Dare to Say "Yes!"

By Patrick Mahan

If you want to be right 90% of the time, then say "No" to every new idea.

But don't expect to grow or move forward or reach new heights.

Think back to all the times in your life when you felt most fulfilled. Think about your greatest achievements and happiest moments...

Chances are, those moments were only realized because you said "Yes!" to something.

Is there a decision you've been putting off?

Are you stuck in a rut, saying: "Someday I'll do this... Or someday I'll do that"?

Every day you choose NOT to take action, you are essentially saying "no."  You have a calling or an urge or a desire, but what are you doing to advance it and set it in motion?

Nothing. Or at least not today. Maybe tomorrow? Maybe someday I'll take that first step.

But at some point, don't we have to say to ourselves: "Someday is either NOW ... or never."

Do you have something weighing on your mind? Something pulling you in the direction of your dreams? What if today you stopped saying "no" and instead dared to say "Yes!"?

6 Steps to Turn a Wish into Reality

By Patrick Mahan
In order to turn your wishes into reality, it's important to understand the evolution of a wish.
Step 1 = WISH 
Everything begins with a wish. A thought enters your head such as, “I wish I had a new house.” A wish is an important first step, but a wish is weak.
Step 2 = DESIRE
A wish must evolve into a desire. The stronger the desire, the more likely you are to achieve it. Look at the word desire, de- (meaning from), sire (meaning father). So, in a spiritual sense, a desire comes "from the Father". When a wish pops into your head, believe that it wouldn't have popped into your head unless you had the power to achieve it. To give your wish strength, you must emotionalize it. Emotions provide the fuel to mobilize your wish. Charge it with emotions until it becomes a burning desire, something you crave.
Step 3 = INTENTION
The next stage is Intention. Once you have a burning desire, you must set a clear intention. “I intend to purchase a new house.” An intention is an anticipated outcome. It is a strong declaration. At this stage, you have fully internalized and visualized the accomplishment coming to pass.
Step 4 = CONVICTION 
In the courtroom, you need EVIDENCE to get a conviction. It's the same in life. In order to achieve your dreams, you must turn your "weak wishes" into "strong convictions". At this stage, you are firm in your belief. So firm that you carry forward despite what others may say to dissuade you. You'll need strong supporting evidence (past successes, examples from your own life and the lives of others, that this goal is possible to achieve). In 1954, Roger Bannister become the first person EVER to run a mile in under 4 minutes. But then, within a year, 20 more people broke the 4-minute mile barrier. The barrier wasn't physical. Like most things, it was mental. Once Bannister presented "evidence" that it could be done, others were then filled with a conviction that they could do it too. And they did.
Step 5 = INSPIRATION
The final stage in the evolution of a wish—leading to fulfillment—is inspiration. When you reach this stage, your wish has fully matured. Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “Motivation is when you grab hold of an idea and carry it through to the end. But inspiration is when an idea grabs hold of you and carries YOU through to the end.”  You must be fully inspired to make your dreams a reality.
Step 6 = FULFILLMENT
This is where you take ownership of your “gift” and most importantly… show gratitude. You'll find the more gratitude you show, the more wishes will be fulfilled.

Risks and Rewards

By Patrick Mahan

Next time you're presented with an opportunity, weigh the risks and rewards and ask yourself if the juice is worth the squeeze. But don't over-analyze. And don't get caught in the "analysis paralysis" trap where the decision churns inside your head until the opportunity evaporates.

Think back to your most glorious moments in life... Chances are they came as the result of you taking a risk. Rather than saying "no" or "I'll pass" or doing nothing and playing it safe, you said "Yes!" and took a leap of faith.

There's an old saying: If you want to pick the fruit, then you've got to go out on a limb. So don't stand there with the bat on your shoulder. Swing away! Just be disciplined enough not to swing at bad pitches.

Do you find this to be true? If you think about the best things that have happened to you, can those things be traced back to a moment when you took some sort of risk?

If you're facing a decision today - and are worried about the risks involved - remember those moments from your past when you said "Yes!", followed your passion, trusted your intuition, and stepped out in faith. It seems often times the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

Was Life Really Simpler in the 50's?

By Patrick Mahan

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time to when life was much simpler? Like back to the 1950s, when everything was black and white. There were no cell phones, no email, no text messages, no worries.

Wouldn't it be nice if life were still care-free and simple like it was back then... in the good ole days?

Consider this...

