Don?t Pull Up The Seeds When You?ve Just Sown Them
Why is it that 95% of people who set themselves goals fail to reach them? In one word: impatience.
The most important and difficult stage of goal-building is the immediate stage after you set your goals. In the first stage, there's a brief blip of euphoria. But this soon passes and then you hit the arid plateau of learning. It's in this phase that most people lose their way and give up.
But this is the phase when you have to hang in there despite appearances. Otherwise, it's like digging up the seeds a week after sowing them.
So, here, for those who need a roadmap through the arid plains of goal-building, is a 6-step guide to managing your impatience and keeping your plans on track.
1. Have Plenty of Motivation Reminders. One of the cruel tricks that life plays on us is to make goal-setting easy and goal-building hard. This is no more true than in the opening phases of working towards a new goal. When we choose a new goal that seems within our reach, we are full of excitement and anticipation. It's like the start of a marathon when everyone cheers us over the start line.
But the cheers soon become a distant memory when we move into the second phase, the hard slog. It's in this phase that we need to have a ready supply of motivation reminders to keep us going. Here's one I often use. It's from Ray Kroc, founder of the global restaurant chain McDonald's. Kroc was an amazing entrepreneur.
He says that it is in the early stages of working towards a new goal that you learn the most: "When you're green, you grow. When you're ripe, you rot."
2. Be A Fly, Not A Bee. The chief problem with the early stages of goal-building is that you can never be sure of the right way forward, particularly if you are breaking new ground. You try something and it doesn't work. You try again and it doesn't work again.
And again. And again. That's tough. But it's essential. Because you're learning.
Karl Weick says that in this situation it is much better to be a fly than a bee. When you place a fly and a bee in an upturned jam jar, the bee will head straight for the light and repeatedly buzz against the bottom of the glass. The fly on the other hand will dive frantically around the jar exploring every corner until he finds a way out. That's the example to follow when you want to succeed: be a fly, not a bee.
3. Accept The Struggle. Those who are eager to succeed often treat the second phase of goal-building as an unnecessary waste of time.
They would prefer to skip it and jump to the next phase of success. But this is to misunderstand the whole point of the second phase. It's there to toughen you up. You may have heard the story of "The Man and the Butterfly" about the man who saw a butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon. To help it out, the man cut a bigger hole in the cocoon and pulled the butterfly through.
However, instead of flying away, the butterfly was unable to fly. Its body was too swollen. What the man did not understand was that the butterfly's struggle to emerge through the hole forces fluid from its body to its wings and thus makes them strong and ready to carry its weight. Like the butterfly, we need to struggle to succeed.
4. Be Objective. In stage two of goal-building, it's valuable to stand back and distance ourselves from what's going on.
We need to be tripeds not bipeds. Bipeds are people who see only themselves and others. Risk-taking is a do-or-die undertaking. Progress is either a triumph or disaster. Life is black and white, winning or losing.
Tripeds, on the other hand, can distance themselves from their situation by finding a third position where they can observe things with objectivity. Life isn't either-or any more. It has depth, colour, and many angles.
5. Don't Judge Yourself. Our win-lose culture puts great pressure on us to consider ourselves at any moment in life as either winners or losers. This means that failure is a bad thing and winning is everything.
One of the most quoted expressions in our modern culture is: "Failure is not an option". But this is to misunderstand the real nature of success. We need to fail in order to succeed. And we need to fail big-time in order to succeed big-time. Practically every successful entrepreneur, from Thomas Edison to Walt Disney, experienced failure many times over.
But they didn't judge themselves. They interpreted failure as "not succeeding yet" and saw it as just one more step on the road to success.
6. Manage Your Morale. Of course, it's not always much fun to be stuck in the hard slog phase of goal-building. Nobody's cheering any more. You have nothing to show for your efforts.
And the dream still feels as far away as ever. That's when you have to manage your morale. That means managing your stress, keeping things light, and working on the things you can't see: your thinking patterns, your emotions, and your spirit. And, like the fluid in the butterfly, these may just be the things that will make you fly. "I can say: "I am terribly frightened and fear is terrible and it makes me uncomfortable, so I won't do it." Or I could say: "Get used to being uncomfortable." It is uncomfortable doing something risky.
