Doing The Impossible

Where will the records stop? In 1954 Roger Bannister ran a sub-four-minute mile and it ignited the athletic world. In 1994, Eamonn Coghlan of Ireland, at age 41, ran a sub-four-minute mile. Incredibly enough, Kip Keino of Ethiopia, at age 55, ran a 4.06 mile. The fastest mile run to date [when this column was originally written] is 3:43.13 accomplished by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco.

But back in 1954 more than 50 medical journals had published articles saying that the four-minute mile was not humanly possible. Doctors were warning athletes of the dire consequences to anyone who broke that “unbreakable” barrier.

In the meantime, coaches all over the world, with stop-watches in hand, were encouraging their charges to do their best – but to forget about breaking the “impossible” four-minute barrier.

Roger Bannister broke the barrier and changed that thinking by his performance. He refused to believe what others were saying because he didn’t want to limit his own potential. His breakthrough proved that the barrier was a psychological one, not a physiological barrier.

Jerry Lynch, Ph.D., said that when you believe and think “I can,” you activate your motivation, commitment, confidence, concentration and excitement, all of which relate directly to achievement. On the other hand, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right in both cases.”

Dr. Lynch says that the path to personal excellence is cluttered with obstacles. It is my own personal conviction that you can’t develop your full potential without encountering serious obstacles along the way.

Dr. Lynch also says that you can’t stretch your limits without encountering some rough moments. You need to understand that failure and losses are acceptable learning experiences that can help improve your performance. This is true in every part of life, whether it involves athletics, academic achievement, business or sales success.

It’s true that airplanes and kites rise fastest when they fly into the wind. Individuals grow stronger physically, mentally and spiritually when they are “tested” with resistance or opposition. Think about it and I’ll see you at the top! (by Zig Ziglar)

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Zig Ziglar is a teacher and motivator. He offers a newsletter filled with more of his inspiring stories as well as practical ideas to help you in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service, and related topics. You can visit him atwww.zigziglar.com.

* Learn about Zig Ziglar’s book Staying Up, Up, Up In A Down, Down World

-What do you think of the advice above? Anything you would like to add?

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Advice On Overcoming Fear

Fear has been correctly identified with the acrostic False Evidence Appearing Real. The truth is that if we think something is to be feared, that perception becomes the cruelest form of reality.

A second-grade boy was overheard saying, “It’s easy to be brave when you’re not scared.” By the same token, it’s easy to talk about how to overcome fear when you have little to be afraid of. Fear is certainly real for most people and all of us face a fear of something – poverty, divorce, rejection, death, failure, speaking in public, being laughed at, etc.

How do we overcome fear? First we must learn to examine our fears. Example: Giving a speech, which is the number one fear in our country, according to Reader’s Digest. (It’s also a tremendous confidence-builder.) If that’s your fear, ask yourself a few questions. “Why am I afraid to make a speech? Is it because I’m afraid of being rejected? Then why do I think I’ll be rejected?

Do I believe what I’m about to say? Is my speech worth giving? Am I proud of the comments I’m about to make?” As you ask yourself these questions, the fear will begin to subside. It subsides because you have explored your subconscious mind with your questions and flushed out some of your fears.

My research indicates that only three people have died while making a speech. Since twelve billion people have lived and only three of them died making a speech, I’d say it’s a fairly safe thing to do.

If you’re a little nervous, consider this: You could lead a mule into a crowded room and he would be so calm that he would almost go to sleep standing up. A thoroughbred in the same situation would be as nervous as a cat.

If you’re a little nervous, just be grateful you’re a thoroughbred – not a mule. So face those inner feelings, stand up and speak up with confidence. When you do, I’ll see you at the top! (by Zig Ziglar) ___________ Zig Ziglar is a teacher and motivator. He offers a newsletter filled with more of his inspiring stories as well as practical ideas to help you in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service, and related topics. You can visit him atwww.zigziglar.com.

* How To Stay Motivated 3 Vol. Program by Zig Ziglar… You’ll learn how to get more of the things money will buy and all of the things money won’t buy in this three-volume program. Zig explains in an inspiring, informative and humorous way the action steps to achieve total success. Includes the Performance Planner. 18 CDs plus planner… Learn more about Zig Ziglar’s How To Stay Motivated Program.

-What are some ways you go about overcoming fear?

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Independence Month

I’ve got the power. It is a great day when you realize that you have the power to change your life, your perceptions of the world and your willingness to decide to succeed, no matter what.

