Category Archives: Attitude

What To Do When You Just Don’t Feel Like It…

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“Do you get inspired only to lose it? Do you you feel positive and then not? Does it sometimes seem like a struggle to keep centered or on the right track? If yes, first know this is completely normal. Everyone goes through it. After all, we are human.

We have ups and downs in our journey. We may not want them but maybe we ought to. When we open up, accept, make the way for, invite and receive we move ahead faster than by resisting. Struggles help us grow. Down times do as well. Contrast is good.

If it weren’t for discontent we might never change. We don’t want to be complacent and comfortable and miss out. At the same time we don’t want to strive and miss what we can appreciate. Balance is the answer. Celebrate struggles, be grateful for all. Then life IS grand.

You Are The Key To Change

I wanted to share a comment from a reader. I answered in the comment at the blog post and I answer this blog for today. I felt it may apply to others so I wanted to address it to as many as possible, not only to those who see the particular blog comment.

The author wrote: ‘As long as I read your post I feel positive and confidant . But after that I go back to the same mental frame . Even that little time frame will expand someday and I look forward to it happening . I thank you .’

Thanks for sharing. You have the correct attitude. That is wonderful. Even though you may not feel positive and confident all the time you look forward to that day when you will enjoy it more so because you know what you are doing now will expand. AND IT WILL!

Take Action Now

That puts you ahead of the game. Expecting to win IS playing the game well.  That IS a positive and confident mind set. You ARE looking forward to that day become more of a regular occurrence. Congratulate and validate yourself and your awareness! Wonderful!

I add the rest only as a reminder to all of us. Reading is only the beginning. You want to DO that which helps change your thinking. The easiest way to accomplish this and enjoy lasting success is to fill your mind with positive reading material daily. Put on a smile!

Read the blog, re-read the blogs. Make it a study not light reading or entertainment.  Read positive and inspiring books, listen to positive and inspiring audios, watch uplifting DVD’s. Listen and watch again and again. Repeated exposure to the same material is amazing!

The Secret To Change – Not Fighting The Old But Building The New

There are 24 hours in a day and most people don’t direct their mind for much of any of it. Researchers say 95-99% of what we do daily is habitual, routine, chronic, thinking, feeling and behaving. It is previous past programming much of which is less than glorious.

In order to begin to change it we need to tip the scale in favor of the positive. We do this through daily dedication and practice. Each positive step we take in the direction of what we want gets us closer to our destination. The journey, how we get there is important.

Have fun. Delight. Enjoy the journey. Find positive infographics, posters, mottos, sayings, affirmations that you can begin to repeat sincerely over and over again. This is very powerful. Look at my blogs on Directed Questions and apply that information.

What You Resist Persists

Set aside time for a gratitude and success journal. List what you are grateful for and you daily successes. Validate what you appreciate about yourself and other. Acknowledge your wins. Visualize yourself, feeling positive, loving, confident, happy, strong.

Whatever you would like more of acknowledge and emphasize. Concentrate on it. What you focus on expands. Accentuate the positive! You bring about what you think about! Energy flows where your attention goes. Maintain your mindset bit by bit. Smile more!

Help others in positive ways. Give to others without expecting anything in return. Appreciate yourself, circumstances and others. Celebrate everything! Persist and soon a new day will dawn. Old habits seem tough to break but you can learn new ones. Smile!

There Is No Better Time Than Now

Smile more, laugh more, Celebrate everything! Move, walk, notice nature and the beauty that surrounds you. Look at how and where the world is good and plentiful. We live in an abundant universe. Notice that. Be gentle, kind and encouraging to self and others.

The way you form new habits  is the same way you learned the old ones. Correct spaced repetition. You perform the same drills again and again in sports to become a better athlete. The same is true about become a positive thinking champion. Keep doing it!

Drop by drop fills the tub. Step by step the journey is made. The more you do the more you can do. Anything worthwhile is worth having difficulty with at first. Whatever we want to do with ease we must first do with diligence. We become what we think about all day.

You Can’t Make A Positive Change With A Negative Attitude

Do daily practice. Read some as much as you can each day. If nothing else read at least a page, a paragraph but DO something. Listen when able. Keep the journals. Repeat the affirmations out loud enthusiastically and silently day in and day out. Smile more! 🙂

Have fun, have faith and you will soon see change. It takes a bare minimum of 21 days to make or break a habit. It can take longer. Make this a daily practice. Commit and keep going don’t quit. Persist. Stay in touch! Oh, did I mention, Smile more?  AND celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

What about today thrills you?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Why You Must To Keep A Success Journal

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“Do you want to be more successful? There are many ways to succeed. There are the BIG, grandiose successes, the ‘top of the world’ ones. Then there are all the rest. All the way down to the barely noticeable ones. Success comes in all sizes and flavors.

