Think Your Way to Success

Everything begins with a thought. This newsletter began with a thought. Your computer began with a thought. The home you live in began with a thought. Everything begins with a thought.

Knowing that everything begins with a thought, and that you are a person who thinks, it logically follows that we have the ability to change our lives, our careers and our circumstances if we are open to changing out thoughts.

Did you know that what you think about expands, attracting to you what you think about most? Fear thoughts produce more fear. Happy thoughts produce more happiness. Abundant thoughts create more abundance.

Mahatma Ghandi has said, “Man is a product of his thoughts. What he thinks about, he becomes.”

What would you like to become? By shifting your thinking to new levels of possibility, you will begin to see your life changing. You are the only person who can control your thoughts so why not begin right now to think your way to success? Try these tips:

Stop complaining. For the next week, notice when you are complaining. Every time you find yourself finding fault or being judgmental about anything, including yourself, stop immediately and change your thought. If you want to have some fun with this exercise, find a “no-complaint” partner to keep you accountable or start a “possibility jar” and put in $1 every time you complain. Ask yourself: Am I ready to stop complaining?

Think Possibility. Look for opportunities and ways to make things work. They exist if you are open to them. Is there something you could do to add value for customers? A new organization you could join to grow your network? A business partner you may develop as a referral source? Ask yourself: What is one opportunity available to me right now?

Think Preparation. Hope is not a strategy. Rather than sitting around hoping things will change, decide that you will commit to doing something different in order to create different results in your life, your relationships or your career. As yourself: What is one thing I can do today to prepare for success?

Your Success Plan for a Slow Economy

I've been invited to speak for the Pinecrest Business Association at their monthly meeting. Join me to learn how to thrive during challenging economic times.

"Your Success Plan for a Slow Economy"

* Clarify your vision
* Bullet-proof your strategy
* Build a winning team
* Get into action!

When: Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Where: Evelyn Greer Park, 8200 SW 124th Street, Pinecrest FL

To reserve your seat, email Eladio at Eladio@PinecrestBusiness.Com now!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Power Up with Power Lunch!

Mark your calendar for Power Lunch on February 12 for tips and ideas to help you:

- Clear your course
- Stay focused for success
- Go for your goals!

It's easy to attend! Power Lunch meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month via teleconference. Power Lunch is complimentary, however reservations are required.

Send an e-mail to PatMorgan@SmoothSailingSuccess.com with Power Lunch in the subject line to receive call-in instructions.

Date: February 12, 2008
Time: 12:00 - 12:30pm

Expect Success!

Did you know that February is International Expect Success Month? What a great time to focus on the power of your expectations to create a successful outcome.

No matter what you’re attempting – whether running for President, playing in the Super Bowl, making a career change, dealing with a difficult co-worker or beginning an exercise program, your expectation at the outset has a significant impact on how you play the game - and on how you finish.

Expecting success not only makes you feel more energized, inspired and ready to take action, but also helps you attract the people, tools and resources you need to be successful.

Your thoughts and attitude shape the outcomes you produce. You attract what you think about most and then create more of it. The law of attraction is always at work drawing to you what you focus on and expect.

I recently started golf lessons. I expect that I will eventually become a fairly good golfer even though there is little outward evidence to substantiate my expectation at the moment. Interestingly, I have begun attracting people who want to support me by getting me on the course to practice, lending me equipment, and encouraging me to stay in the game. I expect that with a positive attitude, the help of my instructor and friends, along with focus, determination and practice, I will succeed.

According to Jack Canfield in his bestseller, "The Success Principles," when you begin to believe that what you want is possible, your brain will actually take over the job of accomplishing that possibility for you." If you want good things to happen, expect success and work like there is no other option. When you set out expecting success, you subconsciously strive even more to achieve your goals and dreams.

Why not expect to succeed and believe that you will achieve the desired result? Celebrate International Expect Success Month by expecting more success in your life, in your business and your relationships!

Here are my tips to help you succeed.

1. Think success from the start. Why would you set a goal or plan to do something thinking about the reasons you will not be successful? Focus your thoughts on all the reasons you will succeed and watch your doubts fade away.

2. Set yourself up for success. Surround yourself with the people, tools and resources that you need to be successful. If your environments do not support you in accomplishing your goals, change them now.

3. Get into action. If you feel stuck and unable to get moving, focus on your most important goal first. Write out three action steps to help you clarify what you need to do next. Decide that you will do at least one thing every day for your goal.

Success is a Decision

What do you really want? This was the question was posed to me by my first coach, Laura, several years ago. It seems like such a simple question, yet I remember wondering to myself, “why am I having such a hard time coming up with an answer?”

It wasn’t that I didn’t know what I wanted. Of course, I wanted to be happy, make lots of money, be my own boss and travel the world. Like many people, I thought I knew what I wanted. I was having some success and enjoying a good life. Yet I quickly learned from that simple question that I wasn’t truly clear about what success meant to me.

Laura helped me describe my dreams and goals in vivid detail. I discovered that being my own boss meant starting my own consulting business and training to become a coach. I got clear about how much money I wanted to make and ways I could create it. I defined my ideal lifestyle, relationships and home. As I worked with Laura, I began to clarify what I really wanted and things started to shift in amazing ways. My bank account grew, I started my own company, I was less stressed, more relaxed and having more fun.

One of the most important discoveries I made is that success is a decision. Once I understood that, I realized that I could make new decisions that would take me to my goals and dreams.

What do you want? Have you clarified what success means for you? Here are 3 tips to help:

1. Decide to take 100% responsibility for your success
There is only one person in the world responsible for the quality of life you live – you! Taking responsibility means letting go of excuse-making, victim stories and blaming outside circumstances. Empower yourself by deciding to be the architect of your life and taking full responsibility for your outcomes.

2. Decide what you want.

There is power in clarifying what you want. Most people get stuck at this first step because they simply can't see how it's possible to get what they want. Because they can’t see how, they end of up talking themselves out of their dream before they even start. Trust you will know how once you are clear about what you want.

3. Decide to take action.
Take the first step, and then take one more. Getting into action creates momentum that propels you toward your goal. Decide that you will do one thing every day for your dream.

Success is a decision. Make the decision today to live your best life now!

Make 2008 the year you go for it!

I'm happy to be a contributor to Community Newspapers Pinecrest Tribune. You'll find my article on the front page at http://www.communitynewspapers.com/pinecrest/2008/010708/index.asp.
Why not make 2008 the year you go for it!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I love the beginning of the new year. As I was out running this morning, I passed a couple shooting photos of the bay. The street I live on is undoubtedly one of the top spots in Miami for photos. Nearly everyday, I see visitors stopping as they drive through the area to snap a photo of the beautiful view we enjoy.

I hope I never lose the feeling of awe and appreciation for this paradise we call home. Having lived in a landlocked part of the country most of my life, I enjoy every day here in the warm, sunny (yes, often humid) tropical paradise. Many people save all year to vacation here for just a few days. I feel lucky to live here.

Wishing you a bright 2008! Happy New Year!