It is shedding the layer of thoughts, ideas and perceptions that has held you back, and, instead embracing new ideas, new thoughts and beliefs about yourself and what you can be.

The decision to be free and independent – to truly declare and shout from the roof tops: “I am the only one who will decide what I want for me. I am the only person who has the power to think for me and to choose what thoughts I have. I can choose who I want to be.” That is true freedom.

Don’t you love being around happy, joyous, enthusiastic, smart, prosperous people? Don’t you enjoy learning from people who see the world of possibilities and who can help you be better?

Independence is the glorious gift you give yourself when you realize that what others think of you doesn’t matter to you. The only thing that matters is what you think of yourself.

You can choose to be that happy, joyous, enthusiastic, smart and prosperous person.

Listen to what you say about yourself. Listen to the words you use to describe yourself. When someone says something to you that you don’t like or that makes you feel uncomfortable what do you say to yourself?

The other day I was on a plane and heard two little kids fighting with each other. One of the girls said “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” I wanted to applaud her. “Yes, you are right!”

The words someone uses when they talk to you, the tone of their voice or their facial expressions only effect you when you give them meaning. The thoughts that go through your mind are the meaning.

Have you ever noticed how one person can say something and it doesn’t faze you, but when another person says the same thing you react (positively or negatively). You react because you gave those words meaning – through thought.

One of my favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” That quote used to make me so angry. I could prove the times that others made me feel inferior, until one day I realized that it was my thoughts that were filling me with negativity, anger and upset. The people weren’t making me feel inferior. I was doing it to myself.

Both the childhood rhyme and Eleanor Roosevelt’s comment drive home the fact that it isn’t what others say to us that affects us, but rather what we say to ourselves.

There are people who are reading this who will disagree with me. They will want to cite examples of people who were hurt, abused or victimized, because people called them names. Years ago I would have agreed with them. I could show lots of people who were hurt by others, including myself. However, what others said is not where the pain lies. It is within your mind and your thoughts about what others said that causes the pain.

The effects of your thoughts impact your life, work and business. We act on what we think. I recently heard from a friend who was so frustrated by a co worker. This co worker always assumed that everyone was out to get her. My friend was new to the organization and was asked to teach this person (I will call her Jane) a new process.

This process was new to the organization. No one, except my friend, knew the process. One of her job responsibilities was to train everyone in the process. She set up an appointment with Jane and met her at the appointed time. Jane‘s first statement was “so they think I’m not capable and don’t know what I’m doing. Is that why they sent you? Well I’m not going to make this easy for you. I know what I’m doing and I don’t need a tutor. ”

Obviously Jane had a lot going on in her mind – and the thoughts weren’t good or positive. After working with her for 45 minutes my friend decided to end the session. She reported the results of the session to her supervisor. Through the grapevine my friend learned that the woman had sued the company several times and that she was considered a “mean, vicious, super sensitive person”. Have you ever worked with someone like that?

[Note to HR professionals: I agree that there are steps HR can take in this situation]

Everyone is free to accept negative impressions and to continually repeat them over and over and over… or not.

It is within your power to be independent and to change your thoughts about yourself and to think good, positive and prosperous thoughts.

You have the power.

This is not easy especially when you have spent many years believing negative thoughts about yourself.

It is time to change and to be independent. Chose to think happy, joyous, enthusiastic, smart, supportive and prosperous thoughts. You have the power. (by Pegine Echevarria)

_____________ Pegine Echevarria is a motivational speaker and author — a nationally recognized expert on success, leadership, and team building. Visit her at Pegine.com

-What were some key things that stood out for you in the above article? Is there anything you want to add?

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Be An Optimist At All Times

Everyone wants to be physically healthy. You want to be mentally healthy as well. The true measure of “mental fitness” is how optimistic you are about yourself and your life.

In this article, you learn how to control your thinking in very specific ways so that you feel terrific about yourself and your situation, no matter what happens.

Control Your Reactions and Responses… There are three basic differences in the reactions of optimists and pessimists. The first difference is that the optimist sees a setback as temporary, while the pessimist sees it as permanent.

The optimist sees an unfortunate event, such as an order that falls through or a sales call that fails, as a temporary event, something that is limited in time and that has no real impact on the future. The pessimist, on the other hand, sees negative events as permanent, as part of life and destiny.

Isolate the Incident… The second difference between the optimist and the pessimist is that the optimist sees difficulties as specific, while the pessimist sees them as pervasive.

