31st Jan 2005

Happiness self help Blog about Creating and Protecting your Image and Repuptation

A small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand in a trial – a grand motherly, elderly woman.

He approached the woman and asked, “Mrs. Brown, do you know me?”

She responded, “Why, yes, I do know you Billy Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy.

And frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs.

You think you’re a rising big shot when you haven’t the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.”

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do he pointed across the room and asked, “Mrs. Brown, do you know the defense attorney?”

She again replied, “Why, yes I do. I’ve known Tommy Bradley since he was a youngster, too.

I used to baby-sit him for his parents. And he, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He’s lazy, bigoted, he has a drinking problem.

The man can’t build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him.”

At this point, the judge rapped the courtroom to silence and called both lawyers to the bench.

In a very quiet voice, he said with menace, “If either of you asks her if she knows me, you’ll be in jail for contempt within 5 minutes!”

So, How strong is your reputation for honesty, integrity and honour?

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Happiness self help blog about Women’s view of MEN are like:

Men are like….. Placemats. They only show up when there’s food on the table.

Men are like….. Mascara. They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

Men are like….. Bike helmets. Handy in an emergency, but otherwise they just look silly.

Men are like….. Government bonds. They take so long to mature.

Men are like….. Copiers. You need them for reproduction, but that’s about it.

Men are like….. Lava lamps. Fun to look at, but not all that bright.

Men are like….. Bank accounts. Without a lot of money, they don’t generate much interest.

Men are like….. High heels. They’re easy to walk on once you get the hang of it.

Men are like….. Curling irons. They’re always hot, and they’re always in your hair.

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Happiness self help blog:

Problem Solving

Fortunately, problems are an everyday part of our life. Consider this: If there were no problems, most of us would be unemployed.

Realistically, the more problems we have and the larger they are, the greater our value to our employer. Of course, some problems are small, like opening a ketchup bottle. Others are monumental like a seriously ill or injured child or mate, which present ongoing, daily complications.

Successful living comes when we learn to handle those business and personal problems with as little fanfare as possible. The successful business executive can handle challenges and solve problems at a remarkable clip.

He/she makes quick and final decisions as a result of years of experience. The homemaker with small children at home handles many “catastrophes” each hour with the same dispatch.

Many people use counter-productive methods to deal with problems: They refuse to recognize them, deny responsibility for them, pretend they will go away if they ignore them, or are just flat insensitive to them.

The first step in solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist. Next, we determine whether the problem is our responsibility.

If the answer is yes, we must determine how serious and/or urgent it is. When that last determination is made, we either take immediate action if the problem is simple and quickly solvable or develop a plan of action and prioritize it if the solution is more difficult and time-consuming.

Problem solving becomes a very important part of our makeup as we grow into maturity or move up the corporate ladder.

I encourage you to take the time to define the problem correctly, learn the skill of quick analysis and remember, if it weren’t for problems in your life, your position might not be necessary in the first place.

Ironing out the wrinkles and solving the problems is what most jobs are about. Think about it, and I’ll See You At The Top!

Article by Zig Ziglar

To receive more information about Zig Ziglar and/or to purchase his best-selling CDs and books, including How to Stay Motivated 3 Vol. Program, Secrets to Closing the Sale, Courtship After Marriage and Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World go to www.jimrohn.com

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28th January 2005

Happiness personal development famous quotes – self help blog:

To attract attractive people, you must be attractive. To attract powerful people, you must be powerful. To attract committed people, you must be committed. Instead of going to work on them, you go to work on yourself. If you become, you can attract.

We can have more than we’ve got because we can become more than we are.

The big challenge is to become all that you have the possibility of becoming. You cannot believe what it does to the human spirit to maximize your human potential and stretch yourself to the limit.

Pity the man who inherits a million dollars and who isn’t a millionaire. Here’s what would be pitiful: If your revenue grew and you didn’t.

The most important question to ask on the job is not “What am I getting?” The most important question to ask on the job is “What am I becoming?”

It is hard to keep that which has not been obtained through personal development.

After you become a millionaire, you can give all of your money away because what’s important is not the million dollars; what’s important is the person you have become in the process of becoming a millionaire.

What you become directly influences what you get.

Personal development quotes by Jim Rohn www.jimrohn.com

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27th January 2005

Become a Good Observer

We must never allow a day to pass without finding the answers to a list of important questions such as: What is going on in our industry?

What new challenges are currently facing our government? Our community? Our neighborhood?

What are the new breakthroughs, the new opportunities, the new tools and techniques that have recently come to light?

Who are the new personalities that are influencing world and local opinion?

We must become good observers and astute evaluators of all that is going on around us.

All events affect us, and what affects us leaves an imprint on what we will one day be and how we will one day live.

One of the major reasons why people are not doing well is because they keep trying to get through the day.

A more worthy challenge is to try to get from the day. We must become sensitive enough to observe and ponder what is happening around us.

Be alert. Be awake. Let life and all of its subtle messages touch us.

Often, the most extraordinary opportunities are hidden among the seemingly insignificant events of life.

If we do not pay attention to these events, we can easily miss the opportunities.

So be a good observer of both life and the world around you.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

www.jimrohn.com

Please visit the site of my personal hero, and subscribe to his free newsletter, for weekly articles like this.

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26th January 2005

Happiness self help blog for:

Best Headlines of 2004

We all know that bad news and tragedy make headlines, so once in a while it’s nice to see some humorous headlines, intentional or otherwise. Most of these have been around for a long time, so I make no guarantees that they occurred in 2004, or that they ever appeared in any newspaper, for that matter. I only promise they’ll make you chuckle.
Enjoy.

Something Went Wrong
in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[no, really?]

Police Begin Campaign
to Run Down Jaywalkers
[now that’s taking things a bit far!]

Panda Mating Fails;
Veterinarian Takes Over
[what a guy!]

Miners Refuse to Work
after Death
[good-for-nothin’ lazy so-and-sos!]

Juvenile Court to
Try Shooting Defendant
[see if that works better than a fair trial!]

War Dims Hope
for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]

If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly,
It May Last Awhile
[you think?!]

Cold Wave Linked
to Temperatures
[who would have thought!]

Enfield (London) Couple Slain;
Police Suspect Homicide
[they may be on to something!]

Man Struck By Lightning
Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]

Astronaut Takes Blame
for Gas in Spacecraft
[That’s what he gets for eating those beans!]

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]

Hospitals are Sued
by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]

And the winner is….

Typhoon Rips Through
Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

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25th January 2005

Happiness self help blog for some Fun:

Sports Commentator’s Famous Quotes:

“And here’s Moses Kiptanui, the 19 year old Kenyan, who turned 20 a few weeks ago.”
(David Coleman)

“Its a great advantage to be able to hurdle with both legs”
(David Coleman)

“We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite.”
(Murray Walker)

After playing Cameroon in the 1990 world cup finals: “We didn’t underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought.”
(Bobby Robson)

On the difficulties of adjusting to playing football and living in Italy: “It was like being in a foreign country.”
(Ian Rush)

Jimmy Hill: “Don’t sit on the fence Terry. What chance do you think Germany has of getting through?
Terry Venables: “I think it’s 50-50.”

“I was in a no-win situation, so I’m glad that I won rather than lost.”
(Frank Bruno)

“There’s going to be a real ding-dong when the bell goes.”
(David Coleman)

“There is Brendan Foster, by himself, with 20,000 people.”
(David Coleman)

“The lead car is absolutely unique, except for the one behind it which is identical.”
(Murray Walker)

“I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.”
(Greg Norman)

“There have been injuries and deaths in boxing, but none of them serious.”
(Alan Minter)

“Watch the time. It gives you an indication of how fast they are running.”
(Ron Pickering)

“Just under 10 seconds for Nigel Mansel. Call it 9.5 seconds in round numbers.”
(Murray Walker)

“A brain Scan revealed that Andrew Caddick is not suffering from stress fracture of the shin.”
(Jo Sheldon)

“That’s inches away from being millimetre perfect.”
(Ted Lowe)

“I’ll fight Lloyd Honeyghan for nothing if the price is right.”
(Marlon Starling)

“If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.”
(Terry Venables)

“I can’t tell who’s leading. It’s either Oxford or Cambridge.”
(John Snagge – Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge)

“The Queen’s Park Oval, exactly as its name suggests, is absolutely round.”
(Tony Crozier)

You just gotta luv ’em – don’t you?

