Become a Master of Change

http://learninginrussia.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/master-in-change-management/ When to change? - What to change? - How to change?    For most of us, the thought of change can send us into a panic attack. For some of us, we might fear change because it disrupts our sense of security and consistency by challenging our perceptions. As much as we crave stability and security, change is an inevitable part of life and we can either choose to embrace it or resist it.   From the minute we are born, our body remains in constant change and resisting it only makes it harder to get through it. Resistance to change isn't because we purposely want to go against the grain; we do it because we're fearful of the unknown outcome. We don't know what's on the other side and for no rational reason we resist it, thinking that will help us.    The fear of change comes from the fact that change challenges the perceptions and beliefs that our life is built upon. When change challenges our perceptions, we are forced to step outside our comfort zone, and that's uncomfortable. Additionally, when our perceptions are challenged, so is the ground our life is built upon. We are forced through change, to refine our perceptions and belief systems that we thought were true. Let's face it, when the very perceptions and belief system your life is built on is threatened, it can be uncomfortable. But it can also be very rewarding and exciting.   Change is the inevitable constant refinement of our being. Whether you want it or not, change is inevitable. Inaction and resistance cannot completely stop change; it will only lessen your personal growth and add frustration to your life. You will become stagnant and remain inside the boundaries of a very limited life while everyone and everything grows around you. You aren’t reading this article to stay the same, and I don’t believe we were put on this earth to be stagnant - you want to grow and improve. Wouldn't you like to discover your potential? What about becoming a better person for you, your family, and the world?    Life is really a series of changes and each change is a challenge. It's an opportunity for us to learn - to grow - to expand. Some changes might be small while others may be large, but they each bring the opportunity to learn something new about yourself and the world around you. With each new lesson you learn from the previous challenge, you become more adept at applying what you've learned to future growth and challenges. Change actually becomes much easier to handle because when you come out the other side, you gain valuable skills and experiences that you can apply to the rest of your life. Instead of being fearful, you may even have fun being more open to change because you know your life will be that much better.    With a constant refinement of perceptions and beliefs, change goes from sending us into a panic attack to being just another task we successfully complete. It goes from being a major incident to a whole new exciting adventure. With every change you make in your life, you become more adept at building solid ground no matter what the situation; and rationally dealing with your fear instead of allowing your perceptions to falsely magnify it. Change becomes fun and exciting, and you learn to actually welcome it. Here's how you become a master of change:   Inaction and Resistance Carries Bigger Consequences There's no way out and around it. Choosing inaction or resistance to change carries bigger consequences than choosing to face the change head-on in the first place. You are an ever changing person in an ever changing world and resistance just adds fear and frustration to every situation. Learn to be open to creating new and exciting adventures that change will bring.   Focus on the Desired End Result Worrying about what might happen will not help you deal with what's at hand. Focus on where you want to be when the change is complete. The mind has an uncanny way of being a goal-achieving machine and will create your reality based on the thoughts you are focused upon. You want to keep your desired end result in mind at all times, and only think about what you want to happen not what you don't want to happen. What got you to where you are today isn’t what will take you where you want to be. Look at your long-range desired results and embark on a new journey to even greater outcomes. Rationalize Your Fear   Fear is a natural response, but try to identify what it is you are afraid of. Fear is usually the result of our mind creating hypothetical dramas that have no base in reality. If you find yourself fearful of the outcome of an impending change, ask yourself what you're afraid of. There is a solution to everything and when you rationalize your fear, you can see that you are going to be just fine. You can just suck it up, and as Nike says, "Just Do It." Do what you are afraid of doing and reap the benefits. You will quickly discover that the experience of change wasn’t worth all that anxiety over the unknown. Each time you rationalize the fear, you will have greater courage to "Just Do It" in the future. Break it into Manageable Pieces   For major changes, break it down into smaller manageable pieces. It's much easier to identify a solution when you can apply a strategy to deal with each step. When you know what you're going to do each step of the way, you can get to the end result with confidence and a rational strategy.   Last but not least, celebrate your victories. Each time you felt the fear and did it anyway, you were victorious and reaped the benefits of showing that you are a champion! Little by little you'll learn to trust your abilities more and to handle anything that comes your way. When you rationalize the fear and create successful strategies, you come out a winner on the other side. Look at change as a fun and exciting adventure. Reap the many rewards! You can resist change, but only temporarily. When you resist the natural flow of the world, which is based on change, your life becomes a series of challenges that are amplified by your resistance. Resist them and you become a victim - embrace them and you become a true master of change. I have lived a long life and had many troubles, most of which never happened. MARK TWAIN Celebrated American author "Life and business are like the changing seasons. You can't change the seasons, but you can change yourself." - Jim Rohn

