Archive for the ‘Inspirational Stuff’ Category

Do we EVER stick to them, attempt them, or are they just something we ‘say’ and forget?…

In my case, after I finish the past year off with a high (and draw a line in the sand)

[To complete the exercise... "How to finish off the past year on a high" click here now]

then and only then do I start the New Year with resolutions which I call GOALS!

as I have found if I make New Year Resolutions, I rarely stick to them and to be honest, can’t even remember most of them…

So…. I am sharing with you today my 2012 goals that I believe are achievable, good resolutions that we could all perhaps do…..(and obviously I will never add in ‘give up my gin & tonic’)

1. Start the New Year with the ‘out with the old, in with the new’ feeling

As a practice, each year I like to choose just one word as a theme for the following year. This is the second year I’ve been doing this “ritual” and have found it to be extremely powerful. The word becomes like a silent mantra, and a guide for both small and major decisions, and can often precipitate significant leaps and learnings. :)

My word (theme) for 2012 is HARMONY This means harmony personally and professionally; internally and externally - to an unprecedented level. This also means physically, mentally and emotionally.

To read more about this one-word theme practice and how to apply it your own life, do check out this blog post: One-Word Theme for 2012: HARMONY.

And amazingly see where it could also apply – perhaps your wardrobe? house? kitchen clear out? garage?! or……….friends?!!! See what needs ‘shifting’ in your life…and once you start in one area see how it may apply to other areas of your life too…

2. If you are thinking of doing a diet, kick starting a new exercise regime – don’t go ‘faddy’.

Think less is more…less carbs…more exercise…less input…more output…less snacking more walking…less junk… food more fruit & vegetables…you know the score!!

But don’t go MAD and kickstart the New Year with mad foods, exercise that leaves you weak from January 1st…

I am a big believer in everything in moderation, even moderation!!!
eg. How about starting with a delivery of fresh organic fruit and veg each week.

3. List making.

I always make tonnes of lists, and I believe they work brilliantly! Why not do one in January that you can check at the end of 2012 and see what you have ticked off!

If list making sounds boring then give each month a title (theme) eg. A ‘dream and aspirations’ list is always a good place to start – Put down all the things you would LOVE to do and see if you can make it your goal to tick off….as many as possible!

I call my regular to-do lists “The BOM-Shell” aka The Business of Me!

To-do lists will then become YOU being the priority and you will see your focus shift to achieving your Bomshell list… what is important to you… rather than attending to everyone else’s urgencies.

4. Take your health in hand.

I love the Bupra health insurance advertisement on tv at the moment. It shows you meeting a healthier version of yourself…. if you took care of your health.

“What would you say if you met a healthier version of yourself?”…

So imagine a healthier version of yourself …taking the not-so-healthy version right now… by the hand.

What would he or she say to you: “Come on girl I believe in you. Trust me… you can do it!”

I have a quote: “Quality of health = Quality of life!”

Without good health, nothing in life is possible – so make this the year that you get checked up and checked out and stay on top of your health. Get those 5-7 daily doses of raw fruit and vegetables into you, and everything going – and don’t put it off.. Life is too short, and you have to grab each moment when you can!

And if you don’t have the time, don’t like raw fruit and vege… check out Juice Plus (raw F&V in a capsule minus the salt, water and sugar). I take it religiously …have done for 10yrs+… now it is my health insurance policy. [more info here...]

5. Decide to have a ‘guilt-free’ year!!

In friendships, family, life and work – stick to your gut instincts, and stop feeling guilty about things and look on life as an opportunity to be yourself, be real, be the real authentic self and in the moment

– a great book on the subject is ‘31 words to live a guilt-free life: finding the freedom to be your most powerful self’ by Karen Bouris

Cheers to you achieving your gold in 2012.
Shelley Taylor-Smith

Founder & Director Champion Mindset
Based in Perth, Western Australia
www.championmindset.com.au
www.OpenWaterSwimmingMastery.com

About Shelley Taylor-Smith

Shelley Taylor-Smith is Australia’s No.1 Mental Toughness Coach: or as her clients say “Tough Love Coach” by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Shelley helps people transform their Champion potential into performance. An energetic and inspirational speaker, international bestselling author and corporate educator, Shelley demonstrates how harnessing the power of your mind and boosting your self belief can help you achieve your goals. With her passionate commitment to being relatable, Shelley delivers a powerful lesson in mental toughness. Find out more and subscribe to Shelley’s fortnightly Champion Motivations newsletters

In less than 12hrs (downunder that is), it will be a whole new year. And tonight, lots of people will be celebrating. What will make 2012 the best year ever for you?

