• Choosing The Best Development Goals

    pexels-photo-396159.jpegOne of the best contributions we can make to ourselves and our family is to become better people. To attain this, we need development goals. These development goals will determine who you will become next year, in ten years, and for life.

    Development goals are a way of developing new skills, raising our awareness, broadening our understanding and maturing of our body, mind and soul. Our personal commitment to growth is the driving force behind the setting of development goals.

    Through development goals you will be able to identify your weaknesses, your short-comings, and character defects and how you are going to improve them.

    There is no denying that the world we live in is becoming increasingly sophisticated. There is a global market place with fierce competition. We need to be able to add new skills on an ongoing basis. We need to become flexible, able to adapt to new ideas and challenges. In order to succeed we need to embrace change and accept the challenges that it brings.

    Desirable skills are moving from traditional technical abilities to personal abilities, which is where the principles of personal development and success come in. The ability to set and achieve goals, coupled with discipline and perseverance will be required to succeed in the future.

    Even the relationships we have are becoming more demanding. This is because our relationships have become more complex. We all struggle with a variety of problems from day one. Whether it is in our relationships, businesses, finances, or health, we all have problems. One solution is to raise our level of awareness, to grow beyond our present situation, and have a definite goal of what we want to achieve in all these factors.

    Set your own goals. This will pave the way to a successful personal growth plan.

    Do you have a detailed set of goals for your life? There are a lot of people in certain businesses that are continually challenging themselves with motivation, success and personal development or else they just will not last.

    If your friends and family tell you to take the easy road, do not listen to them. If you have already set your goal, continue on. Know that you are in a select group for very few people have ever made that first step forward.

    People have a tendency to continue doing the same things over and over again. There is always that thought that everything is good enough. In the end, things will become redundant. We have to keep growing with the changing world and continue developing to become better than we already are. This is the role that our goals will play.

    It is very important to remember that goals are not static. As our circumstances change, without doubt our goals will also need to change. It is important to remember that when your circumstances change, review and, when necessary, adapt your goals. The first rule of development goals is to complete the goals you set for yourself.

  • The Power of Intention

    pexels-photo-346764.jpegIt’s time to change the way we think and speak about our dreams. Transforming a conversation, just like manifesting a dream, begins by setting an intention. Your intentions will assist you in taking greater control of your life.

    A working definition for intention is: “to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind, to aim”. Lacking intention, we sometimes stray without meaning or direction. But with it, all the forces of the universe can align to make even the most impossible, possible. My intention is to transform the conversation around dreams from fear and doubt, to hope and possibility, followed by action and results.

    Some might say this is not the right time to dream. The media and masses say, “It’s time to be realistic.” Consider this. Without our dreams all we have is our present reality. Reality is not a bad thing. We have to know where we are so we can design the appropriate strategy for getting to where we want to be. The challenge is our attitude around “reality” and being “realistic” and what being realistic has cost us. Often that’s our passion and joy, our hopes and dreams.

    Given the unknowns and sometimes craziness of life, there’s never been a more important time to dream and setting your intention is the first step. When should you set an intention? You could set an intention every day. Your intention could be to work less and make more, or to find a new career that you are passionate about. It could be to get healthy and physically fit, or to spend more quality time with loved ones or alone. It can be specific and about something in particular or more like a quality, such as to be more relaxed or involved with life.

    At seventy, Bessie set an intention to become a world famous photographer. Although many thought she was too old, she didn’t. She entered a photo contest where she won the first prize of $10,000. Her prize-winning photo toured around the world with a Kodak exhibit. She told me, “We’re never too old to make a dream come true.”

    People set intentions on all kinds of dreams; to get married or have children, to get a job or make a career change, to write a book, lose weight, or move to a foreign country. When you set an intention and then act on it to demonstrate your commitment, amazing things occur. Intention can also give us fortitude for dealing with tough times.

    I am currently rebuilding my home. I simply wanted to add on a new bathroom, but with all the surprises an old (and charming) house can offer, every turn has been a shock, sometimes even a nightmare. It looks like the entire building may need to be rebuilt. My intention is to live through this process with dignity and grace. I am tested daily. It’s often not easy, but this intention has helped me maintain composure, sanity, and on a good day, a sense of humor. Intention can be used for community or social issues, global events or (literally) in your own backyard.

