Category Archives: Persistence

Attitude, Awareness, Choice, Conditioning, Decision, Focus, Habits, Intentional Thinking, Living In The Moment, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk

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

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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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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Act As If, Attitude, Beliefs, Confidence, Definite Chief Purpose, Emotions, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Trust, Visualization

Follow The Recipe For Success!

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horizons 2-in-the-beginning-phil-koch

“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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Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Creating The Future, Expectations, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice, Responsibility, Visualization

Success Is The Sum Of Small Efforts Repeated Daily

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horizons 2-whispers-phil-koch

“In my posts I continually attempt to emphasize how simple it is to make positive changes and succeed. Whether you want to accelerate your career, improve your bank account, enjoy a delightful relationship or celebrate more of what life has to offer, it is easy once you know how.

Today, I am going to give you a few quotes from Robert Collier, one of the early New Thought leaders to again drive that point home for you. Collier lived from 1885 to 1950. He wrote, ‘you can do anything you wish to do, have anything you wish to have, be anything you wish to be.’ What follows are a few more of Robert’s words.

‘Visualize this thing you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin to build.’

‘Any thought that is passed on to the subconscious often enough and convincingly enough is finally accepted.’

‘See things as you would have them be instead of as they are.’

‘Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.’

‘The great successful men of the world have used their imagination; they think ahead and create their mental picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building, steadily building.’

‘The first essential, of course, is to know what you want.’

‘All power is from within and is therefore under our own control.’

‘The first principle of success is desire, knowing what you want.’

‘Desire is the planting of your seed. Very few persons, comparatively, know how to Desire with sufficient intensity. They do not know what it is to feel and manifest that intense, eager, longing, craving, insistent, demanding, ravenous Desire which is akin to the persistent, insistent, ardent, overwhelming desire of the drowning man for a breath of air; of the shipwrecked or desert-lost man for a drink of water; of the famished man for bread and meat… ‘

Well, there you have it. I think it is more than sufficiently self-explanatory. I want to only remind you of one quote again in particular, so that it is not overlooked. All are great, of course, but it is this one.

‘Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.’ It is the small things we do on a consistent and persistent basis that make all the difference in the world. Walking the same way though the valley floor creates a pathway. It is the continuous repetition that creates the path.

Recently, I shared on ‘neuroplasticity’ the brains ability to change and grow based on our use of it. As we learn new things and repeat those learnings through practice we build new habits and can replace old ones. We can evolve ourselves as our brains literally evolve. Neurons that fire together DO wire together.

So never give up. Do small things, a little bit each day and you will make progress to your goal. Whatever that is, you can be, do and have anything you want. Anything you want. Napoleon Hill, reminded us, ‘Whatever the mind can conceive, and believe we can achieve’.

Since all power is from within and therefore under your control keep the faith, never give up. Do the little things and you will arrive where you want to. Keep making your dreams a reality. It can be easier than you ever think and it is much simpler!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate and delight!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Celebration, Confidence, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Flow, Focus, Gratitude, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Patience, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice, Self Talk

Attitude Determines Your Altitude! The Importance Of Mindset.

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horizons a-blustery-blue-phil-koch

“What is your mindset? How is your attitude? Are you a victim or a victor? The difference is in how and what you think. What are your predominant thoughts? Henry Ford said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.’ Someone else said, ‘your attitude determines your altitude’. So, do you have a champion’s attitude or not?

Here are some thoughts you may wish to incorporate to develop and maintain that winning mindset. These are just samples. Tailor them or create one’s that work for you. The key to making affirmations work is to state them emphatically with loads of positive emotion. Have fun, be enthusiastic and fill your mind and being with positive powerful thoughts. Repeat these frequently throughout each day.

What You Say Is What You Get

I always move forward to success. I burn my ship. I leave no way out. I remain dedicated. I am passionate. I am faithful. I am always convinced, faithful and expectant even when there is no evidence of progress. Even when it seems the tides are against me and nothing is working, I remain true.

I intensify my desire for making my dreams come true. While waiting I make progress every day. I take action.  I am steadfast. I know I will prevail. I make progress during the journey. I enjoy and celebrate every moment. My thoughts and my feelings are aligned. I am congruent in my desires.

My concentration, my focus, my energy, is singular and 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 each second how to be more positive, powerful, and purposeful. I am accepting, allowing and receptive. I am magnificent!