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24th January 2005

Self help Blog:
Give Yourself A Valentine This Year.
Self-Care: The Antidote For Burnout

During the month of February, give yourself a valentine by scheduling on your calendar or to-do-list something that you love to do.

You’ll not only feel calmer and less burned out, you’ll find your fatigue melting away and a new energy surging through you.

People procrastinate about the most surprising activities.

Rita Emmett, author of The Procrastinator’s Handbook, says that in her 22 years of presenting “Blast Away Procrastination Seminars”, the biggest changes she’s seen in procrastinators is that all those years ago, people put off what they hated to do.

Now they still procrastinate about what they hate, but they also put off things they love to do.

“At every seminar, people tell me that even though they want to, they never have time to spend with their family or friends, no time to read books they love, or to exercise or get out in nature or a hundred and one other activities that they genuinely love to do” Rita explained.

This points out that people do not give a high priority to Self-Care, and the result of that is Burnout.

Many people think they burnout from having too much to do, but Rita believes that if these people could magically eliminate some of their activities, it would be like taking a bucket of water out of a lake.

More “things to do” would pop up, and fill in all the empty spots on the calendar with new and different activities. And people would still be as busy as ever.

The secret to preventing Burnout is to take care of yourself and add to your daily calendar some activities that you truly enjoy, something that recharges your battery, that generates enthusiasm and energy, or at least a good feeling.

During the month of February, give yourself a valentine by scheduling on your calendar or to-do-list something that you love to do.

You’ll not only feel calmer and less burned out, you’ll find your fatigue melting away and a new energy surging through you.

Stumped for ideas for adding enjoyment to your life? Here are some suggestions.

Maybe none of these will grab you, but the hope is that they will open your mind or your heart to start a new, healthier, more balanced, more tranquil, less stressed way of life.

20 Ideas for Self-care:

1. Spend relaxed time with a favorite person or someone you would like to get to know better
2. Unplug the phone and enjoy some peace and quiet.
3. Sign up for a class
4. Buy yourself a present
5. Laugh
6. Pet an animal
7. Spend time with a small child (consider borrowing one, the parents might appreciate the break)
8. Try a new restaurant
9. Call a friend – long distance
10. Watch a sunrise or sunset
11. Make love
12. Read a book for no practical purpose but enjoyment
13. Work out
14. Attend a concert or symphony
15. Give a hug
16. Receive a hug
17. Attend a movie or a play
18. Do something you love to do
19. Do nothing but listen to your favorite music for 20 minutes
20. Make a list of your favorite activities

Rita Emmett, author of The Procrastinator’s Handbook, is a professional speaker who presents Keynotes and Seminars nationwide.

To subscribe to her free monthly Anticrastination Tip Sheet with quick short tips & ideas to help break the procrastination habit, go to the first page of her website www.RitaEmmett.com.

Very sound ideas for giving yourself a break!

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23rd. January 2005

Happiness self help Blog for how to Have Happy Thoughts all day!

Excerpted from: “3 Questions, 5 Minutes a Day: Make leaps towards greater balance in one single week with the Shicka Boom 5 Minute Morning Balance Ritual” by Laura Lallone, Certified Life Coach…..

I invite you to try a powerful five minute morning ritual to set your day off with awareness and consciousness, moving daily towards the balance and fulfillment you desire.

The ritual is very simple, consisting only of three simple questions. The secret is to be honest, give yourself the 5 minutes… and to ask the questions.

Question 1: What am I grateful for?

This question holds astonishing power. If you only remember one thing from this ritual, please remember this question! Write it down and put it in at least three very visible places.

Maybe you will choose your bedroom dresser, your desk or the dashboard of your car.

This question has the capacity to change a mood and soften a heart in seconds.

What are you grateful for? WHO are you grateful for? What are the gifts you’ve been given in your life that you sometimes take for granted?

What are some gifts that are so obvious that you may never even notice them?

Question 2: What are my intentions for today?

Where are you now and where do you want to be at the end of the day? Meaning, what do you want to accomplish today?

Beyond the “doing”, how do you want to feel? How do you want to be or conduct yourself during the day?

Close your eyes and imagine your day is set on a theatrical stage. How do you want the audience to feel about you as they watch you “play”?

What do you want them to notice about how you are being? How do you want to be if things don’t go as planned?

Asking yourself this one question may be the most powerful way to achieve what you want in life.

After all you can’t get to where you want to be if you don’t know where that is.

Question 3: What’s most important today?

Keeping in mind your gratitude and intentions for the day, consider again all the aspects of your life: personal development, your intimate relationships, your family, friends, finances, career, health, recreation and spirituality.

Now, close your eyes and imagine yourself 10 years from now.

What does the future you say is most important for you today?

It’s really easy to come up with what SHOULD BE most important (as defined by society) but resist the urge to give into that voice.

Take a deep breath and listen deeper. Trust that you have all the answers inside.

Some find that it helps to ask this follow-up question: What ONE THING can I do today to significantly improve the quality of my life? Don’t concern yourself with the size or magnitude of your answer. It changes.

Some days it might be “apply to graduate school” and other days it might be “organize my office”.

(There was no website resource box on the article release, which is why I don’t have a website address here for you to visit)

I faithfully use POSITIVE QUESTIONS in my day, ever since I studied the Anthony Robbins program, and I guaruantee that you simply cannot start your day in a better way than to ask yourself questions that automatically make you feel fantastic when you answer them! – Helene Malmsio

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22nd January 2005

Happiness Self Help Blog:

Time is Gold

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.

Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967)

How do you spend most of your spare time? Do you sit in front of the TV for hours? Do you speak on the phone for long periods of time? Do you sit outside and watch your neighbors come and go? Do you play computer games?

I personally do not believe that any of the activities I mentioned above are wrong.

To maintain our sanity we must also have time to relax and socialize.

However, when you allow any of these time consuming or addictive behaviors to take over your life then there is an imbalance and, it is most likely preventing you from engaging on other productive activities.

An example of this is: When a teenager loses track of time playing video games and does not do his or her homework.

If such a problem happens only once then it might not be a big deal.

However, if this behavior continues then it might lead to failing the class. Not a good thing!

If you are thinking: school days are over for me so, this does not apply to me you are wrong!

As long as you have dreams, desires, goals etc. There’s always something to do.

Have you being thinking of starting your own business? Then you should probably be doing some research.

Would you like to see changes in your community? Then you should join a local association that focuses on helping the neighborhood.

Here are some tips that can help you maintain track of time and how well it is spent:

•Asses yourself, is your life leading towards your personal desires? What changes would you have to make?

•Setting and defining goals in a timely manner

•Scheduling your time; long term and short term

•Schedule and limit your leisure time in order to avoid distractions

Spend your time well,
Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com “For Every Aspect of Today’s Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics click here to find Kenia’s little piece of heaven her inspirational column

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21st January 2004

Self help Blog for a small selection of motivational famous quotes about Your Achievement

Potential/Possibilities Quotes

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” — Helen Keller

“There is only one small letter between the words Can and Can’t… and that one letter will T-OTALLY change your destiny.” — Doug Firebaugh

“Human beings have the remarkable ability to turn nothing into something. They can turn weeds into gardens and pennies into fortunes.” — Jim Rohn

Preparation Quotes

“Do as much research on the client as you can prior to your first meeting. This is very impressive.” — Brian Tracy

“What distinguishes winners is the will to prepare to win.” — Tony Jeary

“Nothing is more powerful for your future than being a gatherer of good ideas and information. That’s called doing your homework.” — Jim Rohn

“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” — Benjamin Disraeli

Procrastination Quotes

“Some people procrastinate so much that all they can do is run around like firefighters all day–putting out fires that should not have gotten started in the first place.” — Nido Qubein

“You may delay, but time will not.” — Benjamin Franklin

“It seems to me that it’s actually harder to invent excuses than it is to get the sale.” — Jeffrey Gitomer

“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.” — Don Marquis

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20th January 205

Happiness Self Help Blog about

A Special Kind of Courage

There are several different aspects of courage.

