No matter how hard some people are working to make their lives great, no matter how much they have accomplished, or how good they feel about themselves, there is almost always one area of their lives where they feel powerless to create the next level of success. If a person is honest with themselves, they will undoubtedly find one or more excuses which hold more power over them than their commitment to their stated goal.

Some of the excuses are obvious and some are so subtle that it takes a very keen eye to expose them. Some messages are loud enough for all to hear, while others whisper quietly in our ears: “It’s not my fault.” “I couldn’t help it.” “My family needed me.” “I am waiting on this or that to happen first.” “I can’t do it.” “It’s a big project.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I’m too stressed out.” “Business is terrible for everyone.” “I’ll do it next week.” “I’ll start tomorrow.”

What we must recognize is that our excuses are automatic. They take no thinking or creativity. We all have them, we all use them, and we all pretend that we are rendered powerless by them.

Excuses like these are the proverbial back door that we leave open in case the pursuit of our goals is harder than we anticipated and we want to take a time out. It is our attempt to “excuse” ourselves from fulfilling our objectives and behaving like the responsible, powerful, creative human beings that we are. The excuses we offer transfer all of our inner power over to outer circumstances we deal with and strip away our ability to create results. They sabotage our dreams for the future and keep us tethered to the past. Excuses are just excuses not to begin something, not to succeed, and not to go beyond your comfort zone. Going outside of your comfort zone isn’t easy and you may have to endure some short-term pain, but isn’t that worth it if you ultimately achieve your goals?

 The first step in becoming successful is to make the decision that you have had enough of your current life – that it isn’t working for you and you’re willing to do what it takes to make serious changes that will lead to success. Then decide what goals are worthy to be pursued. Next, convince yourself that you can achieve those goals.

If you look back to a time when you produced breakthrough results you will most likely find that success was achieved in part because you didn’t allow yourself to use the excuses that are stopping you now. You could see them, and were perhaps momentarily seduced by them. But, ultimately you chose not to use them. You consciously or unconsciously declared that area of your life as an excuse-free zone. While you may have had moments when your progress was halted by excuses, in the end you remained more committed to your vision than to your reasons, excuses, and justifications. And, if you’re really honest with yourself, you’ll see that having a current vision for your life – one that deeply inspires you right here and now – is the best antidote to the chronic use of excuses.

The challenge is to take on the area of your life where you’re not making the progress you desire and identify the top five excuses you use to justify your current reality. Be honest with yourself and overcome those excuses that hold you back and rob your life of vitality and success.

Remind yourself that at every moment you have a choice to align with your greatest vision for your life or to align with your excuses. Then take back your power, and consciously claim this area of your life as an excuse-free zone. When you look back at your life and see what you accomplished it will be well worth it. You can make it happen!

Author Unknown

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t!
If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost;
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind!

If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself
Before you’ll ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the person who thinks he can!

We spend so much of our income and treasure on things that are soon forgotten after the holidays. While we live in a land of abundance, we use so little of what we have to make a difference in others’ lives. Now you have an opportunity to do something that will not only change lives, but also save lives. Read on to see how you can make a difference in the life of a child, starting today.

“Blossom is in big trouble. Her grandfather warned her not to go beyond the village gates. After all, no caterpillar in Twig Valley has ever ventured there and returned to tell.

“For centuries the caterpillars of Twig Valley have lived with a Dark Cloud over the land. For as long as anyone can remember, no caterpillar has ever become a butterfly. In fact, no one thinks about being anything more than a bug that crawls in the dust of the ground.

“Until Blossom.”

Born to Fly is an illustrated children’s book about pursuing your dream. The story features a strong girl as the hero who faces not only the evil Dream Thieves but also her own fears. In her quest to follow her dream, she learns valuable lessons (the hard way, of course) that will inspire girls and boys alike to pursue the dreams in their own hearts.

Born to Fly is published solely as an ebook and is available for iPad, Kindle, Nook, Sony, and other readers. Proceeds go to the Born2Fly Project, a 501c3 nonprofit that works to fight global child trafficking.

Born to Fly author Diana Scimone is a journalist whose work chronicling human rights and justice has taken her to more than 40 countries from Sudan to Zimbabwe. She founded The Born2Fly Project in 2003 to meet some of the many needs she has seen among the world’s children. Today, Born2Fly’s only focus is working to stop child trafficking through an awareness and prevention program currently being tested in five countries.