What You Say Is What You Get

I 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 cannot 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 I 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

Remember to  ask.  Seek and continue to knock until you have the response from the universe you seek. Put your order in. Claim it. Wait for it as you do a meal in a cafe. Behind the scenes everything is being prepared. They are making a dish from your orders. They will deliver it. You only need to enjoy the time waiting. It is coming! It is yours!” Rex Sikes

Today is my day!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Decision, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Affirmations, Positive Thinking, Positive Thoughts

Are You Up For A Challenge That Can Easily Transform How You Think And Live?

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Horizons dont-give-up-on-me-phil-koch

“Would you do something that could make a real difference for you in your life? Do you want to think, feel better and enjoy more? Are you up for a challenge? It will help you create  concentration, focus, energy and momentum. Well, are you? It’s completely up to you.

If yes, then decide on a positive affirmation or a mantra. You know, a declaration. A positive assertion. Something simple, something short. Make it a positive phrase that makes you feel great and go ‘oh yeah’ when you say it or think it. See below for examples.

Make sure to pick a powerful, juicy one for yourself. One that you believe is possible; one you believe you can have. Pick the best one you can think of that makes you feel marvelous. Now, commit to saying it as many times as possible during the day and night.

Energy Flows Where Your Attention Goes

When you get up, before you leave bed, say it 10, or 25 times. While brushing your teeth, shaving, showering, or otherwise occupied continue to focus on it and repeat it. While safely driving. Any time you drive repeat it. Think It! Say It! Feel It!  Believe It! Become It!

Say it out loud with great enthusiasm as often as you can each  day. Set a timer on your phone if you need a reminder. Before bed say it as much as you can prior to falling asleep. When with others at home or work silently repeat to yourself.

Do it. Again and again and commit to no fewer than 7 days. If you really want to give it a powerful go make it no fewer than 30 days. Pick one powerful affirmation and recite it with positive feelings as often as you can for at least the next seven to thirty days.

You Become What You Think About

Concentrate on your one idea as much as you can. If, during this time, you become aware of thinking neutral or less than glorious thoughts, shift to your mantra. The goal is to constantly occupy your thoughts with it. Stop neutral or less than glorious thinking.

Feel great repeating your mantra. Emotions are what make the affirmations work. Merely reciting anything without emotion is practically meaningless. Put some real juice or ‘omphh’  into this. The military makes use of repetition and strong emotions. You can too!

Imagine you are impressing this thought on your subconscious. You want it to grab hold of this positive message and ‘get it’. You deliver this message by repeating it as often as you can or will with positive emotions. Keep at it and your subconscious mind can and will get it.

What You Focus On Expands 

Chose an affirmation that makes you feel great. Such as, ‘I am awesome’. ‘I am unstoppable’. ‘I am powerful’. ‘I feel confident’. ‘I easily clean the house.’ ‘It is easy to find ways to make extra money’. ‘I am able to look people in the eye when speaking with them’.

‘I feel marvelous.’ I can eat healthy foods and feel great.’ ‘I can grow my business.’ ‘I feel marvelous’. ‘I am healthy.’ ‘I am rich in many ways’. ‘I have plenty of money’. Create your own. Make sure you feel it positively and you honestly believe it. Start with that in mind.

To boost its power imagine yourself, see yourself, already being or doing or having the good you desire. Take some time to visualize while you chant it. 5 or more minutes. I do it while on the treadmill at the gym. I set a walking pace, hold on, close my eyes and do it.

What You Think About You Bring About

I walk and hold on so I am safe. Then I imagine what I want while repeating the mantra to myself. If I am on the treadmill for an hour I have now exercised my mind and my body. I enjoy doing this. I also do it with eyes open on the treadmill and vary the speeds.

Do it for no less than 7 days. Honestly, commit to it. There is much you can discover about yourself by putting this into practice. You may be quite amazed. Feel free to keep it going longer. Become attuned or aware of new possibilities while taking this challenge.

If, after a while, or a few days, you feel like tweaking your mantra go ahead. If you feel you’d be better off changing it to one you believe more or feel better about go ahead. Make whatever adjustment you need to make it stronger. Begin the challenge over from that point.

