To achieve any kind of great success, you must first believe that you’re capable of achieving that success. Great sports stars can suddenly begin having lousy performances if they suddenly feel they can’t perform well or live up to their coach’s high expectations. Writers and musicians suddenly have their wellsprings of inspiration dry up if they no longer “feel it” or if they suddenly lose confidence in their creative abilities.

The same is true in our own lives. You don’t have to be famous for your boss to have high expectations of you at work. Our families also have certain expectations and if you cave under the pressure, your performance might suffer and your negative thoughts will infiltrate other areas of your life.

You’re Worthy of Achieving Wealth and Success
When it comes to building wealth, we have to believe that we can see ourselves becoming more and more wealthy. It doesn’t matter how smart we might be, or how talented we are, or whether we’re sitting on top of the best business opportunity to come along in our lifetime, if we don’t believe in ourselves, we’ll have a hard time building wealth.

Wealth flows to those who believe they deserve it. It flows to those who envision it in their hands, their bank accounts, and their lives.

Even in your darkest hours when you’re trying to build wealth in your life, when times are tough and the seas of your world are troubled, you have to continue to see great wealth in your life. If it all seems to be happening too slowly, have patience.

Those who “know” something good is coming their way can always afford to be patient and safe in their knowledge that what they’re yearning for is within their grasp.

You’ll Survive the Difficult Times
Earlier I mentioned sports. One of the great coaches in professional sports history, Vince Lombardi, said the time when you really need to believe in yourself is not when everything is going your way. You need to believe in yourself when everyone doubts you.

It’s easy to have confidence when everything is naturally falling into place! But where is your confidence when you need it the most? Obviously, it can be tough to maintain a positive mindset when others get down on you, but to help improve your outlook, try to surround yourself with people who believe in you and are supportive of your goals. Engaging with others who share your enthusiasm will lift your spirits and help block out negative thoughts.

Each day, take a moment to find a quiet place and see yourself with the financial freedom, flexibility, and life you desire!

When you have a positive mindset about creating wealth, you’ll continue to do what feels right even when the darkness descends and everything seems like chaos. When no one else believes in you, you’ll still be able to take inspired action and, by constantly moving forward, you’ll attract the wealth that you desire.

But none of this can happen unless you begin with a clear vision. You have to see yourself with the wealth and abundance you desire and deserve. Each day, take a moment to find a quiet place and see yourself with the financial freedom, flexibility, and life you desire!

Image credit: Flickr / egor.gribanov

The beat returns – Friday Sept. 17, 2010, 7:00 PM

Maybe it is ridiculous to think we can change the world. We know it is ridiculous not to try. Are we simply victims of fate, or are we creating a fate that will victimize us?

This September (2010) a Global Experiment that uses drumming to focus a collective positive intention and send it around the world in a continuous wave (to improve our relationship with each other, and with a living planet upon which we live, breath, and have our being) will again occur. 10 Billion Beats started in Sept. 2009. It grew and grew until nearly 200,000 people participated around the globe. In 2010 the grassroots movement will be even bigger and we invite you to be a part of it.

10 billion beats project will use intention to spread peace around the planet this September (2010).

Sound – vibration – frequency – beat has for millennia been an avenue for outward creation and inner exploration. When we listen to the lilt of a mountain brook, or the rhythm of a human heart, sound provides us a pathway to the subtle energies in the deep reaches of our psyche. When we attune with the rhythm of those around us we join in the harmonious dance of life. Sound interconnects us with others and transports us to consciousness states where we encounter insight, healing, growth, and our highest creativity. So what might happen if we use the sound of drumming—like a physical prayer or meditaion—to help balance our relationship as a human family and with the Earth itself?

“It is quite true that in the history of human thinking the most fruitful developments frequently take place at those points where two different lines of thought meet…”

Werner Heisenberg

The human heart beats billions of times in a life. The human brain has about 10 billion cells that connect our nervous system and exchange innumerable signals every moment to create our thoughts and direct life functions. While 10 billion seems like a huge number, to be human is to engage grand scale operations each time we simply take a breath. We have overlooked the magnitude of what it takes to be human and as we approach 10 billion humans on this earth, we have underestimated the effects of our existence on the planet. With, or without, our cooperation, nature will bring balance to the relationship.

Whether you’re at work or just facing a bad day at home, there are many things you can do to make sure you’re back in the saddle and feeling more confident about life. One of the best ways to regain your self-confidence is to give yourself a little pep talk.

