Goals and Aspirations

Happiness: It's Our Choice

That's just it --
you can't drive it, you can't wear it, you can't live in it,
you can't drink it, smoke it, snort it, you can't travel to it.
Happiness is the experience of the journey.

The experience of happiness is the result of how you look
at things.  When I look at something I say, can do, no problem;
that is not going to make me unhappy.

Happiness is a choice!

                                Denis Waitley

And as Denis Waitley points out... happiness has a great deal to do with how we look at things... and it is only up to us how we react to  and look at things in our life. 

We choose reactions we have... it is our choice how we view situations and events.  No one else's choice... but ours.

Happiness is definitely a choice!

I choose happiness... what do you choose??  Click on the comment link below and let me know your thoughts...

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Stay Motivated: Learn a New Skill!

Motivation is our desire and level of energy to do something... it is the driving force behind our actions.

Motivation is an essential part of everything we do and governs whether or not we will successfully achieve our goals and dreams throughout life.

It's natural our motivation level will fluctuate at different times... and also with different things we must do. 

Our motivation tends to be high with those things we are interested and passionate about... necessary tasks are easily and successfully accomplished.

When we are not interested or not looking forward to particular things... our motivation to do them tends to be low... necessary tasks take longer to do, if they ever get done!

In a recent article, How to Stay Motivated: 7 tips to keep the fire going!, one of the tips included learning more information or a new skill.

Many would argue that when they are lacking motivation to do something, they don't have the motivation to learn something new...

This is true... up to a point!  But learning new information or a new skill can have a huge motivating affect:

• often when we lose motivation it is because we are unsure what to do. 
• it gives us something different to think about -- it shifts our focus from what we know we have to do but don't feel like doing it to something new
• it rejuvenates our brain cells
• increases our confidence which in turn boosts our motivation
• provides fresh ideas and ways to look at things

I've recently experienced the rejuvenation in my motivation when I've learnt a new skill!  I've often relied on learning something new when my motivation is on the low side... and since it continues to work for me... I thought I would share it with you!

Click on the comment link below and let me know what you think about learning something new to increase your motivation.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

The Healing Power of Love

I received this quirky video with a powerful message... this morning.

The animated video shows the healing power of love.  And the words of the song are good as well.

Giving love, compassion and understanding to those who are angry, defensive, hurt and wounded can quickly melt these negative emotions away.

Love can quickly defuse a volatile situation... Love can instantly give positive energy to those situations clouded by darkness and despair.

Have a look at the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PScUdYTO0UM

and let me know what you think.

Click on the comment link below and share your thoughts about the video, song... and about this topic.  I'd love to hear from you!

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Focus and Begin: Take Action Rather Than Debate

Don't waste time calculating your chances of success and failure.  Just fix your aim and begin.

                                                Guan Yin Tzu

This quote is so relevant in all aspects of life.

All too often we set a goal, we have a dream we would like to fulfil... but we get caught up in the dilemma of whether or not we will be successful!

If you have a goal you want to achieve... if you have a dream you want to turn into a reality... go for it!

Now that is not saying for one minute that you shouldn't weigh up the pros and cons of your goal... but what it is saying is make a plan, set your sights on your goal... and take action towards achieving your goal.

All too often we waste so much time talking ourselves out of going for our goal... the thing to remember is, you will never know until you give it a go! 

Have an expectation of successfully achieving your goal... rather than have an expectation you will fail.

Spend your time and energy in developing a sound plan and strategies,and taking appropriate action towards achieving your goal... not contemplating its failure!

If you have a goal and could benefit from assistance in developing a workable plan and strategies to achieve your goal ... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Do you fix your mind on your goal and begin... or do you spend more time wondering whether it will be successful or not?  Click on the comment link below and let me know your thoughts... it's great to hear from you!

Best wishes

Jeanne

Staying Motivated: Associate with People Who Are Motivated

One of the best ways to become motivated, to reignite your motivation, or to stay motivated... is to associate with people who themselves are motivated or who you find motivating!

