Archive for the ‘The 50-Day Challenge’ Category

« Older Entries
Day 50: 50-day Challenge - New Year’s Quotes to Inspire your Resolutions in 2010
Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Getting ready for the New Year? Let these 12 New Year’s quotes help you make your resolution stick.

2009 is almost at an end. What are you resolving to do this year? Whether you desire to change or stop a bad habit, or you resolve to change a part of your personality… let these New Year’s quotes inspire you into 2010.

1. “Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to. ” ~Bill Vaughn

2. “New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time” ~James Agate

3. “New Year’s eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights” ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

4. “Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. ” ~Brooks Atkinson

5. “New Year’s Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual” ~Mark Twain

6. “Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account” ~ Oscar Wilde

7. “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

8. “People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas” ~Anonymous

9. “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man” ~Benjamin Franklin

10. “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us” ~Hal Borland

11. “But can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty-year-old habits” ~Andre Gide

12. One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things” ~John Burroughs

Celebrate 2010 in style and remember these New Year quotes as you dance your way into another year. Happy New Year!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 1:44 pm
Day 49: 50-day Challenge: How the next 2 days can change your life
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

There is only 2 days left until the end of 2009. And I’m about to share with you how the next 2 days can literally change your life.

For the next 2 days, I want you to think about your life. Make a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly. The things you’re thankful for, and the things you’d like to improve. Good things that happened this year, and not-so-good things. And once you know where you stand, it’s time to decide where to go next.

Most people get bogged down by resolutions because they lose motivation…Because they listen to those voices in their head that say, “Why bother?” You have to keep going in order to get results.

So today, I want you to choose ONE goal for 2010. I can hear you say “What only one goal Shelley?”
But you’re not going to wait until January 1st to get started. Nope–you’re going to start TODAY.

Once you decide on your goal, I want you to make a list of 7 “baby steps” you can take toward reaching your goal.

For example, if your goal is to lose weight, here are some baby steps you can take:
1. Cut out one alcoholic or sugary drink today.
2. Replace an unhealthy snack with a healthy one, like a piece of fruit, nuts, or a vegetable.
3. Take a 20 minute walk around your neighbourhood or work building.

Once you create your 7-day plan, stick to it. And when New Year’s comes around you can give yourself a pat on the back for sticking to your goals.

But you’re not going to stop there. Now make a plan for every month of 2010. And take bigger steps toward achieving your goal.

Sticking to this plan might be a little bit harder. So the best thing you can do to ensure your success is to eliminate all those obstacles along the way.

Fortunately, there’s a simple technique that lets you get rid of the negative thoughts that are holding you back– And put a big happy check mark next to ALL your New Year’s Resolutions!

This year CAN be the year you make those dreams a reality.

Go for your Gold
And remember: If you don’t quit, you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 3:56 pm
Day 47, 50-day Challenge: The Best Resolution Strategy: Keep It Simple
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

If NEW YEAR’S resolutions are kept beyond January, people will be getting healthier, quitting smoking and becoming more community-minded.

With less than 3 days in 2009, people are now turning their attention to setting goals and what they want to achieve in 2010 and New Year’s Resolutions.

The Top Ten Resolutions include:
•1. Stop smoking
•2. Get Fit
•3. Lose Weight
•4. Enjoy Life More
•5. Quit Drinking
•6. Get Organised
•7. Learn Something New
•8. Get Out of Debt
•9. Spend more time with the Family
•10. Help Others

Losing weight, giving up bad habits and donating to charity are top of the list for people resolving to improve themselves, and after a year of belt tightening, the business information analyst IBISWorld predicts certain industries will be counting on people’s cash as they fulfil their promises.

Increased awareness of healthy lifestyles and guilt from festive over-indulgence will see the weight-loss industry take $111.8 million in January as gyms and health clubs with at least 12 per cent growth in new members for the month.

The national fitness manager at Fitness First, Dominic dos Remedios, said January brought in influx of people.

”Unfortunately, a lot of people drop off because they set massive expectations,” he said. ”I would suggest taking their goal and breaking it into bite-size, achievable chunks.”

Holidaying from Auckland, Rebecca Mentor said her experience of losing weight had inspired her to help others do the same. ”I’d like to set up my own fat fighters movement,” she said.