I’m planning to do some incredible things. I’m planning to accomplish some long-time goals, and get over a few hurdles that have been holding me back. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, I’d like to be in harmony with my true authentic self.

And it all starts right now.

As we head into a new year together, I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to give yourself a break right now. 2011 may have not turned out how you would have liked, but if you waste your energy focusing on what could have been you may miss the opportunities put before you to move forward in 2012!

It is a sad statistic that more people give up the fight at this time of year than at any other. They feel they have failed again, not moving forward at all, and wonder if it is all worth it. Over the many hours of sitting with people, listening to their story, I have compiled a list of things to avoid when I assess my year.

* comparing myself to others,
* measuring my success by “things gained” or “tasks completed”,
* over thinking and dwelling on past mistakes, and
* the negative influences and words spoken over me by others.

Drawing a line in the sand and deciding to move forward, despite the past, is the only way to start your journey into a bigger, better 2012. We remove the power our past can have over us by only spending time on the “past” side of the line long enough to reflect on what we can learn from to build a better future, whilst enjoying the present.

* Who did I help in 2011?
* What new skills did my year help me develop?
* What have I got to be thankful for?
* Who did I get to meet?
* Why am I doing what I have chosen to do?
* What is really important to me and why?

Take a look at your life like a small fishing boat. The boat itself represents our present, sometimes on calm waters, other times tossed by storms and sometimes it seems like it is sinking. Our past can be an anchor or an engine, we choose. One stops us from moving forward and the other propels us forward, moving us into calmer waters.

Let me encourage you that no matter how stormy the seas may look for you at the moment, don’t abandon ship. Pull up your anchor, let go of 2011, set a well planned course into 2012 and rely on the power of the engine to bring stability back into your life.

Dive into 2012!

Here are a few guidelines for the journey:
* Only bring people into your boat that wants you to move forward,
* Have a clear path set with contingencies for uncharted waters,
* Stop comparing your boat to the other ones around you,
* Surround yourself with “lighthouse” people, who can warn you when you are moving too close to the rocks,
* Throw unnecessary items overboard like past hurts, conflicts and unforgiveness, and
* Make a decision to spend more time enjoying the ride in the boat knowing it is the boat you have been called to be the captain of.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my life experiences with you. I hope in some small way I have been able to encourage you to believe in your inner winner; the powerful Champion within “YOU”. Take a break, service your boat engine, clean the decks and I look forward to a bigger and brighter 2012 with you.

Lots of your “gold” coming your way!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need a dose of tough love? Why not allow me to help you set your course and guide you to achieve your gold as your coach you in the Champion Mindset’s Goal Planning System “GPS” Program. Designed by me! Coached by me! Be coached 1on1 with only Shelley Taylor-Smith. Call 0414 594 245. For more info: http://www.championmindset.com.au/successCoach.htm

Let’s Go For Your Gold in 2011!
Monday, January 10th, 2011

The Bleedingly Obvious New Years Resolution!

I don’t know about you but I feel like New Year Resolutions have been done to death the past week and I wanted to put a different twist on 2011 (paradigm shift) and ask you for your one word or phrase that describes your “intention” for 2011!

So here is a “Champion Tip”, which comes to you from Dan Robey of Positive Habits.

By reading today’s blog you’ll discover how to decide your best INTENTION for 2011or New Year’s Resolution Ever! Dan Robey highlights the bleedingly obvious but like most things in our hectic, chaotic, everyday life where we are living it jam-packed to the max….I am not surprised that you may have overlooked the bleedingly obvious.

So enjoy this read!!!

“Here is the best New Years Resolution ever!! Count Your Blessings

That’s right…I said count your blessings.

Make it a habit this new year to take inventory of the good things you have been blessed with on a regular basis.

What do I mean by that? Here is an example. Quite often I get emails from people who are depressed. For health reasons, or relationship reasons, financial reasons, or something else, they feel miserable and very unhappy.

But, when they take stock of what they actually have they quickly realize that they are fortunate and blessed in many ways.

There is a great quote from Eddie Rickenbacker, a fighter pilot in WWII who had to ditch his plane in the ocean. Eddie and his crew floated on a raft for 3 weeks in the ocean without food, or fresh water. When they were finally rescued, Eddie said, “for the rest of my life, if I have a roof over my head and food, I will never complain about anything.”



Your Champion Action Today (…tomorrow and for the future):

Here is an exercise you should do on a regular basis, make it a new Champion habit. This is a kind of personal inventory of your blessings…keep it private and close for reference.

Make a list on a notepad, call it your “blessings list.” Place a “Yes” next to each question about your life that is good and a “No” next to an area of your life you feel is bad right now.

