One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on
inside all people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside
us all.
“One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride,
superiority, and ego.
“The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth,
compassion and faith.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and
then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”
The old Cherokee simply
replied, “The one you feed.”
Be More Successful, Get Motivated, Achieve More with Successful Personal Development
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Monday, 28 October 2013
Monday, 14 October 2013
It's True, "You Become What You Think About" By Roger Willard
The first time I heard it in those terms was from Earl Nightingale. He was the gravelly voiced motivational speaker out of Chicago. I remember in the 1960s his brief commentaries called, Our Changing World, on the local radio station. But this particular phrase is the reincarnation of the words of Napoleon Hill who authored Think and Grow Rich. I have listened to the recordings of Earl Nightingale and have enjoyed and learned from them. I highly recommend any and all to do the same. Although he died in 1989, his recordings are just as valid today as they were decades ago. They are almost timeless.
And now as I look back at these few years God has permitted me on this earth, I know that this is more than just words on paper. It is truth. You do become what you think about. And in knowing this, a person picks most of his or her own destiny. In saying this, I sense a disturbance in the universe. How can this be possible? Is it that stuff we read about in The Secret? You might even say, "And that didn't work for me". But just saying, "You become what you think about" is only part of the full message. But like most things, we try to break them down to the lowest common denominator. You must go beyond simple sound bites and back to the full message.
First of all, for anything to happen, there must be action. Without action, nothing gets done. Even much of God's work is done though the hands of men taking action. But enough theology for now. Man is the only animal that can change its destiny. All other creatures are controlled by nature and instinct. We can change our lives and do it all the time, simply by thinking and letting those thoughts guide our actions.
But beside actions, there is another thing that must be applied. That word which comes from another axiom, is "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." The key word here is "believe". Is what you think or want to achieve, believable?
As I was growing up, like many young people, I thought about becoming a fireman, cowboy, doctor, president and all the other careers kids think about. But there were a few careers that really stood out. For me there were four life goals I really wanted to achieve or was fascinated with: something on radio/TV/movies, a police officer/detective, and/or something with the strange and mysterious stuff out there.
These things always had my attention. I had more than idle curiosity about them. I pretended to be doing them.
As I got older, I bought or borrowed dozens of books on the subjects. When I got old enough to drive, I would visit radio stations and have them show me around. TV stations were not so open to this, but I did get to talk to local TV personalities. In college I majored in Police Science. I visited police departments on my own. I talked my way into riding with some officers on patrol at night, and not handcuffed in the back seat. I talked my way into an all police training class for CEUs in which I was the only civilian there. Later I did become a police officer, constable and private detective.
At the same time I continued my deep interest in hypnosis, reading and studying all I could on this mysterious and wonderful subject. Still at the same time I decided I had an ego to be on the air. I was always looking for a way to make it happen somehow. Eventually I got a gig to be in a commercial. Eventually I got to be on air live for 13 years on the country's largest cable shopping network as a product demonstrator. And now (but not finally) after deciding to make some changes, I became a certified hypnotherapist.
Why I am telling you this, is not to brag, but to illustrate a point. I believed I could do all these things. The things I chose were truly possible to me. There were moments in my life I knew some things I would not be doing. It might be fun to ride a racehorse, but at about age 8, my body size proved that to be out of the picture. So to some extent, honest thinking has to part of this self-development process. And this is essential for any change. To be honest about what you want to do. And then decide to think about it. And this can work for almost anything. To lose weight, you don't think and say to yourself, "I am thin." Not if you are obviously a number of pounds overweight, but rather you think, "I can become thinner", and then begin to see the change. Imagine a short-term and a long-term image. Let it become a reasonable obsession to take you to the weight just right for you. But do it with caution, as we know of too many who take it to the extreme and become anorexic.
As I was growing up I was what most would call an average or slightly below average student. I was not expected to go to college. And this was probably the only negative thing I heard about me in my household. No real high academic expectations. And in my own way I believed it. But one day that changed. After a number of years of poor academics in college, I decided I not only wanted to graduate from a junior college, I wanted a four-year degree. It is what I thought about. Once I knew it could be done, I moved in that direction. After I received my two-year degree, in just a year and a half later, I earned my four-year degree.
Now to be honest, this happened because of a fourth belief I had. I didn't forget that I said I had four things I really thought about in my life. I wanted that right person in my life to share it with me. And, honestly to find just that right person I had to become the kind of person who would be worthy of that person. Although I am far from perfect, I found the perfect person for me.
You see, there are so many ways to think. If you think and believe only trash, you live a life of trash. If you think, but never take action, you are no better off because little or nothing of what you want will ever happen. But there is tremendous value in saying, "You become what you think about" as a reminder to focus your thinking and then take action. I can only suggest that you find worthy things to think about and let yourself become ever so slightly wonderfully obsessive. Then let it guide your actions to help you create the life you really want and the person inside you want to become.
And now as I look back at these few years God has permitted me on this earth, I know that this is more than just words on paper. It is truth. You do become what you think about. And in knowing this, a person picks most of his or her own destiny. In saying this, I sense a disturbance in the universe. How can this be possible? Is it that stuff we read about in The Secret? You might even say, "And that didn't work for me". But just saying, "You become what you think about" is only part of the full message. But like most things, we try to break them down to the lowest common denominator. You must go beyond simple sound bites and back to the full message.
First of all, for anything to happen, there must be action. Without action, nothing gets done. Even much of God's work is done though the hands of men taking action. But enough theology for now. Man is the only animal that can change its destiny. All other creatures are controlled by nature and instinct. We can change our lives and do it all the time, simply by thinking and letting those thoughts guide our actions.
But beside actions, there is another thing that must be applied. That word which comes from another axiom, is "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." The key word here is "believe". Is what you think or want to achieve, believable?
As I was growing up, like many young people, I thought about becoming a fireman, cowboy, doctor, president and all the other careers kids think about. But there were a few careers that really stood out. For me there were four life goals I really wanted to achieve or was fascinated with: something on radio/TV/movies, a police officer/detective, and/or something with the strange and mysterious stuff out there.
These things always had my attention. I had more than idle curiosity about them. I pretended to be doing them.
As I got older, I bought or borrowed dozens of books on the subjects. When I got old enough to drive, I would visit radio stations and have them show me around. TV stations were not so open to this, but I did get to talk to local TV personalities. In college I majored in Police Science. I visited police departments on my own. I talked my way into riding with some officers on patrol at night, and not handcuffed in the back seat. I talked my way into an all police training class for CEUs in which I was the only civilian there. Later I did become a police officer, constable and private detective.
At the same time I continued my deep interest in hypnosis, reading and studying all I could on this mysterious and wonderful subject. Still at the same time I decided I had an ego to be on the air. I was always looking for a way to make it happen somehow. Eventually I got a gig to be in a commercial. Eventually I got to be on air live for 13 years on the country's largest cable shopping network as a product demonstrator. And now (but not finally) after deciding to make some changes, I became a certified hypnotherapist.
Why I am telling you this, is not to brag, but to illustrate a point. I believed I could do all these things. The things I chose were truly possible to me. There were moments in my life I knew some things I would not be doing. It might be fun to ride a racehorse, but at about age 8, my body size proved that to be out of the picture. So to some extent, honest thinking has to part of this self-development process. And this is essential for any change. To be honest about what you want to do. And then decide to think about it. And this can work for almost anything. To lose weight, you don't think and say to yourself, "I am thin." Not if you are obviously a number of pounds overweight, but rather you think, "I can become thinner", and then begin to see the change. Imagine a short-term and a long-term image. Let it become a reasonable obsession to take you to the weight just right for you. But do it with caution, as we know of too many who take it to the extreme and become anorexic.
As I was growing up I was what most would call an average or slightly below average student. I was not expected to go to college. And this was probably the only negative thing I heard about me in my household. No real high academic expectations. And in my own way I believed it. But one day that changed. After a number of years of poor academics in college, I decided I not only wanted to graduate from a junior college, I wanted a four-year degree. It is what I thought about. Once I knew it could be done, I moved in that direction. After I received my two-year degree, in just a year and a half later, I earned my four-year degree.
Now to be honest, this happened because of a fourth belief I had. I didn't forget that I said I had four things I really thought about in my life. I wanted that right person in my life to share it with me. And, honestly to find just that right person I had to become the kind of person who would be worthy of that person. Although I am far from perfect, I found the perfect person for me.
You see, there are so many ways to think. If you think and believe only trash, you live a life of trash. If you think, but never take action, you are no better off because little or nothing of what you want will ever happen. But there is tremendous value in saying, "You become what you think about" as a reminder to focus your thinking and then take action. I can only suggest that you find worthy things to think about and let yourself become ever so slightly wonderfully obsessive. Then let it guide your actions to help you create the life you really want and the person inside you want to become.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8053072
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Free ebook- ' Pushing Your Limits' by Will Edwards
If you have ever found yourself holding back on something you really wanted to do, you are familiar with self-limitation – we all have some self-limiting beliefs.
Limitations can serve us in some ways, like reminding us that we don’t have the ability to fly off a roof and land safely on our feet; and they can confine us in other ways, by creating doubt and fear about our ability to create more fulfilling circumstances.
Luckily, most of our self-limitations are easily identified as helpful or harmful; we need only spend some time examining them and decide which we want to keep and which we want to discard.
What do you believe you’ll NEVER be able to do? Why do you think so? If these concepts seem vague and you’re not sure what your own perceived limitations are, take some time to write them down.
Try phrases like this: ‘I can’t [do this] because [of that].’
Fill in the blanks, and don’t hold anything back. Even if one of your ideas seems ridiculous and you logically know it isn’t true, yet your gut confirms it’s a strong belief you hold, write it down anyway.
Once you’ve identified as many of your limiting beliefs as you can; take a closer look at them. Are any of them hopelessly impossible, or do they just feel that way? Have other people been able to accomplish something that you want to accomplish? Have you accomplished anything in the past that was difficult? How did you overcome the obstacles you faced? Could you apply the same process to any goal?
There are no right or wrong answers here, only what you honestly think and feel. Now set your list aside (we’ll be looking at it again later in this report) – and let’s delve into beliefs a bit deeper.
Free ebook ==> Click Here
Monday, 8 July 2013
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
The Power of Thoughts
Modern science has established that our thoughts influence our reality. But just how powerful is a thought, and what are they capable of doing?
Do thoughts heal? The power of placebos is a well proven medical reality. The placebo effect occurs when a treatment or medication with no real therapeutic value (like a sugar pill) is given to a patient, and their symptoms still improve.
What is believed to occur with placebos is this: The patient thinks they have been given something to heal their condition, and because they expect to improve, they actually DO improve.
Doctor Bruce Lipton, a remarkable geneticist and researcher, claims that over 30% of all medical healings and surgeries are the result of the mind-controlled placebo effect. He is also convinced that our thoughts actually control how our genes express themselves.
The case of people with multiple personalities is another interesting example. The physical appearance (and even the actual health) of people with multiple personalities can instantly change depending on which of their personalities is present at any given time. For example, studies have shown that one personality may have blue eyes, while the other has brown eyes.
