Day 28: Your Biggest Asset

Wow! Do you realize there are only two more days to go! I am amazed at how fast the 30 days has gone. If you have joined me on this challenge, I'm sure you have learned a great deal about yourself. I know I have. One of the most important things I have learned is that I am both my biggest asset and my biggest obstacle. When I stay focused and believe in myself, I am my biggest asset. When I start doubting myself, and think about the ways I'm probably going to fail, then I am my biggest obstacle. This whole challenge has been about seeing yourself as a success and believing in your ability to succeed.
I know that I have changed in some significant ways. However, I also know that I still struggle to maintain a positive focus from time to time. I will need to continue to grow in this area. Here are six steps from "The Strangest Secret to Success" that will help all of us continue to grow in our belief in ourselves and in our ability to succeed.

1. Set a definite goal.
2. Quit running yourself down.
3. Stop thinking of the reasons you can't be successful and think of all the reasons why you can.
4. Think about where you got the idea you couldn't be successful.
5. Change the image you have of yourself by writing out a description of the person you would like to be. And...
6. Act the part of the successful person you have decided to become.
Dr. David Harold Fink, West Coast psychiatrist

"Then, pay the price--by becoming the person you want to become. It isn't nearly as difficult as living successfully."

Day 27: Enriching Others

How are you measuring your success? Most of us measure our success in one of two ways: by tracking how much we have done or by tracking how much money we have earned. The author of our guide tells us that the true measure of success is the quality and quantity of the service you render, and money is the yardstick for measuring this service. He then makes this emphatic statement, "No man can get rich himself unless he enriches others." He also states, "there are no exceptions to this law."
If we fully understand this law, then we will realize that the size of our fortune is based on the amount of service we provide to those from whom we are receiving our return.
Yesterday, I suggested that you write down how you are providing service to others. If you did that you'll have some things to reflect on in relation to this law. One of the things I had on my list was "follow-up" which is a part of the product service on which the business I am pursuing is based. And what I have realized is that frankly, I'm not doing very well with follow-up, and follow-up is a significant part of the service! So, if I use my income to measure how much service I am providing, I see a definite connection. I'm not getting the income I want because I am not providing the service that is needed.
Therefore...I now know exactly what I need to do to raise my income! All I have to do now, is to do it.

Day 25 and 26: A Fundamental Principle

One of the fundamental principles of this "Strange Secret to Success" is that "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." The author of this book describes it this way:
"Prosperity....is founded upon a law of mutual exchange. Any person who contributes to prosperity must prosper, in turn, himself. Sometimes the return will not come from those you serve, but it must come to you from someplace because that's the law." If you recall what you learned in school in science you'll recognize this law as a fundamental law of physics, too. This principle permeates every aspect of our lives, but we often forget about it.
One of the reasons we forget is that we don't always see the results of our actions immediately. When that happens, we do one of two things: we either forget about the action we have taken and don't look for any result or we assume that nothing has happened. Both perspectives are wrong.
As we complete this 30 day challenge it is important to remember that our success will always be measured by the quality and quantity of service you render, and money is a yardstick for measuring this service.
I am going to share more of what the author has to say about how service is connected to success over these last few days of the challenge. But for today I would encourage you to think about how your actions serve other people. I would suggest that you keep a list of ways you have served others and then start looking for how the service you gave comes back to you. The point of this is not for you to give a service in order to get something back. The point is to help you become more aware that there are good things coming back to you that are a result of the good things you are doing. I will end today's blog with this quote from the book, "No man can get rich himself unless he enriches others." And, that is where we will pick it up tomorrow.

