Jack Canfield's Success Principle #10
We will spend two days covering this principle, which addresses the issue of limiting ourselves with our thinking.
Jack begins with an explanation about what happens when we drive with the emergency brake on. Even if we give the car more gas, we don't go very fast. Many people drive through life with a psychological brake on. They may pour on the steam, striving ever harder to get ahead; but their negative thoughts hold them back.
(1) Get out of your comfort zone.
What, exactly, is our comfort zone? Jack defines it as a self-imposed prison, formed by our negative thoughts.
For example, if I constantly tell myself that I can't play the piano in front of an audience without getting nervous, I will keep myself in that place. Because the minute I get on a stage, that message will begin playing in my head, and I'll choke.
If we want to get out of our comfort zone, which you can see is really not where God wants us, then we have to change our thoughts.
(2) Don't be as dumb as an elephant.
When elephants are young, their trainers tie a thick rope around one of their hind legs and drive a sturdy stake into the ground. The elephant repeatedly tries to get away, but he soon learns that he is limited to a small area. When the elephant grows into a 5-ton adult, the trainer only needs to tie a light rope around his leg to keep him in that same amount of space. The elephant could easily charge away, but he believes that he can't.
We can shift out of our comfort zones by:
-using positive self-talk to affirm that we already have what we want;
-creating powerful new images of what we want; and
-simply changing our behavior.
In the case of the elephant, if he could say, "I am thrilled to be running free wherever I want to go," he would be able to escape his self-imposed prison. By envisioning the joys of roaming the jungle and tasting delicious plants, he would escape even more quickly. If he simply changed his behavior and gave that rope a yank, he would be surprised how easily the change would come.
We are surely smarter than elephants, so why do we remain stuck in undesirable situations?
(3) Stop re-creating the same experience over and over.
Jack points out that, like the elephant, we are never really stuck. We only think we are. Our thoughts and words keep us where we don't want to be.
Let's say that we find ourselves in an abusive marriage. The pain of our relationship is the same as the elephant's rope. Our abuser, like the elephant trainer, has taught us not to move outside of his circle of influence.
Our thoughts, based on memories of pain, cause us to see images in our heads of what we think will happen if we try to escape. We imagine ourselves alone, broke, and frightened in a place that is unknown to us. We think of eviction notices and overdue bills coming in the mail. We envision our children being ripped from our arms, screaming for us as our abuser drags them away.
These negative thoughts keep us from moving out of our abuser's circle and into a place of safety. And the more we repeat our behavior of cowering under our abuser's power, the more these thoughts are reinforced.
Then, he hurts us again and tells us we're incapable of managing our own lives. As a result, we tell ourselves, "Look, he is always right. I am a mess. I have to stay with him, because if I left, I'd be..." This leads to a downward spiral, keeping us trapped in a hopeless situation.
If we want to get out of situations like this, we must stop re-creating it with our thoughts and actions.
(4) Take your temperature.
Jack writes that no matter how much money we have, we will re-create whatever we see ourselves earning. For instance, if we earn $30,000 a year, and we win the lottery, we will spend all of our winnings so that we can get back into our comfort zone of only having $30,000 a year in income.
If we feel comfortable with $1,000 in the bank, we will make sure that we save and work extra to maintain that amount. If, however, we believe that we must have $50,000 in savings, we will work equally hard to make sure we maintain that balance.
I think we could check our psychological temperature in the same way that Jack checked his financial temp. Are we socially bankrupt, or are we rich in our relationships? Are we overdrawn emotionally or bubbling over with joy? Do our friendships bring us satisfaction, or are they draining us?
(5) Change your behavior.
Jack tells about going with his wealthy boss to go shopping. He had never spent more than $35 on a department store shirt. But on that day, he bought a $95 shirt imported from Italy. He sweated, and he felt miserably uncomfortable spending that much; but he forced himself to do it.
Jack did not want to see himself as a mediocre earner. He wore the $95 shirt often and felt so good about himself that he earned more money. Then he bought more of those Italian shirts until he felt comfortable in his new lifestyle, earning more than ever before.
If we see ourselves as trapped in an endless cycle of abuse, it's the same concept as Jack wearing only $35 shirts. God wants us to have an abundant life, and not just in the area of our finances.
Through Jeremiah, the prophet, God promised: Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.(Jer 33:9)
(6) Change your self-talk with affirmations.
Jack teaches us how to stretch our comfort zone with affirmations. We can bombard our minds with new thoughts and images of things such as a big bank account, a trim body, exciting work, interesting friends, memorable vacations, and the like. We must create positive statements that describe our goals as if they have already come true.
A positive affirmation for me would be, "I am celebrating the joy of seeing my name on the New York Times Bestsellers list."
Today's Challenge
Take a look at your self-imposed comfort zone. Are you dumb as an elephant? Are you re-creating the same chaotic or meaningless life over and over? Take your financial or psychological temperature. Are you sick because of the life you're leading? Start thinking about what you would like to change. Imagine your life in a new way. You have the power to change everything by what you think about and envision for yourself. Prepare your mind and heart for tomorrow's lesson, when we will discover how to create affirmations and apply them to our lives.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Success Leaves Clues
Jack Canfield's Success Principle #9
Today's lesson from Jack Canfield's book, Success Principles, teaches us to look for the clues around us that someone else has already done what we're hoping to achieve.
(1) Figure out who has already accomplished what you want to do.
If we pay attention, we can model ourselves after others who have already achieved what we want. They are:
-teachers
-facilitators
-advisors
-coaches
-consultants
One of the most effective ways to learn from successful people is to simply ask them for advice. This summer, I met with a well-known author and former college instructor to ask her for guidance in getting my book published. It took a little nerve to do this, but I was pleasantly surprised. She was very happy to share her thoughts with me about how to improve my novel for publication.
