An Expectant Attitude

--- Bob Stoess

Attitude is one of the most important ingredients in determining success or lack thereof for all people. Successful people have one thing in common - an expectant attitude of success. Most people begin each morning in neutral and react to events of the day. You can be one of the successful people in life by starting each day with a positive attitude, a gratitude for the opportunities you have, and an expectancy of the best for yourself.

People tend to live up to expectations. We get out of life just about what we put into it. Our environment becomes a mirror of our spirit, our attitude, and expectations. If we keep a great attitude, we get great results. If we have a fair attitude, we accomplish fair results, and if we have a poor attitude, we accomplish poor results.

The world will give you back what you expect, so expect the very best. Don't be defensive or doubtful. Nothing changes unless you do. Before you can do something, you've got to be something. Know that you have worth and value. Show that to the world.

Treat everyone you come in contact with as the most important person of the hour. It will build self-esteem. Smile! You'll be rewarded with a returned smile. Don't react to discourtesy. Forgive everyone who ever hurt you. Then, forgive yourself. Keep yourself healthy. Exercise. Eat a proper diet. Radiate an attitude of confidence.

Develop these good habits and your expectancy will be rewarded by successes. This attitude will put you into that group of people who are truly successful, because you will know and understand how an expectant attitude enhances every aspect of your life.

May God bless you with such an expectant attitude every day of your living.

All the best.

Living In The Moment

---  Tony Haynes

Life happens moment-by-moment

In a kiss, in a smile, in a tear

The moments after add up

In a day, in a month, in a year

We seek to capture a moment

Somewhere between dusk & dawn

If we don't act in the moment

Then when the moment is gone

We'll look back on this moment in time

Filled with regret and dismay

That unfortunately we let

The moment slip away

In that moment we'll grasp

What moments are meant to give

And we'll begin living in the moment

Every moment we live 

20 Ways to Impress the Boss

-       Shared by Raghavendra

-       Written by By Kate Lorenz

Whether you're vying for a promotion or just want to make a good impression, here are 20 ways to show you're dream team material:

1. Know the mission. Align yourself with your boss' and company's goals and values. Make your boss' priorities your priorities.

2. Understand how you'll be evaluated. Know precisely which skills, behaviors and accomplishments you will be judged on and rewarded. Focus on them like a laser.

3. Be dependable. Do what you say you're going to do. Better yet, under-promise and over-deliver.

4. Project positive energy. Don't be the one to whine or criticize the boss or company direction. Be a motivator: the person everyone wants to be around.

5. Make your boss look good. Finish your work on time and with a high level of professionalism. Bring your boss ideas that will help him and the department and offer to take charge and implement them.

6. Own up. Take responsibility for your mistakes by focusing on what you've learned rather than what you've done wrong. For example, "I think this project could have been better if we'd gotten the group's buy-in early on," or "Next time I would talk more with the end-users up-front..."

7. Be organized. Plan your next day before you leave work. Rank your tasks by urgency and importance and make a point of doing at least the top two items on your list.

8. Be punctual. Arriving for work or meetings on time (even early) shows you're enthusiastic, dependable and able to manage your life effectively.

9. Be resourceful. Don't run to the boss with every question you have or setback you encounter. Think things through first. If you must report a problem to the boss, develop possible solutions to present.

10. Broaden your horizons. Take advantage of company-sponsored training courses and volunteer for projects in areas outside your everyday expertise.

11. Stay informed. Keep abreast of industry and company trends by reading trade journals and attending professional association events.

12. Be trendy. Stay current with technological, legal and knowledge advances in your area. Upgrade your skills and learn new ones.

13. Be courteous. Show respect and loyalty to your boss and speak well of her to others. (At the very least don't bad mouth her to anyone.)

14. Be flexible. Change is inevitable. Companies need people who can adapt and go with the flow.

15. Take care of your health. When you're run-down, productivity and ambition suffer -- as does your image.

16. Leave your personal life at the door. Using your co-workers as therapists not only hurts productivity; it damages your credibility and can contaminate your work relationships (even if people seem sympathetic).

17. Go beyond the call of duty. Take on added challenges, put in extra hours, and never use the phrase, "That's not in my job description."

