LOOKING WITH FRESH EYES

Generating New Ideas

Think Differently and Spark Creativity

As mentioned in my last post we are currently getting ready to move into our new house and I have been thinking about how can we use the land to create more income options.  This reminded me about being creative and thinking of things differently. 

"We need to think differently!"
"This needs some fresh ideas!"
"We have got to be more creative around here!"

Are messages like these popping up more and more in your life?

Faced with complex, open-ended, ever-changing challenges, organizations and people realise that constant, ongoing innovation is critical to stay ahead of the status quo.

This is why we need to be on the lookout for new ideas that can drive innovation, and it's why the ability to think differently, generate new ideas, and spark creativity within a team becomes an important skill. You need to work actively on building and cultivating this skill, and it can be done!

Often, though, we make the mistake of assuming that good ideas just happen. Or worse still, we get caught in the mind trap that creativity is an aptitude; some people have it, others don't. Then there is the other self-defeating belief – "I am not intelligent enough to come up with good ideas."

These assumptions are rarely true. Everyone can come up with fresh, radical ideas – you just need to learn to open your mind and think differently. This article shows you how to do so.

How to Generate New Ideas

Standard idea-generation techniques concentrate on combining or adapting existing ideas. This can certainly generate results. But here, our focus is on equipping you with tools that help you leap onto a totally different plane. These approaches push your mind to forge new connections, think differently and consider new perspectives.

A word of caution – while these techniques are extremely effective, they will only succeed if they are backed by rich knowledge of the area you're working on. This means that if you are not prepared with adequate information about the issue, you are unlikely to come up with a great idea even by using the techniques listed here.

Incidentally, these techniques can be applied to spark creativity in group settings and brainstorming sessions as well.

Breaking Thought Patterns

All of us can tend to get stuck in certain thinking patterns. Breaking these thought patterns can help you get your mind unstuck and generate new ideas. There are several techniques you can use to break established thought patterns:

• Challenge assumptions: For every situation, you have a set of key assumptions. Challenging these assumptions gives you a whole new spin on possibilities.

• You want to buy a house but can't since you assume you don't have the money to make a down payment on the loan. Challenge the assumption. Sure, you don't have cash in the bank but couldn't you sell some of your other assets to raise the money? Could you dip into your retirement fund? Could you work overtime and build up the kitty in six months? Suddenly the picture starts looking brighter.

• Reword the problem: Stating the problem differently often leads to different ideas. To reword the problem look at the issue from different angles. "Why do we need to solve the problem?", "What's the roadblock here?", "What will happen if we don't solve the problem?" These questions will give you new insights. You might come up with new ideas to solve your new problem.

• In the mid 1950s, shipping companies were losing money on freighters. They decided they needed to focus on building faster and more efficient ships. However, the problem persisted. Then one consultant defined the problem differently. He said the problem the industry should consider was "how can we reduce cost?" The new problem statement generated new ideas. All aspects of shipping, including storage of cargo and loading time, were considered. The outcome of this shift in focus resulted in the container ship and the roll-on/roll-off freighter.

• Think in reverse-If you feel you cannot think of anything new, try turning things upside-down. Instead of focusing on how you could solve a problem/improve operations/enhance a product, consider how could you create the problem/worsen operations/downgrade the product. The reverse ideas will come flowing in. Consider these ideas – once you've reversed them again – as possible solutions for the original challenge.
• Express yourself through different media: We have multiple intelligences but somehow, when faced with workplace challenges we just tend to use our verbal reasoning ability. How about expressing the challenge through different media? Clay, music, word association games, paint, there are several ways you can express the challenge. Don't bother about solving the challenge at this point. Just express it. Different expression might spark off different thought patterns. And these new thought patterns may yield new ideas.

Connect the Unconnected

Some of the best ideas seem to occur just by chance. You see something or you hear someone, often totally unconnected to the situation you are trying to resolve, and the penny drops in place. Newton and the apple, Archimedes in the bath tub; examples abound.

Why does this happen? The random element provides a new stimulus and gets our brain cells ticking. You can capitalize on this knowledge by consciously trying to connect the unconnected.

Actively seek stimuli from unexpected places and then see if you can use these stimuli to build a connection with your situation. Some techniques you could use are:

• Use random input Choose a word from the dictionary and look for novel connections between the word and your problem.

• Mind Map possible ideas: Put a key word or phrase in the middle of the page. Write whatever else comes in your mind on the same page. See if you can make any connections.

• Pick up a picture. Consider how you can relate it to your situation.
• Take an item. Ask yourself questions such as "How could this item help in addressing the challenge?", or "What attributes of this item could help us solve our challenge?"

