The Versatile Blogger Award

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I was pleasantly surprised when I checked the comments on my blog to see that I had been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award, by my fellow blogger Elisa, who writes http://thinkwonderfulthoughts.wordpress.com/. Thank you so much Elisa, since I have not been blogging long, I am very grateful for your nomination (and for being my first follower).

The Versatile Blogger Award is a great motivation to keep bloggers writing and reading other people’s blogs. There are some creative rules to keep bloggers blogging:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.
2. Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
3. Share 7 random things about yourself.
4. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
5. Add the ‘Versatile Blogger Award’ pic to your blog post.

7 Random Facts About Me:

• I LOVE to dance – I have been known to bust out my moves in carparks, supermarkets, and train stations just because I can.
• I am perpetually clumsy – After spending a few weeks in Canada this year I realised I can fall over any time, anywhere, and regularly wake up with mysterious bruises, with no recollection what may have caused them.
• I have been known to make sudden life-changing decisions in a heartbeat – I moved interstate one week after leaving my old job, I decided to go overseas, then left two months later, I made a decision to buy a house and settled within eight weeks (I firmly believe if you are not happy and don’t like something, change it!).
• I adore getting dressed up – whether it be putting on a nice outfit and makeup, or a crazy costume for an event, there is no better feeling than the compliments you receive from random strangers.
• The best invention in the world is hugs – I frequently hug everyone I know, and those I have just met and I love the Dutch style of saying goodbye where you give three kisses on the cheek instead of one.
• I love you are the three most important words in my vocabulary – They can never be overused as they inspire, bless and nurture us, and can truly make someone’s day.
• I believe the most important duty in our life is to make others smile. I try to complete random acts of kindness, and pay my life forward every day, for it can truly make a difference in someone’s life, without you even knowing. If everyone was kind to an extra person each day, imagine how happy the world could be.

My nominations cover a range of different types of blogs, since I am passionate about so many different areas of life. Some are small, independent, personal blogs, others are larger companies that provide some great value. With a background in coaching and internet marketing, I read a lot about success and business. I also love to be inspired, reading about other positive happy people. Finally, I love to travel and party, so these are thrown into the mix as well. I hope you can find your own gems. Please comment at the bottom of the page if you have a blog you think I might be interested in.

My nominations (in no particular order)…

1. http://partytripofalifetime.wordpress.com/ – This guy describes these dance music events like you’re actually there
2. http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/ – The best travel/adventure blog I’ve ever seen
3. http://mybluerinse.blogspot.com – My good friend writing about the quirkier pleasures of life
4. http://tropicaltruth.wordpress.com/ – A collaboration of thoughts, quotes and music on positive reflection about the world
5. http://thebettermanprojects.wordpress.com/ – A beautiful blog filled with inspiring prose, poetry, pics and videos
6. http://inspirational-quotes-blog.com/ – Need a pick me up? There’s plenty here
7. http://pollynoble.com/ – Polly’s inspirational journey to cure herself of cancer the natural way
8. http://www.happiness-project.com/ – Plentiful ideas about how to be happy
9. http://www.stevepavlina.com/ – Personal development for smart people – The man who inspired me to begin my own personal development blog – I have never seen more valuable content
10. http://www.inspirationalsuccesscoach.com/ - Fantastic tips to live a successful life now
11. http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/ – Change your thoughts, change your life
12. http://expertagency.com.au/diary/ – Great tips and resources to become the expert in your field
13. http://smartboydesigns.com/ – There is nothing this guy doesn’t know about internet marketing
14. http://www.yourblogangel.com/ – Everything you need to know about blogging for business
15. http://under30ceo.com/ – Expert advice and interviews for young entrepreneurs

Love this!

Love this!.

 

Motivational Music

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, 
Love like you’ll never be hurt, 
Sing like there’s nobody listening, 
And live like it’s heaven on earth.” 
― William W. Purkey

We all have those days where we don’t feel like doing anything. Or maybe the day started off well, then something happened so you give up. Or you’re tired. Or any number of excuses we make to justify why we procrastinate or avoid tasks we don’t enjoy every day. While mindset is very important in overcoming these obstacles, and if you have a clear purpose then you will be more motivated, today’s tip is an easy way to push through the negativity.

A personal song has the power to motivate and inspire us. It can create emotion instantly, as we strongly link memories and feeling to sounds in our unconscious mind. Find yourself a theme song, or create a motivational playlist. We all have those songs that make us feel really good about ourselves and the world. You can alter your negative state in less than five minutes with the right song. I have mine preloaded onto my ipod next to my bed, so when I feel like hitting the snooze button, I just hit play instead. It is impossible to stay in bed while my favourite song plays as I just want to get up and dance with a big smile on my face! I have another playlist that I use for running. Again, when I don’t feel like going, I press play and am pumped up within seconds. It also keeps me going as I can set a steady and joyful pace. You can create different playlists for different tasks you need to complete, or moods you wish to create.