Day 24: A Small Example of Success

Yesterday's post ended with this quote from the book, "The Strangest Secret to Success:"
"It's like the story of the man who sat in front of the stove and said to it, 'Give me heat and then I'll add the wood'....We've got to put the fuel in before we can expect heat. Likewise, we've got to be of service first before we can expect money. Don't concern yourself with the money. Be of service, build, work, dream, create. Do this and you'll find there is no limit to the prosperity and abundance that will come to you."
This morning I have a personal example of this to share with you. I have been staying at my son's home for the past few days. My daughter-in-law had minor surgery and I've been helping to get the kids off to school and with other stuff around the house. Yesterday morning I decided to make chocolate chip cookies and needed to pick up a couple of things from the grocery store. Of course, nothing is quick in a store you aren't familiar with, so while I was trying to find what I needed, I over heard a store employee talking to another customer about a health issue his son was having. I couldn't find the brand I was use to, and while I stood there trying to decide which brand was the best buy, I continued to listen to the conversation that was taking place just a few feet behind me. After a couple of minutes, the store employee came over and asked if I needed help. After he helped me find what I was looking for, I commented on his conversation, saying I couldn't help but over hear what they had said. He was very nice and we talked briefly about his son and the issue he was concerned about. I found it was a very simple thing for me to ask if I could call him and tell him about something that might help his son. He readily gave me his name and number.
There was no money involved in this conversation. There is no commitment on his part to do anything. However, this small exchange between two people whose paths crossed for a brief few minutes is an example of success. The success lies in the interest expressed in the need in another person's life and the offer to share something that might help him. This is the kind of thing that yesterday's blog was explaining. Did I earn any money yesterday? No. Was I a success yesterday? Absolutely!
(And the cookies were a success, too!)

Day 23: You Don't Make Money...You Earn It

Today's title relates to an important point that the book, The Strangest Secret to Success, wants to be sure we understand. The goal that I wrote for this challenge is at least in part, intended to bring more money into my life. Nothing wrong with that. My guess is that many of your goals also have a similar end result in mind. But, have you ever said, "I need to make more money?" Earl Nightingale would tell you that the only people who make money are the ones who work in a mint. The rest of us have to earn it. The book goes on to say,
"The only way to earn money is by providing people with services or products which are needed and useful. We exchange our time and our product or service for the other person's money. Therefore, the law is that our financial return will be in direct proportion to our service.
Now, success is not the result of making money; making money is the result of success--and success is in direct proportion to our service. Most people have this law backwards. They believe that you're successful if you earn a lot of money. The truth is that you can only earn money after you're successful.
It's like the story of the man who sat in front of the stove and said to it, 'Give me heat and then I'll add the wood'....We've got to put the fuel in before we can expect heat. Likewise, we've got to be of service first before we can expect money. Don't concern yourself with the money. Be of service, build, work, dream, create. Do this and you'll find there is no limit to the prosperity and abundance that will come to you."

Day 22: I think I can? I think I can!

So, which way do say those four words when you repeat your goal? Do you say, 'I think'...meaning, 'I hope' I can reach my goal? Or, do you say 'I think I can do this!' meaning, 'I believe I can do this and I am doing it!' Saying it the first way is wishful thinking with more doubt than confidence. Saying it the second way expresses confidence. In another book I looked at recently, (As you may have guessed, I do a lot of reading), I came across this quote, "Confidence is the first step to getting what you want or need."
Confidence is what you believe about yourself. Sometimes we get that confused with trust. Both qualities are important but they are not the same thing. I have some fear of heights. So, before I use a ladder, I always make sure that the ladder I'm going to use is sturdy. I check to make sure that I have all four legs set on level ground and I test it out before I start to climb. When it is all set up, I have complete trust that the ladder will hold me. However, I am still nervous and a little shaky on that ladder because I don't have confidence in me. I know that I will start to get a little dizzy and I am afraid that I will lose my footing and fall. So,because I don't have confidence in me, I don't do well on ladders.
When you first set your goal, it was important that you knew that what you were focusing on was worthwhile and achievable. You needed to know that so that you had trust in where you were going. The purpose of setting this focus wasn't to build your trust in the target; the purpose was to build confidence in yourself. If you don't believe in you; you won't reach your goal.
One of my favorite books as a kid was "The Little Engine that Could." That little engine had to pull a big load up a very steep hill. All the way up that hill he kept repeating, "I think I can....I think I can..." At first he said it slowly but gradually he said it faster and faster..."I-think-I-can..IthinkIcan...IthinkIcan................AND he did! So can you!