Success Is Who You Are

Self-Belief Is The Key To Success The major problem with self-belief is that one way or the other we are somehow programmed to focus on our faults rather than our abilities and attributes. With this way of thinking, your intention to remedy the faults can no longer affirm a strong self-belief.  http://www.richardaluck.com/videos/a-rapid-way-to-increase-your-self-belief/   You should focus on developing your capacity and abilities to understand your natural talent and strengthen your belief in yourself. Everyone is unique in his or her way. There is nobody in this world that is exactly like you. People fail in their life endeavors because they try to be like someone else, do not try to replicate someone’s career path or style. You will weaken your resolve and hinder your own progress by doing so.   Believe in yourself, what you can do and how you can do it differently to anyone else and this will offer more than any other person. When you look in the mirror, you should see individual who cannot be compared. There is uniqueness in this individuality, irreplaceable in its one right. You cannot begin to find success without self-belief. The luck and circumstances that is required for you to attain your goals can only manifest if you believe in yourself. http://www.bryandunlop.com/blog/Get-your-team-on-a-roll-with-confidence-and-self-belief   How is anybody going to believe in you if you do not believe in yourself? You will glow like a beacon attracting all the positive circumstances of success if you have self-believe. This is the simple way the world works, as you project your plans consider this perspective and work on this aspect of development. Make a change   "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writing so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for." "Socrates" When you spend time improving yourself, you become better person and develop your self-image, the easiest way to get there is to follow what others have to impact through their life experience.   The issues about out our appearance, how we are perceived and understood may, to a great extent, affect self-confidence in ourselves. Our upbringing and circumstances of our childhood and education can make us develop negative beliefs about ourselves. Those people with an obvious charisma have no such problems, and with the power of self-belief can forge a clear path towards their goals and ambitions.   More often than not, it is not just talent that uplift these people. Many averagely talented people scale the heights of their chosen fields, based on their self-belief and an unstoppable drive to succeed. We go to school, get qualification and pay our dues in order to advance ourselves in jobs, in status and in life style, but we neglect the one thing that can guarantee success with all certainty – self-belief.

Have you ever wondered why some people are  always happy, healthy and wealthy? Is your  life not where you want it to be? Go and download this complete guide which will help you not only  discover why, but also help you implement what you find! For articles on self improvement and personal  development go to:http://madeforsuccess.blogspot.com and http://jobopenng.com for free jobs and career search.

Have you found your purpose in life?