Mark Long said that in his Erskineville household there was lots of yelling around the house when family members wanted to talk to one another. ”My resolution is you walk to the person you want to talk to,” he said.

January 1 is traditionally a busy day for Quitline, with smokers resolving to start the year by kicking the habit, the Cancer Institute NSW’s cancer prevention program manager, Anita Dessaix, said. ”New Year’s Day is typically one of those milestones that smokers set for quitting,” she said. ”If the motive is there, quit immediately.”

IBISWorld predicts charitable donations in January will be those that require only a small investment but still help a community, such as sponsoring a child.

The marketing and communications director of Plan Australia, Aimee Suchard-Lowe, said donating was not about feeling guilty. ”It should be about someone saying: ‘This year I want to make a difference to my life and other people’s lives’,” she said. ”It should be that positive impact.”

A study by the University of Hertfordshire, in Britain, found less than one-quarter of those who set themselves a goal for 2010 would be likely to succeed, and the remainder would feel despondent at having broken their resolutions.

Of those who fail, many would focus on the downside of not achieving the goals, suppress cravings, fantasise about being successful and rely on willpower alone.

Those who set smaller goals had an average success rate of 35 per cent, while those with strategies like keeping a diary and telling friends about their goal had a 50 per cent chance.

The best way to achieve your Resolutions and goals in 2010 is to keep it simple.

How do you keep it simple you may well ask?

Statistic: 95% of New Year’s Resolutions are never achieved.
Only 5% have the intestinal fortitude to follow through with their commitment! If you are committed, if you want it bad enough, if you are prepared to do whatever it takes and if you don’t quit….you will achieve your goal. There are no excuses only all the reasons in the world why you did not achieve your goal.

1. Identify your goals – in the 5 key areas of career, finance, health & fitness, family/relationships and personal growth

2. What benefits will I achieve reaching this goal? Eg. Losing 5kgs – increase in energy, able to keep up with the kids, able to fit into my favourite pair of jeans or that special dress
3. What are the major obstacles to overcome to reach your goal? – Eg. Cut back on junk food – 1. check your fridge & cupboards for junk food 2. go shopping on a full stomach as opposed to when you are hungry (you will be amazed at the difference of your food in your trolley and the money saved in your pocket.)
4. What skills or knowledge is required to achieve your goal? Eg. Health & Fitness – reading up on personal trainers, costs, program types, gym memberships
5. What are the individuals, groups or companies and organisations to work with to achieve your goal? Eg. Finance – clear credit card debt. Tell a friend, find a buddy who will hold you accountable and will support you with your goal. Join Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig etc.
6. Completion Date – when do wish for your goal to be achieved
7. Celebrate Success – how are you going to celebrate achieving your goal!

And remember: if you don’t quit…you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need help deciding how to Create Your Own Champion Mindset and keep it simple in 2010, realising that with so much to do and only 24hrs a day to do it? Call Champion Mindset office on 1300 78 41 70 and ask to Pick Shelley’s Brain for 10mins for FR.eE!

Filed under: Goal Achievement, Shelley's Thoughts, Success Tips, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 6:48 pm
Day 40: 50-day Challenge - Are you proud of what you have accomplished this year?
Monday, December 21st, 2009

We’re in the final countdown…only 10 days left in this first decade of this new millenium. So it leads me to ask one of the most important questions at this time of year…Are you proud of what you have accomplished this year?

Without question, the key to long-term success is constantly taking positive action to move in the direction of your dreams and goals. Sustained action gives you an indomitable will power to achieve your goals into your LIFE!

As those of you who are Champion Mindset Motivation subscribers, my definition of success is simply this: “No matter where you finish, as long as you have given 100% you’re a winner. This is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have given your best.”

As General Patton says, if you do your best, what more is there?
So the question becomes, “Have you done the BEST that is in you?”

Or, put a bit more “personal”…
Are You Proud of What You Have Accomplished This Year?

During the past month as you have participated in the 50-day Challenge, I have asked you to look FORWARD to what you hope to accomplish this year and next. Right now I want you to look BACK over 2009, and reflect on what you have DONE—to specifically focus on your achievements.

Yes, I know that this may be more difficult for you than looking into the future and writing down some meaningful goals. However, this is a more important exercise than you can even begin to imagine—as what you have done is a precursor to what you will do.

