A sincere smile makes me seem approachable, even from a distance. People feel comfortable coming to me because they feel welcomed by my smile.

When I smile, I do it out of a genuine desire to inspire joy in everyone whom I encounter. My personal goal is for people to walk away from an interaction with me feeling happier than they were before we met.

The world can feel full of unpleasantness and fear, but my smile helps to generate hope. A negative attitude is all too common, and it pushes people away. To enjoy pleasant company, I refrain from giving in to negativity.

Wearing a smile on my face is a conscious choice I make every morning. I smile, not because life is perfect, but because I choose to see the positive in every situation. There is something to find joy in even in the toughest of times.

I make it my duty to find something to be cheerful about at all times. Instead of pushing people away with negativism, I draw them in with my smile.

My friends and family look up to me as someone whose presence they enjoy. They like to spend time with me because I smile. My positive attitude puts me in a position of influence over others.

Today, I choose to find a reason to smile. Whether it is because of a triumph, a lesson, or just the joy of living, I wear a bright smile on my face to inspire others to do the same. With my positive outlook, I am transforming my relationships, my community and my world.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1.  Why should I smile today?

2.  Why is it best to focus on the positive?

3.  How does my attitude affect my relationships?

Most of us think that we have no other choice but to keep running on this track mill of life, just like the hamsters that simply go through the daily monotony with no questions asked. Then, we keep our dreams locked in the closet fearing that other people may not believe us or laugh at our “unrealistic” dreams. We want to fit ourselves into the image of being “normal”.

The good news is, we do not have to take the road that everyone takes. Many people have lost their jobs during this recent economic downturn. Now is the perfect time to pursue our dreams, to answer our inner calling. This inner yearning comes from deep within the core of who we really are as a person. Living this dream would bring us a genuine sense of well-being. When we do what we truly enjoy and believe, we live more in the present, feel happier and peaceful with ourselves and our surrounding. Though we may not make a lot of money with this new path, we will certainly enjoy it and live with no regret. The saddest thing in life is to ask “What if” at our deathbed, right?

The secret to happiness is to become courageous and follow what we truly want, that means to follow our hearts. If we have the talent and the ability to sustain that dream, then why not go for it? The world of today glamorizes certain lifestyle and careers, but reality says otherwise. We know things are just different from what we see in the movies. The key to enjoy life is to stand strong and not to live your life according to other people’s opinions. We have to let our inner strength take the wheel of our lives. If we don’t take control, other people will be most happy to run our lives for us. So, do not let the views of others affect our search for self-fulfillment.

We must also realize that following our dreams does not mean that we will always be happy and enjoy every minute of it. There will be times that we will be required to do things that we do not love. However, in the end we do get what we want. Life in itself is a surprise, and we often find ourselves being thrown a few surprises along the way.

Following our dreams also does not always mean that we will experience an overall sense of satisfaction, but this is far better than ignoring our inner cravings and putting them off until it never actually happens. On the road to fulfill our dreams may put us out of our comfort zone but we have to learn to cement our direction just to make ourselves truly happy with how our lives have turned out.

We must realize what kind of life we want ultimately. Though it requires conscious effort, but eventually, we get to spend the rest of our lives without regret. The seeds have been sown deep in our hearts and minds, and it is our job to reap the benefits of what we have planted. By following what we truly desire, not only do we fulfill our dreams and be happier, but we are also uplifting the spirit of the entire humanity!