The idea of positive self-talk, or positive thinking, is something many coaches and counselors suggest to their clients and nearly everyone can benefit from it. Have you ever been in a situation where you think a little bit of positive reinforcement could make things a lot easier? Don’t wait for someone else to lift your spirits; take a moment and realize you can easily do it yourself!

Be Proactive and Gain Confidence
Having negative thoughts, even about a single project at work, can often impact your entire outlook on life. You may begin to believe that you’re in a trap of bad luck or that things will never get better, but in reality, the only way for things to get better is to make positive changes and that takes both action and self-confidence.

What Makes You Special?
Another way to lift your spirits and give yourself a confidence boost is to remind yourself of your accomplishments, both at home and at work.

When faced with a difficult situation that leaves negative feelings, step away for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. Think about a resolution to the problem, come up with a smart action plan, then return to propose your plan. Removing yourself from the situation will help minimize those negative feelings while allowing you to gain some perspective.

Did a client praise your work? Have you been promoted? Do co-workers come to you for advice? Do friends marvel at your decorating flair? Each person is so much more complex than what’s visible on the outside. Allow yourself to delve deeper into your soul and treasure what makes you unique.

Do you love to cook? Have you traveled extensively? Do you play an instrument? Do you play competition sports? These are all accomplishments you should be proud of because you took the time to develop these different facets of your life.

Rediscover your personal strengths or hobbies that make you proud and happy.

Think about the journey you took to reach those accomplishments. If something was too easy, you may place less importance on the final outcome, but when you are able to face and overcome serious challenges, it makes you a stronger and more determined person.

How Do I Use Positive Self-Talk?
The term positive self-talk might scare some people away, thinking it involves talking to yourself out loud. Although you may choose to say positive affirmations out loud, it’s enough to just think positively about your accomplishments and what makes you special.

If you’re having trouble thinking about your strengths, sit down in a quiet spot and make a list of everything that makes you unique. Taking some extra time to write these things down will help reinforce them in your mind.

Once the list is written, post it in a place where you’ll see it everyday. Starting your day positively will make the small nuisances disappear.

If necessary, make copies of these lists so you can take one with you. Anytime you feel down or upset, take out your list and read it. You are a fabulous person and this list proves it!

This list isn’t written in stone; it should be a continuously changing list, just as we continuously change ourselves. So be sure to constantly add to your list as you achieve more accomplishments!

Everyone Can Benefit From Positive Thinking
As you build your self-confidence with positive self-talk, you might feel silly at first but you’ll still benefit from the experience. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, stop and give yourself a little pep talk. Reassure yourself that you’re strong, that you can get through anything, and that success is within your grasp.

Remembering that everyone goes through ups and downs in life will help you face the day more positively.

Thoughts and feelings are what make us human. Everyone experiences negative emotions, but if these negative feelings seem to cling to you everyday, then finding ways to dissolve that negative energy can be empowering.

Your life is yours to control so don’t wait for others to help. Positive thinking and positive self-talk can help you come out of the darkness and into the light.

Image credit: Flickr / Geekr.

Do you feel as though you’re in a rut? Does nothing feel engaging or entertaining? When you want to make sure you’re still in the right direction and you don’t want to settle for a mundane life, you’ll discover that you need to start challenging yourself.

When you take on a challenge head first, you’re forcing yourself to grow. When your self-esteem needs a boost, challenging yourself can help you see yourself in a new light.

What Kind of Challenges Should I Pursue?
No matter what type of challenge you undertake, don’t assume you’re going to get started on it “sometime soon.” Think about what steps you need to take to get there today. Whether it involves making some phone calls or getting some certifications, make some time to get it done as soon as possible.

• If you have the desire to start a new career, call a career counselor for guidance or the local university for class schedules.

• If you challenge yourself to achieve better health, call a nutritionist or the local gym for rates and advice.

• If you always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, call the music store to inquire about lessons or rental fees.

Don’t delay when something is this important, but remember that moving slowly is much better than not moving at all. When you want to make sure you’re achieving the results that you deserve, you’ll discover that choosing to move at all is a big step.

Practice Setting Goals and Holding Yourself Accountable
Another way you can start conquering small challenges is by setting some achievable goals. For instance, say you want to improve your writing skills. Then set yourself a goal to write at least a paragraph a day. It’s a simple, realistic goal that will help you improve your skills.

It’s very likely that you will become more productive when you have a limited amount of time to accomplish your simple challenge. So if you only have 15 minutes to concentrate on your challenge, then make the best use of it and simply focus your energy on making it the most productive 15 minutes of your day.

