Category Archives: Expectations

Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Confidence, Creating The Future, Decision, Definite Chief Purpose, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Mental Movie Theater, Mindset, Paradigms, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Visualization

How To Think Your Way To Money And Success! A True Story.

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horizons the-polar-bear-express-phil-koch

“When it comes to success who succeeds? Do you know the factors, the characteristics, the actions necessary to make it happen? You do realize those who are absolutely committed and passionate about what they want AND must accomplish get further than those who hope and wish and dream, don’t you?

Some people have a lot of energy, even passion, but it is scattered. It is not focused. It is all over the place. They even know what they want. They wish for things and hope for them, but not very much. It is nice if they make it but,  just in case, they have plenty of other options if they don’t. They don’t work all that hard to get anywhere.

Thoughts Are Things

Edwin Barnes story continues: Consider all the things Barnes did. He had a wish. He turned it into a white hot definite desire. He visualized and affirmed what he wanted, day and night repeatedly, until it became his dominant desire. He rehearsed and prepared in his mind. It occupied his consciousness most of the day.

He saw himself working for Edison. He saw himself conversing with Edison. He imagined Edison bringing him on board. He planned his future in his mind when there was no evidence of any of it ever happening. He kept at it. According to Hill, he impressed what he wanted on his subconscious mind through autosuggestion. He made plans. Nothing detoured him, nothing prevented him, he never quit!

If You Pay Attention You Can Learn And Use The Secret

He was willing to accept any opening opportunity just to work with Edison. He made the journey. Traveled by ‘blind baggage’ not even in a passenger car. He looked like a tramp but thought like a king. He did what he had to to get to Edison. He stated, that he put Edison ‘on notice’ that he wanted to partner and provide value to Edison.

Edison was impressed by his demeanor and conviction. He hired him for a menial job and wages.  He got his foot in the door. He got to Edison. He got Edison to meet with him. He got Edison to know who he is. He impressed Edison with the strength of his character. He got Edison to hire him.  He made it happen.

He Burned His Boats There Was No Retreat

It is not only who you know that is important. It is who knows you! It’s how they think of you. Opportunity can come from any place and anyone. If you are known as a person of worth, who adds value and are pleasant to be around doors may open up for you. If you go the extra mile and are a positive influence you stand better chances.

Barnes worked for five years, biding his time, adding value, and demonstrating his worth, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. During that time he intensified his desire. He continued to build it in his mind. He kept the faith and worked diligently.

Nothing Could Stop Him

When the opportunity presented, it came in an unexpected way. Edison’s new invention wasn’t selling well and his sales people weren’t able to move the product. Barnes leapt into action. He told Edison he could sell it. Edison gave him the chance.

Sell it he did! Others thought it too difficult but Barnes made it happen. He sold it and sold it. Edison gave him a contract  to market and distribute it all over America. He ended up becoming a multi millionaire too. His partnership with Edison lasted more than 30 years.

Opportunity May Come Through The Back Door

When Barnes was ready the opportunity presented itself. All the while he kept the faith. Even when it appeared that nothing was happening  he kept the faith! He didn’t have a Plan B. He knew he wanted and was convinced he would ultimately make it happen.

We can all learn a lot from Edwin C. Barnes. Hill says this about him in Chapter 1 of Think and Grow Rich, ‘(Barnes)… has made himself rich in money, but he has done something infinitely greater, he has proved that one really may ‘Think and Grow Rich.’  How much actual cash that original DESIRE of Barnes’ has been worth to him, I have no way of knowing.’

Nothing Is Impossible For Those Who Truly Desire

‘…whatever it is, becomes insignificant when compared with the greater asset he acquired in the form of definite knowledge that an intangible impulse of thought can be transmuted into its physical counterpart by the application of known principles.’

‘Barnes literally thought himself into a partnership with the great Edison! He thought himself into a fortune. He had nothing to start with, except the capacity to KNOW WHAT HE WANTED, AND THE DETERMINATION TO STAND BY THAT DESIRE UNTIL HE REALIZED IT.’

Purpose, Desire, Faith, Persistence Work Magic

‘He had no money to begin with. He had but little education. He had no influence. But he did have initiative, faith, and the will to win. With these intangible forces he made himself number one man with the greatest inventor who ever lived.’

He did, Think and Grow Rich! And so can you! Study these principles for success. Read about them, over and over again. More importantly, put them to work. Put them into practice. DO what is required for success and you will be successful. It won’t come from the reading but from applying what you read. DO it! Do it today!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate and enjoy your day!

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How To Take Advantage Of Opportunity And Succeed

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horizons frozen-phil-koch

“What mindset makes a winner? How does your self talk influence you? Do you monitor and make certain it is positive? Is it helpful 80% of the time or is it 80% less than glorious or unhelpful? These are important, critical, considerations.

We have been discussing Edwin C. Barnes, in previous posts, and what was his mindset and self-talk were like? Napoleon Hill uses Barnes’ story as an example, in chapters 1 and 2, of Think and Grow Rich. He states Barnes traveled to New Jersey confident and positive; he knew inside he would eventually partner with Edison.