Day 21: "Letters"

Sorry, but I was out of town for a couple of days and could not get to the computer. But, while I was away--visiting my mother--I did some reading and have a book that I would recommend you read. The name of the book is Letters written by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger. Letters is a fictional account of two people whose marriage has fallen apart following the sudden death of their 20 year old son. They are emotionally and geographically separated and the only form of communication they have is through letters. They find it is easier to share their real thoughts and feelings with each other in the letters they write than it was to talk to each other as they grieved over the death of their son. As they open up to each other and listen to each other, they begin to recall all the good things they had in their life; the day they met; the love they shared and the joy it brought them. At first I didn't think of the book as something connected to this challenge; but, as I was driving home yesterday, it occurred to me that it has a significant connection.
As this couple became more open with each other, they became more focused on the positive pieces of their lives and the qualities they loved in the other person. In other words, the more they thought about what they had that was good, the more good they recognized and they began to recognize how much they needed and wanted that person back in their lives.
You might remember that one of the first important benefits of staying focused on your commitment was that your mind and your focused energy would attract positive and beneficial experiences to you that will help your reach your goal. This book is an example of that. I have shared this commitment with my mother, and she regularly reads this blog. She recommended this book to me. Since I have my mind focused on my goal, I saw a connection in the book that I might not have seen otherwise. The connection for me is another layer of conviction of the importance of what our mind thinks. The people in the book were separated emotionally for almost three years. During that time they thought about all the ways the other person wasn't meeting their needs. But when they began writing the letters, and started to understand what had been happening to the other person; they began focusing on the good in that person and not the negative. It changed everything for them. Controlling your thoughts and staying focused can change everything for you, too.

Day 20: Persistence

We are 2/3 of the way through the challenge. If you have been running along side of me in this experience I know you have seen significant changes in your attitude and in your actions. One of the key words that is an important component of your success is persistence. The book describes persistence as a demonstration of faith; without faith you would not persist. The ability to persist and demonstrate faith comes from several sources. For me, the first source is knowing that what I am pursuing is part of God's plan for my life, since that is the fundamental basis for all that I do in my life. It is also extremely important that you read inspirational books as you pursue your goal. You may have favorite authors but John Maxwell and Zig Ziegler are good places to start. The book reminds us also of three fundamental strategies to help you persevere:
1. Don't worry...worry brings fear, and fear is crippling.
2. Don't try to do this all by yourself.
3. Keep your goal in front of you every day.
4. Stay calm and cheerful. Don't let petty things annoy you and drag you off course.
If you are struggling with "persistence," perhaps you need to put a visual picture of this word in your mind. One of the synonyms for persistence is "doggedness." If you have ever tried to pull a bone out of a dog's mouth you will understand how this word fits. That dog has that bone clenched between his teeth; his feet are firmly planted and every muscle in its body is tensed so resist the pull of that bone away from him. So picture yourself as the dog with your goal firmly fixed between your teeth, with your feet firmly planted and your mind mentally focused and determined to stay on course. Recall that visual every morning and every time you encounter an obstacle. That should give your ability to remain persistent a real boost!

Day 19: Fear of Failure

Earlier this week I briefly mentioned the role fear plays in reaching goals. Your fears are what generates negative thoughts. Those thoughts are often disguised as logical problems or potential dangers. Most of the time, however, when these thoughts come into your head it is directly connected to something you fear and it is a perceived threat and not a real threat. However, when we get one of those thoughts it sounds like this, "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" (If you don't recognize that quote, type it into your search engine, and you'll see where it came from!) I thought I would share some quotes with you this morning specifically about fear of failure. Perhaps one of them will be just the one that speaks to you. If so, I recommend you copy it and post somewhere that you will see it everyday.
"There is no failure except in no longer trying.
" Elbert Hubbard
"Our greatest glory consist not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." 
Oliver Goldsmith
"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.
" George Herman "Babe" Ruth
"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.
" William Shakespeare
"Half of the failures in life come from pulling one's horse when he is leaping.
" Thomas Hood
(You have to get a visual image of that last quote in order to truly appreciate what it is saying!)

