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Acceptance, Affirmations, Celebration, Creating The Future, Focus, Goals, Gratitude, Habit Formation, Healthy Choices, Laughter, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Smiling, Visualization

How To Eliminate Stress, Get Your Goals, And Live Well In New Year

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“Holidays and post holiday can be a time of joy and a time of stress. Preparations and wanting everything perfect can add pressures where you hope none would exist. The New Year brings pressure as people try to keep resolutions they have made.

To avoid stress and burn out let it all go. Decide to enjoy it for whatever it is. It doesn’t have to be perfect. What is perfect is you have the opportunity to gather with friends and family. Make relationships your priority, not events.

Make Your Relationships Your Priority – Enjoy The Love  

As for resolutions, make one main resolution you intend to keep. Focus on that one. If you make a list of everything you want to change it may be too much at one time. Begin with one you really want and you will commit to. That will reduce stress and more likely ensure your success.

One goal at a time. You can set multiple goals but take care of them one by one. Don’t try to do them all at once. It is easier and much more manageable this way. You are more likely to stay committed the easier you make it. You can combine a few into one. For example, you want to get healthier. Wrap a few changes into one change.

Decide on a reasonable gym or exercise schedule you can keep. Proceed slowly. Take a few days a just walk the track. Water walk in the pool for a week. Sauna or steam. Ease into it. Don’t rush in and pound the weights. Build up to it. It is better to spend 20 minute working out and build to an hour than staring big first and quitting.

The New Year Brings Opportunity To Begin New And Fresh

You can decide you want to eat healthier, too. Choose what you will eat over what you won’t eat. You can eliminate but take it easy. Commit to eating an extra serving of fruit and vegetables, or drinking an extra bottle or two of water. Go to bed a half hour earlier if you want more rest. Tiny changes add up!

Do this for a month or more. Success breeds success. If you take it bit by bit and ease into it gently you gather up wins. The more you win and feel good the more likely you will continue. As you win at this and make it a habit you can begin on something else. Work that new goal the same way.

Learn to let go of stress. Take time for yourself. Even five minutes at a time, to close your eyes, let go, imagine pleasant moments, and breath deeply can work wonders. Take some deep breaths. Learn how to breath properly. Take up some mild form of meditation. Little snatched relaxing moments through the day can de-stress MUCH!

Drop By Drop The Tub Fills

Take small amounts of time. That IS easier than committing to hours. Drop by drop the tub fills. Inch by inch, step by step you get there. Perhaps, not as quick but you are more likely to get there slow and steady than if you rush, do too much and burn out. Slow and steady wins the race. Remember, the tortoise won!

Read more. Reduce TV and computer time. Spend less social media and news time. Go for walks. Drink more water. Rest more frequently. Take baths. Get some massages. When weather permits walk barefoot as much as possible. Enjoy the earth, contact it. Lie on the ground. Picnic. Get some fresh air. Get the right amount of sun.

Limit exposure to toxins in food, drink, and air. Stop putting bad chemicals on your body in soaps, shampoos, perfumes, and make-up. Get organic or chemical free. Try scent free detergents, etc. Go a bit more natural and organic. Limit cell phone use, texting, emails etc.

Go More Natural Its Okay To Be Human

You may not give up everything at once. In fact, don’t! I don’t want you to try it all at once. Simply, bit by bit claim your life, your time, your space and your health back. Let go of that which is not important. Again, meditation can be great for learning to let go. Spend time with friends, family, children, and pets. Have fun.

Make being alive and enjoying your relationships and each day a priority. Smile more, laugh more, sing and dance more. Look for the positive and think positive. Fill your mind with positive inspirational messages by reading and listening. Practice gratefulness each day by counting your blessings and feeling thankful!

Go to educational seminars and events. Enjoy church or temple or similar supportive social gatherings. Hang out with happy, optimistic people. Make new friends. Help others in need, those you know and strangers. Give more and become a good receiver, too. Little by little you can reduce stress and increase enjoyment.

Practice Singular Focus And Gratitude

Stay focused on one change at a time you will accomplish more. You will accomplish much more over time than you could ever imagine. Stop multi-tasking and use singular focus. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Have fun making changes and letting go. The effects are cumulative and you will be surprised and delighted. Enjoy and celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

Make your moments marvelous!

