacted and their response. If you do
happen to see them advertising a vacancy in the future that may suit you, call the
company and remind them they have your details.
The purpose of this guide was to help you identify the best routes to finding a job.
Points to remember:
• Understand the job market: only one third of vacancies are ever advertised.
• Know what you want: make a list of what you are looking for and match job
vacancies against it.
• Know your strengths: list your strengths, skills, experience and qualifications and
match them against what the employer is looking for.
• Use the channels: only one third of vacancies are ever advertised so use all the
options available to improve your chances of getting a job.
• Promote yourself: send your details to companies and ask them to keep them on file
until they have a vacancy that you could fill.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
From time to time, its only natural to wonder if the person you are romantically involved with is having sex with someone else. The problem becomes compounded when you have dated someone in the past that has violated your trust. Indeed, “cheating” is perhaps one of the most devastating emotional traumas a person can endure.
So how do you know if your suspicions are true? The answer to this question is somewhat complex. What follows are five cues to possible infidelity. These are not intended to act as a complete list and the totality of your partner's behavior should be taken into consideration when examining these cues.
1. You indirectly find out from your partner that he or she is having sex with someone else. This can include:
Smelling “sex” on a partner.
Your partner suddenly asks to have sex with other people.
Your partner suddenly does not want to have sex anymore
Your partner calls you by the name of another person during an act of sex (not a former boyfriend or girlfriend.
2. Revelations of sexual infidelity.
You witness or are directly told of your partner having sex with another.
Your partner confesses to having an affair.
Someone admits to you they have been having sex with your partner.
Exaggerated displays of affection.
Your partner suddenly starts to profess his or her “love” more than they used to.
Your partner suddenly starts acting overly affectionate.
Your partner starts talking about sex more often.
3. Exaggerated displays of affection.
Your partner suddenly starts to profess his or her “love” more than they used to.
Your partner suddenly starts acting overly affectionate.
Your partner starts talking about sex more often.
4. Sexual disinterest or boredom.
Your partner starts to act like he or she is “going through the motions” when having sex.
Your partner suddenly seems less sexually aroused.
Your partner begins to have shorter sex sessions, replacing what was once a long, passionate experience.
5. Emotional disengagement
Your partner doesn't respond when you say, “I love you”.
Your partner suddenly starts acting rude towards you and distancing himself or herself from your daily life.
Your partner starts looking for reasons to start an argument with you and then says, “We just don't get along – we should think about this relationship”.
Your partner changes the subject when a certain person's name comes up and acts anxious.
Your partner refuses to make eye contact with you, where once this was not an issue.
To be sure, nobody wants to be emotionally violated. This is because feelings and emotions are fragile things and it hurts when the person we love causes pain. If you suspect that your partner is cheating, then it might be time to confront him or her and ask for answers. Before doing so, be sure to have a sound basis for making accusations – a charge of infidelity is extremely serious. That said, sometimes that little voice deep inside is right.
So how do you know if your suspicions are true? The answer to this question is somewhat complex. What follows are five cues to possible infidelity. These are not intended to act as a complete list and the totality of your partner's behavior should be taken into consideration when examining these cues.
1. You indirectly find out from your partner that he or she is having sex with someone else. This can include:
Smelling “sex” on a partner.
Your partner suddenly asks to have sex with other people.
Your partner suddenly does not want to have sex anymore
Your partner calls you by the name of another person during an act of sex (not a former boyfriend or girlfriend.
2. Revelations of sexual infidelity.
You witness or are directly told of your partner having sex with another.
Your partner confesses to having an affair.
Someone admits to you they have been having sex with your partner.
Exaggerated displays of affection.
Your partner suddenly starts to profess his or her “love” more than they used to.
Your partner suddenly starts acting overly affectionate.
Your partner starts talking about sex more often.
3. Exaggerated displays of affection.
Your partner suddenly starts to profess his or her “love” more than they used to.
Your partner suddenly starts acting overly affectionate.
Your partner starts talking about sex more often.
4. Sexual disinterest or boredom.
Your partner starts to act like he or she is “going through the motions” when having sex.
Your partner suddenly seems less sexually aroused.
Your partner begins to have shorter sex sessions, replacing what was once a long, passionate experience.
5. Emotional disengagement
Your partner doesn't respond when you say, “I love you”.
Your partner suddenly starts acting rude towards you and distancing himself or herself from your daily life.
Your partner starts looking for reasons to start an argument with you and then says, “We just don't get along – we should think about this relationship”.
Your partner changes the subject when a certain person's name comes up and acts anxious.
Your partner refuses to make eye contact with you, where once this was not an issue.
To be sure, nobody wants to be emotionally violated. This is because feelings and emotions are fragile things and it hurts when the person we love causes pain. If you suspect that your partner is cheating, then it might be time to confront him or her and ask for answers. Before doing so, be sure to have a sound basis for making accusations – a charge of infidelity is extremely serious. That said, sometimes that little voice deep inside is right.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Masturbation, is it harmful?
I came back from a week long trip on friday and decided to pay my sweet heart (we've been dating for two years plus) a surprise visit. I had not seen her for some time since i stay in the island and she is doing her teaching practice in Akoka. As i approached the self contain apartment her father had rented for her i was feeling happy because i knew she loved surprises. I quietly let myself in with the key she had given me. I knew she was in because i could hear soft music. I tiptoed from the sitting to her bedroom ready to scream 'surprise!'. I peeped through the half open curtain and my mouth hung open. There was my girl friend with legs wide open rubbing herself with two fingers inserted. She looked like she was really getting the feel of it. Her eyes were closed, her other hand was stroking nipples. She was rolling her waist and moaning softly. I stood transfiexd not knowing how to react. As if by intiution she opened her eyes and our eyes were locked on each others. I quietly went back to the sitting room without saying a word. I heard her going into the bathroom. She came out refreshed and we acted like i didn't see anything. Though the pretense is creating a gap between us. That why i asked Dr. Jones (an online free medical advisor i subscribed to).
Here is what he has to say.
