Self improvement is related to positive thinking and has been gaining widespread popularity lately. The main reason that causes the surge in popularity is due to the release of many book and DVDs on The Secret. Many of us seek happiness in life and you may gain happiness through the incredible power of positive thinking.
This is the Self Improvement Model!
The topic on the power of positive thinking has been gaining widespread popularity lately. Main reason that causes the surge in popularity is due to the release of many book and DVDs on The Secret. Many of us seek happiness in life and you may gain happiness through the incredible power of positive thinking.
You may be the one of the many thousands confused by the claims that the teachers in the movie The Secret make. While It may sound ridiculous to some that the power of positive thinking has the ability to get what we desired, you need to see a bigger message being displayed in the movie.
You need to read between the lines. Let's say that after watching the movie, I decided to apply the power of positive thinking. I tend to focus my thoughts on road rage. I used to enter my vehicle thinking about other drivers that come too close to the rear of my vehicle. This pet-peeve really got under my skin and I actually began to dread driving.
Instead of getting into my car with feelings of anger and dread I decided to turn my thoughts into the opposite direction. I chose to think about the many drivers who keep a safe distance and I also convinced myself that anyone who drove too close to my vehicle would turn off in little time. The power of positive thinking has changed my driving experience.
After that positive thought, I am become more relaxed when a car drives too near as I know that the car will not be too close to me for too long. I also don't bother thinking that drivers coming up on my car too quickly or suddenly.
You may now ask if my car has installed any kind of weird protective shield that keep other cars from entering its personal space. My answer is a definite no. My whole attitude towards this whole situation has changed dramatically and my driving experience has been a delightful one.
We know what will happen next. When a driver carelessly drives too near to a car in front of it, the driver at the front becomes annoyed and irritated. The front driver begins to decelerate its car and out of unhappiness he showed some unpleasant gestures to the car that followed too close to it. Following that, both drivers got out of the car a violent road rage just took place. If you expected such a circumstance to happen, you will make it happen. That's the power of our thinking and if you think of positive thoughts, something good will happen.
Your actions follow your thoughts and feelings. Believe that this good thing will happen and it will.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Self Discipline Is Spiritual
Self discipline is spiritual. You see, personal development inspires people to set and achieve goals. In the 21st Century, with its ever increasing pace and competitive mind-set, people believe they have to improve themselves in order to succeed.
Many on the spiritual path believe that setting physical goals is against spiritual values. But what if they understood physical goal achievement was really a spiritual exercise would they think differently?
Personal Development is the buzzword of the new millennium. Self improvement is a big business. It would seem that in an attempt to improve their prospects in the ever increasing pace of this new technological world we are having to focus more and more on bettering ourselves. People launch into self improvement courses and try out new personal development techniques in order to "improve" themselves.
However, what most people fail to realize is that the personal development ethos is that "you are perfect already". What personal development is really about is the uncovering of your true identity - your unlimited potential.
However, the belief that you can change and adapt to new environments and develop greater skills gives a new personal development trainee hope and encouragement. Many "newbies" believe that the techniques incorporated into personal development are merely designed to convince themselves that an untruth is in fact true and by convincing themselves of this truth eventually becomes fact.
They believe the task of a self improvement product is to convince them that their goal has been realized before it actually has, and in doing this they then will do what is necessary subconsciously to realise the dream.
This is merely a half truth. Re-read the above paragraph again and notice the word "realise". A dictionary definition of the word realise is:
To grasp or understand clearly.
To make real; give reality to (a hope, fear, plan, etc.)
Although this second explanation is the one most people would use for the word "realize" being used in the above context I am proposing that it is the first of these explanations that is the more accurate.
Quantum physics tells us that everything is just energy - one vibrating mass of energy. Nothing is separate. We are all a part of each other. The only reason why we see separation is because of the rate at which the energy vibrates. However, at its most fundamental level we are all just a part of this One form. We can never be separate from it.
We are and always will be a part of it because we are told that energy cannot be destroyed - only its vibration can be changed!
To understand this better let us look at the ocean. The Ocean can have different wave lengths in different places but every drop of water makes up the ocean and only appears as a separate drop when we remove it and look at it! Therefore while that drop of water is part of the ocean it is at one with every other part, whether it is aware of it or not.
