Right now I know of a group of crazy people who are climbing Mount Everest.
Steve Bock teaming up with Adventures Global and my dear Rottnest Channel swimmer Patrick Hollingworth

As helping Patrick with his mental preparation we discussed the importance of belief and how it affects your attitude. If there is no place for self doubt and a poor attitude…it is as you attempt to become the 2nd West Australian to climb Mount Everest.

Once you set your goals, they must be pursued with passion, dedication and enthusiasm.

This requires a positive and proactive attitude—during the heat of the battle—as well as the lull in the action.

Nothing will torpedo your chance at success faster than a poor attitude. You can have clear and tangible goals, with the best laid plans in the world, but if you poison the well from which opportunity springs, you’ve just killed your future.

Think about it.
Passion, Possibilities and Positivity. They go hand-in-hand.

These three words are what generate BELIEVABILITY in your dreams and goals.

Is BELIEVABILITY a problem for you?

Attitude is about believability—believing in yourself, your goals, your organisation and your future.

A bad attitude TODAY leads to the loss of limitless future opportunities—opportunities that could have propelled you to new heights and vistas.

Please take some time today to think about your Number One Goal for 2010.

While SMART, this goal will not come EASY.

Look at this goal in light of the next 30 days attempting to GRIND you down. What are you going to do to maintain POSITIVITY?

One of the big drivers of Peak Performance to achieving your Champion Potential is your Attitude—how POSITIVE you are… how OPTIMISTIC you are… how ENTHUSIASTIC you are… how much raw BELIEVABILITY you have in your goals.

This week, pay very close attention to your ATTITUDE.
What are you telling yourself with your self-talk? Is it mostly POSITIVE… or frequently NEGATIVE?

Without a POSITIVE and CHAMPION ATTITUDE, you are just spinning your wheels, confusing effort with results.

Tune IN to your ATTITUDE. Turn it ON. Turn it UP!

As we head into the month of May 2010, take a hard look around your life. Don’t filter your observations through the “good enough” lens. Expect more!

Imagine what your life will be like when you are actually living what’s most important to you.

A Champion Attitude is committed to passionately living what you value.

Go for your gold!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Suffering with a poort attitude or beating yourself up with self doubt…then call Shelley to discuss the Champion Mindset coaching programs guaranteed to help you get up, get over it and get on with it….to achieve your goals …which is your birthright!!!
Call Shelley now on 0414 594 245 or email champion@championmindset.com.au with header: “Yes Shelley I need your help and I am ready to get up, get over it and get on with it NOW”

Way back on January 1st I chose to do things slightly different this year.

I chose a theme for 2010.

By picking a positive theme rather than a negative New Year’s resolution (usually you’ll stop, break or change), I get much better results.

The theme for 2010 I chose is: “Be the Champion Shelley”
Being Shelley - down to earth, relatable & comfortable in my own skin; Doing Shelley - walking the talk presenting, training and coaching!

Why? Because I wanted to get back on track and focused on what Shelley Taylor-Smith & Champion Mindset Consulting - the brand represents- before my big move back to my hometown in Perth, Western Australia (after 17yrs in Sydney on the Northern Beaches in Manly) in December 2008 & pre-GFC.

So I say an indebted thanks to each of the 50 or so Champion Motivations subscribers who sent emails and/or facebook responses to my Christmas message back in December ‘09.

2000 Sydney Olympic Volleyball Gold Medallist, Kerri Pottharst summed up beautifully the response from most readers - “Shells thanks for telling it like it “really is”…from your heart and down to earth. I admire your honesty. Keep it coming!!!”

and another…. “I’ve never replied to any of your e-mails you have sent over the years, but I want to assure you of the great impression you make on me. I am always happy to read your kind words and I have with no plan collected all your motivational snippets, they were just so good and unique that I re-read occasionally, they are of great benefit … thank you for your steadfastness to those of us who luckily receive your e-mails, the lesson alone on perseverance and support you show is personally amazing to me. It has been a privilege to receive your kindnesses over such a long time. Thank you!”

Ok I shed tears and even though I did receive a few not so positive (even advice that I should change careers) I became more determined to persevere. (no does not sound like Shelley at all!!!)

So for December, January & February 2010 I put pen to paper investigating 3 important questions:

1. What are the benefits for Shelley Taylor-Smith when she is down to earth, relatable and comfortable in her own skin?
2. What is the Champion Brand - Champion Mindset Consulting that brings people knocking at our door?
3. What do we do that makes for happy customers?

And guess what business has never been better!

I have reformulated my business vision using our Champion Passion Pyramid tool. Funny when you get rid of the clutter and gain clarity, the answers are right there in front of you!

And I want to teach you exactly how you can get back on track too.

Join me at the Personal Branding - Create Your Champion Brand: YOU! workshop next month to develop your 2010 vision and learn:

* What purpose has to do with achieving success,
* How to identify your own career and business vision,
* Define the habits required that you need to stick at,
* How to eliminate the fears that drain your power - Champion Brand: You!,
* How to effortlessly embrace your strengths, anytime you need to
* Simple steps to immediately replace your limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs
* How your attitude can enhance relationships so much you get what you want
* How Champions handle mistakes differently than others
* Create your one year Champion brand plan

I would love for you to come on this journey with me and share your changes, challenges and celebrations - your Champion Gold Medal moments!