In a way, I want you to hold yourself ACCOUNTABLE for the time you spent here in the first decade of the new millenium this past year. You did the time…what did you get in trade?

Your Champion Action Today: What are you most PROUD of?
Please take a few moments to write down your major achievements for 2009, broken into 3 groups:
Family, Friends and of course, Yourself:

FAMILY ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

FREINDS __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

YOURSELF ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

“The real contest is always between what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing. You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else.” ~ Geoffrey Gaberino

Look closely at what you have written down. The real question becomes, how closely do your achievements align with your personal mission and living your life ON purpose?

Could you have accomplished even more this year if your goals were better aligned with your living your life on purpose? Do you in fact have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have done your very best?

Yes? Fabulous! Keep going and keep growing. Or, do you feel that had you been a bit more committed and engaged this year, you would have been able to achieve even more?

If so, here’s something to think about…..”If you are living your life on PURPOSE; are you willing to trade the only life you have to live in pursuit of it?” Are you?

When you are working toward an ideal that comes from the heart, you are naturally motivated and driven to do your best. A thoughtfully created, highly desirable life purpose is guaranteed to make you highly focused, powerful and productive.

Act from your deepest Champion core values, and they will provide you with direction and satisfaction.

Connect and recommit to your life purpose every day. If you don’t, you’re trading the only life you have for things that simply don’t matter.

Whatever you do, come the end of the next decade I do not want you looking back and saying: “I wish I could’ve, should’ve” Now that would be a waste of your life.

And remember: if you don’t quit…you will make it!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 5:41 pm
Day 38: 50-day Challenge - How to deal with behaviours that Peeve People Off
Friday, December 18th, 2009

How often do you run into PPO’s?:
(Behaviours that Peeve People Off!)

Well it’s that time of the year when we’re all in a rush during the Silly Season and for some strange reason our manners seem to go out the window. So courtesy of Sue-Maree from h-spot Pty Ltd who helps people find their h-spot to be happier, healthier and more successful.

I often see people dishing out PPO’s. Sometimes other people are on the receiving end. Sometimes it’s me on the receiving end!

PPO’s create problems between people in just about every workplace and every home every day - creating stress, anxiety, ill-will, distrust, payback, retaliation - ouch!

So in the interests of better relationships - both personal and professional - let’s check out a list of the “Top 10 PPO’s”:

Top 10 PPO’s Behaviours that “Peeve People Off”!

At number 10:Taking priority over others.
No discussion, no agreement… people taking priority over others just because they want it, and can get away with it!

Number 9: Making assumptions about others.
People making assumptions based on limited (and often selective) information. Just as others don’t know the totality of what’s really going on with us, we don’t know the totality of what’s really going on with others!

Number 8: Jumping to conclusions about others.
Ditto. What applies to making assumptions also applies to jumping to conclusions. People jumping to conclusions based on limited (and often selective) information. Just as others don’t know the totality of what’s really going on with us, we don’t know the totality of what’s really going on with others!

Number 7: Forcing responsibilities on others.
No discussion, no agreement. People using whatever level of manipulation/deception/coercion/force it takes to get others to do what they want!

Number 6: Taking responsibilities from others
Again, no discussion, no agreement. People using whatever level of manipulation/deception/coercion/force it takes to “take over” others rightful responsibilities - with or without their knowledge.

Number 5: Setting limits and dictating rules… and imposing them on others.
No discussion and no agreement. People setting limits and dictating rules that work for them, then using whatever power they have to impose them on others.

Number 4: Making decisions… and imposing them on others.
Again, no discussion and no agreement. People making decisions based on what they think is “best” or “right” then using whatever power they have to force them on others.

Number 3: Demanding compliance and obedience from others.
People demanding others do what they want / need / think is “right”. As if their way is the right way, and other people’s wants and needs are less important than theirs. Again, no discussion and no agreement.

Number 2: Manipulating behaviour with rewards and/or punishments.
People rewarding and punishing others using whatever power they have to bestow or withhold based on their judgement of how well other people “measure up” to what they think is “right” or “acceptable”.

At Number 1 on our list of Top 10 PPO’s (drumroll please!) basically, what most PPO’s boil down to:
Number 1: Abuse of Power.
People using “power plays” to manipulate/deceive/coerce/force others to do what they want - at others expense!

