The Happy Place

Confidence Tip for the Week - Find a Hero

"Heroes Who Instill Confidence and Courage!"

I continue to enjoy watching the Olympic games on TV – winter sports are a favorite of mine. Not only do I get much personal pleasure watching the x-country skiing, the figure skating and the snow-boarding, to name a few of the sports, but I really love listening to the athletes as they are being interviewed. These young people are in a class of their own. I aspire to that level of excellence, both in my personal life and in my business.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." – Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962

These athletes did not achieve this level of excellence on their own. Aside from great equipment, a lot of practice, big dreams, etc. – it also takes an inspiring mentor – a hero – someone they look up to and respect – and whose characteristics, habits, attitudes and expectations cause them to want to succeed.

I've had great mentors in my life and one of my heroes is Colin Powell (that's me in the photo with him, and Lou and Diane Tice, quite a few years ago). This was a life-changing moment in my career to have had the invitation to meet him personally. Sometimes a hero, or mentor, is someone closer to home – like the woman who has encouraged, supported and mentored me for over 20 years now – JoLove Beach (seen in this photo with me) – this is a woman who, at 85 years of age, still hikes, x-country skis, travels, participates in a regular TV show and much more.

These are 2 very different individuals and yet many of their qualities and characteristics are the same:

• they had a dream
• they have vision
• they have made courageous decisions in their lives
• they are strong
• they take risks
• they are compassionate
• they listen
• they persevere
• they are focused
• they are continuous learners

and I could go on and on. You get the message

"Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way."
-- Eileen Caddy

Whether we are talking about training for the Olympic games, or talking about living your best life, we all need heroes and mentors. One thing I know for sure is that without a Colin Powell or a JoLove Beach in my life, it would not be as easy to become the best person I can be.

We should all be grateful for the gift of life and strive to live our best life.

Who are the heroes in your life and what have you learned from them? I'd love to know. And for whom are you a hero?

Assignment

1. Make a list of people who are the heroes in your life.
   
   
2. Make a list of their qualities, traits and characteristics that you admire.
   
   
3. Choose one of the items you listed and work to 'become like' that in your life, and in your work.
   
   
4. Become a hero to a young person – we all need mentors.

Do some of these exercises and I guarantee that you will start to live your best life. When you try new things, you are developing the confidence and courage to move forward and invent the life you truly want to live.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg - now that you've handled the question, how exactly do you live your life fully, 97-98% of the time? I've outlined every secret in detail, and it's all in my "Steps2Happiness Home Study System", so you can start using it all right away to get meaningful results. In addition to the exact techniques that have worked for me, the System includes everything you need to know to prioritize what to work on first, clear the decks, and set up simple, solid systems to organize your life. It's all step-by-step, not a big mishmash of things. So, you do step one of the system, and when you're done with that, you move on to step two, and so on. That's why my clients have gotten such great results from it. All the tools, scripts, templates, and examples are handed to you on a silver platter.

So easy.You can get yours at www. confidenceandcourage.com

Success Habits

"Go for the Gold – Habits to Build Your Confidence and Courage!"

I am so very proud to call myself a Canadian this week as we host the Olympic Games in Vancouver. I was spell-bound as I watched the Opening Ceremonies and jumped out of my chair with great joy when Alexandre Bilodeau won the first Gold medal for Canada!

"If you only care enough for a result, you will almost certainly attain it."
– William James

We know that the Canadian athletes are feeling tremendous pressure to perform. They have already put in the time and effort, and have goal-set to 'get to' the Olympics – now it's all about the mindset to 'win at' the Olympic games. The athletes have developed the success habits to go for gold.

What about you?

What is it in your life that you want so bad you can hardly stand it?

What habits have you developed to get you where you want to go, to grow?

"The world has the habit of making room for the man whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going." - Napoleon Hill

Habits are routines of behaviour that are repeated regularly and tend to occur subconsciously, without directly thinking consciously about them. Habits are necessary in life. They help us maintain routine and order. Habits are not necessarily good or bad – it depends on the goal that you have set. It is then, and only then, that you can identify whether or not your habits are moving you towards your goal or away from your goal.

When I was on my trip around the world, one of my goals was to maintain my exercise regime – no matter what. We were on a private plane, staying in 5-star hotels and experiencing the most amazing food in every country. I set the goal and developed the habit of exercising when and where I could. While in Africa, the 'offerings' were very primitive – check it out in the photo (2 cans filled with cement on the end of each pole, for weight lifting! – hey, you do what works!) (If you would like to join me on the next world tour in the fall, call my friend, Ben, President of Travel Guild: 1.800.268.4284 for information.)

