Manage your time by organizing tasks effectively

Your time is one of your most precious resources.  While we all get 24 hours a day, 99.99% of us do not know how many days we have left.  Do not fool yourself into thinking there will always be tomorrow – for one day tomorrow will not come.  Whether for your business, your next opportunity or for you actual life – there is a last day.  Always approach each of your todays as if it was your last one. 

Now because you know that your time is so precious and limited here are a few tips to help you milk every minute of your day for all its worth:

 

• Invest some of your time in organization so you can maximize your day by being as productive as possible with every hour.


• Let go of the idea that you can accomplish everything.  Instead, focus your attention on the few things that matter most to you and your goals.  Prune out the rest in order to do quality work on few things that matter without stretching yourself too far.  Be like the master gardener trimming a beautiful rose bush.  By pruning out the unnecessary stems – the rose bush as a whole flourishes and produces more.


• Become clear on where you are going. By doing so you will find it natural to break down the steps needed to get you there.  Set realistic daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals.   Do it so you can accomplish what you set out to do in a reasonable manner.


• Remember, what is reasonable for you many be too fast or slow for someone else.  Set YOUR pace for YOUR goals.  Release the notion that you should be able to finish important projects overnight and, instead, give yourself the time you need to do an exceptional job.

 

We have many, many things we all need to remember: names, dates, times, tasks, and opportunities, to name a few. I personally use a planner (Franklin Covey’s PlanPlus for Outlook to be specific) and check it frequently because I know that by staying organized I am granting myself greater productivity and a more relaxed life.  I know that by following these tips and managing your time effectively you too can be more productive and happier with everything that you are able to accomplish.


Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I recognize the value of investing time in organization myself?


2. Do I take advantage of tools that are designed to help me be organized?


3. Are the activities that currently use up my time contributing to the achievement of my goals?

 

Think Successfully & Take Action
Tracy

Today’s Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs.
Sign up for my eZine at http://SuccessAtlas.com

confident

Top 10 Time Wasters in our Busy Society

My previous blog post on time management seemed to peek quite a bit of your interest so I thought I would give you a few more time saving tips.  Do you fall into the trap of wasting time? If you do then you are literally throwing money away because, time is a valuable commodity and we all know that a commodity has a value! When you waste your precious time, you’re actually preventing yourself from achieving the things you desire and thus reaping the rewards that come from that – whether those rewards or monetary, emotional or recreational.

 

Here I have listed what I believe to be the top ten time wasters.  Take a look and if you find yourself spending too much time on one or more of these activities, try changing some of your habits so your time can be more productive and rewarding.  **NOTE** Only try changing one at a time.  Then as you see the rewards gained from saving time on that first time waster you can move on to the next one & the next one until you are a lean mean time saving machine.

 

1. Worry. Many people will waste their time worrying until doomsday about every little thing in their lives. Usually thing that they have no control over and can not change in the first place or things that will never happen.  This is simply unproductive and bad for your health, mind, and spirit.
   
   
   
   
   • If you have something worrisome coming up that you can impact, craft a plan of positive action on paper, then take action on that plan.  This will empower you and enable you to let go of the worry. After all, worrying along does not accomplish anything positive.
   
   
   
   


2. Television.  We have become a couch potato society!  Many actually schedule their lives around their favorite television shows and spend less time doing more important activities like attending social events that could strengthen their relationships.
   
   
   
   • Record your favorite TV shows and watch them during your leisure time, or limit your TV intake to just a couple hours a week.  I would tell you to take it one step further – review the TV listing the week in advance and plan which ones you will watch. Scheduling them all at one time alerts you to the actual amount of time you are spending in front of the ‘boob tube’ and not with your friends, family and colleagues.
   
   
   
   


3. Video and Computer Games.  This is becoming such a time waster that gamers are actually developing what is called “gamers thumb,” a repetitive stress injury.  I personally have to admit I am a victim of this particular time waster.  I have a couple games (Guitar Hero World Tour, Call to Duty 4 and Unreal) that have stolen precious time from me.
   
   
   
   • Set time limits for yourself and your kids and help your kids understand why this is important.  One of things I did to curtail my own gaming time is make my game time a reward to getting specific things accomplished; Finish mowing, trimming and edging the yard, get a ½ hour of game time, clean the garage, more game time, etc.
   
   
   
   


4. Internet time. Are you constantly browsing the Internet, Facebook or Twitter? Are your kids hearing you say, “In a minute,” much too often when they ask you to spend time with them?
   
   
   
   • Keep your time on the Internet short and get involved in life. Instead of chatting with your online friends, spend more time with your real-life friends and family! (say this with a little bit of tongue in cheek as many of you reading this are my twitter friends) It’s all about balance.  I have days I spend a little bit of time on Twitter as I am working on other things and other days when I spend... er... um... more time online.
   
   
   
   


5. Telephone Chatter. Sure, we like to call old friends and chat, but do you chat on the phone all day long? If you do, you may find that you get hardly anything done all day.
   
   
   
   • Keep phone calls to a minimum or set a timer to go off after 15-20 minutes. This way you won’t feel deprived of a good conversation, but it won’t take over your whole day.
   
   
   
   


6. Traffic and Commuting. Some of us spend an enormous amount of time traveling to and from work. You can turn your commuting time into productive time!
   
   
   
   • Try carpooling or taking the bus, subway or train to work. You can use this time to read, plan your day, complete paperwork, or even relax your mind before a productive day.
   
   
   • If you drive, you can listen to inspiring and informative CDs or tapes to sharpen your mind each morning.  Of course I would say you should go to www.blogtalkradio.com/tracybrinkmann/ and download my episodes to your iPod or MP3 player to listen to.
   
   
   
   


7. Hobbies. Yes, there are people who are so obsessed with a hobby that they don’t make time to do anything else. They rush home from work to their hobby, even skipping dinner.
   
   
   
   • If this is you

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7 Advantages Of Being Assertive

In an average day, you probably have a number of opportunities to openly express yourself. Assertively stating your preferences in simple, honest terms can help you build the life you seek.

Enjoy these benefits by building your assertiveness skills and putting them into practice:

1. Cultivate contentment with life. The more you ask for what you desire, the more likely you are to get it. When you regularly obtain what you want, you’ll find more satisfaction in your life.


2. Have freedom to ask for what you want. In being assertive, you can feel free to share your emotions with others in appropriate ways, without hurting their feelings.


3. Enjoy more stable relationships. One of the wonderful side effects of demonstrating effective assertiveness skills is that you’ll experience more stable relationships with less conflict.
   
   
   
   1. Although you most likely understand what being assertive involves, you may be thinking that sometimes responding passively is best. After all, you're an easy-going person and you don't expect to be satisfied all the time. But when you act passively, you run the risk of holding in your feelings and becoming dissatisfied because of it.
   
   
   2. Keeping emotions inside can take a toll on relationships. Trying to dismiss your emotions instead of discussing them can result in speaking inappropriately later when you finally let out your frustrations. This type of response can be damaging to any relationship.
   
   
   3. You have a right to be open and honest about how you feel in your interactions with others. And if you express yourself assertively, chances are good the other person will not be hurt or offended. Most likely, they’ll listen and respond to your needs, which can only improve your emotional connection.
   
   
   
   


4. Others see you as honest. When you habitually communicate assertively, people know you aren't going to pull any punches. They believe you’re going to honestly say how you feel and they don’t have to worry about what’s going on with you.


5. Manifest greater self-confidence. Interestingly, the more you express your own wants and needs, the more your confidence will grow. Those who assert themselves regularly in the course of their daily lives tend to believe they’ll be successful in whatever they do.
   
   
   
   1. When you state what it is you’re after, people are often willing to accommodate you. How’s that for a confidence-builder?
   
   
   
   


6. Attune yourself with your self-worth. Can you imagine doing anything that will make you feel more worthy than simply and honestly asserting yourself? After all, nothing else says, “I know that I’m a worthwhile person” better than being forthcoming about what’s on your mind.


7. Set the example. As you freely and appropriately express yourself, those around you see the enriched life you lead and are encouraged to go after those same rewards. They’ll emulate the confidence you demonstrate with your assertiveness skills.

 

The more you speak up for your desires, the better your life becomes. Practice assertiveness daily. When you do, you’ll inspire those around you and ignite your own passion for life.