Measure Your Progress Regularly
In order to build your self-esteem, you regularly need to see how far you’ve come. Make sure you keep track of your progress on a regular basis.

• Keep a diary that lists all you’ve accomplished in the day.

• Keep a list of all books you read last month.

• Keep a weight journal to track how many pounds you’ve lost.

Over time, you’ll find that this is a great way to keep yourself moving forward. Looking at past progress is a great way to replicate your success, so keep note of how far you’ve come.

The Power of Numbers
If you’re struggling to challenge yourself, remember that you can get someone else to work with you. Do you have any goals that you and your loved ones share? If so, take some time and see if you can encourage each other. This encouragement will help to build your self-esteem because you’ll see progress toward your goal.

We must always strive for constant self-improvement. In doing so, we’ll see just how capable and competent we really are!

Flickr image credits: alexic13, incurable_hippie.

Manifesting wealth and abundance begins from within. You have to appreciate what you have in your life already – your family, friends, and job – instead of focusing on what you wish you had.

Often people waste precious time thinking about what they don’t have. They start to believe their lives will improve if only they had more money, or more friends, or more gadgets. They think about what’s lacking instead of the abundance that is already overflowing into their life.

Positive Thinking Brings Abundance
If you appreciate what you have, you’ll be inspired to take the necessary actions to bring more of what you want into your life. From a practical point of view, this all starts with living happily with what you have.

Now at first, this may sound rather counterproductive, but living happily with what you have doesn’t mean you’re completely satisfied and fulfilled. It simply means that you appreciate all the good parts of your life, and you recognize that you can take those things you have, even if they are few, and build upon them.

Very often we take our lives for granted and forget to give thanks for all that is good. If you’re having a tough time recognizing the goodness in your life, then make a gratitude list and continue adding to it everyday. For example:

*Be thankful when paying the rent because this means you have a place to sleep.

*Be thankful for your winter coat because you’ll stay warm this winter.

*Be thankful for your family because of their love, support and guidance you.

*Be thankful for your job because it has allowed you to provide for your family.

If you can be happy with what you have now, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the better circumstances that are coming to you in your future. Just imagine how much more you’ll appreciate your eventual move to a large home with a spacious property if you begin to enjoy your current humble place.

Manifesting wealth and abundance begins from within.

Keeping Up with the Neighbors
Remember, the term “wealth” doesn’t only relate to money. You can be wealthy by having a loving family who visits often or friends who care for you like one of their own. There’s much more to life than who has the latest designer purse or fanciest sports car in the neighborhood.

If you constantly compare yourself to your neighbor, based solely on material possessions, you may not fully understand what your neighbor’s life is like. He may appear wealthy with his BMW, but perhaps he is suffering in his personal life. Be very careful making judgments about others because you never truly know what’s going on behind closed doors. Material possessions alone do not make an abundant life.

First Steps Toward Wealth
When you don’t have a lot of material possessions and monetary wealth, it ironically becomes easier for you to learn how to save money. Saving money is paramount if you want to build monetary wealth, but in order to do so, you have to learn how to delay gratification. That means you must make sure you’re making more money than you’re spending. Ideally you want to pay for everything you have, not finance it – without truly owning your possessions and going into debt, you’re actually moving farther away from wealth.

Besides saving money, the real way to build wealth is to make more money. That may sound rather obvious, but too many people aren’t making the money they can and should. You have to make the conscious decision to get unstuck from your dead-end job and the rat race.

You have to rise above the crowd and do something different. That may mean you have to discover creative ways for you to make more money. For many people today, that may mean getting involved in a virtual office or an Internet-based business, but whatever the case might be for you, you can elevate yourself.

If you’re unhappy with the money you’re making, you have to starting thinking about ways to increase the amount of money you make so you can realize your dreams. Now go get started!

Image credit: Flickr/bradipo (also at Wise Bread)

Creativity is the catalyst for innovation. Without it, the world as we know it wouldn’t even exist. Someone, somewhere was creative enough to develop new technologies and techniques that have increased both our quality and quantity of life.

The question, though, is how does creativity begin? Does it start as a dream? Does a light bulb suddenly appear over your head? Or is there something specific you can do to spark your creativity and passion?

Believe it or not, we are all creative. While we may be creative in different ways, creativity is within us, juts waiting to be uncovered.

Finding Your Spark
Everyone has different rituals and routines to ignite their creativity, but let’s go through 7 ways to spark creativity and passion in your life:

1.    Create a list of 100.
Make a list of 100 ideas and thoughts. They don’t have to be connected, but simply write out 100 ideas that come to mind in a single sitting. This may seem daunting, but the purpose is to generate uncensored and unfiltered thoughts that can be used as a foundation for a bigger idea. You can always filter the ideas later on, so focus on quantity, not quality at first.