Motivation is the drive or energy force behind what we do... and when we are not motivated it is very difficult to achieve anything in life.  Motivation comes from within us and it also can come from others or external situations.

It's not unusual for our motivation to fluctuate from time to time... that's natural!

And a sure fire way to give your motivation a boost is to talk with, read, listen to, hang out with, people you find motivating.  In other words, associate with motivating people... and that can be through personal contact, listening to or reading about them on DVDs, in books, on TV.

Associating with people you find motivating has a profound positive effect on increasing your motivation by :

• reigniting your energy
• providing you with inspiration to continue with your goal
• providing you with a new perspective
• providing you with a different outlook

If your motivation is on the low side... ask yourself:

• what kind of people do you associate with?  Do they have strong motivation?  Are they doing or saying things you find boosts your motivation.  Many people we have close connection with actually lower our motivation... they may be negative towards your goals and dreams, they may have no goals or dreams of their own or they may have little enthusiasm in achieving anything in life
• what kind of books do you read?  Are they motivating?  Do they add value to your knowledge, understanding, and energy?
• What kind of media do you listen to or watch?  Do you watch "soapies", do you watch or listen to things that you can "veg out" on?  Do you watch or listen to things that inspire, motivate you or enrich your life in some way?

I'd love to know your thoughts about this topic... click on the comment link below and share your thoughts.  It's always good to hear from you!

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Anzac Day: Time to Reflect

Thousands of people have attended powerfully solemn dawn services throughout the world to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the landing of Gallipoli... and to honour those who have fought for their country since that time.

Anzac Day is a day of reflection... not to celebrate War but to reflect on the sacrifices made by hundreds of thousands of people to protect their country.

Fortunately, I have not known anyone in the services... or anyone who was called to fight for their country.  But each year I am deeply moved by the essential meaning of Anzac Day.

I have, however, several friends who have lived much of their lives in countries where war is happening.  I hear their stories and I see the impact living in a war torn country has on their physical and psychogical well-being.

For me Anzac Day is a day of reflection:

• contemplating the millions of lives lost in all countries throughout the world in the name of protecting their country
• the impact war has not only on the people called to service... but to those loved ones left behind
• the impact of living in a country devastated and torn apart by war
• the courage of those affected by war
• on how free my life truly is... and how much sacrifice has been given for the freedom I enjoy today

Anzac Day never ceases to have a "stock take" effect on me.  Today, as with many other Anzac Days, I will be re-evaluating what I'm doing... where I'm going... and how I also can contribute to making this world a safer and place.

What will you be doing today?  Click on the comment link below and leave your thoughts -- it's always good to hear from you!

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

About Dreams And Bullies

Bullying, particularly at school, has almost reached epidemic level.

The effects of bullying can be profound and long-term... many people carry the emotional scars of bullying throughout their life.  For some, bullying has destroyed their self esteem, robbed them of their dreams.  Talents and potential may never be reached...

It is refreshing, however, to find examples of where talent flourishes despite the continual torment of bullies at school.

Have a look at this video... it is compellingly exquisite!  It's about a boy, with a remarkable gift, who refuses to let bullying steal his dream... listen to the commentators and the boys comments at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqe3A-zQhzU

I was deeply moved and inspired by this video... and I hope you are too!

Watch it and let me know what you think... click on the comment link below and leave your thoughts and reactions to the video and also any thoughts you have about bullying.  It would be great to hear from you!

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Discipline And Achieving Goals

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.

                                Jim Rohn

I stumbled across this quote today... and since I'm working on an e-course designed to Get You Going from where you are now in your life to where you want to be... the quote is applicable not only to me creating the course... but to anyone who has a goal they want to successfully achieve.

Accomplishing anything in life requires discipline... not the regimented, abusive kind of discipline... but the discipline that requires you to remain focused, committed, enthusiastic and motivated to do whatever is necessary to achieve your goal.

The discipline to persevere with your goal, to deal with obstacles as you face them, and to continually take action on your goal...

This kind of discipline is the empowering kind of discipline... and allows you to achieve whatever you desire in your life!

