Motivation

Worry

2007-11-11T02:37:00.000+08:00

The harm that worry causes in our lives has been well documented by health professionals and others. Worry can weaken and sicken us, and make our days unbearable. At the very least, it prevents us from living fully and happily the only life that we will ever have. At its worse, it can destroy us.

"A god, invisible but omnipotent. It steals the bloom from the cheek and lightness from the pulse; it takes away the appetite and turns the hair gray." - Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)

It does a lot more than that, Benjamin!

But the worry disease can be cured and it certainly can be reduced. Of course it requires a change in our thinking - how to view and react to situations. Worrying over things that 'might' happen can waste large portions of our lives, considering that so often it is for nothing, and almost certainly does no good.

"If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?" - Shantideva

Worrying about things that have happened will not turn back the hands of time to give you another try at doing it right. So that is a waste of time too. So many of our anxieties and fears are for nothing. Most of the rest can simply be discarded because worrying just isn't going to do any good. So let's spend our time thinking about the good and pleasant things in our lives, and move on in a peaceful and contented state of mind.

"I think these difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes around worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." - Isak Dinesen

A program to become knowledgeable on the subject of worry, through reading and other instruction, can help in turning our lives around. A life filled with contentment and lacking stress and worry are the goals to be achieved.

It's never too late to start eliminating worry.

Tag Worry start solve worrying

Life

2007-11-10T01:25:00.000+08:00

"Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead." - Scottish Proverb

Everyone says, "How the time flies." The days go by and they are years, and the years finally become our whole life. Each daily portion can be wasted, or it can be a pleasure, before it is gone forever. If a bedtime review of the day concludes that we were too stressed, too busy, didn't accomplish anything, didn't have any fun, then it has been another lost piece of precious life.

Perhaps we are putting off our enjoyment until we have more time, or money, or some other improved condition. The trouble with that is that it might never happen, or it may be too long in coming. It's so important to accept this time, this very minute, as something of tremendous value that will very soon be gone forever. There are many ways to ensure that we make the best of our time here on earth.

In our daily routine let's include time to enjoy others and thus ourselves. Look and wonder at the trees, fields and mountains, smell the flowers, hear the birds, and watch the clouds in the sky.

"This world, after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle; wonderful, magical and more, to whosoever will think of it." - Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

Face your problems bravely, confidently, and improve on your situation, no matter what state it be in. Be good to feel good. Be active and improve your mind. Laugh, relax, and sleep well.

Life is mostly froth and bubble; Two things stand like stone: Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in our own. - Adam Gordon (1833-1870)

Tag Life miracle wonderful magical good

Negative thinking leads to negative assumptions!

2007-11-08T23:27:00.000+08:00

Most people aim at nothing and hit it accurately. Manypeople who do plan, plan, and plan some more, never reach their goals. Others plan, take action, and seem to succeed without much struggle. Why do some people fail while others succeed?

Success is achieved by planning action and taking action. However, before defining goals and putting together an action plan, it is important to do a self-evaluation. This evaluation must extend deep in one's attitude.

Now I am not saying that having a good attitude will bring you success. What I am saying is that your attitude must be in line with the results you want to achieve. you must examine your inner self and know why you are striving for the goals you say you want to achieve.

Build your attitude positively from the inside out. Begin by building a sustainable motivating attitude. Plan your goals around your strengths and build on your personal confidence in all you do. Over time, you will find yourself achieving more.

TIP - Do not internally focus on the negative, focus on what you can achieve. When one focuses on what can go wrong or what is going wrong, they tend to dig themselves deeper in a pool of negativity and non-accomplishment. Positive thinking and positive doing will nurture you toward success.

Tag Negative thinking leads assumptions Positive success

Live your Vision

2007-10-01T00:01:00.000+08:00

Vision is being able to see clearly what you would like to achieve in the future.

Your vision must be practical, detailed, and stated in specific actions.

If you spend time developing your vision, it will give you a roadmap to follow.