If someone says, “I am, therefore I exist,” they are showing a confidence that is not common among other beings. Even though it’s a simple phrase, it’s an affirmation that says a lot about the person saying it.
Why do people need affirmation anyway? What’s the point of affirmation?
Affirmation is actually a very powerful tool that shapes your subconscious. Have you ever heard that after you hear something so many times you start to believe it? This is true with the subconscious. This can work with negative or positive words and affirmations are only positive thoughts. After the subconscious believes affirmations, they change into positive actions and feelings. With affirmation, people become empowered and can accomplish more. People learn to believe in themselves with affirmation and change thoughts to actions.
Affirmation can be verbal, thoughts, or visual. It shows the preferred state of mind of someone. Affirmations can be powerful and anyone can use them. They can help people achieve their goals. How powerful the affirmation is depends on how strong it is.
Affirmations are positive thoughts or words a person makes about something. A person can affirm what he wants such as, “I have a wonderful life.” Affirmations can also help one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Strong affirmations need to be stated in present tense rather than future tense. Saying, “I am a happy person” is more effective than saying, “I will be a happy person.” Affirmations always need to be positive and should never be negative. The whole purpose of affirmations are to be positive, to help you and to work with you.
Affirmations need to be simple, short, and to the point to be the most effective. Affirmations should not be very long. The point is to change your subconscious to be more positive and to give yourself a positive mindset. Short affirmations are much easier to say and remember than long ones. It can be something you repeat again and again everyday.
Affirmations need to be repeated in order to be effective. After you repeat something so many times, your subconscious takes notice and the person will act out and make decisions based on their affirmation. When creating an affirmation, a person should use words they believe in. Making strong affirmations can be very powerful and help the person realize their dreams.
However just making an affirmation and repeating it alone is not enough to make the affirmation into reality. A person should try to live their affirmation and do things that will help it become a reality. A person should feel the affirmation, apply it and believe it and then watch it become reality.
Affirmations are usually used to help the person using them, but they can also be used for another person. By affirming another person’s values or existence the person using the affirmations are improving the other person’s worth.

If you need to remember to bring something with you the next day either put it in your car now, if it’s not perishable, so you don’t even have to try to remember it, or put it in front of the front door so you will almost  trip over it on your way out. If you must leave it in the refrigerator, then put something in the fridge that you definitely won’t leave the house without, say your keys, you get the idea, or put a note on the door that you go out of. 

If you want to remember to look something up next time your PC is on, put the paper, article, coupon etc on the keyboard or write your note on a post it and put it on the keyboard, mouse, stick it on the on monitor.
If your spouse forgets to tell you things when you get home, have them write down just a word or two on a post it and put it where you set your keys, purse, wallet etc when you get home. This is also a useful trick for yourself, if you want to remember to do something when you get home from work, just leave a note where you will be sure to see it upon arrival.

If you want to remember to do something in the morning, just put a note on your bathroom mirror.

You can leave odd items that will spark your memory like leaving an empty cupcake pan in the middle of the table because you are suppose to bake something  the next day or two or maybe on the weekend, but you want to remember to buy the mix sometime this week.

You don’t always have to write yourself a note, you can use items already available to help you remember. For example, let’s say you need to remember to pick the next Netflix movie you want from your queue, just use the outside part of the return envelope that you would normally recycle and leave it on your keyboard or laptop. It’s larger and red so it stands out more that a post it.

If you are washing and drying work clothes and you want to avoid ironing them as much as possible, simply set the timer for the approximate time it will take to wash them, promptly put them in the dryer and reset the timer again so you can promptly take them out before the dryer has stopped.

These days you can set reminders on Outlook, at the office, on your cell phone, your iPhone or just your old fashioned digital watch if that’s easier. Keep an erasable board you can write large notes to all on the fridge.

If you are having serious trouble remembering things be sure to see your doctor for a professional opinion. If you are just busy and don’t have a great memory, then try some of these  tips here and you’ll be able to sleep better knowing it’s all taken care of.

The Power To Empower Yourself
by: Amy Twain

A set of goals would empower you and you could then proceed to begin and follow your journey or voyage by setting your desired goals. Goal setting is indeed very necessary if you would like to empower yourself, as it is the initial step towards a more satisfying and fulfilling life. So to use personal empowerment to develop and further enhance your life, ample support from family, friends and relatives are essential and you need discipline as well to create and come up with the right and best decision in your life. Goal setting could be in the form of the achievable and the feasible and also, those which are not within your ability and your budget but that could be addressed later.