‘When he went to Orange, he did not say to himself, ‘I will try to induce Edison to give me a job of some sort.’ He said,  ‘I will see Edison and put him on notice that I have come to go into business with him.’ He did not say, ‘I will work there for a few months and if I get no encouragement, I will quit and get a job somewhere else.’

He Knew Inside

Remember, Hill said he may have looked like a tramp but his thoughts we those of a king. Further, he said, that while Barnes aim may have begun as a wish he turned it into his dominant chief aim. He made it a burning desire and had complete faith himself to accomplish the outcome he sought. Barnes left himself no other options.

Hill continued, ‘He did say, ‘I will start anywhere. I will do anything Edison tells me to do, but before I am through, I will be his associate.’ He did not say, ‘I will keep my eyes open for another opportunity in case I fail to get what I want in the Edison organization.’ (He wasn’t trying it out to see ‘if it might work,’ Barnes would make it work!)

‘He said, ‘There is but ONE thing in this world that I am determined to have, and that is a business association with Thomas A. Edison. I will burn all bridges behind me and stake my ENTIRE FUTURE on my ability to get what I want.’ (There was only one thing he wanted!! He burned all his bridges. There was no escape route; no plan B.)

I Will Start Anywhere I Will Do Anything

‘He left himself no possible way of retreat. He had to win or perish! That is all there is to the Barnes story of success.’ I love this, he had to win or perish! Hill closes the discussion with, ‘that is all there is to Barnes story  of success.’ It is that simple and that extraordinary!

Napoleon Hill points it all out for us in the very beginnings of his book. He says he was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to study and model 500 of the most successful business men of the day, He was to release his findings as a practical, teachable, formula and philosophy anyone else could apply to succeed. He spent 20 years.

His first book ‘Laws Of Success’ was based on the principles he uncovered. Later, he released, ‘Think and Grow Rich’. In both, he succinctly present the information and says, make a study of this and do these things. ACTUALLY do them, practice them, day and night, don’t just read about them, and you will be successful.

His Thoughts Were Those Of A King

You can be, do and have anything you desire when you apply these principles. A strong claim backed up by the fact that more millionaires have been made by reading Think And Grow Rich, and putting his methods to work than apparently in any other ways. HIs methods have stood the test of time. Would you like to be one too?

If you answered yes, then do what he says. Study the works. Make it your ambition. Then do what he outlines. Look at Barnes, do what he did. After all Hill says, ‘…that is all there is to Barnes success.’ You should read and study the rest of the book to learn how Barnes got to that point. BUT you must implement the practice, not just read!

Still, I will simplify much of it right now. You can’t be a wimp you must be deliberate about what you intend to make happen. You can’t be half assed you must be all in. You can’t call the shots you must begin wherever you are and take advantage of any opening opportunity that presents itself. You must know what you want.

You must continue in the absence of evidence to intensify what you want and know that if you stay with it, and not quit but persist, you will make it happen. Hill goes on to add some very important things. You must have a pleasing personality so people want to help you. You must attract others with your mindset and actions.

I Will Stake My Entire Future On My Ability To Get What I Want

You must add value and go the extra mile to those you work for and with. You should be the first in and the last out and demonstrate your worth to all concerned.  You must believe in yourself and make whatever adjustments are necessary all along the way to the win. You must be ultra-confident but humble too.

Always keep your goal in sight. Visualize it, as if you already have it. Affirm it with your speech. Remain positive inside and out. Do these things and you too will succeed. It does require effort. That is why not everyone who begins continues the journey to the end. If you are committed, and are ‘all in’ you will. Journey and complete it!

You will make you dreams reality when you do these things whole-heartedly and fully. When you are completely committed there will be no stopping you. Just make sure you aren’t doing anyone else any harm in pursuing your goals. When everyone wins and benefits you are assured to win and benefit. Commit! Start making your dreams come true today!” Rex Sikes

Today is yours!

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Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Decision, Definite Chief Purpose, Deliberate Creators, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Paradigms, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility

Why Some Never Get What They Want While Others Do

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horizons in-the-still-of-dawn-phil-koch

“Who, among my readers, wants a better life? Who hopes for and desires positive change? Do you wish for more money, better health, improved relationships, far away travel, more fun and enjoyment? What is it you dream about?

Do you know what keeps you from having that right now? Wishing and wanting and hoping and dreaming. All nice but all keep it away.Those who wish rarely win. Those who get what they want are CLEAR about what they want. They SEE it as an absolute in their mind.

The difference between one who gets what they want and one who doesn’t is this; the one who gets what they want thinks, says, and declares, ‘I AM going to make this happen’. They speak with authority because they are certain. They command themselves to do it! Everything they think and say to supports their conclusion.

It is never a wish!  It is an accomplishment. It is not something they want and hope will happen, that somehow they will attract it. Nope! They know if they want it they MUST make it happen. They align their inner resources and efforts to bring it into being. They are congruent and completely DEDICATED.

The Best Way To Predict The Future Is To Create It

They may also attract others, events and circumstances but they initiate. They don’t wait, they are PROACTIVE. They may not even know how they will do it yet, they just know that they will make it happen. Hoping won’t do it. They PLAN their success route and take it.