This means that when things go wrong for the optimist, he looks at the event as an isolated incident largely disconnected from other things that are going on in his life.

See Setbacks as Temporary Events… For example, if something you were counting on failed to materialize and you interpreted it to yourself as being an unfortunate event, but something that happens in the course of life and business, you would be reacting like an optimist.

The pessimist, on the other hand, sees disappointments as being pervasive. That is, to him they are indications of a problem or shortcoming that pervades every area of life.

Don’t Take Failure Personally… The third difference between optimists and pessimists is that optimists see events as external, while pessimists interpret events as personal.

When things go wrong, the optimist will tend to see the setback as resulting from external factors over which one has little control.

If the optimist is cut off in traffic, for example, instead of getting angry or upset, he will simply downgrade the importance of the event by saying something like, “Oh, well, I guess that person is just having a bad day.”

The pessimist on the other hand, has a tendency to take everything personally. If the pessimist is cut off in traffic, he will react as though the other driver has deliberately acted to upset and frustrate him.

Remain Calm and Objective… The hallmark of the fully mature, fully functioning, self-actualizing personality is the ability to be objective and unemotional when caught up in the inevitable storms of daily life.

The superior person has the ability to continue talking to himself in a positive and optimistic way, keeping his mind calm, clear and completely under control.

The mature personality is more relaxed and aware and capable of interpreting events more realistically and less emotionally than is the immature personality.

As a result, the mature person exerts a far greater sense of control and influence over his environment, and is far less likely to be angry, upset, or distracted.

Take the Long View… Look upon the inevitable setbacks that you face as being temporary, specific and external.

View the negative situation as a single event that is not connected to other potential events and that is caused largely by external factors over which you can have little control.

Simply refuse to see the event as being in any way permanent, pervasive or indicative of personal incompetence of inability.

Resolve to think like an optimist, no matter what happens. You may not be able to control events but you can control the way you react to them.

Action Exercises:

Now, here are three actions you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, remind yourself continually that setbacks are only temporary, they will soon be past and nothing is as serious as you think it is.

Second, look upon each problem as a specific event, not connected to other events and not indicative of a pattern of any kind. Deal with it and get on with your life.

Third, recognize that when things go wrong, they are usually caused by a variety of external events. Say to yourself, “What can’t be cured must be endured,” and then get back to thinking about your goals. (by Brian Tracy) ____________ Brian Tracy is one of the world’s leading authorities on personal and business success. His fast-moving talks and seminars are loaded with powerful, proven ideas and strategies that you can apply immediately to get better results in every area. Be sure to visit the Brian Tracy web site.

-What are your thoughts on the above article? Agree, disagree, anything you would like to add to the discussion?

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Purpose, Vision And Goals

Do you have a definite purpose that guides your ambitions, vision, and goals?

It doesn’t matter how you think you arrived here on this planet or under whose direction – the fact remains that each of us has specific talents and gifts that are uniquely coded within our own DNA.

As you go through life, you don’t just pick up things you like doing by chance. You discover what you’re good at because you were meant to discover it, just as you were meant to figure out what your fingers do, and how your elbows work.

Your unique gifts are hardwired into your system just as surely as your lungs are given their blueprint to breathe.

And it’s from these specific talents and gifts that you’re able to define and determine your definite purpose… the reason why you’re here.

What’s in you cannot be found in another living human being. In fact, it’s quite possible that what you bring to the table hasn’t been duplicated – ever – since time began.

That’s right! This “purpose” is serious business.

If you fail to determine your definite purpose, everything else is wrong. It’s like working with a broken compass – you may think you’re going North, but you’re not. You’re not sure which direction you’re heading, so, you’re just wandering aimlessly.

Without your purpose identified firmly in your mind, you will wander through life, never quite feeling that you’re “in the flow.” I say, then, that it’s imperative you recognize what it is you’re good at – what it is you really love to do.

Your purpose in this lifetime is to do the thing that you love.

People will tell you they already know what they’re good at, and what they love to do most, but they’ll never earn money doing it. Whoever gave you that idea?

When you’re sorting out your purpose, I don’t want you thinking about that non-issue at all. You can earn money at anything. Once you determine your purpose, you won’t even have to think hard on how to earn money – it’s as if you’re being guided by an unseen hand, heading in the right direction… and everything falls into place.