Think Successfully & Taken Action!Tracy Brinkmann

p.s.
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motivation

Penta’tude – the five ‘tudes of your success

In 1941 Major General Hugh ‘Pat’ Casey designed the Pentagon in only three days.  Construction began thirty days later and sixteen months after that on January 15, 1943 this now world famous office building was completed.  The Pentagon is the headquarters for the United States Department of Defense and the nerve center for command and control dedicated to protecting the US national interests.   You have your own Pentagon of sorts within yourself.  This Pentagon, or Penta’tude as I have come to call it, has direct impact on your protection, growth and success and is made up of these five ‘tudes:  Multitude, Magnitude, Latitude, Attitude and Gratitude.

Let’s take a look at each of these supporting walls to your own personal Penta’tude.

• Multitude

As we go through our daily lives a multitude of opportunities present themselves.  However, a multitude of challenges also come along for the ride.  If you spend you time fretting about the challenges you will end up blotting out those opportunities.  To give you an example of what I’m talking about – take a dime and look at it at arms length.  Small, thin not to ominous.  But if you put all your focus on it and bring it in close to your eye then it will blot out the world as you see it.  Worse yet the closer it gets the more you loose focus and the more the edges blur.  Now you don’t really know where the challenge ends and the opportunities begin. Focusing on opportunities instead of challenges increases your chances at success, not to mention increasing the level of success you can and will attain.

• Magnitude

This works closely with Multitude.  As you go through your opportunities and challenges in life and business, you need to magnify the important things.  Focus on the magnitude and impact of your core values, desires and major definite purpose.  Reduce the magnitude of challenges that seem insurmountable.  “Don’t make mountains out of molehills” apply strategic thinking and brainstorming techniques to breakdown those seemingly impassable obstacles.   On the other side of this coin, do not let one major win in your success make you think your set for life.  Every good businessperson knows that if your not growing your business then it is dieing.  Because if your sitting still while everyone else is moving forward then respectively your are falling behind.  Enjoy that major success; bask in the glow and pride it gives you.  Then sit down and plan for the next big win.

• Latitude

This is your permission to dream!  You have the latitude to be all you can be, to accomplish any task that you desire as long as it is within the bounds of human decency and the letter of the law.  This is a liberating freedom that is given only to humankind.  We are the only creature on this great planet (that I am aware of) that has this ability to create it’s own destiny and then to fulfill it.  Regardless of your color, creed, religion, upbringing, or circumstances you can, if you decide to and take the necessary action, move from where you are right now to where you have always wanted to be.

• Attitude

This is the starting point of your success journey.  Whether you call it your disposition, manner, temperament, spirit, approach, position, posture, outlook or opinion your attitude has a major bearing on your level of success.

 Attitude is defined as:

1. Personal view of something: an opinion or general feeling about something
   
   
   
   • a positive attitude to change
   
   
   
   


2.  Bodily posture: a physical posture, either conscious or unconscious, especially while interacting with others

 Your attitude, feelings, or moods will infect or effect the actions, moods, and feelings of those around you.  If you face the world with a cheerful expectant attitude, the world (and those in it) will know you expect more from it and will perform accordingly.  If you face the world with a negative, down trodden attitude it will know you expect poor action from it and will give you those actions.  Remember that the world will reflect your attitude back to you.  Your attitude to the world will determine its attitude towards you (cause and affect).  So one of the main rules to a successful life is to know that the world is a mirror, often a merciless mirror, of our selves and the habitual attitude we carry within us.

• Gratitude

I saved the best for last.   As always the grandest rules are the simplest, like “Do unto other as you would have done unto you.”  The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more you have to express gratitude for.  You will never find a happy person who isn’t a grateful person, so gratitude is a marvelous place to start.  Expressing gratitude for what you have versus whining about that which you are lacking keeps you focused on the positive.  Remaining on this positive side positively impacts the four other walls of your success Penta’tude.  As we all teach our children, the magic word is “Thank you!”  You are a wondrous breathing, thinking, creating self-

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Face your enemy - Brainstorming

During the course of my life, both childhood and adult, the military has played a primary role.  My father, a 20+ year military man, raised me in various locations all over the world.  Then, I myself did a tour of duty, serving my country and learning more things about life than I though I ever could.

No matter your personal position on those that serve in the military, you have to admit that this environment can teach you many things that can be applied in various roles in your life.  Even in your role as a businessman or woman.  Yes, it’s true.  Some of the key lessons I learned in the military I now apply in my business career and am all the stronger for it.

One such lesson is – face your enemy.  There is only one way to defeat an enemy, and that is to face him.  You see whenever you stand toe-to-toe with your enemy they have a way of appearing less intimidating than before.  They diminish in their ability to impose their original amount of fear or anxiety into your heart.  Often their ability to strike such fear will disappear entirely.

Now if you think of your problems in the same light, be they personal or professional, then they too can be diminished and conquered.  Here are the combat tactics for overcoming your enemies on the business/personal field of battle.

1. Sit in a quiet place with pencil and notepad.  On page one write your major problem.  Avoid going into any detail, but state the problem simply in a sentence or two, three at the most.  For example, “I need a promotion, how do I go about getting it?”  Or maybe, “I'm too fat, what can I do to lose weight?”  It could be, “my business is stagnant, how can I make it thrive?”  Or perhaps you're encountering a personal problem of some kind.  The problems of the human mind and heart are seemingly endless.  But they have two things in common.  The first is they are not unique but shared by hundreds, even thousands, or millions of others.  And two, they can be solved.  And solved a lot easier than you might think once you can clearly face them.  Once you have your first problem down on page one, go to your second problem, write it on page two, then your next problem on page three, and so forth, and so on, until you have all of your problems listed on separate sheets of paper.


2. After you have all your problems listed on separate sheets, return to page one.  Review your brief statement of your problem.  Then, sit back, relax, and begin to think about the problem.  Only allow those thoughts that relate directly to your main problem to occupy this time.  While going through this careful thought process, begin to list all of the possible solutions that come to mind.  Do not worry if some of your ideas for solving your problem seem far-fetched or even impractical, list them anyway.  Often when an impossible solution is transferred out of your mind onto paper, it will suggest another solution that will be more apt to be the one you want.

What will this process do for you?  Well, first realize that when you have several problems and you continue to carry them around inside of you, they will never solve themselves.   They can, however, cause you to worry.  Potentially even to the point where they can even make you sick.  But once you list them, have them written down, you have changed your problems from internal worries into another form.

Once your problems are in written form you can look at them and see what they are in the clear light of day.  This will put you in a much better position to defeat the enemy by facing him.  You will feel a great sense of relief once you have reduced your problems to writing.  The tension disappears, and you will feel as if a great weight has been lifted.

 

Now, you can take this same ‘face your enemy’ approach to problem solving, decision-making, and goal achievement by realizing that there are similarities between all three of these.  A decision that is to be made is little more than a problem awaiting a solution.  Decisions are usually a simple problem,  simple in the fact that we are rarely faced with more than two or three options.  Whereas, when faced with a problem, we sometimes face what seems to be an endless line up of alternatives.  And as for goal achievement, isn't a goal merely a point we wish to reach?  The problem to be solved here is how to get from where we are now to where we want to be.  So, problem solving, decision-making, and goal achievement are all closely related functions of creative thinking.  It's important that we keep this in mind as we review the steps of using brainstorming for problem solving.

1. The first step of solving any problem (no matter how big or how small) is to define it.  You should always understand the problem before you begin to work on the solution.  Here, you can use the steps we discussed earlier.  Sit down and write out the problem first in a brief sentence or two, three at the most.  Review this statement of the problem, refine it, and add additional detail to it until it states exactly what the problem is that you would like to solve.


2. Then, write out everything you know about the problem.  This information can come from your own personal experience, books you have read (which contain any kind of information including statistical data on the problem), or from friends and business associates who know something about the area in which the problem lies.  One important consideration here is to never confuse facts with opinions.  Make sure you kn

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5 Tips to Focus on You and Get More Out of Life

Do you ever feel like something is missing in your life?  Even if you are getting much of what you want sometimes you just get that “is this all there is feeling?”  Learning to focus on you, instead of others 100% of the time may be the key you’ve been seeking!