YOU have to DECIDE to do it and let nothing stop you. DECLARE it! COMMAND it! YOU make it happen. YOU marshall all of YOUR resources to bring it into being. That is what any king or emperor does. They say, ‘I want a monument. Put the slaves to work’.

Your slaves are your inner resources, your thoughts, abilities, skills and talents. You MAKE it happen by thoughts, your feelings and your actions. These should work together for you. Mindset, attitude, is the cutting edge that separates those who ultimately have from those who don’t.

Your servants are your BURNING DESIRE. Your passion that you must achieve this. Your FAITH. Your unwavering absolute belief in yourself and your expectation of accomplishment. You KNOW you will make it happen. Your ACTION. You take whatever positive actions you must take to bring about your positive good.

If It Is Important To You –  Find A Way To Make It Happen

PERSISTENCE. You never stop. You keep believing in yourself.  You keep doing until you accomplish. FLEXIBILITY, you are able to adjust and adapt. If something isn’t working you change your plan but never you definite chief purpose. This is how you get what you want.

This is what separates the champion from those who are not. These characteristics are the characteristics of an emperor. MINDSET is what separates those who get, and who have, from those who do not. It is never a question of IF you will achieve it, but WHEN you make it happen.

ATTITUDE gives you the edge. Attitude is everything! Develop the mindset of the emperor and the champion. DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT (what is good for you and will not harm anyone else) and MAKE it happen.

You can be, do and have whatever you want. It is up to you. DECIDE NOW that you can and that you will make it happen AND YOU WILL! ‘What you can conceive and believe you can achieve!’ DO IT! Make all your dreams come true!” Rex Sikes

Have a beautiful day!

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Attitude, Beliefs, Celebration, Decision, Emotions, Expectations, Focus, Forgiveness, Getting Over The Past, Gratitude, Habit Formation, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Overcoming Difficulty, Personal Development, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Success

What Holds You Back? What You Can Do About It

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Horizons staying-within-the-lines-phil-koch

“‘I appreciate the idea of staying positive. But I really struggle with the blind spot here. Children around the world are suffering and dying. They are not responsible for their situation.

This kind of “teaching” suggests there is some way those innocent children could have prevented the awful scenario we see played out in front of us. It’s not enough to turn the telly off and act like everything is ok. It’s not.

This teaching is about attaching to an idea and/or outcome, and that is the birthplace of suffering. Of course, in general terms, there is merit in being positive. Be happy.’ From Hugh

“Today, my blog post is my reply to this comment made yesterday. I included the comment above.  Of course, you can read it at the post page from yesterday too, along with others. Below is my answer, my opinion. My response.

Excellent points and questions. I am glad you raised them. Napoleon Hill stated he faced the very same concerns, deeply, when his son was born without ears or internal hearing apparatus.

No, no one is saying innocents are responsible for their condition. Life is what life is. In fact, until 7, 8,9 or 10, one could argue, children are mostly just programmed by adults, peers, and situations they grow up around and in.

What this teaching stresses is, if at some point, one is lucky enough to be exposed to it, one can learn to control their own thinking. A person can then work to overcome life circumstances and the conditioning they were brought up in.

Whether they do or not is up to them and no judgement should be made.

Some will yell that the underprivileged feel entitled and are lazy. That is not the case at all. Most people want to better themselves. And if there are some who do not that is their choice.

There are people at both ends of the wealth spectrum that benefit from entitlements. There are some wealthy who are lazy. No one is casting dispersion here, or at least I am not. Nor do I think the teaching does.

It could be said, if one wants to learn how to fish, this teaching will teach them. If some prefer to be fed, I have no problem with that. That is what charity and philanthropy and generosity and good will are all about.

Yes, there is suffering in the world. How one handles the suffering is an individual thing AND largely based on the life experiences and conditioning the person has had. I am no judge.

SO I cannot hold people accountable for their conditioning or their experiences or lack of them. If there is a creator, or divine intelligence, or whom or whatever, that is their domain not mine.

I can only share what I know. I know this. You can go through an experience thinking and feeling negative or thinking and feeling positive. One seems to work better than the other.

Positive thinking does not guarantee success, but makes it more likely than negative thinking. So for me, I choose to be positive. My life and world work better that way.

As for turning off television or turning a blind eye to troubles around the world I don’t think that is realistic. I don’t think being overly fixated on it serves anyone either.

With 24/7 news and bombardment in all media of negative messages AND really mostly ONLY negative messages, because that is what news is,

I say be enlightened and informed to local and world events. JUST don’t get caught up in the negativity.

Negativity is great for knowing what you don’t want or what you want to avoid or exclude. It informs you what you may want to leave behind.

Positivity tells you or informs you what you want to move toward, where you are going or headed, what you want to include or have more of.

Both are necessary. But we need one more than the other. IF you are being chased by a bear in the woods, let’s call this negative, you want to flee the bear, avoid it, leave it behind, not get eaten, and run to a safe place where you are safe and without fear or worry.

You must run with everything you have.