Day 17 & 18: Off and Running

Zoom...Zoom...Zoom Hopefully you'll recognized those three words from the car ad seen on TV the past couple of years. That was the best way I could describe yesterday and today. I was up at 5:30 yesterday; left the house at 7:00 and finally put my feet up about 9:15 last night. Today is starting a little later and should wind up a little earlier; but it is just as full.
That isn't intended to be a complaint, but it is an explanation as to why two days are being merged into one.
The good news is that there is lots of action going on that is a direct result of staying focused on the goal I set 17 days ago. In the past two days I have identified two different strategies that will allow me to contact approximately 200 people in the next few weeks! That is exciting! And, here is what is interesting about it. These potential contacts didn't suddenly appear out of no where. They were actually there all along but I didn't see them until now. This is a powerfully important concept for each one of us to understand. When you set your goal and start believing that you will achieve that goal, your mind starts looking for all the ways it can to make that goal a reality. One of the ways it does that is to refocus on the information it all ready has. When your mind starts doing that it allows you to see all the resources that have been at your feet all along. It reminds me of an illustration I heard a long time ago about two shoe salesmen who were given a new territory in Africa. When the first salesman arrived he immediately sent a message back to the company saying, "This is impossible! No one wear shoes in this territory." When the second salesman arrived, he also quickly sent a message to his company,but his message said, "Wow, this is amazing. Everyone here is a prospective customer: No one wears shoes! Send more mmediately!"

Day 16: Give It Your All

We are now in the second half of this journey. During the first half we focused on the goals we set and on maintaining a positive attitude, no matter what circumstances or disappointments we encountered. Now I am going to focus more on taking action. Here is a quote from the book, "The Strangest Secret to Success:"
"Each day...do more than you have to do. In addition to maintaining a cheerful, positive outlook, give of yourself more than you have ever done before. Do this knowing that your returns in life must be in direct proportion to what you give...No matter what your job, (or your goal) do it as you've never done it before--and if you've kept your goal before you every day--you'll wonder and marvel at this new life you've found."
The book also references an editor and author, Dorothea Brande, whose book, "Wake up and Live!" seems to be out of print. However, in her book she described how she discovered the magic of taking action that became her philosophy of life: "Act as though it were impossible to fail."
That statement is going to be my focus for days 16 through 30. Each day I will report on a scale of 1-10 how close I think I have come to "giving more of myself than I have ever done before because it is impossible for me to fail." If you think it is easy to announce to anyone who might be listening out there how you plan to hold yourself accountable; believe me, it isn't. Each time I do this, I feel like I am taking a big, deep breath and jumping off a very high cliff. However, I will also tell you that what I am learning through this and the satisfaction I feel with where I am, more than outweighs any fear that I will let you or myself down!

Day 15: Half Way There!

I sometimes feel like a child on a long journey who keeps asking, "When will we be there?" I am not a very patient person. When I decide to do something, I want it done now! I would like to wake up tomorrow morning and bound out of bed knowing that my attitude has been completely changed; negative thoughts will no longer have any power over me; and only positive experiences will come my way. That will never happen; that isn't reality. One of the realizations that I am coming to understand about this process is that the power and the growth comes from the journey. I will never be free of all doubts and negative thoughts; just as there will always be negative experiences or negative people on this path from time to time. Success doesn't keep negatives from happening; success comes from handling these negatives quickly and positively.
When will I know "I have arrived?" I'll know this as I gradually realize that negative thoughts come less often and when they do come they are quickly dismissed and replaced. I'll also know that I have "arrived" when I am able to feel energized by how I have responded to a negative experience rather than feeling drained by it.
Am I there, yet? No, but like the title says, "I'm halfway there, and I can feel the difference?"

