Does what you Present align with your spoken Values?

Being human, we all fall a bit short of our true values.

If you're attempting to live mindfully or you've made introspection a part of your daily journey, you'll unearth a few more double-standards within yourself than you'd like to find.

Mindfulness

means

you're gentle with yourself

when you discover them, perhaps even laughingly making those little changes as you go along to bring you into greater alignment with what your true values are.

Busy-ness,

however, means

we often miss where double-standards

not only slip in, but often become the 'norm' without us realizing it.

Again, this is not to pass judgement, on yourself or on others,

but to get us (yes, you and me, both of us human) to make the time to step back and assess what we're actually doing. What our lives actually attest to.

A few scenarios on our 'values', just to check in...

Free will

 is absolutely a core value of mine, but... |

Scenarios:

• "...I expect my friends to support my initiatives." Regardless of what they're dealing with, where their values lie at this time.

• "...Of course I expect you to 'follow me back' on social media when I do." Regardless of what's relevant to them? How does it affect you, your newsfeed, your content, following everyone? 

• "...I can often turn a 'No' into a 'Yes' to close the deal". Does this disregard their free will? How do you feel when this happens to you? A bit resentful, if it drains your time, energy, focus?

Everything we need lies within,

but... |

Scenarios:

• "...sometimes clients don't know what they need, so they need to be told or at least guided." Do they really? Do you honour your own views or do Gurus always know what's best for you? 

• "...my advice makes people aware of what's within." Does it really? Is that often true when the tables are turned?

• "...sometimes people need a kick in the pants to move." Do they? Or are they simply not ready to commit? Do you truly, whole-heartedly commit to something you were forced to decide?

You

can

do life and business on your terms,

but... |

Scenarios:

• "...everyone should at least do/have/be <_____> to succeed." If so, then do you really believe 'life and business on your own terms' is possible? 

• "...they just need to implement my systems/frameworks to succeed." As it can't be both, then which is your true value statement?

• "...no one can do it alone" / "...everyone needs a mentor" / "...everyone needs community first." Really assess what your true values are, as they can't be any of these and 'life and business on your own terms'.

Positivity and Authenticity are both important to me,

but... |

Scenarios:

• "...you can't actually be positive when you're authentically dealing with pain." Are you sure? Is it possible that being authentic and positive means you acknowledge all feelings before assessing how to move forward positively out of that experience?

• "...smiley people annoy me. Who's that chipper all the time?" Perhaps we don't know how they got to be smiley all the time. Do you have days where you're so full of gratitude that you can't help but smile? What is your truth here?

These are just a few of the values we often claim to have

that our day-to-day habits suggest are not our authentic values. It's fine if you don't believe these things - regardless of how many people expect you to - and it's okay to own your truth regardless of what others think. If you

do

truly believe these things, you know that these scenarios barely scratch the surface of our running internal double-standard conversations.

If these haunt you, even a little, I hope the following ideas help.

Possible steps forward...

Free will

 is absolutely a core value of mine, but... |

Consider:

 This actually calls for us to make peace with the boundaries of our own arenas. To find validation within, rather than in the actions and responses of others. Clarity on what you have control over.

If your own free will matters to you,

take a second to daydream. Consider scenarios that make you

defend it

and those that make you

celebrate it

. Do you take action most out of obligation (real or imagined) or free will? Now turn the tables in a few situations you've lived in the past few weeks.

In their shoes, how does that feel?

Everything we need lies within,

 but... | 

Consider:

 This invites you to assess whether or not you actually believe this is an absolute or an 'occasional' truth. If it is absolute, are external 'guides', mentors, advisors, coaches, potential triggers or must 'good advice (relevant and timely or not) always be taken'? How many times have you 'started over', because different mentors have given different advice? How much time do you devote to hearing yourself? This is a good indication of whether or not this is truly one of your core values.

Turning the tables:

if you honour that this is a core value of the person you're speaking to, how do you ensure that your conversation is inviting consideration, rather than forcing your perspective on the other person... or

'better informing' them?

You 

can

 do life and business on your terms,

 but... | 

Consider:

 If you truly believe this, do your schedule, energy, client engagement process, family engagement - everything about you - reflect that? Does your community honour your business model and preferred lifestyle? This actually affects your health, so think this one through.