2.    Stimulate all of the senses.
Try something different that involves the senses. For example, go to a wine tasting, art museum, concert or even a masseuse. You just might discover a fresh idea by stimulating your body and mind with new things.

3.    Surround yourself with positive, inspiring words.
Stories, positive affirmations, and motivational quotes are always great starting points to tap into your creativity. You just might be inspired to look within after reading the inspirational stories or thoughts of others.

4.    Go for a country drive.
You may be able to think clearer when you’re alone in the car. Turn off the stereo and tune into your own thoughts circulating in your head. There are plenty of creative ideas already within your mind; you just have to become more aware of them!

5.    Try the color yellow.
This may sound strange, but psychologists believe that the color yellow inspires creativity. Architecture firms have a tendency to paint their walls yellow.

6.    Use the bountiful resources of others.
There are plenty of people around the world who love to talk, so get them talking! Ask them questions and allow their responses to guide your thoughts and ideas. You just may come up with a unique and creative solution by using the brainpower of others.

7.    Take a break.
If you’re under stress or pressure, it’s time to relax. After all, our minds need a break! Your relaxation routine doesn’t have to be extravagant; it can be as simple as playing a Sudoku puzzle or going for a 15-minute walk. By refreshing your body and mind, you will actually return more creative than ever.

Find Your Own Creative Routine
Everyone is unique, so you may have a different way to spark your creativity. That’s okay! You can use these seven creativity tips as a guide to help you uncover unique solutions to ordinary problems.


Image credit: Flickr/BlatantNews

UPDATED VERSION:
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A lack of confidence can affect every area of your life, from your job performance to your personal relationships. In reality, how you perceive yourself has a powerful impact on how others treat you.

Some factors in bolstering self-confidence may be beyond your control, but there are some very tangible things that you can do as well. Using these tips will help you reach your full potential as a successful and confident person.

1.    Dress confidently.
Dress like the person you want to be and you’ll feel yourself become that person. When you look good, you’ll feel good. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to go out and spend a fortune on clothes. It’s better to buy a few really nice pieces than a bunch of cheap ones.

Seeing the best in others will bring out the best in you.

2.    Walk faster.
People who walk confidently keep a brisk pace because they have things to do and places to be. Simply quickening your step will help you feel more confident.

3.    Keep good posture.
People can tell a lot about you by the way you carry yourself. If you have slumped shoulders and cannot look people in the eye, you’ll leave a negative impression on them. Keep your head up, make eye contact with others, and stand up straight and tall. You have nothing to hide.

4.    Be grateful.
Gratitude creates a state of peace in the body. A peaceful mind radiates confidence. Make a list of the things you appreciate about yourself and be grateful for your past successes. Tell those you love how much you appreciate them being in your life.

5.    Compliment others.
In addition to showing appreciation for what you have, it’s also important to show others your appreciation. If you think negatively about yourself, then you’ll have a tendency to criticize others. Break this habit by praising others on a daily basis.

6.    Give back.
Contributing to the success of others will not only help you feel better about yourself, but karma will reward you in the end. What goes around comes around, right? Volunteer your time to help those in need or make a monetary contribution to your favorite local charity.

7.    Speak up.
Many people keep quiet for fear of saying something silly. Taking an active role in discussions will distinguish you as a leader amongst your peers. They will quickly recognize that you have confidence and plenty to offer.

The more self-confidence you build in yourself, the more likely you’ll be to succeed. No matter what task you choose to conquer, you’ll do so with enthusiasm. Any setbacks you encounter won’t bother you because you’ll have the confidence necessary to continue.

8.    Exercise regularly.
If you work hard to create a better physical image, you’ll not only be healthier, but you’ll also have more energy. Both of these things will contribute to your self-confidence, as will the compliments you’ll receive.

9.    Sit in the front row.
Most of us have a tendency to try to blend into the back of the room somewhere. We don’t like being noticed. Confident people sit up front where they can take part in discussions without fear.

10.    Take a chance and try something new.
Learning a new hobby or activity will broaden your horizons and help you feel “alive.” Anytime you spend stretching your mind improves your overall self-confidence.

Those who are insecure often find life to be a struggle, but with self-confidence, you can find it to be a joy. Why suffer when you can soar!

Photo credit: Flickr / calwhiz

The power of intention has the ability to transform your life for the better. Without it, you may feel like you lack direction and get bored easily, all the while living an unfulfilled existence.