Personal empowerment will allow you to follow the dreams that are not within your means now. Take those small steps and set attainable and reachable goals within a brief time frame so that you would feel empowered when you accomplish them. Achieving goals become easier as you pursue and persist to empower yourself. You could take your time to experience your growth personally as it can be very empowering to aspire to move on and be more in life. There are several rewards you can reap to personal empowerment but you really need to think forward as goal setting would enhance your life for the better and likewise help you to attain more.

Inspiring moments are also helpful and it could enliven you more and move on to pursue and foresee more personal goals. As you pursue and reach every small goal, you can see positive and better changes in you and the succeeding set of goals become more and more challenging. You would begin to look forward to it and personal empowerment would form a life you truly desire and always dreamed about. Every personal growth would heighten and intensify your sense of power and ideas and ambition are no longer out of reach. You may also need to map out a group or team of action to handle with the several obstacles in life as they delay and postpone one’s progress.

Always bear in mind to keep pushing yourself and think positive at all times, as they can be so empowering. Get rid of the negative vibrations and feelings. It will take time, yet try to make it a routine to think more on a positive note. Turning negative into something optimistic is a good distinctive feature and never, ever giving up as endurance and perseverance and patient and tolerant in overcoming the many barriers and hindrances, and always looking forward is truly important to empower oneself. To create something out of your own life, there are myriad of ways out there but each begins with a small step.

To begin empowering yourself, you have to do things which truly interest you and along the way, you would be the person ever you will hold in high regard. Don’t stop empowering yourself because your personal empowerment and growth as a person will bring about self worth and positive image.

Link Market – Free Link Exchange, Link Building and Link Trade Directory
Have you ever tried to exchange links, link building, or trade links? Was it hard? Use link market instead; – it is easy to use, free and very smart. It will save you hours of work.

“It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you” (Proverbs 29:25 GN).

• Fact #2: It’s not necessary to please everybody. There is a myth that says you must be loved and approved by everybody in order to be happy. That’s just not true. You don’t have to please everybody in order to be happy in life.

• Fact #3: Rejection will not ruin your life. It hurts, sure. It’s not fun. It’s uncomfortable. But rejection will not ruin your life unless you let it.

Quit trying to please everybody! Remember that nobody can make you feel inferior unless you give them permission.

The Apostle Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 TEV) This means we can think like this: ‘God likes me, and I like me; if you don’t like me, then you’ve got a problem. If God likes me, who cares that everybody doesn’t approve of everything I do.’

Remember, nothing you ever do will make God love you less. Nothing you ever do will make God love you more. He loves you completely right now.

NATURE ALWAYS GOES THE EXTRA MILE

Nature applies this principle in the production of foods that grow from the soil. The farmer is forced to go the extra mile, clearing the land, plowing it and planting the seed at the right time of the year.

He receives no pay in advance for his labor but he works in harmony with nature’s laws with the necessary requirements. Nature takes over and germinates the seed he plants and develops it into a crop of food.

For every grain of wheat or corn planted, nature yields hundreds of grains. Nature goes the extra mile by producing enough of every living thing to ensure the survival of the species. Nature discourages the habit of getting something for nothing!

IN THE ANIMAL WORLD THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH

Animals in the wild must either forage for leaves and berries or hunt down their prey to survive. Nature supplies the source of food for every living thing but every creature must WORK to obtain that food.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE IN THE WORKPLACE

An efficient and courteous server in a restaurant is a prime
example of going the extra mile. Most people will notice the extra attention along with good service and leave a generous tip. Anyone may earn a living without going the extra mile but they will not enjoy the economic security and luxuries.

Colonel Sanders of ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’ fame pitched his famous recipe over a thousand times before it was picked up and promoted. We all know the rest of the story! Had he given up at any time he would have been stuck with his minimal monthly pension. The Colonel proved that going the extra mile with a positive mental attitude will help anyone achieve their goals.

ADVANTAGES OF GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Job security when employment is scarce

Extra compensation for services rendered

Builds a positive mental attitude

Develops personal initiative

Has a positive effect on co-workers and employees

Helps to develop a definite purpose

Creates a sense of direction in life

Prevents procrastination

Helps to keep a clear conscience

Stimulates the soul

So if you go the extra mile and make it a daily habit you will stand out in a crowd and enjoy endless success for the rest of your life!