Perhaps the most important is the courage to endure, to persist, to “hang in there” in the face of doubt, uncertainty and criticism from others.

Practice Patience in Adversity
This is called “courageous patience,” the willingness and the ability to “stay the course” in the face of uncertainty, doubt and often criticism from many quarters.

Stay the Course
In my experience, there is a critical time period between the launching of a new venture and the results that come from that venture.

During this hiatus, this waiting period, many people lose their nerve.

They cannot stand the suspense of not knowing, of possible failure. They break and run in battle, they quake and quit in business.

The True Leader
But the true leader is the person who can stand firm, who refuses to consider the possibility of failure.

The turning points of many key moments in human history have been the resolution, or lack thereof, of one person. Courageous patience is the acid test of leadership.

To encourage others, to instill confidence in them, to help them to perform at their best requires first of all that you lead by example.

Allow Honest Mistakes
The second thing you can do to help alleviate the fears of failure and rejection in others is to encourage them to take calculated risks and allow honest mistakes.

Build People Up
Give the people who look up to you regular praise and approval.

Celebrate good tries as well as success, large and small.

Create a psychological climate where people feel safe from censure, blame or criticism of any kind.

Then do things that make people feel terrific about themselves.

Become Unstoppable
Courage comes from acting courageously on a day-to-day basis.

Your personal development goal should be to practice the behaviors of a totally fearless person until you become, in your own mind, unstoppable.

Action Exercises
Here are two ways for you to develop courageous patience.

First, prepare yourself in advance for the inevitable disappointments and setbacks you will experience on the way to your goal.

Don’t be surprised when they occur.

Second, resolve in advance that you will bounce rather than break and continually encourage others to think and act the same way.

Self help article by Brian Tracy, who is a contributor to the www.jimrohn.com One-Year Success Plan –

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19th January 2004

Classic Self Help Blog item:

THE DONKEY

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well.

The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.

They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.

Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well.

He was astonished at what he saw.

With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.

He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.

The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.

Each of our troubles is a steppingstone.

We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!

Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred – Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries – Most never happen.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less

NOW ——–

The rest of the story, and the moral . . .

The donkey later came back and bit the heck out of the farmer who had tried to bury him.

The gash from the bite got infected, and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY’S LESSON:

When you do something wrong and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.

Dont you just love it ? This is one of my favourite ways of looking at life’s more negative events.

And what the heck… when “stuff” happens, all you have to initially think about are to – just shake it off, and take a step up, and then take it from there… one step at a time.

– Helene Malmsio

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18th January 2005

Happiness self help Blog:

“God Speaks”

New billboards are getting attention of motorists along the highways in Arizona.

Some reported seeing one or two messages, but a newspaper listed all of them.

Here’s a list of all variations of the “God Speaks” billboards.

The billboards are a simple black background with white text.

No fine print or sponsoring organization is included. These are awesome… enjoy.

———————————–

Tell the kids I love them.
-God

———————————–

Let’s meet at my house Sunday before the game.
-God

——————————-

C’mon over and bring the kids.
-God

——————————-

What part of “Thou Shalt Not…” didn’t you understand?
-God

——————————-

We need to talk.
-God

——————————-

Keep using my name in vain, I’ll make rush hour longer.
-God

——————————-

Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage.
-God

——————————-

That “Love Thy Neighbor” thing… I meant it.
-God

——————————-

I love you and you and you and you and…
-God

——————————-

Will the road you’re on get you to my place?
-God

——————————-

Follow me.
-God

——————————-

Big bang theory, you’ve got to be kidding.
-God

——————————-

My way IS the highway.
-God

——————————-

Need directions?
-God

——————————-

You think it’s hot here?
-God

——————————-

Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test.
-God

——————————-

Do you have any idea where you’re going?
-God

——————————–

(And my personal favorite…)

Don’t make me come down there.
-God

What will they think of next? I love them, and the way they stop most of us in our tracks in a “double take” kind of way…..

No matter what your religion, you know they make sense for all of us in our self help journey to self discovery, and hopefully to be leaving the place better than it was before we arrived.

Love and “God Bless” to you all! Helene

“The world is but one Country and mankind its Citizens” – Baha’u’llah

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17th January 2005

Self help blog for
- When Stress Takes Over

All through time stress has played a role in our lives.

The challenged economic environment that we live in today is a perfect recipe for stress overload in many individuals.

When faced with stressful situations, the body produces an increased amount of cortisol and epinephrine.

This influx of hormones affects a number of other facets in our body that are geared to maintaining optimum health.

It is becoming more evident that if stress is not dealt with properly, it manifests itself into a number of common disorders.

Aside from the obvious psychological turmoil, unmanaged stress is believed to be a contributing factor in other health issues such as asthma, migraines, depression, arthritis, diabetes, ulcers, heart disease, and even digestive problems.

Relaxation Therapy can offer some effective techniques in learning to manage stress.

Simple strategies can be learned through self help books or in a Relaxation Therapy class.

They could be as simple as sitting for 15 minutes in a reclining chair with closed eyes while you repeat the word ”one” silently each time you exhale.

A more active technique consists of focusing on one specific area of the body, tensing all the muscles in that area, then relaxing them.

Usually this is started in the head, then you move down to each other body part until and including the feet.

Controlled breathing is emphasized in most relaxation techniques.

You may decide to opt for a more sophisticated version of progressive relaxation or formalized transcendental meditation.

It is important to get proper instruction through a class, a book, or a professional to prevent hyperventilation which may complicate the anxiety or stress.

Thirty minutes of vigorous, aerobic exercise completed three or more times per week is helpful in controlling stress.

Side benefits of this include maintaining weight control, cardiovascular fitness, and diabetes control.

Written by Brigitte Synesael http://www.Life-Choices.com

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16th January 2005

Self help Happiness blog:
Chocolate – Healthy?

When you think of chocolate, do you associate it as a “junk food”? For all you chocolate lovers, this article may just make your day!

Chocolate is a plant-based food that contains several minerals such as magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron.

In addition, it contains a group of phytochemicals called polyphenols. Phytochemicals have been recently shown to possess antioxidant properties.

“Antioxidant properties” means that it possesses little chemicals that help fight off certain diseases.

Now, this article is not telling you it is okay to make chocolate a major part of your diet.

What it is telling you that it is perfectly fine to include it as part of a well balanced diet.

The plant phenols found in chocolate include a subclass known as flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in tea, wine, cocoa, and chocolate.

Studies have shown that flavonoids seem to have a positive effect impact on heart health.

Chocolate flavonoids possess a very unique chemical structure compared to other plant-based foods and beverages.

These flavonoids are actually rarely found in food sources. But, of biggest interest is the fact that they are particularly powerful antioxidants.

The polyphenols in chocolate have been reported to decrease the oxidation of LDL cholesterol both in vitro and in humans.

This finding is especially important in regards to heart health. LDL cholesterol levels have been linked as a potential risk factor for heart disease.

“Isn´t chocolate high in fat?”, you ask. “And, isn´t it saturated fat?” Yes, and yes.

However, studies have shown that chocolate is no longer a concern in regards to its saturated fat content. Why?

Early on, it appeared that ALL saturated fats had a negative effect on cholesterol levels.

New research shows that not all saturated fats act the same way in the body.

The type of fat contained in cocoa butter include oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat – heart healthy) and stearic and palmitic acids (both saturated fats).

Stearic acid has unique properties as a saturated fat. Stearic acid´s effect on blood cholesterol is neutral – it neither raises or lowers cholesterol.

Other saturated fats increase blood cholesterol levels. In case you are wondering what it is exactly that makes a fat saturated vs. unsaturated, it quite simply is the chemical structure.

So, while stearic acid´s chemical structure defines it as a saturated fat, it does not effect cholesterol levels the same as other saturated fats.

Conclusion – Chocolate eaten in moderation may actually contribute to a heart healthy diet. Plus, indulging a little will likely boost your spirits.