18. Be a team player. Show your boss and co-workers you have their best interests at heart by being empathetic and offering to help out when they need it.

19. Take a break now and then. A clear head and balanced life can give you energy and perspective.

20. Look and act promotable. Don't let anyone think you work because you have to.

What's Important To You?

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have superhuman ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true" came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk.

And then, even with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What's important to you? What do you listen for?

If you are in tune with the Great Spirit, you will be able to hear when It speaks.

COMMITMENT, PERSISTENCE, VICTORY!

I used to think that I knew what commitment and persistence meant. Trying hard. Making a lot of attempts. However, I didn't grasp the true meaning of these concepts until I read a small book entitled, "Over the top" by Zig Ziglar.

Commitment is the essence of The Ultimate Secret. According to the author, the key to getting what you want is the "willingness to do whatever it takes" to accomplish your objective. Now, before your mind jumps to conclusions, let me add that in saying "whatever it takes," I exclude all actions which are illegal, unethical or which harm other people.

So, exactly what do I mean by this "willingness?" Let me explain further. It's a mental attitude, which says: if the process to reach my goal takes five steps, I'll do those five steps; if it requires 1,005 steps, I'll do those 1,005 steps. Of course, at the outset of any endeavor, you usually won't know exactly how many steps will be required to reach your goal. This doesn't matter. To succeed, all that's necessary is that you make a commitment to do whatever it takes - regardless of the number of steps involved.

Where does persistence fit in? Persistent action follows commitment - that is, you first must be committed to something before you will persist to achieve it. Once you have made a commitment to achieve your goal, then you will follow through with relentless determination and action until you attain the desired result.

The "Magic" of Commitment

When you make a commitment and are willing to do whatever it takes, you begin to attract the people and circumstances necessary to accomplish your goal. For instance, once you devote yourself to becoming, say, a best-selling author, you might suddenly "bump into" a literary agent or "discover" a television program offering advice on this very topic. It's not as if these resources never existed before, it's just that your mind never focused on finding them. Once you commit yourself to something, you create a mental picture of what it would be like to achieve it. Then, your mind immediately goes to work, like a magnet, attracting events and circumstances which will help bring your picture into reality. This is not an overnight process, however; you must be active and seize the opportunities as they appear.

The magic which flows from commitment has never been more eloquently or more accurately described than in the following words by W. N. Murray: "Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.... The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." Another miraculous feature of the power of commitment is that you don't need to know up front how to achieve your goal. Having a plan will greatly assist you, but it is not essential that every step be mapped out in advance. In fact, when you have the willingness to do whatever it takes, the right steps are often suddenly revealed to you.

A Word of Caution

Before you get too excited about waltzing easily toward your goals cautions you. Even with a commitment, everything will not be rosy on your path. Life will test you to see how serious you are about achieving your objective. Obstacles will arise. You'll make mistakes and suffer disappointments and setbacks, some of which may be quite severe and even tempt you to abandon your goal. That's when it becomes important to follow the sage wisdom of Winston Churchill, who said: "Never, never, never give up." Or the advice provided by Madonna in one of her hit songs: "You get up again... over and over!" If you have made a commitment to accomplish a goal, you can overcome temporary defeats... and triumph.

Now, let's assume you have a goal in mind. The next question to ask yourself is: Am I willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this goal? If your answer is: I'll do just about anything, except that I won't do ___, you are not willing to do whatever it takes. And the likelihood is that you will be derailed and not achieve your objective.

Take Action!

Now that you've learned about the power of commitment, it's time to apply the principle. So, go ahead. Select a goal, which you have a burning desire to achieve. Make a commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve this goal. Start moving forward and get ready to notice and take advantage of all opportunities, which come your way. Then follow through with persistent action and get ready to succeed

Finding Your Purpose

Finding your purpose

Do you know what is driving you? Why are you working so hard and doing so much to get what you want? Do you know your purpose for being here?

Whatever your dreams may be and whatever you want to achieve, it is important to analyze the reasons for those things. The reasons for what you want to have and to achieve are your “why.” Your why is intimately tied to your purpose in life.