The key to your life is not that you settle for the “safe” thing that will bring in the money. The key is to turn and do what you really love. Fall in love with an idea. That’s your life! That’s your purpose. (by Bob Proctor) ___________ If you enjoyed the article you just read from Bob Proctor, you’ll definitely want to take a moment to learn more about his life-changing program Six Minutes to Success!

-Is there anything you would like to share on this topic? Do you have any ideas which might be helpful in identifying ones purpose, talents and gifts?

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Twelve steps to conguer fear

Fear is a reaction, courage is a decision. Perseverance is making the decision to have courage every day, day after day.

The late M. Scott Peck said that the absence of fear is not courage – the absence of fear is brain damage! No fear requires no courage – big fear requires big courage.

In today’s world, a successful life requires the courage to take risks, and the determination to persevere through all difficulties. Today, I’d like to share a dozen ideas for confronting your fears with courage.

Recognize the difference between anxiety, fear, and worry. Anxiety is a generalized sense of dread – the black cloud on the horizon.

Fear is a reaction to a specific object or event – the raging storm overhead right now. Worry is the projection of fear into the future – a forecast of more raging storms tomorrow.

We use those terms interchangeably, but properly diagnosing your emotional state can help you avoid becoming your own worst enemy.

Anxiety is the most painful emotion because it has no object, and thus there is no sense of control over the emotion.

Thus, the mind strives to transform anxiety into fear, giving the illusion of control by identifying the object to be feared. The higher your anxiety level, the more apt you are to inappropriately assume that events or people are to be feared (paranoia is anxiety on steroids).

When you catch anxiety building, take a deep breath and calm down – the world is a much more friendly place than the anxious mind wants to acknowledge.

Fear is a Fantasized Experience Appearing Real. It is also a Fabulous Excuse for Avoiding Responsibility. Don’t let fantasized dangers prevent you from pursuing your most authentic goals and dreams and from becoming the person you are meant to be.

Talk to your fear – what’s it trying to tell you. Are you unprepared for something? Are you on the wrong path?

Give fear a name and it becomes just a problem – it’s easier to solve problems than it is to conquer fear. For example, if you are afraid of losing a job, the problem is that you have not made yourself indispensable.

Of course, no one is indispensable, but the more you work on making yourself valuable at work, the safer your job will be. And if you lose the job anyway, those efforts will help you land an even better job all the quicker.

Talk back to your fear. Fear is a cowardly emotion that will back down when it is confronted with strength and resolve.

Caring is the root of courage. When you care enough about something, you will find the courage to do what you must do to conquer your fear. When confronting fear, catalog the things you really care about – there is no more powerful source of motivation.

Fear breeds in ignorance. If you’re struggling with your fears, go to the library, pick up the telephone, Google something. When you shine a light on the shadows, you often find that the monster of fear dissolves into a mouse of timidity.

Fear can be a prison more confining than any iron bars. Action is an emotional hacksaw that can set you free. It doesn’t have to be a grand sweeping action that resolves all your fears once and for all (in fact, it won’t be), but what can you do right now that will help you confront your fear?

Be today, see tomorrow. Here’s what I mean by that. When you are afraid of the future, keep your attention in the present, on the work that’s right in front of you, and let tomorrow take care of itself. But when the source of your fear is right there at the door, keep your vision on that future time when everything has worked out far better than you ever would have imagined.

Internalize Wednesday’s Promise of The Self- Empowerment Pledge: “I will do the things I’m afraid to do. Sometimes that will mean asking for help to do that which I cannot do by myself.”

Consider the words of Jonathan Swift: Keep your fears to yourself, share your courage with others. (by Joe Tye)

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Joe Tye is America’s Values Coach. He is also the author of several books and audio programs on personal, career, and business success, and a popular motivational speaker. Visit www.JoeTye.com

*if you enjoyed the above article be sure to join our free motivational newsletter— Let’s Talk Motivation!

-Do you have any ideas or advice you would like to share which might be helpful in dealing with and overcoming fear?

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Hang in threre

I remember Navy boot camp like it was yesterday. An event that occurred on my second day still causes me to pause when I reflect on it. You can tell a new soldier who has just arrived at boot camp from one who is about to graduate based upon the clothes and ribbons they wear.

It was clearly my second day, evidenced by what I was wearing. I was walking single file with my unit down a hall and a sailor who was just about to graduate passed us.

He must have noticed my expression. It without a doubt said, “I am tired, intimidated, scared and hungry.” You can’t talk when walking in formation, therefore he whispered out of the side of his mouth as we passed, “Hang in there…you can do it.”