Dr. Jones
Masturbation is stimulation of sex organs by self. It is a solo activity. When two do it to each other, it is called "mutual masturbation." About 93 to 98 per cent of men and 60 to 80 per cent of women do it. However, most of them do not disclose it. It is a normal step in the development of sexuality.
Contrary to common beliefs, masturbation is harmless. Those who masturbate find a sense of physical satisfaction and release of mental tension. It familiarizes oneself with one's own sexual responses.
A woman who has has learnt to have orgasm through masturbation can learn to orgasm through intercourse as well. Most of the men who do not have ejaculation/orgasm are found to have no experience of masturbation.
In many cultures, masturbation is a taboo and much stigma is attached to it. Because of wide spread myths about masturbation, boys are afraid that by doing masturbation, they become weak, get pimples, become insane and that their penis gets bent, decreases in size or get tilted.
Other very common myths are that masturbation causes impotence, makes semen watery or exhaust the stock of semen. None of these is true. Scientists say that masturbation is not at all harmful but is in fact beneficial. It is a safe sexual outlet. It does not cause any bad effect either on the penis or on the general health. Since it is a solo performance, it does not encroach upon anybody's freedom and it can be done at any time. It costs nothing.
Masturbation is the surest way to prevent STD and HIV infections. Sociologists feel that had masturbation not been there, the rapes, homosexuality, prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS would have been on increase.
Boys are worried about the loss of semen which is supposed to be a precious and vital fluid. In fact semen is a fluid meant for throwing out of body. No harm is done if it is thrown out and no benefit is obtained if it is preserved in the body. Sperms and the constituents of the semen are continuously produced in the body. If the semen is not ejaculated at intervals either by masturbation or in sleep, it gets disintegrated and absorbed in the body.
Some boys are worried that they have done "too much" of masturbation and therefore, they have landed into some problems like impotence or weakness. The fact is that there is nothing like "too much." Like sleep, thirst, hunger, the body knows its requirements. The body craves only till the needs are satisfied. The need of sex-outlet is great during the adolescence. Since one cannot have sexual outlet just at will with the opposite sex, nature itself teaches the alternative method of sexual outlet, i.e., masturbation. Animals too masturbate by forelimbs or by rubbing their penis against the trees or such objects.
Not only unmarried men and women masturbate, but married persons also do it when their partner is not around or is sick. Elderly persons also do it. Intense desire for masturbation amongst boys is because of high level of the male sex hormone, testosterone. The frequency of masturbation is less in girls.
Boys masturbate by moving the foreskin of the penis to and fro by fingers or by the fist of the hand. Another common way is the rubbing of penis to the bed, by moving the hip forwards and backwards. In either way, the stimulation of the glans of the penis is continued to the point of ejaculation.
Is there a qualitative difference in the orgasms reached by masturbation and intercourse? In fact, masturbation is an imitation of the intercourse. In masturbation, the penis is steady and the hand moves; while in the intercourse the vagina is steady and the penis moves. In either case, the effect remains the same. (It is something like whether the barrel of the syringe moves or the piston moves, effect is same.) The brain perceives the sensation from the penis in the same way either through masturbation or through intercourse, and triggers the orgasm. Therefore, the quality of orgasm from both these activities remain the same. Hence, masturbation is a safe alternative for sexual intercourse.
Boys are under the impression that girls masturbate by introducing long objects like a banana in their vagina. The sensitive part in girls are the clitoris and the labia minora. Girls stimulate these parts by using fingers, or by making rhythmic movements.
Does one get addicted to masturbation? No. When he gets an opportunity to have sexual relationship with the opposite sex, he can easily switch over to it. Masturbation could cause problems only if it becomes obsessive and compulsive, i.e., doing nothing else but masturbation throughout the day.
Masturbation does not affect one's ability and performance in daily life or in special pursuits such as sports. Many athletes who have won medals have masturbated on the previous night for the release of the tension and to get good sleep. It is also found that the students masturbate more frequently during the preparation time for their examinations.
There are boys who wish to discontinue the 'habit' of masturbation totally, out of guilt or for fear of presumed ill-effects.
First of all, masturbation is not a habit or addiction like smoking or alcohol. It does not harm as tobacco or alcohol does. Masturbation is a normal expression of sexuality during the adolescence. The frequency decreases as the age advances. It is not necessary to go against the stream of the nature. However, the choice is their's.
Those who are keen on quitting masturbation or reducing its frequency may start taking deep interest in other areas of interest, such as sports, physical exercises, music, painting, reading, social service etc. They may also focus on their hobbies and channelise their energy into these directions. This is called "sublimation".
They should make a decision not to masturbate. Every morning they should make the same decision afresh for that day. If they do not succeed they need not repent or feel disappointed. They should make a fresh decision without any guilt feeling, because masturbation is a healthy normal behaviour. If they stop masturbation, it is normal; and if they continue to do it, that is also normal.
Some quacks take advantage of the guilt feelings of masturbation amongst youth and prescribe spurious drugs and remedies to improve the health allegedly "LOST" due to masturbation. This is nothing but cheating. Youth should not fall a prey to such unscrupulous cheats and tricksters.
What harms in masturbation is not the act itself, but the feeling of guilt, shame and anxiety regarding the act. Shedding the latter is enough.
Here is what he has to say.
Dr. Jones
Masturbation is stimulation of sex organs by self. It is a solo activity. When two do it to each other, it is called "mutual masturbation." About 93 to 98 per cent of men and 60 to 80 per cent of women do it. However, most of them do not disclose it. It is a normal step in the development of sexuality.
Contrary to common beliefs, masturbation is harmless. Those who masturbate find a sense of physical satisfaction and release of mental tension. It familiarizes oneself with one's own sexual responses.
A woman who has has learnt to have orgasm through masturbation can learn to orgasm through intercourse as well. Most of the men who do not have ejaculation/orgasm are found to have no experience of masturbation.
In many cultures, masturbation is a taboo and much stigma is attached to it. Because of wide spread myths about masturbation, boys are afraid that by doing masturbation, they become weak, get pimples, become insane and that their penis gets bent, decreases in size or get tilted.