Most successful people leave clues about their work in the form of:
-books
-manuals
-audio programs
-online classes
Jesus is the greatest teacher of all time. If we want to grow in our faith, all we have to do is ask him for advice. He has also left us with an exhaustive manual that is filled with wisdom. Through Scripture, we can discover some of the greatest secrets of the universe.
Reading the Bible can help us to grow spiritually, and so can other Christians who have been traveling along the same path for longer than we have. Proverbs 13:10 reads, Wisdom is found in those who take advice.
(2) Think about why you haven't been seeking out clues.
-It never occurs to us.
-It's inconvenient.
-We're afraid of rejection.
-Change is uncomfortable.
-It's hard work.
I think that I've fizzled out on achieving some dreams, because I get sidetracked by other dreams. While some people never dream of doing anything, I dream of doing too much. I get so many irons in the fire that I eventually feel so overwhelmed that I give up.
Writing down my 101 life goals, putting the most pressing ones on 3 x 5 cards, and narrowing the focus of my Goals Book really helps me to keep my eye on the one or two prizes I'm working toward at the moment.
Right now, I've got three major projects going: writing, quilting, and healing touch training. Keeping all of these balls in the air is a challenge, but Jack's success principles are helping me to remain balanced.
Today's Challenge
Seek out a teacher, mentor, coach, manual, or book to help you learn more about one of your goals. Set up a 30- to 60-minute meeting with someone successful and ask them what they did to achieve their dream. If possible, make arrangements to shadow someone, volunteer, or intern in a position that moves you closer to your goal.
Today's lesson from Jack Canfield's book, Success Principles, teaches us to look for the clues around us that someone else has already done what we're hoping to achieve.
(1) Figure out who has already accomplished what you want to do.
If we pay attention, we can model ourselves after others who have already achieved what we want. They are:
-teachers
-facilitators
-advisors
-coaches
-consultants
One of the most effective ways to learn from successful people is to simply ask them for advice. This summer, I met with a well-known author and former college instructor to ask her for guidance in getting my book published. It took a little nerve to do this, but I was pleasantly surprised. She was very happy to share her thoughts with me about how to improve my novel for publication.
Most successful people leave clues about their work in the form of:
-books
-manuals
-audio programs
-online classes
Jesus is the greatest teacher of all time. If we want to grow in our faith, all we have to do is ask him for advice. He has also left us with an exhaustive manual that is filled with wisdom. Through Scripture, we can discover some of the greatest secrets of the universe.
Reading the Bible can help us to grow spiritually, and so can other Christians who have been traveling along the same path for longer than we have. Proverbs 13:10 reads, Wisdom is found in those who take advice.
(2) Think about why you haven't been seeking out clues.
-It never occurs to us.
-It's inconvenient.
-We're afraid of rejection.
-Change is uncomfortable.
-It's hard work.
I think that I've fizzled out on achieving some dreams, because I get sidetracked by other dreams. While some people never dream of doing anything, I dream of doing too much. I get so many irons in the fire that I eventually feel so overwhelmed that I give up.
Writing down my 101 life goals, putting the most pressing ones on 3 x 5 cards, and narrowing the focus of my Goals Book really helps me to keep my eye on the one or two prizes I'm working toward at the moment.
Right now, I've got three major projects going: writing, quilting, and healing touch training. Keeping all of these balls in the air is a challenge, but Jack's success principles are helping me to remain balanced.
Today's Challenge
Seek out a teacher, mentor, coach, manual, or book to help you learn more about one of your goals. Set up a 30- to 60-minute meeting with someone successful and ask them what they did to achieve their dream. If possible, make arrangements to shadow someone, volunteer, or intern in a position that moves you closer to your goal.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Chunk It Down
Jack Canfield's Success Principle #8
Breaking our big goals down into smaller, achievable tasks is something that Jack calls chunking it down. We certainly need this, after the overwhelming process of writing down those 101 goals from #7!
(1) Take the action steps to chunk it down.
Jack gives us three pieces of advice for chunking down our goals into smaller steps. They include:
-Consult successful people who have already done what you want to do and ask what steps they took.
-Read a book or manual that outlines the process.
-Start from the end and look backward. Think of the last thing you would need to do, then the step before that, and so on.
(2) Use mind mapping to break down your goals into achievable steps.
A mind map is a diagram that illustrates how we can get from an idea to the measurable outcome we're looking for. You really need to look at page 64 of Success Principles to fully understand it.
Basically, you start by drawing a circle on a paper and writing your goal inside. For me, this would read as, Publish Among the Ashes, the novel that I finished earlier this year.
Next, we draw lines from the center circle to smaller circles around the page. Each circle breaks down the big project into smaller tasks. For me, this would include Editing, Proposal, Query Letters, Contacts, Contract, Publicity.
The final step involves drawing spokes that project out from each of the smaller circles. Each spoke represents a step in the process. For my project, my Editing spoke would include Improve Pacing, Insert Comparisons, Eliminate Unnessary Characters, Delete Common Adjectives, Strengthen Verbs, Check Spelling.
(3) Make a daily to-do list.
From the results of the mind mapping exercise, the next step involves making a daily to-do list. Each item must include a completion date, otherwise we just let time slip by, and the project never gets finished. Do whatever it takes to stay on schedule.
(4) Do first things first.
We put things off, because we perceive that they're doing to be unpleasant or difficult. If we have a list of five things to do, we usually put off the hardest thing for last. Inevitably, it doesn't get done.