There are even ones you don ‘t count.

Why don’t you count them? Because you take them for granted. They are too small. You consider them insignificant. They don’t make it onto your radar but they are there. You should count them. Awareness is the first major step in changing.

To Succeed You Must First Believe You Can

I’ve encouraged people to keep a gratitude journal for decades. Others have encouraged us to count our blessings since ancient times. Why? Recording what we are grateful for helps us to become aware of all the good things in our life.

We can change our thoughts and our feelings as we become aware of the countless things we take for granted daily we could appreciate. When we fill our mind and heart with appreciation we transform. Celebrate and delight in all and you will feel great!

The same is true of our successes. Want to be more successful? Start acknowledging how successful you already are in so many ways. What is a success? Frankly, it is anything you consider as one. ‘I got up at 6am’ for one person that might be a small success.

You Create Your Own Opportunities

For another person, a huge one! ‘I made pancakes’. ‘I took a bath’. It doesn’t matter how large or small, the only thing that matters is that you are in control of doing it. It relates to you and not other people. You could say, ‘I worked well with others at the office today’.

‘I got along with Susan.’ The point is, in order for it to occur it doesn’t rely on others it relies on you. Understand? If not ask, I’ll clarify in comments. Notice these, no matter how small. In fact, look for all the tiny ways you succeed daily that you never considered.

Not only have you never considered, you have not named them as successes, acknowledged them, given them the recognition deserved or validated yourself for doing them. Become aware of all the ways you succeed and appreciate yourself for these.

Decide Commit Succeed

Write them down. List them. No less than 5 per day. More is fine. More is desirable. I recommend people start a daily gratitude journal listing 25 things. Some people recommend fewer, some may recommend more. The point is to draw your attention to these areas.

If you are already doing a gratitude journal EXCELLENT! That is a success right there. If not, you can begin one now, too. THEN, that would be a success. Since you are doing the gratitude journal, take a moment or two more and list your successes.

You can use the same journal or have two separate ones. Some people really respond better if they personalize their journal and make it really special. Others just use a legal pad. I think having something nice adds value to the process and it is up to you.

Some People Only Dream Of Success

If you want to further the exercise: Write down your daily successes.Write what you did and how it feels. Enjoy validating and feeling positive and congratulating yourself. Enjoy celebrating and appreciating these. Always room for  more gratitude!

Note if you did something you didn’t want to do, but you did it anyway. Write out what you learned in ‘doing anyway’. Congratulate yourself on all the little things and the big things. Remember, everything counts. Keep it simple for yourself. So you do it daily!

You did the laundry; you made you bed; you made breakfast; you had some fruit instead of cereal; you got to work on time; you walked to work; you exercised; you sent a thank you note; you made cookies for kids; you mowed the lawn; you fed the cat; anything!

Others Wake Up And Achieve Success

Of course, they can be larger. Just don’t miss all the grains of sand looking for the boulders. Everyday, write in your journal. Feeling grateful and feeling successful are a sure way to bring about more of the same. Remember, you become what you think about! Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

If today isn’t your day, then whose day is it?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

What Have You Learned From The ‘7 Day No Complaining Challenge’?

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Struggles or not, how has the 7 Day No Complaining Challenge been going? What have noticed? I have been hearing from some by email, FB and other means but not so much here in the comments. How are you doing with it?

Have you been journaling? Have you been, and this is most important, treating yourself with kindness? Awareness is the first step in making change. You need to become aware of the triggers that lead to negativity, whining, blaming, excusing, complaining etc.

This isn’t always fun but it is what is needed. Progress is made in stages. First, you begin to notice your complaining, but, after the fact. You realized you ‘were’ complaining. Second, if you stay with it you notice AS it occurs. In the middle of complaints you wake up.

It Is Your Negative Thoughts That Hold You Back

Third, as you keep at it you will learn to notice it before it arises. You will notice the tendency arising and you will preempt it. As you feel this tendency you STOP IT and re-direct your thoughts positively elsewhere. You begin to take charge of your mind.

Every time you successfully redirect your thinking into positive thoughts you are reinforcing a positive, powerful new habit that will serve you for the rest of your life. You transform yourself from the inside out. This is the most important change you can make!

What you focus on expands. What you think about you bring about. Keep this in mind. And commit yourself to thinking only the best of yourself, others and circumstances. Maintain a positive from of mind and your brain will find more of the same for you.

If You Think You Can Or You Think You Can’t You Are Right

Learning to direct your thinking and feelings is the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself. It puts you in charge, at cause, and more able live the life you want, making your dreams come true. It gives you the power to make things happen as you apply yourself.