Other very common myths are that masturbation causes impotence, makes semen watery or exhaust the stock of semen. None of these is true. Scientists say that masturbation is not at all harmful but is in fact beneficial. It is a safe sexual outlet. It does not cause any bad effect either on the penis or on the general health. Since it is a solo performance, it does not encroach upon anybody's freedom and it can be done at any time. It costs nothing.
Masturbation is the surest way to prevent STD and HIV infections. Sociologists feel that had masturbation not been there, the rapes, homosexuality, prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS would have been on increase.
Boys are worried about the loss of semen which is supposed to be a precious and vital fluid. In fact semen is a fluid meant for throwing out of body. No harm is done if it is thrown out and no benefit is obtained if it is preserved in the body. Sperms and the constituents of the semen are continuously produced in the body. If the semen is not ejaculated at intervals either by masturbation or in sleep, it gets disintegrated and absorbed in the body.
Some boys are worried that they have done "too much" of masturbation and therefore, they have landed into some problems like impotence or weakness. The fact is that there is nothing like "too much." Like sleep, thirst, hunger, the body knows its requirements. The body craves only till the needs are satisfied. The need of sex-outlet is great during the adolescence. Since one cannot have sexual outlet just at will with the opposite sex, nature itself teaches the alternative method of sexual outlet, i.e., masturbation. Animals too masturbate by forelimbs or by rubbing their penis against the trees or such objects.
Not only unmarried men and women masturbate, but married persons also do it when their partner is not around or is sick. Elderly persons also do it. Intense desire for masturbation amongst boys is because of high level of the male sex hormone, testosterone. The frequency of masturbation is less in girls.
Boys masturbate by moving the foreskin of the penis to and fro by fingers or by the fist of the hand. Another common way is the rubbing of penis to the bed, by moving the hip forwards and backwards. In either way, the stimulation of the glans of the penis is continued to the point of ejaculation.
Is there a qualitative difference in the orgasms reached by masturbation and intercourse? In fact, masturbation is an imitation of the intercourse. In masturbation, the penis is steady and the hand moves; while in the intercourse the vagina is steady and the penis moves. In either case, the effect remains the same. (It is something like whether the barrel of the syringe moves or the piston moves, effect is same.) The brain perceives the sensation from the penis in the same way either through masturbation or through intercourse, and triggers the orgasm. Therefore, the quality of orgasm from both these activities remain the same. Hence, masturbation is a safe alternative for sexual intercourse.
Boys are under the impression that girls masturbate by introducing long objects like a banana in their vagina. The sensitive part in girls are the clitoris and the labia minora. Girls stimulate these parts by using fingers, or by making rhythmic movements.
Does one get addicted to masturbation? No. When he gets an opportunity to have sexual relationship with the opposite sex, he can easily switch over to it. Masturbation could cause problems only if it becomes obsessive and compulsive, i.e., doing nothing else but masturbation throughout the day.
Masturbation does not affect one's ability and performance in daily life or in special pursuits such as sports. Many athletes who have won medals have masturbated on the previous night for the release of the tension and to get good sleep. It is also found that the students masturbate more frequently during the preparation time for their examinations.
There are boys who wish to discontinue the 'habit' of masturbation totally, out of guilt or for fear of presumed ill-effects.
First of all, masturbation is not a habit or addiction like smoking or alcohol. It does not harm as tobacco or alcohol does. Masturbation is a normal expression of sexuality during the adolescence. The frequency decreases as the age advances. It is not necessary to go against the stream of the nature. However, the choice is their's.
Those who are keen on quitting masturbation or reducing its frequency may start taking deep interest in other areas of interest, such as sports, physical exercises, music, painting, reading, social service etc. They may also focus on their hobbies and channelise their energy into these directions. This is called "sublimation".
They should make a decision not to masturbate. Every morning they should make the same decision afresh for that day. If they do not succeed they need not repent or feel disappointed. They should make a fresh decision without any guilt feeling, because masturbation is a healthy normal behaviour. If they stop masturbation, it is normal; and if they continue to do it, that is also normal.
Some quacks take advantage of the guilt feelings of masturbation amongst youth and prescribe spurious drugs and remedies to improve the health allegedly "LOST" due to masturbation. This is nothing but cheating. Youth should not fall a prey to such unscrupulous cheats and tricksters.
What harms in masturbation is not the act itself, but the feeling of guilt, shame and anxiety regarding the act. Shedding the latter is enough.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Top 10 Ways to Sleep Smarter and Better
10. Reduce Screen Time Before BedStop checking your email or watching TV just before bedtime and you'll sleep better. A recent study shows that people who consume electronic media (read: stare at a backlit screen) just before bedtime report lower-quality sleep even when they get as much sleep as non-pre-bedtime screenheads. Lifehacker reader JFitzpatrick says this makes perfect sense:
Using a light-emitting device before bed like a flickering TV or computer monitor stimulates the brain in a different way than the way the body was intended to move towards sleep (gradually as the sun set) That's why it is so easy to waste sleepless hours flipping from channel to channel (or reading Lifehacker or Digg). The exposure to light stimulates the brain and creates a false alert
9. Exercise to Enhance SleepYou already know that exercising provides lots of good health benefits—a good night's sleep being one of them. But make sure you exercise in the morning or afternoon, not at night, to see the benefits while you dream. CNN reports:
The National Sleep Foundation reports that exercise in the afternoon can help deepen shut-eye and cut the time it takes for you to fall into dreamland. But, they caution, vigorous exercise leading up to bedtime can actually have the reverse effects. A 2003 study found that a morning fitness regime was key to a better snooze. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center concluded that postmenopausal women who exercised 30 minutes every morning had less trouble falling asleep than those who were less active. The women who worked out in the evening hours saw little or no improvement in their sleep patterns.Oh yeah, exercise enhances that other bedtime activity, too: sex. (But that's a whole other top 10.)