Written by Laura S. Garrett, RD, Registered Dietitian, Fitness Trainer, & Owner of www.NutrActive.com - Serving your Complete Nutrition & Active Lifestyle Needs

Enjoy!

THERE YOU GO! Don’t say I never do anything for you… I have just given you scientific evidence that CHOCOLATE IS GOOD FOR YOU….

Pass this evidence on to your friends, and you (we) will all have the best (guilt free) year ever!

– Helene Malmsio

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self help happiness blog for Success and Achievement Quotes

Personal Development

“The greatest gift you can give to somebody is your own personal development. I used to say, ‘If you will take care of me, I will take care of you.’ Now I say, ‘I will take care of me for you if you will take care of you for me.'” — Jim Rohn

“Dedicate yourself to continuous personal improvement — you are your most precious resource.” — Brian Tracy

“No one limits your growth but you. If you want to earn more, learn more. That means you’ll work harder for a while; that means you’ll work longer for a while. But you’ll be paid for your extra effort with enhanced earnings down the road.” — Tom Hopkins

“Make education a continuing, never-ending process.” — Nido Qubein

Personal Responsibility

“No one can build his security upon the nobleness of another person.” — Willa Cather

“Successful, self-starting individuals seek responsibility. They take calculated risks, they don’t make excuses to cover up their inactivity.” — Nido Qubein

“I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.” — Aldous Huxley

“You are fully responsible for everything you are, everything you have and everything you become.” — Brian Tracy

Planning

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much.” — Jim Rohn

“Most of the time, stuff doesn’t just happen to us – we make it happen by what we do and the way we are.” — Tony Jeary

“Every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution; this gives you a 1,000 percent Return on Energy!” — Brian Tracy

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” — William Wadsworth

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14th January 2005

self help logic for Parents, on children

WHY GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN)

To those of us who have children in our lives,
whether they are our own,
grandchildren,
nieces,
nephews,
or students…
here is something to make you chuckle.

Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God’s omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.

And the first thing he said was
”DON’T!”

“Don’t what?”
Adam replied.

”Don’t eat the forbidden fruit.”
God said.

“Forbidden fruit?
We have forbidden fruit?
Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit!”

“No Way!”

“Yes way!”

“Do NOT eat the fruit! “
said God.

“Why?”

“Because I am your Father and I said so! “

God replied, wondering why He hadn’t stopped creation after making the elephants.

A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked!

“Didn’t I tell you not to eat the fruit? “
God asked.

“Uh huh,”
Adam replied.

“Then why did you? “
said the Father.

“I don’t know,”
said Eve.

“She started it! “
Adam said.

“Did not! “

“Did too! “

“DID NOT! “

Having had it with the two of them, God’s punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.

Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven’t taken it, don’t be hard on yourself.

If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your own children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4. Children seldom misquote you.

In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.

5. The main purpose of holding children’s parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day.

AND FINALLY:

IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:

“TAKE TWO ASPIRIN” AND “KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN”!!!!!

Quick, send this page link on to ten people within the next five minutes.

Nothing will happen if you don’t, but if you do, ten people will be laughing.

All the very best for a wonderful day to you and your loved ones – Helene Malmsio

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Self help personal development tips from Benjamin Franklin

Here’s how it began for Dr. Franklin. The following is in his own words, from his book, Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography.

“It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.

I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.”

“While my attention was taken up and care employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another.

Habit took the advantage of inattention. Inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.

I concluded at length that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous was not sufficient to prevent our slipping, and that the contrary habits must be broken and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct.

For this purpose I therefore contrived the following method.”

Even a small improvement in these areas will bring a dramatic increase in success for most people.

Here are the 13 Traits you need to work on to master in yourself:

Trait #1 Appreciation (Or Gratitude) – Notice the blessing in everything, big and small.

Dwell on the beauty in all I see, hear, touch, taste and smell.

Realize that everything is a gift from the Almighty and is put there in order to enjoy and learn from.

Trait #2 Positive Speech – Judge the value of my words before I speak.

Speak only what may benefit others and myself. Avoid evil speech/gossip.

Trait #3 Tranquility, Peace, Patience – Interpret everything quietly without undue confusion, excitement, or anger.

Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable. Whatever is happening in life, be patient.

Determine the lesson to be learned in every challenge in order to become elevated. Control anger.

Trait #4 Righteousness – Do unto others as you’d have done unto you, and as they desire to be done unto.

Wrong none by doing injuries. Be just by accepting my duties and responsibilities.

Trait #5 Gentleness – The words of the wise are spoken softly and peacefully.

Trait #6 Respect/Honor Others – Be extremely careful with the honor and feelings of others.

Strive always to make the other person feel good about himself/herself.

Trait #7 Physical Health – Exercise daily and eat with health and moderation.

Trait #8 Quickness – Do all I need (or have) to do without wasting time (procrastination) and with maximum productivity per moment.

Cut off all unnecessary actions. Focus.

Trait #9 Resolution – Resolve to perform what I ought/have chosen to perform, without fail.

Act with consistency, as well as persistency. Be diligent.

Trait #10 Order/Cleanliness – Keep all living and working environments both clean and in order.

Be organized. Clean, file, straighten up as soon as necessary and right away.

A place for everything and everything in its place.

Trait #11 Thrift/Frugality – Use money wisely and for the benefit of all (to do good for others and myself) and with no waste.

Trait #12 Truthfulness – Be truthful in all that I say (based on motivation/intent).

Trait #13 Humility – Understand that I have great ability, but that that ability is a gift from the Ultimate Source of all.

Recognize my own weak points in order to improve upon them, but do not dwell on the faults of others. Be a servant-leader.

The sages of the Talmud asked, “Who is a mighty person?” and answered, “He who can control his inclinations or character traits.” And what a profound saying that is.

“I have met the enemy…and it is me.” – Benjamin Franklin

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Self help Blog request for suggestions

Received this email requesting suggestions from our readers and visitors:

Country: Australia

message: “Hi, I’m lost! I’m 31yo living with my parents, waitressing at the local golf club.

I’ve recently traveled and lived os 2003, worked in the snowfields NSW for 2004 season . Now I’m just stuck.

I have the option to travel to Canada. How do I know if I should go?

Should I stay in Australia and where would I live?

At the moment I choose to just let each day slip away by sleeping in and waiting to start work, not much of a life hey.

I need some direction, guidance, wisdom. Thank you for your time, kind regards Trudy”

Any good advice from our readers out there?

My suggestion is to go to our Goal Setting page and read a couple of the self help articles, focusing on the very start of the process, to define your Life Purpose. It’s a big ask, but if you don’t know WHY you get out of bed every day, if you don’t have someting bigger than yourself to work for, why bother to get up?

Define why you are here, and what you want to achieve in life – short and long term – and what the things are you want to have, do, give this year and the next few years, then the answer to the above question becomes obvious….

Good luck and start reading, Trudy.

– Helene Malmsio

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11th January

Self help famous quotes about Giving/Sharing/Generosity by Jim Rohn

It’s best to start the discipline of generosity when the amounts are small. It’s easy to give ten cents out of a dollar; it’s a little harder to give a hundred thousand out of a million.

Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process.

Nothing teaches character better than generosity.

Here’s what is exciting about sharing ideas with others: If you share a new idea with ten people, they get to hear it once and you get to hear it ten times.

Sharing makes you bigger than you are. The more you pour out, the more life will be able to pour in.

Somebody says, “Well, I can’t be concerned about other people. About the best I can do is to take care of myself.” Well, then you will always be poor.

What you give becomes an investment that will return to you multiplied at some point in the future.

When somebody shares, everybody wins.

The amount you give isn’t important. What matters is what that amount represents in terms of your life.

Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.

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10th January

Self help happiness blog:

Success Is Easy, But So Is Neglect

People often ask me how I became successful in that six-year period of time while many of the people I knew did not.

The answer is simple: The things I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do.

I found it easy to set the goals that could change my life.

They found it easy not to.

I found it easy to read the books that could affect my thinking and my ideas. They found that easy not to.