"Very few people today know how to relax... Each day is filled with work, engagements and no time to relax. Even when people take time off to go to a movie they usually want an exciting one, thus gaining more excitement for their already overworked nervous systems... These people find that after they retire to bed their active minds will not let them rest... we are burning the candle at both ends. We do not know how to let go of our anxieties... In this present century, man has forgotten how to live, how to enjoy the simple things in life."

Sound familiar? Those words could've been written yesterday. They're a pretty clear description of life in 2012, don't you think?

But those words were actually written by author Albert E. Cliffe in a book published in... 1951.

Isn't it strange how our perception of the 50's is so much different?

Here are a few observations I'd like to share:

1. I think the reality is that everything is relative. And everything is a matter of perception. Each generation thinks they have it worse than the last. People naturally want to believe their situation is unique. People over-analyze and over-exaggerate things that are happening to THEM. People think the grass is always greener on the other side.

2. If the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence, then maybe you should stop staring at their grass and start watering yours.

3. Worries, troubles and anxiety don't seem nearly as bad when they are happening to someone else, right? So if you find yourself full of anxiety, try stepping outside of yourself. Look at the problem from a 3rd person perspective.

4. Gratitude is the ultimate antidote to anxiety. What if you spent just 2 minutes each night after dinner dwelling on the things you are grateful for? Do you think that could have a pretty significant cumulative effect on your quality of life? Many, many years ago, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius said, "The quality of your thoughts determine the quality of your life." That timeless advice holds true still today.

What do you think? Why do we perceive times gone by as the "good ole days"? Is life today really as stressful as we make it out to be?

Best-selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer says it best, "There really is no such thing as stress, only people thinking stressful thoughts."

The good news is, most problems are not problems in reality but problems in perception. And you have the power to change your perception in an instant.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

By Patrick Mahan

Do you plan, prepare, analyze and assess, but then have a hard time pulling the trigger?

It's easy to get stuck in what General George Patton called the "ready, aim, aim, aim" mentality. Or what others have called "analysis paralysis".

This is a pretty cool picture and a good reminder that you don't have to see the whole staircase... sometimes you just have to step out in faith and go for it!

Each step you take reveals the next step. But we all know the first step is the hardest. It often requires that you break out of your comfort zone and overcome the inertia of standing still. The good news is... inertia works both ways. Yes, it's hard to get going, but once you create that initial momentum, then the effort to keep going gets easier and easier.

Think about best-selling authors... earning a spot on the best-seller list is hard. But once they earn the label "best-selling author," then subsequent best-sellers seem to come much easier. James Patterson is a great example. His first manuscript was rejected over 30 times! Now it seems he has a new best-seller every week! But when Patterson submitted his first manuscript, he had no idea that he would become one of the most commercially successful fiction writers of all-time. But it wouldn't have happened had he not taken that first step.

I wrote another blog post based on Zig Ziglar's advice: "You can't wait for all the lights to turn green before heading to town." Both principles are similar and speak to the idea that the "perfect moment" rarely presents itself. If you spend your life waiting for everything to line up just right, then you may be waiting a long time!

So, I'm curious... have you ever done something where you just said, "Hell with it! I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm just gonna go for it!" How did it turn out?

Photo by www.chalkthoughts.com

Don't Let Your Phone Dictate Your Day

By Patrick Mahan

In the old days, when people rolled out of bed, the first thing they did was shuffle to the bathroom, wash their face, brush their teeth, and get ready for the day.

But times have changed. These days, it seems the first thing people do each morning is grab their PHONE and check emails, texts, voice messages and of course, Facebook.

Do you do this? Be honest. I've certainly done it more than once.

But my question is this... wouldn't it make more sense to set YOUR course for the day FIRST before reading, reacting and responding to what others are saying, thinking, doing and wanting?

If the first thing you do each morning is check your "inbox", then you are allowing it (the contents waiting inside) to dictate your day, your actions - and often - your mood. You become reactive rather than proactive.

Consider setting your sails (agenda) first thing each morning. Or even better... the night before. Then, set a time to check your inbox(es) later in the morning AFTER you've set your course for the day and AFTER you've accomplished something on your list.

Otherwise, you'll find yourself constantly playing catch-up. And at the END of the day, what will you find? You'll find that you've helped everyone else check items off THEIR To-Do List, but you haven't made a dent in your OWN To-Do List!