There is no substitute for learning how incredible you are and what you can do. You already have everything within you needed to make these changes. You simply need to apply yourself, dedicate yourself and keep your commitment. When you do this you will prevail!

So I’m checking in with you. It is ok if it is rough, or even painful. You are changing an old habit. First, comes the awareness of when it happens. As it does pat yourself on the back. Acknowledge, validate and encourage your awareness. That will lead to more awareness!

What You Think Is What You Get

When you acknowledge, validate and encourage your awareness it helps bring more insights, more swiftly. Your reticular activating system looks to find positive matches. When you are friendly toward yourself you discover many incredible things.

If you resist, get discouraged or negative, if you beat yourself up, you only get more of the same for the very same reasons as above. So be kind, gentle, nurturing and encouraging. You’ll find so much more to appreciate and be grateful for when you do. Change will be easier!

Most people would be completely shocked, perhaps appalled, if they could and would add up all the moments of their negative thinking each day. If you only knew precisely how much time you spend each day whining, blaming and complaining.

A Negative Mind Will Never Give You A Positive Life

Little things, under your breath, big things, inconsequential things. It is all habit, chronic, persistent, unproductive thinking. It is subtle. It can be over the most useless things. The coffee isn’t hot enough or it is too hot. The weather isn’t perfect. Name it, anything is possible.

Someone didn’t keep their word. You’re tired picking up after your dog. Whatever! It can be any number of tiny little complaints that you barely notice, but are there and add up. Eliminate these. These are dragging you down. Focus on maintaining the positive.

THIS is why you want to take the challenge. End this chronic condition. Free your mind from the chatter of negativity. It doesn’t have to be pronounced to be affecting you. Be aware, let it go, focus on the positive and maintain the focus and your life will improve.

Careful What You Think Your Thoughts Run Your Life

If you want a more enjoyable and delightful experience eliminate that which holds you back and add in that which brings you more delight. Take the challenge, stick with it, notice what you notice and celebrate and appreciate everything! Life is grand! I look forward to your comments here too. AGAIN, celebrate everything” Rex Sikes

What more could you want than a day made just for you?

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Why You Must Keep Going And Never Give Up!

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“If you have a goal, a dream, a definite chief purpose, a passion plan you have been struggling with making happen, keep going and never give up. If it is good, positive, legal, moral and ethical persist. If it will make your life and the lives of others around you better then keep going and make it happen.

Most of the great positive achievers studied seemed to go from nearly, or completely, destitute to happiness, wealth and success. They were at the very bottom before things changed. Is this a requirement? No, of course not, but it seems common enough to remind you, don’t stop. They persisted and prevailed.

Troubles, obstacles, struggles, problems are all part of life. I don’t know anyone who has ever gotten a free pass. From these you can learn many important things. You can get lessons and insights, ‘ahas’ that can help transform. You grow stronger with resistance and opposition. You can grow more resolute. Accept and welcome these!

The trick is to maintain your positive attitude all the time. Especially, during the tough times. Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t do or what is problematic. Learn to keep your mindset dedicated to what you want to bring about and not what is preventing you. There is much reward in controlling your mind.

There is immense power in positivity. Keep away from blaming, making excuses and whining. Control your mind, control your feelings and control your actions. There are those who would coddle you and tell you it is not your fault, don’t hope, better not to than to be disappointed. That will keep you a victim. Don’t listen. DON’T!

Rise up and live the life of a champion. Become the victor you are inside. Find your resources and abilities to see your positive quest through to the end and beyond! Don’t buckle, stand up and live. Imagine how good it feels to see it through. See it, hear, it, feel it, smell it, taste it! Live it! Live your passion and make it happen.

If your dream is worth it to you then you can have it. Continue to do whatever positive good is necessary to bring it about. Remember, you become what you think about. Be grateful you have this opportunity. Be grateful for the challenges. Be grateful for it all. Appreciate and enjoy. It makes a big difference! Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

This day IS just for you!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

Stop Waiting! Create Your Own Luck!

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“Do you believe in luck? Some do. Some wait for luck to reach them. I am afraid you could wait a very long time that way. There is a saying, ‘he who waits, waits.’ Waiting on ‘whatever’ to come along and bless you, while it may occur, isn’t a very good use of one’s time

There is another saying.’Luck is the crossroad where preparation and opportunity meet’. Preparation and opportunity! I am a firm believer in creating one’s own luck. You maintain the mindset, take the appropriate actions and look for opportunity to apply.

The easiest way I know to create your own luck is to do something extra special for those in need or those you work for. Going that extra mile, providing value first, helps you stand out in the world of those in it only for themselves.

