CONTROLLING THOUGHTS

I have just been away on a conference and had plenty of time to think about the power of our thoughts. Whats the difference between the person who makes something of their lives and someone who just drifts along? The drifter makes no attempt to discipline or control his thoughts, and he never learns the difference between positive thinking and negative thinking. He allows his mind to drift with any stray thought which may float into it. People who drift in connection with their thought habits are sure to drift on other subjects as well. In an allegorical account of an interview with the devil it was stated that the devil said he feared nothing except that the world might sometime produce a thinker who would use his own mind, adding significantly that he controlled all drifters who neglected to use their own minds. The devil is not the only individual who exploits the drifter. And the drifter is the victim not only of all those who wish to exploit him, but he is also the victim of all the stray, negative thoughts which park themselves in his mind. The non-drifter takes full possession of his own mind through self-discipline, and organizes definite plans and purposes. He directs his mind to whatever ends he desires, and he keeps his mind occupied with the things he wants and off the things he does not want. A positive mental attitude is the first and the most important of the twelve riches of life, and it cannot be attained by the drifter. It can be attained only by a scrupulous regard for time, through habits of self-discipline. No amount of time devoted to one's occupation can compensate for the benefits of a positive mental attitude, for this is the power which makes the use of time effective and productive. A positive mental attitude does not grow voluntarily, like the weeds of the fields. It requires cultivation, through carefully disciplined habits of thoughts. And the greatest of all training grounds for the cultivation of a positive mental attitude is provided by one's chosen occupation, where he spends the greatest part of his life. Here you may combine your efforts to make them financially productive and to develop a positive mental attitude. When you get your own thought habits under control, you will have yourself under control, but you cannot do it by drifting. Organize your thoughts. Decide what you want, to what position in life you aspire. Then plan ways and means to express your thoughts, in terms of organized action. Follow through with applied faith and unremitting persistence. This is the means by which you can become the master of your fate, the captain of your soul. Waste no time worrying about what others may think. The important thing is what you think and do. Its the key to igniting our own inner fire. Igniting lives on fire. www.fraserstirling.co.nz

How many ways am I wealthy and abundant?

There is a saying that we get what we focus on. Recently I have allowed my mind to focus on the less desirable things. Finally I started to realise what I was doing and tuned my mind to what is already working for me.
These are some of the ways I am already wealthy and abundant...

1. A Positive Mental Attitude – purposefully think pleasant thoughts and these thoughts will exhibit “attraction power” that will draw good things into your life. For example, focus on finding that single perfect flower and when you do, buy it and display it on your table or desk for all to admire. Costs little, but pulls in positive vibrations.

2. Sound Physical Health – eat well, exercise daily, and move your body hourly for optimum results.

3. Harmony in Human Relations – talk less listen more. Condition yourself to consider another’s point of view.

4. Freedom From Fear – exchange your fears for faith and refuse to worry about something that you cannot control.

5. The Hope of Future Achievement – set simple goals and live up to your expectations. Start small and work up!

6. The Capacity for Faith – read faith based stories for inspiration, and seek out similar experiences in your own life.

7. Willingness to Share One’s Blessings – give from your current earnings, not only from your surplus.

8. A Labor of Love – do something that you enjoy for the PURE joy of doing it.

9. An Open Mind on All Subjects – challenge yourself to grow and exceed the space you now occupy in the world. Go beyond where you are and learn something new.

10. Self-Discipline – budget your time and money and create a daily plan for the maintenance of sound health. A little done each day adds up in a month’s time.

11. The Capacity to Understand People – school yourself in the nine basic motives that inspire people to do things. Next consider your primary and secondary motives – good or bad. You are where you are in life because of the actions you take.

12. Economic Security – plan for your financial security by saving a set portion of your weekly income. Never become someone’s servant or slave due to lack of personal finances.

Shortly after I was reminded what Napoleon Hill comment on regarding poverty. So I have included a summary from one of his great writings as well.

Poverty is the result of a negative condition of the mind, which practically every living person experiences at one time or another. It is the first and the most disastrous of the seven basic fears, but it is only a state of mind, and like the other six fears, it is subject to the control of the individual.

The fact that a major portion of all people are born in surroundings of poverty, accept it as inescapable, and go with it all though their lives, indicates how potent a factor it is in the lives of people. It may well be that poverty is one of the testing devices with which the Creator separates the weak from the strong, for it is a notable fact that those who master poverty, become rich not only in material things, but also rich and often wise in spiritual values as well.