Turning the tables:

Do you often tell others to live their lives, or run their businesses differently? Do you find that you have to convince others to invest in your services, or do you connect with those already seeking you?

How do you honour this value system.

Positivity and Authenticity are both important to me,

 but... | 

Scenarios:

 Consider the perspective that 'life balance' means living a static life (never changing or moving), whereas 'life harmony' means giving priority to what you choose at different times in your life - life doesn't stand still. Positive mindset refers to a predominant state of joy or appreciation, and not an eternal state of never having negative emotions. Authenticity demands that you're true to yourself in all arenas. What does that mean for you? Is "Positivity and Authenticity" a paradox or a contradiction for you?

Turning the tables:

whether you believe it or not, it's important to acknowledge that. Then, it's important to acknowledge that (if you honour free will) others may have found the paradox. It doesn't mean they're never unhappy, simply that they've found different ways to manage it. Stay true to your intuition -

you know a false smile when you see one.

Still,

smiling often is not a sign that one is not authentic.

Leave room for others to be who (and where) they are on their journey.

Live and let live.

Whatever your beliefs...

Wherever you stand, I hope to leave you with this.

If we are ever to be a truly thriving global community,

we start by looking within, at what our own truths are. It is strong, conscious individuals that make up a healthy, sustainable community - not a few fear-filled heads or 'leaders'.

What do you think?

Yours in love and light,

Crystal-Marie S

Media misinformation. Do we need it?

Hi Lovely People!

I've been a bit quiet, taking a step back to infuse my life and business with all I've been learning about life and business around intuition, flow and accepting what is. That continues, but I wanted to pop my head out to get your position, and hopefully help you take a step back to breathe, a bit, with all that's happening in our world.

If You Must Read Your Unfiltered Newsfeed

I love the advice given by Ann Douglas (thank you, Ann),

in her blog post

"How to Avoid Being Psychologically Destroyed by Your Newsfeed"

. I believe these words are for those of us who still hold that more information is always better. Read this article yourself, of course, but a quick overview:

1. Informed does not mean immersed - your newsfeed needn't be on 24/7. 

2. Routine helps - "healthy food, regular physical activity, time for fun, and adequate sleep..." (absolutely agree re: sleep being the glue, here Ann - more from Jason Fried on sleep!) 

3. Taking action diffuses anxiety and sadness a bit - "writing a letter, making a donation, attending a face-to-face get-together in your town". 

4. Feel what you feel. Suppressing feelings suppresses the positive feelings as well - "remind yourself that feelings come and go". 

5. Maintain optimism - Ann mentioned it's crucial to believe in a future, or you won't move. 

6. Reach out - don't crumble inward - Ann talks about connecting with community, here. 

7. Talk to your children - Ann talks about acknowledging their fears (they're living this too), sparking compassion and encouraging them to dream of a better future. 

Some of us are already hooked - we can't just put it away. If this is you,

I truly believe Ann's guide is a very sound one. Of course, I'm also a firm believer in being lead from within, so this is good advice only if it resonates with you, within. As always, take what works and leave what doesn't.

If You're Staying Informed To Seem Informed, Keep Up With The Jones', Not Seem Heartless...

...then may I invite you to let that all go?

I invite you to take it one step further, from time to time, if not permanently - consider cutting it out altogether. Instead of using your energy and brain space sussing out fact from fiction, why not

put that energy into seeing and creating what's beautiful

- the love and good we need more of in the world - instead of fretting and fighting over the bad?

If you agree that

"whatever you focus on expands"

,

that Mother Teresa was right when she said

'pro-peace rally, yes. anti-war rally, no'

, then living in constant fear and anxiety hasn't been working. Much like our battles with

perfectionism

, I believe that

'intelligent people remain informed'

is also a myth of what's valuable.

What do you think?

Can we leave the media and 'opinion-based facts' behind and start building the good we want to see in our world?