Live Love Laugh Celebrate

Others will recognize your efforts and sincerity. If you are truly sincere and helpful your positive reputation will precede you.  You get known by your actions. Maintain a positive attitude, help and inspire others and good will come your way.

By positive attitude I don’t mean a greeting card, syrup-dripping cheeriness, but a ‘can do’ positive mindset. No one wants ill-timed overly cheery remarks when they are down. Those in need usually want understanding and a little space to resolve things.

They don’t want you to tell them ‘cheer up’. They want you to understand them. Most of us do want to be understood and appreciated for who we are. So be sure to create rapport first before you lavish any advice. If you cannot advise even better.

The More We Do The More We Can Do

Be optimistic, yes, but with confident restraint. People will want to be around you, and help you, because you radiate solutions. You help without always telling others what to do. Without having to speak your mind. You assist by helping them find their own way.

People want someone who can laugh and enjoy! Someone, fun to be around who is not a downer. Someone secure and confident. They want to be uplifted but not dragged or pushed up. Imagine walking down a path together. Walk at their rate don’t expect them to walk at yours. Travel together.

You can make a real difference for yourself and for others. You can find more opportunity because you prepared and you look for it. Your Reticular Activating System will seek good things because that  is what you are focused on. Look for opportunities to go the extra mile. You can be, do and have anything when you Celebrate Everything!” Rex Sikes

Magic IS just for you!

If you like these posts please subscribe. If you think these posts would help others please share them. Help Spread the word. 

Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

Trump For President – Yes or No? What Makes ‘The Donald’ Trump The Rest?

Donald Trump

“He is rich, he is rude and arrogant. It doesn’t matter whether you are for him or against him, like him or not.  Perhaps, he has some attributes you don’t like and some that you do. It is worth taking a look at him to understand his success and his appeal and the behaviors that many don’t like nor appreciate. There are many things. Let’s briefly explore a few that make Trump, trump.

Donal Trump, presidential candidate, does not play by the rules. He makes them. When people ask him what his plan is at most he says, ‘we have a plan, it will work. We will make it work’. He says this because this IS how he thinks. This IS how a successful person thinks. He may or may not know ‘how’ he just knows it will happen because that is what he wants. He intends it to work. He’ll do it.

If it doesn’t work out he will find another way. This thinking works for him, but this is not what we want to hear from our candidates. It is, however, the thinking of the truly successful. ‘I will have a team and put them on it and we will make it happen’. Carnegie, Edison, Ford, major CEO’s, nice people or not, have a success mindset. They ‘know’ it will work! For them, the plan follows the intent.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Take You

People can ask, ‘what if it won’t or what if people don’t like it?’ He says, ‘they will, they will like it, they will come to like it. they will see’. He believes this. He knows this! He may not know politics or behave like a typical politician. He may or may not make a good presidential candidate or leader but he does exemplify the mindset necessary to succeed. He, himself is convinced and acts convinced. Completely!

There are rich people who are wonderful people and there are rich people who are awful. Money is an amplifier for the kind of person you are. The Bible says, ‘the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.’ It is not money that is evil. It’s been said, ‘…absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ There is the good and the not so good. There are those who exemplify the admirable and that which isn’t.

Trump is from wealth. He grew up in it. He inherited it. He has lived it for decades. He is surrounded by it. He oozes it. He made and lost money and is still apparently at the top of his game. He is a billionaire, a developer, a media darling, he is someone you may ‘love to hate’. He’s been in the public eye, as a person of wealth, for a long time. He thinks and acts different from most other candidates.

Attitude Is A Little Thing That Makes A Big Difference

For the very reasons mentioned above he IS different from the other candidates. You can tell from his body language. He is confident, used to getting his way, able to bulldoze over anyone, yet, has a sense of humor. Watch his body language. Trump is comfortable with himself, his position, his wealth. He is exudes power and dominance even while attacked by other candidates. He is secure!

Cruz and Rubio while wealthy in their own right, are not as comfortable nor confident as Trump. He baits them and stands centered, planted, hands in pockets, a condescending look on his face. He is nonplussed. They look at him and look TO him. He does’t bother to look at them. They seem so weak by comparison. Bush was completely out of his league. He knows he is in charge of the room!

Again, I am not suggesting Trump would be a good President or that he should even be President. I am simply pointing out the differences. What gives Trump the edge? Cruz and Rubio are pretty confident in their own right, on their own, but are no match for Trump on the same stage. He knows it, they know it, and it is painful to watch. Trump isn’t a politician he is a dominant force!