There has even been a case where one personality had clinically serious cancer, while the other personality did not. In short, the thoughts of the personality that is manifesting have an immediate and very real impact on their physical body.
Can thoughts change physical outcomes? Decades ago psychologists determined that some people can influence the outcome of a coin toss or a roll of dice simply by focusing their thoughts on a preferred outcome.
Similar experiments are currently being conducted by the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research program using computerized random event generators. The subjects use their thoughts to influence the subsequent random number sets. The success of some people is so exact that their results are mathematically equivalent to winning the lottery 9 to 10 times in a row.
Do our thoughts affect other living things? Years ago biologist Clove Backster began to measure the responses of plants to stress. He discovered that plants DO have increased stress levels during times of danger. If an experimenter threatened to burn a plant with a match, for example, the plant registered a spike on the stress machine. But what intrigued Backster even more was that plants registered a stress spike even if the experimenter only thought about burning the plant.
Other scientists have conducted studies that clearly indicate the power of thoughts (both positive and negative) on animals, bacteria, and even living cells.
Do our thoughts affect other people? Pairs of people (strangers unknown to each other) were placed in separate isolated rooms to determine if a stimulation of one would be felt by the other. One person was subjected to images, sounds, or mild electric shock while the effect on the other person was measured.
Interestingly, both individuals experienced similar physical reactions and brainwave patterns during the stimulation - even though only one of them was stimulated. Such synchronization of brainwave patterns and physical reactions is not normally found in people who have never met.
There is also growing evidence that remote healing and prayer have an impact on other human beings. In one study, remote healers from various backgrounds sent healing thoughts to AIDS patients. The remarkable results included improved T-cell counts, fewer illnesses and increased longevity.
Can thoughts transcend time and space? Remote Viewing (RV) is the ability to acce
ss and provide accurate information about an item or event that is located remote from the viewer. An example might be a person who is sitting in an office in California accurately describing in detail a building in Australia that they have never visited or seen in any way.
Both USA and Russian experimenters and many university programs have long investigated remote viewing. Although remote viewing is not 100% accurate and reproducible, there is strong scientific evidence to support it. Russell Targ, the co-founder of Stanford Research institute, reports accuracy of up to 10,000 miles away, and abilities to describe the past, present and future events for target locations.
Do thoughts truly create our reality? Add up the above, and it becomes evident that we truly create our own reality, from our physical health... to our ability to influence other people and even our environment.
But there is something else at work here.
That something else is the power of the subconscious mind, which operates much like a movie camera from birth on. True, your thoughts DO create the many aspects of your reality (even how your genes turn on or off) - but it is ultimately the lifetime of memories and impressions stored in your subconscious mind that sets the stage for your thoughts.
This underscores the importance of becoming aware of our automatic beliefs and assumptions (which rise up from the subconscious mind), and replacing them with more positive and current thoughts.
Life is full of opportunities and second chances. The secret is to be willing to take them!
Do thoughts heal? The power of placebos is a well proven medical reality. The placebo effect occurs when a treatment or medication with no real therapeutic value (like a sugar pill) is given to a patient, and their symptoms still improve.
What is believed to occur with placebos is this: The patient thinks they have been given something to heal their condition, and because they expect to improve, they actually DO improve.
Doctor Bruce Lipton, a remarkable geneticist and researcher, claims that over 30% of all medical healings and surgeries are the result of the mind-controlled placebo effect. He is also convinced that our thoughts actually control how our genes express themselves.
The case of people with multiple personalities is another interesting example. The physical appearance (and even the actual health) of people with multiple personalities can instantly change depending on which of their personalities is present at any given time. For example, studies have shown that one personality may have blue eyes, while the other has brown eyes.
There has even been a case where one personality had clinically serious cancer, while the other personality did not. In short, the thoughts of the personality that is manifesting have an immediate and very real impact on their physical body.
Can thoughts change physical outcomes? Decades ago psychologists determined that some people can influence the outcome of a coin toss or a roll of dice simply by focusing their thoughts on a preferred outcome.
Similar experiments are currently being conducted by the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research program using computerized random event generators. The subjects use their thoughts to influence the subsequent random number sets. The success of some people is so exact that their results are mathematically equivalent to winning the lottery 9 to 10 times in a row.
Do our thoughts affect other living things? Years ago biologist Clove Backster began to measure the responses of plants to stress. He discovered that plants DO have increased stress levels during times of danger. If an experimenter threatened to burn a plant with a match, for example, the plant registered a spike on the stress machine. But what intrigued Backster even more was that plants registered a stress spike even if the experimenter only thought about burning the plant.
Other scientists have conducted studies that clearly indicate the power of thoughts (both positive and negative) on animals, bacteria, and even living cells.
Do our thoughts affect other people? Pairs of people (strangers unknown to each other) were placed in separate isolated rooms to determine if a stimulation of one would be felt by the other. One person was subjected to images, sounds, or mild electric shock while the effect on the other person was measured.
Interestingly, both individuals experienced similar physical reactions and brainwave patterns during the stimulation - even though only one of them was stimulated. Such synchronization of brainwave patterns and physical reactions is not normally found in people who have never met.
There is also growing evidence that remote healing and prayer have an impact on other human beings. In one study, remote healers from various backgrounds sent healing thoughts to AIDS patients. The remarkable results included improved T-cell counts, fewer illnesses and increased longevity.
Can thoughts transcend time and space? Remote Viewing (RV) is the ability to acce
ss and provide accurate information about an item or event that is located remote from the viewer. An example might be a person who is sitting in an office in California accurately describing in detail a building in Australia that they have never visited or seen in any way.
Both USA and Russian experimenters and many university programs have long investigated remote viewing. Although remote viewing is not 100% accurate and reproducible, there is strong scientific evidence to support it. Russell Targ, the co-founder of Stanford Research institute, reports accuracy of up to 10,000 miles away, and abilities to describe the past, present and future events for target locations.
Do thoughts truly create our reality? Add up the above, and it becomes evident that we truly create our own reality, from our physical health... to our ability to influence other people and even our environment.
But there is something else at work here.
That something else is the power of the subconscious mind, which operates much like a movie camera from birth on. True, your thoughts DO create the many aspects of your reality (even how your genes turn on or off) - but it is ultimately the lifetime of memories and impressions stored in your subconscious mind that sets the stage for your thoughts.
This underscores the importance of becoming aware of our automatic beliefs and assumptions (which rise up from the subconscious mind), and replacing them with more positive and current thoughts.
Life is full of opportunities and second chances. The secret is to be willing to take them!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7796373
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Why Criminals Love Your Summer Vacations
Everyone loves a relaxing vacation during the summer months.
My family especially enjoys laying on the beach, hearing the waves crashing onto the shore, the smell of sunscreen and the laughter of children and parents playing on the beach or in the pool, can't help but put a smile on your face.
For many in America, those 7-10 days are the only time they truly have to enjoy the company of their family and friends. I know families such as my own which vacation annually with several families during one specific week of the year. The tradition we created several years ago is the most highly anticipated event of each calendar year. As with most traditions, there are several events that must occur and these largely have to do with the fact that human skin can only stand so much direct sunlight before it reddens and burns. This provides the females and the teenagers within our families the window of opportunity to go shopping and hunting for discounted bargains.
This recreational activity is ideal for criminals because of the lack of personal awareness (you're on vacation) and your "guard being down" as well as the fact that a lot of people these days are trying to avoid using credit cards and are carrying cash to purchase items instead. I'm not calling for mass hysteria at Tanger Outlets across America but I am asking you to remember that a bathing suit, tank top, and flip flops doesn't give you immunity to being a victim of a crime.
Lets take a precautionary look inside the mind of a criminal and examine where your weak points in personal defense could exist. I'm going to list a few and discuss.
1. The Parking Lot:
For the criminal this can work to his advantage in many ways. The size of the parking lot, whether it is outside or indoors, the distance you have parked away from the physical shopping area. The number of entrances and exits from the parking lot. Are their security guards patrolling within the parking lot? Are their a lot of out of state license plates? Is there a heavy traffic pattern of shoppers coming and going, meaning steady traffic flow, making it difficult for the element of surprise to harm you. Criminals want to control the environment in which they strike, too many variables happening simultaneously works to your advantage. The easy solution here is a personal alarm. If you feel uneasy or threatened just pull the pin and 130 decibels will call attention to your plight, equalizing the distance from safety part of the equation to your favor.
2. Flip-flops and Multiple Shopping Bags:
Personal protection requires quick reaction. If you are attacked, lose the flip-flops and fight barefoot. Try to also have one hand free instead of both hands carrying multiple bags. Its better to make frequent trips to the car and unload into the trunk rather than one trip at the end of the day. That free hand should have your car keys in it with a pepper spray attached to the keychain. Keychain pepper sprays normally will have a range of 6-8 feet spraying distance and somewhere between 6-10 shots within the 1/2 oz models.
3. Texting and Sunglasses:
Being Vigilant and Prepared requires you to pay attention to all of your surroundings. Put the cellphone away while coming from and going back to the car. Use sunglasses to your advantage by constantly scanning your surroundings for potential threats. The criminal can't see where your eyes are looking so look around a lot and keep the crook off guard. The disadvantage to the sunglasses would be of course if it darkened your ability to see clearly both up close and at a distance. In other words, Sunny day fine, Cloudy not so much.
I hope my advice and thoughts were helpful and everyone does have a safe and victimless summer vacation.
Take care and wear sunscreen!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7764497
My family especially enjoys laying on the beach, hearing the waves crashing onto the shore, the smell of sunscreen and the laughter of children and parents playing on the beach or in the pool, can't help but put a smile on your face.
For many in America, those 7-10 days are the only time they truly have to enjoy the company of their family and friends. I know families such as my own which vacation annually with several families during one specific week of the year. The tradition we created several years ago is the most highly anticipated event of each calendar year. As with most traditions, there are several events that must occur and these largely have to do with the fact that human skin can only stand so much direct sunlight before it reddens and burns. This provides the females and the teenagers within our families the window of opportunity to go shopping and hunting for discounted bargains.
This recreational activity is ideal for criminals because of the lack of personal awareness (you're on vacation) and your "guard being down" as well as the fact that a lot of people these days are trying to avoid using credit cards and are carrying cash to purchase items instead. I'm not calling for mass hysteria at Tanger Outlets across America but I am asking you to remember that a bathing suit, tank top, and flip flops doesn't give you immunity to being a victim of a crime.
Lets take a precautionary look inside the mind of a criminal and examine where your weak points in personal defense could exist. I'm going to list a few and discuss.
1. The Parking Lot:
For the criminal this can work to his advantage in many ways. The size of the parking lot, whether it is outside or indoors, the distance you have parked away from the physical shopping area. The number of entrances and exits from the parking lot. Are their security guards patrolling within the parking lot? Are their a lot of out of state license plates? Is there a heavy traffic pattern of shoppers coming and going, meaning steady traffic flow, making it difficult for the element of surprise to harm you. Criminals want to control the environment in which they strike, too many variables happening simultaneously works to your advantage. The easy solution here is a personal alarm. If you feel uneasy or threatened just pull the pin and 130 decibels will call attention to your plight, equalizing the distance from safety part of the equation to your favor.