Here are a few options I've found, myself,

to stay optimistic and let go of the Paranoid Press Phenomenon. Don't worry,

you don't have to drop social media

altogether 😉:

1. Facebook & LinkedIn. Hide posts that upset you. After a while, you'll see who's always sharing those. You don't have to unfriend them. You can Unfollow them, instead. Look for the next happy post. If that person often shares positives, click on their profile for your 'happy' fix. 

2. Twitter. Unfollow = unfriend, here. If you don't want to, simply create a Twitter List for "Informative" people before you Unfollow them, so you can still connect with them there. As with Facebook, find a more positive profile and go through their posts for a quick 'happy' fix. 

3. Instagram & Pinterest. I believe you'd have to unfollow the account (or on Pinterest, the Boards) that shares the content. It is worth it for your sanity. "Bell Let's Talk" didn't get a lot of traction this year because 'mental wellness' is a theoretical issue. It's real - take care of yours. 

4. In the real world, whether in person or on the phone, kindly say "Look, I'm taking a sabbatical from that subject, and any other downers. Can we focus on <something you like> instead?" If you come under attack for 'avoiding', walk away. Decide if that's permanent or not.

5. In your own head, I don't know why we avoid this, have a different conversation. There are a lot of pieces recently on the power of journaling or positive self talk. If you find you're spiraling about all that's wrong, where the world's headed, your own beautiful flaws, stop and breathe. Do whatever works to bring you into a more positive headspace - focus on the positive aspects of any of those things, write, shout, find your favourite happy Pinterest Board, spa day, go for high tea, a walk - whatever you need. You can't escape your mind, so reframe it.

If this made your chest stop squeezing,

your shoulders relax and your breath go deeper, send me a smile or a thanks. It's not an easy path - it requires remaining conscious of what you're reading. Be gentle with yourself, if you can. It'll take time, and you'll fall back into it from time to time. When you do, just catch yourself, laugh it off, and move on.

What works for You?

This journey of mine has reaffirmed that

diversity truly is beautiful.

 Part of that beauty is that different things work for each of us. I'd love to hear what works for you, to stay positive.

Yours in Love, Light and Joy.

--

Crystal-Marie

When It's Louder Than Usual (Women)

There's a time every month

when we as women are generally least able to focus on external things because

what's going on inside is much louder than usual.

Your mind is in a fog:

• The lists, plans and logical frameworks that usually keep you on track are meaningless,

• The situations you've trained yourself to ignore, somehow irritate/hurt you more than usual, 

• Your thoughts are suddenly big-picture, philosophical and emotional.

"I Have My Period"

I really want to invite you to consider that

you're not crazy.

You're not "PMS-ing" in that how you feel is not something to apologize for (**we can all work on how we act). You simply cannot ignore yourself any longer. You're in a world that has no time for you, and frankly, you follow suit. Your period is the one time when your spirit, soul and body come together, united, to say

"we will no longer be denied (at least for the next 3 days!)"

This blog is largely about

hearing your own thoughts

and the importance of self-care. I don't know about you, but despite all of it, I have to wonder why it's taken me all of my 33 years to realize that 

it's not a good thing that this is what my body has to do to be heard.

I believe if we're paying attention to all of our needs all month,

our

entire being

wouldn't have to "line up" for this small window of time in order to be heard

and, for most of us, we wouldn't walk on eggshells for fear of breathing fire on everyone. I'm sure, we'd still be more conscious and aware at this time of month, but

it wouldn't knock us off our feet

if

emotional and spiritual self-care (love, compassion, grace, playfulness) were a part of our daily lives.

This was huge for me, and yet every time of the month since, I've been caught by surprise. It takes a while to move things from the head to the heart. Funny how, when you're studying something in earnest, God brings everything you need your way. Here's what I found.

Embracing All of You

You may not share the beliefs

or practices in the video below, and thus may not agree with the specifics of Joanne's "time of the month" package, but I'd like to invite you to create your own. What items can you make a habit of surrounding yourself with during this time?

What excites your sense of sight, smell, taste, sound and touch?

These are the things that will help you to listen to yourself.

Here's what 

Joanne Ameya Cohen

 does.

 Perhaps it will help you create your own ritual, or your own 'space' in time and energy, to honour and listen to what you (spirit, soul and body) has to say...