I have observed that men who have mastered poverty invariably have a keen sense of Faith in their ability to master practically everything else which stands in the way of their progress; while those who have accepted poverty as inescapable show signs of weakness in many other directions. In no case have I known anyone who had accepted poverty as unavoidable, who had not failed also to exercise that great Gift of the power to take possession of his own mind-power (as the Creator intended all people should do).

All people go through testing periods throughout their lives, under many circumstances, which clearly disclose whether or not they have accepted and used the Great Gift of exclusive control over their own mind-power. And I have observed that along with this Great Gift from the Infinite go also definite penalties for neglect to embrace and use the Gift, and definite rewards for its recognition and use.

One of the more important rewards for its use consists in complete freedom from the entire seven basic fears and all the lesser fears, with full access to the magic power of FAITH to take the place of the fears.

The penalties for neglect to embrace and use this Great Gift are legion. In addition to all of the seven basic fears, there are many other liabilities not included with these fears. One of the major penalties for failure to use the Great gift is the total impossibility of attaining peace of mind.

Fraser

HOW TO GET FOCUS AND ELIMINATE CONFUSION

A stunning article by one of my inspirations, Jack Canfield showing us how to gain clarity and focus.

We all aspire to be, do and have great things. Yet most of us simply aren’t creating the results we want. We don’t have enough money, romance, success or joy in our lives. But what we need to understand is that greatness exists in all of us. It is simply up to us to pull it out of ourselves. We all have genius. We just need to learn how to apply it.

Decide What You Want
In order to get what you want, you must first decide what you want. Most people really foul up at this crucial first step because they simply can’t see how it’s possible to get what they want — so they don’t even let themselves want it.

Jack Canfield Reveals His #1 Secret (Free Video) – CLICK HERE

Don’t sabotage yourself that way!

What scientists now know about how the brain works is that you must first decide WHAT you want, before your brain can figure out HOW to get it. Once you lock-in your desires, your mind and the universe can step in.

Are you ready to get started?

Be Willing to Dream Big Dreams
As soon as you commit to a big dream and really go after it, your subconscious creative mind will come up with big ideas to make it happen. You’ll start attracting the people, resources, and opportunities you need into your life to make your dream come true. Big dreams not only inspire you, they compel others to want to play big, too.

Set Goals That Will Stretch You
Another value in giving yourself permission to go after the big dreams is that big dreams require you to grow in order to achieve them. In fact, in the long run, that is the greatest benefit you will receive from pursuing your dreams — not so much the outer trappings of fulfilling the dream (an expensive car, impressive house, loads of money and philanthropic opportunities), but who you become in the process.

As I’ve seen many times over, the outer symbols of success, can all be easily lost. Houses burn down, companies go bankrupt, relationships end in divorce, cars get old, bodies age and fame wanes, but who you are, what you have learned and the new skills you have developed never go away. These are the true prizes of success. Motivational philosopher, Jim Rohn advises that “You should set a goal big enough that in the process of achieving it, you become someone worth becoming.”

Service to Others
Something else you’ll discover is that when your dreams include service to others — accomplishing something that contributes to others — it also accelerates the accomplishment of that goal. People want to be part of something that contributes and makes a difference.

Turn Your Dreams into Goals and Objectives
Once you are clear about what you want, you must turn each item into a measurable objective. By measurable, I mean measurable in space and time — how much and by when. For instance, if you were to tell me that you wanted more money, I might pull out a dollar and give it to you, but you would probably protest, saying “No, I meant a lot more money — like $20,000!” Well, how am I supposed to know unless you tell me? Similarly, your boss, your friends, your spouse, your brain — God, the Universe — can’t figure out what you want unless you tell them specifically what it is. What do you want — exactly — and when do you want it by?

Write Your Goals Down
Write your goals down in detail, and read your list of goals every day. This will keep your subconscious mind focused on what you want. For an even more powerful approach, close your eyes and focus on each goal and ask yourself, “What is one thing I could do today to move toward the achievement of this goal?” Write down your answers and take those actions.

To help your reticular activating system begin finding YOUR wants in unexpected places, take time now to decide what you want and start writing!

Remember, don’t hold back!

Habits of the mind

After speaking about focus, I came accross this by Napoleon Hill.