How much time do you spend comparing yourself to others?  Often when you focus on comparing yourself to others you end up coming up short.   It is time to stop that destructive habit. These types of Comparisons get you nowhere.  They lead to pain and discontent rather than to positive improvements.

A better choice is to focus on your own personal needs, wants, dreams and desires.  After all, you are a unique individual.  You deserve the personal approach of focusing on your AS a unique individual!  This personal approach and focus will boost your self-image because you are focused on improving yourself and not trying to beat someone else in some uncharted race.   As I have said for years:  There are two ways to be the tallest building in the skyline.  1) Build yourself higher or 2) Tear down all the other buildings.

Learning to focus on you rather than everyone else around you can be a difficult task. Especially if you are the giving type of person that usually finds their way to blogs like this.  Too often, we are focused on our work, families and friends that we do not even know how to begin the process of focusing on our own choices and decisions that determine and even improve the inner quality and joy of our lives.

 

Here are five tips to help you focus on fully enjoying your life:

 

1. Devote time everyday “me time.” This could be fifteen minutes or an hour, but during this time, focus completely on yourself and the things you need desire and deserve to feel strong, loved and important. Reflect on what is important to you. Dream your big dreams and figure out small steps you can take to achieve them.
   
   
   
   • “Me-Time” can be anything YOU like it to be: go for a talk, take a relaxing bubble bath, take a nap, get a manicure, read a novel, or do something else. As long as it is something that brings you pleasure simply for the sake of pleasure it qualifies as me-time.
     
   
   
   
   


2. Take care of your own physical, spiritual and health needs. Relying on someone else to meet your needs only leads to dependence and often even resentment. Do not wait for someone else to do these caring tasks for you – care for yourself.  You have the power within you to meet your own needs.
   
   
   
   • Please let me clarify here that I know some of my readers have limitations (physical or otherwise) that impact their personal care –I understand and even empathize with that.  But what you do not want is to use that as a crutch for not doing what you are capable of doing to care for inner being as well as their outer body.
   
   
   
   


3. Feed you mind and body good healthy fuels. You cannot expect your mind and body to function at their best if you don’t provide them with the fuels they need to work at full capacity.
   
   
   
   • Feed your body good foods: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water to keep your body fully hydrated.
   
   
   • Feed your mind by reading informative, well-written books, blogs, and magazines. Choose recreational reading that builds your mind and spirit.
   
   
   • Limit your TV watching and spend your time pursuing things that stimulate your thinking.
   
   
   • Play board games,  listen to music designed to stimulate your brain waves with binary beats.
   
   
   
   


4. Spend time each day doing something you love.   We all have some ‘hobby’ we are passionate about.  No matter what that hobby for you, it is healthy to indulge in a creative pastime.
   
   
   
   • Banzai tree shaping, gardening, painting, woodcarving and pottery are all hobbies that encourage your creativity while you use your hands to create something beautiful.  What creative hobby do you enjoy?  Be sure you spend time enjoying it!
   
   
   
   


5. Start a gratitude journal.  Start every day and end every day by listing five unique things you are grateful for in your life.  After a very short period of time you will find that you are spending more of your time focusing on all the good things you have in your world rather than any negative obstacles you might face.  (Think that might make facing those obstacles a little easier?  YOU BET IT WILL!)

 

Focusing on you helps you take the best possible care of yourself.  It allows you to replenish your batteries and regain your strength so you can be fully present and engaged in the rest of your day.  Going into your days with this extra strength and charge enables you to give more to those you want to give to.  Now that is a win-win situation all the way around.

 

Think Successfully & Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann

Today’s Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs
http://SuccessAtlas.com

positive attitude

Changing Your Flow of Thoughts

While you are reading this I do not want you to think about your shoes (or your feet if your not wearing shoes).  Through the entire article never at any time are you to think of the color, style or fit of your shoes nor the  temperature or feel of your feet.

Why such a ridiculous way to start this article – well to  prove a point. The first thing most of you did, of course,  was think about your shoes or your feet. Even though you were specifically instructed not to, you did it for at least a moment. That is how the human mind works. When you consciously attempt not to think of a specific thought, you’ll generally think of it between 6 and 15 times in a 5-minute period.

This works in the realm of negative thoughts as well.  Focusing your power on trying not to think negative thoughts can and will prompt negative thinking. View
thinking as a flowing stream of water, actually its more like a strong river. The current starts off as a trickle and builds into a rushing power that can erode the very earth it winds though. You thoughts are much like this river in that you cannot stop them. You can however change the flow to your advantage. Changing the flow of your thoughts is possible, stopping them is not. Changing the flow from negative to positive will keep that river of thought from eroding deep, dark, dismal ravines into your attitude, and into your life.

You can think discouraging, disheartening and depressing things to yourself; or you can think inspiring, motivating and rousing things to yourself, but again you will not be able to stop thinking things to yourself all together. So instead of attempting to build a dam for your river of thoughts, channel and direct them in the way you WANT them to go.

How? That is a good question, and in it hides the answer. You channel your thoughts in the direction you desire with, questions. However, your questions have to be empowering questions. You will cause yourself more harm than good by asking, “Why do I always get the projects nobody else wants?”

You want to ask a question or questions that will move you forward and empower you to take action. Like: “How can I accomplish this project and enjoy the process?” Now you have directed any negative thinking to a more positive flow. This positive flow will encourage action and give you results.

If you are tackling a big problem ask questions like, “How can I break this down into workable steps?” “How can I solve the first step, the second step and so on?” Or “What is the first action to resolving this first step and so on?”

Should you be going through a “bad” experience -- if there is such a thing, for while we have experiences we don’t enjoy, are they truly BAD in the long run? Don’t we gain valuable knowledge and experience we can apply later? But I
digress. Let us get back to the topic at hand. If you are going through a “bad” experience, then channel your flow with questions like; “What can I learn from this experience?” “How can I grow from this experience?” “How can I keep this from happening to me again?” “How can I make lemonade out of this lemon?” (Remember Velcro was actually a failed experiment so was the glue that now is
used on Post-It Notes – both of these lemons have become sweet profitable lemonade for the inventors and their companies)

Now that you have asked your question(s) really let your mind run with it. Don’t just ask the question once, ask it again and again. Whenever you have a minute of spare time or when your alone driving home, seriously mull over the question and let your mind turn over to you the ideas and actions that will bring you to the positive results of changing your flow of thought.

(Oh, and remember don’t think about your shoes!)
Think Successfully & Take Action.

Tracy

http://www.SuccessAtlas.com

goal setting

4 Ways to Staying Highly Motivated

Where you are today is a direct result of the actions you have taken in your past.  The degree of happiness and success you enjoy today is the fruits of your past labor.  If you are not where you want to be today – then you need take action – daily and consistent action to be specific.

The level of success and happiness we all achieve is the direct result of our consistent actions.  Not those actions we take every now and then.  Like those actions we take towards our New Year’s resolution that usually die out by this time of year.  No our success is in fact the result of our habits (consistent actions).  For those habits are the rudders that steer our course of success in live.  Suffice to say we all need to develop good habits if we are looking to reach our goal of success.

Unfortunately for most of us our habits are not a result of logical decision-making and conscious thought.  Generally the habits we have are the reactions to our experiences (stimuli).  If we have had a heavy dosage of negative experiences, then we will tend to produce negative reactions.  What do you think you’ll get from those consistent negative reactions?  That is right – bad habits.

A powerful tool at your disposal to help you take control of your habits is your level of motivation.  If you are motivated and are driven – then your unstoppable desire for success will outstrip your fear of failure.  A motivated person is far more willing to step outside their comfort zone and take that all- important life changing chance.  They become more, they do more, and thus they have more.
If you are looking to build your level of motivation here are some steps that will serve you well.

1. Set your Goals
   Know what you want! Goals give your life purpose.  Your desire to reach these goals will become a great motivator in your life.  Big goals, little goals, personal, professional, financial and spiritual goals – write them all down.  Long term and short term – write them down in clear and specific terms.  Then set to work on them.


2. DAILY Action
   Once you set your goals.  Put in place a plan that requires you to execute at least on step each day.  No matter how small or how big.  A phone call, some reading, a contact, a letter, whatever just do something everyday.  Each of these steps will bring you closer to your goal – and motivate you to higher achievements.  Remember a habit is nothing more that a repeated behavior.  Taking daily actions will form your successful habit so strongly that eventually you will be taking action without conscious thought.  It will just be who you are – a successful and motivated person.


