Do You See a Half Full Glass or a Half Empty Glass?

"Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars."- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts 

In life, you are always filled with choices. You may choose to have a pessimists view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the optimists route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.

Optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale. It shows up in academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; even in popularity, good health and helps to live a long life.

On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The mean age has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged disorder but also a teen-ager’s disorder as well.

Optimists expect the best and Pessimists do not.

The pessimists believe bad events, will last a long time and have an impact on everything they do and it is their own fault. The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks and the same events. 

What is different is the way they explain their misfortune...to themselves. 

It is the opposite way of a pessimist. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are not long term, it a single event. 

Optimists will focus on and plan for the “problem” they are facing now. They use positive interpretation. They most likely look at a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. They know how to deal with a bad situation, they see it is a challenge and try harder.

The positive attitude of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles. 

People respond positively to optimists

Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with. 

Those who share optimism are embraced instead of those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria who are treated unfavorably. 

In life, optimist often are sought out for advice. When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher 

Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. 

Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.

Optimists persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.

Optimists are healthier and live longer

Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body's ability to fight disease.

Optimists health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts. 

So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.

So here is my question; Why not look forward to success in everything you do? 

We all are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Don’t look at the mud, look to the stars. As Les Brown says “If you can see up ...You can get up”

Change your Mindset and Change your Results,

Rich 

6 Questions a Presentation Must Answer

Your success will reflect your ability to speak to a group of people and motivate them to action. The one skill that all sales professionals, executives, small business owners, experts and entrepreneurs must have is the ability to effectively present their message. 

They must be able present their message to their prospects, customers, employees, associations, boards, meetings are just a few of the places where you will present. 

In any presentation, there are basic pieces of information that an audience should receive from their presenter.  You are the problem solver presenting a solution that will benefit your audience.  The presentation should answer who, what, when, where, why and how regarding your topic.  In giving that information, your presentation will have clarity and will be on track to give the detail necessary to your audience.

1) Who is your target audience?  

What would they like to know about regarding your presentation?  Do they have any preconceived notions about your material?  What are their concerns?  Are you addressing the "who" you targeted in your research?  When you address the "who" of your message, you are better able to relate with your audience.  They will feel like you are speaking directly to them.  They will give you their attention because they feel like their needs are being addressed.

2) What is the message you want to communicate?  

What are the issues?  What are the solutions?  The "what" in your message is the backbone of your presentation.  It is your purpose of your message and the reason you are speaking.  It is also the reason why people come to hear you.

3) When is the recommended time to take action? 

Is there a sense of urgency in your presentation?  Stressing the "when" aspect of your message is especially important when you want your audience to take action immediately following the presentation - i.e. - sign up for a class, sell promotional materials, implement what was learned)

4) Where is the problem located?  

Where can your audience find the help they need?  "Where" signifies direction.  This leads your audience somewhere in your presentation.  Where would you like to take them?  Common "where" statements include "across America today", "in college campuses nationwide", "in the construction industry", and "in families in California".

5) Why should they take action?  

What are the motivating factors in prompting your audience to take action?  The main focus here is inspiration and motivation to take action.  Not only do you want them to listen to you, but you want your audience to take action on what you've said.  You want to somehow improve their lives and honing your message on the "why" is a critical necessity.

6) How can they respond to your message?  

How can they take action based on what they've heard?  This is the learning and teaching portion of your message.  This can be the "how-to" section telling them how they can easily improve their lives.  This section often incorporates steps to follow.  

There are still many more questions that your presentation should answer.  As you piece all of these bits of information together, you'll be giving your audience the detailed answers they are looking for.  You also present yourself as the credible source of information you want to present yourself to be!

Change your Mindset and Change your Results,

Rich

Attitude Matters

For over twenty years I have been leading personal transformation workshops,mastermind groups,consultative selling, leadership and change management workshops. I noticed that to be successful in business and life...The top 1 percent have something in common...

“A Positive Attitude”

It does not matter about how old you are, where you live, your occupation, or the ways you choose to spend time, I can guarantee that your attitude is one of the most significant things that determines your happiness and contentment in life.

Attitude is so powerful because it is one of the few things that every person has the ability to be in control of regardless of any other factors in life. 

When life is going well and we have no complaints we can choose what kind of attitude to face each day with. When our lives seem like it couldn't get any worse we can also choose what kind of attitude we will have each day.

Think about a time in your life when your attitude made all the difference? Or, think of an example from the life of someone you know. 

Can you think of a situation when all things looked bad and yet you or someone else's attitude made that situation better just by being positive?

You may be wondering why it is important to keep a good attitude despite all the other factors in your life. Good question. 

One thing I've learned about life is...it will not always go my way. It is highly unlikely that everyday for the rest of my life will be filled with joy, friendships, and peace. It is possible, but highly unlikely. 

It is much more likely that life will throw me things I wasn't expecting. Work issues, tragedies, sicknesses, and relationship problems will come my way and it will be my attitude that determines how those events affect me.

Keeping a good attitude in life allows us to remember that even in tough times we have much to be thankful for. 

If you let your attitude reflect this perspective instead of reflecting the fact that you are not getting exactly what you want at a this moment. 

Let your attitude reflect all the ways your life has been blessed and all the good things that has happened to you.

We have all heard it said "attitude is a little thing that can make a big difference." I agree with whoever said those words wholeheartedly, but I'll even take it a step further and simply say that attitude is a big thing. 

Attitude is perhaps one of the biggest factors that determines the path and results we see in life. When we can look at the worst situations with hope and a right perspective, nothing will be too hard to overcome.