Brian Tracy wrote a book titled, Eat That Frog! I love his method for helping us to visualize how to quit procrastinating. He asks us to think of our most ardous task as a frog that we must eat. Yuk! If that hung over our heads all day, we'd be miserable, anticipating what was to come. But if we could just gulp down that slippery little critter, the rest of the day would be a breeze. After all, if we can swallow a frog, we can do anything!
(5) Plan your day the night before.
Scientists tell us that if we make a list of tasks to accomplish the night before, our minds will work out how we're going to do things while we're sleeping. If we plan our day's work before we sleep, we can start the day off running, chomping down that ugly frog before anyone else has rubbed the sleep from their eyes.
(6) Use the achievers focusing system.
You can find a helpful worksheet at www.thesuccessprinciples.com. It was designed by Les Heweitt of the Achievers Coaching Program and can be used to help you plan and hold yourself accountable as you accomplish the steps needed for 13 weeks of goals.
Today's Challenge
My frog is a pile of bookkeeping that I keep putting off. It's now on my list of things to do first thing tomorrow morning. I'd much rather get it off my desk than to continue listening to that ugly frog croaking from the corner of my desk. What's your frog? How are you going to eat him?
Breaking our big goals down into smaller, achievable tasks is something that Jack calls chunking it down. We certainly need this, after the overwhelming process of writing down those 101 goals from #7!
(1) Take the action steps to chunk it down.
Jack gives us three pieces of advice for chunking down our goals into smaller steps. They include:
-Consult successful people who have already done what you want to do and ask what steps they took.
-Read a book or manual that outlines the process.
-Start from the end and look backward. Think of the last thing you would need to do, then the step before that, and so on.
(2) Use mind mapping to break down your goals into achievable steps.
A mind map is a diagram that illustrates how we can get from an idea to the measurable outcome we're looking for. You really need to look at page 64 of Success Principles to fully understand it.
Basically, you start by drawing a circle on a paper and writing your goal inside. For me, this would read as, Publish Among the Ashes, the novel that I finished earlier this year.
Next, we draw lines from the center circle to smaller circles around the page. Each circle breaks down the big project into smaller tasks. For me, this would include Editing, Proposal, Query Letters, Contacts, Contract, Publicity.
The final step involves drawing spokes that project out from each of the smaller circles. Each spoke represents a step in the process. For my project, my Editing spoke would include Improve Pacing, Insert Comparisons, Eliminate Unnessary Characters, Delete Common Adjectives, Strengthen Verbs, Check Spelling.
(3) Make a daily to-do list.
From the results of the mind mapping exercise, the next step involves making a daily to-do list. Each item must include a completion date, otherwise we just let time slip by, and the project never gets finished. Do whatever it takes to stay on schedule.
(4) Do first things first.
We put things off, because we perceive that they're doing to be unpleasant or difficult. If we have a list of five things to do, we usually put off the hardest thing for last. Inevitably, it doesn't get done.
Brian Tracy wrote a book titled, Eat That Frog! I love his method for helping us to visualize how to quit procrastinating. He asks us to think of our most ardous task as a frog that we must eat. Yuk! If that hung over our heads all day, we'd be miserable, anticipating what was to come. But if we could just gulp down that slippery little critter, the rest of the day would be a breeze. After all, if we can swallow a frog, we can do anything!
(5) Plan your day the night before.
Scientists tell us that if we make a list of tasks to accomplish the night before, our minds will work out how we're going to do things while we're sleeping. If we plan our day's work before we sleep, we can start the day off running, chomping down that ugly frog before anyone else has rubbed the sleep from their eyes.
(6) Use the achievers focusing system.
You can find a helpful worksheet at www.thesuccessprinciples.com. It was designed by Les Heweitt of the Achievers Coaching Program and can be used to help you plan and hold yourself accountable as you accomplish the steps needed for 13 weeks of goals.
Today's Challenge
My frog is a pile of bookkeeping that I keep putting off. It's now on my list of things to do first thing tomorrow morning. I'd much rather get it off my desk than to continue listening to that ugly frog croaking from the corner of my desk. What's your frog? How are you going to eat him?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Unleash the Power of Goal Setting, Day 3
Jack Canfield's Success Principle #3
Joe and I spent the last two days taking a trip to Michigan. We talked for nearly eight hours during our journey about this lesson. The trip was a lot of fun, and we hashed over lots of great ideas. We arrived home late, worn out from the brainstorming, but satisfied with the results.
As I suspected when this principle was introduced on Sunday, it was far too much information to digest in a short time span. I tried to come up with my 101 goals, and I began to feel completely overwhelmed. I would need to live to be about 500 years old to finish everything on my list.
Two problems became apparent. First, I set too many goals that were extremely difficult. Whenever I do something, I want to master it. I'm not satisfied to just try out a new interest and then move on. So, the more goals I set, the more burdened I felt. One of my goals is to be less perfectionistic.
Second, I don't think that anyone can work on 101 goals at one time. Interestingly, we were listening to Jack Canfield's book, Self-Esteem and Peak Performance on the way home. He suggested focusing on no more than 10 goals at a time. Ideally, he felt that 3 goals would be manageable for most people.
So why did Jack tell us to write 101 goals in this lesson? I think the method behind this madness was to force us to think bigger and to think long-term. All too often, we can't see the forest for the trees. We're focused on goals, such as getting all the laundry done or paying off a car loan. Jack wants to push us to think of bigger dreams, such as visiting the Eiffel Tower or publishing a book.
I didn't get my goals onto 3 x 5 cards, because I was so confused by my 101-item list. However, the process did spawn some really great conversations for both Joe and me about our goals. I narrowed down my top three pursuits for 2011, and I'll be writing them on my cards tomorrow.
I already had my Goals Book finished from working on this last year, but in many places, I found that it is missing measurable outcomes and deadlines. I'm going to add those and continue to use the book to keep myself focused on my purpose.