>> Do you have a spouse? Is your spouse supportive?
>> Do you have a family? Is your family supportive?
>> Do you have children? Are your children supportive?
>> Do you have a home? Do you have a job? Do you like your job?
>> Can you read and write?
>> Do you have access to a computer?
>> Do you go to a church? Is your church supportive? Do you have faith in God?
>> Do you live in a country where it is possible to increase your education and get a good job?
>> Do you have a positive attitude?
>> Do you have access to books that can teach you how to improve your attitude?
>> Are you motivated?
>> Do you have access to books that can teach you how to be more motivated?
>> Is your health good?
>> Do you have access to books that can help you maintain your health?

Do you see now how this is going? Even for the areas where you indicated “No” there is probably a “Yes” next to the question asking you if there is a knowledge source or support group that can help you change that “No” to a “Yes.”

It is amazing how often we take for granted the blessings that we have. This exercise can help anyone who is down and depressed about life. Pass it on to others who you think may need it.”

And today remember how to think of yourself as you go about your day, your week, your month, your year: Hello, my name is GRATITUDE!

Go for your gold in 2011!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Still stuck on what your intention is for 2011… then this product will teach you to go for YOUR GOLD NOW! the Power of Success 7 week e-course where Shelley coaches you each week via email. Beauty is you receive the weekly unit coure and complete it at your leisure in the luxury of your home, office or on the bus, train or plane. You choose. It is so simple and easy to complete. Get ready now to count your blessings! More info…

Friday, 6th August 2010

This week I received a birthday wish: “Make it your best birthday ever Shelley!” …So I am gifting you a present!

Access the secret to my increased energy, focus and income is yours if you want it and the opportunity to be 1 of only 49 people in the draw to win a 3 month coaching program - 1on1 with Shelley Taylor-Smith.

Watch my 3 minute video below and learn why IT IS THAT important to me…

Being who you were meant to be and who you are is far more important than being what everyone else expects you to be. There is nothing more fulfilling than being true to yourself. The meaning of your life …is to give your life meaning.

The most important thing to me is not how many people like me … it’s not whether you think I’m good at what I do or not … or how much you want to bitch about me when I coach you because I ask questions directly … The important thing to me is that I fulfil the mission I was put on this Earth to achieve in a way in which I can be proud of myself. Today I know I am living my life ON PURPOSE and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to do that on a daily basis.

Access my birthday gift to you …click here now… limited offer to only 49 people

Right now if you’re a struggling man or woman:
• Do you feel like you are falling further behind each day, unfulfilled and burned out by life?
• Overwhelmed about your future… and feel trapped by circumstances and pray each day for a MIRACLE to set you free?

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live on Purpose Challenge! More detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

Get ready for an Exciting New Moment In Your Life: The Moment of Realisation, Reinvention & Recreation.

So today I am gifting to you how I Champion my clients in the Champion Mindset Coaching program and students in the Champion Mindset workshops….and how I became the Champion of my own world too.


Access MY GIFT TO YOU
>>> Purchase the Create Your Own Champion Mindset & Be Totally Happy Being You 7CD set at my birthday special rate of $149 (normally $595)
>>> Includes 90 page Ultimate step-by-step Manual
>>> Bonus 8th CD for creating your future goals, clearing the mind noise and clutter, how to live in the moment and revisiting your childhood, teenage and adulthood dreams
>>> Available to only 49 people!
>>> Go in the draw to win a 3-month Champion Mindset Coaching Program and be coached 1on1 with Shelley Taylor-Smith, valued at $3,000
>>> This Birthday Sale is open til midnight Tuesday 9th August AEST or until all 49 cd sets are purchased, whichever happens first.

I look forward to helping you Create Your Own Champion Mindset and enjoy the riches that life provides, act yourself into a right way of thinking and achieve the dreams that you so deserve. I want you to stand up, step up, and simply start walking. Be the Champion that you were born to BE! … the secret to my increased energy, focus and income is yours if you want it.

CD 1: In this 60 minutes you will (RE)Discover Your Passion
• How to find your true PASSION – how to motivate yourself and persevere to the finish line with gusto long after others have quit

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

CD 2: In this 60 minutes you learn to Unleash Your Self Belief
• How to have absolute certainty and self -belief about what you want to achieve with a clear and committed vision

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

CD 3: In this 60 minutes you learn to Live and enjoy the PRESENT MOMENTS NOW
• How to seize the opportunity now, no longer fearing your past or worried about the future.