So, we are a part of this ocean of vibrating energy, that we call the Universe. That means that everything in existence is a part of you just as you are a part of it. You are one with everything you see, hear, touch, smell and all those things of which you are consciously unaware. In order to bring about a desirable situation, circumstance or physical thing into your existence, all you have to do is "realize" that you already have it because it is as much a part of you as your arm or leg.
All you have to do is re-focus your attention to that vibrational pocket within the ocean of energy. This is not just about manifesting "things". It is a spiritual exercise that will bring you closer to understanding the nature of The Creator.
The tools to accomplish the task of "realizing" a goal are numerous. They vary from hypnosis to binaural beats and subliminal messages to computer programs. With this kind of technology at our disposal we are a generation that can truly explode humankindës spiritual evolution. In the rush of the 21st Century where time is of the essence and getting "the edge" is essential for succeeding in the "rat race" personal development has become big business. Good! Because the main aim of personal development and self improvement is to remove our own self-imposed limitations and to take us to Realization and a deeper connection to the Divine.
It is our limitations, which only exist in our minds, that hold us back from knowing The Divine. To become aware of our own self-imposed limitations we must set goals. When we set goals we are immediately confronted with "the demons" of our own psyches which then must be removed if we are to achieve success.
Removing each one gives you a clearer understanding of your creator and a deeper connection to The Divine. You therefore owe it to yourself to achieve your goals and you owe it to the world!
Many on the spiritual path believe that setting physical goals is against spiritual values. But what if they understood physical goal achievement was really a spiritual exercise would they think differently?
Personal Development is the buzzword of the new millennium. Self improvement is a big business. It would seem that in an attempt to improve their prospects in the ever increasing pace of this new technological world we are having to focus more and more on bettering ourselves. People launch into self improvement courses and try out new personal development techniques in order to "improve" themselves.
However, what most people fail to realize is that the personal development ethos is that "you are perfect already". What personal development is really about is the uncovering of your true identity - your unlimited potential.
However, the belief that you can change and adapt to new environments and develop greater skills gives a new personal development trainee hope and encouragement. Many "newbies" believe that the techniques incorporated into personal development are merely designed to convince themselves that an untruth is in fact true and by convincing themselves of this truth eventually becomes fact.
They believe the task of a self improvement product is to convince them that their goal has been realized before it actually has, and in doing this they then will do what is necessary subconsciously to realise the dream.
This is merely a half truth. Re-read the above paragraph again and notice the word "realise". A dictionary definition of the word realise is:
To grasp or understand clearly.
To make real; give reality to (a hope, fear, plan, etc.)
Although this second explanation is the one most people would use for the word "realize" being used in the above context I am proposing that it is the first of these explanations that is the more accurate.
Quantum physics tells us that everything is just energy - one vibrating mass of energy. Nothing is separate. We are all a part of each other. The only reason why we see separation is because of the rate at which the energy vibrates. However, at its most fundamental level we are all just a part of this One form. We can never be separate from it.
We are and always will be a part of it because we are told that energy cannot be destroyed - only its vibration can be changed!
To understand this better let us look at the ocean. The Ocean can have different wave lengths in different places but every drop of water makes up the ocean and only appears as a separate drop when we remove it and look at it! Therefore while that drop of water is part of the ocean it is at one with every other part, whether it is aware of it or not.
So, we are a part of this ocean of vibrating energy, that we call the Universe. That means that everything in existence is a part of you just as you are a part of it. You are one with everything you see, hear, touch, smell and all those things of which you are consciously unaware. In order to bring about a desirable situation, circumstance or physical thing into your existence, all you have to do is "realize" that you already have it because it is as much a part of you as your arm or leg.
All you have to do is re-focus your attention to that vibrational pocket within the ocean of energy. This is not just about manifesting "things". It is a spiritual exercise that will bring you closer to understanding the nature of The Creator.
The tools to accomplish the task of "realizing" a goal are numerous. They vary from hypnosis to binaural beats and subliminal messages to computer programs. With this kind of technology at our disposal we are a generation that can truly explode humankindës spiritual evolution. In the rush of the 21st Century where time is of the essence and getting "the edge" is essential for succeeding in the "rat race" personal development has become big business. Good! Because the main aim of personal development and self improvement is to remove our own self-imposed limitations and to take us to Realization and a deeper connection to the Divine.
It is our limitations, which only exist in our minds, that hold us back from knowing The Divine. To become aware of our own self-imposed limitations we must set goals. When we set goals we are immediately confronted with "the demons" of our own psyches which then must be removed if we are to achieve success.