I found it easy to attend the classes and the seminars, and to get around other successful people. They said it probably really wouldn’t matter.

If I had to sum it up, I would say what I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do.

Six years later, I’m a millionaire and they are all still blaming the economy, the government, and company policies, yet they neglected to do the basic, easy things.

In fact, the primary reason most people are not doing as well as they could and should, can be summed up in a single word: neglect.

It is not the lack of money – banks are full of money.

It is not the lack of opportunity – America, and much of the free World, continues to offer the most unprecedented and abundant opportunities in the last six thousand years of recorded history.

It is not the lack of books – libraries are full of books – and they are free! It is not the schools – the classrooms are full of good teachers.

We have plenty of ministers, leaders, counselors and advisors.

Everything we would ever need to become rich and powerful and sophisticated is within our reach.

The major reason that so few take advantage of all that we have is simply, neglect.

Neglect is like an infection. Left unchecked it will spread throughout our entire system of disciplines and eventually lead to a complete breakdown of a potentially joy-filled and prosperous human life.

Not doing the things we know we should do causes us to feel guilty and guilt leads to an erosion of self-confidence.

As our self-confidence diminishes, so does the level of our activity. And as our activity diminishes, our results inevitably decline.

And as our results suffer, our attitude begins to weaken. And as our attitude begins the slow shift from positive to negative, our self-confidence diminishes even more… and on and on it goes.

So my suggestion is that when giving the choice of “easy to” and “easy not to” that you do not neglect to do the simple, basic, “easy”; but potentially life-changing activities and disciplines.

Jim Rohn is considered to be America’s Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine go to :www.jimrohn.com

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9th January

self help Happiness Blog on:

Finding Motivation: What To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything

“The measure of your success usually comes down to who wins the battle that rages between the two of you.

The ‘you’ who wants to stop, give up, or take it easy, and the ‘you’ who chooses to beat back that which would stand in the way of your success – complacency.” — Chris Widener

In all of my interactions with people, I’ve never found anyone, regardless of their level of success, who doesn’t sometimes find themselves simply not wanting to do the things that they need and want to do.

It is a part of human nature that there will be times that, in spite of all that we need to do, and even desire to, we will find ourselves not wanting to do anything.

And what separates those who will become successful from those who will maintain the status-quo, is the ability at those very crucial moments of time when we are making decisions about what we will do, to choose to find the inner motivation that will enable us to conquer our complacency and move on in action.

I find that I confront this issue in my life on a regular basis, so the following success strategies are not merely “pie in the sky techniques”, but proven ways to get yourself to go even when you don’t feel like doing anything.

Honestly evaluate whether or not you need a break.

This is the first thing that I usually do what I find that I don’t want to get to a specific action.

The fact is that oftentimes we will have been working very hard and the lethargy we are feeling is really our body and emotions telling us that we simply need a break.

And this is where it takes real intellectual honesty because when we don’t need a break our mind is still telling us we need a break! But sometimes we do need a break.

I’ll give you a good example. I don’t particularly like to exercise, but I do almost every day. Sometimes, I find myself before going to the club thinking about how I just didn’t feel like going.

Most of the time I am just being lazy. However, sometimes I realize that my body needs a break. So from time to time I will take a one or two day break from working out.

The benefits of this are two-fold: One, my body gets a break to regenerate itself.

Two, after a day or two, I begin to miss my workout, and eagerly anticipate returning to the gym.

Other examples: Perhaps you are a salesman who has been phoning clients for a week straight, day and night.

You wake up one morning and just don’t feel like doing it any more.

Well, take a break for the morning. Go to a coffee shop and read the paper. Go to the driving range and hit some golf balls. Take a break and then get back to it!

Start small. I’m at a point in my workout schedule now where a typical workout day for me consists of 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, and about 30 minutes of weight lifting.

So when I find myself not wanting to get up and go to the gym, I will sometimes make a commitment to go and just do a smaller workout.

Instead of deciding not to go, I’ll commit to doing 15 to 20 minutes of aerobic exercise and 15 to 30 minutes of weight lifting. This is also good for two reasons.

One, I actually get some exercise that day. And two, it keeps me from getting into a cycle of giving up when I don’t feel like moving toward action.

Other examples: Maybe you are a writer who simply doesn’t want to write today.

Instead of the long day of writing you had planned, decide that you will at least outline a couple of new articles.

You will at least get these done, and you may have found that you put yourself into the writing mood after all.

Change your routine. I have found that what keeps me in the best shape and burns the most calories for me, is to do 30 to 45 minutes on the treadmill every day. Now let me be very blunt.

I find running on the treadmill to be extremely boring. Usually I can get myself to do it, but sometimes I need to vary my routine.

So instead of 30 to 45 minutes on a treadmill, I will break down my aerobic exercise routine into a number of different areas.

Other examples: Maybe you are in construction and you have been working on the plumbing for a week, and it is getting monotonous. Don’t do the plumbing today! Go frame-in the office.

Reward yourself. One way that I motivate myself to do something when I don’t feel like doing it, is to tell myself that if I get through the work that I need to, I will give myself a little reward.

For instance, I may tell myself if I to get up and go to the club I can take five to 10 minutes off my treadmill exercise, which will shorten my workout routine, and I’ll allow myself to sit in the hot tub for a few extra minutes. Hey, it works!

Other examples: Maybe you are a mortgage broker who feels like sleeping in.

Tell yourself that after the next three mortgages you close you will take your kids to the fair, or your spouse to the movies. Maybe you’ll give yourself a night on the town with old friends.

Reconnect the action with pleasure rather than pain. Psychologists have long told us that we humans tend to connect every action with either pleasure or pain.

Tony Robbins has popularized this even further in the last few years with something he calls Neural Associations. That is, we connect every action with either a pleasure, or pain.

When we find ourselves lacking motivation, what we are probably finding about ourselves is that we are associating the action that we are thinking about with pain, rather than pleasure.

For instance, when I’m considering not going to the health club on any given day, I am usually associating going and working out with having no time, the pain of exercising and weight lifting, or the boringness of running on a treadmill for an extended period of time.

What I can do to re-associate is to remind myself that by going in and doing my exercise I will feel better about myself, I will lose weight, and I will live longer.

This brings me pleasure. When we begin to run those kinds of tapes through our minds, we find our internal motivating force unleashed and change our attitude about the action that we are considering.

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

Chris is also a Weekly contributor to the www.jimrohn.com One-Year Success Plan –

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8th January 2005

Self help Famous Quotes on:

Problem Solving

“The best place to solve a problem is on paper.” — Jim Rohn

“Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” — Denis Waitley

“Your ability to solve problems effectively determines how high you rise in your career.” — Brian Tracy

“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.” — Theodore Rubin

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” — Mahatma Gandhi

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Self help tips on relationships:

ZigOn How Daughters Choose Husbands . . . The first knowledge our daughters acquire about relationships with the opposite sex comes from their fathers.

What you teach your daughter about how men treat women becomes the cornerstone of her expectations.

If you treat your wife with courtesy and respect, your daughter will file that in her memory bank as the way she should be treated by her future husband.

When your daughter sees you loving her mother and treating her with respect, she comes to know that men should treat their wives that way.

However, if your daughter sees you abuse her mother, she learns that’s the way men treat women and so she’s not surprised–though she obviously doesn’t like it–if her husband abuses her.

This is especially true if it happens in small steps during the courtship process and gradually gets worse once she is married.

When we got married, one of the things my wife’s mother told her was, “You’ve made a lifetime deal, but if he ever abuses you, you’ve got a home you can come to.”

By the strangest of coincidences, that’s what we told our children. This communication to one of our daughters possibly helped her–and us–avoid a tragic mistake.

So, Dad, all this really says is that if you love your little girl, you will treat her and her mother with respect and dignity.

If you do, chances are excellent your daughter will choose her husband wisely. In fact, he will probably be just like the guy old Dad would have chosen.

Think about it, Dad, and I’ll see you–and your daughters–AT THE TOP!

. . . Adapted from Zig Ziglers’s book Something Else To Smile About. Look for a copy at your favorite bookstore or visit Zig’s Online Bookstore.