Shift Perspective

Over the years we all build a certain type of perspective and this perspective yields a certain type of idea. If you want different ideas, you will have to shift your perspective. To do so:

• Get someone else's perspective: Ask different people what they would do if faced with your challenge. You could approach friends engaged in different kind of work, your spouse, a nine-year old child, customers, suppliers, senior citizens, someone from a different culture; in essence anyone who might see things differently.
• Play the "If I were" game: Ask yourself "If I were ..." how would I address this challenge? You could be anyone: a millionaire, Tiger Woods, anyone.

• The idea is the person you decide to be has certain identifiable traits. And you have to use these traits to address the challenge. For instance, if you decide to play the millionaire, you might want to bring traits such as flamboyance, big thinking and risk-taking when formulating an idea. If you are Tiger Woods you would focus on things such as perfection, persistence and execution detail.

Employ Enablers

Enablers are activities and actions that assist with, rather than directly provoke, idea generation. They create a positive atmosphere. Some of the enablers that can help you get your creative juices flowing are:

• Belief in yourself: Believe that you are creative, believe that ideas will come to you; positive reinforcement helps you perform better.
• Creative loafing time: Nap, go for a walk, listen to music, play with your child, take a break from formal idea-generating. Your mind needs the rest, and will often come up with connections precisely when it isn't trying to make them.
• Change of environment: Sometimes changing the setting changes your thought process. Go to a nearby coffee shop instead of the conference room in your office, or hold your discussion while walking together round a local park.
• Shutting out distractions: Keep your thinking space both literally and mentally clutter-free. Shut off the Blackberry, close the door, divert your phone calls and then think.
• Fun and humor: These are essential ingredients, especially in team settings.

Key Points:

The ability to generate new ideas is an essential skill today. You can acquire this skill by consciously practicing techniques that force your mind to forge new connections, break old thought patterns and consider new perspectives.

Along with practicing these techniques, you need to adopt enabling strategies too. These enabling strategies help in creating a positive atmosphere that boosts creativity.

Remember to share the wonderful breakthroughs you will experience. 

FEAR NO MORE!!!

I am in the process of buying a bigger house with a bit of land. To do this I have had to move out of my comfort zone from where I currently live.  This has got me thinking about what security and fear are.

Security ... what does this word mean in relation to life as we know it today? For the most part, it means safety and freedom from worry. It is said to be the end that all men strive for; but is security a utopian goal or is it another word for rut?

Let us visualise the secure man; and by this term, I mean a man who has settled for financial and personal security for his goal in life. In general, he is a man who has pushed ambition and initiative aside and settled down, so to speak, in a boring, but safe and comfortable rut for the rest of his life. His future is but an extension of his present, and he accepts it as such with a complacent shrug of his shoulders. His ideas and ideals are those of society in general and he is accepted as a respectable, but average and prosaic man. But is he a man? has he any self-respect or pride in himself? How could he, when he has risked nothing and gained nothing? What does he think when he sees his youthful dreams of adventure, accomplishment, travel and romance buried under the cloak of conformity? How does he feel when he realizes that he has barely tasted the meal of life; when he sees the prison he has made for himself in pursuit of the almighty dollar? If he thinks this is all well and good, fine, but think of the tragedy of a man who has sacrificed his freedom on the altar of security, and wishes he could turn back the hands of time. A man is to be pitied who lacked the courage to accept the challenge of freedom and depart from the cushion of security and see life as it is instead of living it second-hand. Life has by-passed this man and he has watched from a secure place, afraid to seek anything better What has he done except to sit and wait for the tomorrow which never comes?

Turn back the pages of history and see the men who have shaped the destiny of the world. Security was never theirs, but they lived rather than existed. Where would the world be if all men had sought security and not taken risks or gambled with their lives on the chance that, if they won, life would be different and richer? It is from the bystanders (who are in the vast majority) that we receive the propaganda that life is not worth living, that life is drudgery, that the ambitions of youth must he laid aside for a life which is but a painful wait for death. These are the ones who squeeze what excitement they can from life out of the imaginations and experiences of others through books and movies. These are the insignificant and forgotten men who preach conformity because it is all they know. These are the men who dream at night of what could have been, but who wake at dawn to take their places at the now-familiar rut and to merely exist through another day. For them, the romance of life is long dead and they are forced to go through the years on a treadmill, cursing their existence, yet afraid to die because of the unknown which faces them after death. They lacked the only true courage: the kind which enables men to face the unknown regardless of the consequences.
As an afterthought, it seems hardly proper to write of life without once mentioning happiness; so we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?
If you keep doing the same things you get the same result...so what will you do different today?

Igniting Lives on Fire

www.fraserstirling.co.nz

Does Need Your Attitude a Boost

I was at a leadership day on Friday and we discussed many things. One of the key things I took away was the fact that our mind is a free tool to use how we please.  One of the best ways to use this tool is to keep the mind on the things we want, and this is about having a Positive Attitude. 