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Act As If, Affirmations, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Definite Chief Purpose, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Energy, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Mental Movie Theater, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice, Responsibility, Self Talk, Visualization

How To Believe In Yourself To Get What You Desire

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horizons all-the-dreams-i-used-to-know-phil-koch

“It’s the new year and you want to start off everything the right way, don’t you? You’d like to keep your resolutions, hit your goals and make you dreams come true, right? You want this year to be better than last year, even if last year was good, because you always want to make things better. Isn’t that true? Are you willing to learn how?

It takes two things to be able get anything you want in life? That is it! Two things. If you have the two things you can make almost anything happen, within reason. What does within reason mean? Most likely, you won’t be able to fly without some other form of assistance. Get it. It is reasonable to assume this.

Napoleon Hill said these two necessary ingredients were desire. A white hot burning desire for your goal. You must want it more than anything else. It must dominate your mind day and night. It should occupy your thoughts. In previous posts I’ve discussed this using his example of Edwin C. Barnes and Thomas A. Edison.

You Can Be, Do And Have Anything You Fully Desire

The second ingredient is faith. Most of us think religion when we hear or read the word faith. That is not what Napoleon Hill meant. He define faith as an unwavering belief in oneself to be able to do anything positive to make their desired positive goal happen. It is a complete conviction that results in absolutely knowing you can do it.

Most religions and other thought leaders tell people to ‘have faith,’ that is is important. No one ever said ‘how’ to have faith. Hill says this about that. ‘ FAITH is a state of mind which may be induced, or created, by affirmation or repeated instructions to the subconscious mind, through the principle of auto-suggestion.’

Again, we come back to affirmations, self-talk, and visualization. We can acquire the faith necessary to make our dreams come true by repeatedly affirming what we want. We instruct the subconscious mind by talking to ourselves in an positive and emotionally charged way. ‘Through the principle of auto-suggestion.’

Instruct Your Subconscious Mind – Direct It – Take Charge

We instruct the subconscious by imaging what we want as though it has already occurred for us. We presently enjoy in our mental movie theater of our mind that which we want to happen, by seeing it and feeling it as if it already has. We do these things repeatedly day and night because of our desire.

Faith and desire motivate us to make happen what we want. Not from desperation but from dedication! We manufacture what is necessary by how we use our mind repeatedly day in and day out. The truth is most people don’t use their minds well. They are lazy and lazy won’t cut it. That is why few people get what they want.

Autosuggestion is always going on! THAT IS WHY it is called AUTO – suggestion . It is automatically occurring! We are instructing the subconscious mind through our repeated thoughts, positive or negative. This is an ongoing process from which there is NO escape. We CAN direct it once we take charge of the process but we cannot stop it. It is to our benefit to learn how to direct and control it!

That Which We Think Most Of, Most Of The Time Controls Us

The reason so few people get what they want is because of the mix of positive and negative thoughts that influence them. They believe but they doubt too. They want it but they fear and worry. Our lives, our results are a result of the preponderance of thoughts we think. That which we think most of, most of the time controls us. Hill says.

‘Every man is what he is, because of the DOMINATING THOUGHTS which he permits to occupy his mind. Thoughts which a man deliberately places in his own mind, and encourages with sympathy, and with which he mixes any one or more of the emotions, constitute the motivating forces, which direct and control his every movement, act, and deed!’

‘…through experiment and practice, acquire the ability to mix FAITH with any order given to the subconscious mind. Perfection will come through practice. It cannot come by merely reading instructions.’  Quotes are from THINK AND GROW RICH.

Use Auto-suggestion Instead Of Auto-Suggestion Using You

We will continue to discuss faith in future posts. I like Napoleon. He speaks what others have spoke through time, but he cuts to the chase. He says it succinctly. If we can conceive it, and we really, absolutely must have it, and we fully and completely believe in ourselves and that we will have it, then we can accomplish it.

Plus, he instructs us in how we can begin to want it and believe it so that we can achieve it. It does not come from reading about it but by doing mental exercises night and day. We get it from how we direct our mind and what we occupy our mind with. We make it happen by taking control of our thoughts and directing them to the outcome!