I know my self-discipline fluctuates from time to time... most times I remain focused and disciplined to achieve the tasks at hand.  At other times, however, my self-discipline takes a vacation and the tasks at hand take so much longer to accomplish -- if indeed they ever get done!

You can learn techniques to regain your self-discipline... and when you do, you will quickly and easily get your discipline back when it decides to slow down.

How is your self-discipline?  Could it do with a boost?  Could you benefit from learning easy to use techniques to develop and strengthen your self-discipline?? 

If so, join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program and develop your self-discipline to achieve your goals in no time!

Let me know about your self-discipline?  Click on the comment link below and share your thoughts... I'd love to hear them!

Best wishes
Jeanne

Outer Mongolia: My Dream Became Reality Interview

Recently, Wendy Wallace interviewed me about my thoughts on dreams and turning them into reality... the interview entitled Reclaiming Your Dream is available as an MP3 which you can download and listen to...

Julie Shapiro also interviewed me a few weeks ago... her interview was specifically on my book Outer Mongolia... No Longer a Fantasy ... about my dream that became a reality!

Here is part of the interview:

When did you decide to live your dream of visiting Outer Mongolia?

Wednesday, November 10, 1993 -- at dinner with a friend (Ro) and Sally, a woman I had only met once before.  Early in the evening, Sally (we were at her place and I had only met her once before) was talking about her recent trip to Tibet... one thing led to another and at some stage I mentioned something about Mongolia and Sally immediately said " Why not go there??"  my immediate response was: no way... I thought she was kidding and would leave it at that -- but Sally is into dream analysis and has been for many years.  She kept saying “why don't you?”  After a couple more drinks, my protests faded and the three of us that night decided to go to Mongolia.  And at that point... I knew my life would never be the same again.

What was the most empowering aspect of having a life long dream become a reality?

It broke through my limiting beliefs about what I was capable of doing.  It also broke through many other people's limiting beliefs about me – many of my family and friends and doctors were very vocally opposed to me going -- I even got told I was irresponsible, and I should not be contemplating it given my physical challenges and enormous breathing problems.

The most empowering thing about it is that I know anything you really want to do badly enough... you can do it, no matter what your circumstances are.

If I can turn my dream into a reality... anyone can!

If you would like to read more about my dream becoming a reality in Outer Mongolia... you can at

http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_outermongolia.html

Have you a dream you would like to become reality?  Have any of your dreams become reality?  Click on the comment link below and tell me about them... I'd love to hear from you!

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html

Surround Yourself With Motivating Quotes

Motivation is important to achieve or do anything in life...

Motivation comes from within us... it is our drive, it is our desire to achieve to do or become something.  We can also be motivated by others or external events... people around us can give us added motivation to do things!

This is especially true when our Motivation is low... Sometimes we all could do with a motivational boost... sometimes we need to be reminded how to get on track... sometimes we need external things to help motivate us!

One of the tips suggested in How to Stay Motivated: 7 tips to keep the fire going!  was to write out motivational quotes!  This is a powerful tip to increase your motivation... and keep you going!

When you find a great motivational quote... something that resonates with you, something that inspires you and gives you a boost... write it out.

Not quite sure where to get quotes??   Type "Motivational Quotes" in your favourite search engine, read motivational books, listen for motivational information... and write down what you become energised with!

Write each quote out and put them where you can see them on a regular basis... put them around your house, on your fridge, in your car, in your bag or wallet, put them on your computer, around your work area... where ever you can put motivational quotes up so that you frequently see them, read them and absorb the messages they give.

How about these:

Motivation is what gets you started.  Habit is what keeps you going.
                      Jim Ryun

Motivation is a fire from within.  If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will be very briefly.
                       Stephen R. Covey

What is your favourite motivational quote?  Click on the comment link below... and let me know.

Best wishes

Jeanne

PS... if you could do with support and guidance in achieving a goal or changing your life in some way... I invite you to join my 4 Week E-Mail Mentoring Program... find out more and sign up at http://www.aspirationsplus.com/4wkementprom.html