Removing each one gives you a clearer understanding of your creator and a deeper connection to The Divine. You therefore owe it to yourself to achieve your goals and you owe it to the world!
Self Improvement Is About Developing Self Disciplne
If you want to know what self improvement is then you must become disciplined! This article is all about killing temptations and improving your chances of success...
In today's society we live in a world where temptations are everywhere. We have TV, video games and sports to ensure we never get bored. So is it any wonder that people struggle to focus on their school work, their jobs or their relationships? After all, why should you do something which is boring or hard, when you can do something thatís easy and fun instead?
Well the reality is you donít have to do boring stuff and work hard, no one is forcing you to do that. Although if you choose not to do these things it is very likely that your school grades, job or relationships will suffer as a result.
Why? Because the things that are worth having in life, the things that have real long term value and meaning, are often the things that require time, effort and hard work.
But if we live in a society that makes having fun so easy, how can we focus on obtaining the things that really matter in life, when temptations make it so easy to do otherwise?
Self Discipline In Life
The answer to this question is self discipline. Discipline is the ability to force yourself to do something that you know you must do, even if you donít feel like it. In other words, discipline allows a person to resist the temptation of TV, video games and sports. Thereby allowing them to concentrate on their school work, jobs and relationships. The things that really matter and add value to your life.
At the risk of sounding like a bore, I don't mean to say that discipline means you canít have fun in life. No, that would be silly. We all need time for fun and entertainment, but there must be a balance, otherwise you will most likely fail to succeed in life. This is the reason self discipline is so important in life, especially in todayís society which is constantly tempting us to choose the easy way out.
Developing Self Discipline
Whilst practicing self discipline may require lots of hard work and a strong will to master, eventually the more you discipline yourself to resist succumbing to the temptations of life, the more your self discipline will strengthen. In turn this makes it easier to apply discipline in the future.
So developing self discipline and self improvement is just like any other skill in life. At first it will be hard, but the more you practice the stronger and easier it will become. In a world that is made up of largely undisciplined and lazy people (especially those living in developed countries) having strong self discipline will give you an enormous advantage in life.
In today's society we live in a world where temptations are everywhere. We have TV, video games and sports to ensure we never get bored. So is it any wonder that people struggle to focus on their school work, their jobs or their relationships? After all, why should you do something which is boring or hard, when you can do something thatís easy and fun instead?
Well the reality is you donít have to do boring stuff and work hard, no one is forcing you to do that. Although if you choose not to do these things it is very likely that your school grades, job or relationships will suffer as a result.
Why? Because the things that are worth having in life, the things that have real long term value and meaning, are often the things that require time, effort and hard work.
But if we live in a society that makes having fun so easy, how can we focus on obtaining the things that really matter in life, when temptations make it so easy to do otherwise?
Self Discipline In Life
The answer to this question is self discipline. Discipline is the ability to force yourself to do something that you know you must do, even if you donít feel like it. In other words, discipline allows a person to resist the temptation of TV, video games and sports. Thereby allowing them to concentrate on their school work, jobs and relationships. The things that really matter and add value to your life.
At the risk of sounding like a bore, I don't mean to say that discipline means you canít have fun in life. No, that would be silly. We all need time for fun and entertainment, but there must be a balance, otherwise you will most likely fail to succeed in life. This is the reason self discipline is so important in life, especially in todayís society which is constantly tempting us to choose the easy way out.
Developing Self Discipline
Whilst practicing self discipline may require lots of hard work and a strong will to master, eventually the more you discipline yourself to resist succumbing to the temptations of life, the more your self discipline will strengthen. In turn this makes it easier to apply discipline in the future.
So developing self discipline and self improvement is just like any other skill in life. At first it will be hard, but the more you practice the stronger and easier it will become. In a world that is made up of largely undisciplined and lazy people (especially those living in developed countries) having strong self discipline will give you an enormous advantage in life.
Self Improvement Is About Helping Others
Have you ever wondered what successful people have that makes them successful? Self improvement is about helping others. That's what makes them successful.
Ever wonder how those champion recruiters in your company manage, month after month, to get the most new recruits, the biggest bonuses, the largest paychecks?
Well let me tell you a secret. No one starts out as a Champion. Most of them started out like you and me.
So what is it that makes a Champion different from the rest?
Champions have an attitude, a mindset that sets them apart from the rest. But most of these qualities are not exceptional.
