Thursday, January 24, 2008

Having studied successful people in all walks of life -- in business, sport, the arts, science, politics, and other fields -- it seems clear to me that successful people share a very similar mindset.
In fact, this "success mindset" has 7 critical elements or keys that virtually propel such people to achieving the loftiest of goals.
It follows that if YOU absorb and harness these 7 key qualities, you too will accomplish success in your endeavour.
And fortunately, these success factors aren't secret or exclusive -- they are latent qualities you already have within. highalkalinephosphatase, cindycashdollar. You just need to harness them in pursuit of your current goal!
So what are these 7 critical keys to achieving success?
Let's discuss each one in turn.
1. alerecipes, rdabeautysupply. Commitment
Commitment is about deciding exactly what you want and being willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. slidercellphone, expressgolf.
Being committed is more than being "motivated" or even "determined." While motivation and determination indicate a willingness to succeed, commitment is stronger: it allows for no alternative. uniteairline, bitchwife, ovumultrasound.
If you are committed to achieving something -- you MUST achieve it, no matter what!
2. paintballgamesonline. An Open Mind
Now, being committed to a goal is all very well. thellamasong. But what if your goal is, to put it bluntly, unrealistic? Or what if your strategy for achieving that goal is flawed?
What if you lack key information, skills, talents, contacts or other resources that are essential for achieving the success you desire?
Let's take the issue of unrealistic goals first.
Contrary to what some self-help gurus seem to suggest, there are some goals that are out of your reach, no matter how much you may "commit" yourself to achieving them. metricprefixes, leaindustries, motherboardcpucombo.
I, for example, am simply never going to be a champion swimmer. magazinesweepstake, racingengines. I simply don't have the physique, the talent, or the years of training under my belt. dissertationabstractinternational. Being open-minded, I can see and accept this fact.
Likewise, having an open mind allows YOU to distinguish between what is worth committing yourself to and what isn't. antibacterialsoap, wristrest.
Open-mindedness also helps you find the best strategy for achieving your goal.
In your quest to succeed, you're almost certain to make mistakes... fifeanddrums, stainlesssteeltoasters, fanfare. or, as I like to regard them, "valuable learning experiences"!
This is not only fine -- it's invaluable. worcesterwreath.
As long as you do, in fact, learn from your mistakes. forthoodtx, womansswimsuit, marchflower. And better yet -- you learn from other people's mistakes (a much less stressful and less costly way to learn!). medicalmalpracticecalifornia, garterher.
So while being committed without being open-minded is akin to "backing the wrong horse" -- having an open mind and being willing to learn almost guarantees that you'll find the best possible strategy for achieving your goal.
3. carinsuranceonline. Persistence
Success doesn't come easy.
Okay, it depends on how you define "success" and "easy" but from what I've experienced and observed, it takes a lot -- in some cases mammoth -- patience, endurance, resilience, courage... amitriptylinepain, backpacktravel, cassidycrack. in short, persistence, to achieve anything worthwhile. internetsearchengine.
You're going to make mistakes. bisonbuilder, conflictnegotiation, softtopper. You're bound to suffer setbacks. ivorychessset, koshercaterer. You will confront challenges... printingflyers.
But to succeed, you need to get right up after you've been kicked to the ground. shopperreport, mysterymethod.
That's persistence.
4. pimpmyblack, pitandquarry, weddinghairstyle. Flexibility
On the other hand... opencupbra. just as being committed without being open-minded is a recipe for failure, so too is being persistent without being flexible. latinthreesome.
This is called being "stubborn" or "pig-headed".
What good is it if we "persist" in making the same mistakes over and over?
No good at all.
That's why you need to be flexible -- to adjust your plans when circumstances change. plumbinghartford.
To take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
To account for unforeseen hazards.
5. patentdatabase, williamwilson, nutcrackerdoll. Faith
You might think that commitment, having an open mind, persistence, and flexibility are enough to succeed. italianweddingtradition, sexynightwear. But I've found that three remaining factors are essential for maintaining that commitment, open-mindedness, persistence and flexibility!
Not to mention helping us enjoy the day-to-day journey towards accomplishing our goals!
The first of these is faith.
In many cases, it takes days, months, sometimes years of chipping away at the old block before you have a work of art to show off. lifestylesforlady.
In other words, you may be working day and night on something, without seeing or experiencing any "evidence" that you're making progress.
How do you keep going when it feels like you're making absolutely no headway?
The answer is: faith!
Faith that with commitment, having an open mind, persistence and flexibility, you will succeed!
6. freightbrokerage. Thankfulness
Chances are that simply by being on the path that you're now on -- even having the opportunity to read this article right now -- you have more opportunities than most people in the world.
There is much to be thankful for. collegerepublican, alaskajobcorp.
And what a great frame of mind it is to appreciate each day, each hour, each minute, each moment you have on this Earth!
Being thankful is also great for "opportunistic" reasons. americahammockstand, alcoholalcoholism. By being thankful for the resources and opportunities you have, you're more likely to value and get the most out of them.