    For example:

    Before you get out of bed, you can intend to have a fun or productive day.

    Before you leave the house, you can intend to have quality time with your family or roommate.

    Before you start your car, you can intend to have a safe ride to work.

    Before you enter your workplace, you can intend to learn something new or be helpful.

    Before the meeting begins, you can intend to be brilliant or calm.

    First Steps:

    1. Get clear about something you want and write it down.

    2. Share your intention with someone in a way that will supportively hold you accountable to taking action.

    3. Do something today to demonstrate your commitment to your intention.

    4. Acknowledge that you did what you said you would and then, take the next step.

    By setting an intention, you make it clear to yourself and others, just what you plan to do. Set an intention to redefine what it means to be serious about your dreams.

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  • [Valentine’s Special] What Does Love Mean?

    pexels-photo-264109.jpegA group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds: “What does love mean?”

    The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think…

    _____

    “When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”

    Rebecca – age 8

    _____

    “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.”

    Billy – age 4

    _____

    “Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.”

    Terri – age 4

    _____

    “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.”

    Danny – age 7

    _____

    “Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.”

    Emily – age 8

    _____

    “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”

    Bobby – age 7 (Wow!)

    _____

    “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.”

    Nikka – age 6
    (we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)

    _____

    “Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.”

    Noelle – age 7

    _____

    “Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.”

    Tommy – age 6

    _____

    “During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.

    He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.”

    Cindy – age 8

    _____

    “Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.”

    Elaine – age 5

    _____

    “Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.”

    Chris – age 7

    _____

    “Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”

    Mary Ann – age 4

    _____

    “I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” (Now THIS is love!)

    Lauren – age 4

    _____

    “When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” (what an image!)

    Karen – age 7

    _____

    “Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.”

    Mark – age 6

    _____

    “You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”

    Jessica – age 8

    _____

    And the final one…

    Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

    The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

    Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

    When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

    “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”

    Spread love this Valentine.

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

  • The Power of Storytelling

    pexels-photo-448835.jpegEach and every day as we are building our businesses, we all know the key to a successful presentation is a product being sold to the end-line consumer and/or sponsoring a new person. In an upcoming issue, I am going to write about the difference between making a sale and having customer loyalty in the sales process. In the sales process, you are fighting many different types of animals. For most of us who are in direct sales, you have 45 minutes to present a product/business concept and make a person believe in you, your product, and more importantly have them make a decision that they want what you are offering.

    When you are presenting the business, it is very easy for you to get very factual and completely lose the interest of your prospect. When you tell a story about the success of someone who is using the product or have a person give a live testimonial about how much they love being a distributor, you will keep the interest of new people who are listening for the first time.

    For most of us, the first time in our lives that we were ever presented with the concept of a live audience was back in kindergarten when we played “show and tell”. Everyone was always interested in what you were saying because you were simply telling a story. We have all heard of the famous K.I.S.S. rule: Keep It Simple Stupid. When presenting your business or product, the key play is to tell a story and keep it simple. Everyone can relate to the grandmother, who can talk about their grandchild as the most beautiful, precious child in the world. She will make you feel as if her grandchild would be such a gift to own as your own. You need to take that same simplicity and utilize it during your presentation and create the same result – ownership of your product.

    As you tell stories, people will remember those stories versus all the facts in the world. “FACTS TELL, BUT STORIES SELL.” They should want to get involved in your business or purchase your product because all of the success stories that you told. People love to be part of a winning team. Storytelling keeps people tied into you and your presentation. I always say when in doubt during a presentation, tell a story in order to bring people’s attention back to you. When I present, I ALWAYS tell many stories because when I was first introduced to direct sales, what perked my ears was a story of a young lady who had a lifestyle I wanted. The personal story of her lifestyle is what made me decide to get involved in the business. In that business, I went on to build an enormous organization and all I did was tell my story and tell the company’s story over and over!

    Combining the key strategy of storytelling along with the correct mindset, you can achieve your wildest dreams!

  • Unclutter – Ten in Ten

    pexels-photo-57750.jpeg1. Set aside one minute per folder and recycle any papers you no longer need.

    2. Set a timer for ten minutes, grab a garbage bag, open the junk drawer, pick through anything no longer needed and toss it in the garbage.