Your vision will help you to discern the future.

It will keep you from straying to the left or right, keeping the focus on what is most important.

As you think about your vision, you will turn on the power of your imagination.

As you imagine the future and what it would be like, you will trigger an emotional reaction that creates excitement and enthusiasm.

With the power of your vision behind you, and the emotional excitement that you have created, you will begin to move forward. You will begin to take action on your vision.

Begin to live your vision!

Tag Live Vision

Vision

2007-09-30T01:57:00.000+08:00

Vision is the gift of being able to see clearly what may be. Vision has the power to expand our horizons. The more we develop our vision, the better we will be able to achieve our goals.

Many of us have never really spent much time developing our vision, yet it can be one of the most powerful elements that will lead to future success, happiness, and fulfillment.

This month as we explore the concepts and truths of developing a vision, you will begin to gain a better sense of what really motivates you. Moving forward with much more confidence and assurance, you will have a definite purpose for each day.

It is my hope that when this month is over, you will have a clear vision of what you would like to achieve, and your vision will be the driving force to your success and accomplishment. Get Ready!

Tag Vision success

Goal Examination

2007-09-23T23:15:00.000+08:00

Some people, in working toward a goal, find themselves seized by inertia when it comes time for action.

If this should happen to you, despite the small graduated steps, then it may be time to reexamine your goal.

Consider how important it actually is and then either discard the goal (and replace it with a more suitable one) or continue the steps with a renewed sense of value of achieving it.

(Fitzhugh Dodson)

Tag Goal Examination Fitzhugh Dodson

Overcoming Obstacles

2007-09-23T03:09:00.000+08:00

Road blocks, detours, barricades, setbacks, and dilemmas are a part of our every day lives, no matter how smart, rich, or accomplished we may be. I sure try my best to avoid them, but there always seems to be some challenge or battle to overcome.

How do you deal with obstacles that cause you to wonder which way to go, or which way to turn? Ever say to yourself, "Am I on the right road or am I heading for a road block, or even a crash?"

The worst thing we can do is freeze and do nothing. Activity and the courage to keep trying are key to overcoming inertia. This is true even though we may not be 100% sure that our actions are the best.

"Everyone who achieves success in a great venture, solved each problem as they came to it. They kept going regardless of the obstacles they met (W. Clement Stone)."

"We know how rough the road will be, how heavy the load will be, we know about the barricades that wait along the track, but we have set our soul ahead upon a certain goal ahead and nothing left from hell to sky shall ever turn us back" (Vince Lombardi).

Chart your course. Stay focused on the goal. Keep going! Keep moving! Knock off each obstacle one at a time. You can do it!

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Overcoming Obstacles David Croston goals

Keep Moving Forward

2007-09-23T00:15:00.000+08:00

Around Here, Whatever, We don't look backwards for very long.
We keep moving forward, opening up new doors, and doing new things.
Because We're curious...
And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

Walt Disney

Tag Keep Moving Forward Walt Disney

Turn On the Spotlight

2007-09-22T00:51:00.000+08:00

How many of you have been in a pitch black room before, trying to move or walk, but cannot see what lies ahead. As a result, you move in very slow, short steps in order to avoid injury. When in the dark, you are cautious, uncertain, and unaware of the best direction to turn. You may have a sense of where you are going, but it is hit and miss and you can end up grabbing at shadows.

It is no longer necessary for you to be living in the dark. No more moving about with uncertainty. You do not have to be living a hit and miss life, or grabbing at shadows. Your life is much too important to be shuffling in the dark.

TURN ON THE SPOTLIGHT to what your current situation is. Is your life out of balance in some way? Evaluate what it is that you want to change or make different. Think of what would be your ideal scene, then make it happen. Go after it! Move toward what you want, and do it on a daily basis.

TURN ON THE SPOTLIGHT and begin to advance confidently in the direction of your dreams. Focus and zero in on your vision for life. Visualize each day as happy, productive, and fulfilling.