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

CD 4: In this 60 minutes you will GOAL SET FOR SUCCESS
• How to set goals, emotionally connect with them and track your progress

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

CD 5: In this 60 minutes you will learn to achieve FOCUS
• So you know what matters most to achieve your highest priorities
• Realign your priorities without going into overwhelm with emails and to-do lists
• Not to react to other people’s emergencies which divert your attention to what is important

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

CD 6: In this 60 minutes you will learn to PERSEVERE AND PERSIST
• Define what is your Champion Attitude and Character
• Bounce back when fast when you hit a hurdle or challenge
• Remain optimistic despite rejection, failure or setbacks
• Prevent burnout from not knowing when it is time to stop, rest and recover

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

CD 7: In this 60 minutes you will learn to set OUTCOMES AND ACTIONS
• Get rid of all the excuses, ifs and buts that are your biggest cop-outs blocking your success
• Define your life mission
• Eradicate procrastination

How, you ask? Accept my GIFT TO YOU today and Take The Live On Purpose Challenge! more detailed information at my birthday special rate of $149

Accept My GIFT and Take the Live On Purpose Challenge!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

It has been an amazing couple of weeks in the world of personal achievements.

I was in awe standing at North Head watching “Our Own” Aussie 16yr old Jessica Watson sail through Sydney Heads completing her solo sailing circumnavigation…well it brought me to tears. Then followed the American 13yr old who climbed Mt Everest. WOW!

Congrats to my fellow West Australian, Patrick Hollingworth
who successfully climbed the Summit of Mt Everest last week. I received a SMS text message. “Shelley. Can you believe it. I climbed Mt Everest. From Your Hero Pat” Yes we can believe it! And you’re my hero Patrick for following your dream and never ever saying never! (Pat below with Sherpas Lakpa & Angkaji, at 8850m on the summit of Mount Everest.)

I’m always intrigued when I ask people to fill in the end of that sentence: “Life is a ….”
So last week I posted the question on facebook and was amazed at how many different answers came. (email me now courses@championmindset.com.au Shelley, here is my response to “Life is a …”)

Battle is one of the most common answers that pop up. B*&ch is another…
Then these ones.
..Game…
.. an adventure!
.. a pleasure, one after the other
.. box of chocolates
.. fantastic experience that should be enjoyed with the ones you love.
.. nice spot in the sun to warm up before the days mayhem
.. blessing and we are not here forever.
.. Marathon not a track meet
.. Rollercoaster!!!! - has its ups and downs but you need to jump on the ride and not sit on the sidelines watching life go by
.. “GIFT” and the gift will only be as wonderful as “YOU” make it!
.. ♫ “Highway”.. and im gonna ride it…♫
… precious miracle. We’re only given one chance, so live each day as if it’s your last. But remember, life will reward you with how much you put into it…
.. Cabaret old chum….!
.. Grand opening. Not a dress rehersal.
.. Game Day!
.. Minestrone

I choose to look at life like a game. It’s meant to ‘play’. You have heard me say many times in my presentations and workshops “thanks for playing it 100%”. Granted, I’d be lying to you if I said that it’s all ‘play’ and always ‘fun’.

Look I’m human too and I have ups and downs. Yes I do! As I’ve stated many times, I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded in life and with my business too. Being my own boss I have had to fire myself a few times and learn new skills, adapt and grow. At the end of the day though, take all the ups and downs, and sum it up, it is a game…

And it’s a game to be WON! I know you can win. And know that it’s relative…

I meet and work with people who are already successful, who have achieved their millions and the ‘win’ for them is different than someone working to achieve their first goal, lose weight, get fit, swim a marathon, run a marathon, take that first step “admitting” they have a problem, stop procrastinating, get out of their comfort zone, follow their dream to launch their business ….

We’re all at different places in the game.

And in the course of the game, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, however we get to start over everyday and build on the next, learn from our mistakes…

You were built to win… Built to prosper… Built to achieve your birthright…SUCCESS!

Take small steps and just keep moving forward each and every day and in a year, you’ll shock yourself at how far you’ve come….

I admire Jessica Watson for her persistence and courage and willingness to learn
…despite the setbacks she had in the beginning. Despite all the doubters, the nay-sayers. Today she is Australia’s hero with her simple message “Anything is possible. If you have a dream and you work hard you will achieve.”

I wonder, like you, what will be the next BIG thing for her…

Or Patrick - who swam to Rottnest earlier this year as a warm up for his Mt Everest Summit.
He said he felt most ‘natural’ climbing mountains, where most others feel ‘unnatural’, however he dove in and went for it. He made mistakes in the past. He didn’t focus on his mistakes. He learned from them and said he would prepare himself the best possible way. He stayed focused on his bigger goals. And look what he did. He became the 3rd West Australian to climb Mt Everest. Not bad huh!

