Motivational Newsletter 3/25/09

"The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination!"

~ Elbert Hubbard ~

Think about the journey you have taken on self-improvement. How many times have you succumbed to "adding" a new system, new tool, new approach, new mission statement, new goal? Consumer-culture has taught us to look externally instead of internally and that the next "tool" could be the "magic cure" for all of our woes.Yet, when we look externally time and time again, all we do is add to the confusion of trying to decode our path. We have to wade through all the tools and systems. Today's quote reminds me that often our answers are internal. Instead of adding on, we should focus our energies on looking within, chipping away the pieces that don't work until we find our "core".

Your turn:

We are all the sculptors of our own lives. What type of sculpture are you creating?

Your affirmation:

"Daily I look within, reflecting and honing my purpose!"

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Life Improvement Tips

How to discover & understand Yourself

It often happens that I commit to achieving something I feel I can excel at, only to discover that I fail to do so. This really frustrates and de-motivates me - leading to a low self-esteem - and I stop believing in myself. Does this sound familiar?

Well, one day I realized that there was actually nothing wrong with my persona. I was attempting to achieve the unachievable. I thought I was a lion which I was not, in reality. I lacked a realistic understanding of myself and my capabilities which led me to feel very depressed.

What did I learn?

Discovering and understanding yourself leads you to accept yourself the way you are, and in turn makes you a very happy person. You can't direct the wind, but you can definitely adjust your sails.

Life will take its own course, and you cannot control it, but if you understand yourself, you can and will enjoy life to the fullest.

Here's how to understand yourself -

Step 1:

The first step toward understanding yourself is to accept that you exist. Each one of us is unique and worthwhile, in our own special ways. We matter to our close friends and family, and we have a say in everything we do. Begin with learning the need to understand yourself. You are very important both for yourself and to others. You have to make your life worthwhile for yourself as well as for others.

Step 2:

Now you need to delve into your persona to understand the real YOU, without any pretensions. Analyze the way you feel about yourself. You can start with answering a few questions like:
What do you want from your life?


Do others perceive you the way you want them to?

How much are you capable of achieving?


Are you living your life or are you just going through it?


What makes you really happy?


Have you ever felt joyful or has life's harshness caused you to lose the innocent little child within?


In trying to understand yourself, appreciate your strengths and recognize your weaknesses. Rather than denying or shying away from your flaws, you can help yourself greatly by accepting them and working on them if possible. Build an honest and complete picture of yourself.

Step 3:

Once you understand yourself, you can always work to better yourself, but it should be by choice and not as a compulsion. Remember, there is no reason for you to be any different from who you are now. Understanding yourself means being comfortable with who you are and realizing your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you live better and believe that you are both loveable and capable.

Life is filled with wonders!

You need to understand yourself before you can discover life's wonders. Always remember that "life is like a box of chocolates" (thank you Forrest Gump). We will never know why things happen the way they do, or what will happen next. You are what you are. Your understanding of yourself will only help you to love yourself deeper.

Thank you Jeff Cohen!

Please share stories of exeptional people (maybe even your own success story) with my Readers! I would love to publish them on my Blog!

http://nymannewsletter.blogspot.com/

A special 'Thank you' to MRH for commenting on last week's Blog!

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Quote of the Week

"When we accept tough jobs as a challenge to our ability and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen!"

~Arland Gilbert~

Motivational Newsletter 3/18/09

"You must have control of the authorship of your own destiny. The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand!"


~ Irene C. Kassorla ~

Several years ago, I finally came to the slow realization that the only person I could control was myself. There were many people I wanted to help or influence, but ultimately, I can only put my "best" out there. Each person can then take it or leave it. I am not responsible for others' decisions or actions.

While relinquishing control is difficult, it is also extremely freeing. It's as if a weight lifts off of your shoulders when you truly internalize the fact that you are only accountable for you. The less time you spend trying to control external circumstances, the more time you can spend "giving yourself to the moment."


Your turn:

In what ways are you trying to exert control in your life? How would it feel to relinquish that control?

Your affirmation:


"I am not responsible for the thoughts and actions of others!"


Life Improvement Tips

Self-Improvement Begins With Self-Acceptance


When you are overwhelmed with doubts, fears, and insecurities, you sometimes exclaim, "I wish I were somebody else!" More often than not, you think and believe that most people are better than you are. In reality, the same people are more scared than you are!

You spot a totally hot girl sitting by herself at a party, casually sipping a colorful mixed drink. You say to yourself, "She looks so perfectly calm and confident."

If only you could read her mind, you might just be amazed with what she is thinking, "Are people talking about why I am seated here alone? Why don't guys find me attractive? - I don't like my ankles, they look too skinny - I wish I were as smart as my best friend."

You see a young business entrepreneur and say, "Whoa - what else could he ask for?"

The business entrepreneur stares at himself in the mirror and murmurs to himself, "I hate my big eyes - I wonder why my friends won't talk to me - I hope mom and dad can still work things out."

