Disclaimer
Nature of information
The information in this ebook is based mainly on the beliefs, experiences, insights, and revelations of the author (Charles Moorehead). As such, this information may not be suitable for a particular person or situation. This information is not meant to be a complete guide to increasing your personal power or achieving success in life. It is only meant to provide useful ideas and information in these areas. This ebook is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. (From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers.)
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No warranty or guarantee is given (or implied) regarding the accuracy, reliability, veracity, or completeness of the information provided by this ebook, or by any websites linked from this ebook.
Disclaimer of liability
The author (Charles Moorehead) disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury, or expense, however caused, arising from any use of or reliance upon the information provided through this ebook.
Chapter 4: Set Meaningful Goals Meaningful goals are those that are both desirable and achievable. Goals give direction to your life. They can take you from where you are to where you want to be. This chapter also provides many special methods to insure that you actually accomplish your goals. Chapter 5: Make Logical Decisions Being able to make logical decisions is the last step in the knowing what to do phase. You will need good decisionmaking skills for all of the following success secrets. (Of course, you may be satisfied with your present decision-making skills.)
Chapter 11: Overcome Common Obstacles This chapter provides a group of methods that you can use to help overcome typical obstacles. Chapter 12: Bootstrap Methods One of the biggest obstacles to completing an expensive project is a lack of available cash. These bootstrap methods show how to start and operate a small business with a minimum of cash.
You also will be better able to survive any hardships and exploit any opportunities that come your way. This rule puts you in control, rather than allowing others or fate decide what happens to you. Insights Some people may feel they have no control over their lives. This is probably due to their limiting beliefs. How did things get this way? Well, it is common for children (and even adults) to hear some of the following warnings repeatedly: Dont rock the boat. Dont take chances. Dont try to be something that youre not. Be careful, its a dangerous world out there. Although these warnings are meant to protect you from possible dangers and disappointments in life, they often keep you from achieving your full potentials. Often these warnings become part of your belief system. The problem is that these beliefs have been buried within your subconscious mind. So you cant examine them and determine if they are still valid. However, by taking charge of your life, you can gradually develop a more appropriate belief system. Procedures Deciding to take charge of your life can be a difficult step to take. After all, you may have to overcome the doubts resulting from years of warnings. The Take Charge of Your Life chapter can help you put this rule into action.
Insights It may take some effort to determine your true desires and natural talents. Most people have been subjected to many outside influences during their early life. Thus, it can be difficult to separate your own desires and talents from those imposed on you by other people. Another problem is that you may feel trapped in your present circumstances. One way to solve this problem is to gradually shift or expand your present activities to use more of your true desires and/or natural talents. You might not be able to focus exclusively on these aspects. However, any change in this direction should improve your life. Procedures In applying this rule, you first need to determine your true desires and natural talents if you dont already know them. Then you need to use this information when setting goals or deciding on future activities. Discovery methods The Discover Your True Desires chapter will help you determine your true desires and natural talents. Setting goals Now you can put the above discoveries into use. The Set Meaningful Goals chapter can advise you how to proceed.
Insights When change happens, most people become apprehensive and dont know what to do about it. Therefore, they dont do anything. The natural reaction of your belief system is to ignore or resist change. This is because your beliefs are locked up in your subconscious mind and do not automatically adapt to new circumstances. The overriding purpose of your belief system is self-preservation. For this reason, it tends to exaggerate potential risks. It is more concerned with keeping you alive than with helping you achieve a useful and fulfilling life. Change entails both opportunities and risks. However, if you are able to analyze risks, solve problems, and get things done, then you may benefit by exploiting those opportunities that suit you. Procedures Once a month take some time to look around for potential opportunities. When you find a possibility, spend some time to investigate it further. However, dont waste time with ideas that dont suit you or excite you. The general approach is to spend only as much time as needed to either discard the idea or investigate it further. The result is that only a minimum amount of time is spent on unsuitable ideas and a larger amount of time is spent only on the most suitable ideas. Choosing an opportunity At some point you have to decide whether an opportunity should be exploited. You need to compare the pros and cons of this opportunity and decide whether it is worth pursuing. The Make Logical Decisions chapter should help you choose an appropriate opportunity. Using a work plan When you are ready to exploit an opportunity, you probably need to prepare a work plan. The plan should describe the opportunity, show how it will benefit you (the desired results), show what resources and information will be needed, and summarize the various actions needed to implement the plan. The Prepare a Work Plan chapter should help you in this endeavor.
Here are some of the benefits to learning and following the rules of the game: Allows you to fit in and become a member of the group Allows your opinions to get a fair hearing by the group Helps keep you out of trouble Increases your chances for success in the endeavor or activity Permits you to try for leadership in the group Insights Rules are developed over time by people, organizations, and governments. These groups expect their rules to be followed. Governments insist on this. Most people are aware of the rules pertaining to their current circumstances. However, this awareness may not be at the conscious level. People learn to follow rules as they are punished or criticized for intentionally (or unintentionally) disobeying them. Following the rules for your current situation just may be an unconscious habit. Problems may arise when people enter a new group, endeavor, or activity. They may mistakenly believe that their old way of doing things still applies. They may not realize that they need to learn new rules. Procedures The first step is to learn the rules that apply to the new group, endeavor, or activity. The next step is to put these rules into practice. Learning the rules There is a tried and true method for learning new rules. You simply follow a famous dictum of ancient times: When in Rome do as the Romans do. Thus, you want to observe or discover how other people in the group, endeavor, or activity behave. Moreover, you should be aware that different rules might apply to different people. Leaders may have one set of rules and ordinary members may have another set. Besides seeing what happens, you also may want to ask discreet questions. However, you dont want to be bothersome or cause trouble. You just want to fit in and act like everyone else. If there are written rules for a group, endeavor, or activity then get a copy, if possible. You may have to create your own list of rules by talking to some knowledgeable person or by reading some reference materials. Following the rules After learning the rules you should put them into practice. You may have to change some of your usual ways of doing things.
You may have to learn new attitudes and traits, and develop new habits. Are all these changes worthwhile? That is something to consider when deciding whether to enter a new game. Obeying the rules is especially important if you are starting a business venture. Most governments impose rules and regulations on business firms. Governments also like to impose various taxes on business activities, revenues, or profits. You also may have to complete registration forms, pay fees, and obtain licenses to start or operate a business. You also should know how to run your business. Ignoring the rules There may be some occasions when you want to ignore the customary rules. However, you should be well aware of the rules and the possible drawbacks to ignoring them.
Getting help from others Regardless of how other people can help you, you first need to help them. You need to find ways for these people to satisfy their own needs and desires by helping you or buying from you. Then you need to inform these people of the possible benefits to them and persuade them to take the desired action. An example of getting an employer or supervisor to help you (by giving you a promotion or pay raise) would be to find out where that person or the organization needs help. Then you could become qualified in those areas and show them what you can do. An example of getting customers to help you (by buying from you) would be to find out which of their needs and desires are going unmet. Then you could provide whatever would fulfill those needs or desires. An example of getting useful information from someone (to help you on a project) would be to ask for their advice (but not much of their time) and show sincere appreciation when they provide it. Using a work plan Lets say you need something that can be provided by other people. You may want to write a simple work plan to get their help. The plan should show what you need from these people (the desired results), their needs and desires, how you will provide some of these needs and desires, how you will communicate with them and motivate them to help you, and the various actions needed to implement the plan. The Prepare a Work Plan chapter should help you in this endeavor. Reference materials Dale Carnegie is a master at understanding and motivating people. He has written books that should be available in public libraries. Following are two of his classic books: How to Win Friends and Influence People How to Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People by Public Speaking
Insights Various obstacles can keep you from achieving your goals or getting the tough jobs done. However, these obstacles usually can be overcome if you face them and learn the methods needed to overcome them. Fortunately, this ebook shows you how to overcome these common obstacles. So count your blessingsthe Promised Land lies at your doorstep. (Gosh, if only someone had given me these insights when I was still a young pup.) Procedures This is probably one of the toughest rules to apply. Of course, it is also one of the most powerful rules. Have no fear, you are reading an ebook that has the insights and methods you need to get started on the road to achievement. The procedures consist of the five main parts of this Magic Success Secrets program, as listed below: Part 1: Knowing What to Do Part 2: Overcoming Any Barriers to Action Part 3: Taking Decisive Action Part 4: Correcting Any Problems Part 5: Reviewing the Final Results
Here is the problem. You may have decided that your life is an unhappy experience. Maybe you dont know how to deal with everyday problems. Maybe you are waiting for some great event to happen before you can enjoy yourself. Maybe you dont believe you are entitled to enjoy yourself. Whatever the reason, you may not enjoy life as much as you could. Here is the solution. You need to develop a habit of enjoying life every day. Moreover, you need to develop a way of dealing with everyday problems. Habits can be changed. You just need to decide to replace unproductive habits with productive habits. You can change how you react to problems in life. By golly, you even can decide to be happy every day. Procedures Enjoying life is a decision that you make. If you repeat this same decision every day, it will become a habit. This doesnt mean that you are going to ignore your problems. You should always confront your problems. However, dont spoil your enjoyment of life by worrying about your problems needlessly. The following methods should help you deal with your problems while still enjoying life. Resolving your problems You probably wont be able to solve your problems each day, but you can resolve them (put them to rest for a while) as follows. First, let yourself experience any negative feelings you may have. Youre a human being with feelingsso let them out. This shouldnt take more than an hour or so. It normally shouldnt go on for days or weeks at a time. Next, decide how to deal with any problems facing you. This means to decide on a strategy that you can implement in the future. The Resolve Any Problems chapter should help you. Finally, put your worries to rest. You have decided how to deal with your problems. Therefore, it serves no purpose to keep worrying about them. Deciding to enjoy life Now that you have dealt with your problems, you are free to enjoy life. This is a decision that you make each day. Eventually it will be second nature for you to enjoy life every day. Reference materials Dale Carnegie is a master at helping people improve their lives. Following are two of his classic books that can help you enjoy life: How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Final Thoughts
Like most things that lead to success in life, you will have to exert some effort and may have to change some attitudes, habits, and traits to follow these rules. Will the rewards be worth it? That is for you to decide, my friend.
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Insights
Deciding to take charge of your future can be a difficult matter. Many people feel trapped in their present circumstances. However, these success secrets demonstrate that this need not be true. Rather than being trapped by their circumstances, people actually are being trapped by their belief systems.