You can’t do that if you keep your eyes on the bear. You have to keep your focus on where you are running to, in front of you. You KNOW the bear is there but your focus is on safety.

The bear is a huge motivator to get there quickly.

In the same way, negativity informs us what we don’t want and can motivate us to get what we do want and more quickly if we use it.

Negative thoughts and feelings are part of life. Positive feelings are part of life too.

Where you spend most of your time determines the quality of your life. Two people born in poverty one exclaims, ‘that is it! I refuse to be poor ever again!’ and works to become rich.

The other says, ‘Wow cool, the rich life is for me! I want all that!’ and works to become rich.

Both are possible. My thought is spend most of your time being positive. It feels better, makes things easier and is more enjoyable.

To the extent you want to, evolve yourself, take control of your thinking and feeling, so you enjoy life more fully.

Help others, help make the world a better place. If you see a wrong, attempt to right it. Delight in and celebrate everything.

If there is a problem, examine it and then turn your attention toward a solution. We rarely accomplish anything by fighting hate with hate, violence with violence, anger with anger, racism with racism, poverty with poverty.

We need to focus on what we want to bring about and work to bring it about. We do that by maintaining our focus on what we want, what we want to include, what we want more of.

We continue to think positive and feel good because life is more enjoyable that way.

Still, it rains on the rich and the poor. Calamity and disaster and heartbreak visit both. How those are responded to and handled is up to the individual and no one, in my opinion, should fault any other human for how they handle difficulty.

Just always remember, night gives way to day, cold becomes warm, waves that have gone out return. This too shall pass. Life is cyclic.

In my world view, evolve yourself to be the best person you can be. Allow other to be who they are. Love lots and forgive much. Learn from adversity and less than desirable circumstances.

Our beliefs either support us and free us up to be, do and have anything we want or they constrain or limit us in some way. We need to learn to recognize when our own mindset is preventing us and change it if we so chose. We can if we believe we can.

If you have goals and dreams go after them, don’t wait. It is not likely others will get them and give them to you. You have to work for it yourself.

Learn to control your thoughts and feelings so you think the best and feel the best 80 or 90% of your time. Whether you have one life or multiple lives, right now is all you have right now!

Celebrate, delight and enjoy it for no reason other than – why not?

It is your life choose what you want to it to be and make it such. Have fun all along the way. Learn to not take things too seriously, relax, let go, play.

Suffering is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Both revolve around outcomes. OR neither have anything to do with circumstances.

Some people in the worst of circumstances are delightfully fulfilled and happy. Others have everything, it seems, yet suffer. Finding out how to best live our life is up to each of us.

My hope is that I have addressed the points and questions. I hope that you, I and others can learn to be grateful and celebrate more of what is available to us while we are here. Let us delight and enjoy it all!

Meanwhile, the best wishes, always in everything!” Rex Sikes

Today is your day!

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Acceptance, Affirmations, Beliefs, Celebration, Creating The Future, Emotions, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Visualization

I Affirm Myself! What Do You Do? Yes, It Matters

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Horizons hope-is-never-lost-phil-koch

“I don’t want not having immediately be the basis for not having forever. I want to burn my ships and leave no way out but forward to success. I want to remain dedicated, passionate, faithful, convinced, expectant even when there is no evidence of progress. When it seems the tides are against me and nothing is working I want to remain true.

I want to intensify my desire for making my dreams come true while waiting. I want to make a little progress every day and never waver in knowing I will prevail. Even if I don’t succeed, as much as I want, I will have done so much more than if I do nothing to make it happen. Even if I miss the mark I made more progress during the journey.

I want my thoughts and my feelings to be aligned, congruent; my concentration, my focus, my energy, to be singular on my purpose. I want being and doing and having what I want to be dominant in my conscious and unconscious mind. I want to learn from each second how to be more positive, powerful, purposeful and accepting, allowing and receptive.

What You Say Is What You Get

I want to go after what I want fully. No way out. No excuses. No doubts or fears, but positive in every atom, ever cell, every fiber of my being. I want to believe in myself and discover that I am truly an emperor inside and out. I am a winner and a champion. I am a victor. I will never allow myself to be a victim of others, circumstances, events, or my own thinking.

I will be triumphant. I will win, conquer and evolve. I will succeed in ways currently beyond the limits of my imagination and discover myself delighted along the way.  I will celebrate and be grateful for everything always. Whatever IS is! I will look at the good within, and find it. I will celebrate because that IS what is in the moment.

What I can not yet see is all the unexpected good coming my way. Goodness comes to me. I always land on my feet. I always win even in ways I don’t completely understand. Adversity has always been my friend even when I didn’t embrace it. There is always something marvelous to find. Seek and you will find it. Knock and it will be opened. I do and it is! I will keep an open mind and an open heart.

 Affirm Yourself – Declare What Is – Make It Happen – And So It Is

I will ask, I will seek and I will continue to knock until I have the response from the universe I seek. I put in my order and I claim it. I wait for it as I do a meal in a cafe. Behind the scenes everything is being prepared. They are making a dish from my orders. They will deliver it. I only need to enjoy the time waiting. It is coming! It is mine!” Rex Sikes

Today is my day!