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6th January 2005

Today’s self help Achievement & Motivation famous Quotes

As you investigate this site you will quickly realise that I collect inspiring and motivational self help quotes, that I love to share with my visitors and newsletter readers. Here is a fresh batch to get you focused while you get your plans for 2005 in place…. for a Happy New You!

Overcoming Obstacles

“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.” — John Quincy Adams

“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goals.” — Brian Tracy

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” — William Ellery Channing

“Every time you get rejected, say: ‘Next!'” — Mark Victor Hansen

Parenting/Family

“Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly graded for performance.” — Milton R. Saperstein

“The best inheritance a person can give to his children is a few minutes of his time each day.” — O. A. Battista

“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” — William Shakespeare

“To get more time with your family, limit and restrict television, newspapers, and outside activities.” — Brian Tracy

Patience

“Progress however, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step.” — Samuel Smiles

“The twin killers of success are impatience and greed.” — Jim Rohn

“Unreasonable haste is the direct road to error.” — Jean Baptiste Moliere

“Adopt the pace of nature. The secret is patience. A bottle fills drop by drop.” — Max Steingart

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

All the best for your day – Helene Malmsio.

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Self help Happiness Tip for today:

Reach for your Dreams in 2005!

This life is yours,
Take the power to choose what you want to do—and do it well,
Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly,
Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature,
Take the power to control your own life,
No one else can do it for you,
Nothing is too good for you,
You deserve the best,
Take the power to make your life
Healthy, Exciting, Worthwhile and very Happy
—while you reach for your dreams.
Have a wonderful New Year with our self help personal goal setting strategies!

“Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
– Benjamin Franklin

“The reason why most people face the future with apprehension instead of anticipation is because they don’t have it well designed.”
Jim Rohn

No less than Mark Twain has written of New Year’s Resolutions,
”Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions.
Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink, and swore his last oath.
Today, we are a pious and exemplary community.
Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.”

If you’re going to make a New Year’s Resolution this year, make one with a high probability for success. Make a Resolution to develop a life plan.

For inspiring GOAL SETTING articles and free self help personal goal setting resources go to: our self help GOAL SETTING RESOURCES DIRECTORY PAGE

“Success is neither magical nor mysterious.
Success is the natural consequence
of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”
– Jim Rohn

Goal setting has made massive improvements in my life. I only really “committed” to actually ACHIEVING my goals after completing the Jim Rohn coaching program pilot a few years ago.

I have been a fan of Jim for many, many years, buying his tapes and Quotes books, and had the opportunity to meet him in person a few years ago (photo at top of page!) and he is a true “scholar and gentleman” as well as “the master philosopher”.

Just look at how many mentions he gets on my site to see what a lifelong admirer and student I am of Jim Rohn.

The other “life changer” for me was getting the Tony Robbins “Personal PowerII” tapes…. W O W ! It made such a change in my life I paid tribute to him by paying thousands of dollars to attend his seminar as a “diamond” level attendee….

It required me to DO the necessary steps for the 30 days, and call my own bluff about my “plans” and do some reality checking on how badly I actually wanted some goals, and if I was prepared to “pay the price” in effort and committment.

I “did the job” and worked really hard at my levels of committment…. and guess what? Within a few months I was earning every month what I used to earn in a year! No kidding…. that is the power of Goal Setting!

Needless to say, I haven’t looked back, and am putting the same determination and committment to becoming a financially successful Webmaster as I did to my traditional businesses. I literally “can’t fail” when I take my Goal Setting seriously.

– Helene Malmsio

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Power Tips newsletter, New Year Resolutions & Goal Setting – Special Issue

(extract from our last newsletter)

Over the next few days millions of people from around the world will sit down and try to figure out how to make 2005 a better year than they had in 2004.

We all need to be aware that the future doesn’t get better by HOPE, it gets better by PLAN.

“SUCCESS is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while FAILURE is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.

It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure” —- Jim Rohn

INDEX:
One Minute Tip
Power Quotes
Tips for New Year Resolutions and Goal Setting
Making Your Goals Count in 2005 by Jim Rohn
The Simple Steps to Reaching Your Goals, by Carol Halsey

Need help following through with your goals?
Forget New Year’s Resolutions – They Don’t Work
Self help for Establishing Dreams and Goals
Sponsored Resources
Editor’s Note.
Self help Goals development and Goal Setting inspirations

One Minute Tip:

“Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” — Benjamin Franklin

Power Quotes:

“Happiness, wealth, and success are by-products of goal setting, they cannot be the goal themselves. ” – Denis Waitley

“People have more options than they think they do. But most people spend more time planning their vacations than thinking about what they want to do with their lives.” – Bob McDonald

“What you do every day should contribute to giving your life meaning. If it doesn’t, why are you doing it?” – Don Hutcheson

“The reason why most people face the future with apprehension instead of anticipation is because they don’t have it well designed.” Jim Rohn

by Jim Rohn (Excerpted from Week Five of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

As we enter into this New Year we all tend to have a heightened sense of the opportunities and possibilities that 2005 can bring.

The need for goal-setting becomes more obvious and clear. And the great thing about goal-setting is you can keep it as simple or get as elaborate as you would like.

In fact, we have spent the last month in the One-Year Success Plan solely on the subject of goal-setting and have dedicated over 125 pages in the One-Year Plan to exercises on the subject.

Space and time won’t allow that here, but below are some abbreviated points on goal-setting for the New Year.

I’ve often said the major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get.

That is why goals are so powerful – they are part of the fabric that makes up our lives. And goal-setting is where we create our goals.

Goal-setting is powerful, partly because it provides focus. It shapes our dreams. It gives us the ability to hone in on the exact actions we need to perform to achieve everything we desire in life.

Goals are GREAT because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. In order to reach our goals we must become better. We must change and grow.

Also, goals provide long-term vision in our lives. We all need lots of powerful, long-range goals to help us get past short-term obstacles.

Life is designed in such a way that we look long-term and live short-term. We dream for the future and live in the present. Unfortunately, the present can produce many difficult obstacles.

But fortunately, the more powerful our goals (because they are inspiring and believable) the more we will be able to act on them in the short-term and guarantee that they will actually come to pass!

So, let’s take a closer look at the topic of goal-setting and see how we can make it forceful as well as practical. What are the key aspects to learn and remember when studying and writing our goals?

1. Evaluation and Reflection. The only way we can reasonably decide what we want in the future and how we will get there is to first know where we are right now and what our level of satisfaction is for where we are in life.

So first take some time and think through and write down your current situation, then ask this question on each key point – is that okay?

The purpose of evaluation is twofold. First, it gives you an objective way to look at your accomplishments and your pursuit of the vision you have for your life.

Secondly, it is to show you where you are so you can determine where you need to go. In other words, it gives you a baseline from which to work.

I would strongly encourage you to take a couple of hours this week to evaluate and reflect. At the beginning of this month we encourage you to see where you are and write it down so that as the months progress and you continue a regular time of evaluation and reflection, you will see just how much ground you will be gaining – and that will be exciting!

2. What are Your Dreams and Goals? These are the dreams and goals that are born out of your own heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become.

So second, make a list of all the things you desire for the future.

One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life, and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams.

Think of it: We can look deep within our hearts and dream of a better situation for ourselves and our families; dream of better financial lives and better emotional or physical lives; certainly dream of better spiritual lives.

But what makes this even more powerful is that we have also been given the ability to not only dream but to pursue those dreams and not just pursue them, but the cognitive ability to actually lay out a plan and strategies (setting goals) to achieve those dreams. Powerful!

What are your dreams and goals? This isn’t what you already have or what you have done, but what you want.

Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there.

Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there.

So how do we know what our dreams are? This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to yourself.

If we listen to others, we hear their plans and dreams (and many will try to put their plans and dreams on us). If we listen to others, we can never be fulfilled. We will only chase elusive dreams that are not rooted deep within us. No, we must listen to our own hearts.

Here are some practical steps/thoughts on hearing from our hearts on what our dreams are:

Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don’t do enough in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we are constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet, to peer deep within.