While it may not seem possible to change your circumstances, it is always possible to change your belief systems. (Then your circumstances will tend to change to reflect these new beliefs.) One of my revelations about the nature of reality is that your belief system influences and limits what you can become in life. If you dont believe something is possible, then you probably wont waste your time trying to do it. Your belief system is necessary to guide you through life. You dont want to discard it, for then you would be helpless. Instead, you need to enhance it. Ideally, your belief system should protect you, but at the same time allow you to grow. You grow by trying new things, making mistakes, and solving problems. The various chapters in this Magic Success Secrets ebook will help increase your abilities and thereby enhance your belief system. Then youll be able to try things that previously seemed out of reach. Each new achievement will provide the basis for future achievements. Enhancing your belief system is a gradual process. However, it can lead to a high level of personal empowerment.
Introduction to procedures
The first procedure below should help you decide whether to try improving your life. The remaining procedures should help you put this decision into action. Keep in mind that the choices you make about your life are entirely up to you. The first time through, you should use the procedures in sequence. Thereafter you may want to repeat one or more procedures. Use each of them as often as needed. The more often you study and apply these magic success secrets, the more powerful you will become.
You may feel trapped and unable to do anything to improve your life. Dont try to make major changes overnight. Start by making small improvements and by increasing your personal power. Then as you develop experience and self-confidence, youll be able to make additional improvements. You may consider yourself unworthy of having a happy life. Okay, so youre unworthy. However, many people could use your help. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and start helping them. (Of course, this will require that you take charge of your own life.). You may feel that obligations to family or other people should take precedence over your own happiness. You dont need to forsake your obligations. In fact, youll be better able to satisfy these obligations by increasing your capabilities and gaining more control over your own life. I hope that you now can decide about your future without being hindered by any artificial barriers. The choice is entirely up to you. Naturally, I hope you will opt for a better life.
Better to try for what you can actually achieve that to try for the impossible or the unlikely. Better to try for something than not to try at all.
Now you are ready to take action to achieve your goal. One way to help ensure that you will pursue your goal, no matter what, is to commit yourself to action. This commitment is a solemn promise to you. The promise is that you will do something every day to work toward your current goal. Heres how to do it. Get a piece of paper and write your current goal at the top. Below this goal, write the following statement: Im committing myself to achieving this goal. Im going to do something to work toward this goal every day. If nothing else, Ill recap my recent steps and decide what to do next. This is a solemn promise Im making to myself. At the bottom of the paper put the current date and sign your name. Keep this paper with you and read it aloud at least three times a day. Okay, now youre committed!
Final thoughts
Taking charge of your life puts you on the road to success. The procedures described above should help you achieve that status. So now, the future is up to you. This can be the start of a journey to a better life. You probably will experience some mistakes and failures along the way. If you keep going, you likely will expand your abilities and develop a can do attitude. Then you will be able to choose your own future. Whenever you need to improve you ability to take charge of your life, you can come back to this Magic Success Secrets ebook and nibble away on its contents.
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Insights
Many people seem to get the most enjoyment and satisfaction from life while fulfilling their true desires and using their natural talents. However, your true desires and natural talents may be buried under layers of social conditioning. The exercises below are designed to cut through these layers and uncover the real you. I cant reveal anything more about how these methods work. They have to be kind of sneaky to discover what lies hidden inside your subconscious mind.
Introduction to exercises
The following exercises use special methods to uncover your true desires and natural talents. For this reason, they may seem strange or silly. When doing the exercises dont think about anything else. Just complete them to the best of your ability. Their purpose will be revealed after you finish them. You will be asked to record certain information about yourself. You can either use sheets of paper with pen or pencil, or a word processing or spreadsheet program. If you are going to use paper and pen or pencil, you will need ten sheets of paper. Use one or two sheets of paper for each exercise. As you begin an exercise, record the title of the exercise at the top of the paper or document page. Each exercise will ask you for several items. Leave two blank lines between each item. After completing the first four exercises, youll review and summarize the results in the last exercise. Note: Approach these exercises as if you were a child enjoying a new game. Put away that stern, demanding side of your conscious mind. Let your thoughts flow freely, without any adult censorship.
Assume that youve received a large sum of money from a financial settlement. You decide to take a year off and enjoy the good life. Youre in good physical condition and have no business, family, or social obligations that tie you down. Describe briefly some different things you would enjoy doing over the next year. Include where you would do these things (indoors or outdoors, city or country, at home or in a foreign country, etc.). Explain who or what you would interact with (people, organizations, social events, physical events, animals, plants, objects, information, etc.) while enjoying yourself.
Final thoughts
These exercises may have been difficult to complete, but I believe the results are worth the effort. After performing all the above exercises, youll have a good idea of your true desires and natural talents. You can use this knowledge about yourself to help guide your future. Thus, you may want to emphasize these desires and talents at work (with your employers permission), or when choosing the type of employment to seek or small business to start.
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Insights
There are several reasons why it can be difficult to achieve your goals. I believe that the following problems explain why many goals are never achieved. There is some barrier preventing you from taking decisive action. See the Overcoming Any Barriers to Action topic in another subject. You dont have enough free time to work on the goal. See the Use Time Saving Tips chapter.
The chosen goal is beyond your present capabilities. The chosen goal is not important enough to you. The chosen goal does not provide excitement or pleasure. The chosen goal would take too long to achieve. The exercises and guidelines in this chapter provide various ways to eliminate these remaining problems.
Introduction to exercises
A goal is a statement of something to be achieved. This statement should be clear, definite, and compelling. The goal should be both doable and desirable, or it likely wont be achieved or even attempted. These exercises will get you off to a good start in setting goals and preparing to achieve them. You should use them in sequence the first time through. After that, you may wish to repeat one or more exercise as often as needed. Where an exercise directs you to record information using paper and pencil or pen, you may choose to use a word processor or spreadsheet program instead.
At some point, you may have increased your capabilities, public image, and selfconfidence so that making changes in your life is no longer a problem. Permissible risks When deciding how large a risk you should take, assume that any possible loss will actually happen. Then determine how much of a loss you could suffer without adversely affecting your lifestyle. Keep this maximum loss in mind when setting your goals. As an example, a possible loss of $250 might be acceptable. However, the possible loss of $5,000 or your current job may not be acceptable. Be honest with yourself. Do what is best for you and your family.
Financial resources: This includes your cash on hand and in the bank, any income you are presently earning, and your ability to obtain loans. Your desires This might mean what you want to achieve in life. Then again, it might refer to excitement, pleasure, or self-esteem. Your needs This might mean how much money you want to make. Maybe you have obligations to your family or other people that must be satisfied.
The final step is up to you. This is where you dig in and do whatever else is needed to attain your goal.
Final thoughts
I hope the exercises in this chapter will help you in choosing worthwhile goals and carrying them to completion. There are many sayings that describe the importance of actually getting results. One of the best is that old saw, Actions speak louder than words. At this point Im going to stop talking, except to saygood luck!
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Insights
Whats that? You say it doesnt do any good to make logical decisions, because some unknown factor might spoil things. Hah, I got you covered. There is a famous analogy about how a series of imperfect decisions can lead to the desired results. Lets say youre a pilot flying from New York to London. There is a recommended flight path for this journey.
As you travel to London, various unknown forces continually push your plane off this perfect flight path. How do you avoid landing somewhere else? Well, you have to make a series of course corrections. See, you dont have to fly the perfect flight path. You only have to approximate the desired flight path. Then, as you get ready to land, you make the final course correction. Therefore, use these success secrets to make logical decisions. You will discover the approximate path to success. Then make course corrections as needed to produce the desired results.
Introduction to methods
I have summarized a decision-making process that can reduce mistakes and false steps. It also can increase your self-confidence and encourage you to keep striving toward a difficult goal. In some cases, it might reveal that a proposed task is not worth the effort and risk required. The following methods provide a roadmap for making logical decisions. Normally, you should use these methods in sequence. However, in some cases, you may not need a particular method. Some of the following exercises ask you to manually record information on sheets of paper. However, you may prefer to use a spreadsheet or word processing program instead.
Thus, even logical decisions cant be relied upon for perfect results. One of the guidelines from my personal experiences is, Always allow for the unexpected. For this reason, it usually is best to make a low-risk decision. This type of decision assumes that something unexpected may happen. It uses the axiom: Better safe than sorry. My recommendation is always to make a lowrisk decision. A low-risk decision is one in which the odds of success are high and the potential losses from a failure are low. I always avoid choices, even those with very desirable benefits, if they could have disastrous consequences. In my experience, if I manage to stay in the game long enough, I will always triumph. (This presumes that there is not some known or unknown force playing against me. If you have ever gambled or traded the stock market, you know what I mean.) However, if I am knocked out of the game by some large or unexpected loss, then it will take time and effort to recover. Also, the longer I succeed in the game, the better Ill be able to overcome any adversities that come my way.
Final thoughts
Making logical decisions is a trial and error process. Its not always possible to know what is best. This may not be revealed until time passes. Try to make the best decision possible at the time. Later, you can make any course corrections needed. With experience, you will be able to make better and faster decisions. If facts are insufficient to make a sound decision, try to put off the decision. However, if a decision has to be made, base it on the available facts. You want to control your life as much as possible. You dont want outside forces or indecision to render you powerless.
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Introduction
Your subconscious mind can help you attain the kind of life you want. This assumes that you have the required abilities and resources, and are willing to put forth the required efforts. This usually means that you will make progress in easy steps, with each successive step building on the results of the previous steps. This chapter discusses the three main skills you can develop in your own subconscious mind.
The solving problems skill encourages your subconscious mind to solve various types of problems. The instilling new beliefs skill is used to change your attitudes and beliefs about your possibilities in life. The visualizing your achievements skill is used to focus your attention on a particular goal you want to achieve.
My early discoveries
Before I started this ebook project, I had been using my subconscious mind to help solve problems. This happened over the years by accident. When I had a problem, I would think about it for a while. Then I would give up if I couldnt find an answer. However, sometimes the answer would pop into my conscious mind after a day or so. I never wondered why or how this happened. I just assumed that I had some brilliant insight by accident. As these magical insights kept appearing, I finally began to understand what was happening. I already knew that my subconscious mind was a great storehouse of information. So it had to be the source of the insights. Now it was just a matter of training my subconscious mind for the magic to become routine. I eventually developed a method that encouraged my subconscious mind to solve problems. This method is explained under the Solving problems topic below. Later on, I read some self-help books and took a self-improvement course that showed how to use some other powers of my subconscious mind.
Whats the big deal? you may ask. Ill show you. Im going to blindfold you and then hand you a bundle of wires. Now using only the electrical signals from this bundle of wires try to identify the objects in front of you. While were at it, tell me if any of these objects are dangerous or remind you of significant experiences. Cant do it, can you? All I want you to understand right now is that your subconscious mind has fantastic abilities, which it performs mostly in secret.