I turned to look at his face, but all I saw was the back of his head. Every night before I drifted off to sleep I replayed those words. I will never know that sailor’s name. He will never know how it turned my attitude around 180 degrees. He will never know that years later I still remember the electricity of encouragement that shot through my body.

I knew that the only reason he knew what I was feeling is because he had been where I was and felt what I felt. He had made it and wanted me to know that I could as well. I was eternally grateful.

Then it was my turn. On my graduation day, I walked into a storage facility and saw three sailors leaning up against the wall. They were new and scared, intimidated, tired and hungry. I walked over to them and whispered, “Hang in there…you can do it.” Within one second tears filled the eyes of the female sailor and one of the males clenched his fist and gave me a million thanks with his eyes.

As I walked away I had goose bumps. I knew that my words would be motivation for the rest of the day and fuel every night to keep them focused on their goal of graduation when they wanted to quit. I hope they passed on the encouragement to another sailor before they graduated…and I know they did.

If you are in a valley, then remember this. Others have been there (including me). Hang in there. You can do it. Whether your goal is boot camp graduation, building a business or a raising a family… since others have done it… you can too. Hang in there.

If you are at a peak, do not underestimate what a few kind words of encouragement might do for those around you.

Many find it odd that at this point in my career that I am in the Naval Reserves. I generate more income by one person attending my seminar than I do in my one weekend a month. When I was activated, I earned a fraction of my current income. But, I do it because it is right for me and in my heart I have to. I also do it because the lessons like the one above are invaluable to me. I hope you found some value in it as well. (by Ron White) _____________ Ron White has spent almost 2 decades training business professionals and students on how to improve their memory, grades and income. He is the 2009 US Memory Champion and has broken a national record by memorizing a 167-digit number in 5 minutes. Take a moment to learn about Ron’s all-time, best seller, Memory in a Month program.

-What do you think? Agree, or disagree?  

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Success begin after your fall

Today’s your day.

I’m convinced of it. It’s your day. And today you’re going to get up all your courage and just do what you’ve been aching to do.

Just before you begin taking the first actions in attacking your challenge, you might be shaking like a leaf. I don’t know.

But it’s at that moment, when you’re feeling the most frightened that you’ll be making your biggest strides. Because today, you’re not going to back down. You’re going to take a deep breath and go forward.

Are you guaranteed success? Will you reach your goal for sure? Will you absolutely get the outcome you’re hoping for?

Not a chance…

But you’ll prove to yourself and everyone that thinks that sometimes you’re a dead person who just hasn’t been buried yet, that you’re alive and starting to kick.

People who know me well can tell you that I have failed at more things than I have succeeded at. But every time I get thrown for a loop, I immediately jump up. I ask myself what I should learn from it. And if I have to, I start completely over.

So many years after my “awakening,” I’m still growing as fast as I ever have.

I remember my football coaches yelling at me after getting knocked down to “Get up! The play’s not over yet!”

It’s true…

In your own life, when you make a mistake or get laughed at, if your immediate response is to put your head down and start crying, you won’t be able to see the next opportunity that’s passing right in front of you, riding in the wake of your agony.

Get up!

I’m your coach now. Don’t you dare give up. Not while I’m breathing will you ever again put your tail between your legs and turn away from what might be your greatest accomplishments. I won’t accept that from you.

Not from you. You’re too good.

Is that an odd way to describe your failure and humiliation?

Well, whenever you’ve succeeded at getting your way at just about anything, it’s rarely been on the first try. Right? It’s usually been after being told ‘No’ a few times, or screwing something up a bunch of times before finally getting it right.

Well, isn’t that true?

Take that template for success and place it over everything you want to do. Everything.

When you think about some goal that seems quite a stretch for you, and the thought comes in that says, “I couldn’t do that,” stop and place your previous success template over it. Know that no matter how big it is, if you just “remember” that, while it might be difficult, you can do it. And you’re already half way there.

Do this all day today. “I can do it” needs to be your mantra.

If you do, I promise you that your muscles will be stretched. Your mind will be stretched. And those goals that “looked” impossible will suddenly seem do-able.

It’ll be like you’ve been given a new pair of eyes. Don’t just sit there… Get up. Today’s not over. It’s your day. Tomorrow may never come. Today is your whole life. Do what you fear today. You may never have another chance. Take your shot. Oh heck. Take 20 shots. And take them all today. (by Mike Brescia) ____________ What if you had the same minute-by-minute thoughts as the super successful? Mike Brescia has developed the ultimate mental conditioning programs that can help anyone wipe out intense fears and enjoy huge successes in all areas of life.Learn more about these powerful programs here.