What You Say Is What You Get

There is more to discuss, but nothing else you need. Think it as often as you can. See it. Speak it. Declare it. Feel good. Fill as much time as you can with this thought and positive feelings over the seven day period. Enjoy it. Stay open to discovery and enjoy it. You will!

Report back at the end of your chosen time frame. You can leave comments here or in the Facebook group of the same name. Daily Inspiration and  Gratitude. Are you willing to take this challenge? If so get ready to begin. Have a great time and celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Delight in today!

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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!

Attitude, Creating The Future, Energy, Faith, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Law Of Attraction, Mindset, Patience, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Self Improvement, Trust

Time Is Not The Enemy But Your Friend

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Horizons wandering-phil-koch

“You have changes you want to make in your career or your life. Perhaps, you are going through difficult times. You want relief. You have developed a better attitude and are moving in the right direction. Only it doesn’t seem fast enough, right?

Some people who learn about Intentional Creation, Positive Thinking, or the Law of Attraction give it a try and if they don’t get immediate success decide whatever they are doing isn’t working and abandon it. They want improvement overnight.

Instead of hanging in there they claim whatever they tried didn’t work, or at least not for them. No one can estimate the time it will take for you, because no one else is you. I can’t tell you how well, or even if, you actually apply the principles.

The More We Do The More We Can Do

My assessment of you doesn’t matter. Next concept. It takes whatever time it takes for a seed to grow and to flower. I’m sure you already understand this. Everything takes some time. Why is the question? One answer is because it does. Get over it already.

Another is, you actually wouldn’t be happy with immediate manifestation because it would work both ways. Instant success or failure depending on what your predominantly thinking. So that is why it takes some time to manifest. Be thankful in this regard.

I think there is a much better reason. Not because anyone ordains it the answer, but it just seems to work this way. The reason things take time is so that you can get to be better. The reason things take time is so it is attributable to YOUR efforts and not luck or accident.

Time Shows Us What Really Matters

Things don’t manifest right away to give you practice. Time allows you to develop good habits. You can build the habit of right thinking. Otherwise, you would think it is luck and you don’t benefit from luck. You greatest benefit is from truly conditioning your mind.

Once you condition your mind, once you learn how to control your thinking then anything can be yours. You become more powerful, and wise through experience BECAUSE things take time. You evolve and develop your attitude, abilities and talents. You improve!

The more we do the more we can do is one of my favorite sayings. Things take time so we can grow and develop our skills to become more of whomever and whatever we want to be. We learn the nuance of great power and deliberate attention and control.

The Way We Spend Our Time Defines Who We Are

When things don’t work out fast I accept, perhaps, I need to learn more patience while pursuing my goal. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive. One can be patient and continue to act in one’s behalf. Some people haven’t learned this. Maybe, it is time to.

When things are troublesome or downright tough, perhaps, we learn persistence or the ability to be joyful anyway. When money is tight and debt looms we learn to think and focus on abundance instead. We learn concentration and where and how to focus our energy.

I am not saying there is a god or design to this. There very well may be, but that part doesn’t matter for my explanation. It is through trials we become stronger and well seasoned. We get more back than we could ever imagine. So, I say bring it! I want to learn.

Time Teaches Us How To Live

We learn patience, faith and trust and much more when things take longer. If it is wham, bam, thank you… it just isn’t as satisfying in the long run. Immediate results don’t always benefit us overall. We live life while waiting for actual seeds to sprout. That applies here too.

While we wait and see things through, life continues. We continue to exercise out focus to keep our attention on what we want even when it doesn’t seem to be happening. We build so many character muscles this way. We can improve in so many different dimensions.

I want to improve. I want to get better at what I have learned to do. I want mastery not accidental results. I want to learn to stick it out and make it happen and live the utmost! I don’t merely want to escape what is, if I don’t it. I want to rule what is. Don’y you?

You Are Where Your Thoughts Have Brought You

I have noticed that I am better off and far more happier because things didn’t manifest how or when I had hoped. I have become aware that I am far more delighted and well off because I went through some tough or long times without a quick remedy.

I have learned to be happy without regard to what is going on. Things can be tough or easy and that doesn’t change my happiness. It isn’t acquisition of money, things or people that make me happy but since I am happy I seem to be able to acquire and appreciate those even more. Happiness first is what time has helped me to be.

