Be honest with yourself!

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

Let me quote Goodman 1985…“Sometimes its better to be on the loosing side to then win for the right reason, rather than be on the winning side to then loose for the wrong reasons”
With this in mind lets discuss one of the fundamental problems we face in today’s society, across the globe and in every aspect of life. Whether it being in the realm of relationships, religion, our working environment and even politics; dishonesty is manifesting like a virus.
'Some people will not tolerate such emotional honesty in communication'. They would rather defend their dishonesty on the grounds that it might hurt others. Therefore, having rationalized their phoniness into nobility, they settle for superficial ‘relationships’.

Oliver Wendell said it the best; when he suggested that“children do pretty much all the honest truth telling in the world”.
This is very true indeed and it’s plain to see. At times when you look deeper into this trait, many successful men and women of today’s era have kept this ‘child-like’ honesty about themselves.

Their intentions and actions correlate very closely with their self-belief and not their ‘controlled’ beliefs. Due to the ridiculous amount of dishonesty we are bombarded with on a daily basis through, media, social dynamics, teaching institutions etc, we have to use our common sense to decipher what we allow our self to take in. After this point, “you win by how you ‘action’ the information into your life, that’s real motivation” TR Bentley-Woode

What am I getting at you ask?

Well let me ask you, what are the real reasons why you would: change your hair colour, wear certain clothing, associate with a certain demographic, choose a specific spiritual path, choose a certain university/college, choose a certain career path?... etc the list is endless. The question at the end of the day is, who is it for?

I’m sure you will be very quick to answer '…of course myself”, but please take a moment to really think about it thoroughly.

“It is not difficult to deceive the first time, for the deceived possesses no antibodies; unvaccinated by suspicion, she overlooks lateness, accepts absurd excuses, permits the flimsiest patching to repair great rents in the quotidian” John Updike.

SO here’s a start to the solution:
Honesty Life Circle: 
 
What I want you guys to do today is be 100% honest with yourself so you can progress and grow as an individual. 

and you can find out what aspects of your life your not being completely honest with, needs improving and by how much.

It is very simple, the diagram shows the number of points you can assign ranging from 1-10. 1 is the minimum amount of points which means you are totally dissatisfied and 10 is the maximum which means you are totally satisfied (i.e. there is no room for improvement. When you have completed the chart, simply connect the points. If you find that there are areas that you would like to improve, then go ahead and do it today.

Remember, according to Edgar J. Mohn “A lie has speed, but truth has endurance”. Try not to lie to yourself today. This is one of the best things you can do for yourself if you haven’t done it before!!

Have a honest week

Explore the honesty circle of life

The secret behind 'Motivation'

Over the last weeks, I have received numerous emails from some of you guys, concerning the topic your motivation and feeling uninspired to go on. I promised I would address it, as the topic of motivation is imperative to our success. Andrew Carnegie, often regarded as the second richest man in history, implied that "People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents". [Mediocrity is not our thing]

According to Goodman (1974), many of us link the notion of work and exercise with pain. Going to work, doing homework, in-fact washing the dishes was also included in this writing. Goodman’s writing proves very important in understanding why motivation and its practices are significant.

Have you ever wondered why every sporting champion or athlete receives a pep talk, listens to an uplifting audiotape or stares intensely at a family or loved ones picture before an activity or event is carried out? Their reasons are simple. They are aware of something most of us are not. They understand a secret!. They are aware that 'motivation' is temporary. They are conscious that for high levels of performance, they require a regular 'jab/dose' of pure unadulterated motivation.

When was your last dose of motivation?

Zig Ziglar hit the nail on the head, when he quoted "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."

I dare say, many of us are still running on last year’s dosage or even a spurt of motivation from 5/6/10 years ago. Yet you wonder why things are not how they should be. Follow my lead!

As humans beings, we all have reasons for doing anything, a notion we rightfully refer to as motive.