These steps show your subconscious mind that you are serious about getting the problem solved. Later on, I discovered that my subconscious mind also could help with my writing. If I had a writing problem, such as trying to explain some difficult concepts, the same procedure worked. I would review the writing that needed fixing, think about the problem for a while, expect a solution from my subconscious, sleep on it, and then the answer would pop into my conscious mind in a day or two. I also discovered that I couldnt force this procedure. I couldnt just ask my subconscious mind to start writing. It apparently wanted me to do something to show that I was serious about the writing project. I had to take the first step. I had to start writing regardless of how crude my efforts were. Then I would review what I have written and expect my subconscious mind to clean things up and expand on my writings, which it did. Using your subconscious mind to help you is one of my favorite success secrets. This of course presumes that you have started to train your subconscious and it is giving you good results. Another variation on this method is deciding among various alternatives. Here is the procedure: 1. Summarize the overall situation, the alternatives, and their related pros and cons. 2. Carefully review the situation, the alternatives, and their respective pros and cons. 3. Expect your subconscious mind to determine the best choice. 4. Ignore the situation for several days so your subconscious mind can mull things over. 5. Try out any reasonable solution that pops into your conscious mind.
The more often you use your subconscious to solve problems, the better and faster will be the results.
You first need to create scenes to use for the visualization. These scenes should show you working on your current goal, achieving the goal, and enjoying its benefits. (Note: This is one reason to choose goals that give you excitement and pleasure.) The more details and intense feelings you can think of the better. You can either write these scenes down on a piece of paper or just remember them. Now close your eyes and go into the visualization. See the actions, feel the emotions. Let yourself laugh or smile if appropriate. Continue with this visualization for several minutes. This exercise should help you to keep working toward your goal. It should also help your subconscious mind believe that you are capable of achieving the goal. Repeat this visualization three times a day for two weeks. Then use it once a day until the idea of achieving your goal and having a better life feels normal. You also can use this exercise whenever you have bogged down or lost interest in working toward your goal.
Final thoughts
Now my subconscious mind is one of my best friends. It wants to help me succeed in life. However, first I must show it that I am serious about my needs and desires. My subconscious mind has great power, but it acts like a child in many respects. Moreover, it seems to have a show me attitude. Some of the magic success secrets in this ebook use the power of your subconscious mind to improve your life. The steps are all spelled out in the various chapters.
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Insights
The circumstances you experience in life usually derive from your accepted beliefs. If you wonder about the nature of these beliefs, you have merely to observe the nature of your present circumstances. Empowering beliefs tend to result in a life of successively higher achievements. Limiting beliefs tend to result in a life of moderate achievements. And perhaps some disappointments. Beliefs determine how your subconscious mind interprets the outside world and your ability to deal with it.
Your accepted beliefs were implanted into your subconscious mind through repetition and/or strong emotions. You can use the same methods to develop new beliefs. Many people believe they are stuck with their present circumstances. This puts the cart before the horse. People actually are stuck with their present beliefsbut only until they choose to change them. How do you change your beliefs? Well, you cant do it directly. You have to send your subconscious mind forceful impressions that are repetitive and have high emotional impact. Then your subconscious mind will gradually change your beliefs to match the new impressions you are sending it. Some of these impressions may not be literally true at the time they are sent. This doesnt matter. Your subconscious mind cant tell the difference between reality and the vivid impressions you send it.
Introduction to methods
These methods are designed to replace some of your outdated or limited beliefs with ones that can help improve your life. This process of reprogramming your mind may take several weeks or a few months. You will know when this process is achieving results when you begin to display the desired attitudes, beliefs, and/or traits. Some of the following exercises may not make sense to you. However, your subconscious mind isnt concerned with logic. It will accept any new information that is repeated often enough. It also helps to feel strong, positive emotions during this process. In the first exercise below, you choose your new beliefs. Then you use one or more of the methods in the next three exercises to send vivid impressions to your subconscious mind. In the last exercise you decide whether and when to continue with the process of changing your beliefs.
These new beliefs can be most readily implanted in the form of attitudes, beliefs, and/or traits. You can choose items from the following list, or make up your own list of desirable beliefs. Attitudes, beliefs, and/or traits to be implanted: I am ambitious I am assertive I am a self-starter I assume responsibility for my own success I have a driving force I have a need for achievement I have self-confidence (Note: The example used in the following three exercises will show how the assertive attitude can be implanted into your subconscious mind.)
Example statement showing you as assertive: I am forceful and self-assured in dealing with people and achieving my goals.
Example scene showing you as assertive: You are discussing a business problem with your co-workers. There is one person who always tries to hog the conversation and impose his opinions on everyone else. As he drones on incessantly, you interrupt him to calmly express your own opinions. He disagrees with you, but you back up your assertions with indisputable facts. He slowly gives in. Many of your co-workers smile at you to show their appreciation. You should memorize whatever scene you will use. After you have memorized it, do the visualization: Close your eyes and go into the visualization. See the actions, feel the emotions. Let yourself laugh or smile if appropriate. Continue with this visualization for several minutes. Repeat this visualization three times a day for two weeks. Then use it once a day until the idea of having this new capability feels normal.
Final thoughts
It doesnt matter what your existing beliefs are or how they got into your subconscious mind. All that matters is what you do to change the ones that keep you from improving your life.
This assumes, of course, that you arent happy with your present circumstances. The ability to replace some of your beliefs with ones that are more suitable will reinforce the other skills in this ebook and help you accomplish your goals.
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Insights
One of the barriers to achieving your goals in life may be the lack of a strong driving force. This lack can prevent you from taking action on an important task. This lack may be expressed as a low energy level, a habit of procrastination, or even occasional feelings of despair or helplessness. Being able to summon bursts of energy lets you overcome this problem. Everyone is born with the ability to display bursts of energy on occasion. Unfortunately, this natural gift often is repressed during childhood as part of the civilizing process. By reprogramming your mind, you can regain this ability.
Of course, if your lack of energy is due to some physical or psychological impairment youll need to fix that problem first. Your subconscious mind can be reprogrammed by sending it impressions that are repetitive and have high emotional impact. The exercises in this chapter use this method to unleash and control bursts of energy. As with all mental conditioning, you need to practice these exercises long enough to implant the new attitudes, beliefs, and/or traits within your subconscious mind. Then you have to develop the resulting habits.
Introduction to exercises
The purpose of the following exercises is to develop or increase your ability to summon bursts of energy on demand. Some of these exercises may not make sense to you. However, your subconscious mind isnt concerned with logic. It will accept any new information that is repeated often enough. It also helps to feel strong, positive emotions during this process. The first exercise gives you a sense of unlimited energy. The second exercise shows you how to summon bursts of energy as needed. The last two exercises develop your ability to use these bursts of energy to start and complete ordinary or difficult tasks. Practice each exercise for at least two weeks before starting the next exercise. Keep doing each exercise until you have mastered it. You should perform one or more of these exercises daily until you can summon bursts of energy on demand. This process of retraining your subconscious mind may take a few months.
A visualization is a guided daydream. You decide what is to happen and then you see it played out inside your mind. As this daydream unfolds, let yourself feel the excitement and power of being able to call up bursts of energy. The repetition of this visualization, along with your intense feelings, helps condition your mind to accept this new ability. I have created a scene to use for the visualization. You can create your own story if you dont like this one. First study the written description of the story until you know it. Then close your eyes and go into the visualization. See the actions take place inside your mind. Feel the emotionslet yourself laugh or smile if appropriate. Continue with this visualization for several minutes. Here is the scene: You are alone on a vast plain. A warm summer sun caresses your face. There is no sound except for a soft breeze rustling the grass at your feet. Then you look up into the sky and raise your hands, asking the universe for the gift of unlimited energy. Soon the sky is filled with dark clouds and the sound of thunder! Just then, a bolt of lightning flashes down from the clouds and enters your body. You are filled with a fiery energy. Zap, zapyou can feel the electricity coursing through your body. Pop, popthe energy is unbelievable! You feel alive like never before. Whatever you want to do is now in your power. You have the energy to overcome any obstacle. Your ambition is boundless. Nothing can stop you now! You survey the scene around you and smile. The air is vibrant and alive with possibilities. Gazing up into the sky again, you give thanks for this gift. You seem to know, without being told, that this power is available whenever you need it. Repeat this visualization three times a day for two weeks. Then use it once a day until the idea of having unlimited energy starts feeling normal.
Because of this habit it will become easier and easier to summon bursts of energy whenever you need them. Pick out some small, but unpleasant, tasks that you normally hate doing. The next time one of these tasks comes up do the following: You should be able to call up a burst of energy whenever desired now. If you need help, go back to the previous exercise that depicted you as having unlimited energy. Youre going to use code words to train your subconscious mind to call up this energy on demand. First, say some code words to yourself, for exampleEnergy now! Then let yourself feel a burst of energy flowing through your body. Next, start working on the task in a forceful manner. Move as if you have a purpose in life. Be assertive, be in control of yourself. Act vigorously and decisively. After completing the task, let yourself enjoy the excitement and power of your new ability. Use this exercise for at least two weeks. Continue the exercise until you can power through these unpleasant tasks whenever needed.
After receiving the energy and working on the task, let yourself feel the pleasure of having this new power. Use this exercise for several weeks. Repeat the visualization method described in previous exercise if you need to reinforce your ability to call up bursts of energy.
To help you avoid problems, here are some more topics from the Using Time Saving Tips chapter: Avoid or minimize interruptions Break the habit of perfectionism Complete those small, nagging tasks Delegate certain tasks (when appropriate) Eliminate unneeded tasks Emphasize the most important tasks Finish one task before starting the next Know when to get help or stop working Organize your workplace Use standardized forms and procedures Use to-do lists and deadlines You may need a burst of energy from time to time to start or continue with the task. Here is the procedure again: Use the same method and code words as shown in the above Using bursts of energy for small tasks exercise. Next, start working on the task in a forceful manner. Move as if you have a purpose in life. Be assertive, be in control of yourself. Act vigorously and decisively. After completing each portion of the task, let yourself enjoy the excitement and power of your new ability. Use this exercise for several weeks. You might want to make it a permanent part of your everyday activities.
Final thoughts
Some people seem to have boundless energy that helps them get things done. However, if you practice the above exercises, you can develop this same ability. There is nothing that helps create self-confidence like the ability to power through those tough jobs. This ability will reinforce the other methods and skills in this ebook. Use this information to help you succeed in your endeavors.
