There are an endless number of ways we hold ourselves back from even slightly reaching our potential. We create all kinds of self-imposed limitations as to what is possible for us through our thoughts, intentions and beliefs.

It has been well documented that our belief system affects how we act and perform. Our beliefs even help in molding our life. When we believe something is possible, many times we will find a way to make it happen. When we choose not to believe it is possible we rarely even make the effort. It is pretty easy to feel that truth.

Now, imagine what life would be like if, instead of creating restrictions we created possibilities. We know that the mind cannot come up with a vision or goal that we are not capable of accomplishing. We just have to be willing to think big, or at least bigger, and take inspired action. Go ahead, give it a try.

• Take the time to identify your core beliefs and look at how they form your perceptions about life-relationships, finances, health, career, etc.
• Determine what beliefs are true and support you in living a fulfilled life. Then look for those that are actually based in fear and limit your potential.
• Then, explore what more you could complete if you were willing to let the beliefs that hold you back go. So, what is holding you back?

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

originally posted October 28, 2013

Let’s face it, there is only so much emotional stress you are capable of handling before you begin your temper begins to flair. The fact is that when your energy level is low it becomes even easier for you to give way to fear and negativity. I know that is the case for me.

When you make the choice to have positive daily routines in your life that strengthen your energy, you will find that your mood will be enhanced and stress levels lowered. All of this, of course, will help to refill your emotional reserves and have your ready for a great day. I believe it is very important to make a daily routine for yourself that will help you to provide more positive energy into every day.

Choose to experience how much smoother life becomes when you invest in yourself and make the choice to feel good. So, stop putting off your daily happiness and create your new routine today. One thing is for sure. When you take action in your own life, instead of sitting on the sidelines, you will feel stronger, more secure and ready to tackle another day. Hey, it’s football season!

• Start with daily exercise. Studies have shown that just 20 minutes of exercise can lift your spirits for up to 12 hours, and who wouldn’t want that? 
• Show gratitude for what you have. Showing gratitude helps to create positive emotions and thoughts that will strengthen your overall attitude, increase your motivation, and make you more resilient in your day to day dealings. 
• I put this one in just for me. Feel free to use it. When I need a lift I simply turn up the volume on my favorite radio station and sing out loud (thankfully I am in my car and nobody else can hear me). They say that music tames the savage beast. I believe that goes for the beast that lives within us as well. Listening to inspirational and upbeat music can quickly change your mood. It can also help to change your overall outlook on life at that moment. So TURN UP THE VOLUME and live!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

How many times has someone just told you to be yourself? For me, it seems infinite. The real question should be, how would you know if you are really becoming yourself?

When I ask myself that question, there are several questions that come to mind.

• How do I act when I am with the people who I am most comfortable with?
• Do I smile more often when I am with them?
• Do I laugh more when I choose to be around them?
• Do I choose to show them kindness even when I know they cannot or will not give me the same courtesy?
• When am I most comfortable? When I am by myself, with friends, with family or even with strangers?
• When I am with others, how do I feel?
  

Maybe you ask yourself these same questions.

I think my comfort zone is being around friends. I can be myself when I am with them. In fact, while my friends are always honest with me (even when it hurts) I almost always seem to have the same groups of feelings. I never feel inferior but I do feel at peace, a certain sense of stability. My friends never make me feel awkward or try to intimidate me, but instead show me love, kindness and always seem to put a smile on my face. Maybe, just maybe it is because I am choosing to be myself and do not feel like I have to react to them.

Most of us struggle with a little thing called personal growth. After all, exactly what is that invisible force that can cause so much stress and frustration in our lives? If we break it down to its most simple form, the problem is called resistance. Resistance is like one of those State Fair Rides. You know…the one where you sit in something that resembles a slingshot and then get hurled towards space, only to be pulled back to Earth time and time again. Resistance is like that ride, trying to pull us back whenever we stray too far from the norm. Many people call this fear, which fits to some extent, but fear is a conscious choice whereas resistance is an unconscious process. You may not actually be able to see it, but you can certainly feel it when the time arises for it to show its power over us.