Your attitude is everything. It is how you see the things around you, how you deal with the situations you face, and what you think about life. The difference between a positive and negative attitude could be the difference between a positive or negative life.

The tips below are quick and highly effective. Make use of them today and start getting results immediately.

1. Rise and Shine!
Getting up early and taking a walk in the morning is a great way to start the day. Fifteen or twenty minutes is plenty of time for a quick walk in the brisk morning air. 

2. Tomorrow is a New Day
When things aren't going the way you might like them to go, remember that as time passes, so do your troubles. At the time it may be hard to realize that things will get better, but rest assured they will.

3. Control
The only one who can give you a good attitude is you. And the great news is, it can happen whenever you want it to. You could wake up tomorrow with a brand new outlook on life. And why? Because your attitude is yours to control. You don't need permission from anyone to change it.

4. Circle of Friends
You may be trying to stay positive, but if your friends or coworkers are negative, it may make for a losing battle. The company you keep impacts your attitude greatly. Seldom will you find a group of negative thinkers and one positive attitude together. Negativity can spread, so be sure to keep clear of noticeably negative situations.

5. Healthy Diet
You have heard it a thousand times, and this will make it a thousand and one. A good diet is vital to maintaining energy, alertness, and a positive attitude. Without the necessary amounts of fuel for your body, it cannot function properly. If you find yourself in a tired and negative mood, ask yourself, 'Have I eaten yet today?'

6. Sleep
Just as important as a healthy diet is the right amount of sleep. It seems obvious but many people don't get enough sleep at night. Without rest, the body and mind become irritable, fatigued, and they drag through the day. The same effects can result from oversleeping. Make sure you get the sleep you need each night.

7. Your Hobby to the Rescue
It is important to have a fun hobby or activity that you can do when facing a problem or a long, hectic day. Sports, books, collecting, etc. are great ways to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy yourself.

8. Do Unto Others
It's true what they say, you get what you give. When you focus on treating others positively and with respect, you will, in most cases, receive the same treatment. Change the focus from yourself to others and let the giving spirit be the reason for your improved view of the world.

9. The Bigger Picture
When you think of the world as a whole, it may serve to downplay the obstacles in your life that cause frustration or complication. You might have it bad, but the odds are that someone else has it worse. That in itself is enough to make people thankful for what they have. 

10. Try Something New
If you feel like you're stuck and you need a way to break out, try something new. Picking up a new instrument, trying out a new sport, or discovering a new talent may add some excitement and enjoyment to your life.

11. Past Proofs
Others have successfully done what you are trying to do, and that is why you should be positive about the future. It doesn't matter what you are trying to accomplish, the chances are that someone has done it. That means you can do it too. We are all human, and we all have the same 24 hours in each day. If they can do it, so can you.

12. Stop It
If you get up on the wrong side of the bed, that doesn't mean you have to go to bed on that same wrong side. If your day begins poorly, make an effort to correct its direction. Realize you aren't happy and fix the problem. Your bad beginning could turn into a happy end.

13. You Need Bad Days
If you do have a bad day though, that's all right. Some people have trouble with that thought. They think that one bad day is not acceptable, making it even worse for them. We all have an off day. The important thing is to make sure we improve the next.

14. Write It Down
Want a positive attitude? Describe your attitude in writing. Your plan will be easier to work if you know what you want. Knowing you want a better attitude may not be enough. Get specific, plan your work, and work your plan.

15. Helping Hands
Bringing your friends and family into the picture is a great way to keep you heading in the right direction. Tell some friends about your desire for a better attitude and tell them to let you know when you are getting negative. You may not want to admit you have a negative attitude, but your friends sure will tell you.

16. Be the Optimist
Being the optimist for others can help you see the positive things in your own life. When a friend comes to you with a problem, remind yourself that you are trying to improve your attitude and make your best effort to give the most positive advice you can. It doesn't have to be overdone, but it should have a very positive flavor to it.

Make use of the above tips and you'll find yourself a true optimist in no time!


Igniting lives on Fire


www.fraserstirling.co.nz

COMMUNICATION

My recent posts have been about relationships, therefore I thought I would discuss communication today:

Communication is one of the most important aspects of our lives that, ironically, many of us pay the least attention to. Regretfully, the main reason is that many of us have never been taught how to communicate in a way that benefits us and the person we are communicating with. From the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to bed, we are communicating, first with family, then with coworkers, neighbors, friends, and so on. We communicate either verbally, through our spoken words, or nonverbally, through eye contact, body language, and touch as well as through our thoughts, feelings, and passions. It has been estimated that only about 20 percent of our communication is verbal, and the rest is nonverbal. It is important, then, to pay attention to all the nonverbal clues we express to people as they speak more than the words we say. For example, most people can remember when they were children and "the look" their parents gave them that expressed much more than words would. Imagine if our communication with our spouses was clearer so that we knew how to express our feelings and ask for what we wanted--and we were heard. What if we, as parents, communicated from a place of personal power inside ourselves, expecting our children to listen and cooperate without having to yell? Through verbal and nonverbal communication we let people know who we are, what we want, and how we feel. Therefore communication is one of the necessary building blocks for creating a solid and successful family environment.