So What Did Shelley Achieve in January and February 2010???

I launched myself into the new decade as Head Coach of the Rottnest Channel 20km Swim coaching 30 solos and 10 duos. A 4 month project that began on November 2nd and completed on 20 February 2010 with a 20km marathon swim Cottesloe to Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Results: Team Shelley 98% - achieving 1st place in 4hrs 41mins 30secs through to final place overall in 11hrs 30mins.

**Someone kindly reminded me that the only swimmer who did not finish (he retired at 12km) because he had been bedside at hospital with his son and had not slept for 48hrs prior to the race; this does qualify as a DID NOT FINISH. That was a commonsense decision to get out and not a failure.
Thanks Warren “WOW” Jones.

Here’s to seeing you real soon at a Personal Branding - Create Your Champion Brand YOU workshop soon. And if you’re not already a Champion Motivations subscriber then register now

Until next time…What basics do you need to get back to, to find your way back on track?

“Remember: If you don’t quit…you will make it!”

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: register now for Perth 9th June - Personal Branding Workshop

PPS - Sydney 18th May & Melbourne 20th May - register your interest - email champion@championmindset.com.au “Shelley, I want to register my interest for Sydney on 18th May” or “Shelley, I want to register my interest for Melbourne on 20th May”

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

Who is the most important person in your life?

As you ask yourself that question, consider that it’s not your parents, nor your children or any family members..

and it’s not your best friend either.

The answer is… YOU!

You are the most important person in your life.

And if you’re like most people I hear from, what’s going on out in the world right now is creating anxiety in your life.

In fact, many people report being overwhelmed and downright scared about being able to provide a safe, secure and happy life for themselves and their families.

That’s why now, more than ever, it’s critical to take care of yourself and that starts with KNOWING how to take care of yourself.

So what can you do… where do you start?

Consider today that your performance is what matters most in each of your roles. Make sure you are giving each of your roles the time and the performance level it deserves.

Make sure you have a mission, a goal, a plan, a priority and a time to act for all of your roles.

Today’s Quest… Answer Honestly:

What can you plan, right now, that will enrich one other area of your life? ______________________________________________________________

What’s keeping you from achieving the balance you want for your life? ___________________________________________________________

Does tomorrow’s schedule include a balance of work, family and self? ___________________________________________________________

Live the Life You Love Today.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
Australia’s No.1 Mental Toughness Coach

PS: need help toughening up…call Shelley on 0414 594 245 or email champion@championmindset.com.au and it would be my pleasure to teach you how to achieve your goals…and know you’re the most important person in your life!

Every year, millions of Australians make New Year’s resolutions…and then just as predictably break them.

The development and subsequent failure of the New Years resolution transcends any normal thought patterns, however people persist with a weary tradition that is generally serves only to undermine the individuals mindset.

New Years resolutions never achieve anything except for fostering a nation of failures. Instead of making meaningless goals, take responsibility for your life and create change. Change doesn’t come through New Years resolutions but through embracing change and addressing the root cause of your problems!

Failing to follow through with New Year resolutions only succeeds in making you feel miserable and will subconsciously set the pattern for 2009.

Will you choose in 2009 to toughen you up, smarten you up and develop a fight-back attitude?

“When the pain you’re in is greater than the pain it takes to change …then you are ready for change!”

It is that time…time to thrive and survive in what is shaping up to be the most challenging year. The next 12 months are going to create more successes and failures than the last 25 years combined.

There will be people who will be barely able to put food on the table …and others who develop the winning skills to actually THRIVE in this terrible economic meltdown. This is your moment of truth…your moment of choice…your moment of action. Its crunch time in 2009!

Asses your willingness to make a real change in 2009 by answering the following questions:

1. Is it the process of changing that you don’t want to go through?
2. Do you have emotional and physical support around you – friends, partner, family, colleagues, and mentor?
3. Are you afraid of the unknown? It can stifle our motivation and keep us stuck in an unhappy situation for years. So why do we fear change – when the rewards can be more than we have ever anticipated. It is normal to fear change, but it is how you think and feel about the change which is really the point. How can you overcome your fear?
4. Does your ego get in the way? Your own behaviour could be the cause of your problems,
5. Are you wearing blinkers, or blaming others for their mistakes?
6. How high do the stakes need to be for you before you change?

To achieve extraordinary results, you must change your approach to life and change it now. Success and happiness can only come from within you. You must pinpoint what is causing your lack of motivation, inconsistent results and unhappiness and you will define the core of who you are, what your values are and where your motivation comes from?

To thrive, you must develop a “fight-back attitude”; to proactively position yourself for the long, tough battle ahead.

Anyone who wants to not quit yet again…it is time to get up, get over it and get on with it!

Go for your gold in 2009!

About Shelley Taylor-Smith
Shelley Taylor-Smith, is Australia’s No.1 Mental Toughness 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 best-selling 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 newsletter go to: http://www.championmindset.com.au/inspire.htm