And you'll also be able to cope with difficulties more easily. protopipe. After all, you're still better off than most people, right?
7. pinklily. Passion
Finally, the seventh critical key to success: passion!
When you're passionate about what you do, you enjoy the journey -- you enjoy the training, the practice, the research, the seemingly tedious and difficult tasks, in short, the "work" involved in achieving your goal.
And when you enjoy the journey... managementconsultant. you keep going!
In fact, when you're passionate about what you do, you don't see difficulties as difficulties... powerlock, collateralcirculation. you see them as challenges in a fun and rewarding "game". piggyback, kimberlyconradhefner.
And when you're passionate about what you do, you also do all those little, teeny-weeny things that make all the difference between big-time success... corgipuppywelsh, hiringsolution, kristinkreuksexy. and mediocre success... biblecd, badconductdischarge, hypnoticseduction. or failure.
Simply put, passion is the fuel that not only keeps your motor running, but keeps it running at its absolute peak. tokyosubway, whistlerrealestate.
Commitment, an open mind, persistence, flexibility, faith, thankfulness and passion - these are the 7 critical keys to success!
Now you might think these are a little abstract -- not practical attributes or resources (things like practice, or contacts, or money) that are necessary to accomplish your goal. allegromoderato, engineblockheater, poisonivycontagious.
But if you think about it, the more practical or material attributes and resources all become available to you once you have the 7 critical success keys.
Think about it a little...
And then focus on developing these 7 critical keys to success. snailpace, bakedtilapia. You'll achieve your goals much faster and more enjoyably than you ever thought possible!


It Sucks To be Me and You Sometimes! Develop a Mantra for Stress Management!
Over Easter Weekend, I was able to enjoy a beautiful spring day in New York. clitoraljewelry, keraknightly. The respite desperately needed as the horror of all horrors had happened: Yikes, my internet server had swallowed incoming and outgoing messages without my knowledge! Surely my colleagues and family would leave me for dead—yet another road warrior lost somewhere between State College, Pennsylvania and the Holland Tunnel---a pathetic way for a motivational speaker to go. gatorlandflorida, allegiancemortgage.
I welcomed the brief sojourn on Broadway to see Avenue Q, where the theme song "It Sucks to be Me" somehow deeply resonated. sampleteacherresume, wholesaleballons. I had after all, just experienced hours of frustrating computer troubleshooting in a world where I didn't even know the language! Yup, you'll all be happy to know I finally discovered that my "pop server" was not grandpa bringing ice cream. sharperimage, ustimezones.
In Avenue Q, a bawdy, Broadway hit that I would highly recommend, a cast of talented people and puppets ask the question So What's your Purpose? all the while experiencing life's temporary setbacks. oldcar, warrengharding. We've all discovered that life is indeed filled with big setbacks as well as little, annoying ones, but let's listen to the puppets on Avenue Q and Take heart this week: It's all temporary!
As we left the Broadway theatre, police were holding back crowds, waiting for Julia Roberts to exit the theatre next door. intuitcheck. I was proudly wearing my "It Sucks to be Me Button" and yes, for just a moment, I thought of waiting for Julia and tossing her my new mantra. lithiumandpregnancy, menswatches. Surely even Julia has those less than perfect days. specsappeal, pitonphilippines. Doesn't she?
Somehow, I was feeling better about my internet woes that while still unresolved for the moment, were indeed only temporary and small issues compared to "The bigger Purpose". lawndarts. It was a message I had heard earlier in the week, as a group of professionals in training had shared their personal mantras for dealing with the stress of technology, change and complaining customers. ballastbags.
What's a Mantra?—that little voice in your head that talks you down from the rooftop in times of stress, with a short, soothing, Yoda Like wisdom that has meaning and comfort just for you!
One woman remembered a day when she was terribly upset that she messed up a pizza order as a waitress in college. hospitaladministration, womensclothingcatalog. Her boss, probably should be promoted for his 3 simple words of wisdom, that today still bring the young woman back to her purpose "It's only pizza" So What's your mantra for stress survival?
"It's only Pizza"
"It Sucks to be Me, but it's temporary"
"I am doing the best that I can in the place that I am" or maybe a simple question
What's the very next thing I need to do?
Or quite simply - But what's my purpose?
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Rosemary Rein, Ph.D is an Author, Professional Speaker and founder of Costa Rica Learning Adventures. nursecartoon, leotardpicture, lindamoodbell. www.costaricatraining.com . trabajoofertasoportunidad, famouscameltoe, romantub. She lectures internationally and hosts leadership and personal development retreats in tropical Costa Rica.


12 Surefire Strategies For Overcoming Your Fear Of Public Speaking
Copyright 2006 Deborah Torres Patel
For many people the idea of speaking in public can be absolutely terrifying! And sociologists report that the fear of public speaking ranks even higher than the fear of death. bamboorods. Not to worry. vehicleleasing. Here are 12 surefire strategies to eliminate stage fright and the fear of public speaking.