Keep the spotlight shining!

"The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path". (D'Alembert)

Tag Turn On Spotlight life

NEVER A BETTER TIME THAN NOW

2007-09-20T23:52:00.000+08:00

NEVER A BETTER TIME THAN NOW!

The waiting game has been played by us all. For whatever reason we fail to move ahead. For some this may be the right thing to do. For others it's just an excuse.

Some of us may be ready to really start living, but we wait! Wait until things change, until there is more time, until the kids are grown, until we get that promotion, until we settle down-until, until, until. There always seems to be some other major event that occurs which causes us to procrastinate yet one more time.

That's why many fail-because they don't get started-they don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin. (W.Clement Stone)

Whatever it is that you may want to do with your life, NOW is the time to begin. Start working on your dream five minutes a day, it will gather momentum, and you will begin to see signs of progress and accomplishment.

Don't wait until the end of your life to look back and say "I never did what I really wanted to do". Never let opportunities pass you by.

Begin to fulfill your purpose and mission in life. Start living the life you always wanted TODAY. Now is the time to seize the day and live your dreams.

There is never a better time than NOW!

There is never a better time than TODAY!

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag NEVER BETTER TIME NOW inertia David Croston

Go For The Fruit

2007-09-19T23:05:00.000+08:00

It takes courage to begin something new. It takes courage to step out into the unknown. Life has no guarantees, but the reward for living your dream is filled with much fruit.

Starting is the key. We can have the best plans, projects, or ideas, but all is fruitless if we don't take that first step. You must be willing to act, willing to fail, and willing to persist until you achieve your dream.

Are you compelled to achieve success or do you tend to stay at rest? Sir Isaac Newton states that one continues to stay at rest unless compelled to change by forces impressed upon them. Once you're moving, you can keep moving.

Do you have that urge within to break out of the routine and begin to do what you've always wanted to do? Follow your heart. Follow your passion, and don't be afraid to go out on a limb, for that is where all the FRUIT is.

Go for the fruit!

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Inertia Fruit Success David Croston

You Can Do This!

2007-09-18T22:59:00.000+08:00

Fear is a major cause of inertia in the lives of many. Fear not only causes people to stop in their tracks and become immobile, but it also causes them to turn and run the other way.

While in many cases fear keeps us from danger, it can also prevent us from doing things that would be productive to our growth and success. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of new challenges, fear of other people, fear of change and making a transition all can hinder our growth and potential for a successful and fulfilling life.

I am not going to say that it is easy to overcome your fears. I have had many fears that have held me back, but I have also been able to overcome many of them too. I believe that YOU can do the same. I believe that within each of your fears, there lies the potential for great success and achievement. There lies the satisfaction of knowing that you can beat and overcome whatever may be holding you back. There lies the confidence you will need to face your next fear.

The first step is the hardest. Take each fear apart and examine the components until you zero in on what exactly may be the culprit. Stick your neck out and take a chance. Face the fear or rejection head on. Prove to yourself that you can beat it. You can knock it down. You can work through it. You can come out on top. You can do this.

Fear is conquered by action not inertia.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Do Fear action inertia David Croston

Do not Give UP

2007-09-18T00:35:00.000+08:00

When you feel give up and wanna stop to do. Remember! Do not give up! Try to to hold with persevering, and struggle hardly. You can succeed!

Tag give up persevering struggle succeed

Inertia

2007-09-17T23:29:00.000+08:00

So many of us want to enjoy a successful life. We dream of the way we would like life to be. We may have great ideas, great goals, and great plans, but somehow, somewhere, and someway, our dreams and plans never make it to fruition.

One of the common hinderances is the inability to overcome inertia. This has kept many people from accomplishing their true desires.

Inertia is defined as lacking the power to move. Moving very slowly. Sluggish. Deficient in activity. Something that remains at rest. Indisposition to motion, exertion, or change.