    3. Go through your clothes closet and choose five articles of clothing you never wear. Put them in a donation bag, to be given to your favorite charity.

    4. Walk around your home for ten minutes with a hamper (or have your kids do this) and put any stray toys into the hamper. Tomorrow, make your 10-minute organizing project to put all the toys back in their proper homes.

    5. Write out all of your birthday, anniversary and other greeting cards for one month. Address them, stamp them and send them out.

    6. If you dread spending an entire hour each time you have to pay your bills, just take ten minutes each day to do this task instead. Leave your bill paying supplies out and available, so that you can pay the bills as you get them without having to take all of your supplies out each time.

    7. Whether you’ve been meaning to make an appointment with a doctor, your accountant, a repairman or a friend, take 10 minutes at this moment to do so.

    8. Spend 10 minutes deleting any email you no longer need from your inbox.

    9. Whether the surface is a table, a dresser, a desk or an ottoman, remove any clutter so you can actually see the surface again. File any papers needing filing, return any stray items to their rightful homes and toss any junk.

    10. Toss old makeup you never use, expired prescriptions and anything else you don’t need. Save your treasured room for the belongings you in fact use.

  • [PRE-VALENTINE’S SPECIAL] 5 Secret Ways to Show Your Love to Your Partner

    pexels-photo-236287.jpegThere are many ways to express love to your partner other than quoting the actual words “I Love You.” Usually the fire in relationships dies down after a while and the feeling of your heart pounding with the excitement of being with your significant other is not felt nearly as often, or even at all.

    So, how do we get back that love, passion and warm feeling that wraps around us and penetrate our thoughts in the beginning of a relationship?

    Many say actions speak louder than words so below I have listed 5 secrets of seduction to help you show your partner how much you truly love them:

    1. Flirt

    This is a light-hearted seduction with the intent of conveying love! Why not send a sexy text message or email while you are at work? This reminds the other person that you are thinking about him or her. It also increases the intensity of love so that you actually look forward to seeing each other when you return home from work.

    2. Candles

    According to Feng Shui, the seduction candle is red and the ingredients are musk, patchouli, pine, cedar and juniper. This secret of seduction can put back the romance in your relationships. Why not fill your room with scented candles and turn off the lights just to relax in each others arms? The extra effort goes a very long way!

    3. Food

    It is said that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” however this is also thought to be the secret of successful seduction of women too. Show your love by setting up a surprise dinner for two. Add flowers, soft music and incense to create a seductive love nest. Aphrodisiac foods such as oysters, chili, chocolate, figs, honey and walnuts are said to aid in the stimulation of your loved ones hormones.

    4. Love Letters and Poems

    Why not leave a love note for your loved one? This can be posted in the bathroom or kitchen before you leave to work. You could also leave a nice love poem under the pillow so that your partner finds this at night before bedtime or first thing in the morning. Or send a handritten love letter to their work address. This will stir up the feeling of love in the privacy of your bedroom as well as in your relationship. Inspiration can be taken from music or love poem books.

    5. Get Away

    There can be a lot of distractions in your relationship such as work or children. There are many short vacations available for the weekend or just for a day. You may arrange a trip to the Health Spa or a Hotel so that you are in a different environment than usual where you can both relax and concentrate on each other.

    Using the five techniques above to show your significant other just how much you truly love them will certainly spice up your love life, strengthen your relationship, and keep you and your partner happy for years to come!V

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  • Personal Power Maps and Creative Ideas

    pexels-photo-408503.jpegAt about the same time I started to think about building an Internet website, I considered my personal strengths and resources. It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to make a list of all the things I have in my life, as well as the things I have learned and skills I can use. This could help me come up with new directions for my personal development. After I’ve started writing these things down, I decided to call it “Power Maps” as they outline my sources of power, and could also show me ways to turn my strengths into more powerful actions. In this brief article I will try to demonstrate how I do this, hoping you can do the same. I use my own Power Map as an example, so you also get a chance to know me better.

    I began by writing down the major categories of things I do and am related to. Here is what I came up with:

    • Family & Friends
    • Places I know
    • My Studies & Work
    • Languages
    • My Hobbies & Pastimes

    Try to make your own list now. It doesn’t have to be similar to the one I made or even have the same logic or structure. Just try to think of the major things that make up the person that you are.