Time is not the enemy some people think it is. It can be a wonderful and useful friend. Learn to embrace it. Lean to embrace all things and life becomes much more wonderful. Time gives you more opportunities than you can even imagine. Become aware. Seek and you will find them. Meanwhile, celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Have a wonderful day!

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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!

Acceptance, Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Celebration, Confidence, Decision, Energy, Flow, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Living In The Moment, Novelty, Persistence, Positive Thinking

The Secret To Success Few Realize: Actor’s Improv Training

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horizons 1-footprints-phil-koch

“Among other things I am an actor. Since I was three. I love it. As an actor there are many forms of training. Scene work, theater or on camera, commercials, audition, and improv. Believe me, there are many other approaches to this art and craft too. I mention this because there is an important concept I hope you will grasp.

The art of improv means spontaneous, extemporaneous, think on your feet, (comedic as is popularized by clubs  but there is also dramatic improv) acting entertainment. So let’s deal with what most people might know. The improv club. You go, have a few drinks or food and watch people respond to audience requests.

Topics blended together in unique ways, chosen out of a hat, so to speak. Actors then work together to entertain. A rule of improv, an important rule, in order to advance the premise and the scene is to say ‘Yes’ to whatever is offered. Say ‘yes’ and you have forward progress. Say no and the scene stops.

Live Love Laugh Celebrate And Enjoy

A lot of training goes into getting talent to go for the ‘yes’ right out of the gate. It keeps the ball rolling as long as the actors say ‘yes’. This is not uttered verbally, necessarily, while it can be, it is a concept.

A principle for good improv. Whatever is offered you you accept it, say yes to it, and add to it. Steer it. Your partner respond likewise. Together you keep it moving.

I am quote, a wonderful current talent, Tina Fey, who posted, back in 2011 her ‘4 Rules Of Innovation’ from her book ‘Bossypants’. ‘The first rule of improvisation is to AGREE. Saying “no” grinds invention, innovation  (and improv) to a screeching halt.

‘Obviously in real life you’re not always going to agree with what everyone says. But saying YES reminds you to respect what your partner has created and to start from an open-minded place. Start with a YES and see where that takes you.’

Wake Up And Live

‘The second rule of improv is to not only say YES, say YES, AND. In improv, you agree and then add something of your own. If your partner starts with, “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here,” and you just say “Yeah…” the skit has stalled. But if you respond with, “What did you expect? We’re in hell!” things keep moving forward.’

I’ll let you go find the other two rules, but I will nutshell it for you by briefly quoting her again. ‘Whatever the problem be part of the solution.’ and ‘there are no mistakes only opportunities. The next big laugh is around the corner.’  I love this and it fits so well with the philosophy and approaches I have been sharing in my blog.

I was reminded of this listening to friend and Casting Director, and expert, Amy Jo Berman implore actors to get improv training so that when things get switched up on them at an audition; when the sides (pages of script) are changed on them moments prior to going before the casting director, they are prepared, they are skilled, well trained talent and able to say ‘yes’. Nothing throws them!

Be Happy Smile More

I want to thank Tina and Amy for such great insight. I want to thank all those from ancient texts to modern day authors who have said the same thing, forever, in so many inspiring ways.

What we need to do is hear the message and then act on it. This is another reason why repetition is so necessary. Too often we miss what is really important!

As an actor in life we need to accept and affirm what is handed to us. Say ‘yes’ and add to it. Don’t let it stop there. We can steer it, just don’t resist it. Direct the energies in productive ways.

See it all the way through to the conclusion. Let go of preconceived notions of how things should be and go with the flow. Create some flow. Allow it to become better. Attitude is everything. Have fun and learn!

The more you practice these life skills the better you get at it, just as actors do practicing and rehearsing their craft. If you do it, repeat it, again and again, correctly, the logical outgrowth is you get better at it. You develop reliable, habitual skills. You evolve new neural pathways that serve you better.

Yes I Can

‘Start with a yes and see where that takes you’. Get in the habit of affirming life, of co-operating with others. moving forward, and adding value to all.

Keep moving it forward in positive ways. SO when life or someone throws you a curve ball you step in to bat. You aren’t thrown by changes.

Step up to the plate when life switches things up. Go for the run. Say ‘yes’ and move forward. Opportunity exists and the next big one is around the corner. Remember that! Set you attitude right and you can be, do and have anything. Live, love, laugh and say ‘yes’ to life! Celebrate! Rex Sikes

Enjoy each day more than the last!