2. Flip-flops and Multiple Shopping Bags:
Personal protection requires quick reaction. If you are attacked, lose the flip-flops and fight barefoot. Try to also have one hand free instead of both hands carrying multiple bags. Its better to make frequent trips to the car and unload into the trunk rather than one trip at the end of the day. That free hand should have your car keys in it with a pepper spray attached to the keychain. Keychain pepper sprays normally will have a range of 6-8 feet spraying distance and somewhere between 6-10 shots within the 1/2 oz models.
3. Texting and Sunglasses:
Being Vigilant and Prepared requires you to pay attention to all of your surroundings. Put the cellphone away while coming from and going back to the car. Use sunglasses to your advantage by constantly scanning your surroundings for potential threats. The criminal can't see where your eyes are looking so look around a lot and keep the crook off guard. The disadvantage to the sunglasses would be of course if it darkened your ability to see clearly both up close and at a distance. In other words, Sunny day fine, Cloudy not so much.
I hope my advice and thoughts were helpful and everyone does have a safe and victimless summer vacation.
Take care and wear sunscreen!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7764497
Friday, 14 June 2013
Why Making Money Is Difficult
Are you frustrated at why you are not making money the way you would like to?
It appears as if things just don't seem to work out right? Yes you work hard, but it seems as if for every 2 steps forward that you take, 3 steps backwards follows. Making money just seems impossible and it's certainly not from a lack of effort. Why?
Chances are, that there are internal blocks more powerful than you realize that are sabotaging your efforts of making money.
The mind is composed of two parts, the conscience and subconscious parts. The part of the mind that wants to make money, achieve success and all that good stuff is the conscious mind. The part that may be stopping you form achieving your desires is the subconscious mind.
As renowned American developmental biologist and author of "The Biology of Belief" Dr. Bruce Lipton explains, our lives are run by habits, not desires. Your habits are simply your programmed responses to stimuli. The responses are in the form of thought and eventually action. All this is run by your subconscious mind. Your desires, on the other hand, are things that you strongly aspire to have. You control the conscious mind so you will take action to attain these desires.
The thing is, the subconscious mind controls 95% of what you do but you are unlikely to even notice. If what you desire (Making Money) differs from what your subconscious programming wants (status quo), then its like swimming against a really, really, really strong current. You efforts will be futile.
So what are these three major blocks to making money?
1. FEAR OF MAKING MONEY
This is the big one. You might be shocked at how fearful you are of success and a lot of money, even if you want it badly! Introspect for a second. What comes with making money and achieving success? Responsibility? Attention? A shift from what you know and are used to? Being treated differently? What else? As you slowly and deliberately think about the things that money bring, how do you feel about them? Is there a touch of discomfort perhaps with one or more of these things?
Lets take responsibility for instance. You get a lot of money; you have to worry about managing it, taking care of those close to you who would not have otherwise looked to you for support (not that you don't want to help but just the thought of the added responsibility). Remember, with all this money, people are looking at you!
You will also meet new people, people out of your usual circle. You get out of your 'comfort zone'. For those looking for true love, do you fear "gold diggers" may come looking for a bounty? Do you feel like a target? Does all of this make you feel uncomfortable on the inside at some level?
The stimuli are money and success and the programmed response is fear. This is programmed from what you have seen and heard. All this is run by your subconscious mind, which has your experiences stored in its infinitely large database. After fear, the secondary response may be procrastination from taking action to generate this money, or listing of excuse after excuse as to why 'it won't work'. You may also be prone to seeing 'difficulty instead of opportunities'. The list is endless. Fear may also come in the form of fear of failure, which results in anger, frustration and desperation. Think about this. Would you buy from a relaxed confident sales man or a desperate salesman? We all know how annoying, desperate salesmen could be.
The self-saboteur in you will operate under the radar without you noticing a lot of times. With 95% of the vote, your subconscious mind runs the show.
2. FEELINGS OF LACK AND UNWORTHINESS
Feelings of inadequacy hold back too many people from too many accomplishments. When you sit around people with money and success, how do you feel? Do you feel... unworthy? Do you start thinking about what you don't have? What you haven't accomplished? Do you feel like a lesser being, a failure? Do you feel poor? Other people pick these 'vibes' and respond to them. How many times have you seen or heard of people getting promoted simply because they 'acted the part'? This is where the phrase 'Fake it till you make it' comes from. When you feel wealthy and successful, you will act wealthy and successful. Eventually, you will be wealthy successful. It is not the other way round. This is called the 'Be-Do-Have Principle'. You have to be wealthy (feel), do the things that make you wealthy (action) and eventually have wealth.
So again the stimuli are making money and achieving success, the programmed response is 'I'm not worthy'; 'I'm a failure'. The secondary response is lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm and lack of creativity. Your actions will be a result of these self-defeating assertions and of course the eventuality is failure, no matter how much you want success.
3. ASSOCIATING 'MAKING MONEY' WITH NEGATIVITY
Here is a good test that I have also done. Look for a picture of stacks of cash. What thoughts come to mind? Bank robbery? Drug dealers? Criminal dealings? Greed? Do you have some feelings of repulsion perhaps? What do you think of rich people? Do you think they have bad attitudes? Are they snobs?
When I first did this test, I thought of a bank robbers and drug dealers in movies. This is what I have been exposed to growing up. This is what my mind has been fed. Such a lot of money was always associated with something negative. Things that come to mind may include stories you have heard about lives ruined and families torn apart after making a lot of money. What all this is saying to you is 'MONEY IS BAD!" All this is stored in your subconscious mind. Again, the stimulus is making lots of money, and the programmed response is, ruined lives, torn families, changed person etc. If its something you find undesirable, your subconscious mind will go to work to 'protect you' from it.
LET GO OF THE BLOCKS AND START MAKING MONEY
If the subconscious mind was programmed to block money, you need to reprogram it to allow you to make money.
This is how you can do that...
Affirmations - Repetitive input of negativity led to it being perceived as reality by your subconscious mind. To reverse this, you need to repeat positive affirmations to yourself about yourself and your environment until the programming changes. You can also get recorded affirmations that you can listen to daily. Even if you don't concentrate on them, they still slowly shift the subconscious programming.
Gratitude - Gratitude creates a paradigm shift. By being grateful for what you have, you take away the feeling of lack. You can't feel successful and feel lack at the same time
Surround yourself with positive people - This is self-explanatory. Negative people feed you negativity and positive people give you the right 'programming'.
Emotional Freedom Technique - I strongly recommend this. It is often called 'awake hypnosis'. It is an acupressure technique that combines affirmations and tapping of bio-energy meridians of the body to reset bioenergy and reprogram your subconscious. It's very simple. I would recommend reading on this first so you are fully aware of what it is.
Take charge of your subconscious programming, your life and start making money!!!
It appears as if things just don't seem to work out right? Yes you work hard, but it seems as if for every 2 steps forward that you take, 3 steps backwards follows. Making money just seems impossible and it's certainly not from a lack of effort. Why?
Chances are, that there are internal blocks more powerful than you realize that are sabotaging your efforts of making money.
The mind is composed of two parts, the conscience and subconscious parts. The part of the mind that wants to make money, achieve success and all that good stuff is the conscious mind. The part that may be stopping you form achieving your desires is the subconscious mind.
As renowned American developmental biologist and author of "The Biology of Belief" Dr. Bruce Lipton explains, our lives are run by habits, not desires. Your habits are simply your programmed responses to stimuli. The responses are in the form of thought and eventually action. All this is run by your subconscious mind. Your desires, on the other hand, are things that you strongly aspire to have. You control the conscious mind so you will take action to attain these desires.
The thing is, the subconscious mind controls 95% of what you do but you are unlikely to even notice. If what you desire (Making Money) differs from what your subconscious programming wants (status quo), then its like swimming against a really, really, really strong current. You efforts will be futile.
So what are these three major blocks to making money?
1. FEAR OF MAKING MONEY
This is the big one. You might be shocked at how fearful you are of success and a lot of money, even if you want it badly! Introspect for a second. What comes with making money and achieving success? Responsibility? Attention? A shift from what you know and are used to? Being treated differently? What else? As you slowly and deliberately think about the things that money bring, how do you feel about them? Is there a touch of discomfort perhaps with one or more of these things?
Lets take responsibility for instance. You get a lot of money; you have to worry about managing it, taking care of those close to you who would not have otherwise looked to you for support (not that you don't want to help but just the thought of the added responsibility). Remember, with all this money, people are looking at you!
You will also meet new people, people out of your usual circle. You get out of your 'comfort zone'. For those looking for true love, do you fear "gold diggers" may come looking for a bounty? Do you feel like a target? Does all of this make you feel uncomfortable on the inside at some level?
The stimuli are money and success and the programmed response is fear. This is programmed from what you have seen and heard. All this is run by your subconscious mind, which has your experiences stored in its infinitely large database. After fear, the secondary response may be procrastination from taking action to generate this money, or listing of excuse after excuse as to why 'it won't work'. You may also be prone to seeing 'difficulty instead of opportunities'. The list is endless. Fear may also come in the form of fear of failure, which results in anger, frustration and desperation. Think about this. Would you buy from a relaxed confident sales man or a desperate salesman? We all know how annoying, desperate salesmen could be.
The self-saboteur in you will operate under the radar without you noticing a lot of times. With 95% of the vote, your subconscious mind runs the show.
2. FEELINGS OF LACK AND UNWORTHINESS
Feelings of inadequacy hold back too many people from too many accomplishments. When you sit around people with money and success, how do you feel? Do you feel... unworthy? Do you start thinking about what you don't have? What you haven't accomplished? Do you feel like a lesser being, a failure? Do you feel poor? Other people pick these 'vibes' and respond to them. How many times have you seen or heard of people getting promoted simply because they 'acted the part'? This is where the phrase 'Fake it till you make it' comes from. When you feel wealthy and successful, you will act wealthy and successful. Eventually, you will be wealthy successful. It is not the other way round. This is called the 'Be-Do-Have Principle'. You have to be wealthy (feel), do the things that make you wealthy (action) and eventually have wealth.
So again the stimuli are making money and achieving success, the programmed response is 'I'm not worthy'; 'I'm a failure'. The secondary response is lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm and lack of creativity. Your actions will be a result of these self-defeating assertions and of course the eventuality is failure, no matter how much you want success.
3. ASSOCIATING 'MAKING MONEY' WITH NEGATIVITY
Here is a good test that I have also done. Look for a picture of stacks of cash. What thoughts come to mind? Bank robbery? Drug dealers? Criminal dealings? Greed? Do you have some feelings of repulsion perhaps? What do you think of rich people? Do you think they have bad attitudes? Are they snobs?