Indeed each and every one of us possesses these qualities when we start out in life. But somewhere along the way we tend to lose them and diminish our own potential.
To be a Champion, you must first become a Child! Let me explain:
1. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Learn.
Children come into this world with an innate desire to learn, to understand the world around them.
They are like sponges observing and absorbing every fact, every reaction. Because they know that their very survival depends on it.
One of the most important, and oft-repeated, qualities we need to succeed in business is a willingness to learn - to be teachable.
To become a champion, you must be willing to educate yourself or be educated, to read about, learn and absorb all the things you need to know, even if they are completely new to you.
If you don't, you are doomed to failure from the start.
2. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Act:
Have you notice how children completely geared towards action? As soon as they learn a new skill, they want to put it into action.
Champions are the same. They put their newly learned skills to use, taking concrete steps to improve their performance, so they can take their business to the next level.
They know that they must act on what they have learned, even if they haven't perfected it. Which brings me to their next quality.
3. Self Improvement Champions are Not Afraid to Fail
Just as a child picks itself up again and again, every time it falls while taking its first steps, champions are not afraid to fall down or fail.
They know that failure is the best teacher. They learn from their mistakes and keep fine-tuning their methods till they succeed.
Champions have the courage to fall down and not be discouraged. They pick themselves up and keep trying.
4. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Adapt
Darwin got it wrong.
Survival does not happen to the Fittest, but to the Most Adaptable.
As children, we adapt to long-term change relatively easily. We are more willing to accept situations and adapt our behaviour accordingly.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, we become more rigid in our thinking, unwilling to accept that there may be better ways of doing things.
In a changing business scenario, resistance to change makes us obsolete. We end up losing out to players with a better understanding of changing trends.
Champions are those who can adapt themselves and their business to changing trends.
5. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Innovate
Children are extremely inventive beings. They come into this world with no preconceived notions of doing things. In their minds there are no limits to what they can do or how they can do it.
Champions apply these very principles to take their business to the top.
They not only learn from what has been done before. They find ways of doing it more efficiently, more cheaply, more successfully.
You don't have to be like a child in all respects to succeed. It's probably not even desirable.
But if your pre-conceived notions, fears and hesitation are preventing you from reaching your goals, try looking at the world through a child's eyes.
At best you will improve your chances of success, at worst you'll remain young at heart.
Ever wonder how those champion recruiters in your company manage, month after month, to get the most new recruits, the biggest bonuses, the largest paychecks?
Well let me tell you a secret. No one starts out as a Champion. Most of them started out like you and me.
So what is it that makes a Champion different from the rest?
Champions have an attitude, a mindset that sets them apart from the rest. But most of these qualities are not exceptional.
Indeed each and every one of us possesses these qualities when we start out in life. But somewhere along the way we tend to lose them and diminish our own potential.
To be a Champion, you must first become a Child! Let me explain:
1. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Learn.
Children come into this world with an innate desire to learn, to understand the world around them.
They are like sponges observing and absorbing every fact, every reaction. Because they know that their very survival depends on it.
One of the most important, and oft-repeated, qualities we need to succeed in business is a willingness to learn - to be teachable.
To become a champion, you must be willing to educate yourself or be educated, to read about, learn and absorb all the things you need to know, even if they are completely new to you.
If you don't, you are doomed to failure from the start.
2. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Act:
Have you notice how children completely geared towards action? As soon as they learn a new skill, they want to put it into action.
Champions are the same. They put their newly learned skills to use, taking concrete steps to improve their performance, so they can take their business to the next level.
They know that they must act on what they have learned, even if they haven't perfected it. Which brings me to their next quality.
3. Self Improvement Champions are Not Afraid to Fail
Just as a child picks itself up again and again, every time it falls while taking its first steps, champions are not afraid to fall down or fail.
They know that failure is the best teacher. They learn from their mistakes and keep fine-tuning their methods till they succeed.
Champions have the courage to fall down and not be discouraged. They pick themselves up and keep trying.
4. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Adapt
Darwin got it wrong.
Survival does not happen to the Fittest, but to the Most Adaptable.
As children, we adapt to long-term change relatively easily. We are more willing to accept situations and adapt our behaviour accordingly.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, we become more rigid in our thinking, unwilling to accept that there may be better ways of doing things.
In a changing business scenario, resistance to change makes us obsolete. We end up losing out to players with a better understanding of changing trends.