Finding your purpose – the reasons for achievement

It seems strange that most of the time we wonder through life without any real purpose of our own. At times we do achieve great things and have the appearance of having a wonderful life. We may even have every material thing we could ever want and be successful at our careers, businesses and everything else. But, as many who have achieved success will tell you, you can still feel empty inside and your life can still lack real meaning.

Imagine, for a moment, that you have achieved your dreams. You are famous. So what? You have lots of luxury cars. So what? You are number one in your area of expertise. So what? You have the biggest or best company in the country. So what? You are wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. So what?

Achievement, wealth and recognition in themselves are useless if they do not answer the “why” question. Why? Because the reason for doing something is ultimately more important than what is done.

Finding your purpose – everything has a purpose in life

Everything has a purpose in life. The trees, ants, bees, birds and every living thing have a purpose for being. Each plays its own little part in the delicate architecture of life. Every good invention or good tool answers a question. Technology answers the why question – it’s an answer to someone’s problem.

Human beings, whatever you believe their origin to be, are the greatest of all of nature’s wonders. Why are most of them so purposeless in their existence? The Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius asks: “Everything, a horse, a vine, is created for some duty...For what task, then, were you yourself created?”

A substantial number of us exist simply to exist. We live year in and year out as though living itself is our ultimate goal. If we make enough money and have enough things to get us through to the next year we are satisfied. Surely, there is more to our lives than that? How can something so wonderfully made and endowed with potential as you are simply be here to just exist? What is your contribution to the world? Is your being here making any difference to anyone?

Finding your purpose – the why factor

The answer to these questions lies partly in your why. Your why is the strong reason you desire something. It is not what you desire, but the strong reason why you desire it. If you examine it further you will find that your why is closely tied to your purpose in life: the thing that you are here to do. So who determines your why and your purpose? Very simply – you do. George Bernard Shaw said “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.”

Trouble is, if you are anything like most people… you are probably waiting for some miraculous experience that will tell you why you are here and what you must do. Such moments do occur for some people, but they are the exception and not the rule. The fact is, most people already have the starting point for knowing their purpose in life.

It may be something that interests you, excites you, inspires you, or just that small voice in the back of your head that tells you “you ought to be doing something”. These are often the clues that hold the answer to finding your purpose. Unfortunately, they are often the clues we tend to ignore or suppress.

Yes, they may not be complete clues. Certain pieces of the puzzle may be missing. But these pieces can only be found once we decide to set off on the journey.

Finding your purpose – decision is always the starting point

What is the starting point of that journey? As with most things in life, it is decision. Decide that there is purpose to your life. Then decide to commit yourself to finding your purpose. Without these two decisions being settled in your mind you will wonder through life like 97% of everybody else out there: busy achieving nothing.

Deciding to find your purpose will set you on the right track and make your mind receptive and ready to see every day things in a new light. However, you have to seek out the answers. Read books that make you think, watch inspiring movies, spend time with the right people, develop your interests and passions and, most importantly, read your books of ancient wisdom. All this is part of keeping your mind in the right environment, an environment that is right for revelation and inspiration.

Finding your purpose - simplicity is often the answer

There is no way in the world anyone can do what I have just described to you and end up living a meaningless life. One piece at a time the puzzle will become clear and complete. You will discover your purpose, and when you do, it will likely not be some experience where you got hit on the head and nearly knocked out by the revelation. It will come naturally. It will be something that combines most of your life’s experiences and your abilities into one perfect purpose. It will be something you probably had a clue about all along.

However, don’t ever make the mistake of wanting to know everything before you start anything. Start where you are with what you have and what you know. Would you dare write a novel without first learning the alphabet? Take the first steps and you will be on your way. If you follow the process you will mature into the person you are meant to be. You will fulfill your purpose, one little step and one little piece at a time.

Finding your purpose – conclusion

Leo Buscaglia stated that “It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of (man)kind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”

You are all you can be. Go on and be it.

Appreciation ABCs

-Carolyn B. Ellis 

Appreciation is an underutilized, yet hugely valuable, ingredient in successful relationships. Many of us take a major blow to our self-esteem when we divorce. Practicing appreciation of ourselves and others can help heal our wounded hearts. It is like a fertilizer that can help relationships grow and strengthen. Expressing verbal and non-verbal appreciation for another helps build safe and loving communication channels.