So before reaching for that cell phone, decide what you want/need to accomplish today. Sketch out a game plan. And evaluate your progress at the end of each day. This is the only way to know if you're moving forward, backward or standing still.

Other people will knock you off course - if you let them. They have their own agendas, their own wants, needs, stories, comments and concerns. Don't get wrapped up in other people's stuff first thing in the morning. (This includes reading the newspaper, which can really ruin your day!)

Is this selfish? Not at all. It's like the advice they give you on airplanes... "Put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others." If you put "first things first", set a plan for your day - and cross something off your list first thing each morning - then, you'll find that you have more time and more energy to help not only yourself, but others as well.

Why We Defend Our First Impressions

By Patrick Mahan

"If the first grape you eat is bitter, then you will not bother eating grapes again. If the first grape you eat is a sweet one, then you will be willing to eat a lot of bitter grapes in search of another sweet one."

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But we all do.

Every day, we make snap judgments and form opinions of people within minutes of meeting them for the first time. And right or wrong, the first impression is usually the lasting impression.

Now here’s where it gets interesting... If your first impression of someone is favorable, then you create a positive filter for that person. And from that point forward, your future encounters with that person will be viewed through that positive filter (like looking through a clean “lens”).  

But what happens when that person behaves in a way that CONTRADICTS your positive first impression of them? You defend and rationalize their behavior, right? Have you ever found yourself doing that?

What’s interesting is that it’s NOT the person you are defending, but rather your OWN judgment of that person that you are defending.

For example, you meet someone and label him as a nice guy. Then, the following week, you witness Mr. Nice Guy being rude and hateful towards a waitress. Your tendency is to make the excuse that this “nice” guy must be having a really bad day.

But why would you rationalize his behavior?

Because his behavior is incongruent with your judgment. He is violating the positive filter that you created for him. In other words, he is “dirtying your lens”. And this makes you feel uneasy. So you want to clean the lens!

How do you clean the lens? By making up an excuse. An excuse that rationalizes his behavior and makes you feel better. Now you no longer feel like an incompetent judge of character. Problem solved, right? Not necessarily.

What happens if their bad behavior becomes persistent? You might have to admit that you were wrong about this person. After all, you can only make excuses for someone for so long. If you’re in a relationship with this person (whether it’s personal or business), then your unwillingness to abandon your first impression and form a NEW impression of this person could end up hurting you.

So don’t fall into the trap of rationalizing someone’s behavior if their bad behavior becomes persistent. Be willing to admit that your first impression might have been wrong and don’t let your ego get in the way. Keep an open mind and look for consistent patterns in their behavior over an extended period of time.

Key Take-aways:

1. Don’t let the power of first impressions cloud your judgment. Look for consistent patterns in a person’s behavior. And if their consistent behavior contradicts your initial impression, then change your impression.

2. Because first impressions are so powerful and lasting, make sure you are doing everything you can to create a positive first impression of yourself in the eyes of others. If you make a mistake or drop the ball, the person will be much more forgiving if their first impression of you was positive.
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“A warehouse of psychological research suggests that once people form a belief, they selectively seek, collect, and interpret new data in ways to verify their opinion. This distorting cognitive confirmation bias makes such personal convictions resistant to change, even in the face of contradicting evidence.” – Scientific American Mind, 2005, Volume 16, Number 2.
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Success vs. Happiness

By Patrick Mahan

There's a BIG difference between success and happiness.

Happy people are grateful for what they have.  Successful people are driven by what they're going to get.

Successful people worry about what's NEXT... happy people embrace what's NOW.

This concept of Success versus Happiness is a tough quandary. Sort of a Catch-22.

Why?

The Importance of Keeping It Simple, Stupid!

By Patrick Mahan
Because it’s Valentine’s Day, the KISS principle seemed like a good topic to wrap our arms around.
You’ve heard of the KISS principle, right?  “Keep it simple, stupid.”
But do you know where the phrase originated?
And -- most importantly -- do you know how can it help YOU become more efficient and achieve better results in less time than ever before?
The acronym was created by Kelly Johnson, an engineer at Lockheed Martin and lead designer of some of the most famous military aircrafts.

Johnson understood the importance of keeping his designs as simple as possible, but he was not suggesting that people are stupid. As the story goes, Johnson handed his engineers a box of tools and challenged them to design an aircraft that could be easily repaired by an average mechanic under intense combat conditions using only these tools.