8. Eat to Enhance SleepSome foods are more conducive to a better night's sleep than others. You already knew about warm milk, chamomile tea and turkey, but Yahoo Food lists others, like bananas, potatoes, oatmeal and whole-wheat bread. You find yourself fighting off afternoon droopy eyelids at the office? Here are some pointers on eating a less nap-inducing lunch.
7. Master the Power NapSlowly but surely, the benefits of the classic, 20-minute power nap are getting more recognition, with big companies installing sleep pods at the office and more software applications like Pzizz helping to set the right power nap aural scene. Here's how to get the perfect nap from the author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life, and more on how and why power naps work.
6. Avoid the Soul-Shattering Alarm BuzzerNo one likes starting the day by getting ripped out of bed by that evil BEEP BEEP BEEP of the alarm clock, but some sleepyheads ignore anything gentler. Lifehacker reader Jason beats the buzzer with a dual clock radio system:
Put one alarm clock on your nightstand, the other across the room and make sure they're in sync. Set the alarm clock on your nightstand to go off at, let's say, 6:30 a.m., if that is when you need to get up. I set that one to use the radio, and make sure it is loud enough to wake me up, but not too loud (I don't want to wake my wife on purpose). The second alarm clock on the dresser is set to go off exactly one minute later, but using that dreadful buzzer. So, when my alarm goes off in the morning, it doesn't startle me like the buzzer. Then, I know I have about 60 seconds to get up and turn the other one off before I hear a buzzing sound. At that point, I am out of bed, and no buzzer.Of course, some particularly talented sleepers can program themselves to wake up before the alarm clock goes off naturally. (The rest of us hate you.)
5. Solve Problems in Your SleepWrestling with a tough decision, stuck in a creative rut or having a hard time solving a complex problem? Studies show that a little shut-eye can help you tackle problems and make tough decisions.
4. Beat Insomnia with VisualizationThere's nothing worse than laying awake throughout the night, watching the clock tick away seconds knowing you'll be a zombie the next day. When insomnia's kicking your sleepy butt, use a self-directed meditative visualization technique to quiet the whir of a racing mind. Guest contributor Ryan Irelan runs down how to beat insomnia with "Blue Energy."
3. Shortcut a Long Nap with the Clattering SpoonArtist and napper Salvador Dali had an interesting nap technique, based on the idea that your body benefits from just getting to sleep as much as a couple of hours worth of shut-eye. He purportedly used a spoon to wake himself up just as he lost consciousness. According to Question Swap (via 43F), here's what you do:
Lie down or sit in comfy seat holding a spoon in your fingertips. you should be holding it in a way that - when you loose consciousness (sleep) you drop it... the Clatter (put a big plate on the floor under your hand) will wake you.... and you get woken JUST as you enter the best "dreamy" bit of your sleep. Alternatively, hold a bunch of keys: same effect.
2. Take a Caffeine Power NapNeed a turbo boost to beat the sleepy doldrums pinch? Try a cup of coffee followed by a quick 15-minute nap to reboot your brain and get you going again.
1. Teach Yourself to Lucid DreamArrive at school naked in that terrible dream last night? Turn nightmares around by knowing you're dreaming while you do it. Lucid dreaming opens up all sorts of possibilities for controlling where and how your dreams go. Teach yourself to lucid dream by keeping a dream journal and learning reality checks and dream extending techniques. (Some great comments here by lucid-dreaming readers, too.) Intrigued? Here are more lucid dreaming FAQs.
What do you do to get to sleep, set up the best naps or otherwise trick out your sheep counts? Let us know in the comments.ness and stimulation.
Using a light-emitting device before bed like a flickering TV or computer monitor stimulates the brain in a different way than the way the body was intended to move towards sleep (gradually as the sun set) That's why it is so easy to waste sleepless hours flipping from channel to channel (or reading Lifehacker or Digg). The exposure to light stimulates the brain and creates a false alert
9. Exercise to Enhance SleepYou already know that exercising provides lots of good health benefits—a good night's sleep being one of them. But make sure you exercise in the morning or afternoon, not at night, to see the benefits while you dream. CNN reports:
The National Sleep Foundation reports that exercise in the afternoon can help deepen shut-eye and cut the time it takes for you to fall into dreamland. But, they caution, vigorous exercise leading up to bedtime can actually have the reverse effects. A 2003 study found that a morning fitness regime was key to a better snooze. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center concluded that postmenopausal women who exercised 30 minutes every morning had less trouble falling asleep than those who were less active. The women who worked out in the evening hours saw little or no improvement in their sleep patterns.Oh yeah, exercise enhances that other bedtime activity, too: sex. (But that's a whole other top 10.)
8. Eat to Enhance SleepSome foods are more conducive to a better night's sleep than others. You already knew about warm milk, chamomile tea and turkey, but Yahoo Food lists others, like bananas, potatoes, oatmeal and whole-wheat bread. You find yourself fighting off afternoon droopy eyelids at the office? Here are some pointers on eating a less nap-inducing lunch.
7. Master the Power NapSlowly but surely, the benefits of the classic, 20-minute power nap are getting more recognition, with big companies installing sleep pods at the office and more software applications like Pzizz helping to set the right power nap aural scene. Here's how to get the perfect nap from the author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life, and more on how and why power naps work.
6. Avoid the Soul-Shattering Alarm BuzzerNo one likes starting the day by getting ripped out of bed by that evil BEEP BEEP BEEP of the alarm clock, but some sleepyheads ignore anything gentler. Lifehacker reader Jason beats the buzzer with a dual clock radio system:
Put one alarm clock on your nightstand, the other across the room and make sure they're in sync. Set the alarm clock on your nightstand to go off at, let's say, 6:30 a.m., if that is when you need to get up. I set that one to use the radio, and make sure it is loud enough to wake me up, but not too loud (I don't want to wake my wife on purpose). The second alarm clock on the dresser is set to go off exactly one minute later, but using that dreadful buzzer. So, when my alarm goes off in the morning, it doesn't startle me like the buzzer. Then, I know I have about 60 seconds to get up and turn the other one off before I hear a buzzing sound. At that point, I am out of bed, and no buzzer.Of course, some particularly talented sleepers can program themselves to wake up before the alarm clock goes off naturally. (The rest of us hate you.)