If You Really Want Something You Will Find A Way

There may be a host of other qualities and characteristics voters want in a candidate but Trump is comfortable being Trump. He is used to being  in the spotlight, being outlandish and extravagant in all regards. He is used to being rich, and used to being a celebrity. He is media savvy. These could make him a great choice or a horrible one. Trump knows something the others don’t from experience.

Whether he can run the country or not remains to be seen but one thing is for certain. He has been running the media show so far. He has been running the debates. When have you ever seen such chaos before as people attempt to assert themselves against the lead candidate. I am not suggesting you like him, or be like him. Be yourself. Be your best self. Come into your own strengths.

Why do I mention ‘the Donald’ here? He has characteristics you may not want to have and he has some it would be beneficial to have. He didn’t get this far in the election or life without something going on inside. It is a mental game, after all. From within to without. No it doesn’t have to be pretty. The results you create stem from what you have going on in your thoughts and feelings.

Success Is A Matter Of Correct Habits

Like it or not he has ‘attitude’. He knows he is a force to reckon with. He knows how to play the game and he makes you play his. He seems to believe he is right, better, or a better choice, good for the country, and unstoppable. Whether he is or would be remains to be seen but he has attitude. That sets him apart in a very big way. Kings, queens and lords think differently from the subjects they rule.

Some create some really incredible things some create discord. Trump has something going on on the inside whether or not like it or agree with him. If we want to be a success we need to make sure we have something going on inside. Thoughts come first. Our thoughts lead to feelings. Our feelings lead to our actions. Our actions to results. If you want stellar results start with stellar thoughts.

Some people unite others some divide. Not all rich people or successful people are likable but YOU could be. You don’t have to be abrasive to get to the top. Notice however, those at the top are are different. They believe in themselves. They act certain. They know! They expect good results from to come from their actions. You can know this too. Control your thoughts, don’t let them control you.

The Brain Is As Strong As Its Weakest Think

Do you think Trump could stand the waves of attacks warranted and unwarranted if he wasn’t steeled in his thinking. If he wasn’t in control or in charge of his thoughts or what others think of him you’d see different responses. Look at the behaviors of Bush, Cruz and Rubio when they engage with him. Very different. Trump is a champion boxer taunting his opponents. He knows he will win!

He calls his opponent out and names the round. His attitude – he is unbeatable. Personally, if he lost, I don’t think it would bother him much. I don’t know, but he seems unflappable. Trump may even be a narcissist. That isn’t a good and YOU don’t have to be. The quickest way to the top may not be the nicest. You don’t have to not be nice to get ahead BUT the easiest way to the top is through being nice.

By working with others you succeed! There are lot’s of examples of wonderful people who are powerful. Make it a point to begin by being the best inside and you will be the best. Be nice, loving and kind inside and you will radiate it outside. Be a success in your mind and you can be a success in your life and you business. Take charge of your attitude. Think winner and you can be a winner.

Even, if I am totally wrong, you must agree that it has to be better to think ‘I am a winner’ than thinking consistently that you are a loser. So step up the game inside you. Be the boss of you. I suggest being a benevolent one, but a boss none the less. Keep your promises to yourself and others. Trump didn’t make it on his own, even if he tells you that. Others helped. With Trump it began with his dad.

A Rising Tide Floats The Whole Boat And All Those In It

It takes collaborating and negotiating to get ahead. Even the worst examples of the most successful need others to get ahead. They may not acknowledge them or give them the credit they are due, but they would not have made it without collaborations and partnerships. So model and adopt the finest qualities and characteristics and leave the not so nice ones alone. Find the best and leave the worst.

One of the finest books to read and re-read is ‘Think And Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. In it he discusses the need for having certainty, being unstoppable, making your dreams come true AND how it is easier and more likely when you cultivate a winning personality, add value to others and go the extra mile first. Your wealth and your value will be determined by how many people you help in life.

Celebrate and co-operate with those around you. Read the book, if you haven’t. Re-read it if you have! You can be, do and have anything you want. If you can conceive it and believe it you can achieve it because we become what we think about day in and day out. You attitude does determine your altitude! Become unstoppable. This blog post isn’t really about Trump or the candidates. It isn’t meant to be political. It is all about you, me and who we become. Be the best you, you can be! Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Delight each moment just because!

If you like these posts please subscribe. If you think these posts would help others please share them. Help Spread the word. 

Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!

If You Want Success To Be Yours You Must Prepare The Way

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“A lot of people hope they will be successful. Do you? They wish and they want but they just never seem to make it as they would like. Has this been your story? They try really hard to no avail. Success doesn’t come often to those who want it, wish for it and hope they will have it. Rarely, if ever! Success comes to those who expect it!