Again, take from this what speaks to your inner self -

the individual that is known and loved completely and unconditionally (good, bad and ugly) only between you and your maker. Really invite yourself to consciously see how your spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions) and body respond.

Where Are You in All of This?

I'd love to hear what works for you.

So far, I'm stuck on:

• Visuals, flowers, minimalist architecture and all things in my shade of pink (see pics)

• Scent, still seeking, but a very unique French Vanilla and baby powder

• Taste, still seeking as well, but grapes, Raspberry Kefir and spicy Cheetos

I'm still working on the

textures for touch

and

sounds including words,

 which I'm very sensitive to regardless of time of month.

You?

Remember,

you are worth every bit of the time, energy and space

 you're willing to invest in others. If you're not filled to overflow, your giving will not be from a cheerful place of overflow, but from a place of duty which, when you begin to run low, turns to resentment.

So stay full!

A More Conscious Pace

First Place. No Time for Second

I'm not sure what your daily grind is like,

but for so many of us it's become so routine that we don't think about why we do what we do anymore. Now, many of us just seem to think about how quickly we can get it done so we can

move on to the rest of our checklists.

That, or we get lost in huge projects we know we're good at

to avoid thinking

about the things we know we need to address. I do both, but when I'm getting from point A to point B, I'm so irritated by the 'wasted' time it takes to get there that I see nothing else as I whiz by others (cars, pedestrians) to be 'first'. First? Yes, first - up the stairs, at the stop light, crossing the street.

"What? Stopping to smell what roses?!"

Getting Past First Place. Wait, What?

I don't know how your mind maps this,

but my rationale is that I want to complete my 'urgent' checklist, so that I'll have no distractions when I get to my 'important' checklist. There are a lot of important aspects of my life that get 'left behind' because I have to put out all of these fires - family, health, bathroom breaks, drinking water (! really?!) - because I'm

chasing this mythical version of 'complete'... perfection.

I've always been introspective,

but adulthood left only those few moments before bed to make that happen.

Well, so I thought.

Lately, on my journey of the discovery of 'self-care', I began to rediscover my love of nature and the joy of stopping to see what's happening in 'this moment' - not 10 years down the road. I also discovered that I was raised with this sense of

"if you're not rushing you're wasting time"

and, worse,

"everyone's time is more important that yours. Your needs, schedule, can wait"

. Is this just me, or can you relate to this?

2014 to now has been a period of learning

'the other side' of me. No, Trinis. Not my 'vex' side. The side of me that's not 'all business', task-oriented, performance-driven, but the side that's loving, patient, compassionate, empowering and enthusiastic. I no longer make apologies for getting excited, for not remaining stoic. Life is too short.

You want to stay happy? Find joy in small things.

 Stop 'saying' it; do it. I mean really drink that Kool Aid! It takes a lot of energy to change a habit; even more to stay aware enough to change a mindset. It's even draining, but I truly believe it's worth it.

Become Aware. Changing Mindsets and Habits

Have you figured out how to do that?

It's great to talk about putting the energy into changing your mindset to change your habits, but you want to

put your energy into the best way to do that.

I don't have the answer. As a work in progress, I'm learning what works for me and what doesn't. I suspect there may be no magic formula. This means you'll have to

make time to get to know you

:

• What does it take to heighten your awareness? What makes you stop running to look around?

• What drives your habit of running the 'rat race', everyday, all the time? Can you identify it?

• Is it discomfort with quiet time, empty moments, being 'unproductive'? Fear of not getting 'it' done?

I believe even the questions you'll have to ask yourself may be unique to you. What are they

?

Conscious Pace

Conscious Pace

is the term I've coined for moving, working, operating at a pace where you are conscious of why you're doing what you're doing.

A pace that allows you to be present in the moment,

whether you're doing something or simply being. A pace that allows you to be present, with your actual senses, without thinking of how it should be or what's missing; simply taking in the moment. Experiencing, subconsciously memorizing, feeling, being, in that moment.

When was the last time you slowed down

enough for that to happen? You won't capture every moment, but if you start doing that for 2 minutes a week and work your way up in intervals, you should journal the experience. Your heart races less, you breathe more deeply (you're aware of your breathing), your shoulders relax. It's amazing.