-Did you find the ideas above helpful? What was the key takeaway you got from this article?

Brought to you by GetMotivation.com

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Fortune favours the brave

Boldness is a necessary part of courage but it must be a boldness based on an intelligent assessment of the potential risks and rewards. The wonderful nature of boldness is that, properly directed, it builds the habit of courage in the person who practices it.

Act Boldly in Every Situation… In my experience, any virtue translated into action leads almost invariably to positive results. This applies to integrity, persistence, courtesy, love and courage. I’ve always liked the advice of an old man to his grandson. “Act boldly and unseen forces will come to your aid.”

Take a Leap of Faith… Perhaps the most obviously important part of courage is the courage to step out in the face of uncertainty. Every great venture in the history of man has begun with faith and a giant leap into the unknown.

General Douglas MacArthur said, “There is no security in life, only opportunity.” The creed of Frederick The Great, one of history’s most successful leaders was, “Audacity, audacity-always audacity.”

Launch With No Guarantees… A 12-year study of successful entrepreneurs conducted by Babson College concluded that the only thing they had in common was the willingness to launch, to step out in faith. Once they had started, they learned the lessons they needed to succeed. Many of them ending up successful in completely different businesses from where they started.

Dare to Go Forward… Dare to go forward. Successful companies are invariably those that continue to research, develop, experiment and introduce new products and services – even during the deepest recessions.

Successful executives are those who are continually stretching themselves to move out of the comfort zone, to face the twin fears of failure and rejection and to move forward in spite of them.

Action Exercises: Here are two ways to develop greater boldness in your work and personal life.

First, just do it! Step out in faith! If you think of some action you can take to improve your life, give it a try. You may be surprised.

Second, when in doubt, act with audacity. Audacity may get you into trouble but even more audacity will get you out. Go for it! (by Brian Tracy) ______________ Brian Tracy is one of the world’s leading authorities on personal and business success. His fast-moving talks and seminars are loaded with powerful, proven ideas and strategies that you can apply immediately to get better results in every area. Visit the Brian Tracy web site.

-What do you think of what you just read? Do you agree or disagree? Is there anything you would like to add or share?

Btw. if you enjoyed the article above be sure you join our free motivation newsletter – Let’s Talk Motivation!

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Top five action steps toget your moning in the right

1 Persistence is the fuel that gets done what needs to be done everyday. Persistence comes to us from two sources; either from passion or from persistence itself.

The motivation from persistence itself shows up when you are driven to continue to grow and learn and reach higher on the days when the motivation has waned.

One way to ensure that you are focused everyday is to simply change your philosophy of how you view the day itself. Most of us begin our day with a things to do list. What may prove to be more effective is to create a daily TTWGD list. This stand for; THINGS THAT WILL GET DONE! This simple change of philosophy will create the mindset to complete ALL activities on your list everyday.

The activities you plan for each day should be viewed exactly as you do appointments with clients or management or family or friends. You would likely never consider not showing up for an appointment with another person. Keep every appointment you make, especially those with yourself. Developing this mindset will drive the persistence necessary to have a good day everyday.

2) TGIF? For most the battle cry goes out every Friday. Think of how much weight and anticipation and happiness is related to Fridays. Of course it spells the beginning of the weekend; for many a reprieve from the workweek and a time of rest and recharging.

The stunning reality is that life is so short and time moves quickly for us all that we lose focus on so many other precious days. Consider this: we are given exactly the same number of Mondays, as we are Fridays.

Looking back one day from our end of life perspective I wonder what we would give to go back to some of those Mondays we tossed aside and wring every ounce of life from them we could. Live in the moment. Cherish everyday and live with a sense of curiosity of what every day can bring.

3) Elite Performers - To have what the masters have, do what the masters do. It is easy to sit back and watch the great success of others and then wonder why it is not happening for us. Many times the focus, dedication and work ethic is greatly overlooked.

Through the media we tend to take in only snapshots of situations including examples of success. We are lead to believe that it happened for them in the blink of an eye with little or no effort.

If you strive to emulate the success of others, take the time to study what they did, the effort it took and the sacrifices they made to rise to where they are today. Mirror the effort and reap the reward.

4) Building relationships - Today is the day when everything is possible. One of the most powerful affects you can have on your career and personal life is through the connections you make and the relationships you build.

