Posts Tagged ‘self doubt’

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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
Day 18: 50-day Challenge…. Do you have the bounce back factor?
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Do you have the B-B-B-B-Bounce????

Definition: Resilience is the ability of an object to return to its original form after being bent, stretched or compressed. Well that’s the dictionary’s definition of resilience.

For humans, it’s the ability to readily recover, to bounce back from setbacks, to overcome obstacles, to work though injury, to recover from ill health and to survive adversity.

Life can, and usually when we least expect it or need it, throw us a curve ball. Resilience has helped and will continue to help you on your life journey, both personally and professionally.

I wonder if Tiger Woods is feeling like he has the bounce-factor today?
An exert from The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, 30 November 2009 by Peter Stone reads:

As John Daly landed in Australia this week for the Australian Open he might just have permitted himself a half-smile when he heard news of Tiger Woods, saying to himself, ”Well, at least it isn’t me this time.” This year, Daly has been a model citizen of golf. Not one damaging headline, well, that’s if you excuse those outrageously lairy strides he is wearing!

Jack Newton says he prefers watching Daly play golf more than most other players . ”He’s pure excitement. He’s incredibly skilful. I think he is one of the great characters of the game and, at times, he gets some extremely unfair criticism. I am sure all the world’s top players would agree.”

A few of them do. Just a year ago, Stuart Appleby remarked that Daly has more talent in his little finger than Appleby himself has in his entire body. ”He is amazing and gifted,” he said.

Daly tells of sitting in a clubhouse in the US after practice having a beer and a yarn with mates when Woods came through in his workout gear on his way to the gym. ”Hey man, don’t you ever get tired of that workout shit? Why don’t you come over and have a few beers with us and hang out,” Daly called out to Woods. Woods replied: ”If I had your talent, John, I wouldn’t have to work out.”

But what is resilience all about? What has Tiger Woods and John Daly got to do with reslience? Well everything because you can have talent. You can have obstacles. But without self-discipline you will never work at it, bounce back and achieve your potential.

>> It takes a lot to do the things you do and not get caught up in the emotion of what may or may not happen
>> It takes great discipline to stick to the things you have to do, rather than the things you want to do
>> It takes great discipline to block out the negativity around you
>> It takes great discipline to not listen to that little voice inside your head that tells you that you are getting a raw deal, or is asking, ”Why is this happening to me?”
>> It takes great discipline to stay focussed on the task at hand
>> It takes great discipline to deal with the fear and anxiety surrounding what you have to go through
>> It takes great discipline to overcome fear and anxiety by knowing things will be good if you do what is right
>> It takes skill to know what is right; but it takes a whole lot more to actually be able to do the right thing

It’s also all about independence and self reliance.

Resilience teaches us that whether or not what happened was our fault is inconsequential. But what makes it right is your responsibility: to stand up above all, and everyone else and take responsibility to get yourself to where you need to be and beyond. It takes a lot of character and courage not to go down the self pity, lay blame, why did this happen to me scenario.

You take responsibility for what happened and you take responsibility to overcome it. This is independence and self reliance at its best. But at the same time, you work with the people around you to get the best possible result in the time frame that you have.

You go through the test of having to ask yourself the tough questions. You do what is required to have the true insight and understanding of what is needed to allow yourself and others to deal with this situation and deal with it properly. Therefore, resilience requires insight and understanding.

Basically you take responsibility for where things were and where you needed them to be.

** However resilience also requires inter-dependence. That is… you know that you are responsible and it is ultimately up to you, but you recognise that you will require the help of others. Therefore, your selection of people becomes vital, as does your ability to place trust in them by letting them do what they need to do to help you.

** Resilience requires perspective. Where are things at and where do you want them to go? What needs to be done and by whom? What timelines do you have? What happens if this happens? All of these questions and situations require understanding and perspective of the highest calibre.
** Resilience requires enterprise. That is the need to take control of the situation and do it in a way that requires energy and effort. Open-minded thinking. Enterprise to realise what it takes to get this back to where it should be … and beyond.

** Resilience requires imagination. Where are you at and what do you have to do to go forward? You need to be open minded to what it will take to get the job done.

** Resilience requires principle. There is an easy way, a hard way and the right way to deal with things. In your mind there is only one way, and that is to do the things the right way ; by following the principles of character that have guided you though life –the lessons and ideals that were taught to you by your parents and family.

In the end though, resilience is about turning what others call “failure” or “insurmountable” into Success. Resilience is about the ideology of never giving up. Resilience is about doing what it takes to get things done and to get them done the right way.

Therefore, resilience is not a part-time thought; it’s a full-time action.

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

PS: Is your Bounce Back Factor not as bouncy as it once was? Email Shelley at enquiries@championmindset.com.au with Subject Header: Shelley, I need help with my bounce back factor! and qualify to Pick Shelley’s Brain for Free! for 10mins.

