Have you set your expectations?

Have you set your expectations?

Quote of the day:

"The richest man is not he who has the most, but he who needs the least."

--Unknown Author

Remember when you were growing up and someone told you not to set your expectations too high, it will let you down?  Why set yourself up for disappointment?  Well I'm here to tell you, that is BULL!  If you don't set your expectations high enough, how do you expect to succeed?  Sure we are bound to be disappointed some time but by being confident and assertive we keep striving to reach our goals.  Great expectations lead to great outcomes.  Here is a wonderful story provided by Rich German and is a quote from his book

Keep Your Chin Up

by Jan Graham

About six months ago, I joined a gym. Every morning, there is one personal trainer there who works out at the same time that my little group does our workout. He does his routine with such a quiet determination that he makes it all look very easy, although I know all too well how hard he is working. When I am tempted to whine and quit, I watch him push himself to his own limits, and I find myself motivated to work as hard and without complaint.

One day, I was watching him do chin-ups. He made them look effortless. I broke away from my group and asked him if I could try a chin-up. I had never tried before, but he just made it look so easy. He eagerly stepped aside and encouraged me to step up to the bar. I pulled myself up without thinking … once … then twice. That was all I had in me; I had no strength left. I told him that was all I had, so he stepped up behind me and pushed me up for a third and fourth “pull.” It felt so good. I felt strong, and I smiled from ear to ear.

The next day, when I was done with my workout, I asked him to spot me again. Again, I did two. I did the same on day three and so on. I thought it was pathetic that I could only do two, but when I came to the gym at the end of the week, he was standing there just shaking his head. When I asked him what was up, he said he was impressed with my chin-ups. He told me that when they are training firefighters, the men are required to do five chin-ups, and women are required to do one or two. He explained that most people can’t do them at all and that he was impressed that I could. He further told me that if I practiced every day, I would be doing five or six in no time. At this point, I should probably add that I am fifty years old … and female.

The moral of this story … because I didn't know any better, because he told me I could, I saw no reason to doubt. I just jumped in and gave it a try—and I did it! I didn't see it as a great accomplishment because I didn't realize that it was difficult, and it became my goal to get stronger. No one told me I couldn't do it. In fact, I was encouraged to try. Had he told me initially how difficult it was, I more than likely would not have tried at all. Or, I might have tried but given it only half an effort, because failure would have been the expectation. I applaud him for letting me believe that for me, it was not only a possibility, but that success was a realistic expectation.

How many times have we decided not to try at all because we were told that we couldn't, that we shouldn't, that we had expectations that were too ambitious? How many times have we told our children, our friends, and our co-workers that they couldn't do something, that their ideas were impossible or beyond reach? How many times have we told ourselves that we would fail before we even started?

I started to ponder examples that I had witnessed and this came to mind: I recalled a conversation a friend of mine had with his daughter just prior to her heading off to university. He spoke to her (with good intentions) of how hard she would have to work in order to succeed. University wasn't like high school—this was the real world, and now she would have to grow up. This child quit after two years. Another friend spoke to her daughter of the adventure she was embarking on and how proud she was. I remember how we laughed because the mother already had her outfit picked out for convocation day! This child just graduated with her degree in physiology. Looking back, neither daughter was more intelligent than the other. Was it the silent expectations (or lack thereof) that predicted the outcome?

I have a new approach now. I have experience first hand how good it feels to rush in so innocently, to believe that we can do it, and go on to accomplish exactly what we set out to do, because no one told us we couldn't. I've learned how important it is to support others (and ourselves) in their endeavors and to let them know that we believe they can do it rather than telling them we think they can't.

I personally want to be like my trainer, standing there behind the people I love, encouraging them, believing in them, and being ready to catch them when they get tired. I will be the one who is there on the second and third day making sure they try again, because I know they can.

What a powerful lesson this has been for me. I'll be doing five in no time at all. Because I was told I can.

Message: Believe you can and you will.

Jan Graham is a full-time Realtor in Calgary, Alberta. Feel free to visit her Web site at www.jangraham.ca.

You can see that how we perceive our expectations relates strongly to our how the outcome will be.

Think Bigg...

Think Bigg...

I mean BIGG -- it's a simple process that leads to success all the time.  Most people don't think BIGG... they just think and wonder why their lives never change or get better.  Thinking BIGG is simple... you're probably wondering what BIGG is or what's the BIGG deal.  When you think BIGG and stay on track you'll succeed, no matter what your goals.

Here's what thinking BIGG really means:

B - Believe in Yourself.