The key to building relationships and to securing clients comes through making others feel like they matter. Take the time to focus on what others are saying and what they are asking.

Listening and responding to what others care about will let them know they matter. Everyone wants to matter, and when you make that your prime intention with others they will appreciate your caring and respond in kind.

5) Health is the key to growth - Jim Rohn once said, “You can’t do well if you don’t feel well.” Having the energy, vitality and strength everyday requires more than just the mental commitment to succeed. Having the physical energy to carry out your daily tasks to reach your goal is overlooked more and more in today’s frenetic world.

Stress continues to play a major role in both mental and physical health and too often the most basic remedy for us all is overlooked. Through proper diet, exercise and meditation we all have the tools at our disposal for optimal health. You have no doubt heard the saying, “Your body is your temple.”

Take the time and think about this carefully for a moment. It’s true. How well are you treating your temple? What fuel are you putting into it everyday and how often are you giving it the exercise it needs or the stress reducing affects of meditation?

Health is the great equalizer. When we have it, it goes unnoticed. When we lose it there is nothing to equal its value. Make certain to include a health regiment into your daily plan. Few areas of personal growth will offer the payoff that tending to your body and mind will.

___________

Randy Taylor is an expert in the area of personal growth and leadership. Through his own personal experiences he has developed a dynamic new leadership philosophy and written a book of the same name called “Life Before Can’t”. Visit Randy at TaylorMadeLeadership.com

-Do you have any ideas you’d like to share on this topic?

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Health Precaution

General Cautions

Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution; avoid freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrhea medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.

Specific Concerns

	AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
	The large number of tropical plants and pollution levels inurban areas may cause children and adults with asthma problems severe discomfort.

Immunizations These recommendations are not absolute and should not be construed to apply to all travelers. A final decision regarding immunizations will be based on the traveler's medical history, proposed itinerary, duration of stay and purpose for traveling.

Hepatitis A Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis B Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population). Japanese encephalitis Consider vaccination if staying a month or more on Bali, Irian Jaya, Java, Kalimantan, Lombok, Mollucas, Nusa Tenggara or Sulawesi, especially if travel includes rural areas. Also consider if staying less than 30 days and at high risk (in case of epidemic outbreak or extensive outdoor exposure in rural areas). While transmission likely occurs all year and varies by island, peak risk is generally from November to March, although it is June to July in some years. Human cases have historically been reported only on Bali and Java. one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available.

Rabies Preexposure vaccination should be considered for travel to Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra or Sulawesi for persons staying longer than 30 days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as spelunking or animal handling. Need for vaccination is more important if potential exposure is in rural areas and if adequate postexposure care is not readily available.

Typhoid Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type. All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.

Disease Risk Summary The general level of community sanitation and public health awareness is low throughout Indonesia.

	Insect-borne illness: considered an important cause of disease in this area.
	Encephalitis (Japanese type) - occurs (risk may extend to resort areas, including those on Bali)
	Filariasis - prevalent in rural areas
	Malaria - common
	Typhus (mite-borne) - occurs in deforested areas Food-borne and water-borne illness: these diseases are common.
	Cholera - occurs
	Dysentery (amoebic and bacillary) - occurs
	Fasciolopsiasis (giant intestinal fluke) - occurs
	Hepatitis - occurs
	Melioidosis - occurs
	Schistosomiasis - occurs on the island of Sulawesi

Other hazards:

Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported, and cases of polio still occur regularly.

	Influenza risk extends throughout the year.
	Rabies - occurs on Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra and Sulawesi
	Trachoma - occurs

Yellow fever A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers coming from infected areas. A certificate is also required from travelers arriving from countries in the endemic zones.

Malaria Information

Risk areas Risk exists throughout the year in all areas of Irian Jaya and in rural areas of other islands (exceptions are metropolitan areas of Jakarta, Jogakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Denpasar plus contiguous tourist beach areas of Bali). Chloroquine-resistant falciparum is confirmed, and chloroquine-resistant .. vivax is reported. Fansidar resistance is reported in several areas and resistance to mefloquine may occur. WHO reports that P. falciparum is responsible for 49% of cases. Java and Bali report a total of 16,000 cases annually, with an added 59,000 reported from the Outer Islands.

Protective measures advises that risk is limited to areas not usually visited by travelers and recommends that only travelers likely to have evening or nighttime exposure in risk areas undertake chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine in addition to personal protective measures. Persons with epilepsy, psychiatric disorders or known hypersensitivity to mefloquine should not use this drug and should consider alternate means of protection. Consult your physician regarding additional precautions and potential side effects.