Here are four steps that will enhance communication with your family.

1. Expressing Our Wants and Feelings We all have wants and feelings. Once upon a time, in our youth, it was all right for us to want, and more so, it was even necessary for us to want. But many of us had parents who told us no, we could not join the big kids in the street, we could not ask for money or play with a certain thing, and that we asked too many questions. So "no, you don't want that" became the mantra of our lives. How many times did we hear statements such as these: "don't argue with me"; "if you want to cry, I'll give you something to cry about"; and so many others that taught us to stuff our feelings and shut up. No wonder we have a hard time expressing ourselves. This transfers into our adulthood to our spouses and children. When we do not get what we want, we tend to blame and attack others, causing upset and a belief that relationships are hard. In order to improve our ability to communicate and therefore improve our relationship with our family, we need to understand and release any emotions like anger and resentment and the belief that we are going to upset someone by stating our wants. It is when we release these that we can express our current wants and feelings, and we can then hear the wants and feelings of our spouses and children.

2. Making Others Right Any time we make negative comments to people about something they are doing or about a feeling or thought they have, we are making them wrong for who they are. This is called projection: the tendency to unconsciously place onto others our own undesirable ideas and impulses. How can you tell if you are projecting? The easiest way to know is if you are judging. How many times do you judge your spouse or your children for actions they take or feelings they have? No one wants to be ignored, accused, or made wrong. Think of someone right now that you have done this to. What was his or her reaction? When we project, we think they are undeserving of our love or caring. Truly, the place to start letting go of judgments is within ourselves. The more we release our own judgments about ourselves, the less we project them onto our family members. We can then make them right and see them as important, having value, and being okay for who they are because we have seen that about ourselves.

3. Listening What does listening have to do with communication? Why is listening so important? Listening allows us to get information, to learn about someone, and to understand another's feelings. Research has shown that people are listening only 25 percent of the time and that they make up the rest of what they think they hear. Therefore the nonlistener does not learn what there is to know, and the relationship becomes a classic lose-lose situation. There are many reasons why we do not hear what other people are saying. Some of them include talking too much, being too consumed with our own opinions, thinking we know a lot more about something than the person talking and planning our remarks and actions before the other person finishes. A good listener gives his or her undivided attention, asks questions without interrupting, does not judge until comprehension is complete, sees things from all points of view, and, especially, exercises the mind.

4. Having Agreements Instead of Expectations Since we have not learned positive ways to communicate due to holding back our feelings and not asking for what we want, we end up having expectations of others. We feel as if they can read our minds and know what we want without having to express it. Expectation is defined as "a prospect of future benefit." Because of this desire for a future benefit, we habitually deprive or withhold something desirable from ourselves for some outward goal or the love of someone in our lives. This is referred to as Sacrifice. For example, you think, "I will do this certain thing for my spouse, and when I do, she or he will love me more for it." Another example is thinking "I will pick up my child's toys, and he or she will learn from that and then pick up his or her own toys." We also have expectations of ourselves based on what we think others want of us, and they become shoulds; examples are "I should be a better parent" or "I should be happy around my spouse all the time." Because of fears we carry within ourselves about relationships and asking for what we want, we hold these expectations as a desire or a hope, wanting them to come true. We then sacrifice ourselves with these expectations, depriving ourselves of our wants. We become angry and disappointed when they do not come true and then feel guilty for having expressed the anger. In reality, we are angry with ourselves for not speaking up and asking for we want and need. To resolve this, we need to observe when we run our lives by shoulds or expectations and instead then communicate to others our desires and make agreements with each family member. Successful family relationships depend on how well we communicate. By using these tools, you will learn how to listen and communicate with each other. You will empower yourself and your family members. And you will create more joy, love, and peace in the family household.