“Hey! What’s going on??!!” It’s easy to see how behaviours like these PPO!
(”peeve” being a gross understatement in many situations!).

Your Champion Action Today:
3 questions to improve your communication skills (and your relationships!):
1. When (if ever) am I on the receiving end of PPO behaviours?
2. What do I typically do when I’m on the receiving end?
3. When (if ever) am I dishing out PPO behaviours? (Even without realizing it?)
Now here’s some ideas on how to respond…

CCC’s for PPO’s: Cool, Calm, Collected responses to behaviours that Peeve People Off!

Common defensive reactions to PPO’s result from taking it personally, and striking out (by attacking others) or sucking it up (as a way to protect ourselves).

Before we go getting hot under the collar about what people seem to be doing and use either of these strategies, here’s a suggestion:

Check It Out That means turning our attention to whatever it is people seem to be doing, and check it out. We do it by reflecting back to people what we think is happening - as a QUESTION (not an accusation!). For example;

Are you making assumptions about me/them?
You’re jumping to conclusions about me/them?
Are you trying to force your responsibilities on me/them?
You’re trying to manipulate me/them with rewards and punishments?

Get the idea?

If people claim not to be doing it, we can simply respond; No? Ok then. (and move on)

Whatever’s happening, to check it out is a simple 2-step process;
Use a question frame, for example;

**Are you …
**Are you trying to …
**You’re …
**You’re trying to …

Add whatever it is people seem to be doing;

…taking priority over me/them?
…making assumptions about me/them?
…jumping to conclusions about me/them?
…forcing your responsibilities on me/them?
…taking responsibilities from me/them?
…setting limits and dictating rules & imposing them on me/them?
…making decisions & imposing them on me/them?
…demanding compliance and obedience from me/them?
…manipulating my/their behaviour with rewards/punishments?
…abusing your power to get me/them to do what you want?

If people aren’t doing what you think they’re doing - it’s a good thing to have cleared the air … to have set the record straight.

If people are doing what you think they’re doing, this simple technique is often enough to stop the behaviour in it’s tracks. And if it doesn’t … there’s more about it in the book.

If you’d like to understand more about what’s going on in these situations, and what you can do to handle situations like these without striking out, or sucking it up. If you’d like to handle even the most difficult situations with respect for yourself and others - with class and style you can be proud of (and other people will admire) - it’s absolutely doable, in fact it’s easy… when you have the right skills.

In fact if you want to learn why people use PPO’s, how to communicate without using PPO’s, and how to deal with it when other people are using PPO’s on you! In short, “what hurts” and “what works” in communication…then email the Champion Mindset office@championmindset.com.au for your copy of “What’s Going On? An Exploration of Communication - What Hurts & What Works” complimentary copy by Sue-Maree.

and remember: if you don’t quit, you will make it.
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 6:00 pm
Day 35: 50-day Challenge - A simple change in mindset WILL burn more fat fast
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Fitness Expert, Rob Poulos wrote a great article which ties in perfectly with Thinking Like A Champion and adopting the lifestyle changes…I think you will like it….enjoy!

A Simple Change In Mindset Will Burn More Fat Fast

Most people that I talk to about health and fitness talk about “getting in shape”. But I don’t think they realize that their words are actually counterproductive to their aspirations of burning fat. You hear a lot of people lamenting about being out of shape and saying, “I need to get in shape and burn fat”, or, “I want to get in shape and burn fat.” What you don’t hear them saying is, “I want to get in shape, burn fat, and stay that way.”

They may want to stay in shape, but their mindset is focused on getting in shape. This makes you more susceptible to the fad diets and latest exercise gimmick on the market. You’re so focused on getting in shape that you’ll try almost anything regardless of how silly or difficult to follow it might seem, because you’re entirely focused on the short term goal.

A simple change in the “quick fix” mindset to one of long term success will steer you down the correct path. You’ll be less enticed by the late night TV hype, and more focused on doing the right things most of the time. Wouldn’t you agree that life long health and fitness is what’s most important?

Of course creating an environment in your body that allows you to burn fat fast is essential to this goal. A person who is in shape in their 50s and 60s is a lot more impressive to me than someone who is lean and fit in their 20s and 30s. That’s because the dedication to maintaining the proper exercise plan and a sensible nutrition strategy for the rest of your life is rare to find. It’s a rare mindset.