When I first did this test, I thought of a bank robbers and drug dealers in movies. This is what I have been exposed to growing up. This is what my mind has been fed. Such a lot of money was always associated with something negative. Things that come to mind may include stories you have heard about lives ruined and families torn apart after making a lot of money. What all this is saying to you is 'MONEY IS BAD!" All this is stored in your subconscious mind. Again, the stimulus is making lots of money, and the programmed response is, ruined lives, torn families, changed person etc. If its something you find undesirable, your subconscious mind will go to work to 'protect you' from it.
LET GO OF THE BLOCKS AND START MAKING MONEY
If the subconscious mind was programmed to block money, you need to reprogram it to allow you to make money.
This is how you can do that...
Affirmations - Repetitive input of negativity led to it being perceived as reality by your subconscious mind. To reverse this, you need to repeat positive affirmations to yourself about yourself and your environment until the programming changes. You can also get recorded affirmations that you can listen to daily. Even if you don't concentrate on them, they still slowly shift the subconscious programming.
Gratitude - Gratitude creates a paradigm shift. By being grateful for what you have, you take away the feeling of lack. You can't feel successful and feel lack at the same time
Surround yourself with positive people - This is self-explanatory. Negative people feed you negativity and positive people give you the right 'programming'.
Emotional Freedom Technique - I strongly recommend this. It is often called 'awake hypnosis'. It is an acupressure technique that combines affirmations and tapping of bio-energy meridians of the body to reset bioenergy and reprogram your subconscious. It's very simple. I would recommend reading on this first so you are fully aware of what it is.
Take charge of your subconscious programming, your life and start making money!!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7747879
Saturday, 1 June 2013
How to get RICH
Cash is king!
This aphorism from real estate investing perfectly describes the little known method the rich actually use to accumulate millions of dollars. This report reveals 20 sources of passive income. Put any or all of these sources into place and sit back and watch the dollars roll on with no (or very little) further effort on your part.
If you truly want to get rich and live a life of luxury, then you must master the ability of generating cash flow from passive income sources. Without this ability, your income will be limited to traditional ways of making money, such as working. Working will never free you from having to work. You must do something different than working in order to obtain the income you need to live the lifestyle you desire. Passive income is the key.
Before you begin any investment plan, the first rule is to consult with a qualified investment advisor. By talking over your plan and considering possibilities you may not have considered, you will protect your capital to the greatest degree and help protect it from potential loss whiule multiplying your return.
This article will not consider the cost of entry to any investment nor will we look at rates of return. These will fluctuate - possibly every year or even over the course of a year- depending on the economy, conditions set by the SEC and other regulatory bodies and the IRS. This article will consider only the 20 possible sources of passive income; you will need to conduct further research to determine if any investment is appropriate for you.
1. ETF's - Exchange Traded Funds - This is a fund that tracks the performance of an index such as the Dow Jones or Standard and Poor 500, a basket of assets or a commodity. Trading in the same manner as a stock, its price will vary according to the days trading demands. Benefits of owning an ETF include the ability to buy short, buy on margin and to buy as little as one share. Expense ratios are often lower than mutual funds. A common ETF is called a spider - SPDR - and tracks the S&P 500 index. Look for the symbol SPY to research or to purchase.
2. REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust - One of my favorite investments because you own a portion of the real estate (or mortgages) the trust invests in. These also trade like a stock on the exchanges. An Equity REIT buys ownership (equity) in properties while a Mortgage REIT buys the mortgages on properties. Two key advantages to owning an REIT are the tax advantages and the liquidity of the security - you trade it just like a stock.
3. Canadian Oil and Gas Trust - This is an organization that invests in oil and/or gas production and possibly mining in Canada. Several of these are now trading on the American (US) exchanges. Purchase is the same as purchasing a stock in any other company. Tax advantages are similar to those of an REIT and a big advantage - the one I like the most - is that some of these trusts pay ridiculously high dividends - and they pay monthly! My advice: do your research, find a Canadian Oil and Gas Trust you like and then invest as much as you can.
4. MLP - Master Limited Partnership - Want a limited partnership that you can sell or trade as easily as a stock? Enter the Master Limited Partnership. These hybrid organizations feature the limited liability of a partnership while enabling you to trade the partnership units - investment units - just as you would a stock. What could be better? A MLP offers distributable cash flow as well as income and these terms must be mastered and understood before a reasoned decision can be made regarding the purchase of an MLP for your investment portfolio.
5. Annuities - Who has not heard of an annuity? But do you know how they work? Let's keep this simple: an annuity is nothing more than a contract you sign with an insurance company that guarantees to pay you a certain set amount of income over a period of time. You pay for an annuity upon signing and then the insurance company repays you the amount of your investment plus the "profits" (we'll keep this simple and not use the technical term) over a period of several (or many) years. These are generally considered safe stable investments appropriate for a conservative portfolio.
6. TIPS - Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities - Offered by the U.S Treasury, these are securities that are indexed to the rate of inflation meaning your dividend will increase as the rate of inflation increases. A TIPS pays interest every six months and pays the principal upon maturity. Also a conservative investment, you may want to consider these if you are looking to preserve and protect capital from the ravages of inflation while providing a consistent and dependable income, but your money may not grow at the rate you would prefer - but then we aren't looking at capital appreciation anyway.
7. Dividend Paying Stocks - Finally we get to what is perhaps the most familiar method of passive income. Anyone who knows anything about Wall Street knows that companies pay dividends to people who own their stock. Right? Well, most of the time, if it is a well known and established company. Many newer and smaller companies will use their income to grow the company instead of paying dividends and any company that incurs financial trouble may stop paying dividends. So if you are going to buy stock to acquire the income make sure the company has a track record of paying dividends. The best known American companies - commonly referred to as the "Blue Chips" are also the companies that traditionally have paid the best dividends. As with all other investments, research is necessary to capture the best dividends and target those companies with the best potential in future years.
8. Covered Calls - This is a passive investment instrument that is often considered risky. But it is not. A covered call is selling the option to buy stock that you own. You do not sell the stock, you only sell the option to buy that stock at a future price and time. The person buying the covered call buys the option at the price you agree upon - actually at which the market agrees upon - and you just set back and forget it. Well, not quite. The person who has bought the option has the right to buy your stock at any time between the time you sold the option and the expiration of that option. Writing (selling) a covered call is the only options investment that is considered safe enough by the IRS to be included in a 401K or other retirement plans. But you must do your homework and thoroughly understand the world of options before using this method.
9. Real Estate - Everyone knows what real estate is and everyone knows - or at least is intuitively aware - that big money can be made from real estate. Real estate provides tax advantages as well as the opportunity to highly leverage your investment - leverage being a factor that is limited or absent in many other investments. Many real estate advisors and gurus insist that the one house at a time or the flipper strategy or fixer upper or wholesale method or other flavor of the month is the absolute best way to make money in real estate. Generally speaking, avoid all that. Making big money - meaning massive income - in real estate is possible with highly leveraged deals which are a certainty only in commercial property. Multiple family properties, office buildings, retail facilities and warehouses would all constitute commercial property. Of these, the best strategy is to invest in multiple family properties. The bigger, the better. This requires knowledge and education more than it requires capital. Capital can always be acquired through your network, but knowledge is the one ingredient that will make this passive investment method work. And, with a big property, the income from that one property may be all you need to secure your retirement - today!
10. Business Ownership - No, this isn't what you think. Owning a small business for most people is worse than working 9 to 5. In your own small business you get caught up in the details, trying to make the business go, searching for a market, dealing with customers; it quickly becomes more than a full-time job. That's OK if that's what you love to do. But, what we mean here is starting a business or franchise with the short term goal of handing it off to someone to run. The faster you can do this the better. If you can do it from the very beginning so much the better - the more time you free for yourself, the more time you will have to enjoy and/or create more passive income sources. A book that will help you is The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, another is the Four Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris. Both of these books will help you structure your business ownership in a way that frees you from actually running the business yourself - margaritas on the beach anybody?
All of these sources require work to set up, but once established, they can be structured to run hands free. The two books mentioned in item 10 above will help you structure your passive income sources to be truly hands free income.
11. Private Lending - Private lending has been around since people have been around. Essentially private lending is nothing more than lending out some of your excess cash to a trustworthy person who needs it. This has not always been easy or fruitful for the person who has had money they wanted to invest. As a result, several online services are now available that will accept your money and distribute it under your direction to those you feel are qualified; search for person to person lending on the major search engines to identify organizations you can use. The primary benefit of private lending is that the interest rates are often much higher than you would obtain by parking your money in a CD or bank.
12. Tax Liens and Notes - A primary benefit of tax liens is the higher interest rate you receive on your investment plus the fact that your principal is backed by real estate. Please note that you will almost never receive the property from investing in tax deeds, liens or notes; the primary benefit is the favorable interest rate and the security resulting from a real estate backed transaction. Avoid organizations that suggest you will be receiving the property the tax instrument is against. Another benefit of this type of passive income is that you can invest online from almost any state in the country - be sure to review Texas tax deeds, interest can be as high as 50% annually in some cases.
13. Bonds - Ok, you know about bonds - they are a conservative investment for old people and people afraid of the stock market right? Wrong. A bond can provide a secure and stable source of income for anyone. By definition, a bond is a debt issued by an authorized organization - often a corporation, municipality or utility. A bond sells for the issue price, matures (is paid back to you) at the principal (face amount or nominal price) and in between you collect interest that is called the coupon rate. Bonds are often purchased in the form of mutual fund bond funds. Some of these can be very lucrative with a yield exceeding that of equity funds but these are often hard to find. But they are there!
14. Mutual Funds (Income Funds) - As we are only considering sources of passive income, we are only going to look at income mutual funds. These may be called "growth and income" funds or "income" funds or "value" funds. Nearly every mutual fund family will have their own set of income or growth and income funds. Morningstar and other services provide third party ratings that you can use to identify the safest and highest paying income funds. Invest wisely and always consult a qualified investment advisor before investing. Mutual funds are also required to send you a prospectus (a formal disclosure of the funds objectives and operating guidelines) for your review before you can invest. Review the prospectus carefully and consult with your financial advisor for terminology you may not understand.
15. T-Bills, T-Bonds & T-Notes - Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds and Treasury Notes - Considered to be the safest of all investments because they are issued by the United States Treasury Department, these vehicles are also among the lowest yielding. But you sacrifice yield for security whenever you invest. T-Bills, Bonds and Notes are most often purchased through your bank, broker or they may be purchased directly from the US Treasury Department through their Treasury Direct online service. Although you will not receive a high rate of return, the security of your investment cannot be any higher than it is with these investments.
16. Unit Investment Trust - A Unit Investment Trust is one of three different types of investment companies, the others being a closed end fund and the familiar mutual fund. UIT's offer securities in the form of "units" that represent a unit of their investment portfolio. This portfolio is often an unmanaged portfolio consisting of stocks and bonds. Units are usually sold in amounts of $1,000 and investors or "unit holders" receive dividends from the units they hold. A unique feature of a UIT is its termination date. Unlike most other corporations and investment company organizations, which exist in perpetuity, a UIT has a defined termination date which is set upon inception. When this date arrives the UIT is terminated and the assets held are sold. The proceeds from this sale are then distributed to the unit holders.