Wondering how to get into the groove of appreciation? Here are the seven strategies I call the "Appreciation A-B-Cs" to get you off to a great start. Each of these strategies is simple and effective, whether you're in a relationship or not.

Appreciation A-B-Cs:

1. Keep Your Appreciation Simple.

Your verbal statements of appreciation to another don't have to be fancy or long. Keep it within the length of time for one out-breath. Try a simple "I appreciate you for ____..." to get you started.

2. Speak from Your Heart, not Your Head.

Don't think too much! Your most effective guide is your heart, not your head. Take a moment to breathe, visualize your heart and let the words flow from there.

3. Keep It Up.

Expressing appreciation on a regular basis is more effective than going on a binge one day and then dropping into radio silence for the next two weeks. Set some simple goals like expressing one heart-felt appreciation to your partner each day. One woman credited starting daily appreciations with reviving a flagging marriage! If you are single, give yourself that yummy appreciation or call a friend and express your appreciation for that friendship. Giving and receiving appreciation may feel awkward initially, just like a muscle that hasn't been called upon for a while. Simply keep up your efforts and soon it'll become a natural and effortless habit.

4. Cover All the Bases

Once you start looking, there are so many things you will realize you appreciate in the people in your life! Look at what they do; how they communicate; how they look; how you relate to each other. Look for things to appreciate and you'll start to find them.

5. Don't Let Just Words Do the Talking

Appreciation doesn't always need to be verbal. Play with nonverbal appreciation as well, such as leaving unexpected notes in lunch bags or briefcases, flowers, extra hugs or strokes, delicious eye contact, and other small acts of kindness.

6. Who to Appreciate.

Loved ones, family and friends are clear candidates for receiving appreciation. How about your coworkers or employees? Why not expand your horizons to include your hairdresser or the check-out clerk at the grocery store? Appreciate your home, the city you live in or your health. Expanding your list of who and what you appreciate will help you to live in an "attitude of gratitude" which will help you keep centered and better able to take on any challenges that might still be in front of you.

7. Appreciate Yourself

Do you ever find yourself in need of appreciation? I always encourage my clients to start by appreciating themselves first. It's amazing what wonders doing 10 written self-appreciations every day can do for your spirit!

ALL THE BEST!!!

ONE

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true.

One life can make the difference,

You see it's up to YOU!!!

Just For Today...

Just For Today...

...Smile at a stranger
...Listen to someone's heart
...Drop a coin where a child can find it
...Learn something new, then teach it to someone
...Tell someone you're thinking of them
...Hug a loved one
...Don't hold a grudge
...Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry"

...Look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are
...Don't kill that spider in your house, he's just lost, show him the way out
...Look beyond the face of a person into their heart
...Make a promise, and keep it
...Call someone, for no other reason than to just say "hi"
...Show kindness to an animal
...Stand up for what you believe in
...Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind, enjoy the sun
...Use all your senses to their fullest
...Cherish all of your TODAY!

This is a great advice for today, anyday and EVERYDAY

Pride of Performance

-By Shiv Khera

Pride of Performance does not represent ego. It represents pleasure with humility.

"The quality of the work and the quality of the worker are inseparable." Half-hearted effort does not produce half results; it produces no results.

Three people were laying bricks. A passerby asked them what they were doing. The first one replied, "Don't you see I am making a living?" The second one said, "Don't you see I am lying bricks?" The third one said, "I am building a beautiful monument." Here were three people doing the same thing who had totally different perspective on what they were doing. They had three very different attitudes about their work. And would their attitude affect their performance? 

The answer is clearly yes.

Excellence comes when the performer takes pride in doing his best. Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it, regardless of what the job is, whether washing cars, sweeping the floor or painting a house.

Do it right the first time, every time. The best insurance for tomorrow is a job well done today.

Michelangelo had been working on a statue for many days. He was taking a long time to retouch every small detail. A bystander thought these improvements were insignificant and asked Michelangelo why he bothered with them. Michelangelo replied, "Trifles make perfection and perfection is no trifle."

Most people forget how fast you did a job, but they remember how well it was done.

The Benefits Of Patience

In today's context, where life is fast paced, where does patience fit in?

• A driver wants to reach his destination as soon as possible.

• A businessman wants to make his fortune quickly.