If you really want to transform your physique and your health for good, you must make it a lifestyle, a habit. And that starts in your mind. That’s what the people who are lean for life do. In fact, if I think about all of the people I personally know that are in great shape and have been for a while, I start to understand that they have their minds on staying in shape.


They think about it day and night, not obsessively, but with each thing they do…they subconsciously think, “Is this going to positively or negatively impact my long term health and fitness?”, “Am I doing everything I reasonable can to burn fat and live a healthy lifestyle?”.

The good news is that research shows you can develop simple habits like those involved in eating and exercising properly in under a month…sometimes even sooner. And with the type of exercise and diet tips I recommend to my students, you don’t need to give up your life’s pursuits so that you are working out every day, nor do you need to follow a wacky diet you can’t reasonably make a lifestyle out of.

And after a few months of practicing these methods, I’ve found that your body will start telling you it wants to keep exercising and eating right…you just won’t feel right with out it. Why? Because your body naturally wants to be healthy and lean.

So I urge you to forgo the “get in shape” mindset, and instead embrace the idea of staying in shape and creating that fat burning furnace that is so essential to life long health and fitness.

Imagine yourself in the body of your dreams, today, tomorrow, and 5, 10, 20 or more years from now. What will you be doing then, in your lean, strong, and healthy body? Chances are, you won’t be trying to “get in shape”. Instead, you’ll be burning fat 24/7, and enjoying life as you should…full of vitality and passion.

And remember: it is mind-over-matter
and if you don’t quit…you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need help deciding how to change your mindset to STAY IN SHAPE in 2010 and beyond and realising that with so much to do and only 24hrs a day to do it? Call Champion Mindset office on 1300 78 41 70 and ask to Pick Shelley’s Brain for 10mins for FR.eE!

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 8:15 pm
Day 34: 50-day Challenge - You CAN always get what you want
Monday, December 14th, 2009

You CAN Always Get What You Want

As the temperature hit 39degrees Celcius last Saturday, it was hotting up even more at the Esther Foundation 2009 graduation. As I sat with Justin Langer and his family (Aussie Cricket legend and a Champion bloke) we were both amazed how the five young Australian women graduating had overcome insurmountable odds including alcoholism, domestic violence, drug addiction, depression, anger management, self mutilation, and eating disorders. And WOW now they’re standing VICTORIOUS!!! Justin and I were both exhilarated and shed many tears (of joy!).

So as I sat alongisde Justin Langer I remembered talking to a good friend of mine, who was a nationally known sportsman, reaching the pinnacle of his sport, then going on to other successes in other fields. He told me that when he was young, he always knew he was going to be a Wallaby. He had the talent, that’s for sure, but what he also had was the belief. Belief in himself, in his dream and in his goals.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time around eminently successful people and the one thing they all have in common is that same overwhelming sense of belief. They know what they want and they also know with unswerving belief that they can do it. Of course, this is not to say they don’t have setbacks. It’s not always smooth sailing, but their fundamental belief in the goal and themselves pulls them through the rough spots. Keeping their eye on the prize, sometimes to the exclusion of all else, is what ensures their success.

Naturally, we can’t all be Wallabies or Aussie Swim Team Dolphins, but we can all achieve our goals as long as certain conditions are met. They must be realistic, we must really want them, they must be beneficial and the most important condition of all, we must have a goal in the first place.

So many of us are vague about what we want and what we expect from our lives. We spend a lot of time wishing things were better, but not a lot of time actually making them so. We think we do, but often we’re really just coasting along not really expending any effort and sort of doing OK but there’s something slightly unfulfilling about just getting by.

Setting goals is one of the very best things we can do for ourselves. Deciding what we really want and working towards it has to be infinitely better than drifting aimlessly hoping to avert disaster.

Our minds have a remarkably powerful facility that many of us under-utilise. If we tell it where we want to go, it will map ways for us to get there. I call it your automatic GPS – Goal Projection Success Mindset machine. If we keep the object of our desire in the forefront of our mind, if we see an image of it every day, even subliminally, our GPS mindset machine does the hard work for us.