Igniting lives on fire

www.fraserstirling.co.nz

BENEFITS OF SETTING GOALS

The first key note speaker at the conference at the weekend was talking about goals and how they set them. It was good to hear a different way of approaching one of my favourite topics. I thought I would share why goal setting is important: 1. Greater Peace of Mind. There is nothing in the world like going to bed at night knowing you are investing the days of your life in the areas of your chosen endeavor. Nothing brings you greater peace of mind than having the certainty that you are consciously creating your destiny, living a life of your own design. Goal getters realize that you create your life goal by goal. If you want a better life, set better goals. Simple really. 2. Clarity of Purpose. Having carefully chosen goals gives your life greater meaning. Show me a person who doesn't know their passion or purpose in life and I will show you a person who either has no goals or pursues goals with no personal challenge or meaning. People who actively and systematically pursue meaningful goals feel a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. What you are doing right now is either taking you way from or towards your dreams. Goals help us navigate throughout our journey. Our goals are a reflection of who we are. 3. Greater Productivity and Focus. People with goals direct their day, instead of their day directing them. People with goals know their desired outcome and are less likely to waste time on unimportant matters. When you know your outcome, you avoid distraction. You understand the people and pursuits that feed your desires and those that do not. You know where to invest your time and energy. You also learn where NOT to spend your time. 4. Greater Personal Growth. Each time you pursue a new goal outside your comfort zone, you contribute to your own personal growth and advancement. Pursuing goals causes you to stretch and learn about yourself and the world around you. What was once difficult often becomes easier and you long to conquer new heights. Nothing in the world will give you a zest for life like consistent growth. 5. Higher Quality of Life. Quite simply, people who have goals get more out of life. The more life you give to your goals, the more your goals give life to you. Having goals means you value your time and make the most of it. When you know what you want and have a plan to get there, the journey is a lot more fun than having no goals and no plans. Having goals makes life easier. People who set goals are happier and more fulfilled. When you are happy and fulfilled you take loving care of yourself and have more of yourself to give to the people you love. Happy, fulfilled people attract other happy and fulfilled people. 6. You Attract a Higher Quality Peer Group. People who have goals and are moving towards them are energized and full of life. When you have goals for your life, you attract other people who have goals of their own. And we are well aware of the power of association. You become like the people you hang around. 7. Increased Confidence and Self Esteem. Each time you make a commitment to a goal and invest the very best of yourself towards it's attainment, you gain more confidence and self esteem, regardless of whether or not you achieve the goal. Your subconscious mind knows that you gave your all and that strengthens your confidence muscle. Progressive action always leads to growth and greater fulfillment. People that do not set goals never venture outside of their comfort zone. Deep down they know they are not realizing their potential and feel bad about themselves. People with goals are fully alive and dare to take risks that elevate their place in life. Whether they win or lose, they learn and grow. 8. Contribution to Others. Whether or not you know it, someone looks up to you. If you have children of your own, they are like little sponges, absorbing the words you speak and the actions you take. Your behaviors serve as model to the people around you. Maybe it's your sibling, a coworker or even a kid down the street, someone looks up to you. Every time you set a goal and act on it, you serve as a shining example of a person who is moving towards realizing your full potential in life. Whenever you pursue a goal, you inspire others to do the same. 9. Goals Help You Become a Better Person. Don't set goals for what you can get. Set goals for what they will make of you. Set goals for who you become along the way. People who set goals and follow through, develop the skill of overcoming obstacles. People who follow through on their goals and commitments develop an inner strength and unshakable character. People who do NOT set goals never discover how great they can become. They never awaken their dormant gifts and talents. Whenever you set and commit to a goal and follow through on your commitment, you strengthen your character and personal integrity. And finally what is perhaps the biggest benefit of setting and pursuing goals... 10. For the benefit each individual goal will bring to your life. As you begin to master the art of goal setting, every goal you set brings it's own unique positive result or benefit to your life. When I work with private coaching clients, before they set a goal, I ask them to determine 10 deeply compelling, personal reasons why they must achieve the goal they are considering setting. When you do this, you give yourself all the clarity and motivation you need to fuel you beyond obstacles, all the way through to the goal's completion. If you cannot identify the benefits in advance, you probably would not bother setting the goal the first place. You can visualize your outcome by reveling in the results before they occur. So if you have not given yourself the gift of learning the art of goal setting, perhaps it's time. By moving towards our ideal we are igniting the fire within. www.fraserstirling.co.nz

Bait the conversation.

A boy came to me today and said that his Dad was taking the day off work to go fishing for his birthday. It amazes me that people tend to spend more time planning things, rather than planning their lives. I have just listened to an excellent audio on relationships by Anthony Robbins. Zig Ziglar also comments that people need to have good relationships at home, or home court advantage as he calls it. A good fisherman goes out of his way to bait his hook with what the fish prefer — which might not be a bad tip for those who wish to succeed in human relationships. Just as in a conversation it’s a good idea to listen more than you talk, it is also wise in relationships to think about the well-being of others more than you think about your own wishes and desires. When you constantly strive to treat others in the same way you would like them to treat you, you become a person whom others like to be around, one who commands their respect, confidence, and loyalty. When you learn to manage emotions and your ego, and when you learn to always consider the needs and desires of others, it is inevitable that you will “bait your hook” with kindness and consideration, and catch more friends than you can count. Good relationships helps ignite the fire within. www.fraserstirling.co.nz

How to use your imagination to manifest what you want?