It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams! Schedule some quiet “dream time” this week. No other people. No cell phone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts.

Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving.

What would you LOVE to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed? What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy?

When you answer these questions you will feel GREAT and you will be in the “dream zone.” It is only when we get to this point that we experience what OUR dreams are!

Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don’t think of any as too outlandish or foolish – remember, you’re dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record.

Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most?

Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action, not just dreaming.

3. S.M.A.R.T. Goals. S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive.

I really like this acronym S.M.A.R.T., because we want to be smart when we set our goals.

We want to intelligently decide what our goals will be so that we can actually accomplish them. We want to set the goals that our heart conceives, our minds believe and that our bodies will carry out.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the components of S.M.A.R.T. goals:

Specific: Goals are no place to waffle. They are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.

Measurable: Always set goals that are measurable. I would say “specifically measurable” to take into account our principle of being specific as well.

Attainable: One of the detrimental things that many people do – and they do it with good intentions – is to set goals that are so high they are unattainable.

Realistic: The root word of realistic is “real.” A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make “real” or a “reality” in our lives.

There are some goals that simply are not realistic. You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic — that you could make it.

You may even have to say that it will take x, y, and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done. This is in no way to say it shouldn’t be a big goal, but it must be realistic.

Time: Every goal should have a timeframe attached to it.

I think that life itself is much more productive if there is a timeframe connected to it. Could you imagine how much procrastination there would be on earth if people never died?

We would never get “around to it.” We could always put it off. One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end, a time in which you are shooting to accomplish it.

You start working on it because you know there is an end. As time goes by you work on it because you don’t want to get behind. As it approaches, you work diligently because you want to meet the deadline.

You may even have to break down a big goal into different parts of measurement and time frames. That is okay. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time. A S.M.A.R.T. goal has a timeline.

4. Accountability (A contract with yourself or someone else). When someone knows what your goals are, they hold you accountable by asking you to “give an account” of where you are in the process of achieving that goal.

Accountability puts some teeth into the process. If a goal is set and only one person knows it, does it really have any power? Many times, no.

At the very least, it isn’t as powerful as if you have one or more other people who can hold you accountable to your goal.

So: Evaluate/Reflect; Decide What You Want; Be S.M.A.R.T.; Have Accountability.

When you put these 4 key pieces together, you are putting yourself in a position of power that will catapult you toward achieving your goals.

Let’s Do Something Remarkable in 2005

Jim Rohn

If you would like to be more accountable in your goal setting achievement this year, you may get the same benefits from Personal Coaching that I had when I participated in the pilot program of the Jim Rohn Coaching a few years ago.

It was truly amazing, and I have never looked back, the financial and personal benefits were truly astounding, and a real pleasure to participate in.

Just click on the link in the box below, www.jimrohn.com to be shown all the full program details that you get for a TINY monthly charge. The best investment you have ever made in yourself, and you are worth a lot more than this costs! –Helene Malmsio

The Jim Rohn Coaching Program – The greatest benefit from participating in The Jim Rohn Coaching Program is that you will receive personal, one-on-one interaction with a coach who is experienced and professionally trained.

Your coach will get to know you, and help you set and achieve those goals that are right for you. Plus you will receive free, The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan.

For those who are interested in personal coaching you can now have access to Jim Rohn International coach – TC Cummings (former U.S. Navy Seal and Personal Development aficionado).

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3rd January 2005

Self help strategy for the simple steps to goal setting and achievement of your dreams this year!

I’m sure this is not the first time you have heard about goal setting. The reason you keep hearing about it is because it really is important to your life. A good definition of goals is that they are dreams with deadlines.

Yes, you can make your dreams come true. How do you want your life to be 10 years from now? How about 5 years, next year, or even 6 months from now.

The only difference between setting goals for your business or career, and setting personal goals is the subject matter. With commitment and persistence, and setting goals, your life can be any way you want it.

When you actually sit down and start identifying goals, you will probably end up with a long list.

Decide what is most important to you in your business and personal lives. All goals do not have equal value. Some will be more meaningful to you.

These are the goals to start on. Keep your list of the remaining goals to get back to later.

Trying to do too much at the same time can be self-defeating.

Once you have selected the goals to start on, give each goal a deadline. Short term goals, such as completing a project, will be completed in six months or less.

Medium term goals, such as increasing a customer base, or revenue, will be a yearly target. Your goal for career advancement could be in this time frame.

Long term goals can run for several years, such as where do you want your business to be in 5 years, or building your nest egg to retire in 5, 10 or 20 years.

Write your goals down, as this increases commitment. Make your deadline for each goal realistic and reachable.

There is no right or wrong on how long you determine it will take to reach a goal. It will be different for each person and each goal. Whatever is comfortable for you is what counts.

Okay, you have done this. Now, how do you get started? By identifying what you must do to accomplish your goals. Look at each one individually.

Under each goal, write down the tasks to be undertaken to reach that goal. You may not think of everything to the smallest detail, but you will come up with the major tasks.

Give each one of these tasks a deadline.

On short term goals, your deadlines will most likely be daily, weekly and monthly. On long term goals, deadlines are more like six months, first year, eighteen months, second year.

You can break these down even further. If you know what you want to accomplish the first six months of a long term goal, what can you do this month, next month, etc. to get there.

Include these tasks and their deadlines in your calendar, and schedule the time needed to work on them.

Once this is done with all your goals, you have made a contract with yourself and the commitment to take action. This is your road map to get you where you want to go.

Each day, ask yourself if what you are doing is helping you get there. If the answer is no, be sure you know why you are doing it at all.

If all this seems difficult or overwhelming, start with just one goal. Make it easy and short term. Once you have accomplished this, go on to another goal.

Remember that life is a journey to be enjoyed. Be kind to yourself. You will find by setting goals and identifying what you need to do to get there, will cut down on a lot of stress in your life.

At the same time, you will be making those dreams a reality.

Carol Halsey is Founder and President of Business Organizing Solutions. She is a professional organizer, consultant, speaker, and author of “93 Organizing Tips to Simplify Your Business Life.” You can get this booklet and articles, ideas and a free Idea Kit, filled with simple tips for saving time, simply by visiting her web site: http://www.PilesToFiles.com.

Carol has quite a few goal setting and “getting organised” type articles on our site, check out our GOAL SETTING page for more of her self help articles:

Goal Genie is goal setting software
that cures the number one reason
most people don’t reach goals.

Time to check out our GOALSETTING free resources DIRECTORY PAGE:

All the very best for the Season, and the New Year! – Helene Malmsio

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2nd. January 2005

self help family fun: Set Up a Game Night for Family Fun,

Could your family benefit from something different than the typical night at the movies and a burger?

Then look no further than your own family room for a way to create fun, learning and unity.

Creating a regular family game night is one way to break the routine and inject some laughter into what might be a dull mix of events, obligations and chores. Learning opportunities and family unity go along with the fun. Here are a few pointers to help make it happen:

* Whether you schedule the game night weekly or monthly, be sure that nothing except emergencies will be allowed to interfere. Kids need to know they can count on this special night.

* Stay focused on the event by limiting all outside distractions. For example, allow voice mail to manage telephone calls. Everyone will enjoy the activities more and the children will see that you are really tuned in to them.

* If the children want to stretch the game night to the last minute, have them put on their pyjamas so they are ready for bed.

* Instead of dinner, prepare a variety of appetizers. For example, you could serve veggies and dip, mozzarella cheese sticks, buffalo wings, fruit, and finger sandwiches. Let the kids graze in between turns. It’s a fun alternative to your nightly routine.

* Stock up on a variety of board games suitable for your age groups. There are plenty of games on the market that teach reasoning, coordination and spelling, but Clue, Scrabble and Yahtzee are traditional popular choices.

* Occasionally invite friends over to provide greater social interaction. Children will be able to practice good sportsmanship while being competitive, and they will be exposed to various learning opportunities for developing patience and generousity. Now and then, throw in some video games as another way to spice things up.

* Give the children some ownership of the activity by allowing them to choose the games, decide which night works best, and select and prepare the appetizers. The more involvement they have, the more sustained their interest will be.