If you want to be successful you have to KNOW you will be. It has to be a certainty! Originally, it may start out as a hope but it must be transformed. Otherwise, it is unlikely. Success is a mindset. It begins inside you before the results become available to you in the outer world. From within to without. Be Success and Success Follows!

Successful people think successful. It doesn’t occur to them that something they want to make happen, won’t. They know they will find a way. It doesn’t matter if they don’t know how, the how will come. Success comes from certainty not wishing. Certainty aligns all of your resources like a laser beam so you can act and move forward.

There is a Bible story, I will paraphrase, for an example, and just an example. I may not even get it correct as I am pulling it from the back of my head. Some where, some people were waiting and praying for rain that was needed. I think god ordered them to dig some trenches to prepare.  They did not.

At some point god speaks to them and says, ‘where are the trenches? If you expected it to rain you would have dug the trenches.’ I guess his point is, if you knew it would rain you would most likely take an umbrella. Okay, pretty poor paraphrase at that. Hopefully, you get the idea.

If you know something will happen then you get ready for it. If success is inevitable you do certain things because of that. This is how you become successful. What starts as a wish and hope must be clarified into a strong want, increasing in desire. It must become you obsession that you transform into faith, knowing you will succeed!

You do things because you know you will succeed. You might also not do other things because of that. You would no longer wish, hope, worry, fret, get sidetracked, of bummed out because it wasn’t happening quick enough. You would remain steadfast and secure. ‘O ye of little faith!’ Am I right or am I right! You would be secure!

Yes, you would still visualize, you would still affirm, you would still ‘act as if’ with complete faith in yourself making it happen. After all, you’re the one who makes it happen. YOU with others are responsible for your success. No one ever makes it alone,  in isolation. You make it with others. So be a nice team player!

A good team player helps uplift and support others. You add value first. You would go the extra mile. When others know their interests are in your heart they can puts your interests in theirs. You celebrate anyone’s forward movement and together you move to the top of the ladder. A rising tide floats the entire boat!

Granted some not so nice people claw and trample their way to the top but that is not you. You can be positive and nice and very, very rich, happy and successful. In fact, if you are happy, successful and rich on the inside first, if you are nice first, you will be nice, happy, successful and rich as the days play out. It works this way!

Commit to being a positive player! Work on developing your certainty. Develop complete faith in your positive ability to get your dreams and goals. You CAN DO This when you believe you will! Be persistent and keep moving forward. Have faith and never give up. You will succeed! SO, right now, celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Opportunities make up the day!

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Have You Accepted The Powerful 7 Day No Complaining Challenge? Yes Or No, Read This!

horizons blue and pink ice

“If you decided to take the 7 Day No Complaining Challenge, congratulations! You have just decided to put a moratorium on complaining for at  least one week. This is a tremendous opportunity for you to grow and learn some important things about yourself.

You may wish to keep a journal. I highly recommend it. Journal what you noticed as you went through each day, each moment. There will be times when you become aware of complaining and stop it. Notice and journal it. Congratulate yourself too. Celebrate!

For example, I started to post something to FaceBook and realized it was a complaint. I stopped, deleted my comment before I posted it, and congratulated myself for becoming aware. My comment was just opinion. It wouldn’t have made anything better.

If there is a fire don’t throw gasoline on it. The point of the ban is to notice how often we complain, about what, perhaps why and to get over the need to do it. What are the triggers?  If it doesn’t uplift or contribute positively to you, why engage in it? Habit.

Most of us do it unconsciously from habit. We don’t control it. We don’t control our thoughts nor our behaviors. It is time to reclaim choice, make positive decisions and develop positive habits. Habits either build you up or tear you down. Increase or decrease.

In putting a ban on complaining, whining, blaming and excusing you have the incredible opportunity to move into new wonderful ways of being and doing. Once you start making positive changes you will discover more in return. Enjoy this process. Be rigorous AND enjoy!

There will be those times when you went right on complaining, most likely. Journal it. Don’t beat yourself up. Congratulate yourself that you eventually realized it. Do you understand? This is an opportunity to evolve not criticize yourself. Uplift don’t destroy!

If you started and you caught yourself complaining. Start over. That’s what I would do. The idea is to go for 7 Days without complaining, blaming and making excuses. Obviously, you don’t have to, it is entirely up to you, but it is a worthwhile choice.

Share what you notice in the comments if you feel inclined. It would be wonderful to support each other. Most importantly, once you made your commitment, keep your promise to yourself. Don’t throw in the towel, keep going. There is much waiting for you!

Enjoy the ‘ahas’! Have fun. Notice what happens to your experience, to you, to your life. This can be a small set of wonderful moments, or really huge. Whatever it is for you celebrate it. Stick with it and celebrate everything. It is a tremendous opportunity!” Rex Sikes

Another day, more blessings!