3. Feel it!
   We are not creatures of pure logic – we are emotional creatures.  While our minds will work out the most successful business plan ever conceived.  It is our emotion, our desire, which moves us to execute the plan.  Connect all the good feelings you have to your action.  Every time you succeed, small or large, at one of your action steps, know and feel that you are now one step closer to your goal.  These repeated connections shall reinforce your emotional drive to achieve your goals.  Another good technique is to sit down and list all the reasons why you want to or must reach this goal – all positive reasons.  Then do the flip side, list all the things you will miss out on, be forced into or dislike about your life, yourself etc. if you do not achieve your goal.  Now your using both of the two primary emotions you have, desire & fear, to your advantage


4. Take Responsibility!
   Don’t give yourself an out.  Stop blaming your parents, your childhood, your kids, your wife, the economy, your boss, your dog, your postman or any other thing/person in your life.  It is in fact YOUR life.  Don’t say if I could I would, say I can and I will.  You may have many reasons why, but only you can change them, so take responsibility.  Step up and remember the words of Oprah Winfrey “My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

Think Successfully & Take Action.
Tracy

Today's Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs
http://www.SuccessAtlas.com

success

10 Ways to Climb Your Mountain

Daily we are given mountains of tasks to accomplish, bills to pay, problems to fix and customers to call.  Standing at the base looking up this mountain of to-dos seems enormous – or worse yet standing on top looking down the sheer drop we would encounter should we falter.

It is sheer madness. How on earth are we going to accomplish this feat? Mountains are big; let us climb this one...

1. IS IT REALLY A MOUNTAIN? OR IS IT THAT YOU ONLY SEE A MOUNTAIN?
   The task before you could be a 2500-meter climb, a 10,000-meter race, to organize next motivational seminar, buy a pallet of goods or to just keep to your schedule in order to please an important client. In either of these cases, the task before you is indeed a mountain if that is what you see in it!Take a good look at what lies ahead of you. Let us say you have a relatively short amount of time to organize a meeting for your boss. If the first thing that pops into your head is that you probably will not achieve it in time, therein lies the problem. Without this pre-conception, your job is a simple undertaking. However, when you have convinced yourself it is not possible, you have just created Mt. Fuji when only a moment earlier it was mere baseball mound.
   
   Give yourself some credit. You did not get to where you are now by selling yourself short! Bring the baseball mound back.


2. GO AROUND THE MOUNTAIN 
   It is important to do some research first. There are always many possible answers to the one single problem. We all know it is easier to work our way around the hill rather than to tackle the peak itself. Is the goal to climb to the peak or simply to get to the other side?If your destination is just to get to the other side then adjust your plan accordingly. Conserve your energy for those things that are indeed closer to your heart.


3. DO YOU REALLY NEED TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN?
   This is very important here. Be overly honest with yourself. Why are you going to climb this mountain? Is it because deep down you really want to accomplish this feat or is it to please somebody else? This is probably the most important issue here. If you climb for the wrong reasons the chances are, at worst, you will fail; and at best, you will have a feeling of being unfulfilled from within.Do not do everything simply to please someone else. It will severely deflate you. You are the most important person in the world. Treat yourself with the respect you deserve. If you do not, others may infinitely be pressing your buttons.
   
   If you have wanted to get to the peak of this hill then for heavens sake go there and achieve it. The feeling will be exhilarating. If you are indifferent, then find your niche. You will have to seek it out, as it is highly unlikely that it will find you.


4. DO NOT DO IT ALONE!
   A group of individuals with the same common goal has a habit of drawing incredible power and strength from one another. Plan your trip carefully with experienced mountaineers. A team with the same target has a much greater chance of success than a lone ranger with summit fever.In relation to your professional life, it is important that you seek out as much knowledge and professional advice as possible from the wealth of information available from others. Tap into as many different success formulae as you can. Educate yourself in your field, even to the point of immersing yourself into it! Become an expert. Even if you are already an expert in your field there are always mountains (pardon the pun) of new material regularly released that will assist you in your endeavors.


5. YOU HAVE ALREADY REACHED THE MOUNTAIN PEAK IN YOUR MIND
   This is an important training exercise. As you envision, in your mind, the goal (i.e. in this case reaching the summit) as already being achieved, you will sub-consciously adjust your surroundings to make getting there substantially easier.Visions of success will increase your confidence and therefore your chances of success. Put a goal sheet on your wall, beside your desk, inside your cap, in your wallet, purse...anywhere! Anyway they will be visible to you.


6. START CLIMBING FROM THE BEST ACCESS POINT
   Experience has shown that the journey will be easier when you start from as close as possible to your goal. Prepare thoroughly. In a nutshell be PT’d (prepared thoroughly) for everything you do.When thoroughly prepared you will have created answers to problems that have at this time not developed into problems, but will be easily recognizable and solvable if and when they transpire.


7. OKAY, YOU HAVE DECIDED TO CLIMB, BUT REMEMBER CLIMBING IS FUN!
   You have decided to climb the hill. There is only one lifetime and therefore no time for regrets. Enjoy your climb. If you do not you should not really be there in the first place.Enjoy what you do, always!


8. PLAN FOR EVERY CONTINGENCY
   It is always good to be prepared for anything that can potentially happen. Plan ahead and cover all your options. It may seem nit-picking but every parachutist, every motor car racer, virtually every professional will plan for all situations. It is not much point realizing what you need WHEN you need it. Sometimes WHEN you need it, is TOO late and you will go splat.


9. TRAVEL LIGHTLY
   This is straightforward. What you take with you, you will need to carry. There is not much chance of an industrial str

   motivation

Discovering the Hidden Secrets of the Law of Attraction

There's a pretty good chance you've heard something about the Law of Attraction in the past few years. For a while it was pretty big news and lots of people who wanted better lives jumped on the bandwagon.

 

While you're not hearing as much about it in the media these days, the Law of Attraction still holds true. Just what is the Law of Attraction, and how can it work to help you be happier and more successful?

 

The basic rule of the Law of Attraction is that like attracts like. When you're in a healthy, successful mindset, you'll be healthier and more successful. Positive thinking is a powerful tool as long as you use it correctly. So how do you do it?

 

Here are some ways you can use the Law of Attraction to make your life more fulfilling and achieve your goals:

 

1. Visualize what you desire. You need to have a clear idea of what you want out of life, not just a general or vague picture. By envisioning every detail of your desire, you'll eventually receive it!

 

• Know exactly what your goal is and outline the path for getting there.  


• Then track your progress. You'll be surprised at how much of a difference this makes!

 

1. Allow yourself to succeed. You may think this sounds silly. After all, you're not the one holding yourself back – or are you? Many of us keep ourselves from the success we hope for, whether it's because we feel like we don't deserve it or we're just not paying attention.

 

• Take a look at your life and ask yourself if you have behavior patterns or attitudes that keep you from taking advantage of opportunities that can help you succeed. Recognizing and being aware of these self-sabotaging attitudes is a big step toward change.


• Do you consistently do something that sets you back every time you’re on the verge of achieving a goal? Forming a mindset that will allow you to be a success can make a huge difference.

 

1. Have focus. It's easy to have many desires at once. For your best results, work on one or two things at a time and give them your full attention. Without the ability to focus your energy and thoughts on your goal, the chances of failure and distraction go up.

So if you find yourself pursuing multiple goals but never get near any of them, it's time to focus. The Law of Attraction tells us that in order to achieve, we have to be in a clear, focused mindset, with a strong picture of a single goal.

 

• Once you've focused on a single goal and achieved it, you can turn your focus to your next goal. This way, one by one, you are realizing success.

 

1. Be willing to receive the bounty the universe offers you. The world is constantly giving you chances to make things better. If you maintain the right mindset, stay focused, and know what you want and how to get there, you’ll reap the benefits of those opportunities.

 

• Every day there are opportunities that could lift you out of the rut and put you on the road to a better tomorrow. You just have to be willing to take advantage of them.

 

The Law of Attraction principles have helped many people change their lives for the better. Keeping a positive mindset and taking action to accomplish your goals will help you achieve the life you’ve always dreamed of.

 

Think Successfully & Take Action!