17. Preferred Stock - A Preferred Stock is a security issued by a corporation that usually features a specific dividend rate. Preferred stock usually does not have voting rights except sometimes in extraordinary events. Preferred stock also receives priority over common stock holders when dividends are distributed - preferred stock holders must be paid first. And preferred stock holders also receive preference if the company is ever dissolved. Your rate of return with preferred stock may not be high, but the security of your investment is higher than with more risky investments.
18. Corporate Backed Trust Securities (CABCO) - Also known as Corporate Asset-Backed Securities, these investments are issued by corporations and are based on a pool of underlying assets. The cash flow from these assets provide the dividend payments made to the holders of the security. The asset pool can consist of almost any type of asset which provides a cash flow. Usually sold initially to a market maker type organization such as an investment bank, these securities may be resold to the general public by the broker. Contact your broker for more information on these types of investments.
19. Music Publishing - You don't know about music publishing? The artist may get the glory (and often the money) but the publisher Always gets the money. If you own the rights to a song or sheet music you are the publisher and you get paid whenever that song is played or performed in public. Although the current rate is only 8 cents (US) per "performance" think of all the radio stations, bars and clubs in the country where your song may be being played right now. Yes, bars and restaurants must pay you whenever your song is played in their establishment. You don't have to worry about going around to each bar, hotel lobby or elevator or restaurant (More places!) in the country to collect your eight cents - this is handled by any one (or some combination) of just three organizations which pretty much manage all music throughout the world - ASCAP, BMI and for the internet SoundExchange. Yes, you do need to register with these organizations so they know where to send your checks, but this can be a very lucrative source of passive income.
20. Copyrights, Patents and Licenses - If you are an author you get paid every time a book of yours is sold. Ok, this is obvious, but you can also republish public domain material under a new copyright if you change it by at least 20% or add at least 20% more material to it. The easy part (some would say not easy) is the writing of the book itself. The hard part is getting other people to buy it, that involves marketing which is beyond the scope of this article, but if you can get a bestseller on your hands, the royalties (payments you receive from being the copyright holder) received can be very high.
A patent is an innovation (process) or invention (thing). You get paid when the item represented by the patent is used or sold by some other organization or the public. The patent protects your right to exclusive ownership of that process or invention for a certain amount of time.
A license is also possible to sell to the market. What if you know a particular process or procedure that no one else does? Can you sell this knowledge? Yes, you can. And the way to do it is to license an organization to use your knowledge in the form of a process or procedure. Check out inventright.com for a guide on how to do this.
Bonus
21. Movie & Other Obscure Investments - We live in a dynamic world and there will always be investment vehicles being conceived for a need. Also, more obscure investments are available but generally are unknown outside of their particular industry. Movie investments are one of these. Movies often need financiers ready to fund the production of the movie project. When the movie is released to the public and begins to make money the financiers receive their capital and return on investment. This can be a good way to make a lot of money if you back a blockbuster or a good way to lose a lot of money - look at how many movies do poorly. Do not invest in this vehicle unless you are an industry insider.
Other obscure investments include exploration financing, water rights, coal leases, limited partnerships, commercials and commercial funding (yes, tv commercials and infomercials), receivables financing, sports team ownership, etc, etc, etc. If you have an interest in investing in any of these areas you need to find someone with excellent knowledge of the field and with a good track in investing in that industry. Consult with them intensely allowing them to guide your investment decisions. Generally, the best policy is to invest only in those areas where you are familiar and never, never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Summary
Passive income investing is the key to securing income. Income is cash flow. Cash flow is king. You cannot invest future income or a projected return or an eventual equity position; you can only invest the cash you have on hand today. Likewise, you cannot pay bills or buy groceries or pay the mortgage or tax man with anything other than cash or credit. A projected return or equity position will not pay today's bills or put food on the table. Capital appreciation is great - for tomorrow. I prefer cash in hand today. The more cash flow you have coming in now, the greater that tomorrow will be. Guaranteed!
This aphorism from real estate investing perfectly describes the little known method the rich actually use to accumulate millions of dollars. This report reveals 20 sources of passive income. Put any or all of these sources into place and sit back and watch the dollars roll on with no (or very little) further effort on your part.
If you truly want to get rich and live a life of luxury, then you must master the ability of generating cash flow from passive income sources. Without this ability, your income will be limited to traditional ways of making money, such as working. Working will never free you from having to work. You must do something different than working in order to obtain the income you need to live the lifestyle you desire. Passive income is the key.
Before you begin any investment plan, the first rule is to consult with a qualified investment advisor. By talking over your plan and considering possibilities you may not have considered, you will protect your capital to the greatest degree and help protect it from potential loss whiule multiplying your return.
This article will not consider the cost of entry to any investment nor will we look at rates of return. These will fluctuate - possibly every year or even over the course of a year- depending on the economy, conditions set by the SEC and other regulatory bodies and the IRS. This article will consider only the 20 possible sources of passive income; you will need to conduct further research to determine if any investment is appropriate for you.
1. ETF's - Exchange Traded Funds - This is a fund that tracks the performance of an index such as the Dow Jones or Standard and Poor 500, a basket of assets or a commodity. Trading in the same manner as a stock, its price will vary according to the days trading demands. Benefits of owning an ETF include the ability to buy short, buy on margin and to buy as little as one share. Expense ratios are often lower than mutual funds. A common ETF is called a spider - SPDR - and tracks the S&P 500 index. Look for the symbol SPY to research or to purchase.
2. REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust - One of my favorite investments because you own a portion of the real estate (or mortgages) the trust invests in. These also trade like a stock on the exchanges. An Equity REIT buys ownership (equity) in properties while a Mortgage REIT buys the mortgages on properties. Two key advantages to owning an REIT are the tax advantages and the liquidity of the security - you trade it just like a stock.
3. Canadian Oil and Gas Trust - This is an organization that invests in oil and/or gas production and possibly mining in Canada. Several of these are now trading on the American (US) exchanges. Purchase is the same as purchasing a stock in any other company. Tax advantages are similar to those of an REIT and a big advantage - the one I like the most - is that some of these trusts pay ridiculously high dividends - and they pay monthly! My advice: do your research, find a Canadian Oil and Gas Trust you like and then invest as much as you can.
4. MLP - Master Limited Partnership - Want a limited partnership that you can sell or trade as easily as a stock? Enter the Master Limited Partnership. These hybrid organizations feature the limited liability of a partnership while enabling you to trade the partnership units - investment units - just as you would a stock. What could be better? A MLP offers distributable cash flow as well as income and these terms must be mastered and understood before a reasoned decision can be made regarding the purchase of an MLP for your investment portfolio.
5. Annuities - Who has not heard of an annuity? But do you know how they work? Let's keep this simple: an annuity is nothing more than a contract you sign with an insurance company that guarantees to pay you a certain set amount of income over a period of time. You pay for an annuity upon signing and then the insurance company repays you the amount of your investment plus the "profits" (we'll keep this simple and not use the technical term) over a period of several (or many) years. These are generally considered safe stable investments appropriate for a conservative portfolio.
6. TIPS - Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities - Offered by the U.S Treasury, these are securities that are indexed to the rate of inflation meaning your dividend will increase as the rate of inflation increases. A TIPS pays interest every six months and pays the principal upon maturity. Also a conservative investment, you may want to consider these if you are looking to preserve and protect capital from the ravages of inflation while providing a consistent and dependable income, but your money may not grow at the rate you would prefer - but then we aren't looking at capital appreciation anyway.
7. Dividend Paying Stocks - Finally we get to what is perhaps the most familiar method of passive income. Anyone who knows anything about Wall Street knows that companies pay dividends to people who own their stock. Right? Well, most of the time, if it is a well known and established company. Many newer and smaller companies will use their income to grow the company instead of paying dividends and any company that incurs financial trouble may stop paying dividends. So if you are going to buy stock to acquire the income make sure the company has a track record of paying dividends. The best known American companies - commonly referred to as the "Blue Chips" are also the companies that traditionally have paid the best dividends. As with all other investments, research is necessary to capture the best dividends and target those companies with the best potential in future years.
8. Covered Calls - This is a passive investment instrument that is often considered risky. But it is not. A covered call is selling the option to buy stock that you own. You do not sell the stock, you only sell the option to buy that stock at a future price and time. The person buying the covered call buys the option at the price you agree upon - actually at which the market agrees upon - and you just set back and forget it. Well, not quite. The person who has bought the option has the right to buy your stock at any time between the time you sold the option and the expiration of that option. Writing (selling) a covered call is the only options investment that is considered safe enough by the IRS to be included in a 401K or other retirement plans. But you must do your homework and thoroughly understand the world of options before using this method.
9. Real Estate - Everyone knows what real estate is and everyone knows - or at least is intuitively aware - that big money can be made from real estate. Real estate provides tax advantages as well as the opportunity to highly leverage your investment - leverage being a factor that is limited or absent in many other investments. Many real estate advisors and gurus insist that the one house at a time or the flipper strategy or fixer upper or wholesale method or other flavor of the month is the absolute best way to make money in real estate. Generally speaking, avoid all that. Making big money - meaning massive income - in real estate is possible with highly leveraged deals which are a certainty only in commercial property. Multiple family properties, office buildings, retail facilities and warehouses would all constitute commercial property. Of these, the best strategy is to invest in multiple family properties. The bigger, the better. This requires knowledge and education more than it requires capital. Capital can always be acquired through your network, but knowledge is the one ingredient that will make this passive investment method work. And, with a big property, the income from that one property may be all you need to secure your retirement - today!
10. Business Ownership - No, this isn't what you think. Owning a small business for most people is worse than working 9 to 5. In your own small business you get caught up in the details, trying to make the business go, searching for a market, dealing with customers; it quickly becomes more than a full-time job. That's OK if that's what you love to do. But, what we mean here is starting a business or franchise with the short term goal of handing it off to someone to run. The faster you can do this the better. If you can do it from the very beginning so much the better - the more time you free for yourself, the more time you will have to enjoy and/or create more passive income sources. A book that will help you is The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, another is the Four Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris. Both of these books will help you structure your business ownership in a way that frees you from actually running the business yourself - margaritas on the beach anybody?
All of these sources require work to set up, but once established, they can be structured to run hands free. The two books mentioned in item 10 above will help you structure your passive income sources to be truly hands free income.
11. Private Lending - Private lending has been around since people have been around. Essentially private lending is nothing more than lending out some of your excess cash to a trustworthy person who needs it. This has not always been easy or fruitful for the person who has had money they wanted to invest. As a result, several online services are now available that will accept your money and distribute it under your direction to those you feel are qualified; search for person to person lending on the major search engines to identify organizations you can use. The primary benefit of private lending is that the interest rates are often much higher than you would obtain by parking your money in a CD or bank.