http://drjockers.com/2014/04/live-life-purpose/   Do you know what is driving you? Why are you working so hard and doing so much to get what you want? Do you know your purpose for being here?   It seems strange that most of the time we go through life without any real purpose of our own. At times we do achieve great things and have the appearance of having a wonderful life. We may even have every material thing we could ever want and be successful at our careers, businesses and every thing else. But, as many who have achieved success will tell you, you can still feel empty inside and your life can still lack real meaning.   Have you ever noticed that everything has a purpose in life. The trees, ants, bees, birds and every living thing have a purpose for being. Human beings, whatever you believe their origin to be, are the greatest of all of nature’s wonders. Why then are most of them so purposeless in their existence?   It seems like many of us exist simply to exist. We live year in and year out as though living itself is our ultimate goal. If we make enough money and have enough things to get us through to the next year we are satisfied. Surely, there is more to our lives than that?   If you are anything like most people you are probably waiting for some miraculous experience that will tell you why you are here and what you must do. Such moments do occur for some people, but they are the exception and not the rule.   The fact is, most people already have the starting point for knowing their purpose in life.   It may be something that interests you, excites you, inspires you, or just that small voice in the back of your head that tells you you ought to be doing something.These are often the clues that hold the answer to finding your purpose. Unfortunately, they are often the clues we tend to ignore or suppress. Yes, they may not be complete clues. Certain pieces of the puzzle may be missing. But these pieces can only be found once we decide to set off on the journey. http://purposedriven.com/books/pdlbook/#purpose   Making that decision is the key. Therefore, (1) decide that there is purpose to your life. Then (2) decide to commit yourself to finding your purpose.   Without these two decisions being settled in your mind you will wonder through life like almost everybody else out there: busy, but achieving nothing.   Deciding to find your purpose will set you on the right track and make your mind receptive and ready to see every day things in a new light.   However, you have to seek out the answers. Read books that make you think, watch inspiring movies, spend time with the right people, develop your interests and passions. All this is part of keeping your mind in the right environment, an environment that is right for your very own "a-hah moment".   There is no way in the world anyone can do what I have just described to you and end up living a meaningless life. One piece at a time the puzzle will become clear and complete.   You will discover your purpose, and when you do, it will likely not be some experience where you got hit on the head and nearly knocked out by the revelation. It will come naturally.   It will be something that combines most of your life’s experiences and your abilities into one perfect purpose. It will be something you probably had a clue about all along. However, don’t ever make the mistake of wanting to know everything before you start anything. Start where you are with what you have and with what you know.   Gentle reader, awake to the fact that you are already all you can be. You simply have to be brave enough to make the decision to go out there and be it.

Calvin Dorman is a Professional Graphic Design Consultant and Web Marketing Lecturer from Cape Town, South Africa, offering companies and individuals a more effective web marketing solution in terms of web traffic, conversion rate and cost. Send Calvin an email: info@calvinbusiness.co.za or give him a call now on 084 632 6622. Read all Calvin's articles at http://www.calvinbusiness.co.za

Who's the Boss? 7 Ways to Take Control of Your Mind

https://www.marketcircle.com/blog/boost-your-productivity-with-positive-thoughts/   At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and time management have nothing to do with one another. But many of us who are natural born clutters develop negative thinking patterns because we become exasperated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative attitude then makes it more difficult to control our feelings and move forward.   Practicing positive thinking allows you to focus on your accomplishments, which increases happiness and improves motivation. This, allows you to spend more time getting things done, and less time feeling stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns: 1. Take Good Care of Yourself   It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest. Commit to doing something good every day. Start with a single effort, maybe it's eating just one healthy meal if you keep that up then it will be 2 healthy meals until you choose to eat healthy all the time. Sometime failure comes from trying to make a 360 degree change in one day. 2. Be Unceasingly Grateful   Daily Stressors won't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself about the things that are right in life. Take just one minutes every day to stop and appreciate the good things will makes an enormous difference. 3. Avoid Absolutes   Have you ever caught yourself saying (or thinking) to family or friends "You're ALWAYS late!" or criticized a good friend by saying "You NEVER call me?" Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering. 4. Disconnect From Negative Thoughts   Unfortunately, most of us have had the wrong kind of programing most of our life. Year after year, word by word, our life scripts were etched. We begin to believe what we've been told by others and most of it negative. Now here's the good news your thoughts can't hold any influence over you if you don't judge them as true. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, disconnect from it. Don't argue with it don't judge it as bad just notice and let it go. 5. Practice You've Got That Lovin feeling - Give a Hug   You don't have to be a genius to know the value of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant stress buster. Giving a hug serves to benefits, first you get instant stress relief, second you make somebody else feel mighty good.! 6. Get Out and Get social   By increasing social activity, you reduce loneliness, and keep your mind on things other than yourself and your challenges. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way! 7. Volunteer Give a Hand To Get a Hand   Everyone feels good after helping somebody else. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.   We all want to be more productive. But that can be pretty tuff when you don't control how you spend your time. One of the biggest time wasters is the inactivity that occurs when you feel stressed and ruminate on all the negative things that may come into your day. Positive thinking is more than just a good thing to do, it's emotionally healthy and can make you financially wealthy. http://dominicaapplegate.com/tap-power-positive-thinking/

