As you know I regularly talk about how grateful I am Canadians are proud and want to share the passion for all things and not let a moment go by…seize the day.
Carpe Diem!
Enjoy Pierre Lafonteine, Canada Swimming CEO shares a message with the Canadian Open Water Swim Team impressing on them the history of how Canadians support their countrymen to achieve their goals and the importance of expressing gratitude to those who help you achieve your goals.
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
The greatest show on earth…. has come to the tiny village of Roberval, Quebec, Canada; the host for the 6th FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships, 15-23 July 2010.
Roberval, a town of 11,000 residents has welcomed in open arms, the 124 elite open water swimming competitors from 30 countries.
I will be writing daily blogs and sharing interviews with Champions - athletes, coaches, organisers, referees, officials and volunteers.
The following was reported by Steven Munatones, Chief Editor of Daily News of Open Water Swimming
Dr. Julio Maglione, the FINA President, opened the festivities with a bilingual address to the gathered media at today’s press conference. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Swimming Canada, the city of Roberval and the local organising committee.”
Swimming Canada CEO Pierre Lafontaine echoed the gratitude of Dr. Maglione at today’s press conference. In his usual enthusiastic manner, Pierre said, “The local organizing committee even went so far in changing the water temperature of lac St-Jean.”
Pierre was referring to the notoriously historical cold water of lac St-Jean has increased in temperature to an unseasonably and unprecedented 24°C (75°C) that have greeted the swimmers at the championships. Most of the swimmers were quite happy and surprised to learn of the warm-water conditions.
“Swimming Canada is excited to host the world championships and we are thankful to Dr. Maglione for having confidence in us. Sport is a place where people can dream. That is the power of sport.”
Canadian National Team coach Ron Jacks repeated the excitement of Dr. Maglione and Pierre. “The 7-member Canadian team is in good spirits after a 5-day training camp in Montreal. The swimmers have had a great week of preparation in Montreal. The 10K will be our great event. With the event now being in the Olympics, we are seeing a surge of swimmers trying to grain that experience for the 2012 Olympic Games qualifier next year in Shanghai.”
“The Canadian team is comprised with some solid veterans such as Simon Tobin of Quebec, Zsofie Balaz of Toronto and Nadine Williams of Sherwood Park who all competed at the 2009 World Swimming Championships. I’m optimistic that we will get a few surprise performances from our veterans and rookies.”
The Canadian team includes Xavier Desharnais, Simon Tobin, Richard Weinberger, Zsofia Balazs, Karyn Jewell, Joanie Guillemetee-Simard and Nadine Williams.
Thanks Steven Munatones and Daily News of Open Water Swimming for that back end story on the Canadian Open Water Swim Team.
Enjoy my interview below with Pierre Lafonteine, Swimming Canada CEO.
Let me know how you are enjoy the videos and blog posts and what skill helps you have a more enjoyable open water swimming experience. I look forward to sharing the amazing experience of the FINA World Championships and the passionate hospitality of the host city of Roberval.
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
FINA TOWSC member 2000-present
FINA Athletes Commission Chairman 1999-2000
7-time Womens World No.1 Marathon Swimming Champion 1988-1995
5-time Overall Winner & Fastest Time Overall Manhattan Island 48km Marathon Swim
Director & Founder Champion Mindset Consulting
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
Overnight success or… Years of planning and Years of just doing it!
This weekend saw two Aussies achieve amazing feats!
Saturday it was 16yr old JESSICA WATSON’s inspirational 210-day round-the-world solo performance which saw her sail into the record books and into the hearts of every Australian!
Then MARK WEBBER last night became the first Australian to win the Monaco Grand Prix since the great Jack Brabham 51 years ago. He also claimed the formula one series lead from Jenson Button, who crashed out of the race early. It is the first time an Australian has led the championship since Alan Jones in 1981.
In his post race media conference Mark Webber said “this has been two (2) years in the planning! It didn’t just happen after the win last week in Barcelona. It didn’t happen in the past 2 days here at the Grand Prix. This win is a result of alot of planning, preparation, commitment and focus on the result. It has not finished yet. We have a lot more work to do.”
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
Coach Darrel Royal
It is so easy to say, “That person is lucky.” or, “What an overnight success!” But nothing ever happens by luck. The secret is great preparation. When you are prepared, opportunity comes knocking on the door.
Both Jessica Watson & Mark Webber are two examples of…. just doing it!
People often ask me what the single most important tip for success is.