I - Inspiration from others.

G - Goal setting.

G - Go for it.

There is a process that you need to apply in order to make thinking BIGG work for you and today I'll show you exactly how to apply the process of thinking BIGG so that you get the results you want.  It's pretty simple and straight forward and when you follow what I outline you'll get the results you want.  So read on and enjoy...

When you think BIGG you get your subconscious mind focused on bringing you the people, situations and circumstances that will help you succeed.  Thinking BIGG is more than just having a few thoughts and big ideas.

The first step is to believe in yourself.

A lot of people want to make more money, they want to be in a great relationship, they want to have a great career, they want to enjoy life but they really don't believe they can.  Believing means you absolutely know that you can and will succeed.  Wanting is a yearning.  You want something to fill a void, it's a good starting point but you need to go from wanting to believing.  When you believe you basically tell your subconscious mind that you're ready for success and that you expect nothing less than success. It's not about saying I will instead, believe that you are succeeding and getting what you want (filling that void).

Next: Inspiration from others.

Draw inspiration from others.  I do this all the time.  Hey if they can succeed so can you.  You can do anything that they can do and you may even be able to do it better.  Learn from them but be inspired there are new achievements being made everyday and your achievements are just around the corner.  Every 4 years we see Olympic records being crushed.  Those athletes believe in themselves and they dray inspiration from their predecessors.  When you're inspired you basically light up your subconscious mind, you give it some extra energy and extra drive; it realizes that what you want is important and begins working harder for you.  When you see somebody succeed praise them and be inspired because you're next.  It's a message your subconscious mind picks up and drives you to succeed.

Step 3 - Goal setting.

Believe it or not this is where a lot of people fail.  They don't set clear goals, they don't know what they want and they don't have measurable goals.  So set a goal.  Be clear and be specific.  Understand why you want this goal.  The why helps you be clear and stay motivated.  Make sure you can measure your success otherwise you won't know if you're making any progress.  Then check your progress and make adjustments.  When you have clear goals, you can stay focused.  When you're focused on something and repeatedly give it attention you begin to draw the positive people who will help you succeed.  Your subconscious mind sees this as a clear instruction and it understands that it needs to get this done.  Your goal needs to be achieved.  Your subconscious says this is so important we have to make this happen.  At this point your subconscious begins to work overtime to help you achieve your goal.  But success won't happen without the final component.

That's the second G - Go for it.

You have to go for it.  You have to take action.  You can't sit around and wait for everything to come to you.  That's not how you succeed.  Olympic athletes train everyday for years... their success doesn't come overnight.  They have to keep going for it; even when they were tired, when they have setbacks, when they get sick or injured, they keep going.  You have to keep going for it.  You have to keep pursuing your goal because the minute you give up you fail and that's a certainty.  When you keep pursuing your goal, when you believe in yourself, when you draw inspiration from others, when you set clear goals and you go for it; you mind, subconscious mind and the universe get the message.  They realize that this is something that must happen and they have to make it happen for your.  You're doing everything you can to succeed and they have no choice but to help you.

Start thinking BIGG today.

Start achieving your goals today.

When you think BIGG you succeed.  When you direct the full power of your mind an subconscious mind you enjoy success sooner and it becomes a habit - so you succeed and achieve your goals more and more often.  Think of it as a way of programming yourself to get more of what you want.

Right now you've likely programmed your mind and subconscious mind to create more and more of what you don't want.  That's why nothing changes.  You may want change but your subconscious mind is programmed to create the same thing over and over again.  It's time to change the way your mind and subconscious mind works.  It's time to re-program your subconscious so that it creates more of what you want.  Begin applying a new thought process.  Begin seeing things differently and begin directing your mind and subconscious mind to create more of what you want.

Remember if you don't do anything - if you don't change the way your mind works and direct your subconscious mind to create the life you want - everything stays the same - nothing changes.  This is you life - make the most of it - begin working with the power of your mind and subconscious mind to create the life you want and deserve.

Directions?

Now I normally don't put 2 blogs out in a day but I have just received another email that I think drives home the point that our direction can cause us to succeed or fail.

 Scientists at NASA built a gun specifically to launch standard 4 pound dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.




British engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the windshields of their new high speed trains. Arrangements were made, and a gun was sent to the British engineers.

When the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken hurled out of the barrel, crashed into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens, blasted through the control console, snapped the engineer's back-rest in two, and embedded itself in the back wall of the cabin, like an arrow shot from a bow.