Tony Dorsett mentioned "To succeed...You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you". Ask yourself today, 'What is motivating me? What is my motive?'

Are you a student in your final academic year, who feels lethargic and uninspired. Then, re-asses your source of motivation. Believe me, you cannot just choose to be motivated. Real motivation must be drawn from an inner emotion, which arouses an action [motivation]. Reynolds (1963) suggested that 'motivation can be compared to a storage tank. You hold reservoirs of emotions, desires, wants, ect, and when it is needed, it is released and causes you to move in a certain direction.

After a number of attempts to find evidence to substantiate my understanding of the motivational theory. I came across this definition, which implied that. "...Motivation is the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the [your] action; that which gives purpose and direction to behaviour'.

Motivation is the [your] reason for action. It produces a sense of purpose and direction. Therefore, this is why your goals and desires are so important. They hold the emotional hall pass to the fulfilment of your destiny. You must understand that without motivation [motive], you will struggle to find the empowerment to carry out the necessary action to succeed (Bentley-Woode).

As I mentioned earlier, you must find ways of constantly topping up your motivational tank. For example, if you have a dream car, go an test drive that car, sit in it, take pictures of it and create an emotional attachment to it, this will be serve to inspire you when the need a burst of motivation when working towards attaining your car, etc.

Motivation must be drawn out of your desires. Spend today, writing down your desires and goals.

A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning (Pat Riley). Are you a champion?

Have a brilliant week

Just an idea!

Good Morning,
What is one of the most contagious thing we as humans have to live with everyday of our lives?... oh no its not the common cold, ice cream nor is any sort of reality TV show!!
Someone once said that “once it has taken hold of the brain its almost impossible to eradicate”……What could I possibly be talking about?
Can you guess yet? - Well… lets go deeper.
Characteristics:
•    It can form at an instant, at anytime, with life changing magnitude
•    It is usually represented by images and words
•    It needs to be understood before it gains its full power to captivate and infect others
•    It grows with knowledge
•    Time is a variable and not constant in its case
•    No one person is immune to it
•    It can blind your rationality
•    It has the power to make you the most successful person on the globe
As a young child it was through this period we become most susceptible to it. In fact as some of us grew older we became more conservative, in a way we lost the purity, possibly due to external influences we were bombarded with. What if there a way in which we could get it back?
There is!!…All it takes is a little bit of effort and desire!
Sometimes I wonder; which I’m sure most of you do, why we all differ in terms of our quality of life. Yes I agree that environment plays a huge part in ‘survival of the fittest’ nevertheless, how is it possible to hear about success stories where one day a person has nothing then the next they have everything their heart desires?
 
Philosopher David Hume once said, “In choosing the means to those ends, they shall follow their accustomed associations of ideas. Hume has contended and defended the notion that "reason alone is merely the 'slave of the passions”. According to Hume we have the choice to choose the end to our means.

So from this view point, if the topic of today is all about what the dictionary defines as; a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action, a mental impression or indeed the feeling  that something is probable or possible then why wouldn’t you choose the better ideas you create in your mind.
For example I get much feedback every week from you guys and therefore some of you can relate when I ask you why would you choose to work in a place you don’t really desire to be in instead of putting that extra effort in to carry out the idea you have of your dream job, or the idea you have of your dream house, your dream lifestyle etc. I implore you today to ask yourself “of all these IDEAS that infect my mind EVERYDAY and of all the IDEAS that will progress me further towards my goals in life which ones have I actually executed”.

A wise man once said, “an idea is powerless to manifest if not understood entirely” (Goodman 1985)
Believe me when I say a positive infectious idea that could change your life is the best ‘disease’ to ever have. Just look at what his has done for the world we live in today. I was told once that I should always “beware the ‘emperor who is proud of his new clothes simply because the salesman tells him he should be”. We live in a society where control is overtaking our freedom to have IDEAS…have your own IDEAS try not to let others and society infect you with theirs.
Have a blissful week

People Added Value [PAV]

I would like to use this opportunity to welcome our new subscribers. I am confident that you will gain, learn and be empowered to reach your hearts desires. Thank you for coming on the journey of success with us. I am sure you will enjoy the dynamic ride.