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Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Definite Chief Purpose, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Mental Movie Theater, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Trust, Visualization

Without This Your Chances For Success Are Slim

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Horizons 1 1-more-than-a-memory-phil-koch

“‘Five years passed before the chance he had been seeking made its appearance. During all those years, not one ray of hope, not one promise of attainment of his DESIRE, had been held out to him.’

‘To everyone except himself, he appeared to be only another cog in the Edison business wheel, but in his own mind HE WAS THE PARTNER OF EDISON EVERY MINUTE OF THE TIME from the very day that he first went to work there.’ Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Consider this. Would you hang in there for five years before the chance you seek makes its appearance? Hill says there was not a SINGLE ray of hope or promise held out to him that he would get what he wanted. For five years Barnes persisted. Would you?

In His Own Mind He Was Edison’s Partner

In order to make our dreams come true we may very well face circumstances such as these. That is why faith is the belief in things not seen. Not a single shred of evidence that he would get his goals was visible for him, yet, he persisted. He believed it would happen.

To everyone else he was just another worker BUT IN HIS OWN MIND he was a partner of Edison every minute of the time from the day he went to work there. In his mind he saw himself already possessing what he came for. He already claimed his future!

He was Edison’s partner in his mental movie theater. Outward reality differed, there was nothing to even indicate he would eventually succeed. Inside him his dream was alive. Hill said, he intensified his desire, as I pointed out previously. He saw and heard and felt himself already a partner with Edison. He lived it within.

This is what we must do. We must have such a powerful, positive, singular focus that we let  nothing detract us from our purpose or our goals. The outer circumstances must not deter us from what we want to accomplish. We need to have such a great desire and unshakable faith in ourself.

What You See Is What You Get

We make it happen by what we see and say to ourselves. We make it happen by our intense positive feelings. We make it happen because we believe it will and we keep the faith. We make it happen by doing whatever positive good it takes and by not giving up. This is what Barnes did day in and day out. 5 years with no indication of success.

As Hill points out again and again, ‘any dominating idea, plan or purpose held in the conscious mind through repetition of thought and emotionalized by a burning desire for its realization is taken over by the subconscious and acted upon through whatever natural and logical means may be available.’

Barnes knew his destiny. He knew it was only a matter of time. He was determined to wait it out. How we wait is important. It didn’t matter to him that he was waiting because on the inside he already realized his dream. It was just a matter of when the opportunity would present itself that he could take advantage.

Actively Focus On Your Dreams And Goals 

As we shall later see in an upcoming post. ‘A mind alerted by definiteness of purpose recognizes opportunities and inspires the courage necessary to seize upon such opportunities when they are presented.’ In time an opportunity arose that Barnes could act on in order to achieve his purpose.

Would you have the mindset, the confidence and the will power to pursue your dreams as Barnes had? He was completely dedicated and convinced of the future that awaited him. This is a common characteristic reported by some of the most successful people.They always knew it would happen even when facing unbelievable odds.

Faith and passion kept them on track. This is why you must clarify and know you purpose. You must want it so bad that you will stick with it when there is no evidence you will succeed. You must be committed and never give up! Are you this dedicated to making your dreams come true? If you are there will be no stopping you!” Rex Sikes

Make today spectacular!

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!

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How You Can Take Hold Of Your Destiny

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horizons in-memory-of-phil-koch

“How do you remain faithful to your dream when there is absolutely no evidence, yet, you can accomplish it? Not giving up  when nothing appears to be happening is probably the most difficult concept for people to embrace. Most people want immediate results, they feel they need to know what they are doing is working. If it isn’t they want to change direction and quickly.

Edwin C. Barnes, according to Napoleon Hill, in Think And Grow Rich, waited patiently for FIVE years. He never gave up or doubted. He worked a menial job with no outer evidence he would ever get what he wanted. During those five years Barnes remained true to his dream. He steadfastly focused on his goal.

Instead of seeking something else to do, instead of quitting, he intensified his desire! I repeat, he intensified his desire to have what he came for. He kept his dream alive within and felt it even more strongly. How do you remain faithful to your dream when there is no evidence you can accomplish it?

Perception Is Everything

You do what Barnes did. You intensify the desire. You keep the faith, keep doing and wait patiently. Patience is considered a virtue? How we wait determines our entire experience. How we wait truly matters! We can complain the entire time, blame, whine, weep, be fearful, angry and stressed out. This is often the experience of people stuck in traffic. Consider the following.

Traffic is stopped. You cannot get to your destination as you thought you would. What is there to do? Surrounded by stopped vehicles there is nothing you can do to move your vehicle. You are stuck. You just have to wait it out. How you wait is critical. It is critical to your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health and well being. Many freak out.

Faith is the belief in things not seen. Some call that crazy. Atheists, and skeptics say it is not rational. You are wasting your time. The same kind of  thinkers said, ‘we don’t need a horseless carriage my horse is good enough’. ‘We don’t need an electric light bulb we’ve oil lamps’, and ‘We will never fly that is only for birds’.