Last time I shared about the importance of taking action.  Today I am going to be building on this.

It’s not what causes you to take the RIGHT action to get the results you want. Now, don’t get me wrong. You do need will power. You have to be WILLING to change. But your real asset or your ally is your imagination, NOT your will power.

Today, I want to share with you some really cool ways to attract anything you want. These are the secrets people have been using for thousands of years to manifest what they want. You can use them as well. They are not reserved for a special group of people. For years, I have used them to create stunning results in my life. Here they are:

1 – Get yourself out of your way.

Listen, let’s be honest, I know you probably have already heard about the power of visualization or imagination. And you probably keep dismissing it as fluff. Maybe you are too intellectual or too smart to really apply it as you should. You probably have the same attitude toward learning new information. As soon as you start reading a book, listening to a CD, watching a motivational video, you say to yourself, “I’ve heard this before.” How do I know?

Well, many times I have to catch myself doing the same thing as well. When I started in the personal development field, I was like a starving person in a cafeteria. I ate and ate and ate. Then I started being full. I started skimming the books. I was no longer taking the time to read and take notes. It wasn’t until four years ago I realized what I was doing. I had to have a conversation with myself about it.

That’s what I mean when I say get out of your way. Stop skimming. Take the time to truly learn and apply. Suspend your judgment and try something different. As they say, “Insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.” So, if what you’ve been doing is not working for you, try something else. Try using visualization or imagination. But try it relentlessly. Try it as if it’s brand new to you. Also, decide to put it into application as it should used.

2 – Step Into Your Future Now!

Imagine I wave a magic wand over you. Suddenly, you are transported 5 years from now. You wake up. You’re living your ideal life. Describe that day to yourself in writing. Write down all the details. Let’s call it “A Day In My Life 5 Years From Now.” Now, I want you to truly imagine the scenario. Yes, use your imagination!  Unless you do something new then you will stay where you are.

I bet your first tendency might be to write from your current reality. You might start writing from your fears, feeling of inadequacy, or past failures. No. You can’t write from there. I want you to write from a space of total freedom. You are unstoppable. Nothing can prevent you from achieving that which you desire. You are totally unafraid. And you cannot fail. Be bold. Be fearless.

In order words, if on that day you want to have a brand new Bentley, BMW, Mercedes Benz, or rolls Royce in front of your mansion waiting for you to drive away, don’t let the fact that your bank account is empty and you are in debt to stop you from writing it down. It’s time to make that dream real in you mind. Dare to live it now so that when you get there you are only reliving it.

You also want t write your ideal day five years from now in the present tense. Say something like, “Today is October 17, I wake up fully energized and passionate about life! I’m completely healthy. I’m debt free. I’m a multimillionaire (Be more specific. You might want to say three, four, or five million dollars). I’m heading down to my private gym to workout with my personal trainer. My charitable foundation is feeding 10 millions kids the world over, etc.” You get my point, right? Declare your future in details.

Success is personal. You and I don’t define it the same way. So, I’m not going to pretend my ideal day is going to look like yours. Write down your own day in every area of your life—financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Make sure it excites you. When I read mine, which is personal to me, I feel a sense of total happiness. It would sound unbelievable to you. But you know what? I believe it. It’s God’s will for me.  

Listen, live your life by faith instead by sight. Don’t base your future from your current reality. Trust, believe and know for certain great things are about to happen in your life. You were born to win. You’re destined for greatness. Don’t talk yourself out of it because you are not doing well now. Believe!

3 – Turn What You Wrote Into An Affirmation.

Read aloud your ideal day first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Now, I do understand sometimes depending on your environment, you may not be able to read aloud. That’s okay. Read in silence. However, if you can, I strongly suggest you real aloud. There’s power in listening to yourself telling yourself how amazing your future is going to be.

You may be saying, “For how long should I read it?” Well, for as long as it takes. When you pray, you don’t abandon your prayer because you don’t get the answer fast. No. You have to pray or affirm that which you want unceasingly until you get it. You have to meditate on it day and night. You gotta stay with it. That’s the real secret. Meditate on it even when the debts are high, the bills are piling up on the table, you are in bankruptcy, and you just lost your job.

4 – Surround Yourself With Visuals.

Start living the life. Make it real to you. Go and test drive that Mercedes Benz at the dealer. Send $5 to a charitable cause to start your humanitarian effort. And send a note along with it that says, “5 years from now when my dream comes true, I will add three, four or five zeros behind that five.” Cut out pictures to create your wall of fame. Decorate your wall with pictures of the yacht, airplane, cars, homes, exotic vacation spots, presidential Rolex, etc.