In the same way, it’s important to keep your goals and solutions as simple as possible because, as we all know, things are easier said than done. It’s one thing to write out your goals and strategic plans on paper... but it’s an entirely different challenge to actually follow through and execute those plans.

Therefore, as the KISS principle suggests, simplicity should be the #1 consideration when designing your systems, goals, plans and solutions because ultimately, the simplicity of your plan has the greatest influence on your success or failure.

In 1142, William of Ockham, a famous British philosopher said, "The simplest and most direct solution, requiring the fewest number of steps, is usually the correct solution to any problem."

"The more complicated the solution, the less likely it is ever to be implemented and the longer it takes to achieve results." - Brian Tracy

"It seems that perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exuper

Have you set your goals and plans for 2012?
If so, take another look.  Is there anything you can simplify? Can you break down your plans into smaller steps? Can you eliminate some of the steps all together?
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KISS_principle

Don’t Wait for All the Lights to Turn Green

By Patrick Mahan

Goal setting is one of the most important, yet difficult steps toward achieving success. Goals give you clarity and a sense of direction. They lift the fog and give you a feeling of control over your life instead of drifting aimlessly from one day to the next, like a sailboat without sails.

Goals empower you and bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. But setting goals is one of the hardest things most people face. It's not difficult once you get started, but getting started is where most people fail.

Abraham Lincoln said, "The only way to fail is to quit." You could also say, "The only other way to fail is to never begin."

There are many reasons why people don't set goals...

Don't Like How You Feel? Turn the Dial.

By Patrick Mahan‎

"There's no such thing as stress; only people thinking stressful thoughts." - Wayne Dyer

Whatever negative emotions you may be experiencing right now are the result of your most dominant thoughts. Your thoughts (the images and inner-dialogue going on inside your head) determine your emotions and the way you feel.

If you don't like the way you feel, then here's the antidote... start dwelling on something else! Your mind can only focus on one thing at a time. And you can only experience one emotion at a time.

Think about this... a radio can only play one song at a time. Some songs make you feel happy, some songs make you feel sad. What happens when a song comes on that you don't like? You push a button and switch songs. And you keep pushing that button until you find a song that you like. One that makes you feel better.

In the same way, when a thought or emotion pops in your head, and you don't like the way it makes you feel, then just "change the song". Switch channels.

Of course you can't run from and ignore all negative thoughts. But here's the thing... most of the things you worry about are out of your control, so if it's out of your control then it does no good to worry about it. And 2, most of the things people worry about never come to pass.

Motivating from the Inside-Out

By Patrick Mahan

"If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."

This is a powerful quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a writer, poet and aviator from France that lived in the early 1900's.

And it's one of the keys to motivating your employees, your kids or anyone else. It deals with the powerful distinction between INTRINSIC vs. EXTRINSIC motivation.

Intrinsic motivation refers to motivation that is driven by an interest or enjoyment in the task itself, and exists within the individual rather than relying on any external pressure. Intrinsic Motivation is based on taking pleasure in an activity rather than working towards an external reward (wikipedia).

For example, if you tell your kid to clean his room, you'll probably meet some resistance. But, if you suggest that he cleans his room so that he'll have more room to play with his new toys... then you've created an INTRINSIC drive to clean the room. Just like in the quote above, you're inspiring the people "to long for the endless immensity of the sea" rather than just assigning them tasks to build a ship.

How Can This Help Your Business?

Slay Your Next Job Interview with One Killer Question!

By Patrick Mahan

Suppose you could take charge in your next interview by asking one, simple question that could dramatically increase your chances of landing the job?

A question powerful enough to not only take control of the interview, but also the mind of the interviewer!

The principles behind this question are derived from some of the hypnotic language patterns of NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming). They include embedded commands, future pacing and elements of conversational hypnosis.

Next time you find yourself in a job interview, begin -- as always -- by establishing rapport.  This can be achieved using NLP techniques such as: mirror matching, pacing, leading, etc.

During this initial phase, the most important thing to remember about rapport is this... People like people who are like themselves. Similarity and commonality are strong psychological influencers.  So the more you can demonstrate that you are like (or similar) to the interviewer, the more he/she will like you back.

So you've established rapport and are nearing the end of the interview. Now here's the script, including the set-up, followed by the million-dollar question...

Inspiring Yourself to Greater Health

Americans spend over $6 billion each year on health and fitness products. Yet, over 60% of the population is considered overweight!