The horrified Brits sent NASA the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the windshield and begged the U.S. scientists for suggestions.



NASA responded with a one-line memo --



"Defrost the chicken." (True Story)
 
You can clearly see that by missing a simple step or following the wrong direction can mean the difference between success and failure.  I hope in the least that this gave you a good chuckle and brightens your day.

Life is too short!

     To start with, it has been some time since my last entry.  As you will find while seeking success, time is a precious commodity.  Time management is very important when it comes to becoming successful.  If you squander your time away on frivolous things, then your life becomes a waste of time and energy.  We are only on this Earth for a short time and it is best to use that time wisely.  Concentrate on what's important in life.  There are many things to enjoy in life such as our family or friends.  I remember someone telling me that I will regret what I haven't done more than what I have done.  At some point in life you may look back and ask "Where did the time go?"  "Why haven't I accomplished anything?"  If you have never seen the movie "The Bucket List" then I suggest you do.  It shows how living our lives to the fullest even when we know there may not be much time left can make our lives more fulfilling.

     So let's grab a pen and paper to start our own "Bucket List".  Why?  Simply put we want to have a list of things would like to accomplish before our time on Earth is up.  Remember, life throws a bunch of curves at us and no one can say for sure if tomorrow will ever come.  You need to take a good long look at the life you have lived so far.  What have I accomplished?  Where do I want to be in the coming months or years?  The list can start out with anything.  Any ideas can be put on the list because we will prioritize it and sort it out later.  This list will bring you on step closer to bringing out your success from within.

     Your list doesn't have to be elaborate.  Keep it simple, specific and genuine.  Things you want, not your spouse, children, boss or even friends.  Again as I had mentioned earlier that the only way to achieve your goals and dreams is to be totally selfish.  When you get what you want good things will come to your loved ones as well.

     Now that we have a list, it is time to prioritize it.  Your list will forever be changing according to your needs, wants and desires.  Look at your list and ask yourself "What do I want first?"  It is possible that on your way to getting that first item you may achieve other things on your list.  You want to clear your mind and envision how you plan to get there.  What is your first step to getting you closer to your goal?  Along with figuring out what you want first is to place a date on it.  When do you want to reach your goal?  Remember to be realistic.  If you know you can get it done in a few weeks don't set the date as tomorrow.  You will only put stress on yourself and be disappointed by unnecessary failure.  You want to get your mind working towards a solution.

     I've mentioned the need for time management.  Well here is what I use to get my thoughts organised and prioritize my goals.  Mark Joyner has developed the most useful tool called Simpleology.  Go to http://www.simpleology.com/ to sign up for free access to Simpleology 101.  I highly recommend this to organise and focus on your goals.  This program gets you thinking on how to achieve your goals and helps you keep on track.  I use this tool everyday and Marks program sets you up with the Web Cockpit which will organise your thoughts and prioritize your daily schedule.  Mark does offer other Simpleology programs that link to and enhance the usefullness of Simpleology 101.  Try it out and please let me know how it has been helping you achieve your success from within.

Realizing past success...

How does one realize past success? First we must define what success is. Success as defined at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success

1. obsolete: OUTCOME, RESULT
2. a: degree or measure of succeeding b: favorable or desired outcome; also the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3. one that succeeds

By this definition, success is NOT always about having tons of money or fancy things. It relates to many different areas of our lives. As we grow up we achieve many successes but never really apply them to building more. If one takes a success and builds on it, the subsequent successes will grow. Even in our daily lives we have success and never realize them. We just take it for granted that it is a natural occurrence and brush it off as everyday living.

How can every day living produce success?

If we look back on how we plan out our day, we can identify our daily successes. If you wanted to take a trip or a vacation, you would plan it. The same is true for success. To be successful one needs to have a plan but it's not just the plan that makes one successful. You must put the plan into action. If you planned your trip and never went, how successful was the trip? It wasn't, because you never put the plan into action. Now if you went on the trip and did the things you wanted and seen the sights you wanted, how successful was your trip? Very, you planned and then executed the plan for a successful conclusion. So you never thought that going on a trip could be considered a success.

Making a list and going shopping is a form of everyday success. If you go to buy a car or a house, find new employment, save money for a rainy day, make repairs, remodel, the list goes on and on. Go ahead, take a few moments to look at your daily life and see what successes you have accomplished lately. Sounds pretty simple doesn't it. If we are successful everyday, why is it so hard to increase our level of success? By building on previous successes you can and will achieve greater success.

Coming up: My own success story...