Day 14: Filling Your Bucket

We've talked a lot about staying focused, controlling your thoughts and taking action over the last 14 days. These concepts are fundamental strategies if you are gong to change your attitude. But today I want to suggest another strategy: keeping your bucket filled. That isn't in the book, but it is just as important. If you let your bucket go dry, you won't be able to stay focused and you won't have the energy to kick those negative thoughts out of your way.
So, how do you keep your bucket full? The first thing for me is daily prayer and regular worship. That is a must because I believe that God is the one who has given me this bucket I call life, and He is the one who keeps me sustained with energy, drive, focus and purpose.
The second way I fill my bucket is through training. This weekend I participated in an all-day training led by two incredible Reliv Ambassadors,Cassandra Magellen and Robert Pateri. In order to be successful in anything you have to stay teachable. Being teachable and always seeking opportunities to learn more will help you keep your bucket full of new and better ways to reach your goal!

Day 13: Rehearsing Disaster

"Everybody wants something; and, everybody fears something." Goals are about identifying what you want and that is the focus of this blog and the purpose of the book, "The Strangest Secret to Success." I am now well on my way on the road I have chosen that will lead me to my goal. But, there are still some obstacles to be tackled. One of the biggest of those obstacles is fear. Fear that is not recognized and controlled will not only cause delays in achieving a goal; it can completely wreck your plans and leave you emotionally disabled. The first thing we have to understand about fear is that most fears are not real. The fears that most of us struggle with are all in our mind; they are only imagined fears. As soon as we start thinking about something we are going to do, all of the potential ways in which that activity could go wrong immediately start swirling around in our minds. When that happens, we have two choices: We can dwell on those fears and rehearse all the ways they can result in some type of imagined disaster; or, we can immediately reject those fearful thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts.
Any time we attempt to do something new our mind goes to work to protect us. it pulls from our life experiences and fears; such as fear of rejection or humiliation and tells us what might happen if we try to do this. As soon as that type of thought comes into your mind, you must immediately replace it with a positive thought; such as, "Maybe, but I need do this so that I can reach the goal that I set. Then think about all the good things that are connected to reaching that goal: money, awards, satisfaction, or whatever is an expected result of your goal.
One of the results of facing your fears is learning that most of the things you fear are going to happen never do. We waste a lot of emotional energy thinking about what we will do if______________ (You can fill in your own perceived disasters .) That energy would be better used to take the actions needed to achieve our goals. Don't waste time and energy rehearsing disasters. They aren't real; you just think they are.

Day 12: Take Action!

Yesterday's blog ended by emphasizing the importance of taking action. Whatever your goal is, you must have a plan to get there. That plan needs to be specific and it must be written down. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there." You have a goal now (don't you?), so you know where you are going. That is important and you have to have that goal set first. But now that you have the goal identified, you need a plan for how to reach that goal.
I live in Kansas City. If I decided to go New York City I would need to decide how I am going to get there because there are many ways to get to that city. I can fly or I can drive. If I choose to fly, then I have to choose an airline, decide whether to fly first class, business, or coach and decide which airport to be my arrival point. If I choose to drive, I'll have to get out the road maps or do map quest. I'll also have to choose one or two places to spend the night. How do I make those choices? It all depends on what I want from this trip. Is my goal to get there as quickly as possible or is this a sight-seeing trip and the journey is just as important as the destination.
What does all of this have to do with your goal? Everything! Your goal is your destination. Your action plan is your road map. If you haven't already done this, take some time today and write out your plan. Think about the questions suggested in the illustration. What do you want to achieve in your goal? How quickly do you want to achieve it? Are there some plateaus along the way that are resting places or that are important markers of success that you need to reach while on the road to fully achieving your goal? Think through all of this and then make a plan. Start on that trip by doing something today and every day. It is the focused, continuous actions that you take each and every day that will carry you where you want to go.

Day 11: Take Action!