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Insights
Almost everyone feels fear at one time or another. Fear comes from the subconscious mind. It could be a warning of possible danger. This warning is triggered by the unknown, or by memories of hurtful past experiences.
Fear also could be a result of social conditioning. Thus, a fear of ridicule is one way for society to maintain a certain amount of discipline. Regardless of the source of this excessive or unreasoning fear, you need to control it. Otherwise, it can keep you from pursuing your dreams. However, there is a problem when talking about controlling fear. In many cases, it is socially unacceptable to exhibit or acknowledge fear. Social groups have needed, and still need, courageous leaders and fighters to defend them against the dangers of the world. Therefore, fear often is disguised as something else, something that is more socially acceptable. It may be difficult to admit that you are fearful on occasion. However, when confronting fear, you have to be truthful with yourself. Otherwise, you may not take the steps needed to overcome irrational fear. You dont want to block out all fear. You need a certain amount of fear for selfpreservation and to stay within the bounds of propriety.
Introduction to exercises
These methods will teach you how to control excessive fear and replace it with courage. The idea is not to eliminate fear, but rather limit it to a reasonable and useful level. Some of the following exercises may not make sense to you. However, your subconscious mind isnt concerned with logic. It will accept any new information that is repeated often enough. It also helps to feel strong, positive emotions during this process. The first exercise shows you conquering your fear and exhibiting great courage. The remaining exercises train you to face overcome excessive fear under various situations. Practice each exercise for at least two weeks before starting the next exercise. Keep doing each exercise until you have mastered it. You should perform one or more of these exercises daily until you have learned to control excessive fear and replace it with courage sufficient for your needs. This process of retraining your subconscious mind may take a few months.
Repeat this visualization three times a day for two weeks. Then use it once a day until the idea of defeating fear and showing great courage feels normal.
Standing up to ridicule
It is common for members of a social group to ridicule a person who is doing something out of the ordinary. One of the ways that society maintains order and discipline is to impose certain rules of behavior on members of the group. These rules are not always necessary for the good of the group. They are simply established customs. (Also, these rules may not apply to the leaders or other highranking people in the group.) If you feel that this ridicule is unnecessary or wrong, you may choose to go ahead with whatever you are doing to improve your life. The problem then is to stand up to this ridicule. Here are my recommendations: Verify that your actions are not harming any one else in your social group. Do not get angry with the people ridiculing you. They are acting out of their own fears. Thank them for their advice, but tell them you are acting in your own best interest. If you have trouble standing up to ridicule, you might want to repeat the Visualizing great courage exercise. Use this exercise for at least two weeks. Then continue the exercise until you no longer feel anxious about standing up to unwarranted ridicule.
Here is the list: Changing the routine you use to go to bed at night or to get dressed in the morning. Doing your grocery shopping at a different market. Getting gasoline from different establishments. Eating new foods or trying a different restaurant. Taking up an activity that you have avoided in the past. Joining new social groups or volunteering for charitable work. Speaking up more in discussions, if you normally remain silent most of the time. After performing each new activity let yourself feel the excitement of conquering your fears and displaying your courage. If you still feel uneasy about facing the unknown, you might want to repeat the Visualizing great courage exercise. Use this exercise for at least two weeks. Then continue the exercise until you no longer feel anxious about doing everyday things in a new way.
If certain situations always evoke fear then create new visualizations that show you conquering your fear and exhibiting courage in those types of situations. After conquering your fear let yourself feel the excitement and power of your new ability. Please keep in mind that you normally should avoid any real danger. If you take any risks in life, they should be reasonable. That is, the expected reward should far outweigh any possible adverse consequences. Moreover, any possible adverse consequences should not harm your lifestyle. Use this exercise for at least two weeks. You might want to make it a permanent part of your everyday activities.
Find other methods to safely build up your courage and control your excessive fears. (If needed, you might want to repeat the Visualizing great courage exercise.) Practice this exercise for several weeks. You might want to make it a permanent part of your everyday activities.
Final thoughts
As you learn to control excessive fear and exhibit courage, you must be careful not to become careless about your safety. You may feel like Superman or Wonder Woman at times but dont try to act out this fantasy. This new ability should improve your life, not end it prematurely. This ability will reinforce the other skills in this ebook and help you achieve personal power.
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Insights
The methods discussed in this chapter take advantage of your natural ability to learn new skills. From the day youre born, you begin learning new skills. These skills help you get through the various activities of everyday life. However, after you have begun working in a particular occupation or career, you might become set in your ways. However, this is just a habit or a choice, you can still learn new skills or even change your livelihood, if needed or desired.
Introduction to strategies
There are two basic strategies for learning new skills. In the first strategy, you learn the basic knowledge required for a certain skill, and then you apply this knowledge in performing the skill. This basic knowledge may require study ranging from a few weeks up to several years. In the second strategy, which is known as on-the-job training, you learn by doing. In this strategy, you will receive bits and pieces of basic knowledge while working at a job. In addition to the two basic strategies above, there may be a need on occasion to fill in some missing pieces. These missing pieces tell you how to perform some newly required activity. This need may arise because of changing or unusual circumstances.
Because of the housing decline and rising unemployment, some young people may have to move back into their parents homes. Also, some people may have to take in roommates or boarders. These two factors may require some modifications or improvements to homes. This could be a source of employment or the basis for starting a small business. You probably can find manuals on various aspects of home improvements at some of the larger building product stores, such as Lowes or Home Depot. Following are some of the subjects covered by these manuals: Bathroom ideas Carpentry Concrete work Electrical wiring Kitchen ideas Landscaping Plumbing Remodeling Storage ideas You may be able to find other books and manuals as a bookstore. You can purchase publications online at the following booksellers: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble Enroll in a correspondence course In a correspondence course, you receive instruction material through the mail and/or online. After studying the information, you complete one or more exams. After you have completed all the work required for particular course of instruction, you should receive an appropriate diploma or certificate of completion. If you want to use a correspondence course to help you get a job, verify that prospective employers will accept the course. Correspondence courses may also be referred to as distance learning. Following are some typical courses you can study by correspondence: Accountant Bookkeeping Creative writing Dental assistant Human resources management Medical coding & billing
PC repair Pharmacy technician Photographer Private investigator Professional locksmithing Small business owner Veterinary technician Web page designer Following are the names and addresses of some institutions that offer correspondence courses: Ashworth College 6625 The Corners Parkway, Suite 500 Norcross, Georgia 30092 Telephone: 1-888-909-0558 Website Courses in more than 50 fields Penn Foster Career School 925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515 Telephone: 1-800-275-4410 Website Courses in more than 75 categories Stratford Career Institute 1 Champlain Commons, Unit 3 P.O. Box 1560 Saint Albans, VT 05478-5560 Telephone: 1-800-254-4070 Website Courses in 50 fields Enroll in a trade school Trade schools can be found in the larger cities. They teach different skills, as determined by the local or regional job market. Many of these schools will also provide a placement service to help you get a job once you have completed your course of training. The cost of attending a trade school will depend on the time required to complete the course and the amount of equipment and instruction required to teach the course.
Following are typical skills you can learn at these trade schools: Automotive Aviation Cosmetology Electronics Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Welding You can locate any trade schools in your area by looking in the classified pages of a telephone book under the category Schools & InstructionBusiness & Vocational. You also can go to this website for a directory of trade schools in the United States. Get an online college degree There are various degrees you can earn online that will qualify you for various jobs or careers. The most common degrees offered are Associate (two-year), Bachelors (four-year), or Masters (five or more years). You should verify that the degree offered by an online college is officially sanctioned and will be accepted by prospective employers. Following are typical fields that can be studied in an online degree program: Accounting and finance Agriculture Architecture Business Business administration and management Communication and journalism Education Engineering Family and consumer sciences Human resources Information technology and computers Legal professions Mechanic and repair technologies Medical and health care Multimedia and design Natural resources and conservation Philosophy and religion
Psychology Public administration and social services Recreation and fitness Sales and marketing Security and protective services Visual and performing arts You also can go to this website for a directory of accredited online colleges in the United States.
You might be able to find some family or friends who would be willing to let you practice doing work for them. However, in this case, you should only do the kind of work that you had already done successfully for yourself. Moreover, you probably should charge only a nominal amount for your own labor. You would want to have as much knowledge and experience as possible from doing things on your own before you tried to perform work for paying customers. Seek work on a trial basis You may be able to gain experience by working on jobs for people on a trial basis. However, you need the people to understand that you lack certain experiences. In return, they will only have to pay you if you complete the job to their satisfaction. Of course, you would have to correct all of your mistakes, and you probably would take longer than normal to complete the work. Using this method, you would want to start with the smallest jobs available, and then gradually work on larger jobs as you gain more experience. At some point, you would be fully qualified and could charge the going rate for your work.
Become an apprentice Some occupations have a formal apprenticeship program to develop new members. These programs may be jointly sponsored by both employers and trade unions. Some individual employers or artisans may have their own apprenticeship programs. The amount of pay, if any, you would receive depends on the type of apprenticeship program. After completing the apprenticeship, you would have the needed skills and experience to qualify for a good paying job. Or perhaps you might want to start your own small business based on your new skills. In some cases, you may find a business owner who wants to retire in a few years. This owner may be willing to train you to take over the business. Then you would be expected to pay the former owner a share of the business profits for a certain period. Get work as an intern An intern is a person who lacks experience and therefore is paid a lower wage or salary than an experienced worker. However, there may be some union or governmental rules that regulate this practice. Therefore, you would want to look into this possibility first. Where an employer has a practice of hiring interns, there may be some kind of program to help the interns get the kind of training they need. Some employers may even offer regular employment to those interns whove done a good job. Even where an employer does not normally hire interns, you may be able to convince the employer to take you on at a reduced wage or salary. Again, there may be governmental or union rules that must be followed. Work for free while learning This method might be used where employers dont have a formal apprenticeship or intern program. These employers may be willing to provide on-the-job training. However, in exchange, they might expect you to work for free, or for only a nominal compensation. You should verify that there are no governmental or union rules that prohibit this compensation practice. Why should you work for free? Well, you will get experience working at a real job. This experience will qualify you for a regular job with a normal wage or salary.
You may even want to purchase a book or manual that describes how to learn the desired skill. You can purchase publications online at the following booksellers: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble
Final thoughts
Change appears to be a constant factor in our world today. These changes may render old skills obsolete and create a demand for new skills. Being able to learn new skills puts you at the head of the pack. This is right where you want to be.
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Insights
Regardless of what obstacles you may encounter for a difficult task, these same problems probably have been overcome by other people. Some of these people may have written books, magazine articles, or Internet commentaries. However, even if none of these people has written about their exploits, some of them may be available to discuss their experiences in person. Another way to overcome obstacles is to enhance your belief system. Empowering beliefs can give you the drive and self-confidence needed to overcome many of the obstacles that you may encounter.