Truly, we are able to think and grow rich, or happy or have anything we want when we aim our mind with laser like precision towards the target of our desire. When we know what we want because we have defined it and we want it above and beyond anything else, and we do the positive good that is necessary to make it happen – we can be, do and have anything! That is the outcome!” Rex Sikes

Celebrate everything!

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It’s A New Year! Life Plans Change. So What? Do This

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“What do you do when life throws your a curve ball? Something happens other than what you hoped for. Everything gets shaken up a bit. You have an opportunity to go with the changes or try to fight to keep the old way from slipping away. What do you do? You can react or respond to whatever is happening.

It was New Year’s Eve and I was to dinner party with dear friends. I purchased a nice bottle of wine and some expensive cheese to bring. I was looking forward to the evening with fine people. I prepared, got ready and went out the door. The evening cold, in the 20s. F

I got about 2 blocks from the house and noticed the car ride a bit strange. I stopped, got out, but since it was dark I couldn’t see behind the headlights. I felt the passenger side front tire and it was pretty pancaked. I had a flat. Luckily, there is a service station another couple blocks.

Sometimes Things Don’t Go As Planned

If I can get there without slicing up the tire, great. I can purchase a can of ‘fix a flat’ hope that works and fill the tire with air and be on my way. I get there and park near the air pump. I go in to borrow a tire gauge and get the can of tire foam. These station doesn’t sell anything like that, I am told. WOW! Well okay, I actually have one in my car.

BUT it is too cold to use. I try but nothing will come out. So I go for the air. Nope, the pins don’t line up and the air won’t go in. My hands at this point are becoming numb. A guy, in a truck, pulls up, asks me what’s wrong. Turns out he overheard me while in the station trying to secure a warm can of ‘fix a flat’. He throws a spot on.

He tries to put air in the tire too. Nope, it is not going in. My hands hurt. He says, ‘why not leave it here. It is open 24 hours. I’ll give you a lift home.’ I move the car, grab the wine, but drop it, it shatters. Grab the cheese and go in to return the gage. Turns out I can keep the car there but not where I parked it. So I move it.

Do You React Or Respond

I get in Kevin’s truck. I asked his name, told him mine, we shook hands. ‘Do you like cheese?’ I asked the odd ball question. ‘Here is some nice cheese’. And I put it on his console. He drove me home. I said thanks and Happy New Year. Entered the house. Called my daughter, wished her a nice evening and hunkered down.

New Years Day, I have a date with a tow truck. Hopefully, I can get the tire fixed or replaced. I could have called a tow truck, put on spare and traveled on, but really didn’t want to spend time waiting in a gas station. I could have. Home was more comfortable. I called my friends, told my host the news, apologized, and enjoyed some time alone.

What IS is. What to do about it? I was pleased none of this ruffled my feathers. Years back, I would not have been so even about it. I would have reacted poorly. Now, this time, it was different. More how I would hope it to be. Still, I did nothing special other than accept what was going on. I simply responded to what was happening.

Do You Like Cheese

I was quickly able to realize this is what IS. There is no reason to fight it or be dismayed. No reason to curse or swear or get upset because things went differently than anticipated. Maybe something good will come of this I can’t yet see. Who knows? Maybe maybe not.

My practice of surrender on the roadway seems to be paying off. You can find it within this blog in other posts of mine. I have mentioned it before.  BUT in a nutshell here it is:

I have a theory that the best modern day opportunity to learn surrender and ‘going with the flow’ is in traffic. If anything presses our buttons it is getting stuck, a’hole drivers going to fast or riding our ass. Stupid slow drivers who can’t move fast enough or turn and get out of our way. Yup, traffic is a great place to let it all go.

Some may be tempted to think, ‘well that NYE thingee really is all that big of deal’ and no it wasn’t. Rehearse and practice acceptance with little things, and you can inch your way up to bigger things. Practice letting go and accepting what is in traffic, and in everyday life.  Ultimately you build a habit of learning to respond.

Life Is Ultimately What You Make It

Fewer things will get us. We freak out less. We increase our batting average but we may never be perfect. OR maybe we will, who knows. It is pretty much going to be up to what we believe it will be like. Our expectations shape our reality. Life seems to be about learning and evolving. We learn to evolve to let go and enjoy more!