Resistance makes change difficult in any area of our lives where we want to advance. So, why is it so difficult to stick to a healthy diet, exercise regularly, or even get up and go to church on Sunday morning? It is challenging to change those negative habits and harmful behavior patterns? For me, this list seems to go on forever, and the answer is the same every time, resistance!

We need to learn to let go. Trust me; I have learned that by letting go I feel so much more liberated and available for what life has to offer. Here are just three small ways to let go and start living a more progressive and available lifestyle.

·         Let go of the CONTROL. Yes, I know, this seems almost impossible, but you can do it! When we choose to control too many things in our lives, we become preoccupied with hanging on to our own agenda. When we actually choose to let others make decisions in our lives we get to take a rest. Try it, let someone else drive the car for a while and see how it feels.·        

In today’s world living with change is clearly something we have to deal with on a regular basis and it appears to be gaining speed. Nevertheless, while change typically has great benefits for us, it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.

I know that I prefer it when things are predictable and within my control. How about you? Unfortunately, making a change in our lives has a way of rocking the boat we call life. Then, when we are facing these changes, those awful feelings of anxiety and fear begin to show their face once more.

If we allow ourselves to let things get out of hand those fears can quickly twist reality and leaves us feeling helpless, weak and frightened. However, when we make the choice to take action in our own lives in order to control our fears they lose their control over us!

This week, learn to lessen the stranglehold that uncertainty has over you. Look at life with a new found clarity and perception. You do not have to fear the unknown; it is possible to tackle the unknown with certainty and strength. It is time to conquer those nagging worries. Follow the routine below this week and see the difference a life with confidence can give you.

• Start by identifying a worry that has been bothering you.
• Thinking about that worry, write down all of the worst things that could possibly happen if that fear were to come true.
• Then, ask yourself this question: Can I live with that situation if it ever were to occur?
• Finally, take the time to pinpoint how and what you can do to come to a positive solution that you are happy with.
• Now, take the time today to live a fearless life, reduce your worries and know that uncertainty does not have to be a bad thing!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Many times, how quickly the world changes around us can be overwhelming. As global uncertainty continues, the economic woes of the people grow and an countries appear to be more and more determined to focus on war instead of peace, it seems that almost everyone is feeling a little more anxious than normal these days.

The fears that anxiety so openhandedly brings can and will tip the canoe of life and throw you off balance if you are not paying close attention. If you are not careful, your thoughts can quickly twist reality and leave you feeling powerless, weak and filled with fear. This is when you really need to get a good grasp on your life.

My favorite acronym for fear is this. False Energy Against Reality. How true it is that we give great power to our fears. The energy we give them is overpowering at times. For me it is heights. I know that high places will not hurt me, but I try very hard NOT TO go to those places. Now, in my old age of 50, I work diligently to intentionally fight this fear and take the power away from it, thus freeing me from the fear itself. I know you can do this too! I HAVE FAITH IN YOU!!

Make the choice to day to experience how you can reduce the pain of living with doubt and tell your fears they will no longer hold you back. Start the fight against uncertainty with a little clear cut perspective and a more focused clarity about who you can be if you just try.

• You can start by picking a worry or fear that has been holding you back.
• Identify the fear and write down the worst things that could possibly happen (What if the elevator gets stuck?, I might fall off!)
• Then, ask yourself if you can live with that situation should it ever happen (Well, they will eventually get the elevator to work again., Then again, if I fall I can always get back up again.)
• Start to identify what you can do to make these fears powerless (I can take the elevator to the top, it will be OK., There is a railing there to keep me from falling.)
• Finally, take action to reduce your “False Energy” and begin to live a life based on “Actual Results” today
• Be F.E.A.R.L.E.S.S. (Finding Energy’s Actual Results by Living Every Single Step)

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

It is human nature to be cooperative. People, you and I, are actually hard wired to be generous and encouraging to one another. All of the best coaches and leaders throughout the world know this one simple truth: Teams accomplish more when they choose to work together.