Here it is. Do more. It’s that simple. Your actions define you. Success comes to those of us prepared to take action. The willingness to take action is far more important than talent, as naturally talented people will tell you. Talent is never enough. Gutsy people get ahead. Things fall into place for them. Not everything works out exactly to plan, but they always win through. They’re irrepressible. They never stay down, for a minute. They just love to be up and running again.
Being gutsy, ballsy is open to all of us. There’s no secret that I’m about to reveal to you, or maybe there is.
It’s simple. These people take action, regardless of how they’re feeling. They don’t wait for a full moon. They don’t wait for a better time. They definitely don’t wait until they feel better about themselves, whatever that might mean. If this sounds a bit simplistic it’s because taking action, getting things done, achieving more is very straightforward. You do more, you get more, you have more, of whatever it is that you want.
The secret is, there is no secret.
When people come to me for coaching, they generally know what they want. I ask the same question of everyone, “What have you actually done about this so far?”. I’m not being critical. I’m being curious. The answer? For the vast majority of people, it’s “absolutely nothing”, or as good as. Very occasionally someone will say, “Everything. I’ve done everything. Nothing’s worked.”
I can work out a terrific Plan of Action with people. I can increase their confidence, inspire them, intensify their motivation, build them up, make them more powerful.
But I can’t make them jump, take the steps, make it happen. Only you can do that. It doesn’t even matter how confident you’re feeling. If you don’t do the necessary, what you know needs to be done, nothing will change. You certainly won’t make the gains that you could. Don’t make the mistake of thinking “if only I had more confidence, then I’d get things done.”
It doesn’t work like that. There’s no substitute for plain, old-fashioned action. Just getting on with it.
And 16 yr old Jessica Watson’s comment ”You’ve just got to have a dream … and work hard”, encapsulates it all.
Coach Shelley’s Call to Action:
1. What preparation do you need to do this week, to be ready for opportunities?
2. What are 3 action steps that you plan on doing…consistently… every day for success?
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
PS: if you’re lacking confidence, not good at planning, suffer with procrastination, you’re a Gunna not a Doer, then check out the Champion Mindset coaching program, guaranteed to help you create the Mental Toughness, Motivation & Mindset to help you just do it!
PPS: Or call Shelley on 0414 594 245 and win a complimentary 15min “Pick Shelley’s Brain” session.
Limited to only 3 people. Call Shelley and say “Shelley I am sick and tired of being a Gunna…Please teach me how to be a DOER”.
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
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…
How exciting, this is the 1st Monday of the New Year!
The best way to a great 2010 is to prepare yourself for an exciting month. January is a very important month for many reasons…it is the first day of the first 90 days of the 2nd decade of the new millenium.
Any of you that have worked with me knows that I am big believer in setting a single 90 day goal. That is right, ONE clear goal for the next 90 days. This exercise will make your prioritise what you are focusing on.
If you are not currently working with a clear 90 day goal then this is the day to set ONE. It may help to take a moment and review what you accomplished in 2009. Write down what you have accomplished on the way to your last goal. Whether you achieved the specific goal or not doesn’t matter.
NB: Before you set yourself up for the next 90 days, I highly recommend if you have not already done so, to do a clean sweep out and declutter so you start 2010 with a clean slate!
Focus on what did you achieve in the last 90 days? Write down the positives that matter to you. Be alert for increased energy and passion.When your energy is up then set your next 90 day goal!!!
Your 90 day goal is your own. Pay attention to this fact. If you own your business then you are on the way to achieving the lifestyle of your dreams and you will have always achieved something else in the process. Some sort of recognition or acknowledgement.
Once you have your 90 day goal defined, look at it and ask yourself,
“What do I have to accomplish this month to achieve this goal?”
From here you set your monthly targets. And then ask yourself,
“What do I have to do TODAY to move towards my monthly targets”
Write down your daily goal, and take action. Now is a fantastic time to set a 90 day goal and set you up for achieving your goals in 2010.
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? Directions: Plan your way to success with these six Who, What, Where, When, How and Why questions. They will help you to clarify your goal, deadlines, and corresponding action items.
1. What is the specific goal that you want to achieve?
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2. Why do you want to achieve this goal?
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3. Where are you currently starting from as it relates to this goal?
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4. How will you achieve this goal? List each individual action step and deadline.
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5. Who will be involved in helping you achieve this goal? Identify their specific role.
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6. When will you achieve this goal? Identify a specific date.
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“Life will not go according to plan, if you do not have a plan!”
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
PS: Need help planning your 2010 strategy and goals. Call Shelley on 1300 78 41 70 today to Pick Shelley’s Brain for 15mins for fre.E! Or check out the Champion Mindset Motivation & Mental Toughness Coaching Program. Begins Monday 4th January 2010.
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
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
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!