When you set an intention, it gives you a purpose.
Think about how driven and fulfilled you’ve felt in the past when you’ve had a purpose. Alternatively, think about a day in your life where you needed to accomplish something but you lacked purpose. There is likely a remarkable difference between what you achieved and how you felt about your achievement!

You can set an intention for anything in life.
You can get out of bed and be abstract and say that you “intend” to have a great day. You can also be specific and list out the things that you intend to accomplish. For example, if you practice yoga in the afternoon, set an intention for your practice. Say that with every breath you exhale, you are releasing negative energy, while you inhale positivity. In the end, you’re not only relaxed, but also rejuvenated.

What Are The Secrets?
There are ways that you can bring out your intentions to make your planning easier and your quest for your goals more fruitful. Try the following activities:

1. Take your dreams seriously. Don’t allow yourself to push your dreams away. They’re not meant to remain fantasies forever; you need to bring them into reality! When you take your dreams seriously, they turn into plans and intentions. When you intend to do something, it becomes real.

2. Gain clarity. Do whatever is within your power to clarify your dreams and intentions. You can do this by simply brainstorming and sorting out your thoughts. Keep a journal and get into the habit of writing everything down. Writing down your intentions is psychologically powerful.

Post your ultimate dream or intention somewhere where you’ll see it every day.

3. Declare your intentions. Make your intentions known to the world so you’ll be held accountable for them. You might think that keeping them inside is better because then no one will know if you fail, but in that scenario, you’ve given up and failed yourself. Tell your friends and family of your goals and keep them up to date on your progress. Alternatively, keep an online blog for sharing your intentions – I’ve seen this work many times on the web.

4. Take action every day. Whether your intentions are large or small, do something every day that’s a step forward toward your intentions. Even if your step for the day is a very small one, it’s a positive progress that’ll add up to something big over time.

5. Keep building new intentions. Once you achieve a goal, set new ones and set them often. The more you build intentions around the things you do, the more productive you’ll become and the more things will seem to go your way.

Remember that every intention doesn’t have to be about hard work. You can keep your brain active while you engage in rest activities as well. For instance, when you intend to have a good time relaxing, you likely will.

Learning how to use the power of intention is exhilarating! It frees you to be the best you can be and brings you a life worth living well. Enjoy it with all the gusto you’ve got!

Having a prosperity mindset is a key factor in reaching your financial goals. It keeps you on track toward your goals regardless of any challenges you encounter along the way.

These strategies below will help you foster a prosperity mindset that can enable you to live the life you desire.

Keep Your Focus
If you find that your mind wanders from idea to idea, create one set plan and stick to it. In your plan, create a list of specific achievable action steps that lead to your goal, and then work on at least one task each day to help maintain your focus.

Plan for Success
It doesn’t matter how focused you are if you don’t have a proper plan. Your financial goals aren’t going to happen just by deciding on a number. Make some clear plans on how you’re going to get there. This will get you past the dream phase so you can start making your ultimate goals a reality.

Be as detailed in your plan as possible and set each task as a mini-goal in itself. Achieving these small goals on a daily basis keeps you motivated and moving along toward your big goal.

Model Yourself After Successful People
One of the best decisions you can make is to use other successful people as your role models. Think about what you admire about these people and then try to model their behavior.

See if you can set up an interview with someone you feel is successful. You may wish to find someone in a similar career so you can study his or her success story.

You’ll also want to study the reasons why they’ve become successful. How do you think they got to where they are? Can you embark on these steps too? Chances are that you can; all you need to do is build up the courage.

Believe In Yourself
Unfortunately too many people don’t have confidence in their abilities and they fail to try or give up far too quickly. You don’t have to be one of these people!

Look back at the people you admire and you’ll likely notice that they felt like giving up at some point. But they didn’t! They likely have an unwavering belief in their abilities and a drive to succeed, no matter what.

You, too, can reach your financial goals! Believe that it is possible! People have proven that it’s possible, and you can achieve anything that’s possible.

Pay It Forward
Along your journey to success, you can practice good karma by paying it forward. Spread your knowledge so that others can learn the lessons you’ve learned. You can serve as a mentor to others just like you were mentored when you were starting out.

When you’re kind to others, that kindness will find its way right back to you. You never know what good can come out of some simple kindness.

It may take some time and effort to develop your prosperity mindset, but the rewards are well worth it. Once you’ve mastered it, it will be with you for the rest of your life, guiding you to achieve any financial goals you desire.

Photo credit: Alan Cleaver