Habits of Thought
by Napoleon Hill
The drifter makes no attempt to discipline or control his thoughts, and he never learns the difference between positive thinking and negative thinking. He allows his mind to drift with any stray thought which may float into it. People who drift in connection with their thought habits are sure to drift on other subjects as well.

In an allegorical account of an interview with the devil it was stated that the devil said he feared nothing except that the world might sometime produce a thinker who would use his own mind, adding significantly that he controlled all drifters who neglected to use their own minds. The devil is not the only individual who exploits the drifter. And the drifter is the victim not only of all those who wish to exploit him, but he is also the victim of all the stray, negative thoughts which park themselves in his mind.

The non-drifter takes full possession of his own mind through self-discipline, and organizes definite plans and purposes. He directs his mind to whatever ends he desires, and he keeps his mind occupied with the things he wants and off the things he does not want.

A positive mental attitude is the first and the most important of the twelve riches of life, and it cannot be attained by the drifter. It can be attained only by a scrupulous regard for time, through habits of self-discipline. No amount of time devoted to one’s occupation can compensate for the benefits of a positive mental attitude, for this is the power which makes the use of time effective and productive.

A positive mental attitude does not grow voluntarily, like the weeds of the fields. It requires cultivation, through carefully disciplined habits of thought. And the greatest of all training grounds for the cultivation of a positive mental attitude is provided by one’s chosen occupation, where he spends the greatest part of his life. Here you may combine your efforts to make them financially productive and to develop a positive mental attitude.

When you get your own thought habits under control, you will have yourself under control, but you cannot do it by drifting. Organize your thoughts. Decide what you want, to what position in life you aspire. Then plan ways and means to express your thoughts in terms of organized action. Follow through with applied faith and unremitting persistence. This is the means by which you can become the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.

Waste no time worrying about what others may think. The important thing is what you think and do.



Fraser

Shape your future

On average, two or three of these individuals will admit to having goals out of the 50 individuals in attendance, and typically only one of these people will actually have their goals written down. I then ask the group what would happen if I got into my car after the presentation, not knowing my next destination. Where would I end up? Most people laugh and answer "nowhere!"--which is my point exactly. It seems like a silly question to ask, but if we don't know where we want to go with our lives, where are we going to end up? We spend more time planning our vacations than we do planning our lives. Why is that? A goal is nothing but a dream with a deadline. Creating a road map is necessary if we are to become successful individuals.

Ask Yourself...
* Have I established goals for the next year, 5 years, 20 years?
* Am I truly living the life that I want to live?
* Have I made myself accountable for what I want in life?
* Will my failed goals lead to unwanted consequences?

Our goals drive us, they allow us to shape our future and provide us with the ability to grow and excel in each of our endeavors. That being said, it is important to remember that in order to achieve our goals we must first document them. When we do write down our goals something amazing happens; we become creators, creators of our own paths. Remember, what the mind can imagine, it can create: Anything is possible. HOW we are going to achieve our goals at the time of setting them may not be clear, but if reasons come first answers will come second. If you have a big enough WHY, the HOW will manifest itself--you will find a way to make things happen!

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein

Ask Yourself...
* Do I have goals that have been left unaccomplished for an extended period of time?
* Am I truly making strides towards accomplishing my goals, or am I hindering my own efforts either consciously or unconsciously?
* Am I willing to look at things differently so that things can change?
* Am I open to new ideas or strategies that may positively assist me in the achievement of my goals? Where can I get ideas? Who could help?

Each year on the first of January, I take the time to reflect upon my goals from the previous year. I like to evaluate what I have accomplished, and review everything that has manifested throughout the year. It always makes me smile to see how things have unfolded for the goals which had a strong WHY even if I did not really know at the time how I would get them accomplished...amazing how that works! To continue, now that I have reviewed my previous year's goals, I am ready to set new goals and design a roadmap for the next year's journey. My successes motivate me to create new goals for the coming year and open up my mind to all the future possibilities.

My Goals, Categorized

1. Personal development and relationships -- What skills do I want to develop? What do I want to learn? What relationships do I want to create?

2. Career -- What do I want to accomplish? What kind of impact do I want to have?

3. Fitness, nutrition and food for the soul -- What level of physical fitness do I want to maintain or achieve? What can I do to improve my eating habits? What practices can I partake in that will cultivate my spirituality?