Filed under: Inspirational Stuff, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 11:25 am
Day 17: The 50-day Challenge: What’s Your Spinach?
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Danny Green knows it takes the right spinach!
”My spinach fly in tonight, so it’ll be all good then.

….My family, my kids, they’re my spinach. I’ve got Popeye’s forearms and they’re my spinach. I just want them to get here, have a few days with them before we rock and roll on Wednesday night. There’s nothing more I can do. We’ve studied the fight, analysed it, pulled it apart and picked it apart. I’ve just got to chill, stay cool, not overload the brain. There’s no point getting nervous or getting angry or uptight, but I am uptight, you know?”

Danny Green looked agitated. “I just want to fight,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday after attending another promotional function for, without a doubt, the most prestigious boxing event to take place in Australian history, against Roy Jones jnr on Wednesday night. “The wait is hard, trying to remain calm and patient ’till we get it on. I just need to surround myself with people who help me relax, give me a laugh.”

So what is your spinach? Who are the people, surroundings, events and/or experiences that get you ready-to-rumble for your upcoming presentation, media interview, job interview, career performance meeting, sales pitch, listing meeting, potential client, gym session, bootcamp session, 2hr swim workout with Shelley or your own big day, big endurance event like a triathlon, open water swim or half marathon?

It does not matter whether you are an elite whatever in your field; what does matter is that you know your spinach! What gets you going?

I’m ready to rumble, ready to rock, but I’ve done a lot of talking. I’ll keep these answers short and sharp like Danny Green’s combinations are guaranteed to be on Wednesday night.

It’s all about planning and ensuring you start off on the right foot, giving yourself the best chance of success.

Your Champion Action Today:

5 Taylor-Made Solutions to create your team SPINACH Spirit:

1. Define what your team stands for, define your Team SPINACH Spirit:

2. Discover who’s on your team – list your balcony people: your fans in the stands cheering you on!
(1) _________________________________________

(2) _________________________________________

(3) _________________________________________

(4) _________________________________________

(5) _________________________________________

3. What do these fans in the stands/your dream cheerers hold you accountable for?

(1) ______________________________________________

(2) ______________________________________________

(3) ______________________________________________

(4) ______________________________________________

(5) _______________________________________________

4. What WOW gratitude factor do I/we realise from my team?

Go for Your Gold!
and remember: if you don’t quit, you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need me on your Team SPINACH Spirit! Email me with subject header: “I need to pick Shelley’s Brain as I do not know what I want or how to create the right people to support what I want!” to enquiries@championmindset.com.au First 3 people get to Pick Shelley’s Brain for 10mins.

Filed under: The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 1:18 pm
Day 16: The Power of Discipline, 50-day Challenge
Monday, November 30th, 2009

Self-discipline and self-motivation are joined at the hip.
Why is that?
When you practice self-discipline you feel like you are in control of your life.
You feel content and motivated because you’re moving toward your goals.

If I had to pick the #1 key to success, it would be…self-discipline. It is the difference in winning or losing; between greatness and mediocrity. Pure and Simple: Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness.

On the weekend I met with a dozen of “my” 40 open water / marathon swimmer enthusiasts after a two hour - 7km workout and gave them the opportunity to “Pick Shelley’s Brain” as I am currently coaching them for the upcoming Rottnest Channel 20km Marathon Swim set for 20 February 2010.

I shared how I got the nickname from my male competitors: “Dangerous When Wet” and shared ways to stay motivated and prepare with a Champion Mindset. I kept coming back to the most important 6 inches of the body (the distance between the ears) required to create the mental toughness to not give up at training nor during the upcoming Christmas holiday period!

After we had chatted for awhile, I got asked the question that many people in this situation would ask, “Of all the one thousand success principles that you have discovered, which do you think is the most important?”

I smiled at each and every one of them with a twinkle in my eye, just like I have been asked this question many times, and replied, without hesitating, “The most important success principle of all is: “Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”

Now ain’t that the truth!

Kop Kopmeyer, a legend in the field of success and achievement said: “There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work.”

Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.

Your Champion Action Today:

1. What self-discipline habit do you need to start or stick at to achieve your goal today?

2. Check what have you given up on or was gonna’ do but never got around to. Is there a pattern of similar behaviour? Is there a lack of self-discipline?

3. List what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not …which will create self-discipline and ensure success for YOU.

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

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: If you’re struggling with self-discpline, you’re not alone! Why not “Pick Shelley’s Brain” for 10mins and see if Shelley is the ideal self development coach for you to discover your Motivation, Mindset and Mental Toughness. For the next 24hrs the first 10 people who email enquiries@championmindset.com.au and put in the subject header: “Shelley I want to pick your brain and get help with my lack of self discipline!” will get that opportunity for free for 10mins. Offer expires midnight Monday 30th November Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Filed under: The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 11:56 am
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