• A tourist wants to visit as many places possible in the shortest time.

• A funny way of looking at it is - even our washing machines are overworked just because we want to get more done in less time.

Many a time patience is one of the less exercised capacities of humans.

• A boy spends his nights thinking about his examination results, when he can actually leave it to time and go about what he can do.

• A businessman tries to figure out how his career will chart without any benefit.

• A girl is hasty in settling for her life partner.

Such a thing called "impatience" steals our joy out of our life. How often do we remind ourselves of the fact that uncertainty is what adds up the taste to our life?

Suppose each one of us knew, to the minute detail, what is going to happen for the next 10 days. How will it be? We can be sure that we will lose our peace while thinking about the falls, bumps and hiccups that we are sure to meet within those 10 days.

Life would become a program, automation, robotic….

Stories are wonderful to almost all of us; each one though liking different genre of them. But think if we all knew the end of the story from the beginning? Would we either keep the book aside, because we do not like the ending, or read it every now and then remind ourselves of the ending so that the charm of the characters in the story is lost?

Someone said, "Ignorance is bliss". Now, I am not undermining the importance of planning or predicting in order to be prepared but I am just reiterating that serene patience, when employed in tandem, would help us achieve much more.

Patience is not just sitting around thinking something will happen; it is the grit and will to accept the flops and STILL WORK WITH ZEST, AS IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING YOUR VENTURE.

The blatant truth is that we actually kill the present time with our impatience.

Someone said, "Life need not be wonderful to be ENJOYABLE". It would not be wise for us to damage our own present for an unknowing future. With all uncertainty, we can still enjoy our EVERYDAY life.And hence the best thing to do is to say to ourselves, "Hey you there inside, remember, you are the most happy when you don't know what is going to unfold the next moment."

Let us take a reminder from the Bhagvad Gita which advices us, "Your duty is to work sincerely and never to expect the result of. If you are sincere and dedicated to work… you will be rewarded”

Belief Is The Secret Of Success

- V. Srinivas

Behind all success stories there is only one simple secret that is "Belief". It generates extra energies to accomplish hard tasks and to get rare distinction.

Belief is hidden strength and one's own power. Without firm belief in you, all your intellectual capabilities will be futile. Your belief can raise you above discouraging circumstance, disappointing and ridicule. Unfortunately, many youngsters lack this and hence their performance is miserable in various situations.

The simple word 'Belief" creates wonders and see its greatness in you.

A few years ago a college student, who was struggling to build his career, appeared for his professional examination. He attempted his first paper excellently but he imagined that he performed badly. Keeping this in mind, he lost concentration for the rest of the subjects and in turn, didn't write the other subjects well. Later on, the results came out that the paper he thought was poorly written had secured top marks in the college but in the other subjects, he failed. Why did this happen? The reason is simple: lack of belief in himself.

To become successful, your task is to fuel your mind with positive thoughts only. Under no circumstances should you deposit negative thoughts in your mind bank.

Negative emotions are the real enemies which ruin your career. They are the obstacle for your progress. So, don't underestimate your talents and try to overcome all weaknesses. Once a negative thought grips you, it has a tendency to breed itself and produces an endless chain of similar weak thoughts. In such a situation your self confidence is under great pressure.

You have to believe that your worth is great and tell yourself you can do everything. So, your foremost duty is "like yourself and know your power".

Undesirable criticism can be most demoralizing and it induces in a person a poor estimate of his own powers and inhibits his efforts. Remember, don't allow people's negative criticism to take hold of you and make you its victim. But most of us think small and become small. To like yourself means to like your body, your brain and your situation without any grumbling and comparisons with others.

A confident person is sure of his capabilities and doesn't need to trot them out. Most students postpone their work due to lack of belief in them. This will seriously affect their future career. A combination of belief and self confidence makes impossible things possible.

So, believe in your hidden strengths and talents. It is a very great achievement indeed!