But we need to be careful with all that power, because it can work just as well in the negative as in the positive. If I keep thinking, “I’m working too hard. I need a break,” my mind will find a way to fulfil my goal. Unfortunately, that could mean I get sick or get injured or all the work that seems to just flow in suddenly dries up. If instead I think, “It’s time I was rewarded for all this hard work,” my outcome is far more likely to be positive, because my mind will be creating ways to reward me.

It’s not enough to set one goal and go for it. Your fitness goals should be full of some for tomorrow, some for next month and some for five years from now. Once we look like we’re going to reach one of our goals, re-evaluate and move the goal post if necessary. Why not shoot for the moon?

Earl Nightingale said, “We become what we think about most”. If we’re always thinking that life is tough, it will become so. If we think that we’re not quite good enough, guess what?! It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It’s just as easy to hold a positive thought as a negative one, so perhaps it’s time for you to get positive about where you are and where you’re going and set a few goals.

Naturally, if you need a little help figuring out how to plan for 2010, find a goals coach that will help you find the right direction.

Remember: if you don’t quit…you will make it!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 9:41 pm
Day 28: Gratitude, 50-Day Challenge
Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Martin Luther King Jr, Civil Rights Leader said it best: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

It is paradoxical but profoundly true that the most certain way for people to bring hope, help, meaning and joy to their own lives is by reaching out and bringing hope, help, meaning and joy to the lives of others. If you’ve already experienced this beautiful phenomenon for yourself, you are in good company.

Today’s challenge is brought to us via the selfgrowth.com article: Giving Back to the World - By Jeremy Gislason

Are you grateful for everything you have?

Consider this, whether you have a million dollars in the bank or a hundred — if you have a roof over your head, food on your table and the comfort of friends and family, you’re rich.

Millions around the world live a bare bones existence and the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness takes a backseat to survival. If you have a roof over your head, you have food in your stomach, and you probably have at least one car, a bank account, and an abundance of creature comforts then by global standards, you’re rich.

Take a minute to look around you, wherever you are. It doesn’t matter if you’re reading this from the comfort of your couch, if you’re sitting at a table in a coffee shop, if you’re sitting in your car, on your treadmill or exercise bike, or if you’re enjoying the sunshine and reading this outside. Take a look around you and make a mental note of all you have. We’re not just talking about the material items either. Friends, family, mentors, and pets are all blessings.

What about you? You have a wealth of strengths, skills, knowledge, and experience too.

What Are You Doing With All Of Your Wealth?

Gratitude has the power to bring more abundance into our lives. We know this to be true and by simply expressing gratitude daily, in every moment of your life, you will understand it to be true too.

In addition to attracting more of what we’re grateful for, like wealth, love, and good health, gratitude also invites compassion into our lives. There are so many people in this world who suffer, who struggle and who do not have the wealth and abundance you have right now, today. It’s important to point out that this is an opportunity for you.

Giving back benefits you in a number of ways.
>> When you give back, you feel better about yourself, your accomplishments and your wealth — you feel grateful.
>> When you give back, you learn about yourself and about others — this is a valuable opportunity.
>> When you give back, you make valuable connections with people who have the power to change your life in any number of amazing ways.
>> When you give back, you gain both spiritually and monetarily. It’s the Law of Attraction — which states you attract what you focus on. The Law of Attraction says: That which is like unto itself, is drawn.

When you possess gratitude, compassion, and generosity of mind, money and spirit, you attract those things back to you — all which make you richer, smarter, and surrounded by life, love and happiness.

Consider for just a moment the amazing contributions of:
** Bill Gates and his foundation which partners with companies around the world to improve health and education.
** Oprah Winfrey and her angel network which works on global and local networks to improve the lives of others.
** And Kelly a small business owner who regularly motivates her social networking followers to generate thousands of dollars to families in need by donating her time and services in exchange for monetary donations from others.

YOU, no matter what level you’re at or what goals you are striving for, have the mind-blowing opportunity to improve the lives of others, including your own, in a number of ways.

1. You have the power to change the world, to better the world.
2. By embracing and acting on your power, you will gain abundance both materially and spiritually.

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
-Winston Churchill

How Can You Give Back?

There are a number of ways you can give back to the world.

1.) Volunteer
Volunteer your time, skills and expertise. Volunteering offers a number of benefits:

-You Become Part of a Community
Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on your community. We depend on each other for personal and professional survival and when you’re part of a community, your personal and your professional life prosper. Volunteering helps, you build and sustain your community, which in turn will give back to you. It’s a win-win situation.