Maybe you have found yourself in situations where you just couldn't be motivated to act. Maybe you just lacked the courage to begin. If you want to be successful you must start sometime. NOW may be the time to take the steps needed to overcome inertia in your life.

This month we will learn about what causes inertia, and how to take action so you can overcome it and live the successful and fulfilling life that you dream of.

The first step is the hardest.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Inertia David Croston successful life

Being Thankful

2007-09-16T19:31:00.000+08:00

"Be thankful for what you have" Now where have I heard that before? Yes, it's coming back to me now. I can hear my mother's voice, and she is speaking in a serious tone. I can picture myself nagging her about all that I lacked, and all that I wanted. Why can't I have this? Why can't I have that? And her answer: "Be thankful for what you have". "Be happy with what you've got".

Do you find yourself grumbling and complaining about all that you lack? Do you go through life always wishing for newer, better, faster? Do you look upon the wealth of others and become bitter because of their abundance? Do you focus on, and talk more about what you don't have rather than what you do have?

If so, then it may be time to rise above all the negativity, and set a new standard of living for yourself. You may want to call it "Thanksliving" It all starts with a shift from a mindset of lack, to a mindset of abundance. It has been said that what you focus on, you attract to yourself. Complaining about all that you lack produces more lack. Shift your outlook to that of abundance. Become grateful for every little thing that you have. Be thankful for all that is around you. Fulfillment will come to you when you fill your life with gratitude and gratefulness.

Our real fulfillment lies in being thankful.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Thankful

Letting Go of Mistakes

2007-09-16T03:15:00.001+08:00

As we go through life, each of us is bound to make mistakes. It is a fact of life. I hate making mistakes. There was a time in my life when I became very angry, embarrassed, and bitter for making mistakes. I would often take my anger out on others because of the mistakes I made. My anger and bitterness would then consume and impede my present or future fulfillment. I was robbing myself.

Now that kind of strategy simply does not make sense. Maybe some of you are caught in this same kind of trap. I think in my case anyway, it came down to a fear of failure or becoming too concerned about what others thought.

Maybe you have experienced this at work when you are being evaluated on how you performed on a certain task. You may be overly concerned about past performance. If you are asking yourself-"How did I do?", you may be too concerned about past mistakes made. Yes we can learn from past mistakes, but we should not be consumed by them.

Picture holding on to a balloon, then letting it go, and watching it drift slowly up into the sky never to return. You can do the same with your past mistakes. Just let them go.

Don't let past mistakes immobilize you. You have to accept the past. You can't return to it. You did the best you could for the situation you were in at the time. It is not necessary to judge yourself. You can be free from the past by living in the present and enjoying it. Learn from the past but live in the present. Fulfillment can be yours today by letting go.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Letting Go Mistakes David Croston Motivational Concepts Training

What Do You Want?

2007-09-16T01:07:00.000+08:00

There are many things that each of us want. Some of us have more wants than others. If we have many wants, and they're not being obtained, we become very discouraged. Fulfillment is difficult when we live a life of high expectations and wants that are not being met.

The trick is to either diminish our wants or augment our means. A person who has realistic wants and expectations will be far more happy and fulfilled in life. "You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you need"(Vernon Howard).

Take stock today of your current wants and expectations. If you have been unhappy with life, it may be because you want and expect too much from yourself, others around you, and life in general. Try lowering your expectations. Happiness and fulfillment will be yours if you are content with where you're at and what you have.

"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get" (Hayden).

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Want David Croston Motivational Concepts Training Happiness Success

Failure to Fulfillment

2007-09-15T03:18:00.000+08:00

To be committed to memory:
"Very little is needed to make a happy life" (Marcus Aurelius).

Definition of Fulfillment:
Having a life of satisfaction. To develop to full potential. Reaching a level of contentment. Happy with what you have. A source or means of enjoyment. Gratification.