Holding Space

Holding Space

is a new concept for me, in terms of words, but it was definitely

the missing link to so many explanations,

in my mind. Holding space - for yourself or for others - means you're

'leaving the door open'.

This can be in the context of a conversation, relationship, experience, moment, that you know is incomplete but

that can't be completed at this point in time.

The reasons you can't complete 'it' can be infinite,

but some examples could be - can't explain, not ready yet, fear, hurt, venue, present company.

A very common reason

is that you know you need to choose your words/make your decision carefully, but feel that time is running out and the very act of 'rushing' to form the idea, means anxiety has demolished the structure of your thoughts. So,

you 'hold space' for yourself, or for the person

who needs to be able to come back to it. You hold space for many reasons because you:

• Love that person and, yes, yourself

• Empathize and know it's important

• Honour, value, that person, even if you can't understand

• Honour, value, yourself enough to be patient with yourself until you 'figure "it" out'

These are just a few, but I think the greatest reason is love.

Caution: Get to know yourself, your boundaries, before you go off holding space for everyone.

You can spread yourself too thin - this has dire health impacts, waste child-bearing years in a relationship that's going nowhere, enable self-destructive habits in loved ones or stay in toxic friendships or jobs, holding space without knowing your boundaries. I wrote

this post on setting clear boundaries

earlier. I've since grown in my perspectives, but you'll get the gist of the message here. Be wise, but be gentle with yourself.

I hope this has helped you

to take a step back from the busy-ness of life to love yourself a bit and 'smell the roses', so to speak. I'd love to get your insights on what's worked in the past, and what's working for you now, in learning to

'live in the present'.

Thank you for reading. You can also find me at 

@cmaries08

. Have a great week!

Emotion & Urgency with Clients

Happy Spring!

Source: http://writerfox.hubpages.com/hub/Flower-Clip-Art

Logic & Emotion - The Paradox

If you've been following, you know I shifted gears in 2014.

I'm no longer the pure-logic, mission-driven lady I started this blog as.

Logic still has its place, but I've grown significantly since

I've welcomed my emotions back.

By distinguishing between fear and love as motivators,

 for example, I am making far more logical decisions. Ironic? Not really. Not if you understand and value the human being as a whole.

We need all the parts to be healthy if we're ever going to be truly whole.

If you missed these earlier posts, check out

"Your Thoughts, Your Future"

,

"The Audacity"

and my

"2014 Review"

.

Logic & Emotion - Decisions

Like it or not, 'ignoring' and belittling your emotions doesn't make them go away.

It isn't logic that drives your inner critic, but emotion.

In the past, your inner critic was your primal protector.

It told you when you were in danger.

Today, your inner critic is driven by your internal 'lessons' from experiences.

As much of our media and entertainment is

negative / fear-based,

the primal protector has become the inner critic. We'd like to think that logic makes us stop and assess risk, but it's the critic. You have to reprogram him / her.

S/he is the harsh version of you.

'Ignoring' emotion

leaves you extremely vulnerable

to those who manipulate your

'logical approach to emotion'.

 It's the very thing you don't want - to be tricked. With your emotions, as with your time, energy and intellect, 

if you're not managing them, someone else will

(or worse, someone else already is).

You see, back to the inner critic,

unless you learn to trust yourself, you will not trust your decisions.

Worse, you might remain indecisive. If you don't get to

know your emotions

and their triggers, you can't manage your inner critic. Self-control and self-trust will remain elusive.

Action point:

Decide today, right or wrong, to commit to one difficult decision, and see where it takes you.

Let no one sway you, even if you hear and learn from their advice.

Follow your decision to the end, and

see where it takes you.

Image Source: http://writerfox.hubpages.com/hub/Flower-Clip-Art

Urgency & Clients

What does this have to do with

clients?

Where does

urgency

fit into all of this? Knowing yourself means knowing your true values. Here's why that matters:

1. We, clients included, are largely overwhelmed today, so many find it increasingly difficult to make decisions - except in urgent situations.

2. We, clients included, have an ever-increasing "urgent to-do list" we're trying to check off so we can get to the "important". Sadly, the "urgent" list grows too fast.