Today's Challenge
I would recommend writing out 3 x 5 cards for your most pressing 10 goals. Then, I would focus on one to three of those goals at a time. Keep your list of 101 goals in your Goals Book, and alter it as you have time. As life moves on, you may find that some goals need to be altered, and others become less important to you.
Joe and I spent the last two days taking a trip to Michigan. We talked for nearly eight hours during our journey about this lesson. The trip was a lot of fun, and we hashed over lots of great ideas. We arrived home late, worn out from the brainstorming, but satisfied with the results.
As I suspected when this principle was introduced on Sunday, it was far too much information to digest in a short time span. I tried to come up with my 101 goals, and I began to feel completely overwhelmed. I would need to live to be about 500 years old to finish everything on my list.
Two problems became apparent. First, I set too many goals that were extremely difficult. Whenever I do something, I want to master it. I'm not satisfied to just try out a new interest and then move on. So, the more goals I set, the more burdened I felt. One of my goals is to be less perfectionistic.
Second, I don't think that anyone can work on 101 goals at one time. Interestingly, we were listening to Jack Canfield's book, Self-Esteem and Peak Performance on the way home. He suggested focusing on no more than 10 goals at a time. Ideally, he felt that 3 goals would be manageable for most people.
So why did Jack tell us to write 101 goals in this lesson? I think the method behind this madness was to force us to think bigger and to think long-term. All too often, we can't see the forest for the trees. We're focused on goals, such as getting all the laundry done or paying off a car loan. Jack wants to push us to think of bigger dreams, such as visiting the Eiffel Tower or publishing a book.
I didn't get my goals onto 3 x 5 cards, because I was so confused by my 101-item list. However, the process did spawn some really great conversations for both Joe and me about our goals. I narrowed down my top three pursuits for 2011, and I'll be writing them on my cards tomorrow.
I already had my Goals Book finished from working on this last year, but in many places, I found that it is missing measurable outcomes and deadlines. I'm going to add those and continue to use the book to keep myself focused on my purpose.
Today's Challenge
I would recommend writing out 3 x 5 cards for your most pressing 10 goals. Then, I would focus on one to three of those goals at a time. Keep your list of 101 goals in your Goals Book, and alter it as you have time. As life moves on, you may find that some goals need to be altered, and others become less important to you.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Unleash the Power of Goal Setting, Day 2
Today, we are continuing Jack Canfield's study of Success Principle #7. Due to the lengthy content of the lesson, we are taking three days to complete the tasks that he has suggested. Please go back and re-read my November 14 blog to refresh your memory about the concepts that were introduced.
I realize that this lesson contains a large volume of work, and it is going to take you some time to do it thoughtfully. Joe and I are taking a trip for a couple of days. During our travel time, we'll be working on these tasks. We've packed plenty of paper, 3 x 5 cards, and a stack of magazines to cut up.
I want to stress the importance of writing goals that are measurable and contain an accountability date. It is equally important to dream big dreams that will challenge you to grow. Remember, mastery of life skills is your greatest goal, not just the accumulation of material things.
A good leader never asks her followers to do something that she is not willing or capable of doing herself. I'll be praying for your success as you work through this.
Today's Challenge
Sunday's homework directed you to write down 101 goals for your life. If you haven't finished those yet, now is the time to get them on paper.
When your 101-item list is finished, copy each goal onto a 3 x 5 card. If you hand-write your goals in capital letters, your brain will remember them with greater ease. You will be carrying these with you wherever you go and reviewing them three times daily.
Your original list will go into your Goals Book, which you will be creating on Tuesday. If you type your list and print it out, this step will further cement the ideas into your head.
The Tuesday, November 16 post will not appear until the evening, due to my trip. On Tuesday morning, review the Sunday, November 14 post again so that you can spend some time during the day on your Goals Book. Don't try to finish it all in one day. This is a project that we'll have to keep working on over the next several weeks. Just buy your binder, fill it with sheet protectors, and start looking for magazine images that depict your dreams.
I realize that this lesson contains a large volume of work, and it is going to take you some time to do it thoughtfully. Joe and I are taking a trip for a couple of days. During our travel time, we'll be working on these tasks. We've packed plenty of paper, 3 x 5 cards, and a stack of magazines to cut up.
I want to stress the importance of writing goals that are measurable and contain an accountability date. It is equally important to dream big dreams that will challenge you to grow. Remember, mastery of life skills is your greatest goal, not just the accumulation of material things.
A good leader never asks her followers to do something that she is not willing or capable of doing herself. I'll be praying for your success as you work through this.
Today's Challenge
Sunday's homework directed you to write down 101 goals for your life. If you haven't finished those yet, now is the time to get them on paper.
When your 101-item list is finished, copy each goal onto a 3 x 5 card. If you hand-write your goals in capital letters, your brain will remember them with greater ease. You will be carrying these with you wherever you go and reviewing them three times daily.
Your original list will go into your Goals Book, which you will be creating on Tuesday. If you type your list and print it out, this step will further cement the ideas into your head.
The Tuesday, November 16 post will not appear until the evening, due to my trip. On Tuesday morning, review the Sunday, November 14 post again so that you can spend some time during the day on your Goals Book. Don't try to finish it all in one day. This is a project that we'll have to keep working on over the next several weeks. Just buy your binder, fill it with sheet protectors, and start looking for magazine images that depict your dreams.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Unleash the Power of Goal Setting
Jack Canfield's Success Principle #7
This principle contains so much homework, I'm going to give readers and myself three days to complete it. On Wednesday, November 17, we'll continue with Success Principle #8.