So, I watched some TV, read a little. I was going to open a bottle of wine and pour a glass but I didn’t. Soon, I fell asleep, just nodded off. New Year’s Eve came and went. I must have needed the rest. I woke at 2:39 am and realized I had yet to write my blog. Well, this is it. Happy New Year Everyone!!!

If you can’t change it don’t fight it. Accept it. There is something else available for you when you allow for it. I had a pleasant, uneventful evening at home. The year changed over and now wonderful new opportunities exist. They always exist! Opportunity is there when you need it. As are good samaritan’s, frequently. Thanks Kevin!” Rex Sikes

It is a new day! Celebrate!

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Affirmations, Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Decision, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Habit Formation, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Paradigms, Positive Thinking, Responsibility

Whatever You Want Is Just A Thought Away!

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“Whatever you want is just a thought away. Thoughts precede actions. Thoughts become things. Thoughts are the ideas which become reality. Whatever you want begins with a thought. It doesn’t begin any other way. I repeat, It doesn’t begin any other way!

It doesn’t begin with hard work. It doesn’t begin with hopes or wishes. It begins with your thinking. The issue for most people is that they don’t think it. Oh, they ‘think’ they do. They ‘believe’ they do but they actually don’t. Nope, they simply don’t! They DO NOT.

They may claim they do. What they ACTUALLY do is say the thought to themselves without feeling it. There is no emotion behind it. No conviction. They merely utter it but don’t accept or believe it. They doubt it. They think it and then think, ‘nah that won’t happen.’ They doubt, fear, or worry more than they think it is possible.

They Merely Utter It But Don’t Accept Or Believe It

They come up with all the reasons why it won’t happen. They come up with all the reasons why they won’t think it. They don’t want to be disappointed if it doesn’t work. THAT is NOT THINKING THE THOUGHT!!!! That is thinking everything BUT the thought. That is entertaining a passing fancy. That is ‘lip service’.

THAT is NOT thinking the thought! That is thinking everything BUT the thought!  We become what we think about most of the day. They utter a thought and then spend most of their time either thinking it won’t ever happen or thinking other things. They don’t spend time thinking that thought. Instead, they are distracted. The thought never becomes a predominant idea. It has no power, no legs.

THAT is not using your mind well. That is not thinking the thought. That is a passing fancy which is dismissed for numerous other reasons OR it is considered and then lost among countless other considerations. The issue is most people don’t THINK. Most people don’t know how to think. Heck, we were never taught how to.

We Are Influenced By The Predominant Thoughts We Hold

Sadly, most people, thinking mostly the same chronic, habitual thoughts today that they thought yesterday, ‘think’ they are thinking. They aren’t! They are merely playing old tapes inside their head; old programming. Old worn out, negative, limited programming, for the most part, is what they are doing. It is not new, powerful thought. They aren’t thinking new thoughts.

It is mostly the same stuff you have thought again and again. If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got. If you want to your life to change you have to change things in your life. You can’t do the same thing over and over and expect different results BUT this is what most do! Admit it, I do too!

If you conceive of it and you believe it you can make it happen. Will it magically appear, I doubt it. Still, I am not saying it won’t. Others can do that. I suspect YOU actually have to create it. Sadly, though you most likely never will unless you think you absolutely will in the first place. You have to conceive of a new reality FIRST in order to behave in that reality.

Thoughts Are Things

‘Whatever you want is a thought away’ IS an accurate statement. If you don’t think what you want is that close, well then it most likely isn’t. You declare it. You assert it. You determine what it and your future will be like. You create your present. Most people just won’t acknowledge that this is what we do. You and I create our reality!

Reality is of our own making. Reality is of your own making. You think and your reality is a reflection of what goes on inside your head AND what doesn’t. Results in the real world are YOUR doing. Most people just won’t willingly shoulder the responsibility for what they have or don’t and where they are at.

They want to blame it on others because it is easier and it let’s them off the hook. Most were brought up believing it was someone else’s fault anyway so it is nearly natural they would think that. The fact of the matter is YOUR thinking is absolutely powerful. Your life conditions are a reflection of what thoughts you have thought.

If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me

You CAN absolutely BE and DO and HAVE anything you want WHEN you absolutely THINK YOU CAN. Become a CAN DO person. Discover your creative power to make things happen. Take charge, be in control. Your destiny is in your own hands, between your ears, within your being. MAKE IT WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t YOU ARE RIGHT!!!” Rex Sikes

Enjoy today!