That’s a great way to activate your senses. The more you see it, feel it, and touch it, the faster it will come to you. This is not some kind of lecture I’m preaching on the mountaintop to the masses. I’m a living witness this thing works. I have applied in my life too many times to count. As I said before, be obedient and try it for yourself.

5- Do Not Share.

Resist the temptations to share your ideal day with too many people. Why do I say this? It’s because if they can’t imagine it, they’ll think it’s impossible. And they’ll try to shift your beliefs. They will rain on your parade. Listen, it’s hard for you to really believe what I’m saying here works. You can’t afford to have other people create more doubts in your head. Got it?

Success starts from inside out. You cannot imagine your life 5 years from now based on your current circumstances. Start convincing yourself it’s possible. Activate the Law of Abundance in your favor.

Now, reserve a full day on your calendar to put into application what you learned here. Stop telling yourself I will do it later. This is not about convenience. It’s what needs to happen in order to create the life you life. Find a quiet place to write down your ideal day five years from now and make it exciting.

Remember this: Change is a gift and no condition is permanent. I want you to win. I can provide the roadmap for you. However, you have to bring the faith. I can’t have faith for you.

You have to take the first step to start the journey. Press on!

Igniting the fire within 

www.fraserstirling.co.nz

How do I stay motivated?

Recently I wrote about things that inspire me and I also shared a short clip that was filled with challenging messages. However many people still ask "How can I maintain my motivation over the long term?"
This seems to be quite a common dilemma for many people, so I wanted to address it here. Here are some tips for staying motivated:

Ride the momentum when it comes.
Sometimes you will just be clicking and sometimes you won’t. It’s OK. It’s how life is. When you aren’t clicking, plug away- Things come in seasons. As I was reminded of a story I used when I was growing up "Sunday is coming, meaning better things are on their way". When you are feeling good about how your work is going, ride the momentum and get as much out of it as you can!
It is true that motivation doesn’t last. We have to renew it each and every day. This doesn’t make motivation a bad thing; we just need to realize that in order to stay motivated, we’ll need to reapply it to our lives each and every day.

Zig Ziglar is famous for saying how we need to refill our motivation daily, much like we need to bath/ shower daily as it doesn't last.

Put good materials into your mind.
I can’t say this enough: Listen to audiotapes or CDs. Read good books. Read books that teach you new ideas and skills. Read books that tell the stories of successful people. Buy great music, and listen to it. Music gets you going and motivates you!These are simple principles that, when put to work regularly, will keep you motivated and change your life. Get going!

Turn your car in a mobile library- Listen to audio books and or CD's from great speakers.
Work hard enough to get results.
You can build on your motivation by getting results. The harder you work, the more results you will get; the more results you get, the more motivated you will become to get more. These things all build on one another.
Fuel your passion. (Ignite the fire within)
Emotion plays a big part in staying motivated. I don’t quite know how emotion works with motivation, but I do know that it works. Emotion is a powerful force in getting us going. Passion is an emotion, so fuel your passion. Set yourself on a course to have a consuming desire for your goal, whatever it is. Do whatever you can to feel emotion, and use it to your advantage.

Esther Hicks has alot of details on the power of emotions.
Have a vision for your life.
The root word of motivation is motive. The definition of motive is, “a reason to act.” This is the cognitive or rational side of motivation. It is your vision. To stay motivated, you need to have a vision that is big enough to motivate you every day. Set out a vision and a strategy for getting there. Have a plan, and work the plan.
Get motivated every day.
Zig Ziglar was once confronted about being a “motivational speaker.” The guy said to him, “You guys come and get people hyped up, and then you leave, and the motivation goes away. It doesn’t last, and then you have to get motivated again.” Zig reminded the gentleman that baths are the same way, but we still think it is a good idea to take a bath every day!
It is true that motivation doesn’t last. We have to renew it each and every day. This doesn’t make motivation a bad thing; we just need to realize that in order to stay motivated, we’ll need to reapply it to our lives each and every day.

So make sure you take time today to see that you have fueled yourself with fuel that will help you attain your hearts desire.

Igniting the fire within.

Fraser

www.fraserstirling.co.nz

Taking control

I was thinking about yesterdays post and thought that there was still so much to share. How do we get conscious of what we are doing and take control?

• Take 100% responsibility for your life. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who's fault it is. What are you going to do about it? Abdicating responsibility doesn't get you off the hook for making something happen. Instead, it renders you powerless and a victim. Stop blaming and finger pointing and look inside at what you do.
• Get clear about what you want. Just like ancient mariners used the compass to maintain direction during storms, your clearly defined objectives point the way forward when all hell breaks loose. You can steer yourself to clear waters instead of getting dashed against the rocks. The clearer the outcome the better likely you will be to achieve it.
• Purposely look for opportunities. To build your unshakeable mindset, you'll need a little practice. When you are clear about what you want, consciously look for ways to get closer. Soon enough, you'll retrain your brain to show you the best path through. Tune into things you want.
• Pay attention to your dominant emotions. When life strikes, are you drawn to finding blame or to correcting your course? I don't mean for anyone to ignore the emotions that pull us back, but don't give them all of your power. Grieve, mourn, get angry...but then bring your emotional awareness back to possibility. This is huge. Notice what you are feeling, this is a guidance system warning or encouraging us to think more of the same.