But so what? Do you want to stagnate and just be comfortable?" (Barbra Streisand)
We human beings are very similar to the plant world. We grow best when we work with Nature and time. Don't be in too much of a hurry to achieve your goals. If you hold on with faith, certainty, and determination, you'll get there in due course when the time is right.
.
Poppy Seed
For centuries, man has consumed and burnt poppy seeds for its supposed sleep-inducing and hypnotic effects. Literary references to poppies include those made in the book The Wizard of Oz.
The poppy derived its name from the Latin word "somniferum", which means, "to bring sleep". However, this is just a myth and modern science has proven that merely eating poppy seeds does not have this effect.
When a pollinated bloom shrivels, it leaves behind a casing filled with gradually maturing seeds.
This type of blossom is indigenous to Asia and Europe. Many societies also use these mature seeds as a spice. These seeds are dark blue or gray in color and miniscule in size. An Indian variety of poppy seed is whitish in color. These seeds can be used as an alternative to sesame seeds in some food preparations.
Turkish and Indian cuisines have mastered the art of using poppy seeds.
They can be combined into main dishes, salads and desserts. They can...
Poppy Seed
Seeds > Poppy Seed
The Story of a King And Three Maidens - Six Keys to a Successful Relationship
A King was trying to choose between three maidens to be his wife and queen. It was very difficult to judge since these women were all very intelligent and beautiful. He gave each maiden a bag of seeds and told them he was going on a pilgrimage for one year. When he returned, each of them were to give the seeds back to him. Whoever protected the seeds the best would become his wife.
The first maiden locked them in a safe to protect them. The second maiden sold the seeds at the market, thinking she would purchase new seeds when the king returned. The third maiden threw the seeds in the garden. When the king returned, the first maiden pulled the seeds from the safe where they had died due to lack of light, water, and air. The second maiden rushed to the market, purchased new seeds, and presented them to the king.
The King said that although the seeds were alive, they were not the same seeds. The third maiden brought him into the garden where there were many flowers blooming....
The Story of a King And Three Maidens - Six Keys to a Successful Relationship
Seeds > The Story of a King And Three Maidens - Six Keys to a Successful Relationship
?Personal Success Newsletter Helps Readers Plant Seeds of Success in their Minds,? says Motivational Speaker Bob Garner
Some feel that their mind is like a garden and that whatever is planted in that "garden" will grow. Those looking to plant some seeds of success in their mind may be interested in a free monthly newsletter, written by motivational speaker and best-selling author Bob Garner, called "Personal Success." "The purpose of the newsletter is to supply the reader with a reliable supply of seeds made up of proven motivational ideas and strategies that can be immediately put to use," says Garner. Garner's newsletter shows that he clearly understands the challenges that employees, executives, sales people, and entrepreneurs face every day. In April's issue of "Personal Success," the reader will find segments on dealing with worry; how to find your passion, and a humorous story on why you sometimes need to "get out of your own way" in order to succeed. Additionally, Garner provides a number of inspirational quotes under the heading of "Mind Food."Recently featured in the Wall Street Journal, the...
?Personal Success Newsletter Helps Readers Plant Seeds of Success in their Minds,? says Motivational Speaker Bob Garner
Seeds > ?Personal Success Newsletter Helps Readers Plant Seeds of Success in their Minds,? says Motivational Speaker Bob Garner
The Story of a King And Three Maidens - Six Keys to a Successful Relationship
A King was trying to choose between three maidens to be his wife and queen. It was very difficult to judge since these women were all very intelligent and beautiful. He gave each maiden a bag of seeds and told them he was going on a pilgrimage for one year. When he returned, each of them were to give the seeds back to him. Whoever protected the seeds the best would become his wife.
The first maiden locked them in a safe to protect them. The second maiden sold the seeds at the market, thinking she would purchase new seeds when the king returned. The third maiden threw the seeds in the garden. When the king returned, the first maiden pulled the seeds from the safe where they had died due to lack of light, water, and air. The second maiden rushed to the market, purchased new seeds, and presented them to the king.
The King said that although the seeds were alive, they were not the same seeds. The third maiden brought him into the garden where there were many flowers blooming....