Champions are those who can adapt themselves and their business to changing trends.
5. Self Improvement Champions are Willing to Innovate
Children are extremely inventive beings. They come into this world with no preconceived notions of doing things. In their minds there are no limits to what they can do or how they can do it.
Champions apply these very principles to take their business to the top.
They not only learn from what has been done before. They find ways of doing it more efficiently, more cheaply, more successfully.
You don't have to be like a child in all respects to succeed. It's probably not even desirable.
But if your pre-conceived notions, fears and hesitation are preventing you from reaching your goals, try looking at the world through a child's eyes.
At best you will improve your chances of success, at worst you'll remain young at heart.
Self Improvement Is About Setting Personal Goals
Self improvement is how a lot of people will learn how to be successful. They read books, listen to audio cassettes or even watch videos that tell them how to be successful in life. However most people fail to apply that knowledge, and as a result a lot of what they learn is ultimately wasted.
I know I am guilty of this myself. I once learnt about the importance of setting personal goals, but never applied that knowledge. For some reason I studied it, became interested in it, but took it no further. But later I then heard an expression that changed the way I looked at and ultimately used information I acquired. That is how self improvement works!
That expression was, what's the pointing of learning something, if you never use it. As soon as I heard that saying, I realized that I had been learning lots of things, but never applying them in my life. Learning how to set goals, was one of those things.
So Why Is Goal Setting Important Anyway?
Taking the time to sit down and write out your personal goals is perhaps one of the most important things you can do for yourself. And incidentally, all successful people set themselves goals. That in itself should be a big enough reason to set them!
What Are Goals?
Goals are simply the things you want to do in life, and by writing them down you can clarify exactly what you want and how you are going to accomplish them.
Most people have a vague idea of what they want to achieve in life, and keep these vague ideas in their head. However, because they are vague ideas the action they take to accomplish those goals is also vague. And as a result, usually ineffective.
Personal Goals Will Focus The Mind
So writing down goals on a piece of paper allows you to decide exactly what you want to do in life. Once you know what you want to do, you can then create a specific plan of action to accomplish those goals.
Itís like giving yourself a map and compass to reach a certain destination in life. Without that map and compass you would most likely loose your way, and never get to where you want to go.
This is the real value of goals, as they help to give your life meaning, direction and a sense of purpose. With these things will also come a sense of control, which will also make you feel happier with yourself. You will be steering your life in the direction you want it to go, rather than being blown around like a leaf in the wind.
Set Yourself Some Goals!
So take some time to think about the things you want to accomplish in life. Write them down on a piece of paper, and create a plan as to how you will achieve those goals. It might just be the most important and valuable exercise you ever do.
I know I am guilty of this myself. I once learnt about the importance of setting personal goals, but never applied that knowledge. For some reason I studied it, became interested in it, but took it no further. But later I then heard an expression that changed the way I looked at and ultimately used information I acquired. That is how self improvement works!
That expression was, what's the pointing of learning something, if you never use it. As soon as I heard that saying, I realized that I had been learning lots of things, but never applying them in my life. Learning how to set goals, was one of those things.
So Why Is Goal Setting Important Anyway?
Taking the time to sit down and write out your personal goals is perhaps one of the most important things you can do for yourself. And incidentally, all successful people set themselves goals. That in itself should be a big enough reason to set them!
What Are Goals?
Goals are simply the things you want to do in life, and by writing them down you can clarify exactly what you want and how you are going to accomplish them.
Most people have a vague idea of what they want to achieve in life, and keep these vague ideas in their head. However, because they are vague ideas the action they take to accomplish those goals is also vague. And as a result, usually ineffective.
Personal Goals Will Focus The Mind
So writing down goals on a piece of paper allows you to decide exactly what you want to do in life. Once you know what you want to do, you can then create a specific plan of action to accomplish those goals.
Itís like giving yourself a map and compass to reach a certain destination in life. Without that map and compass you would most likely loose your way, and never get to where you want to go.
This is the real value of goals, as they help to give your life meaning, direction and a sense of purpose. With these things will also come a sense of control, which will also make you feel happier with yourself. You will be steering your life in the direction you want it to go, rather than being blown around like a leaf in the wind.
Set Yourself Some Goals!
So take some time to think about the things you want to accomplish in life. Write them down on a piece of paper, and create a plan as to how you will achieve those goals. It might just be the most important and valuable exercise you ever do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)