Remember my desire is to see you develop a fire that drives you to success.

Are you feeling stuck?

Have you been feeling stuck?  Is it like you are hitting a brick wall?  Here are some ideas on how to get moving again....

1) Challenge your Self-limitations : 

The biggest culprit in destroying Dreams is our own self-sabotaging thoughts.   We need to work on these before even considering further  progress. There are a lot of ways to do this including by working on what I call your 'Golum' thoughts and creating empowering Beliefs.   Golum is the personification of the protective thoughts  that run in our heads at times and which limit our life  by putting excessive fear in risking and in trying out  new things.   Our Golum might tell us things like: 'You've failed before, what's to stop you from failing  again' or 'Don't go out of your comfort zone or you will get pain'.  Challenging these thoughts and creating new empowering  beliefs is a crucial step to trigger off your journey  towards life success.

2) Charge your Body and Language: The way we move our  body and the language we use have a powerful effect on  our feelings and emotions.   Working on particular body movements and specific words we use can create a shift in our emotional status and  motivational levels. By energizing our body movements  and using transformational words we can shift our  mental states to more empowering ones.  Action is key!!Anthony Robbins talks about the hour of power.

 3) Clarify your Principles and Values: We all need a  compass to direct our journey.   We also need to be aware of who we really are - what  innate qualities dwell within us that are just waiting to be tapped and celebrated. Clarifying your Core Values  through specific Values clarification exercises is a  vital step towards empowering you to take clear decisions without too much hesitation.   Clarifying your Values will help you to identify your  personal gifts and what direction you will choose to honor in your life.  I have several tools to help you identify your key passions if you are unsure?

 4) Connect to your Dream and Life Purpose: Clear Values  will help you to delve deeper and identify your Life  Purpose. Through exercises such as the Universal Life Secrets program you can discover the True Mission and meaning of your life as well as tap the BIG Dream you want to achieve.  Until we have a reason to live, we are merely filling a void. Start living now. What gets you up in the morning?

5) Create it in your Mind: Once you discover your Dream and Life Purpose you need to start working on Manifesting it.   The first creation is in the mind. By believing in  your Dream and doing specific visualization exercises  you will pave the way for success.You have to first see it in the mind.  I have several tools and tips to help if you need and or would like... 

6) Commit Yourself Completely: Commitment is a crucial  factor in ensuring success. You can't look over your  shoulder once you have a passionate Dream to follow.  There's no turning back when you have inspired yourself  to achieve higher standards and identified what you will no longer accept in your life. There comes a time when you will need to 'burn the bridges' and march forward with a clear sense of commitment.  No more excuses.  Make a choice.

7) Convert your passion into Action: There is no such  thing as effortless success. Don't believe anyone who  tells you that you can just sit back and attract good  luck and abundance simply by thinking yourself into it.   In order to succeed you must take massive action - right away after you take the decision to live your Dream.  If it is to be then it is up to me. Chase your dreams.

8) Continue persisting with consistency: Persistence  and perseverance is what finally births success.   It is the sheer will to continue on your chosen path,  the focus of consistently hanging on to your Dream,  watching the signs that Providence provides and immediately acting on them. 

9) Consolidate and Expand: Once your Dream starts  manifesting it's important to continue raising your  standards, expanding your boundaries and taking time  to recreate yourself. Consistently doing things that  raise your standards will ensure that you develop yourself to your peak performance.  Am I better today than I was yesterday.  This can be small gains..walk to the lamppost and back. $1 in the bank....build it bit by bit. 

10) Contribute to a Higher Cause: Achieving self mastery will prompt you to look beyond your self-fulfillment.   Your new confidence and success will attract others to  you and you will find yourself able to lead and  communicate a shared Dream. Your ability  to create a Legacy that will outlive you will be  the apex of True Life Success.  Looking back over the years I just marvel at the  amazing changes that these 10 Vital Keys have brought  into my life. 

I am also marveled each time I experience  the powerful and life changing effects that occur in  the people I coach when they start applying these keys in their life.

I love coaching people to ignite the fire within themseleves. When we stop hiding behind our excuses we then are free to light the fire for the things we want, rather than doing what others want us to say and or do.

Make the choice and ignite the fire within today.  Be so on fire for your passions that people cant stand the heat you radiate.