Tracy

Today's Top Motivated Coach and Author of Success Atlas Programs

http://SuccessAtlas.com
http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com

time management

Impromtu Speaking

After a recent seminar I conducted, one of the attendees came up to me and shared that he really had no problem getting up in front of a larger audience.  He stated that presentations were preferred over the ‘hall meetings’ that happen some many times during our business day.  His ability to prepare for these large presentations gave him a comfort level that he was not able to attain when approached spur-of-the-moment by a senior member of his company.

Being a newer member of the company his real concern was that he might not be leaving the impression that he desired, when approached in these impromptu meetings.  His fear was that he was leaving his fellow associate pondering his broken and rambling communication style rather than his insights, answers and ideas.

My advice to him was to first realize that there is no such thing as private speaking (unless your are alone talking to yourself).  Anyone that gives an arranged presentation is obviously more comfortable because they have the time to prepare, which is only natural.  But you have to realize that these impromptu ‘meetings’ at your desk, in the hallway or on the elevator can have as much of an impact on your success track as your prepared speeches.

 

Luckily, you can ‘prepare for,’ become skilled at, and even master the spontaneous interactions that are sprinkled throughout the day by…

 

• Asking questions to start the conversation.  Better yet, ask questions that allow the other person to talk about themselves.  My best friend has one of those personalities where once you get to know him he opens up.  However, until then he does not say a whole lot.  Working for a major corporation he attends quite a few gatherings and was rather uncomfortable with the number of people that he did not know at these gatherings.  I told him about this technique of asking questions and he gave it a try.  He was quickly amazed at how little you really have to say to be considered ‘quite the conversationalist.’  He found out that if you ask people key questions about their work, hobbies, etc., that they are more than willing to share.


• Focus on others.  The previous point leads right into this next technique.  Conversations flow easily when you and the other person are alike in some way or on some topic.  However, conversations are just as easy when you display a sincere interest in what the other person is like or likes.  Keep up with what is going on around you so you can give your fellow associates compliments and congratulations on projects accomplished, promotions earned, home purchases etc.  This sincere interest will have a far more lasting impression than any verbal blunder you might make in the hallway.


• Give Praise to others.  Spinning off of the previous point around focusing on others.  Keep up with what is going on so you can give praise to those that deserve it.  When receiving recognition for the efforts of your team, always remember to tout the efforts of the whole team.  Give each persons name and examples of their contribution to result that you are being praised for.


• Keep up!  In the last two points you read “keep up with what is going on”.  Do this at a department, company, national and world level.  Each will not be at the same level of detail of course, but surely be aware of the major happenings at all levels of your world.  Keep up with the local and world news.  Review your company’s annual report and other publications they circulate.   From these sources of information, mentally prepare yourself with two or three things to say in your next impromptu hall meeting.  When you first start this particular technique I would even suggest rehearsing this in front of a mirror or with a supportive friend.  Here is a great place to combine techniques by asking a question in regards to something current or topical.


• Don’t be shy!  Take a deep breath, gather your thoughts and speak!  It sounds simple because it is.  All the great rules of life are.  If you find yourself in front of a senior member of your company (waiting for or on the elevator, arriving early to a meeting, or in the parking lot) take a deep breath, gather your thoughts and speak! Greet them with a pleasant “Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening!” depending on what time of the day it is.Now use the other four techniques you just read about.  By keeping up, you can give praise on a recent accomplishment that they, their department, or the company has attained.  You could ask about their vacation, new child, or other personal info.  By keeping up you could ask if they know would share specifics on a company buy-out, the million dollars saved, or other topic that you read about in the company periodicals.  Even if they don’t stop to have a complete conversation with you now, you surely have made a positive impression and planted the seeds for a future conversation during you next planned or unplanned encounter

 

Speaking impromptu is not as hard as it appears. Much like larger planned presentations, there are steps you can take to be prepared for a spontaneous conversation with anyone.  Remember to ask questions, focus on the person you are talking to, give praise, keep up with what is happening around you, and don’t be shy!  Try this and you will quickly find yourself far more at ease with off-the-cuff conversations!

 

Think Successfully & Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann

Today's Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Prog

positive attitude

Value of Goals and Goals of Value

As I have studied the impact of goal setting over the past decade I have had the opportunity to talk to many successful people on this topic.  Each and every one of them had one thing in common.  All of them had taken the time to create a clear blueprint – or as I prefer to call it – a success atlas for themselves.  While many have started this process of goal setting or personal strategic planning with some level of skepticism or doubt – all of them have become a true believer in the power that a success atlas gives you.

 

All of them became amazed at the remarkable power of goal setting and strategic planning.  They all have accomplished more than they had ever conceived possible in their respective lives – both personal and professional.  They attribute their successes directly to the process of thinking through every aspect of their goals, work and lives.  Then taking those thoughts and developing a detailed success atlas to get them from where they are to where they desire to be and the happiness that goes with both the journey and the destination.

 

Earl Nightingale gave what I think is the best definition of happiness I have ever heard – “Happiness is the progress achievement of a worthy ideal or goal.”  When you are working little by little, step by step towards an objective that is important to you, you produce within yourself an unremitting feeling of success and achievement.

 

As you work on your success atlas you feel more motivated, positive and in control of your own life as well as what happens in it.  You will feel more fulfilled happier and like the winner that you know you deserve to feel like.  Step by step as you execute your success atlas you will develop the psychological momentum that empowers you to foresee and avoid or overcome all together all obstacles that will be thrown in your path.  You will time and time again fly over or though adversity as you move ever onward towards achieving all that is most important to you and the values you hold dear.

 

A good goals plan (Success Atlas) starts with your values and your dreams.  What do you believe and what do you stand for = your values.  If you do be/have or do anything knowing you would not fail what would you be/have or do = your dream(s).  Your values are the very core of everything you are as a person.  Your values are the coalesce of your principles, core beliefs, personality and your character.   Your dreams are at the very heart of your values – if not at the just at the surface certain at their root.

 

Your values, dreams and beliefs are the hub or center of your ever turning wheel of life.  Thus any and all improvement will begin my clarifying, cultivating and nurturing your true values and dreams.  Then you need only commit yourself to live consistent with them.

 

Successful people are successful because they are very clear about their values and know what their dreams and goals are. Unsuccessful people are fuzzy or unsure. Complete failures have no real values, goals or direction at all.

 

A side benefit of this values clarification is a sound foundation for a strong and confident person.  Values clarification is the first step in building strong and enduring self-confidence, self-esteem and personal character. When you take the time to honestly look inside and lay out your values – not your parent’s values or those of your boss or your peers – but YOUR values and dreams.   Then committing yourself to living your life consistent with them, you feel a surge of mental strength and well-being. You feel stronger and more capable in everything you do. You will more able to try again when what you’re doing is not going just the way you want it to.  You feel more centered and more competent of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.

 

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

 

First, begin with your values by deciding what it is you stand for, believe in and what you will not stand for in your life. Commit yourself to live consistent with these heart felt inner convictions — and you’ll never make another mistake.

 

Second, decide for yourself what does and will make you truly happy.  Put all these dreams on paper and then organize your life around them. Create your Success Atlas - write down your goals and make plans to achieve them.

Third, if you are looking for a little guidance on how begin setting your goals, or if your tired of the same old "cookie cutter" method of goal setting that everyone else tells you to try - then get the complimentary 9-step eCourse on how to write your success story.  http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com

Think Successfully and Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann
Today's Top Motivated Coach & Author of Successs Atlas Programs
http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com
http://SuccessAtlas.com

tracy brinkmann

Beliefs

It seems like every day I meet new people that are afflicted with negative thoughts or beliefs that are keeping them down.  This negativity fosters more negativity if left unchecked.  They look around their world and say if only some one would give me a shot I could prove myself.  I challenge them to TAKE the shot and prove themselves to themselves.  Once they prove themselves internally then others will see their worth.

 

Recently I was sitting in a meeting where two associates where trying share their concerns.  One said “We only got three of these in.”  They other replied “That can’t be – I ordered four and they only come in sets of two.  You must have lost them…”  The second associate wouldn’t consider the fact that the vendor might have made a mistake and only shipped three, for she thought that would make her look bad – since she was responsible to insuring that four were there.  She staunchly defended her position and the problem went unresolved.