“Each year more than a million kids get lured into trafficking including in the U.S.,” says Scimone. “Some are just five years old. Our goal at Born2Fly is to reach kids before the traffickers do — and we’re hoping that sales of this new book will help us do that.”                                                                                   

If you would like to help Born2Fly make a difference in a child’s life, here’s what you can do:

• Buy the ebook: www.borntoflybook.com.
• Be a fan of Blossom on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.
• Visit www.born2fly.org to learn more about the fight to stop child trafficking and make a donation.

Sometimes our lives just don’t seem “fun” anymore. You don’t want to get out of bed, let alone go to work! We all have experienced this pattern: Get up, go to work, come home, take care of the family, watch TV, check your Facebook or twitter pages, cell phone, and go to bed every single day!  At what point do we get fed up with the routines of life making us feel depressed, lethargic, empty and miserable?  Do you need to find ways of improving your life? If you are “stuck in a rut” and obviously not enjoying your life anymore, surely it’s time to do something about it. You may not even have noticed the gradual decline of your life’s “quality,” just sort of drifted into a daily routine where most of your actions are performed on “autopilot.”

I know it will not be easy to make changes in your life, nor will you suddenly wake up happy. But if you do not take the necessary steps to improve your life, you only dig that hole deeper in your life and you will stay miserable every day. Also, your misery will affect your relationships with your partner, your family, and even your work.

If you feel you are in that routine, or miserable state of life, now is the time to start improving your life. So how do we do this?

Here are some tips that will gradually help you regain your interest and improve your life.

• First of all, think about your daily routine and identify at least one thing you could do differently. It can be something as trivial as driving a different route, or shopping at a different store. It doesn’t matter what it is, the idea is just to do something different. Try to notice different things, or experience different feelings during the course of your day. Remember, the goal is to break the routine.

• Second, consider taking up a new hobby or sport. Find something you might be interested in, or that you used to do, but never seem to get around to anymore. It must be something interesting to you. Try a new sport, start exercising, read a book, donate your time to a charity, eat at a different restaurant, put date night back in your marriage or relationship, take a walk; anything that is new or different or forgotten to get you thinking about a new way to enjoy your day.

• Third, spend five minutes every day dwelling on something in your life that’s positive. Your children, spouse, friends, a beautiful sunset, the fact that you have a job when so many others don’t. Whatever is positive in your life, let your mind seek it out and dwell on it for five full minutes everyday. Train yourself to look for a new favorite positive each day from the smallest gift to the biggest blessing: No red lights on the way to work? Celebrate! Your daughter texts you, “I love you” for no reason? Cheer! Practice looking for the positives and spending time with them and that will brighten your attitude on a regular basis and soon you’ll be seeing positive outcomes everywhere you look.

Bear in mind that these tips only represent “a start” to improving your life. As you change things little by little, your life will become more and more interesting, and you will begin to look forward to the next day, and doing new things. Those around you will also regard you differently, and want to be around you more, and trust me, you will be happier with your new, improved life. Remember, the goal is to discover something different or new that can break that routine and make you look at your life differently and start enjoying every day. Life is a gift. What are your ideas for improving your outlook on life?

“Worry less, smile more, accept criticism, take responsibility, listen and love, don’t hate, embrace change, feel good anyway.” Unknown

]]> http://justletmevent.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/how-you-can-improve-your-life/feed/ 0 kibler work-depression101 3-confident-biz-people-560x532 http://justletmevent.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/1266/ http://justletmevent.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/1266/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:42:53 +0000 kibler http://justletmevent.wordpress.com/?p=1266 ]]> My Comfort Zone
Unknown

I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork
were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you’re in a comfort zone,
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!

I think the answer lies in control. We have difficulty with change because we perceive it to be a loss of control. Change is not bad and at times is a source of rejuvenation. It provides zest in our lives. It challenges what it touches, forcing adaptation and improvement. It realigns you with your values.

How then do we accept change and incorporate it into our life so that it is acceptable?

1. Recognize
2. Reflect
3. Release
4. Replace
5. Reprogram
6. Re-Integration

First, recognize that change is necessary. It may manifest itself as discomfort, either physical or emotional. You may notice tension or stress, or disrupted sleep. Your appetite may change or you may become impatient, frustrated or discontent.  This lets you know that something must change in your life. The question is then asked, “What must change?”

This is a good time to reflect on your life. What is the source of the discomfort or stress? You must discover what is affecting you emotionally and physically in a negative way. Upon reflection you must remind yourself of your purpose. Discover what is not in agreement with your values or what contradicts or inhibits your growth and pursuit of your purpose.