Introduction to methods
If you want to succeed in life, you need a reliable system for overcoming common obstacles. The following topics discuss various methods for overcoming obstacles. Some of these methods can help you obtain certain things that you may lack. Other methods can be used to enhance your belief system or change certain habits. Still other methods have an almost magical ability to activate your subconscious mind when you need help. Since this chapter is meant to summarize various obstacles, some of these topics will refer you to another chapter that explains how to overcome that particular obstacle.
Habit of procrastination
Procrastination means to avoid doing something. This is a deadly habit. I believe it results from a fear of being ridiculed for making mistakes or doing a poor job. To overcome this problem you need to do two things. First, you need to conquer the fear of being ridiculed. Then you need to overcome the habit itself. You can use the information in the chapter linked below to help overcome your fear of being ridiculed. Conquer Irrational Fear To overcome the habit itself, you need to develop another habit to replace it. An appropriate replacement is the do it now habit. This is an action trigger that gets you working immediately on any tasks that come up. You can use the information on the topic linked below to help instill this new habit. Developing the Do It Now habit
Irrational fear
Excessive or unreasoning fear is a common obstacle to taking action. You need some fear to protect you from the hazards of life, or to conform to social norms.
However, when fear is excessive or unreasoning, it can keep you from doing those things that can improve your life. The first step to take before trying to overcome this irrational fear is to determine that the task you want to do is worthwhile, and not dangerous or risky. Only after you have made this determination should you proceed with the next step, overcoming the irrational fear. You can use the information in the chapter linked below to help you overcome this excessive or unreasoning fear. Conquer Irrational Fear
You should start with easier tasks and gradually build up to tasks that are more difficult. Your success with the easier tasks will prepare you for the more difficult tasks. The chapter linked below gives information on implanting new beliefs directly into your subconscious mind. Develop Empowering Beliefs
There are two types of bootstrap methods. In one type, you do the work yourself instead of paying someone else to do it. In another type, you use low-cost or nocost ways to acquire needed equipment or other resources. The chapter linked below gives information on bootstrap methods. Bootstrap Methods
Final thoughts
In this chapter, I have described various ways to overcome common obstacles. The first thing to keep in mind is that many obstacles already have been overcome by someone, somewhere. Therefore, dont get discouraged just because you cant see how to get the job done. After you have gained the experiences and skills needed to overcome most obstacles, you have made yourself into a very valuable person. Every employer is looking for people who can get the tough jobs done. Also, if you want to start your own business, these same experiences and skills will be invaluable.
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Dont even consider having your business provide you with a lavish lifestyle. Make the business into a success first. Then you can gradually enjoy the benefits of your accomplishment.
If you do have to buy any item, then you might be able to buy used, but fully operational, equipment. Another way to save money is to buy equipment or supplies at a deep discount by attending yard sales, estate sales, or going out of business auctions. You might also want to visit discount stores, secondhand stores, or salvage yards. Another good source might be unfinished furniture stores. You also may be able to use inexpensive tools or equipment, at first, instead of expensive ones. You only need the tools or equipment to last until your business is making money. Then you can afford to buy better tools and equipment. Heres another idea, see if you can buy tools or equipment on credit. You will have to pay some interest expense. However, reducing your startup costs would probably make this idea worthwhile.
Final thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed these ideas on how to start a home business on a shoestring. If you are serious about having your own business, you need to get going now. Dont keep waiting for some miracle to happen. In the business world, you create your own miracles. One of the key concepts to bring away from this chapter is to never settle for the obvious. There are many ways of getting around a need for cash. You just have to think outside the box as they say. Use your money wisely and be careful about going into debt. Good luck with your business venture.
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Insights
Making big improvements in your life usually entails working on new or difficult tasks on occasion. These tasks could pertain to a project at work, a personal goal, or even a small business startup. Usually a small amount of time spent planning can save a great deal of time, and even expense, in getting the work done.
There is a certain magic in writing down your plans for a task. As long as a plan exists only in your mind, you tend to see only the big picture. However, when you have to write down the detailed steps, then you can discover what is missing. Many people have trouble starting or completing a large or poorly defined task. By having a written plan, the requirements of a task become more specific and attainable. This helps reduce wasted time and effort, and improve the chances of completing the work successfully.
Introduction to procedures
These procedures consist of two phases. During the first phase, you make some decisions and, perhaps, perform some preliminary research. During the second phase, you prepare the actual work plan. Some complicated tasks should be broken up into several smaller tasks. Each such smaller task then might require its own work plan. An example is a task that has a series of processes, with different activities, for each process. In some cases, the attempted or actual preparation of a work plan reveals that the task is beyond your present capabilities. If so, you might choose an easier task, or wait until you have increased your skills and/or resources. Where the task pertains to a project at work, you should consult with your supervisor or employer on how to proceed. A work plan contains the following four parts:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Task requirements Any advance preparations needed All activities for the main task Final activities
The topics below explain how to develop a work plan. These procedures should be used in sequence, unless indicated otherwise.
Is a work plan needed? One of the time saving rules I advocate is to eliminate needless tasks. Since it takes a certain amount of time and effort to create a work plan, you should be sure its really needed. If any of the following considerations apply, then a work plan probably is needed: You dont have any experience with this type of task, and there are no existing instructions to show you how to do it. The task is complicated and/or time consuming. It is very important that the task be completed without making any big mistakes. The work plan you prepare will be used on the same type of tasks in the future. If a work plan is not needed, you may wish to just start working on the task. However, I would recommend that you first briefly scan through all remaining topics. You then at least will have some ideas that may be useful while performing the task. If a plan is needed, continue on. Is any preliminary research needed? Sometimes you need to gather some background information before continuing. If you have any of the following questions, then some preliminary research probably is needed: What are the requirements, restrictions, and desired results that apply to this task? What preparations are needed before starting on the main task? Are there any guidelines, instructions, or other useful information available to show how to do this task? What equipment, materials, supplies, and other resources are required to complete the task? Are there any reliable shortcuts that could make the task go faster?
Where can I go for advice if I need help to complete the task? If no preliminary research is needed, then go to the Deciding how to write the plan topic. If research is needed, continue on to the following topic.
What medium should be used to prepare the plan? Since a work plan may have to be prepared in bits and pieces, you should use a flexible medium to record it. If you have access to a computer then either a word processing program or spreadsheet program could be used. If you arent going to use a computer, you could use index cards or pieces of writing paper. These cards or pieces of paper should be about one-fifth to onehalf the size of a sheet of paper, depending on the amount of details needed. Each item or activity for the work plan should appear on a separate card or piece of paper.
Restrictions These are things you cant do while performing the task. Thus if the task is to apply new siding on a house, the customer may require you to not start working before a certain time of day. Desired results This describes what the task should accomplish. It should be as specific as possible, since the desired results of a task are very important. Quality standards Quality generally refers to whether expensive or inexpensive materials should be used on a task, and how carefully the task should be accomplished. The general rule, unless specified otherwise, is to use the type of materials and the degree of care as is customary for similar tasks. Deadlines Quite often, a task needs to be completed by a specified time and/or date. In some cases, portions of a task may have their own deadlines. Coordinating with other tasks Some tasks affect, or are affected by, one or more other tasks. These interactions with other tasks should be spelled out to avoid any problems. Other requirements This is a miscellaneous item for any other considerations that effect how the task is performed.
Performing any research needed This research is in addition to any preliminary research that was needed to understand the task or prepare the work plan. This type of research is part of the task itself. Obtaining approvals and/or permissions These are things needed from various people, organizations, or governments in order to proceed with the task. An example is getting a building permit before constructing an addition to a house. Obtaining guidelines and/or instructions You may be able to find or purchase guidelines and/or instructions that can help minimize problems, or save time and expense in performing the task. Obtaining equipment, materials, supplies, and tools This item should specify any equipment, materials, supplies, and tools needed for the task. It should also specify where these things are located or can be purchased. Obtaining other resources This item should specify any other resources needed for the task. It should also show where they are located or can be purchased. Making a go or no-go decision This item is optional. It can be used to describe conditions that would prevent you from proceeding with the main task. An example is that some vital information or materials cannot be obtained.
The main task is where most of the detailed work will be done to achieve the desired results of the task. This work usually consists of various activities, such as the following: Researching Analyzing Calculating Summarizing Making decisions Recording information Performing creative activities Performing physical activities The main task often includes some special activities that should be shown as separate items in the task specifications. If you are preparing a detailed work plan, you should describe any special activities, such as the following. Repetitive operations These activities are repeated until the main task is completed. The plan should specify how to tell when these activities should stop. Sequence of steps These activities must occur in a particular sequence until the main task is completed. Following is an example for constructing an addition to a house (this list ignores any daily cleaning and the required inspections): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Excavating for the foundation and crawl space Assembling forms for the foundation Pouring the concrete foundation Framing the wooden structure Applying the exterior wall and roof sheathing Installing windows Applying exterior siding and shingles Installing plumbing lines Installing electrical wiring Hanging sheetrock on ceilings and walls Taping and painting the sheetrock ceilings and walls Installing bathroom cabinets and accessories Installing finish plumbing and electrical fixtures Installing interior doors and trim Laying carpets and vinyl flooring Doing any touchup painting and the final cleanup
Checking results as you go It usually is a good idea to check on the results from time to time as the main task is in process. This item might specify what results are acceptable and which results are not acceptable. Resolving mistakes and problems This item might describe how to correct results that are not acceptable. It can also specify the procedure to be followed when problems arise. Finishing the list After completing this list of activities, review it carefully and make any needed changes. For a detailed work plan, this list should include every item needed to complete the main task. You might want to set the list aside for a day or two before the final review. This will give your subconscious mind time to mull over what you have done. Then it might pop some missing items into your conscious mind. After the list has been reviewed and accepted, the activities should be arranged in the best sequence for doing the main task. Now you can perform the next step.
Final thoughts
My experience with work plans is that they usually need to be changed before the task gets finished. Dont be concerned about preparing a perfect plan. A plan isnt a work of art. Its just a tool to help you get the job done without making too many false moves or forgetting some requirements or restrictions. Its probably a good idea to prepare some small work plans before trying to prepare a plan for a large or difficult task.
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Task requirements
Why the task is needed I plan to spend several months traveling around Mexico. I would like to understand Spanish well enough not to require a personal guide or travel group. I want to get off the beaten path on occasion, and dont want to feel helpless. Desired result I want to understand Spanish well enough to read signs, order from menus, and engage in casual conversations.