3. Today, many business and marketing professionals use this urgency to get sales.

Am I raising any flags with that last point? You see,

each of us falls under point #3.

The question is how do you use it?

Urgency & Your Values

The difference between you and the people who came to your mind on point #3 is

your values.

 I see two options, depending on your perspective:

1. Urgency by Fear: you pick away at your clients' confidence in that area until they realize how 'urgently' they need you to help fix it. Here you take them to a desert, where you're the only source of water.

2. Urgency by Empowering: you listen to your clients' pain, uncovering solutions within their reach; solutions they're empowered to check off their "urgent" list, today. Here, you take them to a safe place and show them that they had access to water all along.

Still struggling

with which to choose? It helps to remember you're on both sides of this equation.

1. Do you want to work with the person you can't do without? It's great for their pocket, but not your confidence, or

2. Do you want to work with the person who shows you that you can, and go back to them as needed for each new level of success? 

Now that you know who you'd want to work with,

who do you want to be?

In closing

Logic and emotion.

Getting clear on who you are in both logic and emotion, your needs and intrinsic business goals (money is just one element) makes it easier to remember

why you wanted to serve this specific ideal client.

It wasn't because you can wind them up easily.

Was it? So, what was it?

Action point:

You Decide.

Season's Greetings & 2014 Review

I have heard many say, this year, that

2014 was both terrible and awesome at once.

I can truly relate. That means, however, that we've all grown in some way. You may have learned that

you're more resilient than you thought,

or that there are more efficient ways to do something or quite simply that you'll do something very differently moving forward. Whatever you learned this year, I'm sure there is a positive perspective and takeaway, if not a few. Would you be willing to share what those were?

I believe none of our experiences are for naught. They're all necessary to help others advance too.

Source:

protectyourdreams.blogspot.com/2014/12/seasons-greetings-2014-review.html

My 2014 Eureka Moments

I don't know where to begin, but I'll aim for a list of 12 lessons I've learned this year, that I hope can help you find greater efficiency, balance and joy, in all areas of your lives.

1. If you enter every situation with Thanksgiving, you'll be surprised at how it will be turned around for good. Whether that's based on a change in perspective or a miracle, it's good.

2. Lesson #1 above has led to a series of serendipitous moments that I could not have dreamed up myself. From people to opportunities to new mindsets, our words do manifest our experiences.

3. In being true to myself, as I embrace the lessons above, I've also been a great source of inspiration without even realizing it! People have been moved to love and intrinsic purpose, after listening to me gush on about what I've been learning and how it's helped me.

4. Money is a friend, not a foe. This year, my mindsets around money have changed to understand that as a friend, financial wealth empowers me to be even more generous. When I am financially healthy, it is far easier for me to help others achieve the same.

5. My intuition is not just 'in my head', so to speak. It is a very real aspect of my being that has, to date, never (seriously) steered me wrong. I've attracted like-minded entrepreneurs, just by trusting my gut. It takes practice when you've ignored it for so long, but try it.

6. Love is the opposite of fear. We all believe it's Courage, but courage is merely a product of Love. This year, I've learned to focus on what I'm pursuing in Love, rather than dwelling on what could go wrong as I pursue it (fear). What would it look like for you to live this way?

7. Self-care is not selfish. Self care is the wise setting of boundaries to ensure that you remain whole as you pursue your dreams which, inevitably, will help others. We are of no use to anyone if we are burnt out or spread thin. We can't do anything well if we're doing everything.

8. When I am taking care of myself, even when it means saying "No" from a place of love to someone or something, I have created a safe space for them, too, to do the same. No one is forced to do what they don't want to, or really can't, do.

9. Lesson #8 also no longer comes with guilt or anxiety about letting others down or fear that something or someone might fail because I said "No". I completely understand (most days) that this "No" sets clear boundaries for me to be able to be at my best when I do say "Yes".