]]> http://eugenecwilliams.com/going-the-extra-milesuccess-in-life/feed/ 5 http://eugenecwilliams.com/self-confidence/ http://eugenecwilliams.com/self-confidence/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:30:35 +0000 eugene http://eugenecwilliams.com/?p=148 Self-confidence is a general and realistic belief in one’s own abilities. Self-confident people trust in their own ability to achieve goals that they plan and set out to achieve. This belief needs to be realistic. Self-confidence does not mean that an individual can achieve anything and everything, even absurd goals. It simply means that the person will have a sense of control over his own destiny, a positive frame of mind and is likely to make the best use of his talents and skills in achieving positive outcomes.

Achieving self-confidence is a fine balance. Lack of self-confidence or under-confidence will result in an individual doubting his abilities. Such people seek the approval of others for reassurance. They believe they have to conform to the expectations of others to fit in and be accepted. They will tend to avoid taking risks for fear of failure. They expect to fail and this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy!

Under-confident people tend to under-achieve since they have a low estimation of their abilities and therefore will not push their boundaries to achieve their best. They also tend to play down their abilities and is often uncomfortable dealing with compliments – usually discounting them.

On the other hand over confidence is not desirable either, as such individuals may tend to have unrealistically high expectations and beliefs in their abilities and therefore take unwarranted risks.

Self-confidence is not necessarily all-pervasive. An individual who is completely comfortable and confident in one area of activity, say his work or profession may lack confidence in other areas such as social situations.

What factors contribute to lack of confidence?

Lack of confidence is often the result of unrealistic expectations. Constantly aiming for perfection is a certain recipe for failure that reinforces feelings of inadequacy. Children who grow up in excessively protective environments and are not allowed to develop their independence may tend to be less confident than others who are allowed to develop their own abilities and self-reliance. Similarly over critical and demanding parents may undermine a child’s self-confidence and cause them to continually doubt their abilities even in adult life.

What steps can be taken to improve self-confidence?

Low self-esteem and low self-confidence are perpetuated by unhelpful and often destructive thought patterns. Self-confidence may be improved by identifying the offending thinking habits and taking steps to correct them. For instance seeking acceptance and approval from everyone may be an unrealistic expectation. The fact is that in day-to-day life one will encounter people that will never approve of every aspect of your life. It is far more beneficial to set personal standards which are not dependent on the approval of others.

Under confident people are quite often their own worst critics. They are quick to brand themselves failures at the slightest obstacle. It is important to remember that even the most successful people encounter setbacks. What sets them apart is how they deal with that setback and venture into the future. A setback or failure in the past need not dictate the course of your entire future. However, if at the first sign of failure you label yourself a total failure, chances are that’s exactly what you will be! Evaluate your expectations – Are they realistic? Don’t be overly critical of yourself. Refuse to accept the criticisms of others where it is unrealistic.

Give yourself credit for what you do achieve rather than focusing solely on the negatives. Resist the temptation to magnify negative outcomes out of proportion while minimizing positives.

Persons with low self-esteem avoid risks and may therefore never truly find out what they are capable of. Taking calculated risks can broaden one’s horizons and help to gain greater self-awareness and acceptance.

Evaluate your standards – substitute more reasonable expectations for perfectionist targets that are bound for failure. Build up to more challenging targets as your confidence grows.

Self-consciousness is a major hurdle to self-confidence especially in social situations. Diverting attention away from you can help to diffuse this situation. Keeping yourself occupied with other activities or focusing on the purpose of the social encounter and engaging your mind on furthering that social purpose can achieve this. Not having enough to keep your mind occupied is guaranteed to produce feelings of self-consciousness leading to feelings of anxiety, inadequacy and lack of confidence.

These are just a few steps that may be taken to improve levels of self-confidence. Clearly it is just the tip of a very large iceberg and the most appropriate measures would of course need to be determined by individual circumstances.

]]> http://eugenecwilliams.com/self-confidence/feed/ 7