4. Material things and time savers -- Have fun with this one -- have I been dreaming about purchasing a new car or installing the latest home entertainment system? Or do I want to hire help for household duties so that I can have more time with my family and friends?

5. Economic -- What income level do I want to achieve? Are there investments that I would like to make within the next year?

6. Legacy -- What do I want to leave behind? What do I want to be remembered for?

7 Steps Goal Setting Strategies

1. Brainstorm each of the categories for 5 minutes, don't think too hard and allow your thoughts to come naturally.

2. Next, establish a timeline for each of your goals, whether it be a year, 5 years, 10 years or 20 years.

3. Decide upon a few goals (three or four from each category) that you wish to focus the majority of your attention on.

4. Now determine the WHY of each of your top three or four goals.

5. Decide if the WHY of each of your top three or four goals is "strong" enough--does it empower you enough? If not, pick another goal from that category which does get you motivated and excited.

6. After that, put your goals through the "SMART" system.

S -- Specific -- Is your goal too vague? Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do. Answered by what, why, and how.

M -- Measurable -- How will you know when you have succeeded? Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

A -- Attainable -- A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real commitment from you.

R -- Realistic -- To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!

T -- Time-bound -- Do you have a timeline? Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.

Finally, beside each goal -- write one action step you can take this week to get you closer to your goal. (i.e.- If you want to start doing Yoga -- Your action step would be to contact the Yoga school you wish to attend, and ask about their classes and schedule.)

Make sure to place your goals in an area of your home, or office, which is frequently visited. The probability of accomplishing your goal(s) is increased when your ambitions are reviewed on a day-to-day basis.

Finally, have fun with your goal setting. Remember to THINK and PLAY BIG -- the more successful and fulfilled you are, the more you will contribute to the people around you and ultimately, to the world. Furthermore, embrace the fact that what we can think about we can create. Leverage the power of your subconscious to plant the "right" seeds in your brain and watch what can happen!

Focus

What a delight when we know what we want? Too often we wander around looking for something to fill the night in with. Nothing on TV, so I will look till I find something that tickles my fancy.
Oh how much more powerful to say...I want this and or that...let me make, create and or find i. Too often we are letting oters live and make the choices for us. What am I wanting? Is that what i desire...to just sit and fill in another night. here in New Zealand the sun light hours have been moved. Therefore it is lighter later at night. Lets use this time to sow the seeds for something worth while.
It maybe a walk on the beach with a loved one. It may be a game of the back lawn with the children. It may a phone call to a distant friend. Then again it maybe you can sepend 30 minutes walking around the block rather than sitting reading the paper. This is yourlife. Stop living in yesterday and in the pitty party system. Make it happen. No one but you is going to make it happen. This is your day. This is your moment. Don't wonder what if? Make it happen. Become clear abou what you want and make it happen. Are you unsure of what to do? Then set the target closer and make small steps and as you gain momentum you can shift the target back.
We have one shot at life. Lets make it count. lets stop just filling time and space and start making it happen.
This is my day and this my life
Great Clip about focus:


Till next time.

Focus

I was sitting in with a group of children the other day. I was amazed at how well they were able to sit for 30 minutes without moving and or fidgetting. They didn't have to nudge and or chat and talk to the person beside them. It was like they were in a trance. Where were they? They were watching a Cartoon short show on a big screen in a hall. These same children can normally be very restless and fiddle and talk. They were like a different bunch of children today. They were the same people that are normally there. What caused the change? These children had been captervated and even though they werent engaged they were in trance like states. What a delight to see how this relates to us. We also have a choice. We too have to choose what we focus on. We too have achoice on what we will give our attention to. There may be times we have to endure something we arent too fond of. Thats fine as its not the end all and be all of it all. Just like they children were engaged. What are you engaged in today. Just as Moses did many years ago with the burning Bush. Whats has caught your attention? What are you focusing on? Choose be laser focused and move towards a fixed aima nd or purpose. This is our day. Lets focus on something worthwhile.

Clarity

It is important that we are clear about where we want to go. The more detail we can put into our mind the better. Try and describe what it will look, taste, smell, sound like and feel like at the end. Then take note of where you are today. What is different between the end picture and what you are seeing now? The clearer the image of the end product is the easier it is for you to identify what you need to do in order to reach the end product.
Stop just merely thinking about it and start getting serious and see the details. There isn't enough to merely just wish for this and that. If you are truly serious you will stat seeing yourself as the image at the end.
The time for thinking is at an end. You must start doing it. Repeatedly tell your mind that you are the best that you are a overomer, that you will achieve, that you do achieve.
It is very very important that you know where you are going. This brings clarity to your achievement.