All Things Work Together For Good

I am not talking about faith in an unseen god but about belief in yourself. Belief in your ability to make your future how you want it to be when nothing appears likely. I am talking about being true to your dreams when all physical reality runs counter. You have mountains of bills and debt but your dominant dream is wealth and financial freedom.

There are countless stories of people broke and down and out, who don’t have two nickels to rub together. They failed multiple times, again and again, but still climbed out of the cesspool of troubles into freedom and a life they now enjoy. There are more of these examples than you or I can ever imagine.

There are billions of dollars in flow, circulating the globe every second, if you don’t have a share it is only because you chose not to. There are 7 billion people on the planet. If you are lonely, it is only because, somehow, you chose to be alone. How can it be otherwise? With all that is possibly available if you don’t have, why not? The answer has to be YOU. That is okay, don’t fret.

If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me And No One Else

Determine what you want. Then claim what you want. Imagine yourself, already in possession of all the good you want for yourself. See yourself financially free with enough money to do the things you want to do. Imagine it happening right now not in the future some time. See yourself already in the perfect relationship, loving the partner right for you. Feel all the wonderful feelings.

Stay fast and true.  Remain fast and true even while times run counter to what you want. Remain convinced, keep you eye on the prize. Keep the faith.  Take even baby steps to make daily progress toward your dreams. When you do this eventually get them. SO HOW you wait is critical. What you do when nothing appears to be happening is extremely important!

Do you believe or doubt? Whichever it is you will get more the same. You get back whatever you put out there. YOU create more of the same! Either you will become more convinced or more doubtful. Which do you think works better for getting what you want in life? Some will say, ‘but… but… but’ because there is always some who will.

You Are Where Your Thoughts Take You

Some will say ‘but you have to be realistic’. Who says so? What does being realistic actually mean? Doe being realistic mean caving and giving up because it doesn’t yet look like you might be successful? Is that what you think realistic is? Do you think it is realistic to doubt yourself and your abilities more than believing in yourself?

Are there other ways to be realistic besides the way you think there are? Maybe you are only thinking along old chronic, habitual lines of thought that never served you very well. Perhaps, the reason you feel this is because you never thought differently or challenged yourself to go beyond these worn out thoughts.

Does realistic really mean doubting yourself is better than believing in yourself? Well, does it? Some will say, ‘but you might create false hope’. THAT is a stupid, silly notion. There is only hope or no hope. False hope means hoping against hope. That you may be disappointed by hoping. Disappointment is always a possibility.

Skill Comes From Doing

Would you rather try for something and get a little better and be disappointed or do nothing, remain the same and be disappointed? Which works better for your lifelong enjoyment?  Disappointment could be the very catalyst you need to catapult yourself into success and happiness.

Disappointment could be the ‘hitting rock bottom’ when you finally say, ‘never again’ or ‘I refuse to live like this’. Disappointment is when you ultimately clarify what you want and decide to never settle for what you do not want. Perhaps, it is far better to get disappointed than to be comfortable in laziness and to do nothing.

How you wait in the face of trying circumstances or when nothing seems to happen IS the measure of your character. How you wait defines you. How you waits tells others precisely who you are. How you wait reveals your true self to you, as well as, others. Everyone can see, although you may still be blinded by your own thoughts.

Habits Are Built By Repetition

Seeds germinate and the plants grow underground, in darkness, for a significant amount of time. There is lots going on but it is invisible to us. We can’t see it.  We wait for the plant to appear.. When you believe in yourself, when you live with the conviction that you will succeed, much is happening, inside that cannot be seen right now.

You just have to wait for it. So what do you do in the meantime? How do you spend your time. What if you knew that in five or ten years you would have everything you want what you would do in the meantime? How would you wait it out?

How would you live? What would you think? What would you do in the meantime. Would you bemoan the fact it hadn’t happened yet? Some would.   Would you be excited and eager for that coming day? Would you do anything different? Would you live every day fully during the troubled times or would you put off today for what tomorrow would bring?

The More We Do The More We Are Able To Do

Patience is a virtue for many reasons. Be patient and be persistent. Do what you can do to move forward. Continue to trust that you will succeed no matter what life seems to offer right now. Enjoy now, no matter how hard it is. This positive mindset, this  deliberate act of intentional thinking, will pay off for you big time. Enjoy now even when circumstances are tough. Have faith in better days.

When you can look at everything as a blessing, no matter what, you are free! You are powerful. You are capable of fulfilling your destiny. If you can find the seed of opportunity in adversity, if you can uncover the learning and keep going, then you are truly already blessed. You are blessed because you are one who can achieve anything.

Celebration, positive thoughts and feelings open the floodgates for more! What you put out you get back. What you sow you will reap. From one seed countless thousands of plants are possible. From your deliberate faith in the invisible, behind the scenes, positive action, great things can arise.

SO have faith! Be patient! Trust in yourself! There is more potential in having faith than not having faith.  When you stay true, and stay convinced in your abilities, though times seem to run counter, you will make you dreams come true.  Life is whatever you make it. How you make it what you want it to be starts within you. It begins with your thoughts. Control your thoughts and you will control your destiny.” Rex Sikes

Make today your day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Attitude, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Definite Chief Purpose, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mental Movie Theater, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Trust, Visualization

Why Do Some Succeed While Others Struggle And Give Up?