So what's the deal?

You've tried every diet, read all the magazine articles, purchased all the work-out videos, but you're still overweight and out of shape! What's going on?

Well, maybe you're missing the key ingredient... Maybe you're missing the one thing that will get you off the couch, out of the house and into the gym. And what is that one thing?

It's inspiration.

If you don't have the drive, the motive or the inspiration to produce results, then you'll always be stuck in neutral—thinking, planning and wishing—but never taking action. Inspiration is that inner-calling that compels you to move out of your comfort zone and into an area where you can begin to create optimal results.

Bottom line... Inspiration is the electricity that powers your mind and body into action!

Without inspiration coursing through your blood, you're about as powerful as an unplugged lamp!

So how do you get inspired?

Read on...

1. AWARENESS:

The decision to get healthy requires a commitment to changing your lifestyle and your behaviors. And AWARENESS is always the first step.

90% of overcoming a problem is admitting you have one.

Get honest with yourself and examine your current lifestyle. If you don't like how you look or feel then do something about it! The good news is, there are countless tools, strategies and resources available to help. But you have to be aware of these two things:

1. You must WANT to change,
2. There are resources to help you do it.

If you want to get results, you've got to get started. They say,"Knowledge is Power" ... but knowledge by itself isn't enough. You know you should eat better and exercise more often, but simply knowing will not create the kind of lasting change you want and deserve.

In other words, knowledge without action is useless.

You can spend thousands of dollars and countless hours on exercise programs and diet plans—filling your head with all the latest knowledge—but unless you take immediate action, you're just wasting time and money.

Stop spinning your wheels. Set a goal for yourself and take some sort of action today. Remember, the first step is the most important one. Just get out of the house and start moving. You can begin by simply walking around the block! It doesn't have to be something drastic right now, the key is simply to begin. Realize there is great power in momentum. Once you get the ball rolling, good things can and will happen.

2. EXAMINE YOUR LIFESTYLE

Stop for a moment and examine your life as it is right now.

What direction is your present lifestyle taking you? Is that where you want to go? If you follow along this same path, what will you be like 10 years from now? Will you be happy, healthy, and energetic?

If not, then stop now and adjust your course today.

Just imagine carrying this excess weight around for the next 10-20 years. Can you imagine the painful effect that will have on your body, organs, and emotions?

Consider this ... if you are 40 pounds overweight, that is equivalent to carrying two 20-pound dumbells around with you ALL DAY, EVERYWHERE you go. Can you imagine that? Well, essentially that's what you're doing! No wonder your back, knees and joints hurt!

Now imagine doing that for the next 20 years! I know it's a pretty frightening picture of the future, but hopefully the image will inspire you to start taking better care of your body. If you don't, it will eventually break down. And unlike your car, you can't trade your body in for a new one.

3. MAKE A CHANGE

In the story of A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. These spirits take Scrooge on a tour of his life: past, present, and future. At the end of this journey through time, Scrooge realizes that unless he changes his ways, the future will be very grim. The spirits must have had some background in psychology because their method proved very effective! In one night they completely re-conditioned a man's behavior and lifestyle.

Of course this story is a work of fiction, but you can actually learn a valuable lesson from it to make quick and lasting changes in your own behavior.

If you continue to live an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, what will your life be like 15 years from now? Are you on the path to heart disease, diabetes, or even worse?

My intention is not to scare you, but unless you get leverage on yourself, you won't have the necessary drive to make a change. In other words, if your present behaviors are not supporting you, then figure out a way to generate new behaviors and thus new results.

How?

4. PROGRAMMING YOUR MIND FOR SUCCESS

Begin by linking up massive amounts of pain to your current behavior, just like the spirits did with Scrooge. For example, if you want to stop overeating, train your mind to associate pain and discomfort to that negative behavior. Your mind has a natural tendency to move away from pain and toward pleasure. This is a basic principle in human behavior. So if you truly believe that overeating will cause pain, then you'll stop overeating. But the belief must be strong and real.

How do you convince yourself? Start by making pictures in your mind. Your imagination is your most powerful tool.

Are you happy with the way you look when you get out of the shower? Does the image cause a little bit of pain or maybe some discomfort? If so, make that pain more intense. Tell yourself, "I've had enough and I'm not going to take it anymore!" This will inspire your brain to start moving in a new direction.