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!

Attitude, Confidence, Creating The Future, Focus, Friendship, Giving Unconditionally, Law Of Attraction, Overcoming Difficulty, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Relationships, Responsibility, Success

How You Can Help Yourself While Helping Others Through Tough Times

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Horizons colder-weather-phil-koch

“We all face tough times, don’t we?  Life throws us curve balls from time to time. That just is the way it is. Times can be hard. The question is do you rise to meet tough times and see them through or do you buckle, cave and let them triumph over you? How do you meet the tough times you go through?

Napoleon Hill maintained that when the going gets tough your sincerity of purpose will sustain you. I love this because so much of what he wrote about was going the extra mile, adding value to others, helping others and applying the Golden Rule. He stated that these practices will help you make your dreams come true.

When others know that their interests are in your heart they can and do go out of their way for you. You could end up with booking more jobs, getting more clients and customers because you become known for delivering quality above and beyond the call of duty. You get known as someone with integrity and who cares.

It is hard to beat that, especially in this day and age when customer service is hard to come by, profits above people rule the purchase. Wages are low, costs are high. People have been demeaned an devalued. Help them, care for them, go that extra mile, deliver on your promises and then some and you will stand out.

I love another story Hill shared about Henry Ford and a woman named Martha Berry, founder of a Northern Georgia school for poor girls and boys. Their parents were not able to pay to send them to school. Times were tough for Ms. Berry and it was difficult to keep the school afloat.

She managed to book a meeting with mogul Henry Ford and requested a small donation to keep the school running. Ford refused. ‘Well then’, she said, ‘would you give us a bushel of peanuts?’ Apparently, this amused Ford so he honored this request. She and the students planted, harvested  and replanted the peanuts.

They made considerable sums of money. She took the money to Ford to show him how she had increased the return on his investment. Because he was so impressed with her and the students efforts he donated farm equipment and tractors.  He gave enough equipment to keep the self-sustaining school in business.

Over the years he contributed more than a million dollars to the school Ms Berry founded. Though skeptical at first, her strong belief in what she was doing convinced Ford to do what he first had refused to do. By her actions and faith she demonstrated that she was fully engaged in an absolutely worthy endeavor.

An endeavor so worthy that she would never let any obstacle or adversity prevent her from prevailing. She would never give in. Ford stated, ‘I couldn’t help but be impressed with her sincerity and the way she applied it on behalf of the needy boys and girls.’ Ms Berry was one who would not let circumstances rule but one who would rule over circumstances.

She demonstrated sincerity, ingenuity, the ability to take action, persistence, and much more, including her dedication and willingness to help others. Hill commented, ‘You can achieve your own goals in life by proving to others you have a sincere desire to help them. If you do,you won’t have to worry about the lean times. You will have more clients or customers than you can handle.’

I think this is a beautiful and excellent reminder to remember we are all in it together. A rising tide floats the entire boat. Together, we can make wonderful things happen. We can and should help others especially the more powerful we become. It reminds us that what we are on the inside will be reflected in what we create on the outside. From within to without. The good we put out there comes back to us!” Rex Sikes

Make it a marvelous day!

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Attitude, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Definite Chief Purpose, Expectations, Focus, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Visualization

Success Secret: Passive Enthusiasm! What The Heck Is That?

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“One of the giants of the 20th Century was Henry Ford. His vision, ingenuity and determination made him an incredible success. Yet, it has been reported that Henry Ford was terribly shy and lacked charisma. This is wonderful news. If Ford could succeed as lackluster as he was, perhaps, all of us can. So how did he?

Napoleon Hill offered us lots of examples of success because he studied more 500 of the richest and most powerful of his day. He claims that Ford possessed something quite remarkable. He possessed enthusiasm but Ford’s enthusiasm was what Hill calls ‘passive’. His personality was limp but inside he was on fire.

Hill pointed out that if you have a white hot burning desire for your Definite Chief Purpose you can develop effective working enthusiasm. This is what he maintains Ford had. While seemingly passive on the outside his enthusiasm was quite active and dynamic on the inside. I quote Napoleon below.

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

‘When you want something real badly, you make up your mind to get it. You have that burning desire. It steps up your thinking processes. It wakes your imagination so that your imagination goes to work and works all the ways and means for getting the thing you desire.’