 

Later I approached her and coached her on this situation and on how her negative beliefs had motivated her one sided response.  Later I brought the two back together to discuss it once more.  This time when she was told that only three were delivered she only asked that they reconfirm that only three were delivered and in the meantime she would call the vendor.  Like magic the first associate said he would be happy to reconfirm the delivery and even came up with a couple more places to look for the missing piece ‘just in case.’

 

These two were battling with internal beliefs that they were going to look bad if their area of responsibility was at fault so in turn they were doing everything they could to push the blame elsewhere.  Once one stopped believing negatively and pushing a one sided battle – immediately the finger pointing subsided and they began to work together towards the same goal.

 

This is the power of your beliefs – they will work for you or against you in your life, at your job – every where.  So, in tomorrow’s blog post I will to share with you some thoughts on how to empower your beliefs so you can…THINK SUCCESSFULLY & TAKE ACTION!

motivation

Beliefs=Abandon or Action - You Choose!

‘One guarantee life give us is this:  For every problem or challenged overcome – another will better one will be given to us to face.  That is how life insures that we grow.’
-- Tracy Brinkmann

 

 

Attitude ranks high on the list of things that drive what action you take or do not take.  Your attitude is molded by the things you think about during the majority of your waking hours, as well as your deep seeded beliefs.  Your beliefs further influence your thoughts about the world around you.  So, your beliefs are one of the roots to your success.  Put simply – your thinking and your beliefs will, either fuel fear and cause you to abandon attempts, or fuel confidence moving you to action.  Which do you believe will facilitate your desired level success, abandon or action?

 

Yes, it is true your beliefs have that much power.  What you believe about relationships, risk, goal-setting, success and failure will either push you towards your dreams and goals or push them away from you.  It has been said that the basic success formula is:

 

Belief + Time = Success.

 

As with any formula – the more of one addend you have, then the less the other addend you will need.  In other words, the more positive belief you have, the less time you will need.  The more positive belief you have regarding your success the more action you will take.  Thus, the less time you will need in order to reach your desired goal.  Remember though, the opposite will be true as well.  The more negative belief you have about one or more aspects of your success, the more time it will take to reach your goal.

 

So, how can we ensure that our beliefs are empowering us to the level of success that we desire?  Here are three tips that you can put into action right away to positively impact your thoughts, beliefs and everything they will bring into your world.

 

• Define your ‘Success Atlas’ for every area of your life; your business, your relationship(s), your finances, etc.  Your ‘Success Atlas’ is your vision of your future and a set of goals that are designed to bring that vision into your reality.  If you do not know how to define your success atlas go to http://SuccessAtlas.com and sign up for my newsletter and I will walk you through all the key ingredients you will need for a good Success Atlas. and I will send you my article on goal setting.  Having your ‘Success Atlas’ defined will give you something to wake up to each day.  This well defined set of goals will push you to take action and even put a smile on your face as you think about the compelling future that you are creating for yourself and those you love.


• Remove negative inputs from your day.  All around you are various negative inputs that are slowly whittling away at your desire and passion to reach your goal.  These inputs range from the television, newspapers, new broadcasts, some movies and music.  Even some of the people in your life (yourself included) can be donating negative input.  They may even be well meaning in what they have to share, but could be the source of negative inputs none the less.  Not all of any one of these categories is 100% negative, but, many are and you need to deter as much negative input from your mind as possible. You need to make it a passion to eliminate as many of these negative donators as you can – ban them from your day.The universe is an interesting thing in that as you pull out the negative inputs, they leave a vacuum.  The universe does not like a vacuum and will look to fill that vacuum with something.  If you keep pulling out the negative – all that it left to put into that vacuum is positive input.  So remove negative inputs from your world and replace them with positive inputs.


• Dig, Uncover, and substitute the negative beliefs you have.  What negative behaviors do you have?  What negative things do you say to yourself and others?  In and of themselves these behaviors and words may not be negative.  But, given your vision and your goals they could promote behaviors and thoughts that are holding you back.  Be totally honest with yourself in searching for these negative values and bad habits.  Once again create that vacuum – remove them from your daily routine – and replace them with empowering words, values and habits.  Ones that will push you towards your goals and dreams.

 

In defining ‘Success Atlas’ you need to create a powerful why.  Creating a powerful ‘why’ for why you want to accomplish a goal or a dream builds up energy like an electric power plant.  Much like that plant, the ‘why’ will pump energy through the ‘power lines’ of your mind.  Energy just waiting to be released.  Your beliefs have the power to flick the switch and brighten your entire life – or leave you in the dark.   So, sit down, define your own personal Success Atlas, remove the negatives from your world, and replace your harmful beliefs, words and habits with empowering ones.  As you mold your beliefs, they will flick on the switch; releasing your power plant of energy and brighten your life and the lives of those you care about.

Empowered Beliefs produces empowered action;
Empowered Action produces an empowered life!

Think Successfully and Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann
Today's Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs
http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com

confident

Three More Ways to Stay Positive

‘The first step of reaching a goal to is clearly define it, down to the last detail.’
-- Tracy Brinkmann

 

 

The best way I have found to keep positive is to minimize the bumps in the road.  One of key things you can to reduce the turbulence along your flight to success is to take the wheel on the suggestive factors in your surroundings.  Take control of the things you are seeing, listening to and exposing yourself to.  Insure that these factors are consistently aligned with the goals you want to achieve in your life.

 

1 - Learn, Learn and Learn

Gain information in areas that will move you towards your goals.  Attend seminars; learn from those that have gone before you.  Take additional courses and learn everything you possibly can.  Find someone that has done what you want to do (or even part of what you want to do) and model them.  Read their book(s), listen to them live, read their articles, write them letters.  Invite them to a lunch, get their advice. You can cut months and even years off your trip to success by listening to and modeling your actions after those that have proven track records in areas that are vital to your success.

 

One great way of learning is audio programs.  Listen to educational and motivational programs in your car.  The average person drives over 12,000 miles annually.  That could be from 500 to 1,000 hours per year that you spend in your car, usually listening to music or someone else’s opinion on politics, the weather and the news.  You can quickly become an expert in your area of interest by simply turning off the radio and putting on some educational material instead.  You are going to be in the car anyway – why not turn it into a university on wheels.  I know of an interpreter then currently know 4 languages and is learning a 5th. Each of these languages he learned in his car.  You can even take your audio learning one step farther and listen to them while you are doing yard work, while you are painting the fence or going for a jog.

 

2 - See What You Want To Be

Every evening before you lay your head down to rest, and the first thing after your pick it up, picture your goals as already reached.  Imagine your goals as though they already existed.  Doing this will trigger your subconscious mind to see opportunities you might otherwise miss, and afford you the control to respond rather than react when life does not go the way you want it to.  However, your mind will only be activated when you feed it these affirmations and pictures in the present tense.  See your goal vividly, feel it, smell it, taste it as if you were living it in that very moment before you go to sleep, then again when you wake up.  Picture yourself performing at your best.  While this may seem like an odd technique, it is not.  This technique is used by many Olympians and pro athletes the world over.  They have lived that winning shot, jump or sprint thousands of times before the first time they actually execute it.  You can put this same winning technique to work for you by imagining the situation you are facing, and seeing it working out just the way you want it to.

 

Picture yourself living the level of success you want to enjoy.  See yourself with the kind of family relationships you desire, the level of fitness you wish to enjoy.  Picture yourself cruising down the road in your dream car.  Pulling up to that perfect house and parking that dream car in the garage.  Whatever it is your heart desires – feed it all the mental pictures of how you want it to be every night before you go to sleep, then again when you awake.  This will do wonders for your attitude and for enabling your creative intellect to naturally come up with solutions that will permit your imagined picture to become a reality.

 

3 - Fly With Eagles

I remember having a t-shirt when I was a teenage that said “It is hard to soar with the eagles when you fly with the turkeys.”  This is so very true on many levels.  You need to associate primarily with like-minded, positive and success oriented people.  Find a group of winners and soar with them.  If you loose your job, who do you think is going to help you deal with that and find another one.  The group of unemployed folks down at the local pub, complaining about the job market and their situations?  Or, a group of positive success oriented people getting together to network and locate new opportunities?  While the answer is obvious, many people do not take that obvious answer and make it a part of their action plan.