Here are some examples of habits that would not necessarily lead you to a positive outcome:

• Being late for appointments
  
  
• Allowing paperwork to pile up on the dining room table
  
  
• Answering your cell phone/blackberry when you are having lunch with your spouse or friend
  
  
• Working long hours and then making poor food choices
  
  
• Keeping a running overdraft in your bank account

The behavior you choose creates the life you are living.

Research shows that it takes anywhere from 21 days or 3-4 weeks to change a habit. The thing is that unless you have a goal or a dream that you really, really want to achieve, the likelihood of changing any of your habits is very small – if at all.

Are you living your best life? You have the power. What are you waiting for?

Assignment

1. What is the one thing you want to have happen in your life that is not happening now? (what is the goal – the dream?)
   
   
2. What are 5 activities that you perform on a daily basis to achieve that goal?
   
   
3. What is one habit that you could change today to get you closer to 'gold'?
   
   
4. What difference would that make in your life, right now?

Answer these questions, change some habits and I guarantee that you will take control of your life. When you try new things, you are developing the confidence and courage to move forward and invent the life you truly want to live.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg - now that you've handled the question, how exactly do you live your life fully, 97-98% of the time? I've outlined every secret in detail, and it's all in my "Steps2Happiness Home Study System", so you can start using it all right away to get meaningful results. In addition to the exact techniques that have worked for me, the System includes everything you need to know to prioritize what to work on first, clear the decks, and set up simple, solid systems to organize your life. It's all step-by-step, not a big mishmash of things. So, you do step one of the system, and when you're done with that, you move on to step two, and so on. That's why my clients have gotten such great results from it. All the tools, scripts, templates, and examples are handed to you on a silver platter. So easy. You can get yours at www. confidenceandcourage.com

The power of a mastermind

There's Support in Numbers!

I'm serious about my living my best life and I am serious about being successful in business. What about you? I am in Florida for a whole week of meetings with my business coach and master mind group. This has been a huge investment for me – and one of the best decisions I made in 2009!

"The Power of Great Dreams" –

We who are in this race for riches should be encouraged to know that this changed world in which we live is demanding new ideas, new ways of doing things, new leaders, new inventions, new methods of teaching, new methods of marketing……..new ideas for moving pictures. Back of all this demand for new and better things, there is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it."

My intention, over the next few years, is to make a ton of money – with money comes freedom and part of that freedom, for me, involves 'giving back" – wherever and whenever I can! That's my dream and that is my intention.

Having a dream, knowing your purpose and holding on to that burning desire to succeed are all important aspects 'of the journey'. The key to success, however, is gained through the master mind.

"No individual may have great power without availing himself of the Master Mind……no two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind. The human mind is a form of energy, a part of it being spiritual in nature."

The one thing over which you have absolute control is your thoughts!

I have believed in the power of the master mind for years and years. It must be a properly chosen master mind group! My group, here in Florida, is made up of phenomenal business women from around the U.S. – an EFT practitioner, a wellness coach, a sales coach, a dental hygienist, an interior decorator/designer, a virtual assistant, a social media strategist, a videographer and so on.

We have worked hard, we have laughed hard, we have played hard – we have experienced tremendous success.

"The ladder of success is never crowded at the top."

When I was on my trip around the world, we visited the Maasai Mara tribe in Africa. It was so very interesting to chat with them about their lifestyle and their tribunal practices. Even they believe in the power of the master mind concept!

What are the benefits of belonging to a master mind group?

1. You are surrounded by people who know, like, trust and care about you and your success.
   
   
2. You have responsibility and accountability.
   
   
3. You have a plan and you work the plan. You tweak the plan and then you continue to work the plan some more.
   
   
4. There is tremendous cooperation, collaboration and sharing of intellectual property. Why re-invent the wheel?
   
   
5. We face fear – we celebrate success – we train our brains – we persist – we execute! We care.

"No individual has sufficient experience, education, native ability, and knowledge to insure the accumulation of success, without the cooperation of other people."

Have you had experience with a master mind group? If not, what are you waiting for? "No man is an island....".