Current Health Concerns According to postings on ProMED, 8 people are dead and 46 others have been hospitalized in the eastern province of Nusa Tangara due to rabies. Initial investigation by health officials seemed to indicate that the disease was not rabies, but further tests proved that dogs carrying rabies were responsible for the deaths. An order has been issued to capture and destroy approximately 170,000 stray dogs in Nusa Tangara.

Posted 15 May 1998. According to press reports, dengue hemorrhagic fever has claimed the lives of approximately 800 people in Indonesia since the beginning of the year. Dengue fever is common during the monsoon season, which generally lasts from October to April, but government officials have stated that this year's outbreak is extraordinary. At least 32,000 people have been infected since January 1998. Localized outbreaks have been recorded in several locations, notably the district of Palembang in South Sumatra Province, the cities of Bandung and Jakarta in West Java Province, the town of Dili in East Timor Province and the town of Palu in Central Sulawesi Province. Jakarta alone has seen nearly 80 deaths among 10,000 cases. At least 12 of Indonesia's 27 provinces have recorded fatalities, and the number of deaths reported is believed to be a fraction of the actual totals.

Posted 15 May 1998. According to press reports, an outbreak of hepatitis A has affected more than 600 people in the regency of Bondowoso in Eastern Java. Eight villages in the districts of Tapan, Wonsari and Sukosari have been affected, the largest in the region's history. Poor hygiene and contaminated river water have been cited as causes of the outbreak.

Posted 24 April 1998. According to press reports, a choking smog from forest fires burning out of control in the province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo has compromised the health of thousands of people in the cities of Samarinda and Balikpapan, as well as in surrounding areas. At least 300 cases of pneumonia have been reported, and ailments such as eye infections, respiratory infectionsand asthma are on the rise. One newspaper has reported that at least 2 people have died due to the haze. After dissipating for a few months, the haze has returned to Southeast Asia as land has been deliberately burned and seasonal monsoon rains have been held off by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Posted 24 March 1998. USDOS Advisory The material below is reprinted verbatim from the U.S. Department of State (USDOS). Recommendations regarding preventive health measures (including immunizations), if given here, may differ from those of the CDC/ACIP presented elsewhere in this report. Health-related entry requirements, if included here, may not agree with the official version of requirements reported by WHO and presented in the Official Health Data section of this report.

Consular Information Sheet - April 24, 1998 Country Description Indonesia is an independent republic consisting of more than 13,500 islands spread over 3,000 miles. Its economy is developing, and tourist services are plentiful in the major tourist sites. Entry Requirements: A passport valid for six months beyond the intended date of departure is required. A visa is not required for tourist stays up to two months. For additional information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone (202) 775-5200, http://www.kbri.org/

Information on Crime The crime rate in Jakarta is moderate but rising. Minor crimes, such as pickpocketing and thefts, occur in popular tourist sites throughout the country. Incidents of carjackings and robbery have been reported. Lost or stolen passports should be reported to the local police and the citizins. Embassy or nearest consulate. Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in their countries and do not afford the same protections available to the individual under their. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in your countrie for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Criminal penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect severe jail sentences and fines. Road Safety: All traffic operates on the left side of the road, and most vehicles use right-hand drive. Roads in major cities and toll roads are good. Roads are narrower and may be more poorly maintained in rural areas and remote regions. Driving at night outside major cities can be hazardous. Taxis are an affordable means of transportation. The safest option is to call the taxi company directly. Make sure the taxi driver agrees to take you to your destination, never get into a taxi already occupied by another passenger and always insist on using the taxi meter. A list of taxi safety tips, along with a list of more reputable taxi companies, is available from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

Aviation Oversight The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Indonesia civil aviation authority as Category 1 - in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Indonesia's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at (800) 322-7873 or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/AVR/iasa.htm The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288.

Embassy Location and Registration Americans are encouraged to register at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, where they may obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. The embassy is located in Jakarta at Medan Merdeka Selatan 5; telephone (62)(21) 344-2211, fax (62)(21) 386-2259, Internet: http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/ The U.S. Consulate General is in Surabaya at Jalan Raya Dr. Sutomo 33; telephone (62)(31) 567-2287/8, fax (62)(31) 567-4492. There is a consular agent in Bali at Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Denpasar, Bali; telephone (62)(361) 233-605. The U.S. Consulate in Medan closed in May 1996.

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