Advance preparations
Researching providers Desired result is a list of providers of Spanish courses. I also need the cost and description of these courses. Action steps: 1. Search the Internet for providers of Spanish courses. 2. Copy the following information from these provider websites: contact information, cost, and course descriptions. Purchasing the course Desired result is to purchase a suitable course for learning to read and speak Spanish. Action steps: 1. Decide which provider appears to offer the best Spanish course based on cost and course description. 2. Purchase the Spanish course from the selected provider.
Main task
Learning Spanish Desired result is to be able to read and speak everyday Spanish. Action step: 1. Study the course until I am able to read and speak everyday Spanish.
Final activities
Verifying results Desired result is to verify that I am able to read and speak everyday Spanish.
Action steps: 1. Watch Spanish language programs and movies on television. 2. Determine if I can understand these programs and movies and speak the lines.
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Insights
There is a natural tendency in humans to keep going for several hours once they have started work on a task. However, on some tasks or occasions, the trick is to get started in the first place. The action triggers described in this chapter give you that push to get started. After learning one or more of these action triggers, you will be able to tackle those new or difficult tasks that can bring you success in life.
Introduction to methods
The following methods use different strategies to provide the push needed to get you started on a task. I recommend that you review all five methods and then choose the one or two that suit you. Some action triggers are attitudes or habits that must be learned. Other action triggers are a series of steps that must be followed. One action trigger is simply a reward that you give yourself. However, it is up to you to determine that the action you are considering is in your best interest and does not pose any unwanted risks or dangers.
They seem to need a series of achievements to validate their existence. They likely see themselves as exceptional people who always get results. It then becomes a matter of extreme pride for them to reach higher and higher levels of achievements. This need for achievement can be a very strong incentive for taking action on worthwhile tasks. This method works best for people who already take a special pride in some aspect of their lives. Here is how you develop this need. At the end of every day, review all the times you started or resumed work on a task. Allow yourself to feel pride and a sense of achievement for these victories. Consider how much more you can accomplish if you keep taking action on worthwhile tasks. Start thinking of yourself as an achiever. As you keep taking actions on difficult or unpleasant tasks, you will begin building your self-confidence and developing a can do self-image.
Using visualizations
In this method, you give yourself the belief that you are a person of actionthat you enjoy starting and working on all worthwhile tasks at hand. One of the best ways to develop new beliefs is doing repeated visualizations. This visualization (described below) implants a new belief in your mind. The belief is that you are a person of action, and this trait brings you great satisfaction. A visualization is a guided daydream. You decide what is to happen and then you see it played out inside your mind. As this daydream unfolds, allow yourself to feel the excitement and pleasure of taking action on various tasks you encounter. The repetition of this visualization, along with your intense feelings, helps condition your mind to accept this new belief. You first need to create scenes to use for the visualization. These scenes should show you as a can do person. This is a person that enjoys starting and working on all worthwhile tasks at hand. The more details and intense feelings the better. You can either write these scenes down or just remember them. Now close your eyes and go into the visualization. See the actions, feel the emotions. Let yourself laugh or smile if appropriate. Continue with this visualization for several minutes. This exercise should help you to keep develop this new trait. Repeat this visualization three times a day for two weeks. Then use it once a day until the idea of being a person of action feels normal.
Final thoughts
There is nothing as powerful as the ability to take action on worthwhile tasks or goals. You might notice that some people are talkers, while others are doers. The doers are the ones that can take action and get things done. After learning some of these action triggers, you can be a doer!
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Insights
If you want to have success in life, you need to set meaningful goals and then do whatever it takes to achieve them. One of the best ways to achieve your goals is to know what to do and to keep working until you have completed your current goal. In order to know what to do, you have to study your current goal or project and then list the action steps needed to accomplish it. This process is explained in detail in a prior chapter. Other people probably have accomplished similar goals and may have written articles or books describing what they did. You can profit from their experiences.
Introduction to methods
This chapter pulls together all the information from other chapters in this part of the ebook. It also supplies at additional information on taking action to achieve your goal. The focus of this chapter is using action steps to complete a particular goal or project. Therefore, the remaining topics will first explain how to assemble and complete these actions steps. Next, the topics will show how to deal with any potential problems and how to get the job done successfully with minimum effort.
Final thoughts
Use this chapter to help achieve your goals in life. The more goals you achieve the greater your ability to raise your sights and achieve even bigger goals. Eventually, you may be able to start living your dreams.
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Insights
During your life, you have developed many habits. These habits control or influence the way you do things. They limit your choices and thereby remove a great deal of uncertainty from your life. This makes it easier for your mind to deal with the outside world. Your mind gets overwhelmed when it faces too many choices or too much uncertainty. However, your existing habits may keep you from doing things more efficiently. To help solve this problem I have gathered an assortment of tips on how to save time at work. These tips are one of the best ways to improve your life. They cost little or nothing. They dont involve much risk. Moreover, anyone can use these tips. So if you want to do a better job at work, but dont know how, start by learning and using these time saving methods.
Introduction to methods
Everyone has the same amount of hours in a day. However, either this time can be used to get results or it can be wasted. This chapter provides you with numerous time saving methods. It is up to you to review these methods and adopt the ones that seem useful. Then as you use these new methods, you will gradually develop new habits that make better use of your time. These methods may apply both to your employment and to your personal endeavors. However, be sure to get your employers or supervisors approval before using these ideas on the job. The time saving methods described in this chapter are easy to understand and put to use. However, you must use them on a daily basis and develop them into a habit to get the most benefit from them. The following methods use different ways to save time. Youll save the most time by using every appropriate method.
Try to have some quiet periods when you can work on your most important tasks. Maybe you could put up a sign to discourage interruptions. It could say something like, Quiet please, genius at work. Also, you could schedule some busy periods for work that isnt so critical. During these times, you would be available to discuss things and handle other interruptions. Besides restricting interruptions to busy periods, you might want to eliminate some types of interruptions altogether. What is the reason for these interruptions? Maybe you have a habit of being available for intrusions. (Perhaps you shouldnt be so inviting.)
Heres a brief list of things that may need to be done before starting work on the main task: Know your final objective Determine any restrictions or requirements that must be followed while performing the task Determine if you need any special training Perform any research needed on how best to get the work done Prepare a work plan (when appropriate) Get all required instructions, authorizations, and permissions Schedule any work required from others Gather all needed materials, tools, and supplies
You have one or more helpers who can be trained to do those tasks. These helpers have the information and skills needed to perform the tasks. (Although these helpers may not be able to perform these tasks as well as you can, they can do them adequately provided they have proper coaching and/or supervision.) The delegation results in an overall saving of time and/or money. If you are working for an employer, the delegation must have your employers or supervisors approval. Some tasks might be beyond the abilities of you and any helpers. If these tasks are essential, you may have to pay a qualified outside person to do them. For example, you may have to hire an accounting firm to keep books and prepare tax returns for your business venture.
Instead of wasting time on a problem you cant solve maybe you should get help or stop working on the task. Then you can find out how to resolve the problem. Its usually not a good idea to keep working away without getting results.
Finally, you should put things in their designated storage areas. Once everything is organized, you can quickly learn where to look when you need something. The alternative is to just leave things scattered around, and then have to waste time searching for them when theyre needed.
Deadlines give you a kick in the pants that help you get going. By deadlines, I mean both a starting date and the desired completion date. These deadlines are especially useful when dividing large jobs into smaller pieces. You can set deadlines for each one of the smaller pieces. Some tasks have lag times. You may have to wait for something else to be done before being able to finish the task. In this case, the starting date should be early enough to allow for the expected lag times. You also could use a separate deadline to monitor the work being done by someone else.
Final thoughts
Time is one of the most precious resources you have in this life. These methods should help you use your time to the best advantage. However, like everything else, you have to make them into a habit to get the maximum benefit. These time saving methods will enhance the value of all the other methods and skills you can learn from this ebook.
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Insights
There is no point in doing a task if it doesnt provide the desired results. This applies especially to important or difficult tasks. By following a reliable system of determining task requirements, checking on results, and correcting any errors, youll be better able to complete tasks successfully. There is an old saying, Its easier to get it right the first time than to have to go back and fix it. These guidelines should help you get it right the first time. The secret to performing work properly is to decide ahead of time what it means to get it right. Then you will know how to verify that it was done correctly.
The methods that let you develop this ability, for various circumstances, are described under the procedures below. The important point here is to determine the desired results for a task. Some tasks may no longer be needed because the desired results no longer matter. Another important point is to catch any mistakes before they become too serious.
Introduction to procedures
These procedures consist of the following four activities that help you get the work done properly: 1. 2. 3. 4. Defining the task requirements Checking results as you go Checking results at completion Making any needed corrections
You should always perform the first and third activities shown above. They are the key to obtaining the desired results. The second activity shown above may be optional. This depends on the type of work you are doing. The fourth activity shown above only applies when you need to correct your work.
You want to verify the results at logical places as the task progresses. If you have divided a complicated task into smaller tasks, each smaller task needs its own desired results. Then as each smaller task is completed, you would verify that its desired results have been attained. Where the main activity of a complicated task is work of a continuing or repeating nature, you need some method to create smaller portions for verification purposes. Using a foreign language course as an example, you could verify the results of each individual lesson. Another method to divide a continuing process into smaller portions is to use fixed time periods. Thus, you might want to check the results of the process at the end of each workday.
Final thoughts
Anyone can get things done, after a fashion, that is. The question is, has the work been done properly? After you have mastered these four activities for checking on results, you should be able to reply, Yes!
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Insights
Mistakes and failures are the price you pay for gaining new abilities and skills. The common saying is that you are Paying your dues. Avoid the temptation to shift the blame for your problems onto someone or something else. This may make you feel better for a while, but it causes you to lose control of the situation. Therefore, accept the challenge and start searching for the cause of the undesirable situation. This puts you back in control.
Introduction to procedures
Regardless of what kind of problem you have, there probably is some way it can be solved. The procedures described in the following topics lead you through a process for resolving problems. These procedures should be followed in sequence, unless indicated otherwise. The adverse results of these problems will be referred to as undesirable situations, or just situations. After discovering that you have a problem with your current task, you need to calmly review what went wrong. Try to dispel any anxiety or doubt you may have. Just look upon this event as a natural part of gaining new experience. Some of the following procedures ask you to manually record information on sheets of paper. However, you may prefer to use a spreadsheet or word processing program instead.