The Story of a King And Three Maidens - Six Keys to a Successful Relationship
Seeds > The Story of a King And Three Maidens - Six Keys to a Successful Relationship
Trendy New Eatery Challenges Customers to "Show Me the Mustard!" Tayste Turns National Mustard Day Into Month-Long Celebration
Thornwood, NY (ContentDesk) August 7, 2006 -- Eric Rosenbaum, owner of Mamaroneck Avenues most delicious new eatery, believes that condiments are not simply accoutrement; they are a way of life. Tayste (www.tasyte.com), Rosenbaums dream, came to fruition as a funky eatery which not only has a delicious and varied menu, but also specializes in condiments. Tayste has over 50 different kinds of mustard and ketchup, making it the largest collection of condiments in Westchester. To this end, Rosenbaum is challenging the public: A free hot dog awaits anyone who brings in a brand or variation of mustard that Tayste doesnt already carry! Needless to say, Rosenbaum takes his condiments very seriously, so National Mustard Day is not something that Tayste takes lightly.Some of Taystes more exotic mustards include fruit-based mustards like cranberry mustard and raspberry mustard, which are great with turkey burgers and...
Trendy New Eatery Challenges Customers to "Show Me the Mustard!" Tayste Turns National Mustard Day Into Month-Long Celebration
Seeds > Trendy New Eatery Challenges Customers to "Show Me the Mustard!" Tayste Turns National Mustard Day Into Month-Long Celebration
Types of Auto Insurance Companies
Different auto insurance companies offer different types of coverage to suit any need, budget, and car type. To know which one best meets your present requirements; you need to have a thorough understanding of each type.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance
This is the most common type of auto insurance. It is usually used for brand new to almost new cars and vehicles that still have a relatively high market value. This kind of insurance protects the owner against every possible...
Seeds > Types of Auto Insurance Companies
Refinance Your Second Mortgage
A 2nd mortgage is a secured loan on your property, with your home serving as collateral. Depending on the particular terms of your second mortgage, you could be able to refinance if you wish to reduce your monthly payments or are in need of extra cash. Refinancing a 2nd mortgage can be an option for those who want to pay off their mortgage (excluding any home equity lines of credit), reduce the interest rate they currently pay on their second mortgage, or simply want reduce their monthly payments....
Refinance Your Second Mortgage Seeds Don?t Pull Up The Seeds When You?ve Just Sown Them refinance
Seeds > Refinance Your Second Mortgage
Portable Fuel Cell Rental Program
MANTECA, CALIF. (ContentDesk) August 30, 2005 -- Sandpiper Technologies, Inc. (STI) announced the Fuel Cell Power Rent-to-Own Program."This is the first time any company has rented a modern, methanol-powered fuel cell so clients can evaluate portable fuel cells or solve a critical but temporary power problem without purchasing a system," said CEO John Christensen.Fuel cell prices have plummeted 70% from three years ago, making this technology cost effective. Weekly rentals are calculated from...
batteries
Seeds > Portable Fuel Cell Rental Program
Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans ? Home Equity, 2nd Mortgage Or Cash Out Refinance Loan
There are some definite benefits to doing a cash out refinance. Just make sure that overall you are not going to be spending more money in fees and interest doing a cash out refinance as opposed to a home equity loan. When you do a cash out refinance, you are refinancing your entire loan. Let's say you owe $300,000 on your home and you want to get $10,000 in cash out. If in refinancing your rate will be the same or higher, then you will be losing an extraordinary amount of money in fees just to...
Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans ? Home Equity, 2nd Mortgage Or Cash Out Refinance Loan Seeds Don?t Pull Up The Seeds When You?ve Just Sown Them refinance
Seeds > Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans ? Home Equity, 2nd Mortgage Or Cash Out Refinance Loan
Free Voice Ringtones
The concept of a funny voice or the voice of a celebrity that alerts a user about an incoming call is often regarded as novel. Moreover, many mobile phone users have this feature on their cell phones. With the possibility of recording your voice in mobiles, users have begun to use their own or someone else's voice as ringtones.
Today, the voice ringtone feature is one of the fastest growing segments of the mobile ringtone industry. It all started with the second generation mobile...
Seeds > Free Voice Ringtones