After you have identified what stresses you or inhibits your life, release it. You must let go of that which is holding you back. When you release this frustration and stress you will notice a change and a difference within you, a spaciousness of freedom.

Now, this sense of spaciousness may in fact begin to feel like an emptiness that needs to be filled. You have the option to replace the negative which wasn’t serving you, with a positive: something that is more aligned with your core values. You must make the choice to be positive and proactive in filling that emptiness.

Once the detrimental aspect has been replaced with something positive, reprogramming is necessary. You must learn how to incorporate this new dynamic into your life. You have the opportunity now to reprogram the way you think and live more positively, relieving your life from stress and frustration you have been dealing with. Once completed you will experience more ease, more fulfillment and happiness in your life.

Over time and with application you will discover that reprogramming your thoughts, feelings and actions will bring you to a place of re-integration. The positive changes you have made will be seamlessly incorporated into other aspects of your life. Change is often a necessity in our lives and should not be perceived as bad. We resist what we do not understand and we deflect change because we have fear of what may happen. But please realize that change can be good. Staying proactive and allowing change when needed is not losing control. It allows you to stay in control of your life so that you can be happy, healthy and wise, pursuing new levels of freedom in finding your purpose for living.  

“Change is in the air. This change reminds us that we are made and beautifully sculpted by the same power that is orchestrating this transition. Let this be the season you embrace and align your self with this change.”

Steve Maraboli

Q&A Series ~ With Patrick and April Emrich

In 2008 Patrick and April Emrich were ready to start a family and ecstatic when April became pregnant with twins. But the overwhelming joy turned to fear and sadness when April was hospitalized. The twins — Patrick and Savannah — were born prematurely, and baby Patrick passed away just three weeks later. Although the experience has been devastating, Patrick and April have found strength by working to help prevent premature births through the March of Dimes, and they tell their story below in this latest Q&A in a series on charities that are worth your time and consideration.

Every day, babies are born too soon or very sick and start life in newborn intensive care. When doctors and nurses are focused on their little patients, the March of Dimes is there to help support families. Join March for Babies and walk for a baby you love to raise money to support programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.

What’s your favorite part of a typical day? 

Walking into Savannah’s room in the morning when she first wakes up.  She often loves to greet us both with a big smile which is a perfect start to the day.  We have our own little routine as she likes to stay in bed for a good 10-15 minutes playing with her animals and rolling around.

 What part of your day would you gladly give up?

The hustle and bustle of everyday life is something that I would give up in a minute.  There are often times that I wish I was able to press a pause button and just freeze life.  I want to enjoy watching my daughter grow up and remember all of the things that pass by so often.  It is exciting to see her reach milestones but I long for the days when I could cradle her in one arm.  Often times, we as a society get caught up in the next big thing or working towards the next promotion when in reality it is the small things in life that truly matter.

 Tell me about your charity. Share your passion.

The March of Dimes is an organization that we discovered a little less than three years ago and one that is very near and dear to our hearts.  The March of Dimes supports research into the prevention of premature birth and infant mortality which is something that we have experienced firsthand.

On November 6, 2008 and at only 31 weeks pregnant, April gave birth to boy/girl twins.  Patrick weighed 1 lb. 7 oz. and Savannah weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz.  They were both rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where we expected them to stay for a number of weeks and possibly months as they continued to get bigger and stronger.  Even after being born 9 weeks early and as tiny as they were, neither Patrick nor Savannah showed any major issues due to their premature birth. (Notice little Patrick wearing his father’s wedding ring on his tiny arm above.) They were both treated for jaundice and Savannah had a minor bleed in her brain which ultimately resolved itself.  The biggest hurdle for both Patrick and Savannah was their size which would take lots of time and food to fix.  Unfortunately, 25 days after they were born, Patrick developed an intestinal condition that attacked his little body and slowly shut it down.  On November 30, we held Patrick for the last time as his body was not strong enough to fight off the intestinal damage that had been done. We feel strongly that without the research that the March of Dimes has completed over the past 70 years, it is completely possible that Savannah and Patrick may not even have been born and Patrick may not have lived as long as he did.

If you could change anything you have done in your charity, what would it be?

 Every year, we raise money for the annual March of Dimes March for Babies which is an event that takes place on the same day throughout the country.  As honored and proud that we are to be one of the top teams in Florida, I wish that we could have a more personal impact.  I wish that we could meet families that have recently experienced the birth of a premature child or the loss of an infant due to premature birth and help them walk through the challenges that they are facing.  Although each circumstance may be unique, every family that has lost a child can relate in some way to each other and we would like to be able to provide a shoulder for other families to lean on.