Now, picture your ideal self. Imagine how you will look and feel after dedicating yourself to a fitness and nutrition program. Go ahead, imagine right now looking in the mirror at your new strong, lean, and powerful body. How does it make you feel?

That picture probably feels a lot better than the first one, doesn't it?

Now, hold that image in your mind. Make the picture big and bright and full of detail and emotion. Once you replace the old picture of yourself with the new, empowering picture, then your mind will begin supporting you. It will begin moving toward your new ideal self, helping make it a reality!

The brain has amazing powers, but you have to take control of it. Start running your brain instead of letting your brain run you. It will do whatever you tell it to do. Just make sure your mental pictures and self-talk are supporting you in achieving your goals. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said...

"We become whatever we think about."

Why are you overweight and out of shape?

Simply put, weight gain is caused by ingesting more calories than you burn. When the imports outweigh the exports you're obviously "overstocking" your body. As a result, you gain weight. That's a simple answer regarding the physical aspects, but the purpose of this post is to examine the mental aspects. You see, right now your brain believes that eating foods that are fried, high in fat, and high in sugar will bring you pleasure.

Do you agree? Isn't it fun and pleasurable to eat a big piece of chocolate cake or maybe some fried chicken? Of course it is. And your brain wants to move towards foods and behaviors that make you feel good.

After all, the ultimate desire in life is the desire to feel good. But what you need to do is re-program your brain to see these foods as they really are... unhealthy. They're pushing you further and further away from your goal of achieving optimal health. They may bring you short-term pleasure, but our goal is to develop habits that will support long-term health. And as long as you place more emphasis on short-term pleasure than long-term health, you will continue to be overweight.

Now, I'm not saying that you can never eat a piece of cake, but learn to do it in moderation. Learn to read nutrition labels. Be aware of what you're putting into your body. And train your brain to believe that unhealthy foods will ultimately cause pain and discomfort down the road.

Remember... obesity, heart disease, diabetes... these are just some of the painful effects of unhealthy eating habits.

Bottom line... associate pleasure to good health and pain to sugary, high-fat foods. Constantly tell your brain that the emotion of eating food will NEVER overpower the emotion of looking and feeling great. If you adopt that mentality and truly believe it, then you'll be well on your way to achieving the results you want and the life you deserve!

What about you? Is there a bad habit you have overcome? How did you do it?

The Road to Happiness Begins with Gratitude

By Patrick Mahan

You can have all the money and all the material possessions in the world, but if you are not happy, then you might as well have nothing.

As Aristotle said, "Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” And the road to happiness begins with Gratitude.

Be thankful for what you already have and learn to be grateful for what God has already given you. Once you begin to show appreciation for what you have now, God will begin to bless you with more.

Think about it… if you continually give a person gifts and that person never shows their appreciation, what are the odds of you giving them more gifts? Very slim. However, if that person shows sincere gratitude, then you are more likely to continue giving them gifts, right?

God works the same way. The more gratitude you show, the more blessings you receive.

Whenever you have what seems to be a “problem”, try changing the channel in your mind and begin focusing on all the things you are grateful for. And take time to actually write these things down. Then dwell on these things until you make a strong, emotional connection.

Remember, your mind can only focus on one thing at a time. When you choose to focus on the reasons you are grateful, it is impossible to feel fear or anxiety because your body can only experience one emotion at a time.

I’m reminded of the Pilgrims who fought their way across the stormy Atlantic in wooden boats...

They suffered unimaginable horrors and diseases. They lost friends, family and loved ones. Yet, despite all the hardship, they still took time to bow their heads and give thanks to God.

And that timeless tradition became known as Thanksgiving.

If the Pilgrims could find something to be thankful for in the wake of their excruciating journey to America, then surely you can too!

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." ~ Epictetus (born c. 55 AD)

The Glass Ceiling of Success

By Patrick Mahan

A person will never exceed his own expectations.

Like a "Glass Ceiling," your expectations set the limits for your life. In other words, you typically get what you expect—positive or negative.

When you expand your vision, you stretch your faith. And faith is the catalyst for success.

The person who expects much, receives much. He who expects little receives little. Likewise, if you expect to prevail, then you will prevail. Your belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.

This simple principle applies to all areas of life. If you expect a customer to buy, they usually will buy. But if you expect them to say no, then they will probably say no. Another example: If you ask someone out on a date and expect them to say no, that's usually what happens.

People can sense your vibes. You project externally an energy that matches your internal emotions and attitude.