It's hard to believe that we are up to Day 11. Isn't it amazing how quickly the days are adding up? Today I read back through a portion of the book we're using to guide us through this process. If you don't have the book, you can go back to the blog for Day 8 and you'll find the section that leads up to what I'm talking about. Those ideas are summarized briefly for you here: 1) You will become what you think about; 2) Remember the word "imagination" and let your mind begin to soar. 3) Courageously concentrate on your goal every day.
I want to be sure that you didn't miss two very important words that were buried at the end of that third concept. Those two powerful words are: TAKE ACTION! Ideas are great but they are worthless unless we act on them.
So, my question for all of us today is, "What actions are you taking that will help you reach your goal?" Remember that card that we wrote our goal on that first day? Do you know where it is? Are you looking at it several times a day? Have you written down steps or actions that you know you need to do to reach that goal? If you haven't, then do something! If we only "think about" the goal, but don't "do anything" to reach the goal; it isn't a goal. It's wishful thinking and that will take you no where.

Day 10: Strength of Friends

Most people who know me would agree that I'm a very independent person and can take care of myself (most of the time.) That quality has its merits but it can also create some problems. Finding the right balance of independence accompanied by the support of well-chosen friends will go a long way in helping you achieve your goals. Here are quotes from two of my best friends and biggest supporters. The first is from my mother, Marguerite Mason, who continues to be a source of wisdom and joy in my life. "Achieving a big goal is somewhat like walking up a staircase; you get to the top by taking one step at a time. With each step you get nearer your goal."
The second quote is from Carolyn Walker, my friend and a successful Reliv Ambassador, "You become what you think... I know that is one of the things that has guided my life. I have always believed I would be successful at helping other people-the ways have changed over the years but the long term goal never has."
With that kind of support, it's hard not to be successul!

Day 9: Pushing through the Mud

I promised yesterday, that I would share some of the "fruits" that I am experiencing as a result of this 30 day commitment. I gradually realized over the weekend that I have more strength and determination than before. I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had committed a good deal of time to another project before I committed to achieving my goal. Because of a rapidly approaching deadline for completion of this project, I couldn't work on my goal as I had planned. This type of situation is not unusual for me, but my response to it was different this time. Because I had been focusing on my goal and wasn't allowing negative thoughts to take hold; I was able to dedicate the time needed for my project and set a specific time when I could get back to my goal. Because I was able to stay positive and focused, I was also able to realize that in the future when a project is proposed to me I need to look first at my goal to see whether or not adding this project to my schedule will help or hinder achieving that goal. For me, that was a powerful insight. I enjoy so many different kinds of activities that I tend to take on too much. It keeps life busy and interesting; but it doesn't allow for high levels of success on specific goals because my efforts are too scattered.
This morning I also experienced another one of the "fruits" of learning to control and focus your thoughts. I had a "kick in the stomach" kind of surprise this morning. It was harsh and disappointing. My first reaction to it was to feel deflated and generally "bummed out." In the past my reaction to this kind of thing was to allow my emotions to take control of my actions. If I have things I planned to do, I will just not do them. I will have my own little "pitty party" and rationalize that I am due that and it doesn't matter if I don't do what I've planned.
I started out thinking that way, but found I just couldn't do it. Every time I tried to tell myself to go pick up a book or turn on the TV to watch an old rerun, I just couldn't let myself do it. Instead of my thoughts talking me into those "feel good" things, my thoughts kept saying, "Don't do that." Make the calls you had on your list; you'll feel much better for pushing through those wounded feelings and finishing your list. So that's what I did; I made all the calls and feel good about myself for having pushed through it. That's what was on my mind when I sat down to write today's blog. It reminded me of walking through mud. Each step is hard because the mud takes hold of your foot and wants to suck it in. My old muddy thoughts wanted to hold on to the steps I was taking to pull myself out; but they didn't win. The new thoughts were stronger and that made all the difference.
Wherever you are in your journey to success, stay focused and keep going. It will make a difference. Just wait and see!