LIVE OUT EACH DAY

Live out each day like it might be your last

Don't plan for the future, don't hide from the past

Smile at strangers and you just might change a life

Offer kisses and hugs even in pain and strife

Don't count all your money, count all your friends

Don't look to the dark side as a means to the end

Shake off your stresses, your worries, your cares

This life is a challenge, so take on the dares

Don't tell people your heartaches, tell them your dreams

Let them know that life can be better than it seems

Don't number your problems, number the stars

Gaze up to heaven and see the distance isn't far

Don't let your whole life be ruled by your fear

Cherish the memories of all things you hold dear

Don't hold back the tears as they fall from your eyes

Don't give in to sadness, or fall for the lies

You can fly with the angels, you can sing in the night

Don't let your head doubt what your heart knows is right

Whisper a secret to the dawn of the day

Look to your loved ones to show you the way

Don't run from the truth, but accept it with pride

Don't keep all your feelings sheltered inside

Let your silver turn gold, let your hopes all come true

Pray your joys will be many and your sorrows be few

Let the glow in your heart reflect in your soul

So you know what it's like to have and to hold

Til death do you part, may you treasure the sights

That this life had to offer, its enchantments and delights

Search for contentment in each person you meet

Let yourself find freedom, don't just stand still on your feet

Dance, be at ease, for you've got one life to live

Put your heart on the line and give it all you can give

Life is Worthwhile if You...

 - Jim Rohn

Life is worthwhile if you LEARN. 

What you don't know WILL hurt you. You have to have learning to exist, let alone succeed. Life is worthwhile if you learn from your own experiences, negative and positive. We learn to do it right by first sometimes doing it wrong. We call that a positive negative. We also learn from other people's experiences, both positive and negative. 

We learn by what we see - pay attention. By what we hear – be a good listener. Now I do suggest being a selective listener, don't just let anybody dump into your mental factory. We learn from what we read. Learn from every source. Learn from lectures, learn from songs, learn from sermons, learn from conversations with people who care. 

Keep learning.

Life is worthwhile if you TRY. 

You can't just learn; you now have to try something to see if you can do it. Try to make a difference, try to make some progress, try to learn a new skill, try to learn a new sport. Life is worthwhile if you try. It doesn't mean you can do everything but there are a lot of things you can do, if you just try.
Try your best. Give it every effort. Why not go all out?

Life is worthwhile if you STAY. 

You have to stay from spring until harvest. If you have signed up for the day or for the game or for the project - see it through. Sometimes calamity comes and then it is worth wrapping it up. And that's the end, but just don't end in the middle. Maybe on the next project you pass, but on this one, if you signed up, see it through.

Life is worthwhile if you CARE.

If you care at all you will get some results, if you care enough you can get incredible results. Care enough to make a difference. Care enough to turn somebody around. Care enough to start a new enterprise. Care enough to change it all. Care enough to be the highest producer. Care enough to set some records. Care enough to win.

Four powerful little words: learn, try, stay and care. What difference can you make in your life today by putting these four words to work?

When the Door of Opportunity Opens

- Chris Widener

Anybody can achieve anything. Do you believe that? I do.

But there is a caveat that must be made. Those who succeed are those who walk through the door of opportunity when it swings open. That we know. But what is the secret to getting through the door of opportunity?

Being outside the door when it swings open.

As the story goes, Frank Sinatra got his big break while working as a waiter. One day, as he was waiting tables, who does he see sitting in the restaurant, but one of the biggest names in the music industry. Old Blue Eyes did the unbelievable: He cleared off a table next to the gentleman and got up on it and sang! He knew he was done at the restaurant for doing so, but how many times would this door of opportunity open up?

Needless to say, the rest is history. You may remember my article about the stagehand for Kenny G who one day was in the auditorium with Kenny, just the two of them, when he started to play every song for him on the piano that was set up. Kenny didn’t even know the guy could play the piano. Guess who is now the lead keyboardist for Kenny G? You got it!

You see, you never know when the door of opportunity is going to open wide. For some, the big break comes early in life and for others later on. But for all of those who become successful, there is one key similarity: They were ready. And for every one of those who were ready, there were thousands more who weren’t.

So, the principle for us is: Be ready!

Are you ready? Here are some thoughts for you to consider.

Are your skills as sharp as they could be? Are they enough so when your shot comes you can perform?

Is your character deep enough to handle success? Let’s face it; you don’t want big success if your character won’t be able to handle it.

Are you working hard to position yourself now? The job to do while waiting for the door to open is to develop your skills and your character, so as to position yourself to get through that door before it closes.