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Follow The Recipe For Success!

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“You know what you want and you really hope you get it. How come you are struggling so much? What isn’t working? What must you do to get ahead? Do you know? If you aren’t sure that is part of why you may be having a rough time. The answer is not working harder.

The answer IS work smarter. Success is a science, a formula, a system. If you follow it, as you do a recipe, you will be successful. Most people don’t do what is required.  They don’t learn the formula.  They try to do it on their own.  In a nutshell:

If you know what you want it must be more than a wish or a hope. It may start that way but it needs to be much more. It needs to become what Hill said, is a ‘white hot burning desire’. It should become your passion, your obsession. From there it becomes applied faith.

If You Really Want To Do Something You Will Find A Way

What is applied faith? It is the certainty that you will accomplish your definite purpose or goal. It is that inner knowing, that feeling that you are on the path and nothing can prevent you. Faith applied means you take action. You take the initiative and do what you must.

You work your plan and because you know one day you will arrive you never give up. Success begins with thought on the inside. It becomes a feeling. You feel successful. You act successful. You take action and you keep at it. Then, you become successful.

Sadly, many people wish, hope, want and desire but they never take the steps that make it happen. For most it is because their attitude is not correct. They don’t have a positive mental attitude to see them through. They believe their negative programming.

They listen to other people discourage them. They look to present conditions and circumstances instead of keeping their eye, their mind, their heart where they are headed to. They get distracted. They are hasty and it doesn’t happen fast enough, so they quit.

If You Don’t Want To Do Something You Will Find An Excuse

There are numerous reasons why people don’t make it. There is only one reason why people do succeed. That one reason is: they keep at it until they do succeed. They let nothing prevent them. Why? Because in their mind they are already a success!

I leave you with this poem:

“You can do as much as you think you can, But you’ll never accomplish more; If you’re afraid of yourself, young man, There’s little for you in store. For failure comes from the inside first, It’s there if we only knew it, And you can win, though you face the worst, If you feel that you’re going to do it.”  Edgar A. Guest  From A Heap o’ Livin’. The Reilly & Lee Co.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Take You

You can absolutely DO whatever you put your mind to. That is what Hill proved when he modeled 500 of the most successful people of his time. That is the result for those who have applied his philosophy fully. His works are responsible for millions of people from all walks of life becoming the success they want to be. You can too! Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Be thankful for this day!

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Apply This Lesson From The World’s Happiest Man: Matthieu Ricard

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“For decades now I have been emphasizing happiness is a left brain function. There has been a push to get people to use more of their right hemisphere for creativity.

We all know the stereotype of suffering, tormented creatives. Well, perhaps there is a reason for the stereotype.

Personally, I am an advocate for whole brain learning and development. We use our whole brain and balance is important. As is lateral cross-hemispheric communication.

The Brain Grows As Any Muscle Does The More You Use It

Not only left-right, but up down, in and out. From our prehistoric brain to our thinking cap, the neo cortex.

There is discussion that we have many brains. A gut brain, heart coherence, that our cells, while specialized, all communicate. Unified Field Theory.

It is now currently understood  that our seat of emotions, heart and gut, may actually run more of the show than we have thought previously.

All very interesting and fascinating thinking Science catching up and confirming that which has been known for many, many years. I think it is exciting.

What You See Is What You Get

I have firmly maintained that how we direct our brains and what we focus on matters. Researcher have concluded that most people are visual. I believe that to be accurate. We all imagine and make images.

We may not be aware or conscious of these unless we are directed to pay attention. When tasked to make a mental image deliberately some complain they aren’t good at it.

I think they are they just aren’t that good at it deliberately. They haven’t used or conditioned their visualizing muscles, yet, to work for them when they want it to. It just does what it does.

We all talk to ourselves or listen to past prior conversations and voices in our head without being schizophrenic. This is a normal part of daily living. We talk to ourselves, inside and out loud.

What You Say Is What You Get

Here too we may or may not be that aware of how we speak to ourselves. We also let it run on and on without exercising the control over it we could. Mostly, because we don’t know we could.

95% of what we do is habitual, unconscious habits, patterns or repetitive behavior, We think the same thoughts, or most of them day in and day out.

We are routine and predictable in so many ways. We run on automatic and it is reliable. It does the same thing over and over. We don’t change it because it seems hard. It isn’t, it just seems that way.

What we say and how we say it to ourselves is governed mostly by the left front temporal lobe. We ought to pay attention to those who have said positive thinking is an important ingredient to feeling happy. We think and then we feel. We feel and we think.