Assignment

1. Do some research and learn everything you can about Master Mind groups.
   
   
2. Read "Think and Grow Rich."
   
   
3. Find a master mind group that is a perfect fit for you.

Do this and I will guarantee that you will take control of your life. When you try new things, you are developing the confidence and courage to move forward and invent the life you truly want to live.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg - now that you've handled the question, how exactly do you live your life fully, 97-98% of the time? I've outlined every secret in detail, and it's all in my "Steps2Happiness Home Study System", so you can start using it all right away to get meaningful results. In addition to the exact techniques that have worked for me, the System includes everything you need to know to prioritize what to work on first, clear the decks, and set up simple, solid systems to organize your life. It's all step-by-step, not a big mishmash of things. So, you do step one of the system, and when you're done with that, you move on to step two, and so on. That's why my clients have gotten such great results from it. All the tools, scripts, templates, and examples are handed to you on a silver platter. So easy. You can get yours at www.confidenceandcourage.com

Confidence Tip of the Week - Create a Success List

"There can't be a crisis next week – my schedule is already full!"

I had a meeting with a client last week and the discussion centered around how busy we all are. We had a lengthy chat about some strategies for taking control of each day. Here's a note I got from her over the weekend:

"Just thinking of you! Detoxing my office!!!! Big Time. Amazing how in front of my desk (where you access the closet & filing cabinet) was completely blocked with STUFF for over 6 months now. Almost like my road ahead was blocked!

Now all my filing is done and I will start to implement my work week. Monday's & Thursday's are client updates, Tuesday's are meeting days & Design days, Wednesday is a full design day & Friday is office admin & project management. I will also try and only check email at scheduled intervals. Any recommendations on that? Every 2 hours? 8, 10, 12, 2 & 4??? Great start to clearing the clutter and paving a new path for 2010." – client

I know many of you are feeling the same way – because you've been telling me that.

Let's talk about the importance of taking control of your day and, therefore, taking charge of your life.

We all have 8,760 hours in a year. To date, we've already used 792 (roughly) this year. Projecting ahead, I figure I have another 1,040 Saturdays in my 'active' life.

It is all about perspective and awareness!

I do implement some simple, yet effective, ways for managing my time – not only as a home-preneur, but also as a step-mom. Many of my clients are working step-moms and, as I tell them regularly, when there is chaos in the home, there is chaos in your business. It's time (no pun intended) to take charge! Before we know it, we will all be sitting in a retirement home....counting the hours!

On my trips around the world, I found it fascinating to watch people and to see how they spent their time –

In Viet Nam, it took time and hard work just to GET to work – in Cambodia, the sounds of the children laughing as they play remains one of my favorite memories. Everything in balance!

(If you would like to join me on the next world tour in the fall, call my friend, Ben, President of Travel Guild: 1.800.268.4284 for information.)

"Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity." - Jean de la Bruyere

Here are some simple steps you can begin using today:

1. Go to your office supply store and buy a wall calendar that will give you 'a year at a glance'
   
2. Get some dry-erase markers and allocate a color for each category/activity
   
   
3. Hold a family meeting (especially when there are stepchildren involved) to discuss what you want the year to 'look like and feel like'
   
   
4. Begin to map out the commitments on your calendar, all the while discussing 'what's working and what's not' – change is good!
   
   
5. On a weekly basis, set your boundaries with respect to time for work and time for family. (as you can see from my note above, I know – God willing – that I only have just over 1,000 Saturdays left for active play…..you can bet that I make conscious and wise choices about how I spend my time on Saturdays and with whom!)
   
   
6. Plan a rhythm and a routine for your weekly/monthly activities. As you can see from my client's note (above), we had discussed what type of activity would get done on which day of the week. For me, I only commit to client work 3 weeks/month – the last week of the month is reserved for product development, or vacation, or special events, etc.

The moral of the story is that once time is gone, you will never get it back. How are you 'spending' it?

Assignment

1. Go buy that wall calendar and schedule a time for your family meeting.
   
   
2. Agree that each person has a voice, and respect that voice/opinion/comments when they are shared.
   
   
3. Create boundaries for time at work and time at home. (Call your mother!)
   
   
4. Plan your month, with respect to work time, and see if that particular routine and rhythm work for you.

Do this and I will guarantee that you will take control of your life. When you try new things, you are developing the confidence and courage to move forward and invent the life you truly want to live.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg - now that you've handled the question, how exactly do you live your life fully, 97-98% of the time? I've outlined every secret in detail, and it's all in my "Steps2Happiness Home Study System", so you can start using it all right away to get meaningful results. In addition to the exact techniques that have worked for me, the System includes everything you need to know to prioritize what to work on first, clear the decks, and set up simple, solid systems to organize your life. It's all step-by-step, not a big mishmash of things. So, you do step one of the system, and when you're done with that, you move on to step two, and so on. That's why my clients have gotten such great results from it. All the tools, scripts, templates, and examples are handed to you on a silver platter. So easy. You can get yours at www. confidenceandcourage.com