12. Tax Liens and Notes - A primary benefit of tax liens is the higher interest rate you receive on your investment plus the fact that your principal is backed by real estate. Please note that you will almost never receive the property from investing in tax deeds, liens or notes; the primary benefit is the favorable interest rate and the security resulting from a real estate backed transaction. Avoid organizations that suggest you will be receiving the property the tax instrument is against. Another benefit of this type of passive income is that you can invest online from almost any state in the country - be sure to review Texas tax deeds, interest can be as high as 50% annually in some cases.
13. Bonds - Ok, you know about bonds - they are a conservative investment for old people and people afraid of the stock market right? Wrong. A bond can provide a secure and stable source of income for anyone. By definition, a bond is a debt issued by an authorized organization - often a corporation, municipality or utility. A bond sells for the issue price, matures (is paid back to you) at the principal (face amount or nominal price) and in between you collect interest that is called the coupon rate. Bonds are often purchased in the form of mutual fund bond funds. Some of these can be very lucrative with a yield exceeding that of equity funds but these are often hard to find. But they are there!
14. Mutual Funds (Income Funds) - As we are only considering sources of passive income, we are only going to look at income mutual funds. These may be called "growth and income" funds or "income" funds or "value" funds. Nearly every mutual fund family will have their own set of income or growth and income funds. Morningstar and other services provide third party ratings that you can use to identify the safest and highest paying income funds. Invest wisely and always consult a qualified investment advisor before investing. Mutual funds are also required to send you a prospectus (a formal disclosure of the funds objectives and operating guidelines) for your review before you can invest. Review the prospectus carefully and consult with your financial advisor for terminology you may not understand.
15. T-Bills, T-Bonds & T-Notes - Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds and Treasury Notes - Considered to be the safest of all investments because they are issued by the United States Treasury Department, these vehicles are also among the lowest yielding. But you sacrifice yield for security whenever you invest. T-Bills, Bonds and Notes are most often purchased through your bank, broker or they may be purchased directly from the US Treasury Department through their Treasury Direct online service. Although you will not receive a high rate of return, the security of your investment cannot be any higher than it is with these investments.
16. Unit Investment Trust - A Unit Investment Trust is one of three different types of investment companies, the others being a closed end fund and the familiar mutual fund. UIT's offer securities in the form of "units" that represent a unit of their investment portfolio. This portfolio is often an unmanaged portfolio consisting of stocks and bonds. Units are usually sold in amounts of $1,000 and investors or "unit holders" receive dividends from the units they hold. A unique feature of a UIT is its termination date. Unlike most other corporations and investment company organizations, which exist in perpetuity, a UIT has a defined termination date which is set upon inception. When this date arrives the UIT is terminated and the assets held are sold. The proceeds from this sale are then distributed to the unit holders.
17. Preferred Stock - A Preferred Stock is a security issued by a corporation that usually features a specific dividend rate. Preferred stock usually does not have voting rights except sometimes in extraordinary events. Preferred stock also receives priority over common stock holders when dividends are distributed - preferred stock holders must be paid first. And preferred stock holders also receive preference if the company is ever dissolved. Your rate of return with preferred stock may not be high, but the security of your investment is higher than with more risky investments.
18. Corporate Backed Trust Securities (CABCO) - Also known as Corporate Asset-Backed Securities, these investments are issued by corporations and are based on a pool of underlying assets. The cash flow from these assets provide the dividend payments made to the holders of the security. The asset pool can consist of almost any type of asset which provides a cash flow. Usually sold initially to a market maker type organization such as an investment bank, these securities may be resold to the general public by the broker. Contact your broker for more information on these types of investments.
19. Music Publishing - You don't know about music publishing? The artist may get the glory (and often the money) but the publisher Always gets the money. If you own the rights to a song or sheet music you are the publisher and you get paid whenever that song is played or performed in public. Although the current rate is only 8 cents (US) per "performance" think of all the radio stations, bars and clubs in the country where your song may be being played right now. Yes, bars and restaurants must pay you whenever your song is played in their establishment. You don't have to worry about going around to each bar, hotel lobby or elevator or restaurant (More places!) in the country to collect your eight cents - this is handled by any one (or some combination) of just three organizations which pretty much manage all music throughout the world - ASCAP, BMI and for the internet SoundExchange. Yes, you do need to register with these organizations so they know where to send your checks, but this can be a very lucrative source of passive income.
20. Copyrights, Patents and Licenses - If you are an author you get paid every time a book of yours is sold. Ok, this is obvious, but you can also republish public domain material under a new copyright if you change it by at least 20% or add at least 20% more material to it. The easy part (some would say not easy) is the writing of the book itself. The hard part is getting other people to buy it, that involves marketing which is beyond the scope of this article, but if you can get a bestseller on your hands, the royalties (payments you receive from being the copyright holder) received can be very high.
A patent is an innovation (process) or invention (thing). You get paid when the item represented by the patent is used or sold by some other organization or the public. The patent protects your right to exclusive ownership of that process or invention for a certain amount of time.
A license is also possible to sell to the market. What if you know a particular process or procedure that no one else does? Can you sell this knowledge? Yes, you can. And the way to do it is to license an organization to use your knowledge in the form of a process or procedure. Check out inventright.com for a guide on how to do this.
Bonus
21. Movie & Other Obscure Investments - We live in a dynamic world and there will always be investment vehicles being conceived for a need. Also, more obscure investments are available but generally are unknown outside of their particular industry. Movie investments are one of these. Movies often need financiers ready to fund the production of the movie project. When the movie is released to the public and begins to make money the financiers receive their capital and return on investment. This can be a good way to make a lot of money if you back a blockbuster or a good way to lose a lot of money - look at how many movies do poorly. Do not invest in this vehicle unless you are an industry insider.
Other obscure investments include exploration financing, water rights, coal leases, limited partnerships, commercials and commercial funding (yes, tv commercials and infomercials), receivables financing, sports team ownership, etc, etc, etc. If you have an interest in investing in any of these areas you need to find someone with excellent knowledge of the field and with a good track in investing in that industry. Consult with them intensely allowing them to guide your investment decisions. Generally, the best policy is to invest only in those areas where you are familiar and never, never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Summary
Passive income investing is the key to securing income. Income is cash flow. Cash flow is king. You cannot invest future income or a projected return or an eventual equity position; you can only invest the cash you have on hand today. Likewise, you cannot pay bills or buy groceries or pay the mortgage or tax man with anything other than cash or credit. A projected return or equity position will not pay today's bills or put food on the table. Capital appreciation is great - for tomorrow. I prefer cash in hand today. The more cash flow you have coming in now, the greater that tomorrow will be. Guaranteed!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1411592
Goal To Success - A New Month
It is a brand new month and a clean slate for ideas and projects.
The very first thing to do is to create a list of everything you would like to accomplish in the next 30 days. Make a list of old projects that need to be complete, personal goals you have, relationships that you'd like to focus on, tasks that you would like to achieve and a few just out of reach goals that you'd like to strive for. When you have a list of what you want to do in the next 30 days you will be ready for step two.
Step 2 can be done one week at a time or you can plan for the whole month in advance. Take the list of what you would like to accomplish this month and decide what you need to do and accomplish this week. Looking at each of the things you have listed, break them down to what you need to do tin the next 5-7 days, or every week so that you will have checked everything off your list.
Who will you connect with this week, how many blog posts or articles will you write this week, what personal goals need your attention, what project can you complete this week, what projects will you start, what marketing plan will you implement?
The reason it is so important to know what you'd like to accomplish each month is so that you can create a plan of action to mark each of those items off your list. Dreaming is great, but it is not a goal until you write it down where you'll see it every day. Start your day off knowing exactly what you'll accomplish so that by the end of each week and ultimately the end of the month you will have accomplished all the goals that both moved your business forward as well as helped you maintain your personal balance.
A list of goals, projects and ideas call out for action. Taking action is the only thing that will help you create the success that you know you are capable of creating.
The very first thing to do is to create a list of everything you would like to accomplish in the next 30 days. Make a list of old projects that need to be complete, personal goals you have, relationships that you'd like to focus on, tasks that you would like to achieve and a few just out of reach goals that you'd like to strive for. When you have a list of what you want to do in the next 30 days you will be ready for step two.
Step 2 can be done one week at a time or you can plan for the whole month in advance. Take the list of what you would like to accomplish this month and decide what you need to do and accomplish this week. Looking at each of the things you have listed, break them down to what you need to do tin the next 5-7 days, or every week so that you will have checked everything off your list.
Who will you connect with this week, how many blog posts or articles will you write this week, what personal goals need your attention, what project can you complete this week, what projects will you start, what marketing plan will you implement?
The reason it is so important to know what you'd like to accomplish each month is so that you can create a plan of action to mark each of those items off your list. Dreaming is great, but it is not a goal until you write it down where you'll see it every day. Start your day off knowing exactly what you'll accomplish so that by the end of each week and ultimately the end of the month you will have accomplished all the goals that both moved your business forward as well as helped you maintain your personal balance.
A list of goals, projects and ideas call out for action. Taking action is the only thing that will help you create the success that you know you are capable of creating.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5145913
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
The Power Of Thought - Leaning How Thoughts Affect Our Emotions, Moods, Feelings and Actions
A common quote from the bible associated with the power of thought is
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
The power of thought has been illustrated in miracles of healing, as a result, physicians today have a clearer understanding of the importance of positive thinking during the recovery stages of their patients. Physicians now recognized the success or outcome of treatments also depends on the mindset of their patients. What we think about ourselves and others directly and indirectly impact our lives, our thoughts can manifest into our reality. It is important to understand the power of thought including what thoughts are prominent in our minds and are those thoughts positive or negative.
We are what we think about because thoughts can become reality. For example, confidence is a reflection of what a person thinks about his or her self. Confidence is evident in a person's attitude and behavior (side note, over confidence can be personality complex). Another example is persistence, persistence is a reflection of what a person thinks about the importance of trying and not giving up. Persistence is evident in a person's motivation to keep trying despite the challenges and obstacles.
Our thoughts affect our moods, emotions, feelings, and action. Thoughts are like invisible heads that sticks out our necks constantly whispers in our ears, and pull and tug on our hearts. Our thoughts never leave us and are always active in our minds. For this reason, we need to learn how to coexist with our thoughts by understanding thoughts can be deceiving. Have you ever panic about something and it turned out to be not as serious as you thought?
Well, our thoughts can be misleading if we are not paying attention to what we are thinking. It is important to observe thoughts as they enter the mind; pay attention to the effects of thoughts on moods, emotions, feelings, and action; and to unbiasedly rationalize our thinking.
Take action to do the things that would make yourself and others feel loved and happy. Allow positive thoughts to be the focus and negative thoughts to leave the mind not becoming the focus. Pay attention to thoughts considering they can be deceiving or misleading by unbiasedly rationalizing thoughts. Understanding the power of thought is essential when learning how to coexist with our thoughts. We impact our reality through thoughts; therefore what we think can make or break us. Our relationship with thoughts should be harmonious in order to master our thinking.