However, today, I feel that things should be done slightly different. I would like to use this platform to talk about someone else, your neighbour, your parents, your best friend. Infact, anyone who is not you.

I am sure we are all aware of the substantiated theory of sowing & reaping [Law of return, Karma, Cause & Effect, etc]. These theories all imply that if you carry out a particular action, you will be rewarded/recompensed, in a positive or negative form. Regardless, no matter what happens, you will be retributed. With this in mind - As I mentioned above Today is not about you, it is not about what you will gain from your effort or energy expended. It is about your family, it is about our future, it is about your friends and most importantly about somebody else. Follow me!

Over time I have come to understand the power in People Added Value [PAV]. Firstly 'Value' is generally described as the 'Concepts of worth', in support the Oxford English Dictionary defines Value as '... importance'. Therefore People Added Value [PAV] refers to the importance or worth we choose to place on people.

"If people did not prefer reaping to sowing, there would not be a hungry person in the land" Unknown author

Let us Today do some thing that will cause a rippling effect in our societies, communities and overall our greed-driven and self-rewarding capitalist nation. Today I believe if we are willing to forgo our benefits and become selfless, we can make a difference.

Jan Denise, author on behavioural patterns, could not have made a greater statement, she suggested that "...Today, I will know the unadulterated joy of giving with no strings. I acknowledge that sometimes I hope for praise or reciprocation when I give... and that detracts from the joy of giving. Today, the giving will be my joy... I will sow for the joy of sowing..." .  Say it and do it 'Today Giving will be my joy'.

Regardless of your circumstance Today, many of us are in a more fortunate position than others. Let us begin to utilise this blessing and Start Today to Give without the need for instant gratification. I urge you, to give not to receive this week. Give because it is the right. PAV can change an entire nation. PAV can gradually encourage social responsibility and involvement. Joseph Smith, Jr noted, 'If my life is of no value to my friends it is of no value to myself'.

Try these - A number of ways we can make a difference this week - Examples

1. Help an impaired person[s]
2. Give a word of encouragement or compliment to a stranger [you never know what they are going through]
3. Donate to a charity [The make a wish Foundation is an exceptional charity]
4. Donate 1 hour to volunteering [Regardless of your schedule we can all spare 1 hour - Maybe dont watch Eastenders]
5. Buy a friend or family a book
6. Give a stranger a gift [Nothing illegal please]
7. Tutor a child
8. Give some unwanted/wanted items to charities

Feel free to tell us some of your suggestions on how to make a world a more pleasant place to live. I am eager to hear some of your plans.

TR Bentley-Woode (1985) suggested that one must "remember that the society we create now will influence your future generation. Make it habitable".

Have a brilliant day

How Do You Live?

Happy Morning,

Ponder on this 'in order for us to understand life it seems we must first understand ourselves, for that is where true success originates and yet we don’t seem to understand ourselves in the slightest'.

Once upon a time someone suggested ‘If you were brought up with wolves, lions and tigers all tamed and you walked into the jungle… you wont live very long'.  – Is this true?...of course!

You may become the strongest in your camp, the most intelligent, the most influential, powerful, beautiful etc… nevertheless they all do not mean anything until you ask yourself IN RELATION TO WHO/WHAT?

Most of us continue with everyday living not REALLY knowing ‘who we are’. It is very easy to fall into a circular routine that doesn’t necessarily have our true desire as the end goal. By encountering situations that challenge your mind, body and spirit to face new challenges everyday is the only way in which we can really get to know ‘who we are’; because according to ‘experience uncovers your true character’ (T R Bentley-Woode) 

Most of the time we live in a state of gratitude or perspective. Both are equally powerful to help us discover our true potential. Where gratitude, in the form of appreciating the little things in life, is vital to living in the moment, Perspective helps us step out of the emotional grit of the moment and attempt to see a broader view. The winners in life are the ones who can LIVE IN BOTH STATES CONTINUOUSLY!