What keeps you up at night? 

The biggest thing that keeps me up at night right now is wondering how we are going to explain to Savannah that her twin brother did not live and that he is in heaven.  We talk about him all the time and Savannah knows that he is in heaven but she really cannot grasp that concept at only 2 ½ years old.  I pray that when the day comes that Savannah realizes the magnitude of what happened to Patrick, I have the right words to explain everything to her and that she does not feel guilty for living while her brother died.

Who gives you the best advice about your charity?

The Hillsborough County, Florida chapter of the March of Dimes has a great support staff and they have all been extremely helpful and generous with their time and insight.

What would you like to see happen with your charity?

In the short-term I want to continue to grow our team and our fundraising efforts on a yearly basis.  Currently, we are one of the Ambassador Families for Hillsborough County, Florida and we would like to continue that role and continue to share our story at local events.  A long-term goal would be for Savannah and us to be the National Ambassador Family.  This prestigious position is generally a child that was saved by the March of Dimes research, programs or educational campaigns.  This may be a few years down the line but would be an amazing honor.

Share a failure and a triumphant outcome to something you have faced in your life.

April was originally admitted to the hospital at 21 weeks pregnant and the doctors immediately informed us that the babies would not even be viable for another three weeks.  April and I had to have faith in God’s plan, each other and the doctors in order to survive those first few grueling weeks.  As it turned out we made it 10 weeks before the babies were born but those 10 weeks were certainly some of the longest weeks of our lives.  I am extremely proud of the strength that April and I received from each other during that time.  It could have been very easy to pull away from each other as we both grieved in our own way but it was our continuous support and love that allowed us to make it though that season of life. 

If you were in charge of everything in the world for a day, what’s the first change you would make?

 I would encourage everyone to open their eyes about the loss of a child which is still a taboo subject.  It is a very unfortunate event but it happens every day.  If you know someone who has lost a child I would encourage you to not shy away from them because you are uncomfortable, but instead embrace them and help them during their grieving process.

Every day there are needs to be met in this world and every day you have an opportunity. Find a cause, find a charity and endeavor to make a difference. You will be glad you did.

I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.  ~ Edward Everett Hale

Don’t Quit

by: Unknown Author

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

6 powerful ways to build your self esteem:

1. Recognize that you are valuable. All of us have something to offer this world. And you have something special that adds value to other people. It may be your words, your ideas, or your soothing demeanor. Recognizing what is special about you and using that to help others is an excellent confidence building strategy.

2. Examine the internal self. Take a close look at YOU. Recognize what is important to you and articulate your personal values. When you know what is important to you, what captures your attention; it is easier to overcome a lack of self esteem by focusing on what you want out of life. Focusing on your goals and objectives gives you the motivation to move forward and increase confidence. It is a powerful way for boosting self esteem.

3. Take care of yourself. Boosting self esteem starts with self awareness. You must take the time to care for your mind and body. When you live an active lifestyle and take time to meditate and think, it makes you more aware of yourself and is a huge boost for confidence and self esteem. What better confidence building action is there than to take care of yourself?

4. Be observant. Your confidence comes from being aware of your surroundings. Observe and examine what is happening and listen to what is being said. You will discover that you can identify ways to help others that you never realized before. Therefore, instead of worrying about your self, you can do something good by observing and helping others. You finally see beyond yourself and by doing that, you discover what you are meant to do.

5. Walk confidently. There are many ways that people demonstrate their self confidence. The way you walk and carry yourself and your physical appearance says volumes about your self confidence – or lack thereof. Stand tall, be assertive, and reach out to others. Speak clearly and succinctly. People who slouch, whisper, and sit back from the group are often believed to have a lack of self confidence and low self esteem. Take control and walk confidently, and you will boost your self confidence and increase your self esteem.

6. Focus on others. When you focus only on yourself and your perceived flaws, you lose sight of others and their needs. When you listen to what people say, you learn and you perceive and you can help. But just as important, you can encourage and make a difference. You can feel like you contribute to their welfare which in turn, makes a difference within you. You can become alive and effective when you can encourage others to reach their goals. Encouraging others make you feel more powerful and increases your confidence.

Don’t allow a lack of self esteem to keep you from enjoying life. These 6 powerful tips will go a long way towards confidence building and helping you overcome fears and anxieties in life. They will give you the basis for boosting self esteem so you can live a life filled with adventure and excitement. The best way to go forward in life is to move ahead with confidence.

     “To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.”

Maryanne Williamson