Finding Your Passion

A really good friend of mine is always saying "when you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life". It’s a mantra and quote that has stuck with me for many years now and words of wisdom I live by and have imparted to my kids and clients alike. The way I see it is you have at least two choices. You find your bliss or passion in a career or hobby and you go for it or you find a way to be passionate about your current career.  http://hostagencyreviews.com/find-a-travel-niche/ Here are some strategies to help you find your passion: 1. Satisfaction Check – Look at each area of your life and determine your level of satisfaction with each area. You should consider your career, finances, health and wellness, relationship with your significant other, family and friends, personal growth and development, physical surroundings, fun and recreation and anything else that is important to you. I like to rate each area on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest level of satisfaction (your bliss) and 1 being a low or no level of satisfaction. Then I suggest taking a good hard look at each area to analyze the gap. Determine what would have to happen or change for the gap to be reduced or eliminated. For example: If you rated your career a 7 out of 10. What would make your satisfaction level with your career a 10? Perhaps more clients, less travel time to work, a better relationship with your boss, etc. Once you've identified all the items that could make a difference in your level of satisfaction you need to commit to action. Taking even one action will move you one step closer to a higher level of satisfaction in that area of your life.  2. Values Check - Know what’s important to you. Being really clear about your values and what’s most important to you helps you make better decisions more often. Make a list of what’s most important to you in your life right now. Then rank everything on the list from highest priority to lowest priority. Take a really close look at your top 5 values. These are your most important values. How closely aligned are these top 5 values to how you spend your time day to day? What have you been neglecting that’s really important to you? Many successful people put as much time and thought into what they do in their time away from the office as they do in the office. Can you make connections between what you do for a living and what’s important to you? For example: perhaps you have an expensive hobby you are passionate about i.e. race car driving or flying planes. You are in a high paying career that you perhaps don’t love but it provides you with the time and money to race cars or fly planes. Find ways to love your work or at least be grateful for your career as it is providing you with the means to follow your passion of racing cars or flying planes-there is a connection to your values, there is a sense of purpose. http://mythatsenglish.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-important-in-life.html   3. Competencies Check – Before leaving my corporate career of 26 years to start my own business, I did some planning and strategizing to determine the type of business I wanted to be in. In the business world it is common to conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Applying this same management tool can be very effective when applied personally. Start with an assessment of your personal strengths and weaknesses. What are you really good at? What aren’t you so good at? Engage others to provide you with feedback in these areas as well. You may be surprised by hidden talents you have taken for granted or haven’t been using. Consider opportunities available to you today to utilize and optimize your strengths. For example: There are careers and businesses in existence today that weren’t around 26 years ago when I first started my professional career. The world is constantly changing and evolving and so are the opportunities. Look for the opportunities or create some new ones. As for threats, it’s important to recognize that they do exist and to plan to minimize or mitigate any risks.  4. Mindset Check – Lastly, it’s important to recognize that no one or one thing can make you happy. Only you can make yourself happy!  Based on my experience as a career coach I have found that many people find it easier to be accountable to someone else than it is to be accountable to oneself. A coach can support you by working with you to help you find your passion, determine your career and life goals and then hold you accountable every step of the way.

Linda Cattelan is a Professional & Life Coach, Certified Trainer & Master Practitioner of NLP and a Contributing Author of The Power of Women United an inspirational book on networking. If you are interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in any area of your life, join our mailing list at http://www.resultscatalyst.ca/?page=newsletter Receive valuable information on these topics and regular updates about upcoming events and workshops.