Skip a line before inserting each title. Dont insert the next title until you have finished recording the information under the current title. Task item should briefly describe the task that had a problem. Problem item should briefly describe the problem that is preventing you from successfully completing the task. Method item should briefly describe how you expect to use the current method to find a possible cause and/or solution for the problem. Action steps item should briefly describe the action steps and/or other information showing how the method you choose was used in attempting to find the cause of the problem and/or solve the problem. Result item should show whether you found a solution, found a cause, or neither. Leave a blank line above each item, action step, or block of text. If you run out of space on a sheet, continue on to another sheet. Use the same heading at the top of the sheet, and indicate what item or part of the information is being continued. Now jump to the chapter linked below to investigate the problem. You should return from that chapter after you have eitherfound a possible solution, found a possible cause, tested all methods, or abandoned investigation of the problem. Find Possible Source of Problem After returning from the above chapter, select one of the following choices. If you have found a likely solution, you might want to apply it immediately to see if it solves the problem. If the problem is solved, you can skip to the Learn from your past problems procedure. If you have found possible solutions to your problem, you can skip to the Apply the most likely solution procedure. If you have found possible causes for your problem, go on to the next procedure.
Insert a Possible solutions item on the same sheet of paper where you described possible causes for the problem. Then describe any solutions as you find them. To find a possible solution, you might want to discuss this problem with someone you know. Another opinion can be helpful quite often. You might try the Use your subconscious mind method from the next chapter. On the other hand, you might want to try all the methods found in Chapter 19. However, if you cant find a possible solution to the problem, you may have to give up on it. The question is, how much time and effort does this problem justify?
If you cant explain how the solution should work on paper then its probably not a good idea to put it into effect. However, if it appears to work on paper, try it out to see if it solves the problem without any undesirable side effects.
Final thoughts
One of the deadliest habits that prevent success in life is the failure to confront and resolve difficult problems. Some people hope that if they ignore the problem long enough that it will correct itself. This spontaneous correction usually doesnt happen. Waiting and hoping for a miracle just causes you to lose control of the situation. Note: You get rid of an undesirable habit by replacing it with a contrary habit.
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Introduction to methods
The following six methods should give you a fighting chance of finding the possible source (or even solution) for your problem. You might want to scan quickly through all these methods first, before actually putting one of them to use. Then if the first method you try doesnt work, go on to another method. Along with these methods are two other possible solutionscommon sense and persistence. These two companions have helped me out of many problem areas.
Do a walkthrough on paper
This method uses a walkthrough on paper. This is a written description of the various actions steps of the problem task.
By reviewing these actions steps, it may be possible to determine the cause of the problem. At least it may be possible to determine in which action step the problem arose. Following example shows one possible use of this method: Task: Investing in stock market. Problem: Investor never seems to profit from the big moves that are predicted in one or more of the stock market advisory services he reads. Method: Investor asks a businessperson friend to help him resolve his problem. Together they list the action steps the investor uses for a typical stock purchase and sale, or failure to make a purchase. (Although the investor tries to justify his actions, the friend makes him come clean on how he actually trades the markets.) Action steps: 1. Recap of current investment activities: Investor reads advisory service about a predicted big move in a certain stock. If he gets excited about the prediction, he usually will purchase the stock immediately. If the predicted big move doesnt happen right away, the investor will tend to ignore his stock purchase. However, later, he may sell this stock before he has a profit, if he reads a prediction about a possible big move in a different stock. If the investor reads an advisory service that ridicules the first prediction, he usually will become confused and forget about the predicted big move for that stock. If the big move in that stock eventually takes place, the investor either will ignore it, or wont purchase the stock until the expected price move is almost over. When the investor on occasion has a substantial paper profit, he often lets most of the profit fade away because he doesnt monitor his investments in a timely manner.
2. Review of current investment activities: Investor and friend studied the above investment activities and discussed how to improve the trading strategy used by investor. They decided that investor must find a way to eliminate emotions from trading. He must prepare a sound trading plan ahead of time. He must buy and sell positions based on market actions, not opinions of advisory services or others. Moreover, he must closely monitor all open positions. 3. They came up with the following investment guidelines that should help the investor profit from big moves in the stock market in the future: Use advisory services only to find out about possible opportunities and risks. Do not use them for deciding when to buy or sell positions. Do not be concerned if advisory services do not agree. No one knows for sure what will happen in the stock market. Whenever a possible big move in the market is predicted, immediately prepare a trading plan for that opportunity. This trading plan should consider possible risks, money management, and expected profit. It should use a predetermined formula for determining when a breakout occurs in a stock. It also should include how to calculate stop loss and profit-taking stop orders to minimize losses and maximize profits. Review the stocks price after the market close each day. Purchase the stock when it breaks out into the expected price move, but not before. Place the stop loss and profit-taking stop orders as specified in the trading plan, based on market actions and predetermined formulas. Result: Solution was found.
Following example shows one possible use of this method: Task: Getting a raise at work. Problem: Accountant has been turned down repeatedly when asking for a raise. Method: Talk to a retiring partner about how to get a raise. Action steps: 1. Accountant had following conversation with retiring partner: Accountant: Sir, I keep asking for a raise, but I never seem to get it. Partner: Son, youre going about this the wrong way. Accountant: What else can I do? I tell the managing partner why I need the extra money. Partner: Youre just an average accountant. You could be replaced easily. You need to give the managing partner some reason to value you highly. Then he would want to keep you with the firm, and would probably give you a substantial raise. Accountant: What do you mean? Im who I am, and thats that. Partner: That attitude is your main problem. You need to see things from the managing partners viewpoint. You need to become an asset to the firm. Accountant: How can I do that? Partner: Ask the managing partner what information and skills would make an accountant in your position more useful to the firm. Then do whatever it takes to become that person. Accountant: Thank you, sir. Ill talk to the managing partner right away. 2. Accountant talked to the managing partner as recommended. Then he immediately started becoming more useful to the firm. During his next performance review, he was given a large raise. Result: Solution was found.
Summary of plot from the writers subconscious mind: A keeper at the San Francisco Zoo had a habit of zinging the caged tiger with rubber bands. It happened one day that the door to the tigers cage was not closed properly. When the keeper hit the tiger on the rump with a heavy rubber band, the animal leaped into the air and fell against the cage door. The door sprung open and the tiger escaped. The alarm went out and the zookeepers tried to capture the tiger. However, the tiger evaded them, and was last seen running across the Golden Gate Bridge. As an added twist to this story, it will be narrated from two viewpointsa human observer and the primitive mind of the tiger. (Tigers apparently rely mostly on instincts. But you know how creative some writers can be.) Result: Problem was solved.
Final thoughts
I hope the methods shown in this chapter will help you solve any problems you may encounter in life. They have helped me on many occasions. I am especially fond of using my subconscious mind to crack those really tough problems. You see, the subconscious remembers everything you have seen, heard, felt, and expressed during your life. It can use this information to help you solve almost any problem.
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At you continue to expand your comfort zone, you will reach a point where you feel capable of taking complete charge of your life and controlling your own destiny. From then on, your life can be whatever you choose to make it. Only your abilities, efforts, and resources will limit your possibilities. Good luck to you, my friend. You have discovered the proverbial Pot of gold.
Final thoughts
Some people have had all the advantages in life. They were raised to believe that great achievements are their birthright. Other people developed the ability to achieve great things by satisfying a burning ambition or lofty goal. Still others discovered their hidden abilities by accident, such as by overcoming a life or death threat. Then there are the rest of us. We have had to struggle just to make a living. Our only hope is to win the lottery, inherit from a rich relative, or reap some other unlikely windfall. So what is to be our destiny? Who can help us? Where do we get the magic key to the kingdom? Whoops, did I just say Magic? Why, yes I did. I will say it againMagic (as in this Magic Success Secrets ebook).
The magic, you see, lies within you. You can choose to take charge of your life, discover your true desires, set meaningful goals Well, you get the idea. Now that you have had a taste of my success secrets, I hope you use them to improve your life, have more money, start your own small business, or achieve whatever else you desire. So there you have it. If you want to succeed in life, youre going to have to make an effort at improving your abilities, getting the tough jobs done, and granting yourself the right to have a better life. Good luck and good hunting (for that pot of gold).
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Charles is now retired after spending nearly 40 years in the public accounting profession. His career was interrupted twice. Once he started a home construction business with his brother. This was terminated after a year. The second interruption happened when his US Army Reserve unit was activated. The unit trained a few months at Fort Lewis, Washington. Charles served 10 months in Vietnam, until the expiration of his six years of military obligation. He has always been an independent thinker. He has often pondered on why people with similar education and talents can have different results in life. A few years ago, Charles received some powerful revelations on the true nature of life and reality. Now he knows the answers to those perplexing questions. He believes that the revelations and related insights described in this ebook can help ordinary people achieve their goals in life. For more details, see the next subject.
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When I was growing up, I observed how some people enjoyed life and others just struggled day by day. Of course, I was right there among the strugglers. I always wondered, What are the secrets that some people seem to have? Why do so many people have to struggle to get through life? I yearned for some instructions that would show me the way. What goal should I try for? What are the next steps? How can I solve my problems? How can I get the tough jobs done? Well, I never found the instructions. Of course, I read selfhelp books. They explained what to do and/or the traits or habits needed to be successful. However, it seemed like the authors either didnt know the underlying concepts or just didnt want to disclose them. But I always want to know the ultimate secrets. Thats just my nature. Then one day, in my golden years, I began asking the universe for help in my quest for answers. Some time later, I started to receive revelations about the true nature of life and reality. These revelations were both simple and shocking! Once I had received and studied them, they seemed so obvious. Yet, the truth was rather brutal. My disappointments in life were my own fault! I had the wrong attitudes about life and reality. My limiting beliefs had done me in. They needlessly restricted my actions. Yet I needed some type of beliefs to guide my life. Without them, I wouldnt know what to do. As I received more revelations, the mystery cleared up. Beliefs may not reflect reality. They simply form a framework that lets your subconscious mind attempt to interpret reality. You can change your beliefs. Moreover, as you enhance your beliefs, your opportunities magically expand. The artificial barriers to action fade away. What before had seemed impossible can become possible. Finally, I knew the secrets. They helped me create those instructions that I had always sought in my youth. However, my best years are in the past. So I used my newly developed ambition and knowledge to create this ebook. I wanted to tell others the good news! Now you can know these same secrets by reading this ebook. Maybe they will help you, maybe not. Anyway, I have done my part. The rest is up to you.