HINT- when your goals are bigger than your obstacles, it’s easy to stay the course.

2 unique people, with 2 different skill sets. I could list hundreds here…
However the one thing I see they have in common. They are willing to get in the game! Next, they are willing to make A LOT of mistakes while playing the game. They just keep playing.

I talk regularly to my coaching clients…well after they have let go of me, which for some is a struggle…
I mean I am a coach not a crutch! So speaking to one of them the other day about some set backs they’ve had in their business recently and they were discouraged… (yes, they are real people too that get discouraged and down sometimes). At the end of the day though, they minimized the setback and discouragement and focused on what they wanted…

So who didn’t fall off their first two-wheeler?

Which reminds me of my dear marathon swimming mate, James Kegley, telling the story about his son Jesse when he took off his training wheels (see picture below); “It is so much fun to watch him grow and ask to try new things…the training wheels came off after a friend rode by without them.”

We all learn a lot from each other… Get in the game… Play to win!
And when you lose sometimes, just keep getting BACK in the game!

>>> Oprah failed before success…
>>> Michael Jordan failed before success… (he was cut from his high-school basketball team)
….And the list goes on. You’re born to win!

Shelley’s Success Lesson for this Week:

1. Commit to Actually DOING Whatever It Takes — Then DO It…
Even if you think you can’t do something well the first time, try it anyway. Select one activity that looks as difficult as your first two-wheeler, and schedule a time this week to get on it.

2. What have you been putting off doing because you thought you couldn’t do it well?

3. Study Oprah, Michael Jordan or someone you admire who has succeeded after many setbacks Research. Read. Study them. Learn how they overcame … whether their mindset, motivation, mental toughness Learn their “playing the game” strategy and start applying it today so you too can win!!!

And if you’re still stuck falling off your two-wheeler… then consider giving me a call to discuss the Champion Mindset Motivation Coaching Program on
0414 594 245.

Now get on your bike ….get on with playing the game!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

To THINK like a champion, TRAIN like a champion….

but first you have to be a winner from start to finish!!!

Last night, WA time, Mark Webber secured his first victory of the season and the third of his career on Sunday when he cruised to a sumptuous triumph for Red Bull in the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 33-year-old Australian, starting from his third pole position, made the most of that advantage to hold his place in the crush on the opening lap, resisting all attacks at the first corner, and streaking clear of the field.

Now think about the difference between Mark Webber’s win by 24 seconds and 2nd place.

The narrow margins between Gold and the rest …
What was the difference?

Hard work for sure…
Pure PASSION and MISSION
HEART in the race…

Making use of every God-given Champion talent they were given…

Most importantly: Exceptional COACHING, MENTORING and TRAINING…
Continuously. Every single day.

This is HOW the Champions performed up to their full potential.
This is HOW Mark Webber and the Red Bull team performed and won yesterday in the Spanish Grand Prix.
What we call Performing On Purpose.

Through years of scientific research it has been found that highly successful people… the true Champions in every sense of the word… people in the TOP 1% by any standard: Wealth, Power, Happiness… people who are living a life of meaning and significance… ALL have one thing in common.

They ALL have a highly evolved, unstoppable sense of PASSION, PURPOSE… and MISSION.

If you feel you are PASSIONLESS and DIRECTIONLESS… simply driving in circles … burning up the one life you have to live on things that matter little to you…

Yes, there is a key difference between people who find success beyond their greatest dreams and aspirations… and people who struggle to just make it paycheck to paycheck for most of their life.

In a word: Performance!

You need first MASTER your fundamentals…
Then, train to TRAIN…
Next, train to COMPETE…
Finally, train to WIN…

and I guarantee you will become a Purpose-Driven Success.

In the years I have been committed to personal development and helping people achieve their goals, both personally and professionally…I have found that people who fail to do this — even though they work their hearts out — will never find the success they so richly deserve.

It doesn’t have to take years to re-DREAM… re-IMAGINE… re-ENVISION… re-THINK and re-CREATE your life.

But it does take TRAINING!

I am amazed when coaching clients, whether preparing to achieve the Rottnest Channel 20km Marathon Swim, a new marketing campaign or planning their business or career goals….do not understand the power of training.

What habits support you achieving your goals? What habits do not support you achieving your goals?

We are creatures of HABIT!

It is time to train and learn the habits so you can win like a Champion….and achieve your birthright…success.

The Create Your Own Champion Mindset and Be Totally Happy Being YOU 7 CD set + 90 page Ultimate step by step manual is a system that gives you everything you need to find a brilliant new Starting Point for making the rest of your life the best of your life.