Isn't it funny? You look at other people, envy them for looking outrageously perfect, and wish you could trade places with them. On the other hand, they look at you and think of the same things!

You are insecure of other people who, in turn, are insecure of you. You suffer from low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence. Consequently, you lose hope in improving yourself because you are enveloped in quiet desperation.

I have a friend who never gets tired of talking. In most conversations, she is the only one who seems to be interested in the things she is saying. Because of this, all our other friends tend to avoid her whenever she is around. The sad part is that my friend does not notice this!

Learn to LISTEN and TALK to a trusted friend. This is part of the self-improvement process. Find an honest and trusted friend whom you can comfortably ask delicate questions, such as: "Do you think I am ill-mannered?" "Do I always sound so argumentative?" "Do I talk too loud?" "Do I ever bore you when were together?" and others.

Listen for comments and criticisms and do not justify by saying, "Don't exaggerate! That's just the way I am!" Open your mind and heart and learn to receive these comments. In return, you may want to help your friend by offering constructive criticisms that will also help him/her improve.

One of Whitney Houston's songs says, "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all." True enough. In order to love others, you must love yourself first for you cannot give what you do not have.

In order to convince people to improve themselves, show them first some results, such as what you have achieved because of self-improvement. Self-improvement makes you a better person and when people see this, it inspires them to follow the same path.
People have insecurities. Nobody is perfect. People always wish they had better things, features, body parts, etc. Life need not be perfect for people to be happy about themselves.
However, self-improvement and loving yourself is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are perfect and the best. It starts with accepting and loving yourself. When you begin to improve yourself, then you begin to feel content and happy.

Stop thinking of yourself as a second-rate being. Quit thinking "If only - " thoughts. Accept your true self. This is the first step to self-improvement. Stop comparing yourself to others!

Aspire to become your best self.


Please share stories of exeptional people (maybe even your own success story) with my Readers! I would love to publish them on my Blog!

http://nymannewsletter.blogspot.com/

Motivational Newsletter 3/4/2009

"Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine - [your] values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want!"

~ Marsha Sinetar ~


If you take a moment and really think about this statement, it provides a fresh perspective. What one person perceives as a challenge or "down" might be perceived as an opportunity or "up" by another person. That doesn't make one person right or the other person wrong, but it demonstrates that we are each unique individuals with unique values and goals. What makes me happy may be quite different from what makes you happy. Each "up and down" provides us "the window to determine our values and goals" and discover what we desire in our life.

One approach I have found very helpful in building the ideal life (and self-discovery in general) is the process of elimination. It isn't always easy to uncover what would make us happy. We might think we know, but often we get to that place and discover what we thought we needed, isn't really the "key" to our happiness. Sometimes it is easier to observe what doesn't make us happy. By keeping a list of what answers "don't work" for us, we become like an inventor for our life. Each combination that doesn't work, lead us closer to finding the combination that will


Your turn:

Instead of allowing your moods and energy to flow with "ups and downs," take a step back and observe each up and down as an opportunity to learn more about inventing the life you desire.


Your affirmation:

"Each day is filled with opportunities to expand, refine and improve my life direction!"

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Life Improvement Tips

Do you live the Life you LOVE?


I would like to share this particular article with all the ones that have dreams but "didn't get around" to realize them.

If not now - when then?

We always think "later". What if that "later" never comes?

I remember my visions and dreams when I was a little girl. I wanted to become that figure skating coach in the 'kiss and cry corner' on TV. Having talented skaters participating at Worlds and Olympics, and work with Pro Hockey Players. Everybody around me had pitty with me for having "these kind" of dreams that would be always be what they were at that time - just simple dreams.

A few years later, I was interviewed because one of my skaters made it to the Worlds and Olympics, and for many years after that, I worked with World Athletes and Pro Hockey Players.

Suddenly, the possibilities were open to me, and I started to "toy around" with the thought that I would like to work at the Training Center in Canada where Elvis Stojko and all the other famous skaters from all over the World were practicing.

Guess where I ended up? Yes, exactly where I wanted to be.

After almost two decades traveling and having the most amazing experiences, I planed to settle and dedicate more time to inspire people.

My ultimate dream was to move to the USA, which, at that moment, seemed to be impossible. Coming from a neutral Country like Switzerland, they don't easily give you a permit.

Well, last thing I checked today on my mail was that my address is located in Virginia - the USA - since almost 10 years!

Did I make this way simply by having dreams? Dreams were the beginning. But it did take me some initiatives, courage and actions to get where I am today.

I'm a living proof! You can achieve whatever you want if you have a vision and you take step-by-step (even if they are little!) to bring you closer to where you want to be.

I encourage you: Don't be one of these who has regrets and thinks "what if" or "if only" - be a doer - take action - fulfill your dreams and create the life you LOVE!

If I did it - you can do it, too!!!

Please share stories of exeptional people (maybe even your own success story) with my Readers! I would love to publish them on my Blog!

***

Quote of the Week

"I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we
ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and
accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what
other people don't see And pursuing that vision!"

~ Howard Schultz: CEO of Starbucks ~