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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Sometimes It Is Better To Inch Your Way Along

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horizons by-the-light-of-a-new-day-phil-koch

“Everyone needs to rest. It can’t be all work and no play. You want to make sure you have fun too while you pursue your goals. You want to enjoy what you are doing or you won’t do it for very long. You need rest too. You need to replenish. Chill and relax. Nurture yourself! Take good care of yourself.

Sometime, people effort too much. You see it every new year. People make all sorts of resolutions. They rush to the gyms. They buy equipment. Then they over do until they eventually quit. Better to do less and continue than try to do too much and quit early.

Have Fun – Get Rest- Nourish Yourself – Enjoy Everything

Still, every year lots of people will abandon their goals because making changes takes too much time or effort. These people often don’t figure out the easy way to make new changes fit into their already busy lives. Don’t fall into this trap.

Ease your way along. Instead of going for the overhaul go for the upgrade. To inch your way to you destination is better than to go fast right away and run out of gas. You eat an elephant bite by bite. Drop by drop fills the tub. Be consistent and persistent and you will get there. Allow yourself to enjoy it all as you journey along.

Small Steps Consistently Taken Will Get You There

The same principle applies whenever you discover yourself feeling down and out or thinking less than glorious thoughts. Learn to switch from the less than glorious to the glorious whenever you notice you aren’t feeling so good. This is when you become aware that something is off.

Realize and remember the less than glorious feelings ARE the signal that something is off. The way you correct it IS to switch from thinking negative to thinking more positive thoughts. The less than glorious feelings are the alert signal to get YOUR OWN attention.

Use Your Body’s Alert Signal System To Make Positive Changes

When your thinking isn’t productive your body responds with less than good feelings. Once you notice this  it is THE time to begin the change. It is up to you to do whatever positive things you need to to feel better.

Work your way up the ladder of good feelings and thinking. Inch yourself into feeling better bit by bit. You may not be able to leap from feeling down to feeling bliss. So do little things that make you feel better bit by bit. Walk, read, rest, get a massage, talk with a friend. These will help you change your thoughts and feelings!

Better To Do A Little Something Than A Lot Of Nothing

Spend time with family, kids, help someone else, enjoy a pet. Smile more. Affirm. Ask yourself positive questions. Pay attention to what is good, what feels good, what is new that you haven’t noticed before. Look for things to be grateful about. Meditate and let go.

Eventually, you will begin feel better. Steer your thinking to more positive thoughts and you will feel more positive. Continue these practices until you are once again able to hold your positive dreams in your mind and  feel wonderful.

Take Control – Captain Your Ship – Steer Yourself There

Inch your way up. Step by step until you feel wonderful. If you do this every time you feel down or negative you will create a new habit for feeling better. You will be create new neural pathways or mental routes. It is incredibly valuable for you you take charge and initiate the change when you notice something is off!

Ultimately, you learn that you are able to direct your thoughts and feelings productively. You discover that you are in charge more of the time. As you become aware of this, more and more life improves all along the way. You will have created some really useful positive habits and changes. So celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes

There is plenty to enjoy today! Can you find it?

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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!

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!

Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Beliefs, Confidence, Creating The Future, Definite Chief Purpose, Expectations, Faith, Focus, Goals, Intentional Thinking, Mental Movie Theater, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Rehearsal And Practice, Relaxation, Responsibility, Self Improvement, Self Talk, Visualization

How To Take Advantage Of Opportunity And Succeed

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“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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“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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Horizons photo used with permission of Phil Koch.

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Attitude, Autosuggestion, Beliefs, Blessings, Creating The Future, Decision, Definite Chief Purpose, Deliberate Creators, Faith, Focus, Habit Formation, Happiness, Intentional Thinking, Mindset, Persistence, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Success

There Is A Magic Ingredient That Makes All Of Life Better

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“Did you know there is something that determines your happiness, your success, your victories more than anything else. It is the ‘magic’ ingredient! I bet you already know what it is.

It is your attitude! You say, ‘Really, attitude? Well, of course, I already knew this.’  See, I knew you’d think something like that.