Today, Jack tells us that whatever goal we give to our subconscious mind, it will work night and day to achieve it. I never realized until this past week how true this is. I've never accomplished so much in so little time.
(1) Figure out how much and by when.
Jack teaches a fundamental concept in this lesson about two criteria that all goals must meet:
*they must be measurable; and
*they must include a specific date and time for completion
If I say that my goal is to lose 10 pounds, no one can prove that by weighing me. I've given no deadline for my goal, so no one can hold me accountable to it.
It is far better to say that I want to weigh 137 pounds by December 15, 2010 at 8:00 am. That way, anyone can meet me on that day and time, stand me on a scale, and prove whether or not I have met my goal.
This type of goal-setting in very familiar to me. As a teacher, I learned it through lesson planning and beginning teacher programs. We were taught to write lesson plans that include specific, measurable goals. That way, if a substitute teacher or a parent questioned the content of a lesson, the goal was always clear. Most importantly, it kept me focused on what I was teaching.
(2) Write your goals, not just vague ideas.
When we write down a goal, we need to be very specific about all aspects of it. If we write vague goals, we will produce vague results.
Here's an example of this. A vague goal says, Someday, I'd like to have a new car. A more specific goal would be, I will enjoy driving my new Chevrolet Camaro with yellow exterior high luster paint, black racing stripe, black leather seats, and manual transmission by January 31, 2011. Now, we can actually visualize the outcome. It's measurable and very specific.
(3) Write it out in detail.
Think of writing down your goals as if you were writing work orders with specifications. Or consider it a clear request that you'd like God to fulfill. Goals that we keep in our heads are far less likely to become reality. When we write them down, we must include exacting details. If we can get a photograph, a magazine picture, or a drawing of what we want; we'll reach our goal even more quickly.
(4) We need goals that stretch us.
The point of making goals is to help us become a master at life. By working to achieve our goals, we should also:
-learn new skills;
-expand our vision;
-build new relationships; and
-overcome fears.
Writing down goals that don't force us to build up our skill set is just a waste of time. For example, if I have already mastered the habit of brushing my teeth every night before bed, it is not worthwhile to include nightly toothbrushing as one of my goals. If routine flossing is a challenge to me, however, I might write that out as a goal.
(5) Create a breakthrough goal.
We can write hundreds of goals for things we would like to achieve before we die. Some, like tooth flossing, may be important to us. However, they are not monumental successes. A breakthrough goal should be one that presents a quantum leap for us. When we achieve it, everything in our lives will shift in a new direction.
For me, publishing a book that becomes a New York Times bestseller would be a breakthrough. That success would catapult me into an entirely new place. I'd have more money to give away, my lifestyle would change, the people I met would be different, and the places I traveled would be exciting to me.
(6) Re-read your goals three times every day.
When we write down our goals and remind ourselves about them every single day, we increase something known as structural tension in our brains. The brain cannot take in a message and do nothing about it. It becomes tensed, like a crouching lion, preparing to pounce on an antelope. Our brain will not rest until it achieves the goal we have set out for it.
Jack instructs readers to write down our goals on 3 x 5 cards. We must read them as soon as we wake up, during a break in the day, and just before falling asleep.
Years ago, I developed the habit of writing what I called prayer cards. I asked each person in the family to write down as many goals as they wanted on a 3 x 5 card. We did this on New Year's Eve, instead of making New Year's resolutions. Every morning at breakfast and again at dinner, I prayed aloud for those goals with my children.
Interestingly, the year that I wrote down that I wanted a godly man to come into my life who would be a gentle husband for me and a loving father for my kids, Joe appeared exactly 21 days later. The mind is far more powerful than we can imagine. And the power of God goes beyond our imaginations.
(7) Create a Goals Book.
I've already described this to you in a previous post, but I labeled it a dream book. It's a three-ring binder with sheet protectors in it. On each page, I have typed out my goals. I've included pictures from magazines or photos of everything I want to have. Jack instructs us to look at this book at least once a day.
One example of this is the statement that I weigh 137 pounds by December 31, 2010. It includes a picture of me at that weight, taken nearly 30 years ago. I've lost almost 15 pounds this year, with only 5 to go.
(8) Carry your most important goal in your wallet.
This should read: I am happy to be _________________ by _______________.
The first blank includes your goal, and the second one includes the date and time. Which goal is my most important one? Not losing 5 pounds. As stated above, my most life-altering goal would be to hit the New York Times Bestseller list. My goal would read like this:
I am happy to be reading my name in the newspaper on the New York Times Bestseller list by December 31, 2011.
(9) One goal is not enough.
Here, Jack really pushes us hard. He directs us to make a list of 101 goals to add to our Goals Book. Every day, we must re-read our list of goals. Whenever we achieve one, we put a check mark in front of it and write Victory! beside it.
I have made the mistake of ripping goal pages out of my book as I have achieved them. It would be far better if I kept track of my victories. This is what builds our self-esteem and keeps us motivated to succeed more.
(10) Write yourself a check.
If we write ourselves a check with the amount of money we want to earn by a certain date, the universe will eventually make that happen. Jack calls us to keep this check in our wallet and look at it daily.
Jim Carrey did this before he was ever discovered as an actor. He wrote himself a check for $10 million and tucked it into his wallet. Before the date on the check, he was paid twice that amount for his first year in movies.
You can find a blank check for this exercise at www.thesecret.com.
(11) Face your considerations, fears, and roadblocks.
There are three obstacles to success, and if we know what they are, we can handle them and keep moving foward on our journey. They are:
-Considerations: reasons why our goal is impossible
-Fears: thoughts of rejection, failure, foolishness
-Roadblocks: mere external circumstances that we must overcome
Jack asks us to welcome these three obstacles, because they represent the things that have been holding us back all along.