Your door will open someday. It opens for everyone. It may only open once or it may open many times. It is different for everyone and life just isn’t fair that way. But everybody gets a shot. Will you be ready?

When that huge door of opportunity opens up, will you be able to walk boldly through it?

Do everything you can to be ready. Don’t just sit and wish and dream. Be proactive and make sure that you are the most qualified when the door opens. Make sure that you are the hardest worker. Make sure you are the closest to the door.

When it opens – Be Ready!

Shhh. Do you hear that? Hinges creaking! It is the sound of the door opening. Your door of opportunity! Are you ready?

How To Become L.U.C.K.Y.

Abiodun Mabadej

My sojourn on planet earth has spanned a little over three decades, and never have I met a person who did not want to have or become lucky - never! From young to old we all want to experience luck in all we do. Whether it's in our exams, on our jobs or in business, luck is what everyone desires as it is bound to in one way or another better our lots when it does happen. Now, there's nothing wrong with desiring or actually experiencing luck - absolutely nothing!

But do you know that being lucky is not a matter of chance, neither is it by accident? In other words, I am saying that you can create your own luck by simply knowing what to do. Did I hear you say how can you do that? Relax. That is what this piece you are reading is meant to reveal to you. So read on. "When opportunity meets preparation, luck is inevitable." - Anonymous

L - Learning

"I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday." - Abraham Lincoln

The bane that has brought pain to this generation is our lack interest and discipline to sit down and learn. Matthew Ashimolowo, who is a master in the field of motivational speaking (although a pastor), posed that, "It is your learning and not your yearning that will increase you earning." To rephrase, I will say that if you are not ready to learn then you are not ready to earn.

When was the last time you visited a bookshop? When was the last time you read a book through? Better still (or should I say worse still?), when was the last time you did something deliberately to develop yourself? You can quote me anywhere that if all you know today are the same things you knew yesterday, then you are not qualified to be alive today. Never forget that the day you stop learning is the day you start dyeing. According to Henry Ford, "Anyone who stops learning is old, either at twenty or at eighty."

U - Understanding

"What you stand under determines what will stand under you." - Abiodun Mabadeje

Understanding simply means what you are 'standing under.' If I may ask you, what are you standing under? What is your philosophy of life? What is your thought pattern like?

Remember that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. It is your thinking that sets the limits and boundaries of your life. Bishop David Oyedepo said, "The day you stop thinking is the day you start sinking" and a step further is what Matthew Ashimolowo said, "Stinking thinking makes you stink." Meaning that if your thinking is wrong, your outcome in life will also be wrong. Remember the computer language, GIGO? - Garbage in garbage out.

C - Competence

"Competence gives confidence." - Abiodun Mabadeje

Competence connotes specialty; developed ability - skill. It is your competence that determines your identity. In other words you will have no identity until you are competent at something. This is the idea.

When you mention Michael Jordan, you say Basketball. When you mention Jay Jay Okocha, you say Football. When you mention Mike Tyson, you say Boxing. When you mention Bill Gates, you say Microsoft. When you mention Richard Branson, you say Virgin conglomerate.

The question I have for you is this, when we mention your own name, what do we say? Food for thought!

K - Knot (networking)

John C. Maxwell, an established American author, motivational speaker and pastor has said time and again that "People are everything." No tree makes a forest. No island exists without the surrounding water. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" but where there are no people visions stagnate.

You need to tie the knot of relationships. Do not take people for granted. Associate with those who know more than you, those you can tap from their wealth of knowledge, experience, resources and expertise (most of the time the word mentor is used to describe such people). As a result of this association, you can reach where they are faster by avoiding the pitfalls they encountered while climbing up the ladder of success.

You also need to develop relationships with your contemporaries and even those below you. Don't forget that life is dynamic; hence you never can tell when and where you will need them too. You are not to ignore people or belittle people for whatever reason either for 'stature' or 'status.' "Those you ignore while going up, you will meet while coming down."

Y - Yield

In every worthwhile success story, there's always a place of/for God. To this extent, you need to allow God a place in your journey and life endeavors. Like someone rightly observed, "Your efficiency without His sufficiency will lead to your deficiency."