Day 8: Living off the Fruits of your Thoughts

It's time to start reaping the harvest! Are you thinking it's too soon? Well, if we were talking about seeds in a garden, it would be. But ideas planted in your mind start producing fruit right away...even though you may not recognize it at first. This quote from Earl Nightingale says it best, "Each of us must live off the fruit of our thoughts in the future, because, what you think today and tomorrow--next month and next year--will mold your life and determine your future. You're guided by your mind." That future begins today!
Here is information from the book, that will help you understand this concept:
First: it's understanding emotionally, as well as intellectually, that we literally become what we think about; that we must control our thoughts if we're to control our lives. It's understand fully that...'as ye sow, so shall ye reap."
Second: it's cutting away all fetters from the mind and permitting it to soar as it was divinely designed to do. It's the realization that your limitations are self-imposed and that the opportunities for you today are enormous beyond belief. It's rising above narrow-minded pettiness and prejudice.
Third: It's using all your courage to force yourself to think positively on your own problems; to set a definite and clearly defined goal for yourself. To let your marvelous mind think about your goal from all possible angles; to let your imagination speculate freely upon many different possible solutions. To refuse to believe that there are any circumstances sufficiently strong to defeat you in the accomplishment of your purpose. To act promptly and decisively when your course is clear. And to keep constantly aware of the fact that you are, at this moment standing in the middle of your own "acre of diamonds," as Russell Cornwall used to point out. from The Strangest Secret to Success
These ideas are key to understanding the power of setting your goal and continuing to focus on it. I can tell you emphatically that I have already started to live off the fruits of thoughts that are growing out of the goal I set and the commitment I made. I can just as emphatically tell you that you, too, are living off the fruits of your thoughts; but the fruits may not be what you want because you didn't plant the right seeds. The choice is up to you.
In tomorrow's blog I'll tell you about some of the fruits I experienced this weekend.

Day 7: Today is the day...

"Today is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Joy is found in the Lord and not in the circumstances of our lives.

And, that's all there is for today. It is Sunday. It is a day of rest. I'll be back tomorrow with more on the 30 day commitment!

Day 6: On the Go

There is a reason the name of this blog is "Barb on the Go." It is generally reflective of how I live my life. I am usually busy, with many irons in the fire all at the same time. That isn't necessarily a bad thing; I think I actually thrive on being busy and enjoy the juggling act involved in keeping all those balls in the air. However, it is important to prioritize those activities in order to achieve the goal I have set. This past week my activities have not connected with my goal. Some commitments were made several weeks ago that required a significant amount of time and focus to complete. Now that I have made this goal a priority, any new opportunities have to be carefully evaluated for how they connect or take away from achieving my goal. That is one of the benefits of writing down your goal and making it a daily focus. It keeps your eyes on the goal and helps you make the right choices.
Now I've got to go, bbecause, as the title says, Barb is "On the Go" today!

Day 5: Holding Steady

Yesterday we talked about the seeds of thought and of intent that we sow. I want to carry that analogy a little farther this morning. When you plant a seed in a garden it takes a while for it to germinate. The seed has to settle into its new environment. As it lies there it begins to feel the effects of the soil, the moisture and the sun. The seed softens and allows the elements around it to free what is hidden inside; the fully grown, ripe luscious plant it was designed to be. While all of this wonderful stuff is going on inside this little seed, it looks like nothing is happening at all. For many days it just seems to sit there.
That is a great "Aha!" to me. I am a person who wants things to happen NOW. I'm not particularly good at waiting for things to happen. This insight is terribly important to my success on this 30 day journey. The seed that you and I have planted in the soil of our minds is a new seed. It needs time to grow and take hold. I need to be patient with myself and with the circumstances of my life. There were some commitments I had made several weeks ago that have impacted my time this week. These are good things; things I enjoy doing and serve a worthwhile purpose. But they are not directly related to my goal; therefore, I have not taken some of the steps I need to take to reach my goal. (We'll talk about choices we make related to this issue at a later time.)
Sometimes when this happens to me, I get frustrated with myself; which always results in negative thoughts and disbelief in my ability to reach the goals I have set. This time is different; instead of frustration I feel determination. Determination that the pace I need to reach the goals I've set will be picked up in about 48 hours. While I'm focused on completing the other project, I am experiencing a sense of calmness (that is unusual for me in this situation). However, I know that the seed of success that I planted four days ago is in the process of germinating; it's growing and taking hold. It will be there, stronger and rooted in my thoughts to help me take control of the time commitments when the project is competed and I get focused on reaching the goal I've set.
Please let me know how each of you are doing. You will be stronger for it and so will the rest of us.