For me, the fear of failure is strong. Joe and I have been so broke in the past, I don't ever want to go there again. Sticking out my neck and risking my reputation by writing something that flops really scares me. But I know that if I don't try, I'll never find out that I can achieve my big goal.
External circumstances that have affected my writing are the poor economy and skittishness of agents to take on new writers at this point in time. While these are setbacks to me, I know that they are only temporary. Everyone experiences them. If I realize that and push on, I will make it to my goal of becoming a bestselling author.
(12) Mastery is the goal.
If we think that true success lies in achieving material things, we've completely missed the point. God sets us on earth for a reason, and that is to become a master at life. Christ mastered every skill possible, from changing water into wine to raising the dead to life. We are his hands, and it is up to us to finish his work here.
Isaiah 52:7 reads, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Our God reigns!" When we work to achieve goals based on dreams that God has put in our hearts, we are most beautiful to our maker and to those around us.
(13) Do it now!
Jack provides some startling statistics in this last section:
-3% of the world's super achievers have a purpose statement, keep a vision of their best self in mind, and write out their goals
-1% of top achievers write daily to-do lists based on their goals
Wow! I didn't know that I represented such a small percentage of people in the world. I've been doing some version of this most of my life. Even as a kid, I was writing daily to-do lists. But Jack has helped me to see that I need to stretch myself even more. I've been limiting my brain's abilities, and it's time for new challenges.
Today's Challenge
As I stated at the beginning, this is enough work for the next three days. Start by writing out your list of 101 goals today. On Monday, we'll revisit the creation of your 3 x 5 cards; and on Tuesday, I'll help you get started on your Goals Book.
This principle contains so much homework, I'm going to give readers and myself three days to complete it. On Wednesday, November 17, we'll continue with Success Principle #8.
Today, Jack tells us that whatever goal we give to our subconscious mind, it will work night and day to achieve it. I never realized until this past week how true this is. I've never accomplished so much in so little time.
(1) Figure out how much and by when.
Jack teaches a fundamental concept in this lesson about two criteria that all goals must meet:
*they must be measurable; and
*they must include a specific date and time for completion
If I say that my goal is to lose 10 pounds, no one can prove that by weighing me. I've given no deadline for my goal, so no one can hold me accountable to it.
It is far better to say that I want to weigh 137 pounds by December 15, 2010 at 8:00 am. That way, anyone can meet me on that day and time, stand me on a scale, and prove whether or not I have met my goal.
This type of goal-setting in very familiar to me. As a teacher, I learned it through lesson planning and beginning teacher programs. We were taught to write lesson plans that include specific, measurable goals. That way, if a substitute teacher or a parent questioned the content of a lesson, the goal was always clear. Most importantly, it kept me focused on what I was teaching.
(2) Write your goals, not just vague ideas.
When we write down a goal, we need to be very specific about all aspects of it. If we write vague goals, we will produce vague results.
Here's an example of this. A vague goal says, Someday, I'd like to have a new car. A more specific goal would be, I will enjoy driving my new Chevrolet Camaro with yellow exterior high luster paint, black racing stripe, black leather seats, and manual transmission by January 31, 2011. Now, we can actually visualize the outcome. It's measurable and very specific.
(3) Write it out in detail.
Think of writing down your goals as if you were writing work orders with specifications. Or consider it a clear request that you'd like God to fulfill. Goals that we keep in our heads are far less likely to become reality. When we write them down, we must include exacting details. If we can get a photograph, a magazine picture, or a drawing of what we want; we'll reach our goal even more quickly.
(4) We need goals that stretch us.
The point of making goals is to help us become a master at life. By working to achieve our goals, we should also:
-learn new skills;
-expand our vision;
-build new relationships; and
-overcome fears.
Writing down goals that don't force us to build up our skill set is just a waste of time. For example, if I have already mastered the habit of brushing my teeth every night before bed, it is not worthwhile to include nightly toothbrushing as one of my goals. If routine flossing is a challenge to me, however, I might write that out as a goal.
(5) Create a breakthrough goal.
We can write hundreds of goals for things we would like to achieve before we die. Some, like tooth flossing, may be important to us. However, they are not monumental successes. A breakthrough goal should be one that presents a quantum leap for us. When we achieve it, everything in our lives will shift in a new direction.
For me, publishing a book that becomes a New York Times bestseller would be a breakthrough. That success would catapult me into an entirely new place. I'd have more money to give away, my lifestyle would change, the people I met would be different, and the places I traveled would be exciting to me.
(6) Re-read your goals three times every day.
When we write down our goals and remind ourselves about them every single day, we increase something known as structural tension in our brains. The brain cannot take in a message and do nothing about it. It becomes tensed, like a crouching lion, preparing to pounce on an antelope. Our brain will not rest until it achieves the goal we have set out for it.
Jack instructs readers to write down our goals on 3 x 5 cards. We must read them as soon as we wake up, during a break in the day, and just before falling asleep.
Years ago, I developed the habit of writing what I called prayer cards. I asked each person in the family to write down as many goals as they wanted on a 3 x 5 card. We did this on New Year's Eve, instead of making New Year's resolutions. Every morning at breakfast and again at dinner, I prayed aloud for those goals with my children.
Interestingly, the year that I wrote down that I wanted a godly man to come into my life who would be a gentle husband for me and a loving father for my kids, Joe appeared exactly 21 days later. The mind is far more powerful than we can imagine. And the power of God goes beyond our imaginations.
(7) Create a Goals Book.
I've already described this to you in a previous post, but I labeled it a dream book. It's a three-ring binder with sheet protectors in it. On each page, I have typed out my goals. I've included pictures from magazines or photos of everything I want to have. Jack instructs us to look at this book at least once a day.