10. Lessons #8 and #9 became real to me when I viewed them through the lenses of my Time, my Goals, my Space, my Perspective, my Pace of life and decision-making, my Feelings, my Preferences, my Comfort Zone and Stretch Zone*, and other aspects of life. (*Your stretch zone refers to moments where you risk stepping out of your comfort zone to try something new. You shouldn't be coerced to enter this zone; it should be your decision. The Panic Zone is that zone beyond your stretch zone. If you're in the panic zone, you're not ready. It's fine to step back.)

11. I've always known this, but never put it into words. I make decisions from a place of conscious awareness of why I'm making those decisions. Decisions are no longer based on false time-pressure or peer-pressure or any kind. When I make conscious decisions, I know I am committed to those decisions, to seeing them to fruition.

12. I'm now more comfortable knowing that I am not to be all things, at all times, to all people. I know that my part is important, but I am free to stay balanced, true to myself, as I do my part.

Some of you may have heard me rave about some or all of these, already, but those are my 2014 - year of Eureka Moments - lessons. I know I'm not alone though.

Willing to share yours?

Wishing you, your loved ones and everyone you encounter, love, joy, healing and prosperity in every area of life.

See you in 2015!

Best, always!

Do You Really Want It

Today!

You psych yourself up to

pursue your dreams hard today.

You get started on an

immense high.

Suddenly, thoughts of competition, workload or obstacles bring you crashing down, so you step back and say

"tomorrow".

S

ound familiar? By now you know you're not alone. It's not a cliche,

it's the truth.

Do You Really Want It

You

absolutely must ask

yourself

"Do I really want it? How will "it" affect your life, today, tomorrow? What is the permanent opportunity cost?"

Do you still want it? The answer is:

"Yes"

,

"Yes, but not right now"

or

"No"

. Not maybe.

Decide. Do you want this?

Whether you

write

it,

envision

it or

talk to yourself

about it,

make the time to decide

 if you really want it and

make the decision permanent - commit.

Want It versus Feel Like It

Once you've decided that you really want

this - business | healthy eating habits | firm body | healthy marriage | family relationship

- you're not looking back.

You want this...but you're not going to feel that wayevery day.

Nothing I've mentioned above comes without hard work, and

you've never worked as hard as you're going to work for this.

Such is the true nature of dreams.

[

Cliche:

Nothing worth anything was ever easy.]

Summary: Do You Really Want It - Here's How To Go Get It

Importance of Motivation

I'm very visual and words are important to me so, for me,

Pinterest

is a God-send, when used wisely. I have created an

Inspiration Board

,

a 

Vision Board

 (hidden) 

and a

God Board

, that I look at whenever I start talking myself down or

procrastinating.

You have to find what works for you:

Develop a short speech you say every morning & when your resolve wanes | Listen to speeches | Take long walks | Write | Daydream about success | Run (Ha, ha. No, not 'run away' :p)

Do whatever it takes to motivate you - nothing is too weird.

[

Key: Commit a short time to doing that, then get back to the task at hand.

]

Importance of Support Systems

Support

is a funny word. Many will say the words, but many of those will keep bringing the "practical reality" your way, and it will always sound like

a list of "reasons you can't".

Run. I can't say it strongly or loudly enough.

RUN. They will keep you back.

Find people

that

you trust

,

that

believe in

what you're going for and will only provide

advice to propel you

forward. Spend most of your "people" time with them.

Find people

who've

succeeded at something crazy

or 'impossible', who are still optimistic about possibility, and have tea with them once a month.

That is reality.

Importance of Alone Time

Even if you hate being alone, you need this time to be productive. Having people around is great, but if this is your dream

you have to make time to do it.

You also have to commit to simply

making time to be with yourself;

to hear and face your own thoughts. [

Read:

Why Productive People Have Empty Schedules

. Not literally, perhaps, but good.]

Don't Look Back

None of this will "come naturally". You have to

form new habits

to commit to

alone time,

implement these

motivational changes

and develop those

support systems.

It's an uphill climb, but we've already decided that

it's worth it. Right?

[

Start today:

10 Reasons to Stop What You're Doing & Start Clearing Your Clutter

.]

More Support Online

If you'd like continuous

support for your dreams,

find more online:

Twitter

,

Pinterest

, Facebook Page

Entrepreneurs Courage

. 

I hate the new lack of privacy on social media, but I love encouraging others, so here's to my being a little open.