 

You can not fly with the eagles if you scratch with those turkeys.  Get away from the go no where types and most certainly get away from negative people.  Wean yourself as quickly as possible away from negative people.  They have a way of siphoning the positive energy from you and setting you adrift on a course you would rather not be on.  Associating with negative people on a regular basis is enough to lead you to a life of underachievement, failure and frustration.  So, only associate with positive thinking men and women!

 

Time To Take Action

• 
  
  Right now decide what one area or topic that you would like to increase your knowledge in.  Once you have decided on the topic – find a book, seminar or course on that topic and

  time management

Missing Memories And Focus

This podcast is going to be a little bit different - I was feeling something deeply emotional and HAD to share it with you.  I want you to know that I to have moments where I wonder... I cry... I scream.. I miss things from the past but its what you do next that counts so lets chat about that a moment shall we?  Click the link and listen to someone being REAL with you!

Click the link above to listen NOW!

Think Successfully & Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann

PS - be warned this episode isn't all smiles and bubbles....because after all life has tears in it doesn't it?

If for some reason the play button at the top of this post doesn't work Click Here To Listen NOW!

goal setting

Focus on Your Audience

Many readers of my blogs, articles and eBooks are business people either in corporations or in their own business, many are sales people and still others are in network marketing.  All these have a common thread.  At one time or another, often MANY times over – they are called upon to present information to an audience.  Whether that audience is one or one thousand, one thing that your audience will appreciate from you is focus.  It does not matter whether your audience is live in living color, reading your website, or like you right now, reading this blog post.  Each an every one of them will appreciate you getting focus so they can get the most out of the time they invest in ‘listening’ to you.  Give them the value they deserve by focusing on them.  In order for you to focus in on them via your subject you will need the following three things:

 

1. A Message


2. An objective


3. Knowledge of your audience

 

1 – Message – sit down and write a single sentence that states what you want your audience to remember.  Make sure it is simple.  Make sure it is clear.  This will become your overriding message and theme of your presentation, article or blog post.  Your message needs to be repeated throughout your presentation at least six times and most importantly driven home at the end of the speech.  Weave it throughout your talk like a binding thread to insure your audience remembers this message.

 

2 – Objective - Going into your presentation you should know the answers to questions like; do you want to motivate your audience? Entertain them? Inform them? Gather input or sell a product?  Sit down and answer this question – I want the audience to…

 

3 – Audience – In previous posts, audios and books I have stressed the benefits on knowing your audience.  Why are they interested in this topic?  After all, how you motivate a group of college students to save for their future will be far different then how you motivate a group of thirty-something business professionals that are parents.  So be sure to relate your message to their needs and issues.  Be sure to communicate to them how the action you want them to take will benefit them.

 

Gaining this focus early on in the creation of your presentation will guide you as you prepare the material.  Then you are ready to prepare your material.  By knowing these three essential pieces of information your information and its presentation will begin to take a life and flow in a way that makes sense.  But if you attempt to write the speech without this information you WILL struggle harder for not only what you should share but the manner in which you should share it.  You will risk spending time on talking points that are irrelevant and you will loose your audience.  Give them what they want, give them what they need and stay focused.

 

Think Successfully & Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann
Today’s Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs
http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com
http://SuccessAtlas.com

postive thinking

Journaling and Idea Generation

“If you're serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don't trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.” – Jim Rohn

 

While sitting listening to the 2004 Jim Rohn 3 day Leadership conference in Anaheim California, Jim Rohm made that a quote and I guess the time was right because it stuck with me that time.  I have tried journaling in the past but was never able to remain consistent with it.  However, these days I regularly journal my thoughts, ideas, events, emotions, etc successfully.  Keeping a journal helps me see where I have been; where I’m going and if I need to adjust my course along the way.  It helps me see those times when emotion was getting the better of me.

 

Where journaling really has proved to be its weight and gold is in idea generation.  Whenever I get an idea no matter how large or small I write it down.  If I don’t have my journal handy (which isn’t very often) I would grab a piece of paper and write down the idea and put it in my pocket then transfer it to my journal later.  These days, I keep one of those little digital voice recorders with me and when I get an idea or a thought I pick it up and click ‘REC’ and save the idea.

 

If you start recording your ideas the moment you get them, whether via paper/pen or digitally you will begin to get more and more ideas.  Trust me I speak from experience.  A short bit after I started my journal and voice recorder techniques the ideas began to flow like water.

 

In my next blog post I am going to to give you yet another way to prompt ideas for presentations, articles, books, product or whatever you might need it for.  Check back tomorrow, read the new post, give it a try and let me know how it works out of for you.

 

Think Successfully & Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann
Today’s Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Products

http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com
http://SuccessAtlas.com

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Mind Web - Spinning a Web of Ideas

Anyone who has had to give a presentation, write an article, create a training session or even give a quick talk to some children can probably quickly recall sitting in a dankly lit room, behind a desk covered with research material, a glazed look upon your face as you gaze at the stack of information you so desperately want to pull into a first rate piece.  You hope for some spark of genius, yet all you get is frustration and probably a headache.  You try harder and harder to pull together the words, thoughts and phrases to articulate your message, but your brain gives you nothing to work with.

 

Well, fear no longer for those days are over.  Today you are going to learn a technique that will pull out those ideas into a form that allows you to ‘see’ your message in a natural flow.  Once your see your message, writing that speech or presentation will come far easier than you ever expected.

 

I use this technique over and over again to create articles like the one you are currently reading.  The only downfall to this brain web or inspiration web as I prefer to call it is that I often get too many ideas and have to cut many of them out of the article I am writing.  But that is ok, for that leaves me with plenty of ideas for the next article, all ready and waiting for me to call upon them in a moments notice.  This even works for those times when you have only minutes before you have to stand before your audience.

 

So, let’s spinning a web of ideas.

 

The tools you will need to create your web are a pen, paper, and a timing device.  Larger paper is better, but standard 8 ½ x 11 paper will do as well.  In the center of this sheet of paper, write the topic of your presentation and draw a circle around your words.

Now take a few deep breathes, and stand up, yes that’s right, stand up.  Hold your head high and look up at the ceiling.  Throw your shoulders back, and puff out your chest proudly.  And smile a really huge smile.  The kind of smile you would see on the face of a child before opening that wonderfully wrapped present on their birthday or on Christmas morning.  Feel those feelings, the excitement and the thrill of finding what is within the brightly colored wrapping.  Breathe fully and deeply while doing this.  Open your mind – remember that for now there are no rules, no limitations.  This is the time for no-holds-barred idea creation.

Now, with those wonderfully energizing feelings pumping you up - set the timer for five minutes.  Sit down, grab your pen, and begin to write.  Write down every idea that comes to mind.  Write fast; do not let your pen stop moving.  Abbreviate so that you can get as many ideas down on your sheet as fast as possible.  What you will find is that you will be writing one idea and BANG the next one hits, then, before you even can finish writing that idea down, BANG another, then another BANG, and so on.  Write every thought that comes to mind, filling up your paper.  Don’t be concerned with spelling, grammar or neatness.  Make no judgments as you write during this five-minute period.  Only record the thoughts as they come to you. Your end goal right now is a vast number of ideas and thoughts.

While you are writing, circle each idea, and connect related ideas/thoughts with lines or even arrows.  Keep writing until the timer goes off.  Then relax, sit back and review your inspiration web.  Is it full of ideas?   It should be.  Did you make all the connections?  If not, make those obvious connections now. As before use lines, arrows or whatever you are comfortable with.

Take a break, ten to fifteen minutes is a good period of time.  During this break get away from your idea sheet, and take your mind off of it completely.  Then come back and look at the page.  By now a few main idea threads will become obvious on your web of lines or arrows.  Identify three to five ideas (five maximum for the best audience retention) that you want to cover.  Highlight or color-code them so they stand out on the page.  Now you have your topic and primary talking points.  Your lines and arrows will guide you in your flow from one speaking point to another.  I guarantee by this point your piece is taking direction in your head and you will be quite ready to begin putting it to paper.

 

Use this inspiration web technique anytime that you need to give birth to some creative ideas.  This technique will work not only on coming up with speaking points for your main topic; it will work in problem solving, product enhancement and innovation as well.