Blank Page

A new year has well and truely arrived. I hope you are well and are well on your way towards your new year goals. Now that the NY has started I have reduced what I am pursuing. I think in the past one of my down falls has been me casing after too many things nad not honing in after a few really well. This is alos highlighted by Dr Hill who comments that the stronger the fire the bigger the fire. When I am truely passionate about something I will see it through. The blank page represents an idea. Truely master one thing at a time before moving off onto another thing. This was it helps build experience and stil at that level rather than chasing this and that.

Power of Focus

In the modern day and age it is amazing how fast paced life can get. We get so busy getting things done that we spend little time working on the things that are most important. It isnt always the big things that cause the hinderances...it can simply be the desk that is untidy. An unkempt bed. A messy car. These are all reflections of what is going on inside of us. The importance of being organised is not just the fact we are more able to focus. It saves the wasted time of looking for things.
For me my desk at home and at work is one of the places I spend a lot of time. Therefore it is important that we follow a system that works.

Here is a forumla that i have found to be very good:

Your office desk is like your second home. You stay and work there for the entire duration of your work hours. As such, you must see to it that you are comfortable and functional working there. You must see to it that it is organized.

But how do you organize your desk? How do you make it work for you? Well, the answer is as simple as the ABC: Arrange, Beautify, Clean.

Arrange

Your desk should have a certain system - and one that works for you. For instance, if you are more of the obsessive-compulsive type, then you would naturally want your items to have a proper order. For instance, all writing materials should be placed near one another and all documents and references should be on the same side.

Another way of organizing the items on your desk is by arranging them according to "frequency of use." What are the items that you frequently use? What are the things that are rarely taken out of the drawer?

Once you already have the complete list of the frequently used items (such as pens, papers, staplers, paper clips) and those that are rarely utilized (such as books, old clients' profile) then you can proceed with putting them in the right places. Make the frequently used items very accessible - and keep the seldom-used items far below your drawers.

Beautify

It's not enough to simply put the right items in the right places - as in the case of arranging the items on your desk. You also need to add aesthetics into your workstation. You can put photo frames, but just don't overdo this. You can even place a jar of candies or cookies for your guests and visitors. For a little touch of elegance, make use of desk organizers or desk business card holders.

Using minimalist lamps, earth-toned bookends and gold-plated pen holders would also be a fine way of incorporating aesthetics into your neatly-arranged desk.

Clean

Regardless of how sophisticated your desk organizer is or how efficiently arranged your desk items are, but if you don't observe cleanliness, your workstation would not be that appealing. Scattered papers and poorly arranged books and documents would always be a sore sight.

Therefore, to complete the perfect look of your desk, make it a point to keep it clean. In fact, make a habit out of cleanliness. For instance, as soon as you get in, be sure to wipe your desk with tissue and alcohol. It will give your desk a sense of freshness and cleanliness. Also, resist the urge to leave things unarranged. Regardless of how busy you are, make it a point to place them back to their respective "compartments."

By doing this, not only will you be inspired to work, but your colleagues would be more than happy to drop by your place because you have a very attractive workstation.

Organizing your desk is indeed as easy as ABC. You don't need to have complicated skills or to be


Remember that the clearer and tidier we are the better focused we are:

Fraser

some succeed...some fail...why

The successful person knows precisely what he desires, has a plan for getting it, believes in his ability to get it, and devotes a major portion of his time to acquiring it.

The failure has no definite purpose in life, believes that all success is the result of "luck," and moves on his own initiative only when forced to do so.

Too often people blame others for where they are...however one of the traits of the truely successful goal achievers is they reaslise they choose to be where they are.

In the past few days the people of Samoa had to endure something they did not choose. However where they go from now is their choice. Some will see it as a failure and others will see it as an opportunity.

I am presently working with my personal coach and we are putting my life goals into a book. Each of the steps is a chapter in the book. It is a very effective method and I more than willing to share this great approach.

Remember we must be clear about what we want. The clearer we are in our mind the clearer it is out there.We cant afford to be wasting time thinking about what we will be doing..this is done in the planning stages...then it just a matter of doing it.

Lets be on the side that makes the life of our design.

Till next time

Fraze