Set an Objective and Know WHY you're doing it

What do you want to achieve today? Tonight? Why am I going to work? Why is it so important I achieve this goal?

If you know the WHY behind the goal then it makes sense, keeps you focussed and gives you motivation.

Set an objective for the day - it doesn't have to be a huge goal, just something to aim for an keep you focused, like “I read chapter 2 and 3 of this book” or “I spend quality time with so-and-so.”

Becoming ‘outcome focussed' helps immensely to keep you going through a time or task that is not particularly fun or pleasant or easy (the gym?!) because you can focus on the outcome and rewards that come later (being fit, toned and sexy!).

Spin-It to Win it – falling for the Dark side is too Easy

If something goes bad, or wrong, messed up, unexpected, not quite as you wanted etc, know that these things happen to everyone, it's a fact of life. Dust yourself off and carry on. SPIN IT means find a positive meaning or something you can learn from it. By learning something from a not so great thing, you've spun it to be a mini-triumph rather than all bad.

Two examples, while bankruptcy may seem like the end of the world to some, and forever financial bleakness another may spin it to be a success- they have accepted responsibility for screwing up, doing something about it and moving on.

One that happened this very morning to me- I received an email from a well-known auction site saying I had been booted off my account for at least seven days, this included my store which took several hours to built. Naturally, for a small while I was rather annoyed, but then decided to look at the positives. Here was an opportunity to improve my website, building a store within it rather than relying on the auction site for this and promo. I would save on auction fees and further the one-stop-shop idea for my website. To date I'm waiting to see if they'll let me back on- which would be nice, however if not I'll just get on and find another way without wasting too much time worrying about it, what's the point?!

In the above example I could easily and was very tempted to ‘fall for the Dark side'-very easily, emailing and calling people to moan at, emailing the auction site at length, staying in a dull mood all day.

BUT would that have been productive? Nope.
Boring? Certainly, for others to listen to, and listening to myself.
Fun? NO.
Easy? Yes, and it takes effort to spin it.

It's back to the thing of giving yourself a choice- “now, do I waste time and energy moaning and gloating or do I learn what I can, fix what I can and GET ON?” – to me it's a no-brainer.

Put a positive spin on a not-so-gone-well, learn from it and DON'T FALL FOR THE DARK SIDE-its pointless, boring, doesn't help yourself or others and is a perfect way to be unproductive and extremely UNATTRACTIVE! If fact, you dis-empower yourself it you put on the ‘Poor me' ‘tude!

It is said that you attract what you think about most, so if you fall for the dark side, what do you suppose you'll attract more of?

A Journal- a mirror and your best friend

Get a notebook and use it as a diary or journal. Decorate it however makes it personal or creative for you. Use it to gather your thoughts.

Write down what you're grateful for as a brilliant exercise to keep a positive mind set, first thing when you wake up jot down your high expectations for the day. When reading personal development books, use it as your safe environment to complete the exercises with. Air your angst when you don't want to broadcast to the world.

Write a pep talk to your self if you're low, to bolster yourself back up again. Let it be your support system. You're journal can be your best friend in tough times, simply letting you get your thoughts out and arranged without interruption. Writing is very cathartic and often leaves room in our minds for other thoughts and ideas as currents ones given and outlet.

Design your life within the pages and set your goals, track you're progress and write what you have learned.

It's also a phenomenal way to look back and see just how far you're come!

Positive self talk- affirm how good you are to yourself!

Whenever I start to read or research into self-development, neuro-linguistic programming and ‘getting the most out' of yourself I see the recurrence of chanting and affirmations.

There are great ones out there and this branches out into literally telling-programming yourself- that you will do or be something. They work even better when said the present tense. In Brian Tracy's book Change Your Life Change Your Thinking he describes a technique to wake up at a certain time, simply by repeating “I wake up at 6.30am sharp” before you go to sleep. On the same page, he describes how to buck oneself up after a late night. That book is one for your reading list. Tony Robbins again uses affirmations heavily in his techniques and his audio programs are particularly motivational.

I do not profess to be an expert, just offer my take on these techniques, because I have found they do work. In this book I include self-penned affirmations, often made up in 30 seconds flat to ask for what I need that day, particularly if I wake up feeling groggy or lazy or float ‘off-task'.

One of the basic ideas in the self-development area- explained in detail in Brian Tracy's aforementioned book is that fundamentally we become whatever think and talk about most. A person with low self worth is likely to talk negatively about himself and the world, likewise for a confident happy person. One use of affirmations is to change these patterns of speech and thinking through repetition. One phrase/fundamental belief that Brian Tracy has in his book is:

“I am a thoroughly good person and I am going to be a big success in life. Everything that happens to me, good or bad is simply a part of the process of achieving the great success and happiness that are inevitable for me”.

I have this plastered on stickers and cards in my diary, wardrobe doors, notice boards, sun visor in car (not read whilst driving!), wallet so I can see, read and reinforce this message.