With technology these days, it is easy to download the song to any mobile or music device, or download the film clip from You Tube. Music is totally portable so it is available to you any time you need a boost. The theme song works well in the middle of the day, or when you get home after a hard days work, to keep you going and get you through tough times. You will know what song works for you, since everyone has different tastes in music, but I have listed a few songs from a range of genres that inspire, motivate and move me and my clients… What’s Yours?

Bon Jovi – Its My Life
Tina Turner – Simply the Best
ACDC – Thunderstruck
Queen – We Will Rock You
U2 – Its A Beautiful Day
Haddaway – Life
Incubus – Drive
Nickelback – If Today was Your Last Day
Foo Fighters – The Pretender
Grinspoon – Champion
Bruno Mars – Count on Me
Jessie J – Price Tag
Eminem – Lose Yourself
Lady Gaga – Edge of Glory
Vanessa Amarossi – This is Who I Am
Kelly Clarkson – Stronger
Alanis Morissette – You Learn
J Lo – Lets Get Loud
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
Katrina & The Waves – I’m walking on Sunshine
Kool & The Gang – Celebrate
Irene Cara – What a Feeling (Flashdance)
Europe – The Final Countdown
Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Vangelis – Chariots of Fire
Queen – I want to Break Free
Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
John Lennon – Imagine
Michael Jackson – Heal the World
Judy Garland – Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Elton John – Circle of Life (The Lion King)
Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle – A Whole New World (Aladdin)
Josh Groban – You Raise Me Up
Bill Medley & Jennifer Warner – Time of My Life
Bette Midler – The Wind Beneath My Wings
Enrique Iglesias – Hero
Cyndi Lauper – True Colours
Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston – When You Believe
Mariah Carey – Hero
R Kelly – I Believe I can Fly
Gloria Estefan – Reach
Hot House Flowers – I can See Clearly Now
2 Unlimited – No Limit
Armand Van Helden – My My My
Ou Est Le Swimming – Dance the Way I Feel
Midnight Star – Midas Touch
Bob Sinclair – Rock this Party
The Pitcher – This is Who We Are

SMART Goal Setting

I’ve always known where I wanted to go in life. I’ve never let anything deter me. This is my purpose. It will unfold.
~ Tiger Woods

I think everyone has heard of goal setting. There are many different styles and definitions. I’m going to share with you the most effective method I have found to follow through on your goals to successful completion. Once you have your purpose and vision, you need to set goals that align with both of these. Goals are simply smaller steps on the path to achieving your vision. Look at your vision, and set goals for each of the areas on your ‘wheel of life’. Break down your five year goals into smaller achievable steps – yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly. These become manageable chunks that are easy to succeed at. Each of your goals should follow the SMART system of goal setting.

Specific – Make your goals as detailed as possible.

Measurable – Clear attainable outcomes so you will know when you have achieved a goal.

As if now – Write goals in the present tense, so they are not always in the future (unattainable).

Realistic – Make sure your goals are attainable, so you do not get disheartened or fall short.

Timed – Create a date, so you have a clear timeframe to work towards.

e.g. “It is June 30, I weigh 75kgs and am a healthy size 12. I am walking every day, enjoying a range of fresh, raw foods, and I look and feel amazing. “

Now that you have clear goals, work backwards to create small, attainable steps to make them a reality, which will help to avoid overwhelm. You can then make a list or a chart to tick off each of these small steps as you achieve them then move onto the next step. You’ll be amazed at what you can create for yourself, achieving more than you ever dreamed possible! Make sure you reward yourself along the way. This will make changing your life more enjoyable, and something you want to continue doing. It can be something as small as a bubble bath, new clothes, or dinner at your favourite restaurant, up to larger items such as a weekend away, or tickets to a show or event. Save the large rewards for when you have achieved several goals, or completed your steps for the quarter. Review these goals every month, to keep you on track, show how far you have come already, and make adjustments as your desires change throughout the year. These goals are not set in stone, they are a starting point to take steps in the right direction.

Remember, the most important part is to write them down, reward yourself for success, and review them regularly to make sure you are on track and you alter them as your needs change.

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Mindset: Be Do Have

It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it’s your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.
~ Anthony Robbins

This is a concept that I never fully understood until now. Once grasped, it can make permanent and immediate changes in your life. Most people are too focused on what they want, perhaps even the steps to get there, without analysing their mindset and who they need to be to achieve these desired outcomes. If you do not look closely at what you believe to be true, your subconscious may be undermining every decision you make to take action.