Be the Difference,

Rich

Reducing Stress to Improve your Personal Life

When you are feeling under the whether all the time perhaps it is because you are stressed. Stress alone can cause major psychological and mental problems. In fact, stress can cause self-induced exaggerated problems. Stress causes confusion, since it targets your physical, emotional responses, and psychological aspects while causing you pain. Stress is the leading problem that everyone in the world faces at one time or another. 

What causes stress:

Bills cause stress, especially if you do not have cash flow to pay the bills. Jobs will cause stress, since you battle to make sure your duties are correctly handled. Children cause stress. Especially nowadays, since the media, television, etc has polluted and corrupted the minds of our children by offering them nudity, violence, and other harmful actions on air. A bad relationship can cause stress. If you are in a bad relationship, it only affects your mind and physical well-being, causing you stress. There are many reasons a person can feel stressed. The upside is, you have the choice to make stress your best friend or worst enemy. 

What are the different kinds of stress?

There are many kinds of stress that can cause you problems like the acute stress this is a short term stress problem normally, which may last shortly or could carry forward. You want to avoid overstressing self. One of the common reasons someone develops acute stress is because they are thinking of how to change things they cannot change. Only change the things you can change and learn to accept. We all deal with everyday challenges. Take each challenge as a learning experience. We all have to pay bills, work, and so on. It's a part of life. We all have to face it. Sometimes we do not have the money to pay bills. Learn to set a budget that relieves you of stress. You may loose your job. Instead of sweating the problem, do something about it. 

Children these days are increasing stress for parents. Many teenagers these days are difficult to manage. Today our children are plagued with mental illnesses, far more so than at one time in history. When you feel chronic stress, burned out and do not see hope, it is time to seek help. Your doctor or mental health expert can help you manage stress emerging from difficulty teenagers. 

How to reduce stress:

You can reduce stress by managing, planning and setting goals. When you have something to look forward to, it improves your personal life. The first thing you want to consider while planning and setting goals is truth. The truth is what sets you free. Everything you do in life should uphold the truth. If you are not sure, research to learn the truth. You can take many steps to reduce stress. 

To improve your life and reduce stress you may want to consider education. If you lack skills, experience or education you will benefit from returning to school. 

You want to avoid setting traps for your memory and intelligence, since the emotions play unhealthy games if you allow it. What I mean is you want to avoid telling yourself I cannot do it. Life is too hard. Life is easier if you learn to think positive. 

How you can improve, your personal life is up to you. You will need to consult with your inner counselor to learn what you need, what you are lacking and the steps you can take to improve your personal life. If you are unsure, seek feedback. Feedback is the key that leads you to success. 

Be the Difference!

Rich

The Patterns of Success

Author Michael Jeffreys personally interviewed 15 top motivational gurus for his  book.  After talking to gurus from Brian Tracy to Dr. Wayne Dyer, he found a pattern. There were 8 Secrets to Success they all agreed upon.  These secrets are still good now as they were then. Here are the patterns of success:

Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life – In a society where people blame everything from their parents to the government for failure, those who don’t buy into this mentality or turn to the “victim” thinking...succeed.

To blame something or somebody outside yourself is saying they have control of your life and not you. Someone else’s opinion of you doesn’t have to become your reality.

Live Your Life On Purpose -  What separates motivational thinkers from the unsuccessful?...They believe they’re doing what they were put here to do. 

The difference between this and just living, is that the latter is just getting through the week with the least problems.  But when you live your life on purpose, your main concern is doing the job right.  For the entrepreneur this means finding a cause you believe in and building your business around it.

Be Willing to Pay the Price - Be willing to pay the price for your dreams.  

Wanting a big house, a luxury car, and a million dollars in the bank is all very nice, and everyone wants these things – but are you willing to pay the price to get them?  This is one of the major differences between the successful and unsuccessful.

Stay Focused – Every day we’re bombarded with hundreds of tasks, phone calls, messages, and everyone competing for our time.  

Focusing requires giving up something in the present because you are investing your time in something that will pay off big-time down the road.  Jack Canfield and Mark Hanson were turned by 30 publishers when they submitted the first “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book.  

Instead of giving up, they stayed focused on their goal and did four or five interviews per day for radio, TV, and newspapers, for five days a week for a whole year.  Eventually, a small publisher decided to take a chance, and of course now it’s a best-seller that spawned an entire series that have sold more than 10 million copies.

Become An Expert in Your Field - One clear pattern all successful people have in common is how seriously they take their profession.  

They strive to be the best at what they do, and do almost anything to improve. 

If someone followed you around all day with a video camera at your business, would it be a tape you’d be proud of or embarrassed about?  Make the decision today to work at being the best in your field.  

How? By finding out what the “best” in your field are doing, and do what they do.

Write Out a Plan for Achieving Your Goals -  Write out an action plan/map for how you’re going to achieve your goals.  

Trying to reach your goals without a plan is like trying to drive from Los Angeles to Chicago without a map.  A goal that isn’t written down is merely a wish or fantasy.

Never Give Up -  Never, never, never give up. When you’re fully committed to achieving your goal, giving up is not an option. 

You must be willing do whatever it takes to make it happen.  The power of perseverance is an awesome force.   

Never give up!...Keep on going like the Eveready battery bunny, and pretty soon you’re there.

Don’t Delay -  Nobody knows how much time they have left to accomplish their dreams, and we must remember that we don’t have forever. 

The clock is ticking, and sooner or later your number comes up and you’re gone.  Successful achievers know this too, but they don’t view it as a “negative”. 

Achievers use it to “spur them on”.  They go after what they want as energetically and as passionately as possible, for as long as they have.

I was asked “what do I need to do to succeed?” The answer is simple...Take Action!

Change your Mindset and Change your Results,

Richard