The battle for your dreams can never be won if you lose the war within yourself. I have come across so many talented young individuals who strive to achieve the best in life but get trapped with the whirlpool of confusion simply because of how they choose to live; their self image, YES EGO.

I once read that ‘in order for one to achieve a state of mind that is the most effective for progression the most important thing is to control their ego. Ego is that part of the human mind which has opinions about everything and everyone. A person who is blinded by the ego is constantly making opinions about others who surround him. He/she would be spending more time with his ego and ego-ridden thought process and so would find that nothing is left for him/her to observe in the same beautiful world except irrelevant thoughts. It is crippling and frustrating, furthermore he/she is caught in his web of thought processes, whereas others might not be watching or even thinking about him anymore’. So then I ask you again "If you were brought up with wolves, lions and tigers all tamed and you walked into the jungle’’...would you be able to survive and for how long???

Get to know and control yourself it is the only way

Have a brilliant week!

 

Be Different!

Conformity is a choice, being different is also a choice we need to make.

This week is going to be slightly different! We invited one our subscribers on board in order to inspire and get you prepared for the hectic week ahead. Charles Aji an avid follower, had a inspiring message he wanted to share. So here goes.

Hi Guys,

Let me begin by telling you a story about James, a young boy. All he ever wanted was to be loved. So he thought, to make my parents love me, I will only do the things that pleases them. To make my friends like me, I would talk, act and be like them. What James failed to realise was that he craved and longed for something called 'conditional love'.

Conditional love is generally described as the appreciation you receive, which is only dependent on you acting a certain way. What James doesn't know is that this act of 'conformity' was an habit that would later limit how great he could become.

Now let me ask you a question; 'Are you sacrificing your uniqueness just to receive that 'pat on the back'? I am sure a lot of you are shaking your heads and thinking to yourselves...I do not conform to anyone's expectation of me! I am only doing me! But think about it for a moment - Who are you so eager to please that you would do absolutely anything to make them accept you?
I read a quote once, which suggested "If you can easily spot me from the crowd...that is an interest that I would continuously invest in. For this is where my value lies". Individuality speaks volumes!!

To be different is to live a life of your own creation. Not a life shaped and formed by the opinions and views of others.

A friend of mine wrote a thesis on the human nature and how it relates to self interest. His thesis was based on the notion that human beings are only interested in what will generally make them happy. In other words, my expectation of you is something that would only please me and add value to me. Thus, conforming to someone elses expectations, will serve you no interest.

Can I ask you a question; would you ask a blind man for directions to your destination?

Everyone knows the story of the three blind mice. - The question is - which one of them was leading the rest?

A blind leading the blind; do they know where their destination lies or how would they know when they have arrived? Now ask yourself this; am I been led astray by blind, old, outdated beliefs or perceptions of those who I have grown to respect and love?

If you want to succeed, you must be willing to think beyond common sense or conventional wisdom. You must be able to see things differently, in different shades and outcome. Be prepared for criticism and rejection because there are many people who will tell you it cannot be done. Malcolm Muggeridge once said..."Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream".

Take a look at all the people who have ever changed our way of life; the Wright brothers, Alexander Graham bell.. These guys had a radical way of thinking. They refused to conform and chose to be different.

Will Smith, the famous American actor once said ''Being realistic is the most common travelled road to mediocrity". Imagine coming up with the idea for the first telephone or Airplane, these guys were ridiculed and regarded as unreasonable and unrealistic. But look around you, these guys forged the way into a future we all live in and enjoy.

So come on, do one thing today which you have never done before; Challenge an assumption and Ask yourself; what if?

As you go along this journey, you will start to map out your own uniqueness and discover yourself in the process.

Have a brilliant and daring week!