-Broaden Your Repertoire
People volunteer to contribute their skills and knowledge however it’s practically guaranteed that you’ll walk away with more knowledge and skills than you had beforehand. Volunteering is the perfect vehicle to discover something you are good at and develop a new skill.

-A Sense of Accomplishment
There’s little else in life that offers the same level of satisfaction like watching your hard earned efforts benefit someone in need.

Volunteering also offers you new interests, new experiences, new people, and authenticity and credibility in your industry.

2.) Donate funds
What’s your favorite cause or charity - something that’s important to you, your family or your friends? Perhaps it is the American Cancer Society, the Humane Society, or the Nature Conservancy. These organizations thrive on two things: Volunteers and Donations.

If you have causes, passions and charities which are near and dear to your heart, it’s important to do what you can to keep them in the black, financially solvent, and able to continue to provide their services.

3.) Use your business to tap into the needs of your prospects, community, customers, and associates
One of the truly wonderful aspects about being a business owner is the amazing power you have to give back. As a business owner, you have a rolodex jam-packed with contacts. This includes your lead list but it also includes your associates, vendors, partners, and always your friends, family and community members. You are a veritable Paul Revere — and one word from you has tremendous power, power to change the world and have a positive effect on the lives of others.

4.) Mentor
Mentoring is an exceptional way to share your knowledge and experience with others and give back to the world.

Mentoring is when you meet with someone one-on-one and help them learn and grow. A mentee can be a child or young adult struggling with choices, a professional who is interested in growing their career, or a person interested in starting a business similar to yours. A mentor/mentee relationship is essentially, however you define it.

Your Champion Action Today

If history and experience have taught us anything it’s that the more you give, the more you receive. When you take the time to give back to the world with the intention of improving the lives of others, the essential result is that you end up receiving so much more than you can possibly imagine. Give it a try. You’ll be amazed what happens in your life.

Many thanks again for this article from selfgrowth.com for this article titled: Giving Back to the World - By Jeremy Gislason


And remember: if you don’t quit, you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: Inspirational Stuff, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 1:11 pm
Day 26: 50-day Challenge - We achieve when we FOCUS on what matters most!
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

What is the most important thing you can do today?

Make it a habit to ask yourself this question every morning when you wake up.

“What is the most important thing I can do today that will benefit me, my family, my life, my fellow man, my planet?”

Why should you ask yourself this question?
>> Because it matters.
>> Because we live in trying times and the answers are more critical than ever.
>> Because you need to get in the habit of defining “importance” in your life.
>> Because YOU “CAN” ask yourself this question.
>> Because you have probably “NOT” been asking this question enough.

Ask yourself this simple question every morning. “What is the most important thing I can do today?”

The answer does not have to be BIG. Sometimes the answer will seem small, but think about it carefully…it may be bigger than you think.

Here are some examples:
#1 You will help your daughter with her homework today.
Sound small? It’s not.
>> You are creating a lifelong bond with your child.
>> You are spending valuable time with your child, time that can be used to instill values in her
that can last a lifetime.

#2 You are fed up with your boss, you have decided that you are (finally) going to start your own business, break away from your job and become independent.
Obviously this is “VERY” important. It can change your life in many ways. It can bring you freedom.

It will require lots of work, planning, and strategies, but the rewards will be great. You will be filled with pride and increased self esteem.

(Just a quick note: I will be making a HUGE announcement in the next few days regarding this topic…..stay tuned.)

#3 You will workout this morning before going to work.
>> Your heart rate will increase, your heart will grow stronger.
>> Your skin, brain cells and all the cells in your body will receive more oxygen due to the increased blood flow that results from a cardio workout.
>> You will feel less depressed because science tells us that your brain will be flooded with endorphins. Endorphins make you feel euphoric, happy and powerful.

(Note that I always write my best work after I return from a swim workout. Why?
Because the euphoria that working out brings is always accompanied by increased creativity….guess what…as I write these words right now, I am feeling this increased mental clarity and increased creativity, because I worked out 1 hour prior to beginning this article.)

#4 You stop to help a stranger on the street who is down and out.
Believe it or not it is “YOU”, not the stranger who benefits the most when you help him/her.

Again, this may seem small and un-important but it make become the “MOST” important thing you do all day…after all, you don’t know how the rest of your day will go.