Those who tune up their success skills now will find long term success.
Those who don’t will find acute pain for decades to come.

…Sorry but that is the simple and plain, honest truth!

I want to see every Champion Mindset subscriber get to a new STARTING POINT for their lives… before it is too late.

Get started on making the rest of your life the best of your life.

Order the Create Your Own Champion Mindset System today or tomorrow for just $397 and I will include 1 hour coaching 1on1 with myself, with your order with my compliments. This is a $250 value — complimentary with your order. I want to see you achieve far greater results in the next 30 days, and this is the fastest and easiest way to do it!

This offer does not exist on Champion Mindset website. You must order directly from this blog. Thanks! Click here to order now…

And receive the Create Your Own Champion Mindset 7 CD set +
90 page Ultimate Step-by-step Manual
+ 1hr telephone coaching 1on1 with Shelley Taylor-Smith

As I said….this offer does not exist anywhere else.
And only open to the first 7 people.
Offer expires midnight Tuesday 11th May 2010 Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Click here so your not sorry!!!

Cheers to you for being a winner!
Shelley Taylor-Smith

I can only imagine
Saturday, April 10th, 2010

I give it 100%. Inspire. Motivate. Educate my clients to be the best they can be through the presentations, trainings, workshops and coaching in Champion Mindset Consulting. Lend a hand to those in need. Provide assistance to charitable organisations who conduct amazing services to those less fortunate in our society.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Today I watched this video and said to myself: “Shelley imagine what more you will achieve!”

Eighty-five times Dick Hoyt pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he’s not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars–all in the same day.

Dick’s also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much–except save his life. This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

“He’ll be a vegetable the rest of his life;” Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. “Put him in an Institution.”

But the Hoyts weren’t buying it. They noticed the way Rick’s eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. “No way,” Dick says he was told. “There’s nothing going on in his brain.”

“Tell him a joke,” Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? “Go Bruins!” And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, “Dad, I want To do that.”

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described “porker” who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. “Then it was me who was handicapped,” Dick says. “I was sore For two weeks.”

That day changed Rick’s life. “Dad,” he typed, “when we were running, It felt like I wasn’t disabled anymore!”

And that sentence changed Dick’s life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

“No way,” Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren’t quite a Single runner, and they weren’t quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, “Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?”

How’s a guy who never learned to swim and hadn’t ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.

Now they’ve done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don’t you Think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you’d do on your own? “No way,” he says. Dick does it purely for “the awesome feeling” he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992–only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don’t keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.

“No question about it,” Rick types. “My dad is the Father of the Century.”

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. “If you hadn’t been in such great shape,” One doctor told him, “you probably would’ve died 15 years ago.” So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other’s life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including Father’s Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

“The thing I’d most like,” Rick types, “is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.”

I can only imagine. So ask yourself today: “What will you do to get up and push yourself out of your chair?”

Teams win championships, not just one person
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Todays blog is courtesy of my Champion buddy from New Orleans Mr Kerry Daigle. Thanks Kerry, You’re the Champ!

“They weren’t supposed to win. After all, the New Orleans Saints were a 5 point underdog (or more…depending on who you spoke to). The media had latched on to what they claimed was the greatest quarterback of all time in Peyton Manning, a New Orleans native playing for the Indianapolis Colts. The problem was the media forgot that ‘Super Bowls’ are won by teams and not by one person. New Orleans had the better team.

“Oh, wait a minute, you might say, the better team was the Colts.” Or at least that’s what the media said. So, you bought the story. A lesson to learn is that teams win championships, not just one person.

“Build for your team a feeling of oneness, of dependence upon one another, and of strength to be derived from unity.” Vince Lombardi

Someone once said that winning is not as important as ‘playing the game’ and having fun. Sure, having fun is one thing but winning is everything. Especially in this case.

Vince Lombardi wrote, “Winning is not a sometime thing. It’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while. You don’t do things right once in a while. You do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

Lombardi continues, “There is no room for second place. Everytime a football player goes out to play to ply his trade he’s got to play form the ground up…from the soles of his feet right up to his head. That’s ok. You’ve got to be smart to be number one in any business.. But more importantly, you’ve got to play with your HEART …with every fibre of your body. If you are lucky enough to find a guy with alot of head and a lot of heart, he’s never going to come off the field second.”

I think Vince Lombardi was watching ‘Cool’ Brees (Drew is his first name) from above. After all, have you ever seen a “player” play with his heart more than Drew Brees? The difference in the game is the Colts used the playbook and they did play with their head. New Orleans coach Sean Peyton and his team played with their hearts. Enough said.