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“What makes some people winners and not others? Why do some succeed while others struggle and give up? What separates the wheat from the chaff? Are their differences? Do you have what it takes? If not, why not? Can success be learned? Can you be happy most of the time?

Absolutely! You can be happy most of the time. Success and happiness leave clues that you can use to be that too. It is far more scientific than you think. There are formulas, recipes, that when faithfully applied, you can use to help get what you desire most.

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

When you follow a cake recipe precisely, you get a similar cake; when you follow the recipes for happiness and success you get similar results. If you want it bad enough and you stick with the recipe you will get what you desire. It is simple enough!

Hill, said this about Edwin C. Barnes, (I continue this discussion from previous post). ‘Barnes succeeded because he chose a definite goal, placed all his energy, all his willpower, all his effort, everything back of that goal.’

‘He did not become the partner of Edison the day he arrived. He was content to start at the most menial work as long as it provided an opportunity to take even one step toward his cherished goal.’

If You Don’t Want To Do It You’ll Find An Excuse?

Barnes knew what he wanted. He saw it, he heard it, he lived it in his mind, repeatedly. He was definite about what he wanted. It consumed him. He imagined himself as Edison’s partner long before he became his partner, even when there was no evidence he would ever become one. Still, he placed all his energy, his willpower and his effort back of his goal. He would have bet on himself to win!

Are you willing to do that? Will you go after what you want and let nothing deter you? Can you say you have visualized your positive good day and night? Do you live your dream inside your mind and feel convinced it is yours? Do you know it is bound to happen? ARE you convinced you can do it? Do you have confidence you have what it takes?

If you have answered yes, you may well be on the way to making your dreams come true. However, if you have answered no to any of these, you will want to make adjustments in your thinking. Your thoughts and energies need to be aligned. You some work on yourself! You are more assured of getting your goal if you want it so bad you can taste it.

Are You Interested?  It Would Be Nice, Right?

If it is merely a wish, something that might make you happy, something you could try and if it doesn’t work out you will change, then it is more than likely you won’t make it happen. If you bail as soon as it gets tough then, obviously not. Barnes knew what he wanted and was determined to make it happen no matter what.

THAT is determination! That is conviction! That is faith in oneself. That is what you, and I and all of us need. For 5 years Barnes was content to do menial work, nothing even close to his goal, as long as it provided an opportunity to take even one step closer. Barnes was in for the long haul. Are you?

This clarity of purpose, this certainty, this willingness to do whatever positive steps it takes is what we to need to have. If you want to succeed you first need to be success minded. We will discuss this more in future blogs. Barnes is a great example of what we need and what can be the result when we apply ourselves deliberately.

Or Are You Committed?

The world can be your oyster? Is it? If it isn’t why isn’t it? You need not deprive anyone else of anything to have a wonderful fulfilling life. There is more than plenty for all. You are deceiving yourself if you think otherwise. Attitude determines your altitude.

You can be, do and have and enjoy everything life offers but it all starts from within. Many people, mistakenly think it comes from the outside. It doesn’t. What you need you already have within you only have to discover it and let it out!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate this day!

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.

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Attitude, Expectations, Focus, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Positive Thinking, Smiling

Do You Know These Lyrics To Another Popular TV Show?

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“I was delighted to hear these lyrics. I never knew these until now. It is also fun to see the star of the show singing them. One version is on FB the other version I posted here. Take these to heart and enjoy them! May they put a smile on your lips and a song in your heart.

Recently, Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 90th birthday. On May 6, 2011 a gentleman named Evan Cutler asked Dick what the words were to the theme song of the Dick Van Dyke Show. Dick sang them on video. I don’t have a link to that but I did find Dick singing it as an ad for MeTV. (There are some other versions on youtube. Here is that link for your enjoyment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oysJIdKKj40

I transcribed Dick singing the diddly. Here it is.

‘So you think that you’ve got trouble

well, troubles a bubble so tell ole mister trouble to get lost.

Why not hold your head up high and stop crying, start trying

and don’t forget to keep your fingers crossed.

When you find the joy of living is loving and giving

you’ll be there when the winning dice are tossed.

A smile is just a frown that is turned upside down

so smile and that frown will defrost.

And don’t forget to keep your fingers crossed.”

Lyrics by Morey Amsterdam

Enjoy your day, and if you find yourself humming the song, remember the words and take them to heart. Celebrate and smile!” Rex Sikes

Make the day marvelous!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Attitude, Beliefs, Confidence, Decision, Definite Chief Purpose, Deliberate Creators, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Success

Why Most People Fail – How You Can Succeed!

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“There is a reason why many people don’t reach their goals. There are reasons why most don’t live the life they hope to. Do you want to stop failing and start winning more often? You can. You can begin to win more reliably too. Success is pretty much scientific.

Most people will think it depends on largely on luck. They put the success factors on the outside of themselves and in the hands of others. If you want to succeed you must be the one in charge. Yet, most fail to do this.