This is one of my more long-term quotes and in this book I am going to focus on the power of short, quick lines to get the best out of the day or oneself. The reason I sometimes call them spells is because it is nice to pretend that I am almost ‘casting' good thoughts and whatever I ask for to come to me. It is almost asking and putting faith in something (I'm not particularly religious but do feel a need to trust life/the universe, and that it will provide, and karma).

I make my affirmations in the present tense- speaking as if I already have it. They are best kept short and easy to remember even you are repeating it. I sometimes combine two needs in one affirmation- “I nap until 2.30pm sharp, when I wake up recharged and ready to go again…”. That Is one I used when I need an afternoon nap, to turn it into a power nap.

Mainly I write them down on a small piece of card or memorise them- the reason I like to keep them short and repeat them over and over. In the case of the power nap example as I am lying down and closing my eyes as I drift off and similarly as I go to bed.

For bedtime chants I particularly close my eyes and see it being imprinted or severely more graphical, seared (!) onto my brain and it seems to work. It is asking for what I need with a trust that it will come. I find most of the time it works. Sometimes I find it burns better onto my brain than others, and like most things with practice, it seems to take less repetitions to become effective the more I do it or stronger I concentrate.

Another great time to do it, as I found out this morning, conversely is in the shower! You can say/whisper it out loud then, pretend to scream, dance about as your shampoo, whatever you want- don't feel silly, it's a private moment and amazing for repeating your message with, as showers are quite motivating in their own right! This morning my words are “I have an alive and productive day with all the energy I need”.

Other times- having a crap day at work?- take a private moment in

Setting a Goal Toward Success

Many new entrepreneurs never get past the planning stages of starting a business. Why? Is it because they lack certain skills that successful entrepreneurs do? Maybe. More than likely though, with all the planning, there was never a clear goal in mind for the entrepreneur to reach.

It is easier to get to where you want to be if you know here you are going in the first place. Having clear, defined, “finish line” goals helps you move forward and put your plan into action.

Imagine for a moment what your business may actually be like once it's off the ground. What are you doing? What do your products look like? What sort of income are you making? Are you a giant enterprise or a small, yet successful shop owner? Write down your thoughts into a business journal. Make it your goal. Then create action steps on how to get to your goals.

Successful Entrepreneurial Traits - Innovative Spirit

This trait is similar to creativity. Innovation is important to your company. Your Web site may need to keep up with technology. Maybe your company would benefit with text advertising, a new Web site and updated content. Your initial ideal business will more than likely change to prepare for the future. Be ready to expand your idea of what your business will be. Exercise your innovative spirit.

In Business to Succeed

Why do new businesses fail so often? Some businesses fall apart before the business has started. Other new entrepreneurs find themselves out of business after only a year or two in business. What happened?

A lot of reasons may be behind this, but one of the problems might be the person themselves. There is a little known psychological term called the fear of success.

It may be surprising to learn that people sometimes fear success, and some people will actually sabotage their business without realizing it. How can you tell if you have a fear of success? Do thoughts of failure go through your mind more often than dreams of success? Does the thought of people seeing you as a success make you nervous? Do you avoid talking about your others even when the opportunity arises? This may be sign that you have a fear of success. Help yourself by studying the subject. There are many reports that may help you find the cause and find a solution.

Definition of Success

As a new entrepreneur, it may be difficult to figure out at what point you have succeeded in starting a business. Some people consider that being officially open for business is their first measure of success. Others may think that the first customer defines success.

The only way to find success in business is to have a predetermined and defined goal. Goal setting is important in life as it helps us find the rewards and success we want. Define your goals, outline the steps to get there and reward yourself for your success. Don't forget the small successes, as the small ones lead to bigger ones.

Successful Entrepreneurial Traits - Creativity

If you are an entrepreneur, you are already aware of your creative side. You started by designing your business in your mind. The products or services played only a part of your plan to build a successful business. As a business owner, you constantly need to be aware of new ways of doing business. New ideas need to be collected, possibly presented to others to take your company to the next level.

Successful entrepreneurs often consider creativity the number one trait you need to be a success. Don't feel creative? Sometimes creativity is simply research and collecting data. See what trends are forming or ask your customers what they want. Often the answers will inspire you.

Successful Entrepreneurial Traits - Delegating

Depending on your business, you may be able to get away with doing everything by yourself. After all, if you want it done, you should do it yourself, right?

In most cases, however, you are really limiting your business if you try to play every role in your business. A one-man show can only go so far as the lone man can. Go further. Delegate jobs you don't need to be doing to others. Do you really need to do your own taxes? Couldn't someone else manage the paperwork? You may be able to develop a business system for your company where others can take over jobs you don't need to be doing, leaving you plenty of room to do what you should be doing, creating new ideas and building your business.

Successful Entrepreneurial Traits - Determination

It takes time to grow your business. Determination is key to being a success. Keeping your determination may be tough if it is taking a long time to find the success you are looking for.

Instead of looking forward to those long-term goals, create short term ones and celebrate the little successes.

Sometimes the best way to keep your determination may be to work with the products or services that impressed you enough to start your business. Find what makes you happy about your business and remember that success is soon to come.