As I read some definitions of the word fulfillment, I can think of many, many, times when I was just the opposite. So many problems. So many struggles, so many heartaches, so many let downs. I would ask myself WHY ME? Why is my life in such a turmoil? Why is my life in such a mess? Why do I have to suffer like this? What am I doing wrong?

Everything that I wanted seemed to be just out of reach. There was a big gap between what I had and what I wanted. The frustration of being unsatisfied with the past, and negative about the future had given me an all around bad attitude about life. Cynical, negative and pessimistic were the attributes I possessed.

After many months and years of combating this delemma, there are a few things that I have helped me to gain more control and begin to experience fulfillment.

The following may be of help to you:
Appreciating what you have
Lowering your expectations
Stop obsessing about riches
Stop thinking about past mistakes
Stop worrying about the future
Being thankful
Believing that things will work out
Living and enjoying the present
Focus on helping others
Keep things in perspective

Fulfillment can be yours today. Begin to look around at all that you have. Focus on the abundance that you may at times take for granted. No matter what state you are currently in, you can be content and experience satisfaction. You have the potential today to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. Don't waste another day.
Start Now!

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Failure Fulfillment David Croston Motivational Concepts Training

Fulfillment

2007-09-15T00:56:00.000+08:00

Fulfillment is something that everyone seeks to obtain. We all desire to be happy, content, full of life, successful, healthy, loved, cared for, secure in our jobs, living a life of purpose, meaning, and satisfaction.

The reality is that we all go through some degree of pain, misfortune, ill health, unhappiness and discontent. No matter how rich or poor we are, we all face adversity of some shape or form.

Is it possible to live a life of fulfillment even though we may still suffer from some sort of lack? Can we rise above the deficits that we have, and be content? Do we need riches in order to experience fulfillment? Is our happiness based on what we posess or don't posess? Do we all live our lives constantly craving for more and more?

In the next few sessions we will explore, and go a little deeper into the topic of fulfillment, and how it affects our daily lives.

"Remember this-that very little is needed to make a happy life" (Marcus Aurelius).

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Fulfillment David Croston Marcus Aurelius Motivational Concepts Training

Growth is Balance

2007-09-14T20:01:00.000+08:00

During this time of Spring in NY, one can see growth taking place all around. New flowers, plants and leaves on the trees are beginning to come out. It amazes me that each plant, tree or flower needs certain ingredients and conditions in order for it to grow. Such a delicate balance is needed. Too much, or too little of one thing can offset the balance and hinder, or even kill a living thing.

Balance is so important in our own lives. Just look at balance and our bodies. What an enormous task it is to keep our bodies in shape and in good running order. We all need a certain amount of food, water, oxygen, sleep, and exercise in order to stay healthy.

We can also look at the other major areas of our lives and apply the same concept of balance. We have mental, emotional, social, spiritual, family, and financial areas to contend with. What a challenge it is to try and keep everthing in balance.

Is your life in balance? Are you receiving the proper nutrition in each area of your life? Are you living in the best conditions possible that will enhance your growth? OR do you feel out of balance, and not growing like you should?

Maybe you have neglected some areas of your life, or are spending too much time in other areas. Do you feel out of balance, stressed out, or losing control of your present situation?

Take some time to assess where you are at, and what you need to change in order to be in balance.
Picture how your life would be, or what it would look like if it were in balance. You may need to make some changes in order to become more balanced.

The work you do in keeping your life in balance will produce growth that will fill your life with joy, happiness, success, and fulfillment.

Strive for balance. Work for balance. Maintain balance. Choose balance. Live a
balanced life.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Growth Balance David Croston Motivational Concepts Training

Become employer to own self

2007-09-13T22:34:00.000+08:00

The moment we afraid. Do not stay quietly! Recognize and Analise carefully. Throw fear shadow in our mind. Become employer to own self.

Tag afraid Recognize Analise carefully fear employer own self

Growth is Commitment

2007-09-13T22:29:00.000+08:00

Well, it was another day at the YMCA running around the track. Boy do I struggle to get there. There is always a battle that goes on in my head. Should I stay home, or should I go. I felt like just staying home and taking a nap. But I knew If I didn't go I would feel even worse.