* Once in a while, you could use the scheduled time to go bowling, go-cart racing, or miniature golfing. Keep it active — family game night shouldn’t be used for anything non-game oriented.

With family game night, you have special family time set aside regardless of what else occurs during the week. It is a time for bonding, learning, and experimenting with the spirit of competition in a safe atmosphere. Your children will learn important skills and values while spending time with the people they love and trust the most — their parents.

Andy Pavanov edits the Good Games newsletter at http://www.yngames.com .

So, I suggest you take advantage of what few days of Holidays are left, to spend some fun quality time with your loved ones, using some of our self help FAMILY FUN IDEAS!

– Helene Malmsio

1st January 2005

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YOU!

Sharing a Few More Thoughts on Goalsetting and Goal Achieving: The self help technique of Visualisation. by Craig Lock

As I mentioned in Part One in controlling our thoughts and attitudes, visualisation is a great help in setting your personal goals.

Use it as a tool, be persistent like a yappy dog biting at your ankles and you’ll get there in the end. American John Kehoe has written extensively on this subject in various works.

He is the one who hibernated in the woods of Canada or Alaska for five years contemplating the mind and talking to the trees. Like Bonnie Prince Charlie talking to the plants!

I should have been a lumberjack instead of a writer; but then I can’t imagine myself floating down a swollen river and balancing on a log! I too am writing in virtual hibernation. Perhaps it’s good for writing by forcing one to focus. Anyway, the creative juices seem to flow well here in Gisborne, New Zealand. The country has produced some great Kiwi writers. Some more on VISUALISATION… Work out what your goal is. What you want to become? What sort of person do you want to be? Picture what changes you want to make in yourself and in your life…for the better, of course. Set stepping stones (or sub-goals) as sign posts along the way.

To guide you and ensure that you stay on track. They can be your short-term or medium term goals, say one month to one year.

The marathon runner doesn’t think of the finish line , but, the lamp post in the distance…or the next drink spot.

Thinking of the big picture often seems impossible, so it can be very discouraging. Take small steps… and one at a time.

You can get get loads of satisfaction from taking one step at a time.

Attaining sub goals can help you with a more immediate focus and it rewards you along the way in your pursuit of the grand plan.

Make daily affirmations to yourself to keep yourself positive and focussed on the way ahead. (Remember, affirmations and self talk from Chapter Five).

Have written goal checks to ensure that you are on track – on the right path. These are a good aid in reassessing your performance and how well you are doing on your chosen path.

I’ve gone so far down my track, if it’s the wrong one it’s a bit late to turn back. I’ll just visit the soup kitchens! “What a stuff up”! Seriously (for a change) though, it’s never too late to change direction; look at South Africa and apartheid, the fall of Communism, Yugoslavia, Israel and Palestine… Iraq – what a quagmire, a monumental “stuff-up”!

Enough of my worldly knowledge.

Set priorities. It is important to have flexible goals; they are not set in concrete and can be changed as you change and develop.

Remember changing goals in mid stream doesn’t mean losing ground (or “the plot”).

As long as you grow personally, you are making the most of yourself. Summary:

1. Set big goals

2. Make long range goals

3. Make short term and daily goals

4. Goals should be specific

5. Goals should be realistic

6. Luck is not involved in achieving goals

7. Don’t make goals to please someone else – they are for you alone.

It’s your life and no one else can live it for you. Listen to your parent’s advice; but young adults, you make the decision about the career you want.

Not knowing what I wanted to do after finishing school (and then university), I followed my father into insurance, not thinking that I would have to spend half my working/waking life in that occupation, Dumbo!

In setting goals we need to allow for our future growth and development. If you want to grow, you’ve got to eat your “veggies” and use your potential to the fullest. Don’t stay a dwarf if you can help it.

Sorry “dwarfies” for that totally politically incorrect statement. Oops, too late.

Put my foot in it again…but it’s too late to worry. Life is one long journey of self discovery.

It is also a great opportunity for self improvement – to grow day by day, even though you might have the occasional stumble.

As you can see I’m continually dragging myself up after being beaten by old ladies (and dwarfs) with their brollies.

But if you accept yourself and are happy just the way you are, that’s fine by me too. I am.

“Plant the right seed to get the right plant” – anon

“Keep your mind on what you want and off what you don’t want” - Napoleon Hill

“You will become as small as your controlling desires; as great as your dominant aspiration” - James Allen * Now that we’ve defined and set our goals, lets look at ACHIEVING them by getting and then staying FOCUSSED…

* How to achieve your goals:

There are a number of important factors that make people successful in achieving their personal goals… and I believe goalsetting is the key ingredient to personal success.

What else determines whether we will achieve our goals? I think the following attributes are critical:

* A strong belief in oneself and one’s ability to succeed

* Good self esteem

* Self confidence

* Self discipline

* A burning desire to achieve your pre-set goals

* A sound strategy with a great deal of thought given to PLANNING

* A desire to give something back to society and invest in people; ie. to make some contribution to your “little patch” of the world. This leads into the next one…

* Having worthy goals which benefit one self and others

* A winning focus and a positive attitude. This is very very very important.

* Consistancy and commitment

* The ability to avoid distractions, ie. the ability to FOCUS (not swearing at ourselves)

* Affirming oneself daily that you are of value to the world

* An ability to take calculated risks

* An ability to learn from your mistakes and to overcome the fear of making mistakes

* The ability to handle stress well I’m not so “hot” on that one.

* Taking frequent exercise – because a healthy body keeps the mind healthy

* Taking time out for relaxation

* Self motivation, and most important of all,

* Personal integrity and a sense of ethics.

Who says millionaires and other successful people lack integrity and rip off gullible people in the street?

I for one, definitely don’t believe it.

I think quite a few businessmen may be ruthless, but most of them have high moral codes of behaviour.

But most importantly, they have the “bucks” to improve people’s lives in the community…as long as they are not too stingy.

BALANCE:

Remember, it is vital to live a balanced life. So look at your goals in all areas of your life: material, physical, career, psychological and most importantly, spiritual.

I’m not a religious person at all#; but I think it’s terribly important to BELIEVE and have FAITH that things will work out in the future for you.

That BELIEF (either in yourself or in a Higher Being) will largely determine your attitude…how happy or unhappy your life will be.

God, the Universe, The Creator of Life has a plan for your life too.

To end off this chapter, here are a few more quotations on taking a chance or risk in life. I like them, because I’ve taken a few chances in my time (perhaps too many) …maybe you have too.

“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”

– so say wise man, Confucius.

“The greatest risk in life is to risk NOTHING… The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing…” - Norman Vincent Peale

“Only the person who risks is truly free. A man’s conquest of himself dwarfs the conquest of Mt. Everest.” - N.V.Peale, again.

“Be BOLD and unseen forces come to your aid” – I think it was Brian Tracey (an American motivational consultant and speaker) who said those words. Very true!

“Whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, famous German philosopher

Very wise words.

So after all this…

WHAT’S STOPPING YOU STARTING ON ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS RIGHT NOW?

Absolutely ANYTHING is possible with ACTION and great FAITH.

“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you…and the often seemingly difficult or even “impassible”) path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.”

Craig Lock

“Enthusiasm is the match that lights the candle of achievement.” - William Arthur Ward

“Your belief determines your action and your action determines your results, but first you have to believe.” – Mark Victor Hansen

“God, the Source of Life and Love, the Ground of our very Being will never give you a desire, a vision, an individual dream without your having the ability/potential for it to come to pass.” – Craig Lock

Craig’s FREE e-book Steps to Success is now available at: http://www.bridgeniche.com/stepstosuccess/

A light, entertaining, ‘zany’ look at how to make the most of yourself, as well as finding the crazy bits in you. “Steps” is written for the ordinary ”bloke” or woman in the street. No loitering, please!

Eagle Productions Books are available at: http://www.bridgeniche.com

Uplifting, encouraging and empowering people through the power of words and thought energy. Change YOUR world and you change THE world.”

Thank you Craig…. for more self help GOAL SETTING and PERSONAL GOALS DEVELOPMENT, just read the self help blog entries below. – Helene Malmsio

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