‘That enthusiasm gives you a brighter mind. It makes you more alert to opportunities. You see opportunities that you never saw before when your mind is stepped up to that state of enthusiasm for a burning desire for something definite.’

Ford’s enthusiasm was inwardly directed. His enthusiasm was focused on and transmuted into his imagination, his power of faith and his personal initiative.  Ford believed that he could do whatever he wanted to do. So he went and did it or got it done.

Don’t Find A Fault Find A Remedy

He kept his mind sharp and alert with applied faith (the ability to believe fully and take action toward your goal because of that certainty) through his passive enthusiasm. He delighted in thinking about what it was he was going to do and all the joy would get from doing it.

Hill, said he once asked him, after Ford was already greatly successful, if he ever wanted anything or wanted to do anything that he couldn’t do. Ford said, ‘No. Not in the recent years.’ He said when younger, until that time he learned how to get or to do whatever he wanted to do, he couldn’t answer in the affirmative.

Hill then said,  ‘Mr. Ford, are you saying if there is anything that you need or want you can get it?” Ford said, ‘That’s right. I’ve formed the habit of putting my mind on the can-do part of every problem. If I have a problem, there’s always something I can do about it; there are many things I can’t do but something I can do and I start where I can do something.’

Failure Is The Opportunity To Begin Again More Intelligently

Ford added, ‘As I use up the can do part of it, the no can do simply just vanishes. When I get to the river where I expected to have a bridge, I didn’t need the bridge because the river was dry.”

Hill says, ‘People have the greatest asset in the world; an asset sufficient unto all of their needs. That asset consists of the privilege of using their own mind and thinking their own thoughts and directing those own thoughts to whatever objective they choose and yet they don’t do it.’ That is sad and unfortunate.

Yet, Hill says, ‘When people do change the reason they change is that they discovered this great mind power and start using it.’ You and I can use our minds in much more efficient and better ways to live the kind of life we want. We can make our dreams come true.

Obstacles Are What You See If You Take Your Eyes Off The Goal

There is absolutely no reason we can’t or shouldn’t. It is making the best use of your natural resources and learning to develop our talents and abilities. We CAN DO just as Henry Ford did. We can put all of our resourcefulness to work for us. We can develop our inner enthusiasm and our abilities toward productive means and ends.

Ford maintained that whenever anyone gave him a counter opinion or information from the media of his day or they said ‘I hear tell’ that he did not pay any attention to what was said. He maintained that it was because what they were saying might not be accurate.

Once he knew the source, if the source was faulty, then there were chances the statement was faulty. If he wanted to do something he wasn’t discouraged by the experts, or the popular opinions of his day. He wasn’t put off by attempts to discourage him whatever the reasons. He went ahead anyway.

You Can Do Anything If You Have Enthusiasm

If he had a problem he wanted to solve or an objective he wanted to realize, if he wanted to turn out a new model or increase his production, he immediately put his mind to work on the plan to make it happen. He looked for how he could do it and he never paid any attention to the obstacles.

Ford did this because he knew, after years of applying his mind in particular ways to make his plans come true, that his new plan was strong and definite and backed with the right kind of active faith. He was convinced that any opposition he might meet with would melt away. He developed experience using and relying on his mind.

Ford said, ‘The astounding thing is, that if you took that attitude of putting your mind behind the ‘can-do’ part of every problem then the ‘no-can-do’ part takes to it’s heels and runs.’ Hill stated that was true in his experience as well. Turn on the light and darkness flees on its own. You don’t have to push the darkness out.

Anyone Who Stops Learning Is Old Whether Twenty or Eighty

Hill, states, ‘And my experience has been that if you want to do something, you’ll work yourself up into a faith of white hot enthusiasm. Go to work where you stand.’ If it’s nothing more than drawing a picture in your mind of the things you want to do then keep drawing that picture and making it more vivid all the time… That’s one of the strange things of life but that’s the way it works.’

He encouraged all of us to use the mental tools available to us. Happily, we all can. AND we can use all the tools. We just have to begin where we are. Right now. As we are. We can decide to make our lives more of what we want. It begins with the decision. What decision will you make today?” Rex Sikes

Today, make more moments to delight in!