Well I'm at the track running around and around, thinking I might just shorten my run by ten minutes. After all, what difference is ten minutes going to make. Again the struggle to decide, but the choice was made to go the full thirty minutes that I committed to.

I don't know about you, but I always seem to try and find the easy way out, with the least amount of effort, trying to get away with as much as possible. But I have learned that if I try and cheat and lower my standard, then I stunt my own growth!

Life sure does require a lot of discipline each and every day. The word discipline means TO STICK TO SOMETHING. It has taken a lot of discipline to write to you two times per week. But I have set my standard, and even if I don't feel like doing a darn thing, I know I have committed to writing to you each week.

I would like to encourage you today not to give in to lowering your standard, keeping your word, or carrying out a task that you said you would do. Integrity is quality that we all should strive to have. Don't commit If you don't plan to complete.

All growth depends on action. If you fail to act you fail to grow. If you rest, you rust. And don't forget to reward yourself for a job well done. I have completed my run, and have finished this message. Now I will reward myself with a SMALL dish of ice cream.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Growth Commitment David Croston Motivational Concepts Training

Your Season of Growth

2007-09-12T23:42:00.000+08:00

To be committed to memory:
Growth is the result of responding to change in a positive way.

To GROW means:
To Spring-Up, To develop to maturity, to be able to grow in a certain place or situation. To increase in size, to expand, to become, to increase in wisdom, to have an increasing influence, to become increasingly acceptable or attractive, progressive development, to grow toward or arrive at full stature mentally, physically, and socially.

Well I am glad winter is over and Spring is here. Living in Upstate NY, I don't care for the winter too much. I would much rather have it warm than cold. The change in seasons can be a great way to look at and compare the seasons of life. Have you ever noticed that there are periods of time in your life when everything seems to be going wrong, or bad things seem to happen all at once. You feel like your sort of in a rut, or maybe you have been waiting for things to change and you experience delay after delay.

Having worked with many people that have been layed off, there is the uncertainty of ever finding a job. A person could go several months before becoming re-employed. Resume after resume, interview after interview, but still no job.

You may have gone through or are still going through a season of winter, but winter will end spring will appear. You have grappled with trouble, calamity or hardship. You have met adversity head on in a spirit of determination and courage, and you are responding in a positive way, letting go of the past, and looking forward to the future.

Look for the trees to bloom, and the flowers to blossom. Change is happening in nature and yourself. It happens so slow that you don't even realize it. You are becoming a better person. You have learned to deal with life in a better way. You have become stronger, wiser, and more mature.

You have decided to respond to life in a positive way, no matter what difficult situation you face. You have decided that whatever the circumstance, you will do your best, and forget the rest. You are an example and model of a person that can overcome any adversity that appears before you.
You are ready for a new season of growth.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag Season Growth David Croston Motivational Concepts Training

Give

2007-09-12T23:31:00.000+08:00

To give help to others is not assessed from how many help that we can give. But at how big our sincere that along with our give.

Tag give help others assessed sincere honest

What is Growth?

2007-09-11T23:38:00.001+08:00

In order to experience growth more, you may want to be more understanding of what the word means. The words we use have many meanings. Many times we dont't take the time to delve deeper into those meanings.

As you look at and study each meaning, you may want to pick one that stands out more than the others. It may provide you with just the insight that will trigger you to move forward in a certain area of your life. All set?
Here we go:

To GROW means:
To Spring-Up, To develop to maturity, to be able to grow in a certain place or situation. To increase in size, to expand, to become, to increase in wisdom, to have an increasing influence, to become increasingly acceptable or attractive, progressive development, to grow toward or arrive at full stature mentally, physically, and socially.

Growth is the result of responding to change in a positive way.

David Croston
Motivational Concepts and Training

Tag What Growth David Croston Motivational Concepts Training