Your attitude is comprised of your beliefs and what you think is important, your values. It is your mindset. You (and I) aren’t born with attitude. You develop it. You can change it. You can make it serve you OR you can serve it.

Whether IT serves you or YOU serve it is critical. If you have a poor attitude you are the servant. If your attitude is right, IT serves you. You have heard of a ‘winning’ or ‘winner’s attitude’.

Your Attitude Determines Your Circumstances

If you have a poor attitude know this: YOU are not stuck with THAT attitude. You can change it to better serve you. Your attitude is your chronic, habitual thinking patterns. It is your OLD reliable thoughts.

If these suck, you need to replace this old habit with a new and better, more productive, thinking habit. It takes a little time and effort true, but it is far simpler than you might believe. AND what you believe is JUST THAT. It is what YOU believe.

‘A happy person is not a person with a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.’ Hugh Downs. We tend to think happiness comes by having the right people, things or circumstances in our lives. It doesn’t. It IS the other way around.

Your attitude determines whether you find the world a friendly and inviting place or not. Your attitude determines your circumstances and how you navigate them more than anything else. Your thoughts create your reality. YOUR THOUGHTS create YOUR REALITY!

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude

‘Your attitude determines your altitude.’ This last statement is a quote sometimes attributed to Zig Ziglar. There is a slightly longer version.

‘Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude.’ Said another way, ‘Your success is determined by how much you desire it and not by your talents.’ This is very close to what I think Napoleon Hill says. I paraphrase below:

You must have a Definite Chief Purpose. You must know what you want. You must want to achieve it with all your heart. You must be passionate about it. You must want it with a white hot burning desire.

You must have complete faith in yourself. You must believe you will achieve it in spite of any obstacle or negative circumstances. You must keep going and persist, until you do. Stick with it! Make it happen!

Your Attitude Determines Your Experience Of The World

‘Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and come to believe, it can achieve.’ Napoleon Hill. Everything first originates as a thought or an idea. That is why he said you can THINK and grow rich. Riches originate within. Riches, happiness, success, health begin in the mind.

Your thought, your mindset or attitude, is critical to your success and happiness. What you think determines how far you will go. Henry Ford said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t you are right!’ I say, never let a thought stop you from a positive good!

Thoughts are powerful. Thoughts become things. Still, when all is said and done, it is, after all, just a thought. A mental packet of energy. YOU chose what YOUR thoughts WILL BE! Make ALL your thoughts SERVE YOU instead of you serving them!

‘He rarely hits the mark or wins the game, who says, I know I’ll miss while taking aim.’ Allan Guiterman. You must already know this. If you don’t think you will you RARELY will. You are less apt to succeed if you think you are going to fail. Think YOU will WIN!

Your Attitude Determines What You Make Happen

Another Guiterman quote. ‘What one approves, another scorns, And thus his nature each discloses. You find the rosebush full of thorns, I find the thornbush full of roses.’ I’ve discussed it in these blog pages many times. Your mindset or attitude determines what you find.

Out brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) looks for proof in the world for what we already believd. It looks for a match. It has no vested interest in what that is. If you think negatively it will find that as much as if you think positively. It doesn’t care BUT you should.

You are so much more likely to succeed and have what you want when you take charge of your attitude. When you take control of your thoughts and feelings. When you decide you are going to make things happen you will.

If you decide the world is friendly and you can be, do and have anything you want your RAS will look and find that evidence for you. That is what it is designed to do.

Your Attitude Determines Whether You Win Or Lose

Hill stated, anything you turn over to your subconscious mind by emotionally charge repetition, you subconscious will work to make reality. This is already working for you and I.

We can’t escape it. We can only aim it. We are either predominantly positive or predominantly negative in our thinking. What we think most and how we think most of the time, determines the kind results we get back. We get either positive or negative results.

If you wait for ‘magic’ to happen or for things to come to you on their own, you might just wait all your life. The time is NOW to fashion and craft the winning attitude that carries you across the finish line. ‘If IT is to BE IT is up to ME!’ William Johnsen. You decide!

Your Positive Attitude Can Make Everything Much Better

Everything changes for the better when you change your attitude for the better. All of your life will transform. If you begin to believe this is possible THEN it IS possible. Make it happen!