One example of this is the statement that I weigh 137 pounds by December 31, 2010. It includes a picture of me at that weight, taken nearly 30 years ago. I've lost almost 15 pounds this year, with only 5 to go.
(8) Carry your most important goal in your wallet.
This should read: I am happy to be _________________ by _______________.
The first blank includes your goal, and the second one includes the date and time. Which goal is my most important one? Not losing 5 pounds. As stated above, my most life-altering goal would be to hit the New York Times Bestseller list. My goal would read like this:
I am happy to be reading my name in the newspaper on the New York Times Bestseller list by December 31, 2011.
(9) One goal is not enough.
Here, Jack really pushes us hard. He directs us to make a list of 101 goals to add to our Goals Book. Every day, we must re-read our list of goals. Whenever we achieve one, we put a check mark in front of it and write Victory! beside it.
I have made the mistake of ripping goal pages out of my book as I have achieved them. It would be far better if I kept track of my victories. This is what builds our self-esteem and keeps us motivated to succeed more.
(10) Write yourself a check.
If we write ourselves a check with the amount of money we want to earn by a certain date, the universe will eventually make that happen. Jack calls us to keep this check in our wallet and look at it daily.
Jim Carrey did this before he was ever discovered as an actor. He wrote himself a check for $10 million and tucked it into his wallet. Before the date on the check, he was paid twice that amount for his first year in movies.
You can find a blank check for this exercise at www.thesecret.com.
(11) Face your considerations, fears, and roadblocks.
There are three obstacles to success, and if we know what they are, we can handle them and keep moving foward on our journey. They are:
-Considerations: reasons why our goal is impossible
-Fears: thoughts of rejection, failure, foolishness
-Roadblocks: mere external circumstances that we must overcome
Jack asks us to welcome these three obstacles, because they represent the things that have been holding us back all along.
For me, the fear of failure is strong. Joe and I have been so broke in the past, I don't ever want to go there again. Sticking out my neck and risking my reputation by writing something that flops really scares me. But I know that if I don't try, I'll never find out that I can achieve my big goal.
External circumstances that have affected my writing are the poor economy and skittishness of agents to take on new writers at this point in time. While these are setbacks to me, I know that they are only temporary. Everyone experiences them. If I realize that and push on, I will make it to my goal of becoming a bestselling author.
(12) Mastery is the goal.
If we think that true success lies in achieving material things, we've completely missed the point. God sets us on earth for a reason, and that is to become a master at life. Christ mastered every skill possible, from changing water into wine to raising the dead to life. We are his hands, and it is up to us to finish his work here.
Isaiah 52:7 reads, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Our God reigns!" When we work to achieve goals based on dreams that God has put in our hearts, we are most beautiful to our maker and to those around us.
(13) Do it now!
Jack provides some startling statistics in this last section:
-3% of the world's super achievers have a purpose statement, keep a vision of their best self in mind, and write out their goals
-1% of top achievers write daily to-do lists based on their goals
Wow! I didn't know that I represented such a small percentage of people in the world. I've been doing some version of this most of my life. Even as a kid, I was writing daily to-do lists. But Jack has helped me to see that I need to stretch myself even more. I've been limiting my brain's abilities, and it's time for new challenges.
Today's Challenge
As I stated at the beginning, this is enough work for the next three days. Start by writing out your list of 101 goals today. On Monday, we'll revisit the creation of your 3 x 5 cards; and on Tuesday, I'll help you get started on your Goals Book.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Become an Inverse Paranoid
Jack Canfield's Success Principle #6
(1) Believe that the world is plotting to do you good.
A paranoid person believes that everyone is plotting to do him harm. To become an inverse paranoid, we must begin to believe that everyone is plotting to do us good.
In today's lesson, Jack provides a quote from Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich: "Every negative event contains within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit."
Sometimes, events which seem like a terrible nightmare actually turn out to be blessings in disguise. One day, I was riding to work with Joe. As he pulled into our design shop's parking lot, I suddenly realized that my left arm felt like a dead weight. I assumed that I was having a stroke, so we headed to the hospital. By the time we got there, I had lost the feeling in my left leg.
At the time, this seemed like a terrible turn of events. I lost my ability to sew, and we had to close down our drapery workroom. Joe nearly dropped out of seminary, because the pressure of studying, working, and taking care of me felt so overwhelming. But in the midst of the turmoil, in the quiet of long days spent at home alone, I discovered the beauty of Scripture and the joy of a close relationship with Jesus. I also discovered that my purpose involved more writing than sewing.
When we lose everything we believe to be important, we either give up, or we look for the good in it. Romans 8:28 reads, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. If we cling to this promise when things take a turn for the worse, we can sustain the joy of living, no matter what.
(2) Figure out how to use every setback to your advantage.
Every time something sets us back, we must look at the situation and ask how we can turn a negative into a positive. For instance, getting hit by a drunk driver this summer wasn't high on my list of must-do activities for the year. But I can tell you that a lot of good has resulted from it.
In searching for relief from my pain, I met a woman who practices healing touch. Her interventions have provided pain relief, as well as deeper insight into my spirit. Today, I will attend a healing touch workshop to consider learning more about this modality.
(3) Look for the opportunity in every event.
After we've experienced a number of setbacks, looking for opportunities just becomes second-nature. If you haven't yet achieved this habit, make a small card or poster with the question, What's the opportunity that this presents? Place it on your desk or near your computer so that you will constantly be reminded to look for the good in things.
Begin each day by repeating, "I believe the world is plotting to do me good today. I can't wait to see what it is!"
(4) Look for opportunities in every encounter.