A common characteristic of successful people seems to be that they carry a confident expectancy. They “assume the sale.” They see what they want coming to pass. In their mind, they have already taken ownership.

Again, since we usually get what we expect, if you don’t expect much, then you won’t get much.

Successful people in all areas of life exude this confident expectancy. They get a clear picture of what they want fixed firmly in their mind and then their subconscious mind pursues that goal like a heat-seeking missile. They visualize reaching the goal in their mind and visualize themselves having already achieved that goal successfully.

Olympic athletes have used this principle for years. Not only do they visualize success, but they also give the image an emotional charge. In other words, they imagine how it will feel to accomplish their goal. This makes the vision real. It gives it legs. It creates an almost magical power that pulls them towards their target.

And this same power is available to you.

So raise your expectations and learn to visualize having already achieved your goal. Act as if you’ve already accomplished the task. Focus on your target, assume that you will hit the target and eliminate all other alternatives. Maintain a laser-focused, “tunnel-vision” as you race toward your goal. Exercise your faith. Have a “vision of victory.” Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, whatever you confidently expect usually comes to pass. So get in the habit of expecting great things from life!

"Your expectations opens or closes the doors of your supply. If you expect grand things, and work honestly for them, they will come to you, your supply will correspond with your expectation." - Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924)

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." - Bible (Mark 11:24)

Something to Look Forward to...

By Patrick Mahan

Humans are goal-striving organisms. We were designed to set, pursue and achieve goals. And when we act in accordance to our design, good things happen!

In contrast, when a person becomes uninspired to set, pursue and achieve goals, something entirely different happens. Since they are not acting in accordance to their design, they begin to experience "problems", discomfort, unhappiness and even depression.

These issues are caused by a lack of goals. When you feel that you have nothing to look forward to, naturally, that's when depression sets in.

To overcome this, you must create a compelling future for yourself.

How?

By finding stuff to look forward to.

Like what?

Vacations, movies, the weekend, time with friends and families, holidays, special events ... It can be anything big or small. But ultimately, it's up to you to create moments to look forward to. That's the key to feeling young, happy and fulfilled.

"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."

Have you ever noticed how often it seems that a person's health declines after retiring?

Why?

Because they have lost 4 important things:

1. a sense of purpose
2. something to look forward to
3. a routine
4. a regular sense of accomplishment

They no longer believe that they're growing. And when an organism is no longer growing, it's dying! The good news is, unlike other organisms, we have the ability to grow spiritually, mentally and emotionally long after our physical bodies have stopped growing. That means we can choose to keep growing our entire lives! But you have to make that chioce. It won't happen automatically.

Now, while goal setting is a key ingredient to success, be careful not to become overly obsessed with it. If we spend all of our time trying to get somewhere else, then we can never fully enjoy and appreciate where we are.

If you’re always driving forward at 100 mph, then it’s hard to appreciate the view!

Sometimes you just need to pull over, put the car in park and enjoy the scenery.

Overcoming the Negativity Virus

By Patrick Mahan

Negativity surrounds us. And now, more than ever, it seems we are constantly bombarded from every direction. Every time we pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, tune in the radio, log on to our computer, or engage in a conversation, the doom and gloom follows us like a black cloud.

There is no doubt this negativity has a crippling effect on our attitude and performance. It strangles our productivity, robs our peace of mind and adversely influences the way we deal with friends, family, colleagues and customers.

While the financial crisis and economic downturn is real, the level of fear it has spawned may be a bit excessive. After all, nothing is ever as bad as we imagine it in our minds.

“Our imagination can make things ten times more intense than anything we can experience in real life.” – Tony Robbins

Don’t give in to the “Negativity Virus” that is spreading throughout the world. And most importantly, don’t perpetuate it. Nothing good can come from spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt. This negative energy is CONTAGIOUS and the more we allow it to creep into our daily conversations, the stronger it becomes.

Another viral characteristic of Negativity is its tendency to mutate over time. How? It’s similar to the game Telephone we used to play as kids. Remember? Everyone sits in a circle and a secret is passed from one person to the next. And what always happens? By the time the secret has made its way around the entire room, the message has been completely distorted!

This same scenario plays out everyday across the world. Every news story is FILTERED as it passes from one person to the next until it becomes one distorted, embellished, “representation” of the truth.