Think Successfully and Take Action!
Tracy Brinkmann
Today's Top Motivated Coach & Author of Success Atlas Programs
http://WriteYourSuccessStory.com
http://SuccessAtlas.com

time management

Discovering Happiness in Your Life

If there is one thing that I have learned in my 40+ years on this planet, it is that: Happiness is a choice.   I am serious, It is VERY true!  The choice is yours - You can choose to:

• let life's circumstances get you down
  or you can choose to:


• be happy no matter what challenges life brings you overcome

 

What I find that most people do not know is the fact that happiness is already within each and every one of us.  We, as a human race, are born to be naturally happy!  I mean think about it for  a moment;  have you ever noticed how infectious the sound of a baby's giggle is?   Or, if someone is having a serious belly laugh, you know the kind I am talking about, they are laughing so hard their eyes are watering and they can not speak.  Those two simple things, bring a smile to your face – if even for a moment.  However, for some reason, as we get older, we loose sight of the happiness that resides inside us, we forget where to find that happiness within ourselves and, instead, allow outside forces to determine our happiness.  Forces like, our job, a spouse, a sibling, money, cars, a house or other such tangible items.  Do not get me wrong all of these things can bring a level of happiness into your life, BUT if your not first looking inside for your happiness then the happiness these materialistic items will bring will be short lived  - shorter than even the warranty some come with.

 

So, with all that said, let me give you six tips that will enable you to discover your own happiness from within:

 

1. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Cliché, I know, however even the cliché can be oh so true. You do not have to let the troubles in your life and problems get you so down that you forgot the good that still resides in it – no matter how small it may seem. I mean lets face it, there will always be troubles, large and small, because no one is perfect, but YOU can choose your reaction to situations. Look at the positive side of things, even if that positive is nothing more then a lesson learned.   At first it you might have work hard to see the good in people and circumstances, but it will be time well spent and it will turn your perspective from one of doom and gloom to one of possibilities.


2. Find something you love to do and do it. Do you have a lifelong dream or desire? If so, start working toward it – NOW, even if you have to start doing it for free. Taking baby steps towards a dream or goal will help you feel like you're accomplishing something. This feeling of accomplishment will fuel your drive and determination to reach that goal especially when it's something you love to do.  I loved to speak in public – so I contact every service organization in my town and in the surrounding towns to offer a free speech – some said “No.”  However many said yes.  I shared a message I was passionate about, help educate others on the topic and built my skills – soon I was getting paid for the same thing I was doing for free.  Find your passion and go for it – it will fuel your desire, drive and happiness like nothing you can imagine!


3. Do you have a gift or talent you're not using? One reason so many people are unhappy is that they're not doing what they're called to do with their God-given talents. Each and every one of us has a purpose in life. You have natural gifts and talents to help you achieve your purpose, so use your gifts effectively!  Here is a key – your talents are something you are naturally good at even if you have not honed them yet.  Do you have some thing you have a ‘nack’ for?  Then perhaps that is a natural talent you need to give some attention to.  Also this usually links back to #2, and it is something that you enjoy doing (even if others thing you shouldn’t be doing it). 


4. When you're feeling down, don't wallow in your sorrows alone; do something about it. Call a friend who you know is positive and cheerful. Talk about your thoughts, and feelings, ten listen to their advice. So often, people allow themselves to go deeper and deeper into self-pity or depression because they think it has to be that way. The truth is, you don't have to be sad and you should not be. You can decide to be happy. You just have to make up your minds to do so.  Again, do not get me wrong – things will happen that make you sad, and at times you need to go through those feelings.  The key phrase is “to go THROUGH” the feelings – not get mired down in them.  A perfect example I remember back some years ago; I had a good friend whose girl friend left him.  He was quite upset and asked if I would chat with him.  Of course, happily I met him down at a local restaurant and we ate a good meal has some great discussions about his relationship and what potentially went wrong.  But as the evening wore on he drink another drink, and another and another.  He began to share his heartbreak story with anyone that would listen, wallowing in the feelings rather than coming out the other side.  Of course the next morning, he was still along, heartbroken and now he had a hang over to boot.  We tried again a few days later – this time at a place with no alcohol and I’m happy to say had came through his feelings much easier

   sha

Happy Thanksgiving – Take Time To Be Thankful!

It’s early in the morning the house is still asleep.  The smell of this years Turkey is already starting to fill the house.  Except for my dear old dog – I am alone with my bird, my thoughts and now you as you read this blog post.  While I always have a grateful attitude towards all I have been able to accomplish and all I know I am about to accomplish, recently however, my thanks has caused a swelling in my heart and my mind that I find a bit unbelievable.

 

It is the quiet serene moments like this that provide the opportune time look back at what has happened, look at today at what IS happening and out into tomorrow at what I want to happen.  Some time ago, I was sitting in my office looking around being thankful for the opportunity to work with such great people and give back.  I called my wife up told her how much I love her – another thing I am thankful for.  When I got home that night I gave my daughters extra hugs and kisses – two more beautiful things I am thankful for.  Recently, I was online with a few of my favorite people – people like you that I have met and learned from via social media and other online interactions.  All these things big and small are things that I give thanks for on a regular basis.

 

To this day I do not know what prompted that original swelling moment of deep gratitude – but I have remained just as grateful ever since.  This extra level of thankfulness has further improved my attitude, and helped me keep things in perspective as those bumps in the road come along.

 

Through all of this reflecting back, and visualizing forward I am EVER grateful for all that I have, have had and will have.  I would urge you to do the same.  Pausing for a moment to reground yourself by truly acknowledging what you have, not matter how small, will do wonders for your attitude as well as your outlook.

 

I wrote the following article on a Thanksgiving Day back in 2005 in the hopes of sharing this attitude of gratitude with those that might find it interesting– it still holds true today.  Whether you do or do not celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving I would urge you to start making every day a day of giving thanks.

 

 

When I joined the US Army back in the early eighties they taught me a number of survival skills.  I learned to live off the land, navigate that land with just a compass, where to find water, where to find food and more.  I learned to jump from airplanes and traverse terrain like a Billie-goat.  But even the US Army, with all their robust survival training did not teach me what I have come to realize is in fact a real survival skill – thankfulness.

 

In all the books I have read on personal development, as well as all the seminars, DVDs, studies, journals etc I have found a unifying thought on thankfulness:  “Be thankful for everything you have, while you pursue everything you want.” A simple truth, as most profound truths are, is that we should be thankful everyday for everything we have, everything we have received and everything we have accomplished (no matter how small).

 

As I look back over the course my life has taken, I realize that more than the years, and the experience they bring, resulted in where I am now.  It was also my thankfulness that pushed open doors of opportunity, blessings and unique experiences.  I am daily thankful for the lessons my parents taught me at an early age.  Lessons that pulled me through some dark times in my life.  I am thankful for close friends (thank you Robbie!) and a loving spouse (thank you Denise!) whose belief in me and my abilities NEVER faltered.  I am thankful for the mentors that came into my life and impacted it even in the smallest way.  I am thankful for the fortune 10 companies that I have worked with just as much as the companies with only 10 employees in their ranks.  All of these brought me to where I am and to each and every one of those I am ever grateful.

 

I look around at the world today and see great things happening, about to happen or opportunities for them to happen.  Of course I’m not so blind that I don’t see the concerns too, but to dwell only on that fact would narrow my mind on what the world has to offer.  In my life time I have seen the downing of the Berlin wall, watched democracy win out over tyranny numerous times and seen New York City as well as the entire United States pull together in the worst of times to help their fellow man.  No matter your country of origin, race, color, greed, background or culture all of you bring something unique to the table.  You as a person, as a country and we all as a world should be thankful.  Always come from a place of thanksgiving; look around and be truly thankful for what you already have and have done and you will see the wonders that come from one simple act.

 

Some tips on generating a thankful attitude:

 

•           Sit down with a sheet of paper and a pen and write down how good you have it.  Write down everything you are thankful for – no matter how small.  Doing this will begin to develop healthy, positive thought patterns and mold your attitude into one that will be more thankful all of the time.  If you have a spouse or children do this with them and you will be astounded by all the good things all of you can come up with.

 

•           Look down instead of up.  What I mean, is we spend so much time looking up the socio-economic chain to where we want to be, that we often lo

procrastination

Do You See The Forest Or The Tree?

Do You See The Forest Or The Tree?... pause to ask yourself what you see when it comes to goal setting.

success