If you don’t believe it, for you, it won’t be possible. You determine the outcome by what you choose to believe. That is how it works. It is always a choice whether you recognize it as one or not. Choose!Take responsibility, take charge.

Put yourself in the driver’s seat. Take control. Don’t wait for others or circumstances to be right, create the circumstances. It is time to be the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. It begins with your thoughts! It ALL begins with your attitude! Remember, ‘Your attitude determines you altitude!” Rex Sikes

Make the most of your 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.

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!

Act As If, Affirmations, Attitude, Beliefs, Celebration, Creating The Future, Decision, Deliberate Creators, Emotions, Focus, Get Rich, Goals, Gratitude, Intentional Thinking, Law Of Attraction, Mindset, Positive Thinking, Responsibility, Self Talk, Visualization

How To Have Everything You Want: What You Need To Stop And Start Doing

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“There are people who want to read and learn and get the right information to make a change. The read and study and do seminars and phone calls, but when it comes down to it they are info junkies. I know this because I am one of them.

I never thought I was but I am. I am addicted to info. I want the next book that will tell me what I need to know and do to evolve myself and my skills further. I want to read. So I buy lots of books. Videos and Cds too. I have so many! I’ve watched The Secret a dozen times.

I buy more books than I can ever read. So many are still waiting from decades ago while I buy the next new one I think I need. I used to buy record albums based on the cover art. YOU should never do that if you actually like music. I have spent a fortune on self help books.

I see it I want it. BUT I don’t actually want to do it. I want to learn about it not implement it. I want to read about healthy eating more than eating healthy. OH, I know I should eat a certain way because I have read everything about nutrition, and health, and diet, and… but geez those cupcakes look good.

Okay, I’ll eat a bag full of organic, gluten free, cookies or chips in a single sitting with a natural soda or juice. I want the body to be sculpted like Schwarzenegger’s only I don’t want to do what is required. I know I could visualize 68 seconds each day, or five minutes on my goals but I don’t. I don’t even really do affirmations.

If You Want Your Life To Change You Have To Change Things In Your Life

Most of my day is spent dealing with difficulties at work or at home. It seems there is an endless parade of distractions and issues that keep me occupied until I fall into bed at night exhausted. They call this the good life, right. It is trouble just making ends meet. Bills, bills, bills, you know. Death and taxes.

I could write in my manifestation journal everyday but instead I read about writing in the journal and about all the people who have made things happen. Then I sit and wonder why things aren’t happening quick enough. This LOA stuff just doesn’t work. I blame everyone and everyone else around me for my difficulties.

Tough making thing happen. I always believed that. Mom was right when she said ‘not everyone can be rich.’ I always thought some people were lucky but I never was. WOW, can you believe some of these silver spooners who have everything. Lucky bastards for sure!

I don’t know why things suck so much and nothing really ever works out for me how I hoped. It really bothers me to have lived this long and got so little… there is a webinar I plan to do this week that is supposed to get me all my dreams and show me how to turn on my magic attractor button. Can’t wait.

What You Say Is What You Get

Does this sound familiar? Do you do any of this? If so stop it! Stop it right now and take control of your thinking and your life. You dreams could be right around the corner. They might be here right now but you push them off by not doing what you can be doing now to make them happen.

Now is the time! Right here is the place! You begin from wherever you are with whatever you do or do not have. You no longer wait, you stop procrastinating, you stop seeking another ‘key to the future’ and you work right now with what you have.

See your goals as already having happened. Affirm the same. Describe them as completed and you are living your dreams. Describe the feelings! Feel the wonderful feelings as you do. Yes, write it in a journal a bit each day. Celebrate and be grateful.

What You See Is What You Get

Visualize for a few moments each day. Affirm while driving! USE your day to DO THE WORK and you will THINK and Grow Richer! Or spend the rest of your life complaining and seeking. The choice is yours. Monitor your feelings, control your thoughts and self-talk. Speak only to bless, heal and prosper. Spend your time creating!

Decide, right now, in this instant, how you want the rest of your life to be! To do nothing is a decision. Stop tolerating and start living your dreams. You can be, do and have anything you want BUT there are some things YOU MUST ACTUALLY DO. If you want your life to change YOU MUST change some things in your life! Don’t wait! Go for it Now! ” Rex Sikes

Make today your 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.

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!