Sadly, many of us grew up in an environment that trained us to compete. We consistently focus on being better than someone else instead of just being the best at what we do. At some point most of us were led to believe that in order to survive, we must be better than those around us if we want to advance. The problem is that just does not work because it goes directly against what we were created to be, cooperative, collaborative people.

In a business, internal competition many times creates dissension, limits resources and fuels the fear of failure. Inversely, cooperation can lead to a growth in your business through the sharing of ideas, bigger and better visions and an even stronger overall purpose. It is through our shared talents and strengths that we can truly increase development.

• Start today by looking for ways to develop, and build a cooperative support system in your work and at home
• Create a list of ideas that will help create a strong foundation
• Then, start with one idea and move forward
• As you maintain one idea then add others to compliment the system.

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

It is early in life when we learn that one of the quickest ways to make friends, and fit in socially, is to be a “Yes Man”! It is always so easy to say, “Yes, Sure, Why Not”. Of course, in most cases there will be a great deal of positive reinforcement when we choose to be agreeable.

After all, what could give us more pleasure than receiving those kudos. So subtle are sacrifices we make in the essence of pleasing others. Sadly, when our personal needs go unmet for a long period we many times are left feeling somewhere between run down to downright offended.

That is why it is important to learn when to say no. Believe it or not, saying no can be, and many times, is a good thing. By saying no it sets boundaries. It means you know your limits and that you give yourself enough respect to make the choice to take care of yourself. It is important to set healthy boundaries for yourself to create the encouragement you need and desire.

• Begin by identifying the areas you need to set some boundaries
• Then the hard part. Practice keeping them every day. – I know you can do it!
• Finally, pay close attention to how you feel when you choose to take care of your needs

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

There is only so much emotional stress you can choose to handle before you allow yourself to get into a bad place. In fact, when your energy is low it is even easier to give in to the fear and negativity that surrounds you. 

This is the very reason I believe it is so important to create positive daily habits that will keep you feeling strong and restore your emotional reserves. Choose to make it a habit to devote time daily to strengthen your energy every day and begin to experience more contentment, better health and a more fulfilling overall sense of happiness.

Here are three simple tips to help you refresh, recharge and renew your emotional well-being. Choose to take action today and create an atmosphere of peace, joy and happiness in your life.

• Start by moving your body every day – just 20-30 minutes of exercise can lift your temperament for up to 12 hours!
   
• Choose to practice appreciation – a little gratitude goes a long way, and it creates lots of positive emotions that will strengthen your attitude, incentive and overall health.
   
• Listen to inspirational music – music has the ability to quickly boost your disposition, increase your energy and transform your point of view.

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Our thoughts are a form of energy. Your positive thoughts increase your energy as well as your desire. Conversely, your negative thoughts deplete your energy and desire.

When you choose to create positive changes in your life, it is important to keep your eye on the ball. Focus your thoughts on what you desire to stay on track. This is where things can get a little complicated.

Like a coin, everything you desire has two sides: 1) what you desire, and 2) what you do not desire. Many times, as you direct your attention on what you want, you unintentionally begin to give more attention to your fears.

Example #1: You begin thinking about how you want a meaningful career where you are content and appreciated. Then, unintentionally you begin to think about how you do not want another job that is unfulfilling and drains you.

Example #2: It is the New Year and you are excited to improve your health and think about how you want to feel motivated and get in better shape. Then, without trying, you begin thinking about how you do not want to be unsuccessful yet again. You certainly do not want to gain back the weight like last time.

It is very important to continually check in on your thoughts. The key here is frequency. Choose to make it a habit and you will stay on track and live a healthier and happier life.

• Begin every day by thinking about the things you desire. What do you want?
• Then, use reminders as a hint to check in on your thoughts. This could be as easy as setting your watch or cell phone to chime every hour.
• Finally, enjoy the new you. After all, you deserve it!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!