5. Solve Problems in Your SleepWrestling with a tough decision, stuck in a creative rut or having a hard time solving a complex problem? Studies show that a little shut-eye can help you tackle problems and make tough decisions.
4. Beat Insomnia with VisualizationThere's nothing worse than laying awake throughout the night, watching the clock tick away seconds knowing you'll be a zombie the next day. When insomnia's kicking your sleepy butt, use a self-directed meditative visualization technique to quiet the whir of a racing mind. Guest contributor Ryan Irelan runs down how to beat insomnia with "Blue Energy."
3. Shortcut a Long Nap with the Clattering SpoonArtist and napper Salvador Dali had an interesting nap technique, based on the idea that your body benefits from just getting to sleep as much as a couple of hours worth of shut-eye. He purportedly used a spoon to wake himself up just as he lost consciousness. According to Question Swap (via 43F), here's what you do:
Lie down or sit in comfy seat holding a spoon in your fingertips. you should be holding it in a way that - when you loose consciousness (sleep) you drop it... the Clatter (put a big plate on the floor under your hand) will wake you.... and you get woken JUST as you enter the best "dreamy" bit of your sleep. Alternatively, hold a bunch of keys: same effect.
2. Take a Caffeine Power NapNeed a turbo boost to beat the sleepy doldrums pinch? Try a cup of coffee followed by a quick 15-minute nap to reboot your brain and get you going again.
1. Teach Yourself to Lucid DreamArrive at school naked in that terrible dream last night? Turn nightmares around by knowing you're dreaming while you do it. Lucid dreaming opens up all sorts of possibilities for controlling where and how your dreams go. Teach yourself to lucid dream by keeping a dream journal and learning reality checks and dream extending techniques. (Some great comments here by lucid-dreaming readers, too.) Intrigued? Here are more lucid dreaming FAQs.
What do you do to get to sleep, set up the best naps or otherwise trick out your sheep counts? Let us know in the comments.ness and stimulation.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Success - it's all a matter of mindset!
Success - it's all a matter of mindset!
"Walk away from the 97% crowd. Don't use their excuses. Take charge of your own life." -- Jim Rohn. Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to get whatever they want?
In fact there's nothing mysterious about it. You, too can quickly get whatever you want ...and enjoy it, too - it's all a matter of mindset, success mindset. Start now, and build your own Success Mindset!To begin with: Work on yourself. Examine your mind. What are your deep-seated beliefs on yourself?The best way to find out is to discover the limitations you set for yourself, which are the result of your self-concept i.e. the way you "see" yourself.. For example if you decide to do something, like lose weight, or get up earlier, or work more etc. do you find it easy or is there a "little voice" inside you that keeps whispering to you: "No, you're just wasting your time, you'll never make it...."? Those are the limitations you have imposed upon yourself throughout your life.Most probably, the seeds were planted in your mind since childhood and, over time, have taken on the disguise of reality. Childhood programming and associations grew up with you and were nurtured, seemingly confirmed, by successive failures throughout your life. And things will go on like this until the day when you stand up, stamp your foot, and say: "No! No! No!" You've just realized that there is no fatality in life!Those beliefs on yourself, which you thought you were "born with", were in fact acquired from your childhood on and gradually built up to constitute your "personality traits."There is now scientific evidence that "you can get to the deepest part of your mind and program your belief system with affirmations, visualizations, prayer" (if you feel so inclined), and thus create a new reality for yourself.You can "introduce other patterns of belief into the subconscious and unconscious areas of your mind". This is something within your power. You can decide to do it and then proceed to do it. NOW YOU KNOW, and this puts you high above Jim Rohn's "97% crowd"!And you can deliberately program your mind for success, it's like installing the Success Mindset software. Yes, Success Mindset is really like software. Your mind is programmed for success. It is framed in such a way that you always get whatever you want. Success is no longer accidental or occasional. It has become second nature to you - or one should even say "first nature".What you used to call failure becomes an opportunity to learn a lesson and move forward to still further success - "a blessing in disguise". One nice thing about Success Mindset is that ANYONE can acquire it, never mind whether some people are "more gifted" than others. It simply can be built and nurtured by any human being. And Success Mindset is based on what I call the "Success Mindset Tripod (TM)":- gratitude- purpose- faith In other articles, we examine - how an attitude of gratitude enables you to be at peace with both your past and your "already visualized" future; - how a sense of purpose is what you need to control your destiny and define your own future; - how faith is at once the vehicle, the fuel and... the bridge between your past, your present, and your future. We also talk about the tools you will use for your Success Mindset building, such as self-talk, affirmations, visualizations, goalsetting, etc. and much, much more. Meanwhile, don't allow your "Success Mindset Tripod (TM)" to wobble and crash down. Let it proudly stand on its three sturdy legs.- Cultivate gratitude: whatever your present situation, it certainly might have been worse, - Strengthen your sense of purpose by being crystal-clear about what you want, - Nurture your faith, if only faith in yourself.Or... will you just idly sit by and powerlessly watch as your Magnificent Dream explodes, with bits and pieces hurtling down the bottomless pit of abject failure? "Don't walk sideways, breast your way through life!"
"Walk away from the 97% crowd. Don't use their excuses. Take charge of your own life." -- Jim Rohn. Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to get whatever they want?