Life viewed through the mind-eye is reflected in our moods, emotions, feelings, and action, therefore be an observer of thoughts in order to understand the power of thought.
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
The power of thought has been illustrated in miracles of healing, as a result, physicians today have a clearer understanding of the importance of positive thinking during the recovery stages of their patients. Physicians now recognized the success or outcome of treatments also depends on the mindset of their patients. What we think about ourselves and others directly and indirectly impact our lives, our thoughts can manifest into our reality. It is important to understand the power of thought including what thoughts are prominent in our minds and are those thoughts positive or negative.
We are what we think about because thoughts can become reality. For example, confidence is a reflection of what a person thinks about his or her self. Confidence is evident in a person's attitude and behavior (side note, over confidence can be personality complex). Another example is persistence, persistence is a reflection of what a person thinks about the importance of trying and not giving up. Persistence is evident in a person's motivation to keep trying despite the challenges and obstacles.
Our thoughts affect our moods, emotions, feelings, and action. Thoughts are like invisible heads that sticks out our necks constantly whispers in our ears, and pull and tug on our hearts. Our thoughts never leave us and are always active in our minds. For this reason, we need to learn how to coexist with our thoughts by understanding thoughts can be deceiving. Have you ever panic about something and it turned out to be not as serious as you thought?
Well, our thoughts can be misleading if we are not paying attention to what we are thinking. It is important to observe thoughts as they enter the mind; pay attention to the effects of thoughts on moods, emotions, feelings, and action; and to unbiasedly rationalize our thinking.
Take action to do the things that would make yourself and others feel loved and happy. Allow positive thoughts to be the focus and negative thoughts to leave the mind not becoming the focus. Pay attention to thoughts considering they can be deceiving or misleading by unbiasedly rationalizing thoughts. Understanding the power of thought is essential when learning how to coexist with our thoughts. We impact our reality through thoughts; therefore what we think can make or break us. Our relationship with thoughts should be harmonious in order to master our thinking.
Life viewed through the mind-eye is reflected in our moods, emotions, feelings, and action, therefore be an observer of thoughts in order to understand the power of thought.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7747315
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
How to Boost Creative Thinking
Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. You can change it. You can influence it. You can build your own things that other people can use. ~Steve Jobs
Have you bought into that age old fallacy that the ability to be creative is reserved for the select few? If so, then prepare for a shift in mindset, because the truth is you were born with the potential for limitless creative thinking.
Take a moment to consider what creativity really means... to produce something that is both original and worthwhile. By definition, this can mean anything from a work of art; to an innovative idea for a product or new business; to new ways of solving problems... in other words creative thinking opens our minds to all the possibilities of life and is a skill worth mastering.
Creativity can be cultivated and strengthened over time, but keep in mind creativity is dynamic. Think of it as a muscle that needs to be used regularly to keep it flexible and strong. If somewhere along the line you've convinced yourself that you are not creative, then to some extent that has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and to reverse that you'll need to become intentional about strengthening your creative thinking muscles.
Consider the Benefits of Creative Thinking
Creative thinkers:
If you're ready to boost your creative thinking skills, the following strategies will help to get you started. But please remember, mastering any new skill begins with your mindset. You must accept that you are by nature a creative being and that what you are setting out to do is stretch and strengthen your existing creative thinking muscles... one day, one action at a time.
Strategies to Boost Creative Thinking
Ask More Questions
Creative thinkers pay attention to what's going on around them and ask "Why?" or "Why not?" questions. Begin by challenging assumptions, because it's so easy to fall into the habit of doing things the way they've always been done. The next time you find yourself in that situation, take a couple of minutes to consider if there isn't a better way. Or, if there's something you've always wanted to do but put it off because you could see no clear way to make it happen, spend some time thinking about "How could it be done?" and practice opening your mind to all the possibilities. There is no "one" right answer, no idea is too crazy! Creative thinking is about looking for the opportunities in every situation, and prevents you from living life in default mode.
Be Willing to Take Risks
Remember cultivating creativity is all about strengthening those muscles, and that means you're going to have to get uncomfortable from time to time. In other words, you're going to have to get outside that zone of comfort you've built up over the years and take a few risks by trying new things. Of course not every effort will lead to success, but it will lead to personal growth, and what you learn with each new experience will help to build your confidence, knowledge and creative thinking skills for the future.
Tame Your Ego
For some people, being right is more important than finding the best solution, and that means their ego has taken control. Effective creative thinking is about being focused more on what is right, than who is right.
Finish What You Start
This isn't just about cultivating discipline and determination - it's also about opening your mind to exploring different paths and results. Sometimes detours can lead to far more exciting and fulfilling outcomes than the original goal!
Learn Something New
Building your creative muscles requires that you expose your mind to new ideas and possibilities. Read books in different genres, explore different types of music or take an art class; build connections with colleagues and friends from diverse backgrounds and who work in different fields. Bounce ideas off them and challenge yourself to be open to other perspectives.
Make Time for Creativity
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7730869
Have you bought into that age old fallacy that the ability to be creative is reserved for the select few? If so, then prepare for a shift in mindset, because the truth is you were born with the potential for limitless creative thinking.
Take a moment to consider what creativity really means... to produce something that is both original and worthwhile. By definition, this can mean anything from a work of art; to an innovative idea for a product or new business; to new ways of solving problems... in other words creative thinking opens our minds to all the possibilities of life and is a skill worth mastering.
Creativity can be cultivated and strengthened over time, but keep in mind creativity is dynamic. Think of it as a muscle that needs to be used regularly to keep it flexible and strong. If somewhere along the line you've convinced yourself that you are not creative, then to some extent that has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and to reverse that you'll need to become intentional about strengthening your creative thinking muscles.
Consider the Benefits of Creative Thinking
Creative thinkers:
- Achieve more goals, faster
- Are confident decision-makers
- Are optimistic and open to challenges
- Are focused, less likely to experience stress
- Are open to new experiences
- Look at obstacles as opportunities
If you're ready to boost your creative thinking skills, the following strategies will help to get you started. But please remember, mastering any new skill begins with your mindset. You must accept that you are by nature a creative being and that what you are setting out to do is stretch and strengthen your existing creative thinking muscles... one day, one action at a time.
Strategies to Boost Creative Thinking
Ask More Questions
Creative thinkers pay attention to what's going on around them and ask "Why?" or "Why not?" questions. Begin by challenging assumptions, because it's so easy to fall into the habit of doing things the way they've always been done. The next time you find yourself in that situation, take a couple of minutes to consider if there isn't a better way. Or, if there's something you've always wanted to do but put it off because you could see no clear way to make it happen, spend some time thinking about "How could it be done?" and practice opening your mind to all the possibilities. There is no "one" right answer, no idea is too crazy! Creative thinking is about looking for the opportunities in every situation, and prevents you from living life in default mode.
Be Willing to Take Risks
Remember cultivating creativity is all about strengthening those muscles, and that means you're going to have to get uncomfortable from time to time. In other words, you're going to have to get outside that zone of comfort you've built up over the years and take a few risks by trying new things. Of course not every effort will lead to success, but it will lead to personal growth, and what you learn with each new experience will help to build your confidence, knowledge and creative thinking skills for the future.
Tame Your Ego
For some people, being right is more important than finding the best solution, and that means their ego has taken control. Effective creative thinking is about being focused more on what is right, than who is right.
Finish What You Start
This isn't just about cultivating discipline and determination - it's also about opening your mind to exploring different paths and results. Sometimes detours can lead to far more exciting and fulfilling outcomes than the original goal!
Learn Something New
Building your creative muscles requires that you expose your mind to new ideas and possibilities. Read books in different genres, explore different types of music or take an art class; build connections with colleagues and friends from diverse backgrounds and who work in different fields. Bounce ideas off them and challenge yourself to be open to other perspectives.
Make Time for Creativity
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7730869
Saturday, 18 May 2013
True Self: Why Do Some People Hide Their True Self?
Over the years, the true self has been used to describe ones true nature and who they really are. On the other hand, the false self represents all that is not true and is made up of illusions.
And while deep down one may want to embrace their true self; it is often far from easy and the world generally discourages one from doing so. So this means that very few people take the time or make the effort to know their true self and therefore reveal it to others.
For if this was easy or if we lived in a world that encouraged one to do so, then there would be no need to hide ones true self. It would be revealed from the very beginning and allowed to blossom over time.
Acceptance
One of the greatest needs that one can have is the need to be accepted. And while this is often classed as an ego need and one that doesn't reflect a true need; it can nevertheless have a big impact on ones behaviour.
It is a need that can highjack ones real needs and cause one to become consumed and controlled by the need to please others. And this can lead to one wearing what are often described as masks.
Masks
These are elements of the false self and enable one to gain the acceptance of other people. There are all types of masks that one can wear and this will usually depend on what the context is.
Who one believes they need to be to gain acceptance, will also play a big impact here. For some people it will be important to come across as being a certain way and for others it may well be another way.
One may have worn one type of mask for their whole life and this means that they may not even realise that they are wearing a mask. It has become so much a part of their life, that it has gone unnoticed.
Examples
There are many masks that one can wear and some of these can be:
· To always appear happy
· To pretend that one is perfect
· To try to always look good
· To come across as having everything together
· To always appear as a success
· To always please others
A Deeper Look
Although the above examples are clearly not practical or even possible; they are there for a reason. Here one can believe that they won't be accepted unless they have them. And if the people in their life only accept them for wearing these masks, then it may well be the case.
However, if another person only likes who one is due to the mask that they wear, then they are probably not worth having in one's life. But what is deeper than what is going on externally, is what is going on within. It is based on what is going on within that will define how one interprets the outside world.
So if ones interpretation of life is that they need to wear a mask to be approved of, then they will attract situations and people that validate this truth. This will then be how reality is perceived.
Being Safe
On the inside is likely to be a sense that it's not safe for one to be who they really are. This may be something one is conscious or it may just be out of one's conscious awareness. And by gaining the approval and acceptance of certain people, one will be able to regulate these inner fears.
Through doing this it will lead to one feeling safe, the challenge is that although one my feel safe, if they are wearing a mask it is unlikely to lead to much else. To the ego mind it is being interpreted as familiar and therefore safe. And as far as the ego goes, that is all that matters.
But what is being classed as familiar and therefore safe may have no real relevance to ones happiness or fulfilment. The associations may have also been created many years ago and when one was very young.
Causes
Here one may have primarily been approved of when they pleased other people and did what they wanted. Their needs, wants, desires, preferences, feelings and thoughts would have been dismissed or ignored.
Although this can happen as an adult, it is often the younger years that have the biggest influence. As a child one is vulnerable and dependent on their caregivers. So at this age one would not have much control and would desperately seek the approval and appetence of the people around them.
If this meant denying who they were, then so be it. The thought of whether one was being true to themselves would have been irrelevant. As long as one was accepted, that's all that mattered.
Associations
During this time it was a matter of survival and as an adult one generally has more control over their life. And yet the ego mind will likely can cause one to view life in the same way. At first it may have been ones parents who one had to please and as an adult it could then be ones friends or colleagues for example.