    Next, I added more details to each major category – ending up with many of the things I consider to be my sources of power and knowledge. This is what it looked like by now:

    • Family & Friends
      • My mother, father & brother
      • My cousins
      • My friends
    • Places I know
      • Europe
      • South America
        • Argentina
        • Chile
        • Peru
        • Bolivia
        • Brazil
      • South East Asia
        • India
        • Nepal
        • Thailand
    • My Studies & Work
      • Human Resources
      • Management skills training
      • Thinking, Innovation & Creativity
      • Philosophy
      • Computers
      • Myself as an employee
    • Languages
      • Hindi
      • English
      • Punjabi
    • My Hobbies and Pastimes
      • Swimming
      • Board games

    Seeing all that I have in my favor, I already started to feel stronger!

    If you want to get the same feeling – take a few minutes to list many of your own sources of power.

    Turning power maps into creative action

    Now it was time to start thinking how I could turn all those resources into something I could make or contribute. In other words – come up with new and useful things I could do with all I have. What I came up with was consisted of things I did before and could do better or on a larger scale; things I haven’t done before but believed I could do; and some other creative ideas that just came up.

    In order to distinguish these action ideas from the resources I already listed, I use an underline for the action items. I am sharing some of these with you:

    • Family & Friends
      • My mother, father & brother
        • Help my brother pursue his dream
      • My cousins
      • My friends
    • My Studies & Work
      • Human Resources
      • Management skills training
        • Tools for planning
        • Small Business Handbook
      • Thinking, Innovation & Creativity
        • Improved Memory Techniques
        • Building a Personal Thinking Center
      • Philosophy
      • Computers
        • Web programming
        • Online & computer games
          • Principles of development
          • Review best games on the web
      • Myself as an employee
    • Languages
      • Hindi
      • English
        • Translation tips
      • Punjabi
        • Learning tips
    • My Hobbies and Pastimes
      • Swimming
      • Board games
        • Playing tips
        • Designing & Inventing

    Now I had something I could work with. There were other things on the list – this is just to show you the general idea. I am sure that if you try to complete your own Power Map now – you’d have many action ideas.

    Bringing it all together

    With such a detailed Power Map, you can start looking for practical ways to harness all that power to interesting development possibilities. The strongest creative ideas would be those that combine as many strengths and action items as possible.

    I truly hope this can help you become stronger, more creative, and ultimately happier.

  • Mind Power Games

    pexels-photo-756439.jpegWant a fun way to tune up your brain? Why not use some classic mind games to help you increase your brainpower and get you out of your thinking “ruts.” Good mind games habituate you to using creative problem solving as a normal part of thinking about things.

    One lateral thinking puzzle you can try right now involves nine dots, layed out three by three. You have to connect them all with four straight lines, and without lifting the pen or pencil from the paper. Figure this one out and you’ll appreciate the expression “thinking outside of the box.”

    Mind Games For Groups

    Some group mind games are especially good for long trips in a car. For example, someone looks out the window and randomly chooses an object. Everyone in the car then tries to imagine a new way to make money with it. Street signs become places to advertise, trees are sold with names, and a truck becomes a traveling grocery store.

    The “change of perspective” technique can be used as a problem-solving game. Pick any topic, and see who can come up with the most unique new perspective. Could there be a world where jobs weren’t necessary? How would a virus define morality if it was conscious?

    Another creative game for group uses is a specific technique, called “concept combination.” Simply combine random concepts or things in interesting ways, and see who has the best idea. A chair and a microwave? Maybe an easy-chair with a built-in cooler, microwave and television, or microwavable “couch potatoes” – a potato snack in the shape of a couch.

    More Mind Games

    Some lateral-thinking puzzles use a scenario, real or imagined, with a selection of things you have to use to accomplish something. Imagine a ping-pong ball in an iron pipe that’s set in cement. The pipe sticks up two-feet high, and has almost the same diameter as the ball. With only a box of frosted-flakes, and a t-shirt, how many ways can you find to get the ball out of the pipe? You could also set this up for real, to know if a proposed solution will really work.

    Riddles are just mind games or lateral-thinking puzzles. You move laterally in your mind, away from your usual line of thought, to solve a riddle. What did his friends do when the cannibal was late for dinner? Gave him the cold shoulder. Keeping your brain in shape doesn’t have to be a matter of serious study, does it?