In fact there's nothing mysterious about it. You, too can quickly get whatever you want ...and enjoy it, too - it's all a matter of mindset, success mindset. Start now, and build your own Success Mindset!To begin with: Work on yourself. Examine your mind. What are your deep-seated beliefs on yourself?The best way to find out is to discover the limitations you set for yourself, which are the result of your self-concept i.e. the way you "see" yourself.. For example if you decide to do something, like lose weight, or get up earlier, or work more etc. do you find it easy or is there a "little voice" inside you that keeps whispering to you: "No, you're just wasting your time, you'll never make it...."? Those are the limitations you have imposed upon yourself throughout your life.Most probably, the seeds were planted in your mind since childhood and, over time, have taken on the disguise of reality. Childhood programming and associations grew up with you and were nurtured, seemingly confirmed, by successive failures throughout your life. And things will go on like this until the day when you stand up, stamp your foot, and say: "No! No! No!" You've just realized that there is no fatality in life!Those beliefs on yourself, which you thought you were "born with", were in fact acquired from your childhood on and gradually built up to constitute your "personality traits."There is now scientific evidence that "you can get to the deepest part of your mind and program your belief system with affirmations, visualizations, prayer" (if you feel so inclined), and thus create a new reality for yourself.You can "introduce other patterns of belief into the subconscious and unconscious areas of your mind". This is something within your power. You can decide to do it and then proceed to do it. NOW YOU KNOW, and this puts you high above Jim Rohn's "97% crowd"!And you can deliberately program your mind for success, it's like installing the Success Mindset software. Yes, Success Mindset is really like software. Your mind is programmed for success. It is framed in such a way that you always get whatever you want. Success is no longer accidental or occasional. It has become second nature to you - or one should even say "first nature".What you used to call failure becomes an opportunity to learn a lesson and move forward to still further success - "a blessing in disguise". One nice thing about Success Mindset is that ANYONE can acquire it, never mind whether some people are "more gifted" than others. It simply can be built and nurtured by any human being. And Success Mindset is based on what I call the "Success Mindset Tripod (TM)":- gratitude- purpose- faith In other articles, we examine - how an attitude of gratitude enables you to be at peace with both your past and your "already visualized" future; - how a sense of purpose is what you need to control your destiny and define your own future; - how faith is at once the vehicle, the fuel and... the bridge between your past, your present, and your future. We also talk about the tools you will use for your Success Mindset building, such as self-talk, affirmations, visualizations, goalsetting, etc. and much, much more. Meanwhile, don't allow your "Success Mindset Tripod (TM)" to wobble and crash down. Let it proudly stand on its three sturdy legs.- Cultivate gratitude: whatever your present situation, it certainly might have been worse, - Strengthen your sense of purpose by being crystal-clear about what you want, - Nurture your faith, if only faith in yourself.Or... will you just idly sit by and powerlessly watch as your Magnificent Dream explodes, with bits and pieces hurtling down the bottomless pit of abject failure? "Don't walk sideways, breast your way through life!"
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
8 Success Secrets from Motivational Experts
The views on success of many of the nation's top motivational speakers and authors can be summarized into 8 success secrets. These ideas were taken from interviews with 15 of the nation's top motivational speakers and authors, including motivational speaker Brian Tracy, authors Les Brown and Dr. Wayne Dyer, sales motivator Mike Ferry, seminar leader Patricia Fripp, and "Chicken Soup" authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.
This is an effort to study how successful people think and uncover what drives them. If you truly understand their belief systems, levels of commitment and positive attitudes toward life--and integrate these ways of thinking into your own belief system--you should be able to succeed at anything you put your mind to.
This lesson will answer those questions.
1. Take 100 percent responsibility for your life
In a society where people blame everything from their parents to the government for their failure to get ahead in life, these men and women refused to buy into the mentality that says "I could succeed if only it weren't for _____."
They realized that when you say someone or something outside of yourself is preventing you from succeeding, you're giving away your power to that someone or something. You're saying, "You have more control over my life than I do!"
Successful people don't buy into this victim thinking. Rather, their personal credo is "If it's to be, it's up to me!"
Example of Les Brown
Consider Les Brown. Abandoned by his parents at birth and labeled "educable mentally retarded" by his schoolteachers, he had every reason for giving up on himself and his dreams. But when a high school teacher told him "Someone else's opinion of you does not have to become your reality," Brown realized in that moment that his future lay in his own hands. He went on to become a state legislator and author, and today earns $20,000 per hour as one of America's top motivational speakers.
What Brown understood was that there are certain things in life you can't control, such as nature, the past and other people. But there are things you absolutely can control, such as your thoughts and your actions. Taking 100 percent responsibility for your life is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself.
2. Live your life "on purpose"
Perhaps what separates these motivational superstars from others more than anything else is that they live their lives "on purpose." That is, they are doing what they believe they were put here to do.
Dyer has purpose
Professional public speakers will tell you that the time they feel most alive is when they are on stage, connecting with an audience. Says Wayne Dyer, "Having a sense of purpose in your life is the most important element of becoming a fully functioning person!"
The difference between living your life on purpose and not living it on purpose is like night and day. The latter consists of simply getting through the week with the least amount of problems while expending just enough effort to get by.
Do the job now
But, when you live your life on purpose, your main concern is doing the job right. You love what you do--and it shows. Your conviction is as evident as it is persuasive. And you will find that people want to do business with you because they sense your commitment to giving your all.
Mike Ferry found purpose
How do you live your life on purpose? By finding a cause you believe in and creating a business around it.
For example, Mike Ferry, who was once a top salesperson selling audiotape programs, believed realtors needed help developing sales skills. So he started The Mike Ferry Organization, a seminar and training company for the real estate industry. Today, he earns more than $10 million a year from seminar and product sales. Like Ferry, once you get your life on purpose and focus on providing value for others, the money will take care of itself.
3. Be willing to pay the price for your dreams
Wanting a big house, a luxury car or a million dollars in the bank is all very nice, but the problem is that practically everyone wants these things. The question then is, "Are you willing to pay the price to get them?"
This is one of the major differences between the successful and the unsuccessful. Successful men and women find out what it's going to cost to make their dream come true. Then they find a way to make it happen. Most importantly, they don't complain about the work it takes to achieve their dreams.
Les Brown says he has a callus on his left ear. Why? "When I decided to get into speaking, I had no credentials, no reputation, no credibility and no experience. So I had to call a lot of people," Brown explains. "I called over a hundred people a day, day in and day out, to ask for an opportunity to speak to their group. This callus is worth several million dollars!"
You can get practically anything you want in life--if you are willing to pay the price.