Although this was in the past and happened many years ago, to the mind it is what is classed as familiar and safe. So consciously it will create pain and suffering, but at a deeper level it feels comfortable.
Awareness
If the mind has associated pleasing others as being familiar, then fear will be triggered should one go against pleasing them. To listen to oneself and go against others will be interpreted as death by the mind.
How strong these fears are, will define what one needs to do to let go of the past meanings. This could be a therapist, healer or a coach. Or becoming aware of certain patterns and then changing them may be enough.
And while deep down one may want to embrace their true self; it is often far from easy and the world generally discourages one from doing so. So this means that very few people take the time or make the effort to know their true self and therefore reveal it to others.
For if this was easy or if we lived in a world that encouraged one to do so, then there would be no need to hide ones true self. It would be revealed from the very beginning and allowed to blossom over time.
Acceptance
One of the greatest needs that one can have is the need to be accepted. And while this is often classed as an ego need and one that doesn't reflect a true need; it can nevertheless have a big impact on ones behaviour.
It is a need that can highjack ones real needs and cause one to become consumed and controlled by the need to please others. And this can lead to one wearing what are often described as masks.
Masks
These are elements of the false self and enable one to gain the acceptance of other people. There are all types of masks that one can wear and this will usually depend on what the context is.
Who one believes they need to be to gain acceptance, will also play a big impact here. For some people it will be important to come across as being a certain way and for others it may well be another way.
One may have worn one type of mask for their whole life and this means that they may not even realise that they are wearing a mask. It has become so much a part of their life, that it has gone unnoticed.
Examples
There are many masks that one can wear and some of these can be:
· To always appear happy
· To pretend that one is perfect
· To try to always look good
· To come across as having everything together
· To always appear as a success
· To always please others
A Deeper Look
Although the above examples are clearly not practical or even possible; they are there for a reason. Here one can believe that they won't be accepted unless they have them. And if the people in their life only accept them for wearing these masks, then it may well be the case.
However, if another person only likes who one is due to the mask that they wear, then they are probably not worth having in one's life. But what is deeper than what is going on externally, is what is going on within. It is based on what is going on within that will define how one interprets the outside world.
So if ones interpretation of life is that they need to wear a mask to be approved of, then they will attract situations and people that validate this truth. This will then be how reality is perceived.
Being Safe
On the inside is likely to be a sense that it's not safe for one to be who they really are. This may be something one is conscious or it may just be out of one's conscious awareness. And by gaining the approval and acceptance of certain people, one will be able to regulate these inner fears.
Through doing this it will lead to one feeling safe, the challenge is that although one my feel safe, if they are wearing a mask it is unlikely to lead to much else. To the ego mind it is being interpreted as familiar and therefore safe. And as far as the ego goes, that is all that matters.
But what is being classed as familiar and therefore safe may have no real relevance to ones happiness or fulfilment. The associations may have also been created many years ago and when one was very young.
Causes
Here one may have primarily been approved of when they pleased other people and did what they wanted. Their needs, wants, desires, preferences, feelings and thoughts would have been dismissed or ignored.
Although this can happen as an adult, it is often the younger years that have the biggest influence. As a child one is vulnerable and dependent on their caregivers. So at this age one would not have much control and would desperately seek the approval and appetence of the people around them.
If this meant denying who they were, then so be it. The thought of whether one was being true to themselves would have been irrelevant. As long as one was accepted, that's all that mattered.
Associations
During this time it was a matter of survival and as an adult one generally has more control over their life. And yet the ego mind will likely can cause one to view life in the same way. At first it may have been ones parents who one had to please and as an adult it could then be ones friends or colleagues for example.
Although this was in the past and happened many years ago, to the mind it is what is classed as familiar and safe. So consciously it will create pain and suffering, but at a deeper level it feels comfortable.
Awareness
If the mind has associated pleasing others as being familiar, then fear will be triggered should one go against pleasing them. To listen to oneself and go against others will be interpreted as death by the mind.
How strong these fears are, will define what one needs to do to let go of the past meanings. This could be a therapist, healer or a coach. Or becoming aware of certain patterns and then changing them may be enough.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7725524
Saturday, 11 May 2013
How To Relax When Stressed And Feel Free Again
Let's face it, dealing with stress is a pain.
And although rubbing your ears humming "woosah" sounds good, it isn't going to be your best option.
Unless you're in your psychiatrist's chair.
I know how you feel and battle with this every day, but I've found certain ways to help ward it off.
One of my greatest experiences with stress was when I was managing a $550,000 order that seemed to be going well. The order was processed and all the material to fulfill the order was procured and allocated.
Sounds great right?
Wrong! Our customer called me frantic saying that the order they placed was for the wrong product. You can imagine my worry. I felt sick, nauseous and partially delirious.
After a few days of panic I decided to calm down, think it through and fix the situation.
Regardless of how this story started it ended with a great relationship with our customer and a more educated me on how to relax when stressed.
From then on I implemented a few ways to manage my stress and I know you can benefit from then as well.
Get a support group
By having a support group you'll be able to process your thoughts externally. It's fine to think inside your head, but once you verbalize it the vibrations will hit your subconscious and redirect your irrational thoughts. You will also receive valuable input from your support group.
Don't sit, get up
I've talked about this before but sitting slouched, hovered over your keyboard will only make things worse. Get up and move. I like to reach to the sky and then go straight into a standing hamstring stretch. It loosens you up and gets blood flowing.
Use a Stability ball
A stability ball won't be the "thing" that makes you stress free, but it'll help support proper posture. Proper posture makes you more confident, less tired and less irritable. This doesn't manage your stress but it'll help ward it off before it arrives.
Take deep breaths
By focusing on breaths, you'll briefly forget the worries that troube you. Take 15 deep breaths. As you inhale your diaphragm should expand and as you exhale it should contract. Focus only on your breath. By taking these focused deep breaths, more oxygen will reach vital organs. Nothing like a little brain boost when stressed.
Get some rays
Have you ever gone to the beach or laid by the pool and felt completely relaxed? The sun has a natural calming effect. Maybe it's being outdoors and getting fresh air or the absorption of the much needed vitamin D. It'll help calm you down which is the goal, right?
Office decor
Buy yourself a couple office plants. Plants are how we receive oxygen and by having them in your office they'll help filter and regulate your office atmosphere. And it doesn't hurt that it helps visually.
Workout when you get home
Going home and working out is the best way to loosen up and clear the mind. After you'll feel more relaxed and rational.
Tip - Bring a paper and pen in case any thoughts flood your mind. You want to get them out of your head and on paper. This way you can refer back and focus on you and your workout, that's it.
Clear your mind
Easier said than done I know, but clearing your mind has a powerful effect. It de-clutters your thoughts and grounds you. Your mind races all day long. Slow it down and think about nothing.
Get good at meditating each and every day.
Go to bed early
What? There is no way you can get to bed early. Spare me. Yes, you can.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50-70 million adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder. The effects are HUGE. By reducing your sleep by as much as 30 minutes one night can reduce your day time alertness by 32%.
Getting more sleep will not only energize you, it will also significantly reduce your stress levels.
Eat well in the morning
Eat like a king, fight like a knight.
By eating a healthy well balanced breakfast you're preparing your body for the full day ahead. Getting these essential nutrients first thing in the morning are key to warding off environmental and office stressors.
Focus on quality protein and fat, with a side of berries.
You don't have to use all of these to reduce your stress level, but the max benefit is reached when their all used cohesively.
Once you know how to relax when stressed, your life will seem clearer. Your mind will be focused, your thoughts will be sharp and you'll be a better you.
And although rubbing your ears humming "woosah" sounds good, it isn't going to be your best option.
Unless you're in your psychiatrist's chair.
I know how you feel and battle with this every day, but I've found certain ways to help ward it off.
One of my greatest experiences with stress was when I was managing a $550,000 order that seemed to be going well. The order was processed and all the material to fulfill the order was procured and allocated.
Sounds great right?
Wrong! Our customer called me frantic saying that the order they placed was for the wrong product. You can imagine my worry. I felt sick, nauseous and partially delirious.
After a few days of panic I decided to calm down, think it through and fix the situation.
Regardless of how this story started it ended with a great relationship with our customer and a more educated me on how to relax when stressed.
From then on I implemented a few ways to manage my stress and I know you can benefit from then as well.
Get a support group
By having a support group you'll be able to process your thoughts externally. It's fine to think inside your head, but once you verbalize it the vibrations will hit your subconscious and redirect your irrational thoughts. You will also receive valuable input from your support group.
Don't sit, get up
I've talked about this before but sitting slouched, hovered over your keyboard will only make things worse. Get up and move. I like to reach to the sky and then go straight into a standing hamstring stretch. It loosens you up and gets blood flowing.
Use a Stability ball
A stability ball won't be the "thing" that makes you stress free, but it'll help support proper posture. Proper posture makes you more confident, less tired and less irritable. This doesn't manage your stress but it'll help ward it off before it arrives.
Take deep breaths
By focusing on breaths, you'll briefly forget the worries that troube you. Take 15 deep breaths. As you inhale your diaphragm should expand and as you exhale it should contract. Focus only on your breath. By taking these focused deep breaths, more oxygen will reach vital organs. Nothing like a little brain boost when stressed.
Get some rays
Have you ever gone to the beach or laid by the pool and felt completely relaxed? The sun has a natural calming effect. Maybe it's being outdoors and getting fresh air or the absorption of the much needed vitamin D. It'll help calm you down which is the goal, right?
Office decor
Buy yourself a couple office plants. Plants are how we receive oxygen and by having them in your office they'll help filter and regulate your office atmosphere. And it doesn't hurt that it helps visually.
Workout when you get home
Going home and working out is the best way to loosen up and clear the mind. After you'll feel more relaxed and rational.
Tip - Bring a paper and pen in case any thoughts flood your mind. You want to get them out of your head and on paper. This way you can refer back and focus on you and your workout, that's it.
Clear your mind
Easier said than done I know, but clearing your mind has a powerful effect. It de-clutters your thoughts and grounds you. Your mind races all day long. Slow it down and think about nothing.
Get good at meditating each and every day.
Go to bed early
What? There is no way you can get to bed early. Spare me. Yes, you can.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50-70 million adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder. The effects are HUGE. By reducing your sleep by as much as 30 minutes one night can reduce your day time alertness by 32%.
Getting more sleep will not only energize you, it will also significantly reduce your stress levels.
Eat well in the morning
Eat like a king, fight like a knight.
By eating a healthy well balanced breakfast you're preparing your body for the full day ahead. Getting these essential nutrients first thing in the morning are key to warding off environmental and office stressors.
Focus on quality protein and fat, with a side of berries.
You don't have to use all of these to reduce your stress level, but the max benefit is reached when their all used cohesively.
Once you know how to relax when stressed, your life will seem clearer. Your mind will be focused, your thoughts will be sharp and you'll be a better you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7611763
Thursday, 9 May 2013
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