Everything Originates In Thought

It is cyclical. If we begin to monitor our thoughts and feelings, what we imagine, what we say and speak to ourselves we can begin to alter how we feel and increase our ability to be happy and to be successful.

We CAN exercise deliberate control of our thought processes.

If you want to be successful you think, feel and act successful. THEN success will follow. If you want happiness you think, feel and act happy. THEN happiness will follow.

Sadly, most people think happiness follows money, things, specific people, events or circumstances.  It doesn’t. You be happy, you be successful, you be rich, you be healthy in mind first and then those things follow.

You Steer Your Mind As You Steer A Vehicle – You Are In Control

You get what you think about. What you see and say IS what you get. You act first THEN you get what you want. Go First! Everything first originates as a thought and then it becomes reality.

So I am going to add some information and quotes from an copyrighted ©Business Insider article on ‘the happiest man in the world’.  His name “Matthieu Ricard”.

Ricard is 69, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, born in France who has been called “the world’s happiest man,” because he participated in a 12-year brain study on meditation and compassion led by a Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist from the University of Wisconsin.

This researcher hooked up 256 sensors to Ricard’s head. These research scans found that when Ricard was meditating on compassion his mind was unusually light.

You Can Choose What To Focus Your Attention On

His brain produced a level of gamma waves,  linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory, Davidson says has never before been reported in the neuroscience literature.

‘The scans also showed excessive activity in his brain’s left prefrontal cortex compared to its right counterpart, allowing him an abnormally large capacity for happiness and a reduced propensity towards negativity.’

This aspect is not new. Brain scans have revealed this previously. Happy people have more activity going on in this left region of the brain. This area of the brain is responsible most of our speaking and understanding language abilities.

This area ‘lights up’ when we talk to ourselves.

According to the article Ricard says he sometimes meditates for entire days without getting bored. He admits he’s a generally happy person but he feels the title “happiest man” is a media-driven overstatement.

What You Feel Is What You Get

He spoke with Business Insider at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His advice for how to be happy follows:

The answer is altruism. Thinking about yourself all the time is stressful, exhausting and leads to feeling unhappy. It is not about the moral high ground  but if you want to be happy, strive to be benevolent. That makes you and others feel better. Be kind.

Ricard says when your mind is filled with benevolence, it is healthy and can flourish. That means a better mental state which also means a healthier body. Plus, he said others perceive you as nice. He believes anyone can do this.

He encourages mental training, as I do. He compares it to training for a marathon. While one may not become an olympic champion there is a vast difference between one who trains and one who does not.

Healthy Mind Healthy  Body Comes From Conditioning

This is so very true of mental training our abilities. He maintains many things, benevolence, attention, memory, emotional balance, can be trained including happiness. So how does Ricard recommend you train your mind to be happy.

Start by thinking happy thoughts for 10 to 15 minutes each day. Instead of having fleeting happy thoughts, hold onto them. Concentrate and stay focused on the positive emotions.

Don’t let your mind wander. Keep it on happy positive thoughts and feelings. Just 15 minutes a day can be enough. Condition you mind by daily focused concentration on happy thoughts and feelings.

He says, if you do the training every day, even in as short of time as two weeks you can feel the positive results. If you practiced for 50 years, as he has, you can become a happiness pro.

GO FIRST!

The article concludes with UW researcher, Richard Davidson, stating that even 20 minutes of daily meditation can overall make people much happier.

*If you’d like to read the ©Business Insider copyrighted article, click the title link below to go to their website.

Use the link within the article to see the brain scans and get more tips from Ricard. I encourage you to visit and read this article:

A 69-year-old monk who scientists call the ‘world’s happiest man’ says the secret to being happy takes just 15 minutes a day

I thought you might like this. Benevolence, compassion, kindness, understanding. Much needed in this current day. From ancient to modern times the call to be loving, kind, to go the extra mile, help others in need and to be charitable has been emphasized.

Imagine We Followed The Golden Rule And Went The Extra Mile

It is good for the your soul of and the recipient. Help yourself by helping others. We can all be happier by what we do first. First, we think happy thoughts and we feel happy. First, we help others without expecting return.

What you want wants you! It can find you when YOU go first. Celebrate everything without reason. That is going first. Be grateful! That is going first. Do it and the rest follows. It doesn’t come if you wait for it. Act first, GO FIRST, and it comes to you.” Rex Sikes

Be thankful you have today to be thankful!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

NEW BLOG SITE LAUNCHES SOON – Do you get this blog emailed to you? You will have  to again subscribe to this blog, newsletter. I’d hate for you to miss anything when it switches. Subscribe and Follow Daily Inspiration and Gratitude!