4. Stay focused
Every day, we are bombarded with hundreds of tasks, messages and people all competing for our time. This is why the ability to focus on your goal is so critical to achieving it. Focusing requires giving up some things in the present because you know the time invested will pay off big-time down the road.
Chicken Soup efforts
When Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen compiled their first Chicken Soup for the Soul book, they were turned down by 30 publishers. But instead of giving up, they stayed focused on their goal. "We did three to four radio or newspaper or magazine interviews a day, five days a week, for a whole year," Canfield recalls. In every interview, they talked about why the country needed this book now more than ever.
Eventually, a small publisher called Health Communications Inc. decided to take a chance and publish the book. It not only became a number-one bestseller but also hatched an entire series of Chicken Soup books that have sold more than 10 million copies! That's the power staying focused on your goal can give you.
Focus on dreams
Spend as much of your day as you can focusing on achieving your goals and dreams. Every day, ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing right now bringing me closer to my goal?" If it's not, do something that will. Focusing is like any habit: the more you do it, the easier it gets.
5. Become an expert in your field
One striking factor about all 15 motivational speakers I interviewed is how seriously they take their profession. Their drive to be the best at what they do is phenomenal. They'll do almost anything if they think it will help improve their speaking skills.
Fripp took classes
For example, Patricia Fripp, who speaks to Fortune 500 executives on how to become more successful, took a comedy workshop and hired a private speech coach because she wanted to improve her speaking ability. Fripp did this after she had already been named "One of the Ten Most Electrifying Speakers in North America" by Meetings & Conventions magazine. To Fripp, being one of the best simply wasn't good enough; she wanted to be the best she could be.
What do you do?
If someone followed you around at your business all day with a video camera to make a how-to tape for people who want to do what you do, would it be a tape you'd be proud of? Or embarrassed about? If the latter, make the decision today to work toward being the best in your field. How? By studying the experts. The quickest way to become successful is to find out what the best are doing, then do what they do.
6. Write out a plan for achieving your goals
Taking the time to write out an action plan, or map, for how you're going to achieve your goals is one of the best ways to get there faster.
Brian Tracy set goals
Brian Tracy, one of America's most successful business sales trainers and speakers, points out, "Goals that are not in writing are not goals at all. They are merely wishes or fantasies."
Need a map
Most people try to reach their goals without taking the time to write out an action plan. This is like trying to drive from Los Angeles to Denver without a map. Forget the fact that your odds of reaching your destination are extremely slim. The frustration and wasted time, energy and money will probably cause you to give up long before you get to the Rockies. With a map in hand, however, you'll not only enjoy the trip much more, but you're also virtually assured of arriving at your destination in the shortest time possible.
7. Never give up
It may sound simple, even obvious, but when you're truly committed to achieving your goal, giving up isn't even an option. You must be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Dyer never gave up
In the mid-1970s, Wayne Dyer quit his job as a professor at Wayne State University to promote his new book, Your Erroneous Zones. However, no major talk show would book the then unknown Dyer. Did he give up? Not on your life. He loaded his car from floor to roof with hundreds of copies of his book, and then spent a year on the road traveling from small town to small town and appearing on any radio or TV talk show that would have him.
Once on the air, Dyer would give out the number of the local bookstore and say that his book was available there. After the interview, he'd quickly drive over to that bookstore, where the manager would say, "Oh, you're Wayne Dyer? We've been getting lots of calls for your book!" Dyer would reply, "Well, I have a case in the car--would you like some?" "Oh, yes! And would you sign some while you're here?"
By the end of the year, The Tonight Show was calling him. And by the end of the 1970s, Your Erroneous Zones had become the number-one best-selling nonfiction book of the entire decade. This is what the power of perseverance can do for you.
8. Don't delay
In his book Live Your Dreams, Les Brown recalls talking on the phone one day with a friend named Marion. The very next day, Marion's husband called to tell Brown she had died.
A few days later, Les was helping the husband clean out Marion's office when he came across some notes for a play she had been working on. Unfortunately, the play would never be published. Marion was the only one who knew how it was supposed to end, and now she was gone.
The lesson here is that Marion didn't know how much time she had left to accomplish her dreams, and neither do you or I. We must remember that we don't have forever. The clock is ticking, there are no time-outs, and sooner or later your number is going to be called. Top achievers know this, but rather than seeing it as something negative or depressing, they use it to spur them on to go after what they want as energetically and as passionately as possible.
This is an effort to study how successful people think and uncover what drives them. If you truly understand their belief systems, levels of commitment and positive attitudes toward life--and integrate these ways of thinking into your own belief system--you should be able to succeed at anything you put your mind to.
This lesson will answer those questions.
1. Take 100 percent responsibility for your life
In a society where people blame everything from their parents to the government for their failure to get ahead in life, these men and women refused to buy into the mentality that says "I could succeed if only it weren't for _____."
They realized that when you say someone or something outside of yourself is preventing you from succeeding, you're giving away your power to that someone or something. You're saying, "You have more control over my life than I do!"
Successful people don't buy into this victim thinking. Rather, their personal credo is "If it's to be, it's up to me!"
Example of Les Brown
Consider Les Brown. Abandoned by his parents at birth and labeled "educable mentally retarded" by his schoolteachers, he had every reason for giving up on himself and his dreams. But when a high school teacher told him "Someone else's opinion of you does not have to become your reality," Brown realized in that moment that his future lay in his own hands. He went on to become a state legislator and author, and today earns $20,000 per hour as one of America's top motivational speakers.
What Brown understood was that there are certain things in life you can't control, such as nature, the past and other people. But there are things you absolutely can control, such as your thoughts and your actions. Taking 100 percent responsibility for your life is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself.
2. Live your life "on purpose"
Perhaps what separates these motivational superstars from others more than anything else is that they live their lives "on purpose." That is, they are doing what they believe they were put here to do.
Dyer has purpose
Professional public speakers will tell you that the time they feel most alive is when they are on stage, connecting with an audience. Says Wayne Dyer, "Having a sense of purpose in your life is the most important element of becoming a fully functioning person!"