1. oddessyputter, dellmonitors, womeninmilitary. Give up the idea of perfection ~ Most seasoned public speaking professionals will admit that mistakes have provided the largest opportunities for growth. dashboardgraphic. So acknowledge your humanity and have the courage to be imperfect.
2. classiccorvettes, hakkoproductsoldering. Replace disempowering beliefs with positive action ~ The famous American athlete Bob Richards said, "You are what you think. californiaeducationcode, castratingaman. You are what you go for. rubbermaidshelves, womensdesignershoes. You are what you do!" If you think you are incapable, you will be. mailboxcompanion, hydrauliclogsplitters. Give yourself permission to take action even if you risk failure. kerncounseling, tighttshirt. When Bob Richards knocked down poles while vaulting his way to 1 bronze and 2 gold medals in 3 consecutive Olympics he didn't focus on the setbacks, he focused on going for gold and doing his best.
3. nightblindness, getawayluxury. Know your topic and audience ~ Doing your homework and research will eliminate 75-80% of your fears. vancouverskyline, yakpak. Most people are horrifically under-prepared when they get up to speak. writercareer. Invest in your preparation and you will be richly rewarded.
4. catcarriers, maytagwasherpart, lecreusetcookware. Arm yourself with a relevant and expert presentation ~ Think of the absolute worst questions that you could ever be asked. billiardtabledimension, warmemorabilia. Be prepared with answers to those questions and you will dramatically reduce mental stress and performance anxiety.
5. geniusstroke. Practice aloud (even if it's a 30 second introduction) ~ Most people make time to prepare a physical presentation or notes but don't venture to practice out loud. embossedstationery, chrisissac, shockspokane. When you put the presentation on its feet first, without an audience, you will naturally find yourself changing, refining and improving your content. doorlouvers, swarovskicrystalwholesale. Practice your entire presentation a bare minimum of 3 times before you speak to a group. realestatenegotiation, tritoncollege, wirelessispequipment. The more you practice, the more you will boost your confidence.
6. airlinekazakhstan, racingjacket. Always warm up ~ Warming up your body and voice at the beginning of an important day or right before a presentation will release tension, open you up, and allow your natural expression to flow. nursevisa, harrahsreno. A mere 5 minutes of stretching and 3 minutes of singing (even if it's in the shower) will make you much more at ease.
7. alfalfasprouts, newbalances, dartcontrol. Arrive early ~ One of the simplest things you can do to be calm and collected is to arrive very early. warningsigns. This gives you plenty of time to check and test equipment, get familiar with the environment, freshen up and mingle with your audience beforehand.
8. foammolding. Visualize success while focusing on your breathing ~ If you feel your heart palpitating, simply focus on breathing deeply imagining yourself filling up with love on the inhale, and on the exhale, let go of any tension or stress. gunnybunny, queenstribune. Then visualize being victorious just like an athlete prepares to win a competition. minimicrothong. Breathe through the anxiety to channel nervous energy into excitement and enthusiasm.
9. sesamestreettheme. Don't worry about what others are thinking ~ Remember people want you to be good. earnmoneyinstantly. 99 times out of 100, audiences are on your side. pilothelmet, reactionpaper. If you start to feel yourself getting uneasy, make eye contact with the friendly faces in the audience for encouragement. superiorford. Also an audience focused intention like " to be of service" or "to deliver extraordinary value" will help to alleviate angst because it gets the focus off you and onto others.
10. calendardownloadfree, morethantraffic. Hold microphones with your non-dominant hand ~ If you are given a microphone, hold it with your non-dominant hand so that you can gesture freely with the hand you normally write with. christianwomanretreat, universitymanor, altstorytext. This will make you feel more comfortable physically.
11. titansticket, lenoxflatware. Join Toastmaster's, a speaking association, presentation skills training or acting class ~ These types of organizations can teach you very important skills affording you the opportunity to practice in a supportive environment with like-minded people. pedalexerciser, airriflepellets, illinoiscosmetologyschools. If you don't have the resources available to you, run your presentations by several family members, friends or colleagues you trust for constructive feedback.
12. motionsensors, homeappraisalphoenix. Hire a presentation skills trainer or public speaking coach ~ If you have a very important presentation coming up or if your livelihood is connected at all to your communication or persuasion skills, get a professional coach. angelicagavaldon. Top athletes would never enter a competition without the support of the best coach they can find. toppingtree, earthatmosphere. Engaging a specialist will put your performance on the fast track and ensure that you have a winning edge over your competitors.
Take action today with just 1 of these tips to reduce your fear of public speaking. customgunengraving, plastictableware. Take action with all 12 surefire strategies and you can bet on overcoming your fear of public speaking forever!

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Deborah Torres Patel makes expressing yourself easy and fun! Get free video training, more free articles, free newsletters and powerful tips about overcoming stage fright, improving your voice, presentation and public speaking at: http://www.expressingyou.com .. hotsurfers, tampalawyer, bridesmaidluncheon