However, it isnt always obvious how to accomplish this magical feat. My revelations, insights, and related common knowledge have shown me the secrets. So now, you can discover these same secrets. They are the basis for most of the chapters in this ebook. One of my favorite sayings is, Lets cut to the chase. Okay, following are three big secrets that can help improve your life right away. The first big secret Your accepted beliefs (true or false) largely determine what you can achieve in life. Thus, if you dont believe that a certain goal is possible, you arent likely to try for it. Also, if you encounter problems when trying for a goal you dont believe in, you likely will give up. To overcome these problems, go to the Develop Empowering Beliefs chapter to learn about inserting new beliefs into your subconscious mind. The second big secret Your subconscious mind can be your friend. Learn to train it, and it will do wonders for you. Go to the Train Your Subconscious Mind chapter to learn the procedures. The following two chapters show the type of results possible from training your subconscious mind: Summon Bursts of Energy Conquer Irrational Fear The third big secret This secret answers the question, How do you find fulfillment and happiness in life? Is it by getting rich? No, many rich people are miserable. Instead, many people seem to enjoy life the most when achieving their true desires and using their natural talents. If your true desires and natural talents have been buried under a lifetime of social conditioning, go to the Discover Your True Desires chapter to reveal them. Good luck to you all.
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Well, Im not afraid to spill the beans. If you think Im some kind of a screwball, thats okay with me. Therefore, Ill repeat my breakthrough revelations here: Your accepted beliefs largely determine what you can achieve in life. Empowering beliefs lead to achievements and success in life. Limiting beliefs are the biggest obstacle to achievements and success in life. You can overcome the undue influence of limiting beliefs by offsetting them with empowering beliefs. You can control your destiny by accepting responsibility for your own bad habits, limiting beliefs, mistakes, and problemsand then correcting them when appropriate. These are the insights from my personal experiences: Your subconscious mind, properly trained, can give you enormous power. Your subconscious mind has to be convinced youre serious before it will help you. Following are examples of related common knowledge that can be used with the above revelations and insights to improve your life: Your beliefs are hidden away in your subconscious mind and therefore are not readily apparent to your conscious mind. Most of your limiting beliefs were acquired during childhood and early adulthood, and thus may not reflect your current abilities or possibilities. Various techniques are available to instill new beliefs into your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind contains a vast storehouse of knowledge. Your subconscious mind is capable of great creative power. So what does this all mean? If you are not satisfied with your life, it means that you likely are not a captive of your circumstances. Instead, you likely are a captive of your limiting beliefs. However, these may be false beliefs instilled into your subconscious mind by your parents and society. These beliefs were useful when you were growing up. They also are useful for belonging to a particular social group. However, now as an adult you may wish to override them with appropriate empowering beliefs. These would be beliefs that reflect your new possibilities as an adult. For example, you may want to have more selfconfidence, develop a take charge or can do attitude, and so on. This ebook can help you in those endeavors. To prove out the concepts I started to use them in my daily life. They enabled me to start working in earnest on this project. They were especially helpful in recognizing some of my lifelong bad habits.
I finally came to terms with what I am and what I am not. I have certain talents that I can use and enjoy. However, there are many areas in my life that I choose not to enhance, at least not until this ebook project is a success. So, what about my many faults? I will change the ones that matter when the time comes. The others will no longer trouble me. Now I am what I choose to become. As I began writing about these concepts and how to use them, I discovered how my subconscious mind could help me. After I outlined a particular concept, I would let it sit for a day or so. Then my subconscious mind would bubble up the information needed to fill in the details. As I continued using my subconscious mind, it began responding to my needs faster and faster. Now when I start writing, my subconscious mind is right there helping me. You can learn more about my experiences from My early discoveries topic in the Train Your Subconscious Mind chapter. I assembled this project based on (and using) my breakthrough revelations, insights from my subconscious mind, my personal experiences, and related common knowledge. First, I created a website using some of this personal empowerment information. Then I improved on that by writing the ebook that you are reading. If you asked me if this information could help improve your life, I would answer, I believe so. But all I know for sure is that these insights and revelations turned my retirement into a time of achievement, fulfillment, and pleasure. Perhaps they can do the same for your life.
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Q: How did you get the revelations from your subconscious mind into your conscious mind? A: I have found that if I study a problem and then sleep on it, oftentimes the answer would bubble up from my subconscious mind and pop into my conscious mind the next day or so. After seeking answers to explain my failures, the revelations gradually popped into my conscious mind. However, I tended to dismiss these answers at first. Later, I started to write them down. Q: Why did you dismiss these revelations at first? A: I wanted to blame someone or something else for most of my problems. The revelations, however, revealed that my problems were my own fault. It took me a while to accept what appeared to be bad news. Q: If you didnt like the bad news from the revelations, why did you finally accept them? A: They answered all my questions about the true nature of life and reality. This truth was awesome and overwhelming. Eventually, I could no longer deny it. I also realized that these revelations allowed me to control my own life. Since I was the source of these problems, I could overcome them myself. Note: The Resolve Any Problems chapter in this ebook describes various ways to solve your problems. Q: Briefly, what is the BIG REVELATION? A: If you arent setting and/or achieving meaningful goals to realize your dreams in life, you probably are being held back by your limiting beliefs. However, these limiting beliefs may not reflect your current possibilities in life. Also, your limiting beliefs can be overcome by empowering beliefs. Note: The Develop Empowering Beliefs chapter in this ebook shows how to override your limiting beliefs.
Q: Why should I rely on your so-called revelations? A: Dont rely on my word. Test the methods and insights in this ebook yourself. Try them on small problems at first. Risk only a small amount of time and effort. Dont risk any money. If you get good results, you may want to try them on bigger problems. Q: Who can benefit from these revelations? A: To get the greatest benefit, you would have to: Have an open mind Know what you want from life Be willing to take limited risks Use trial and error to gather the experience you need However, anyone can benefit from using the methods and insights described in this ebook, even if you dont believe in them. Just give them a fair trial. Q: I still dont get it. All I have to do is change some of my beliefs, and then I can accomplish great things in life? A: Not quite. By changing your beliefs, you can remove the artificial barriers that often keep people from setting and achieving meaningful goals. However, you also need constructive actions to produce the desired achievements. These actions include: Taking charge of your life Setting meaningful goals Overcoming any barriers to action Taking decisive action Correcting any problems Reviewing the final results The above links take you to the parts or chapters in this ebook that show you how to perform these constructive actions. By replacing limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs, you do two things: 1. Remove the barriers (limiting beliefs) that may have been blocking these actions.
2. Provide help (empowering beliefs) in starting and completing these actions. Q: If I lose some money from following your methods and insights, will you reimburse me? A: No. Any profits you make are solely yours; likewise, any losses you suffer are solely yours.
Appendix E: Glossary
The topics in this glossary define the special terms used in this ebook. There are only a few of them and it would be helpful for you to understand them eventually. However, you may only want to scan through them at the first reading. Here are the topics: Accepted beliefs Belief system Comfort zone Empowering beliefs Limiting beliefs Needs and desires Personal reality Reprogramming your mind Subconscious mind Visualization Work plan The first time one of these terms is used in a chapter or other subject, there usually will be a link to the definition shown below. Accepted beliefs These are the beliefs that have been accumulated in a persons subconscious mind over their lifetime, and have not been overridden by more recent or more powerful contrary beliefs. It is difficult for many people to know the makeup of their accepted beliefs. However, you need only look around at your surroundings and way of life. These things usually are the result of your accepted beliefs. See also: Belief system. See also: Subconscious mind. Belief system A persons belief system determines or influences the path that a person takes in life. This belief system generally consists of assumptions, attitudes, beliefs, conventional wisdom, expectations, and rules of thumb. (Note: These are all things that may or may not reflect reality.) The belief system largely determines the types of habits that people develop. See also: Empowering beliefs.
Comfort zone This consists of those tasks and activities that you have performed successfully in the past. Thus, you feel comfortable performing these tasks and activities. The larger your comfort zone, the more powerful and versatile you become. You can expand your comfort zone by learning new skills and/or engaging in new activities. Empowering beliefs These beliefs encourage most people to achieve their goals, believe in themselves, get the tough jobs done, and seek new opportunities. See also: Reprogramming your mind. Limiting beliefs These beliefs tend to impose limits on a persons actions. They tend to exaggerate the dangers of making changes. They are a holdover from childhood and earlier experiences. Thus, they may not reflect a persons current abilities or possibilities. If limiting beliefs make certain goals appear to be unattainable, some people wont even try for them. Needs and desires People want these things to sustain or improve their lives, or satisfy their cravings. People are especially willing to pay for those needs or desires that have a high emotional benefit. Financial needs and desires relate to wealth. Examples are employment, income, investments, security, and retirement. Non-financial needs and desires relate to enjoyment and satisfaction in life. Examples are entertainment, family, friendships, love, sex, status, and other personal cravings. Personal reality This refers to the perceptions that your subconscious mind sends to your conscious mind. Your personal reality is influenced by your belief system. Thus, by changing some of your beliefs, you can change your personal reality. (Note: Your personal reality, not the outside world, is what primarily determines your success or failure in life.) See also: Subconscious mind. See also: The chapter on how to Develop Empowering Beliefs. Reprogramming your mind This means changing or replacing some of the existing beliefs in your subconscious mind with other, more powerful beliefs. This change normally is a gradual process unless special methods are used. By implanting empowering beliefs into your subconscious mind, you can increase your chances of finding success in life.
See also: Belief system. See also: The chapter on how to Develop Empowering Beliefs. Subconscious mind Your subconscious mind determines your personal reality. It receives various sensations from the outside world. Then it interprets these sensations, using your belief system, and integrates the result into a coherent view of the world. Finally, it sends the outcome of this process to your conscious mind to become the impressions and feelings of day-to-day living. (Note: Your conscious mind is not aware of these vital activities of the subconscious mind.) The overriding purpose of the subconscious mind is self-preservation. For this reason, it tends to exaggerate potential risks. It is more concerned with keeping you alive than with using your abilities to the fullest. When people change their belief system, their perceptions (their personal reality) will alter accordingly, with no change in the outside world. (This, of course, is one of the secrets to personal empowerment.) See also: Belief system. See also: The chapter on how to Train Your Subconscious Mind. Visualization A visualization is a guided daydream. You decide what is to happen and then you see it played out inside your mind. As you repeat this visualization and impart strong feelings to it, you fool your subconscious mind into believing that this is reality. This is a good way to reprogram your mind. You can use this method to implant empowering beliefs into your subconscious mind and thus diminish the harmful effects of any limiting beliefs you may have. See also: Reprogramming your mind. Work plan This is a written summary of the requirements, advance preparations, main task activities, and final activities for a task. It helps you to complete a project as quickly and efficiently as possible. Once you have prepared a work plan for a particular type of task, you can use it repeatedly for that same type of task in the future. See also: The chapter on how to Prepare a Work Plan.
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