Day 4: Plant the Seed of Success

Although I am not a gardener, I have planted a few gardens and enjoyed the fruits of those gardens. My son-in-law is a gardener and raises a large vegetable garden every year. They have salads from their garden all summer and then they can tomatoes and make salsa to enjoy all winter. But they didn't have any corn this year; they like fresh corn and wish they had fresh corn...but no corn. Why didn't they have any corn? Well, they didn't plant corn. They planted lettuce, tomatoes and peppers, but they didn't plant corn.
You may be asking yourself what this has to do with Day 4 and success. It has everything to do with it. Our mind is like the soil in a garden. What ever thoughts and ideas we plant in our mind is what will grow there. If we plant a goal in our mind and stay focused on it, it will take root and grow to become a vital part of our lives. But, like my son-in-law's garden, if we don't plant that seed of success, that goal we say we want, then there will be nothing to harvest because we didn't plant the seed.
So, "decide now what you want and plant your goal in your mind...All you've got to do is plant that seed in your mind; care for it, work steadily toward your goal, and it will become a reality. Each of us must live off the fruit of our thoughts in the future, because what you think today and tomorrow--next month and next year--will mold your life and determine your future. You're guided by your mind." from The Strangest Secret to Success.
How are you doing with your goal? Some of you have just joined this challenge; let us know what day you're on. Sharing your struggles with the rest of us will help all of us become more successful.

Day 3: Putting Passion in Your Goal

I think I was pretty close to the edge, yesterday, of having to start back at Day 1. I kept pulling myself back; mostly because I didn't want to post this entry and announce to the whole blog world that I'd only made it two days before I blew it. (That is what accountability will do for you!)
The first thing I did this morning, (besides making the coffee and reading my goal) was to look at the book again. I wanted to see what would be important to share with you today and when I did that I think I discovered what my problem was yesterday. Here is what I just read. This is a quote from William James:
"We need only in cold blood to act as if the thing in question were real, and it will become infallibly real by growing into such a connection with our life that it becomes real. It will become so knit with habit and emotion that our interests in it will be those which characterize belief." He also said, "If you only care enough for a result you will almost certainly attain it, if you desire to be rich, you will be rich; if you desire to be learned, you will be learned; if you desireto be good, you will be good. Only you must, then, really desire these things and desire them exclusively, and not desire a hundred other things at the same time just as strongly." from The Strangest Secret to Success
Mark 9:23 says the same thing: "If you can," Jesus said, "Everything is possible for those who believe." Finally, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale had this to say, "This is one of the greatest laws in the universe...one of the greatest discoveries of my life (outside of my relationship to God.) 'if you think in negative terms, you will achieve negative results; if you think in positive terms you will achieve positive results. The law can be simply stated in three words: "Believe and Succeed.'
Two words stood out as I read this: DESIRE and BELIEVE. Those are words full of passion and emotion; and I realized that was what was missing as I started this journey. The right words were there; the focus was in the right direction, but there was not enough emotion and passion.
Take a look at your goal. (I know there are a few of you out there who have joined me on this journey!) Check your goal for two things; First, is it a big enough goal and will it take you in the direction you want to go? Then, check your heart; do you have desire and belief behind that goal? That is what will continue to give you power to keep going when your mind tries to pull you away from achieving your goal.
Have a great day and let me know you are there and how you are doing. You can post a comment by clicking on the word 'comments' below. I'd love to hear from you. Remember, we want to be on that stage together in Phoenix!