You need to think about who you need to become, before planning what needs to be done. This is best expressed using the common phrase in coaching – be, do, have. What this means essentially is who do you need to be, in order to do what is necessary, to have what you desire. Who we are being and what we are becoming is the most necessary step in our own personal development. You need to be constantly growing as a person to achieve success. If you were already the person you needed to be, there would be no further work to do. We are all growing continually, acquiring new skills and adapting, changing to become better versions of ourselves. I believe this is the meaning of life.

Our unconscious mind is the most powerful tool we have at our disposal. Our words become our actions, which create our situation. Let me clarify. Our words, or in this case ‘self-talk’, the things we tell ourselves each and every moment of every day, are defining who we are as people, which then determine what actions we take on a daily basis. It is our actions that create our current reality. Most people understand the second step, planning what actions to take, without analysing who they are right now, and how that may be holding them back.

For example, if I am unhappy with my weight, I may focus on a goal to lose 10kg. I can plan the steps I need to take, such as starting a diet, joining a gym and exercising every day. However, most people find they lose motivation, and cannot stick to this plan long term. This is because they have not examined, what beliefs and therefore what actions led them to be overweight in the first place. Will they be happy even if they achieve their goals? Many yo-yo dieters are stuck in this cycle, because even when they achieve their goals, they find they still have low self-esteem or other body image issues, so eventually give up and return to their previous weight. Therefore, what they need to focus on first, is their own internal dialogue, belief systems and motivations.

Once you have identified what beliefs are holding you back, you need to change them. The most effective way is with a transformational coach or other professional who can quickly break through these barriers and help you replace them with more positive belief systems. This is also something you can do yourself. The main area you need to change is your self-talk or internal dialogue. That is all the little voices you hear in your head, or thoughts that pass through your mind throughout the day. Pay attention and just listen to what you are thinking for a few days. If it is mostly positive, that is how you will feel about your life. If it is mostly negative, you are self-sabotaging before you have even begun to take action.

To alter these negative thoughts, you need to replace them with positive ones. Correct yourself every time you notice a thought that is not useful to you. My favourite tip is ‘act as if now’! This means you need to think and act as if you have already achieved all of your desires. For example, if you want to be wealthy, model how a wealthy person thinks and therefore behaves. Do you think Donald Trump is worrying about paying his bills, or not having enough? No, since he is well aware of the abundance available to all of us, and makes decisions based on this belief. Focusing on lack will give you exactly that. Focusing on abundance will open your eyes to positive opportunities around you, and these thoughts will lead you to take actions that create wealth.

That is as simply as I can explain the concept. It took me two years to really get it. Just remember: focus on changing your thoughts or state of mind first, then the actions will automatically take care of themselves. Who do you need to become today, so that you can be a better you tomorrow?

Values

The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don’t let them put you in that position.
~ Leo Buscaglia

If I asked you “what are your values?” what would you say? Would you be able to easily list the things that are most important to you? The things that drive and motivate you? It is very important to be self-aware of our deepest desires and what we value to be most important to ourselves. It is these beliefs and values that drive and influence our daily behaviour. By understanding our values, and aligning our goals and purpose with them, it is much easier to achieve. When our values are not aligned with our goals, we tend to sabotage ourselves or give up more quickly, as it is difficult to stay motivated.

You can gain a more clear understanding of your values using this simple exercise. On a sheet of paper, list or mindmap what you believe your values are. When brainstorming, you can include areas that you feel are important to you, what beliefs you have, or any expectations you have of yourself. Try to list as many as possible. You may see that some overlap, or value similar areas in your life. This will give you a clue to your core values. When you are finished, rate each value as very important, somewhat important or not important, highlighting the most important ones, or those that overlap similar categories. Think about what these mean to you. You then need to decide on the most important, and rank them in order of importance from 1-10.

If you are stuck for inspiration of what your values might be, you can find a list on the internet. I prefer not to provide a list, so you know your values have come from within and a high level of self-reflection. Any ideas on a list may be influenced by what you think SHOULD be important, not your own truth. For another perspective, I like to ask a trusted friend or family member to tell me what they think my values are, as determined by my words and actions. You may be surprised what they see as your strengths that you may have missed.

Once you have clear core values, you may be able to see a path where you want to develop your strength in a weaker area to create change in your life. For example, if you wanted to be a successful business person, then you may need to have values such as punctuality, organisation, clear communication, leadership, and empathy, so you may like to improve your skills and adopt new beliefs in this area. I will discuss this in more detail in my post Be Do Have.

Finally, take your core values and reevaluate your goals, visions and purpose. Take note of any that may not align clearly with your beliefs, and see if you can reframe them to incorporate your values. Remember, the more aligned all of these elements are, the more rapidly you will see results.

Enjoy the journey!