One of the most marvelous books ever written is ‘Think And Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. You must read it if you haven’t. If you have read it you must read it again and again. It is a  book to be studied, ingested and digested. It is so rich with everything we need to know to get ahead and the reasons why most people don’t.

Know Your Definite Chief Purpose

I read a chapter over each day for 30 days at a time. I have done as many as 3 chapters at a time. Especially, chapters 2, 3,and 4. Today, I want to examine a sentence or two from chapter 1. Hill discusses Edwin C. Barnes burning desire to work with Thomas Edison. He emphasized that Barnes really did discover that ‘people THINK And GROW RICH’.

The title itself speaks volumes. Hill doesn’t say work hard and grow rich. Get a job and grow rich. Invest and grow rich. He says, think and grow rich and then explains how to make this happen. His book is amazing. The next two sentences are the ones I want to examine. Keep in mind that Barnes discovered people think and grow rich.

‘His discovery did not come about at one sitting. It came little by little…’ and we stop there. The difficulty people have applying the Law Of Attraction or Science of the Mind or these principles is because today we have grown up expecting everything to happen quick and easy. Certainly, it may but lot’s of things in life don’t. Many things take time.

Develop Passion – A White Hot Burning Desire

It takes time for seeds to grow; for you and I to grow up. To cook a nice meal. To travel from point A to point B. To watch a movie from beginning to end. Still advertisers have promised us magic for a fee, quick, easy, effortless. Magic pills, magic bullets, magic time frames. We have instant on television, high speed internet and so many things that spoil us for those that take time.

Barnes made his discovery but not at one sitting. IT CAME LITTLE BY LITTLE. Once you decide you want to become a deliberate creator or attractor you need to realize most things aren’t revealed all at once. It comes bit by bit. There is no genii in a bottle it is a progression, evolution, an unfolding. You grow into the abilities to make things happen.

Yes, some may be quicker at it than others but if any one person attempts and persists, and does not give up, that person, assuming they are following instructions, rightly using the principles, will succeed. It doesn’t work for some and not all. It works for everyone! Sadly, not every one keeps at it until it works.

Develop Faith – An Indomitable Belief In Yourself & Your Abilities

People try and, after awhile of not having instant results, abandon ship! They jump. Then they state, ‘I tried it and IT didn’t work’. It isn’t it that doesn’t work it is YOU that didn’t keep at it.

SORRY that is the truth, cold, hard and painful as that may be, the only failure there is IS giving up. Stop blaming IT and learn how to make it work instead. Stop whining and do it, is the advice. Persist don’t quit.

Step by step you get to your destination. ALL along the way IS the journey. ALL along the journey is discovery. Ultimately, if you keep going you will get there AS long as you don’t permanently stop trying. Along the way you will learn the ropes. It is a process that unfolds. It is magical but not fairy tale magic.

If you really, REALLY want it. Focus on it. Concentrate on it to the exclusion of most everything else. Believe you can get it. Have total faith in yourself. Then go after it and don’t stop trying until you get it. That is the formula for success. Get your mindset on right so the rest follows. THINK and grow rich. Drop by drop fills the tub.

Daily: Affirm & Visualize Using Strong Positive Emotions

You will accomplish your dreams if you pursue them relentlessly and don’t let anything deter you or stop you. In order to do that you must absolutely want it and not anything else. You must believe that you can do it and make it happen. Then you must take positive, productive steps to get there. THERE is no other way.

It didn’t happen for Barnes overnight. From the time he first thought it, to the time he got to Edison, is anyone’s guess how long that was. From his first meeting with Edison until he was working WITH Edison took 5 years. He didn’t start at the top he started at the bottom but he never let anything deter him from his goal. He knew his destiny and he kept at it until he fulfilled it.

Another important sentence, ‘ But something important was happening in Barnes’ mind. He was constantly intensifying his desire to become the business associate of Edison.’  Why do most fail? Because they wimp out, quit, whine and complain. They want it easy and overnight. They want it handed to them. They put responsibility outside themselves.

Persist – Never, Ever Give Up If You Want To Get There

Nothing appeared to be happening. For the five years his dream was only in his mind. There was no visible evidence of it in the world. His circumstances were that he was a lowly worker for Edison.

All that time ‘he was constantly INTENSIFYING his desire..’ He was intensifying it! Most people would whine and complain and look for something else to do. Not Barnes! He stuck with it! Most people who bail. Barnes knew he what his destiny was. He believed!

How do you succeed? You follow the rules, the instructions, the principles and you keep applying them until you have the success you want. You intensify your desire. You keep the faith and believe in yourself. You expect yourself to prevail.

It seems hard but it is simple. It may not always be easy but it is still simple. The formula is right here. Too many people are flighty like the bee from flower to flower. Still, the bee is on a singular mission and so must you be.  How to succeed is all spelled out. Stop wishing and start doing it. It begins with your thoughts.

Success comes from within you. Ultimately you will succeed as long as you keep at it. If you are determined to no matter how long it takes YOU WILL! In the mean time, INTENSIFY YOUR DESIRE! Make it happen! Prepare your mind! Develop an unstoppable determination, a steel will, and make your dreams come true!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate today!”

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!