#5 You register to vote. Maybe you have never voted before. Maybe you will see an opportunity to get involved to help change the system instead of just being fed up with it. (no pun intended)

Many people gave their lives so that you would have the right to vote…how important is that?

Regardless of what you decide, the most important thing you can do today is simply ask the question. Ask the question everyday. Ask because you can. Ask because it matters. Ask because the answers will surprise you. Most important……..”ASK.”

Enjoy achieving what matters most to you today!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need help deciding how to be more effective with focusing on what matters most and deal with overwhelm, frustration and stress with so much to do and only 24hrs a day to do it ….click here NOW

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 1:28 pm
Day 19: 50-day Challenge; Danny Green’s physiology did all the talking!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Danny Green made a name for himself and into Australian Boxing history last night when he stopped Roy Jones Jnr just two minutes into the first round of their fight in Sydney.

But it was his demeanor only a matter of minutes earlier that really set the scene for what was about to unfold. Danny Green walked out as cool as a cucumber. Relaxed and smiling with his “spinach” on his arm (his daughter), then patriotic as ever, he joined in with the thousands of passionate spectators and sang the national anthem.

And then it was all over with THAT punch in the first round! ”I didn’t surprise myself,” Danny Green said. ”We told everyone that if I caught him clean I would knock him out.”

The Green Machine celebrates

The Green Machine celebrates

Does your body language speak volumes? Do you win or lose in a matter of seconds and have no comprehension of what just happened….like Roy Jones Jnr this morning waking up thinking “did I just have bad dream”?

Imagine this all-too-familiar scenario:

You’re on your way to work. It’s been a hectic morning–you overslept your alarm, your kids were crying, you couldn’t find matching socks, and to top it all off, it’s pouring rain outside.

You stumble into the office and everyone knows you had a terrible morning and you’re in a bad mood.

How? Well, first of all, they can see it before you even say a single word.
That’s because your body language says everything about you–before you open your mouth.

>> If you see someone with their head down, shoulders drooping, staring at the floor, you would assume they’re in a bad mood.
>> If you saw someone smiling, head up, back straight, and making eye contact, you’d think they were having the best day ever.

Whether we like it or not, our body language, or our physiology, speaks for us.

Some people might say this is a bad thing–”everyone knows how I’m feeling just by looking at me!”
But I think it’s one of the greatest advantages you can have. Because it means YOU CAN CHOOSE how you feel….Just by changing your physiology. The next time you have a bad day, try picking your head up, straightening your shoulders, and walking like you mean it.

Smile. Make eye contact with people. Laugh. Watch as your mood begins to change. It really does work. And it gets even better.

I discovered a long-lost NLP (neurolinguistic programming) technique that uses physiology to create rapid behaviour change. This technique has been hiding inside of you…til now. And it is the same principle that I used to become 7-time Womens World Marathon Swimming Champion and the same that Danny Green will be remembered after his historic fight last night.

It uses that basic principle of “keeping your head up” and supercharges it… So that you can achieve anything you desire just by changing your physiology. Once you understand how your “Champion Physiological State of Excellence” works, you can use it for just about anything — Bad habits, low confidence, finding love, financial prosperity… You just have to dream it –and then use this simple technique to make it happen.

Find out your secret weapon behind your Champion Physiology that creates excellence… boost your self confidence & self belief through the roof, elminate your stagnant and stuck states, overcome past old limitations, lose the weight you want, quick those cigarettes once and for all…Get In the Zone again and be in control of your life…by programming YOUR mind for success!

Your Champion Action Today:

1. When you notice your physiology weaken with your shoulders dropping. pic your head up, straighten your shoulders, and walk like you mean it….like a Champion!

2. Think of Champions you know who hold their head up…and smile effortlessly. How do they do it?

3. Hang with Champions who connect with you; engaging eye contact, head up. Watch. Observe and Model their behaviour.

and remember:
if you don’t quit…you will make it!

Go for YOUR World Title Today
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Can’t pick you head up? First 3 people to email Shelley at: enquiries@championmindset.com.au with subject header: Shelley I need your help to teach me how to walk like a Champion! Offer expires midnight Thursday 3rd December 2009

Filed under: The 50-Day Challenge, Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 2:10 pm
« Older Entries