Mark Victor Hansen approached Jack and told him that he wanted to help with the book Jack was writing. At first, Jack declined, because half of the work was already done. But Mark persuaded Jack to let him help. It was an excellent decision, because they estimate that it increased their profits and influence ten-fold.
We must not be afraid to let other people help us on our way to our dreams. Two heads are always better than one. And we must not be greedy about our work, either, keeping to ourselves so that we can get all of the rewards in the end.
For years, I have been struggling with the idea of putting together a seminar business. I want to teach women new life skills so that they can learn how to thrive. Pulling together all of the paper work for starting a new business felt so overwhelming, that I realized after reading this principle that I needed help.
I called the Small Business Administration and told the expert in small business start-up that I couldn't figure out how to marry my ideas for writing, seminars, and quilting classes.
"It all feels so difficult," I said.
"It's actually pretty easy." he said.
Easy? I was amazed that someone might look at my dilemma as a simple problem. When he offered to meet with me one-on-one, I jumped at the opportunity. I can't wait to see how God uses this meeting to further his purposes for my life.
(5) Remember that God must have something better in store for us.
Whether things are going well or falling apart, we must remember that God is always leading us into the right experiences to fulfill our purpose. When we lose our jobs, flunk a class, get divorced, lose a loved one, or experience failing health; we must focus on the thought that the experience is part of a bigger picture that God has designed.
Exodus 23:20 from the Message Bible reads, Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared. Knowing that God promises to provide protection should give us courage to boldly move forward with our plans. Understanding that he knows where he's taking us helps us stay on the right track, provided we're listening to him.
Today's Challenge
Make a list with two columns. Title the left column, Setbacks. Title the right one, Opportunities. Write out on the left side 10 terrible events that seem to have set you back. Then, record in the right column 10 ways that God used those tragedies to provide you with greater opportunities to achieve your dreams.
(1) Believe that the world is plotting to do you good.
A paranoid person believes that everyone is plotting to do him harm. To become an inverse paranoid, we must begin to believe that everyone is plotting to do us good.
In today's lesson, Jack provides a quote from Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich: "Every negative event contains within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit."
Sometimes, events which seem like a terrible nightmare actually turn out to be blessings in disguise. One day, I was riding to work with Joe. As he pulled into our design shop's parking lot, I suddenly realized that my left arm felt like a dead weight. I assumed that I was having a stroke, so we headed to the hospital. By the time we got there, I had lost the feeling in my left leg.
At the time, this seemed like a terrible turn of events. I lost my ability to sew, and we had to close down our drapery workroom. Joe nearly dropped out of seminary, because the pressure of studying, working, and taking care of me felt so overwhelming. But in the midst of the turmoil, in the quiet of long days spent at home alone, I discovered the beauty of Scripture and the joy of a close relationship with Jesus. I also discovered that my purpose involved more writing than sewing.
When we lose everything we believe to be important, we either give up, or we look for the good in it. Romans 8:28 reads, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. If we cling to this promise when things take a turn for the worse, we can sustain the joy of living, no matter what.
(2) Figure out how to use every setback to your advantage.
Every time something sets us back, we must look at the situation and ask how we can turn a negative into a positive. For instance, getting hit by a drunk driver this summer wasn't high on my list of must-do activities for the year. But I can tell you that a lot of good has resulted from it.
In searching for relief from my pain, I met a woman who practices healing touch. Her interventions have provided pain relief, as well as deeper insight into my spirit. Today, I will attend a healing touch workshop to consider learning more about this modality.
(3) Look for the opportunity in every event.
After we've experienced a number of setbacks, looking for opportunities just becomes second-nature. If you haven't yet achieved this habit, make a small card or poster with the question, What's the opportunity that this presents? Place it on your desk or near your computer so that you will constantly be reminded to look for the good in things.
Begin each day by repeating, "I believe the world is plotting to do me good today. I can't wait to see what it is!"
(4) Look for opportunities in every encounter.
Mark Victor Hansen approached Jack and told him that he wanted to help with the book Jack was writing. At first, Jack declined, because half of the work was already done. But Mark persuaded Jack to let him help. It was an excellent decision, because they estimate that it increased their profits and influence ten-fold.
We must not be afraid to let other people help us on our way to our dreams. Two heads are always better than one. And we must not be greedy about our work, either, keeping to ourselves so that we can get all of the rewards in the end.
For years, I have been struggling with the idea of putting together a seminar business. I want to teach women new life skills so that they can learn how to thrive. Pulling together all of the paper work for starting a new business felt so overwhelming, that I realized after reading this principle that I needed help.
I called the Small Business Administration and told the expert in small business start-up that I couldn't figure out how to marry my ideas for writing, seminars, and quilting classes.
"It all feels so difficult," I said.
"It's actually pretty easy." he said.
Easy? I was amazed that someone might look at my dilemma as a simple problem. When he offered to meet with me one-on-one, I jumped at the opportunity. I can't wait to see how God uses this meeting to further his purposes for my life.
(5) Remember that God must have something better in store for us.
Whether things are going well or falling apart, we must remember that God is always leading us into the right experiences to fulfill our purpose. When we lose our jobs, flunk a class, get divorced, lose a loved one, or experience failing health; we must focus on the thought that the experience is part of a bigger picture that God has designed.
Exodus 23:20 from the Message Bible reads, Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared. Knowing that God promises to provide protection should give us courage to boldly move forward with our plans. Understanding that he knows where he's taking us helps us stay on the right track, provided we're listening to him.
Today's Challenge
Make a list with two columns. Title the left column, Setbacks. Title the right one, Opportunities. Write out on the left side 10 terrible events that seem to have set you back. Then, record in the right column 10 ways that God used those tragedies to provide you with greater opportunities to achieve your dreams.
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