In 1906, Orison Swett Marden, a pioneering author of success and motivation literature, enlightened us with this thought: 

“Whenever you are timid, inclined to express doubt, fear, or anxiety in any form, expel these destructive suggestions with their counter suggestions. You have the antidote - just the opposite thought.”

The Antidote to the “Negativity Virus”…

• Reduce or eliminate the time you spend watching the news and reading newspapers. Anyone who has watched an entire newscast knows that nearly 80% of the coverage is negative. Also, choose the homepage on your Internet browser wisely. You don’t want negative headlines flashing in your face every time you log on.
• Spend your drive time listening to audio programs that inspire, educate and empower you. Zig Ziglar calls this concept "Automobile University." In a year, the average driver can learn the equivalent of an entire semester’s worth of college classes.
• Guard Your Mind. Avoid negative people and avoid negative conversations. The “hot topic” right now is obviously the economic recession. It is doubtful the two of you will resolve the world’s problems. The only thing you will come away with is a bad mood.
• Exercise. Physical activity is one of the all-time greatest antidotes for relieving stress and clearing your mind.
• Focus on the Positive. Use the economic downturn as a time to reach out to new customers. Customer dissatisfaction often occurs as your competition cuts costs at the expense of customer service. Now is your chance to grab some more market share. Also, when times get tough it forces us to look at our systems and processes. A close evaluation may lead to small improvements that will make a big difference down the road.
• Put things in Proper Perspective. No matter how bad things may seem, things are always worse somewhere else.
• Faith and Gratitude. These are life’s ultimate solvents. By definition, a solvent is a substance that dissolves another to form a solution. In much the same way, Faith and Gratitude can dissolve any form of negativity. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for and your “problems” will naturally fade away.
• Law of Substitution. Your mind is only capable of focusing on one thought – or one emotion – at a time. Use the Law of Substitution, or what I call an “Emotional Transplant”, to replace the negative thought with a positive one. Marden said: “We cannot drive darkness out of a room. We let in the light and the darkness flees.” As such, flood your mind with positive energy and allow it to dissolve the negativity. Another effective technique is what I call “Best and Favorites.” This is a visualization technique in which you re-live your Best and Favorite moments. Your favorite vacation … your best round of golf … your favorite song or movie … your best accomplishment. As you re-live these fond moments, be sure to stir up the emotions. By evoking all 5 senses, you intensify the experience. This technique is a guaranteed instant energy boost and it can be done anywhere, anytime.
• Let go of the things you can’t control. We can’t control the actions of other people. And we certainly can’t control nature. Therefore, if something is outside of your sphere of influence, learn to release it. As the saying goes, “Let Go and Let God.”
• Help Others. Undue Stress and Anxiety are two symptoms that you have been “infected” with the Negativity Virus. One of the best ways to overcome stress and anxiety is by reaching out and helping others. First, this takes the focus off your own challenges. Second, serving others is our ultimate calling in life and doing so actually changes the chemical composition in your blood creating a sense of well-being.
• Choose Your Words Wisely. Language is powerful. Words cause people to go to war and they cause people to fall in love. What you say when you talk to yourself has a dramatic impact on your mood and behavior. Every word carries with it an accompanying emotion. Some words, obviously, are much more powerful than others. Developing a heightened awareness is the key to ending negative self-talk. One example is to replace the word “problems” with “challenges”. This simple shift will make a significant impact on your ability to find a solution.

Points to Ponder…

Remember, everything you hear has been filtered by the person relaying the story. And it was probably filtered many more times prior to reaching that person. It is nearly impossible for a person to be completely objective. Naturally, their personal beliefs, values and biases are going to distort the information. If you question the validity of something you hear, get a second opinion or research it yourself.

And keep in mind the words of Bertrand Russell,

“A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.”

You become what you think about, so be very careful what you think about. Your inner thoughts are responsible for creating the outward circumstances in your life. Or as the Bible says, “As you think, so shall you be.”

You gravitate toward whatever you focus on, positive or negative. Negative thoughts, self-talk, mental images will attract more of that negativity into your life. So be sure to dwell upon positives thoughts of courage, faith, confidence and victory.

Words of Wisdom in Troubled Times…

“Everything can be taken from a man but the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." – Viktor Frankl (1905-1997)

“Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.” – Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius

“There is no such thing as stress, only people thinking stressful thoughts.” – Wayne Dyer

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” – Buddha

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." – Charles Swindoll

And of course the all-time classic...

"Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do."