The difference between living your life on purpose and not living it on purpose is like night and day. The latter consists of simply getting through the week with the least amount of problems while expending just enough effort to get by.
Do the job now
But, when you live your life on purpose, your main concern is doing the job right. You love what you do--and it shows. Your conviction is as evident as it is persuasive. And you will find that people want to do business with you because they sense your commitment to giving your all.
Mike Ferry found purpose
How do you live your life on purpose? By finding a cause you believe in and creating a business around it.
For example, Mike Ferry, who was once a top salesperson selling audiotape programs, believed realtors needed help developing sales skills. So he started The Mike Ferry Organization, a seminar and training company for the real estate industry. Today, he earns more than $10 million a year from seminar and product sales. Like Ferry, once you get your life on purpose and focus on providing value for others, the money will take care of itself.
3. Be willing to pay the price for your dreams
Wanting a big house, a luxury car or a million dollars in the bank is all very nice, but the problem is that practically everyone wants these things. The question then is, "Are you willing to pay the price to get them?"
This is one of the major differences between the successful and the unsuccessful. Successful men and women find out what it's going to cost to make their dream come true. Then they find a way to make it happen. Most importantly, they don't complain about the work it takes to achieve their dreams.
Les Brown says he has a callus on his left ear. Why? "When I decided to get into speaking, I had no credentials, no reputation, no credibility and no experience. So I had to call a lot of people," Brown explains. "I called over a hundred people a day, day in and day out, to ask for an opportunity to speak to their group. This callus is worth several million dollars!"
You can get practically anything you want in life--if you are willing to pay the price.
4. Stay focused
Every day, we are bombarded with hundreds of tasks, messages and people all competing for our time. This is why the ability to focus on your goal is so critical to achieving it. Focusing requires giving up some things in the present because you know the time invested will pay off big-time down the road.
Chicken Soup efforts
When Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen compiled their first Chicken Soup for the Soul book, they were turned down by 30 publishers. But instead of giving up, they stayed focused on their goal. "We did three to four radio or newspaper or magazine interviews a day, five days a week, for a whole year," Canfield recalls. In every interview, they talked about why the country needed this book now more than ever.
Eventually, a small publisher called Health Communications Inc. decided to take a chance and publish the book. It not only became a number-one bestseller but also hatched an entire series of Chicken Soup books that have sold more than 10 million copies! That's the power staying focused on your goal can give you.
Focus on dreams
Spend as much of your day as you can focusing on achieving your goals and dreams. Every day, ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing right now bringing me closer to my goal?" If it's not, do something that will. Focusing is like any habit: the more you do it, the easier it gets.
5. Become an expert in your field
One striking factor about all 15 motivational speakers I interviewed is how seriously they take their profession. Their drive to be the best at what they do is phenomenal. They'll do almost anything if they think it will help improve their speaking skills.
Fripp took classes
For example, Patricia Fripp, who speaks to Fortune 500 executives on how to become more successful, took a comedy workshop and hired a private speech coach because she wanted to improve her speaking ability. Fripp did this after she had already been named "One of the Ten Most Electrifying Speakers in North America" by Meetings & Conventions magazine. To Fripp, being one of the best simply wasn't good enough; she wanted to be the best she could be.
What do you do?
If someone followed you around at your business all day with a video camera to make a how-to tape for people who want to do what you do, would it be a tape you'd be proud of? Or embarrassed about? If the latter, make the decision today to work toward being the best in your field. How? By studying the experts. The quickest way to become successful is to find out what the best are doing, then do what they do.
6. Write out a plan for achieving your goals
Taking the time to write out an action plan, or map, for how you're going to achieve your goals is one of the best ways to get there faster.
Brian Tracy set goals
Brian Tracy, one of America's most successful business sales trainers and speakers, points out, "Goals that are not in writing are not goals at all. They are merely wishes or fantasies."
Need a map
Most people try to reach their goals without taking the time to write out an action plan. This is like trying to drive from Los Angeles to Denver without a map. Forget the fact that your odds of reaching your destination are extremely slim. The frustration and wasted time, energy and money will probably cause you to give up long before you get to the Rockies. With a map in hand, however, you'll not only enjoy the trip much more, but you're also virtually assured of arriving at your destination in the shortest time possible.
7. Never give up
It may sound simple, even obvious, but when you're truly committed to achieving your goal, giving up isn't even an option. You must be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Dyer never gave up
In the mid-1970s, Wayne Dyer quit his job as a professor at Wayne State University to promote his new book, Your Erroneous Zones. However, no major talk show would book the then unknown Dyer. Did he give up? Not on your life. He loaded his car from floor to roof with hundreds of copies of his book, and then spent a year on the road traveling from small town to small town and appearing on any radio or TV talk show that would have him.
Once on the air, Dyer would give out the number of the local bookstore and say that his book was available there. After the interview, he'd quickly drive over to that bookstore, where the manager would say, "Oh, you're Wayne Dyer? We've been getting lots of calls for your book!" Dyer would reply, "Well, I have a case in the car--would you like some?" "Oh, yes! And would you sign some while you're here?"
By the end of the year, The Tonight Show was calling him. And by the end of the 1970s, Your Erroneous Zones had become the number-one best-selling nonfiction book of the entire decade. This is what the power of perseverance can do for you.
8. Don't delay
In his book Live Your Dreams, Les Brown recalls talking on the phone one day with a friend named Marion. The very next day, Marion's husband called to tell Brown she had died.
A few days later, Les was helping the husband clean out Marion's office when he came across some notes for a play she had been working on. Unfortunately, the play would never be published. Marion was the only one who knew how it was supposed to end, and now she was gone.
The lesson here is that Marion didn't know how much time she had left to accomplish her dreams, and neither do you or I. We must remember that we don't have forever. The clock is ticking, there are no time-outs, and sooner or later your number is going to be called. Top achievers know this, but rather than seeing it as something negative or depressing, they use it to spur them on to go after what they want as energetically and as passionately as possible.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)