Ironically, Lombardi’s grandson is now the quarterback coach. Interesting, isn’t it?
Put it all together. It was destiny. Or maybe it was a plan. Ask Sean Peyton. He would know. After all, nothing was going to stop the New Orleans Saints.

“A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibilities.” JULES ORMONT

What I’ve learned over the years is the heart controls the mind and the muscles in the body. At this point is where you will find champions. The champions fight and play hard and with a positive mental mindset. They play like champions. They think like champions.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” CALVIN COOLIDGE

I’ve also learned another lesson. I’ve also learned from the New Orleans Saints that the humblest of all men are the strongest. 75% of everything we heard from the media for the last two weeks was about the Colts and their ‘greatness’ while New Orleans sat back being humble but strong in their courage and believing in themselves.

The Saints played with their hearts and didn’t mind the ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ they experienced along the way to become the World Champion Football Team in Super Bowl XLIV. They enjoyed the discipline and hard work they engaged in to become winners. They were a team of ‘left-overs’…….players that other coaches forgot about.

No, I don’t believe they will be called “America’s Team”. The Dallas Cowboys own that title. This is the ‘DREAM TEAM’. A team of players and coaches who believed in their dream. A group of ‘WHO DAT’ fans that continued to believe in this football team for 43 years. Sure, some attended games with bags on their heads years ago but they still came to the games hoping one day they could remove those bags. Now, they can forever throw them away.

The DREAM TEAM has arrived.

The Colts had to not only play the Saints……they had to play the whole state of Louisiana. A state of 4.5 million WHO DAT fans full of emotion. The Colts knew that coming in. Especially, Peyton Manning. That was too much to overcome.

If you could take a ‘silent voting poll’ among NFL players I can almost guarantee you that 80% were pulling for New Orleans in their hearts. Call it ‘gris gris’……or ‘voodoo’….or just call it destiny. It was New Orleans’ time. It was meant to be. They were unbeatable and proved it by dismantling all the ‘great’ quarterbacks in the NFL this season, especially in the playoffs.

31 to 17. World Champs.

Who dat, who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat? Who dat?”

Thanks again Kerry for this amazing article.
Cheers one and all
Shelley Taylor-Smith

Kerry Daigle is a contributing writer for THE ACADIAN, a public speaker, an author and life coach specialising in mental fitness. Kerry is also a professional boxing agent and works in all 50 states in the United States and 22 countries. More of his articles with THE ACADIAN can be found on www.keeppunching.com Kerry lives in Lafayette, Louisiana with his wife, Mickey, and his daughter Angela.

Hello my name is Gratitude
Friday, January 8th, 2010

The Bleedingly Obvious New Years Resolution!

I don’t know about you but I feel like New Year Resolutions have been done to death the past week and I wanted to put a different twist on 2010 (paradigm shift) and ask you for your one word or phrase that describes your “intention” for 2010!

So here is a “Champion Tip”, which comes to you from Dan Robey of Positive Habits.

By reading today’s blog you’ll discover how to decide your best INTENTION for 2010 or New Years Resolution Ever! Dan Robey highlights the bleedingly obvious but like most things in our hectic, chaotic, everyday life where we are living it jam-packed to the max….I am not surprised that you may have overlooked the bleedingly obvious.

So enjoy this read!!!

“Here is the best New Years Resolution ever!! Count Your Blessings

That’s right…I said count your blessings.

Make it a habit this new year to take inventory of the good things you have been blessed with on a regular basis.

What do I mean by that? Here is an example. Quite often I get emails from people who are depressed. For health reasons, or relationship reasons, financial reasons, or something else, they feel miserable and very unhappy.

But, when they take stock of what they actually have they quickly realize that they are fortunate
and blessed in many ways.

There are several assumptions that I can immediately make when I receive an email from such a person as described above.

* The ability to send an email means that it is very likely that they either own a computer or have access to one. Count that as one blessing. You see, there are millions, upon millions of people in
this world that do not have computers, nor access to them.

They are blessed by having access to the largest source of information ever available to mankind …the internet. They can now find information to help solve their problems, be it health, financial, or otherwise.

The millions of people who do not have access to this vast knowledge pool called the internet cannot do what they can do….they are fortunate….very fortunate.

* It is also very likely that the person sending the email message has a roof over their head. You see, computers do not hold up well in the rain. Again, there are millions of people living in huts, or temporary shelters.

There is a great quote from Eddie Rickenbacker, a fighter pilot in WWII who had to ditch his plane in the ocean. Eddie and his crew floated on a raft for 3 weeks in the ocean without food, or fresh water. When they were finally rescued, Eddie said, “for the rest of my life, if I have a roof over my head and food, I will never complain about anything.”