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Attitude, Beliefs, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Focus, Forgiveness, Getting Over The Past, Gratitude, Habit Formation, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Joy, Mental Movie Theater, Mindset, Overcoming Difficulty, Patience, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Improvement, Self Talk, Success, Visualization

What You Need To Know About Negativity And Depression

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“Do you sometimes feel change is hard? Have you felt overwhelmed at times? We all go through it at different points in our life.  Someone who read my blog elsewhere reached out saying ‘great post’ and ‘thanks’. He then described some personal history and how he worked hard to make changes. I thought I’d share my reply.

‘Thanks for speaking out. Yes, I agree there is a way to use doubts fears and negative feelings. The best way is as an alert signal that let’s us know something is amiss with our thinking and that we need to change it.

We need to re-aim it so we think and feel better. So whenever we feel less than glorious that is the body’s way of saying ‘hey change your thinking. stop thinking about what you don’t want and begin to think positive!’

If we were always contented with love and non-critical we would probably never change. Why would we if we are always satisfied. So dissatisfaction has a place too. The trick is learning to be dissatisfied without being cruel to ourselves or others.

To love and nourish, to nurture ourselves when times are good and not so good is important. It has been reported for sometime now, by researchers, that too much right brain activity may be the cause of depressive feelings.

Many artists, of all types, display right brained dominance or that tendency. Happiness is mostly a left brain function. It is literally what we say to our self and how we say it. The words and the tone. The left hemisphere is the seat of our ability to understand and speak language.

How we talk to ourselves is important. Unfortunately, many of us, have made less than glorious self-talk a habit. This does result in feeling less than glorious too. Monitoring and changing what we say is important to be able to change and feel better.

It is is a conditioning process. It requires mental exercise or practice similar to physical exercise or practice. That means replacing a bad chronic habit with a better, more productive habit.That takes effort but it can be done.

It takes consistent effort and dedication. It is simple but not always easy. Similar to exercise you have to do it repeatedly, for long enough, before you begin to see results and then keep doing it to further develop and then maintain the results.

A lot of people don’t realize how truly wonderful they are. They don’t appreciate how strong they are or how much they have already overcome. They should fully appreciate themselves for it.

I believe credit where credit is due. If you make a mistake, own up and at the same time forgive yourself. A mistake is just a mistake. Take it easy. Be gentle and compassionate. Never critical or harsh.

Anyone who suffers or has suffered from negativity and reports on it is already a winner! It means somewhere inside the person there is more than enough resourcefulness to get through it. There is a very strong and resourceful person to make it through the tough times.

This is great when you think about it! EVEN thought times have been incredibly difficult the person has been victorious. I hope that you, and others realize that. When you over come difficult times pat yourself on the back. Give yourself a hug and some praise.

If you attempted to overcome some difficulties but didn’t do so well at the time, give yourself a hug and some praise for trying. Encourage and nurture yourself along. This is very important. Say nice things to yourself. Make this a a habit.

The brain is very adaptable and can and will make changes. It may have wired in some old negative programming, depressive thoughts, anxious or fearful thoughts in the past, but those can be changed. They really can be changed. We don’t have to be held captive by the past or by our conditioning or by our genes.

Science has made some great strides forward. It takes time for the word to disseminate before enough people actually understand what the updates are. Research in neuroscience actually does point out that it is really true.

If you choose to think different thoughts, positive thoughts, even though it may seem tough, it is a choice you can make and force if you have to, it will make a large positive difference in time.You must do it again and again, by sheer force if necessary, as much as you can.

Think happy, positive, optimistic changes and you will re-wire the brain for more happiness. The brain is adaptable and responsive to this. Think happy thoughts speak happy thoughts. The reason most people don’t is because can be tough, or at least seems like it is.

Your brain can be re-wired! Talk to yourself nicely, all the time, that is the major way to start. Create nice supportive, positive self-talk and enjoy and celebrate everything. You have been victorious through difficult times.

As someone who is a victor, you can continue to move forward. While difficult at first it can get easier through time if you know what to do and then actually do it. People need to know that it IS possible to learn the knack of transforming less than glorious times more easily than they might think.

You have already done it. Be sure to take inventory of your talents, skills, abilities and resourcefulness in doing this. Appreciate yourself for accomplishing this. Add to it if you wish but know that you proven to yourself that YOU are able. I think that is marvelous.

Thanks for commenting and all the best wishes! Stay in touch if you like.'” Rex Sikes

Enjoy 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!