* The person that is sending the email is obviously literate….they know how to read, write and type. Do you know how many people there are in this world who do not know how to read? Again, another blessing added to their list.

It is amazing what we can learn about a person just by receiving one email from them.



Your Champion Action Today (…tomorrow and for the future):

Here is an exercise you should do on a regular basis, make it a new Champion habit. This is a kind of personal inventory of your blessings…keep it private and close for reference.

Make a list on a notepad, call it your “blessings list.” Place a “Yes” next to each question about your life that is good and a “No” next to an area of your life you feel is bad right now.

>> Do you have a spouse? Is your spouse supportive?
>> Do you have a family? Is your family supportive?
>> Do you have children? Are your children supportive?
>> Do you have a home? Do you have a job? Do you like your job?
>> Can you read and write?
>> Do you have access to a computer?
>> Do you go to a church? Is your church supportive? Do you have faith in God?
>> Do you live in a country where it is possible to increase your education and get a good job?
>> Do you have a positive attitude?
>> Do you have access to books that can teach you how to improve your attitude?
>> Are you motivated?
>> Do you have access to books that can teach you how to be more motivated?
>> Is your health good?
>> Do you have access to books that can help you maintain your health?

Do you see now how this is going? Even for the areas where you indicated “No” there is probably a “Yes” next to the question asking you if there is a knowledge source or support group that can help you change that “No” to a “Yes.”

It is amazing how often we take for granted the blessings that we have. This exercise can help anyone who is down and depressed about life. Pass it on to others who you think may need it.”

And today remember how to think of yourself as you go about your day, your week, your month, your year: Hello, my name is GRATITUDE!

Go for your gold in 2010!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Still stuck on what your intention is for 2010. Call Shelley on 0414 594 and 245 and book in for your complimentary PICK SHELLEY’S BRAIN session. First 10 people today who call by 5pm Sydney EST qualify. Call now to avoid disappointment. Or better still purchase the Power of Success 7 week e-course where Shelley coaches you each week via email. Beauty is you receive the weekly unit coure and complete it at your leisure in the luxury of your home, office or on the bus, train or plane. You choose. It is so simple and easy to complete. Get ready now to count your blessings! More info…

Random Act of Kindness…
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

“The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.” - Unknown

Yesterday I put my hand up to assist an acquaintance not knowing what I put my hand up for. A Facebook friend, Tommy McNeil posted an update: “Who wants to go for a walk through Gwelup in 30 minutes? There is a catch!” I did not know what the catch was but I said yes anyway.

As I assisted Tommy for the next 2hrs in a letter-box drop in 35degrees Celcius for his upcoming home-opening not once did I think: “Hmmm if I had known it was this kinda walk maybe I would not have said yes”.

What did I think about as I pounded the pavement? I dreamnt! I dreamnt of my ideal home with this opportunity to peruse the homes and the surrounding neighbourhood. It was a lot of fun!

When I got home there were many comments on facebook saying “Thanks Shelley for supporting Tommy”. Tommy said thank you many times over but it was not about receiving thanks. I said “Tommy how do you think I got to the top of my game…. all by myself ?…. Nope, I had heaps of support!”

And it got me thinking how many times do you put your hand up and say yes before you know what you have agreed to help with?

So today’s blog is courtesy of Dr Robert Anthony. I believe in Serendipidity as today I received this message below and felt it perfect to share. So thanks to Dr Anthony. Enjoy the read….

….A number of years ago it became popular to talk about and practice “random acts of kindness”. That is still an excellent focus of attention. It is especially true if you are someone who is caught up in your own world so much that you seldom see the opportunities that exist around you for lending just a little touch of kindness.

Your actions can be so simple; give the cashier eye-contact and genuinely say thank you, hold the door open for the elderly person with a cane, carry something for someone whose hands are full or thank the people you live with for doing their share of the mechanics of living.

Think back to a random act of kindness someone did for you and how good it felt. If you are someone who prides yourself on being self-sufficient, the next time someone offers you a random act of kindness, receive it. You will be giving both of you a gift.

Notice all the times you have opportunities to bestow a kind act on someone and listen to the reasons you don’t do it. Some of the most common excuses are being too busy, not wanting to interfere or be intrusive, or not knowing what to say or do. There are no right or wrong ways to be kind. Dare to push your limits a bit and take the first step.

Today practice a random act of kindness and tell no one about it.

“Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson or a manifestation that you are making progress - IF YOU LOOK FOR IT! No matter how large or small, please record it. It will only take a few moments and will AUTOMATICALLY put you in the Flow.

Enjoy life’s moments right now and your energy will flow.
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith