You probably know all about the power of positive affirmations, and the importance of setting goals
You probably know all that.
But, just as a recap, allow me this brief explanation…
Many experts say that seeing or hearing an ongoing motivational message is crucial for your success.

Even a simple positive statement such as I’m a winner,  if seen repeatedly, can have a lasting impact.
In addition, experts will advise you to establish, and keep track of, your goals.
Write your goals and affirmations down, and make sure you see them every day.
Put them on sticky notes, they’ll say,
Paste one to your dresser mirror, and another on your breakfast cereal box.
Seeing them every day.
That’s what’s important

Now let me give you my take on this strategy,
I think you need something more conspicuous, more front-and-centre.
Sticky notes, useful for many things, just don’t cut it for me. They’re too easy to miss.
So, instead of sticky notes, enter your goals and affirmations in your smartphone or computer’s calendar,
And set reminders that pop up at least once a day.
So that you’ll get, every day, something like this.

But here’s an even better, if somewhat abstract or philosophical, idea.
Did you know that Athena is the Greek mythical goddess of handicrafts?
Or that Demeter is the god of agriculture and horticulture?

With that in mind, why not use a Greek god as your very own personal avatar?
Just look up the Greek god that typifies your goal, create an affirmation that links you with that mythical figure, and then set a reminder.
For instance,
If you’d like to make the leap to something associated with music.
Then Apollo—the god of music—is your guy.
Just set a reminder that reads;

And make sure you see it every day.
I think you’ll be surprised at the positive impact a simple, and whimsical, statement like that can make.

Too weird for you?
Worried about what your family or friends will think if they catch a glimpse of your personal reminder?
Then bear in mind that you will always come across detractors and naysayers.
Understand too, that people will often try to discourage you or poke fun at your ideas.
Also bear in mind these two, final, suggestions;
One: memorize this phrase: “What others think of me is none of my business.”
Two: try to imagine the reminders that your detractors might be forced to look at each and every day,
Maybe something like this?

After all, the choice is yours. Get a reminder from a god, or let a naysayer steal your dream.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

Fay's Tumblr Blog

I lifted the quotes from the novel itself,
And they’re all attributable to Fay Thorncliffe, the book’s enigmatic, insightful main character.
The  tumblr blog is still in its infancy, and if you choose to follow it,
You’ll see me tweaking it as we go along.
And please,
If you have ideas for improving my site (or if you just want to say hi!) I’d love hearing from you.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

The other day, I came upon a thought-provoking piece attributed to ex-NFL lineman Joe Ehrmann. It goes like this; there are Three Things the Elderly Regret not Having Done,

Those three regrets are:
1: Not leaving a legacy
2: Not taking time for reflection
3: Not taking more risks

Can you do me a favour?
Can you sit back and think about those three things?
Go ahead,
Think about them long and hard.
Think about how those three things relate to what you’re trying to accomplish—today—in your everyday life.
As you rush—feverishly—through your days,
Just trying to get things done,
How mindful are you of those three things?

Well, let’s see.
Do any of us think of legacies?
How could we?
We’re busy.
Working at our jobs, making ends meet.
We have bosses and obligations,
Colleagues and commitments,
Legacies?
Who has time?

What about risks?
How many of us take risks?
Other than, maybe, throwing caution to the wind during a weekend rafting expedition,
Or a bungee jumping excursion,
Most of don’t venture too far out on that limb.
For many of us, taking risks with our careers, with our livelihood—with the stuff we’d really love to do,
Is all—you know—too risky.

What was the last thing?
Ah yes, reflection.
Do we stop and reflect?
Actually, many of us do.
And what do we reflect on?
On our future.
On what we’re going to do, once we’re done with whatever it is—our jobs, our businesses, our careers—we’re doing now.
We reflect on what we’re going to accomplish,
On how great our lives will be,
At some hazy, uncertain point in the future.
And until that hazy, hopeful future arrives,
We continue to live our lives—with not much more than a glint of reflection.

And that’s what I find curious about the Three Things the Elderly Regret not Having Done
Do you see?
In our 30s, our 40s, and even into our 50s and 60s…
We sometimes think about all the wonderful, meaningful, fun things we’re going to do—some day.
Then…
We wake up and and realize…
We’ve arrived at that hazy, uncertain point of our lives,
Where there are more yesterdays than tomorrows,
And, suddenly, we’re the ones thinking of Three Things we Regret not Having Done.

My message is simple.
Don’t wait to find your purpose.
Don’t wait to pursue your passion, or to do what’s meaningful.
Go ahead,
Reflect on what’s important.
Go ahead,
Take a few risks.
Go ahead,
Leave a legacy.
Go ahead,
Live your life, every day. Turn your work into play. And never, ever stop pursuing your passion.
Go ahead.
Do it now.

And,
If you keep visiting my blog, I’ll show you how.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

With no lengthy preamble, no rambling introduction, here are a few definitions.

The Net Present Value of Life means…

• Today—this moment—is more valuable than anything else you possess;

• The future—tomorrow—is tenuous and uncertain;

• The value of life, today, is therefore greater than the uncertain value of life in the future;

• Life is supposed to be lived, cherished and enjoyed today; right now. Not at some uncertain, hazy date in the future;

• There is no better way to enjoy life than to do something that has meaning and purpose;

• Consumerism and consumption are not proof of an enjoyable life. They are substitutes for an enjoyable life

• To work for decades at uninspiring jobs (in the hope of, one day, having a happy retirement) is a notion both outdated and uninspiring;

• There are, simply, too many myths about retirement;

• The courage to walk away from an empty, unfulfilling career and make the leap to a meaningful life is more rewarding than it is rare;

• It is both surprising and inspiring to realize how few material possessions you need when living a meaningful life;

• There is no better career choice than the pursuit and attainment of passion and  purpose;

• To live a life not dictated by society, by the experts, by the boss, by the neighbours or, even, by public opinion is less difficult than imagined;

• There is satisfaction derived from remembering that you’re in charge of your life, that you’re the one firmly planted in the driver’s seat;

• There is only one meaningful drumbeat to march to, and that is the one you create;

• Caring and careful counsel provided by loved ones should never be confused with the warnings and reprimands of doubting naysayers;

• The one scarce, valuable (and non-renewable) resource is time;

• There are but a few ingredients to a happy life. They include; health, relationships, love, purpose, passion, inspiration, determination, honesty, laughter, potential, and possibility;

• Money is just another of life’s ingredients, and it’s one that cannot buy any of the ingredients listed above;

• There is as much illusion to money as there is value;

• Material possessions will never result in true happiness. Making the leap to your own version of success will;

• And finally, The Net Present Value of Life means to live fully every day, to turn work into play, and to never, ever stop pursuing your passion.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

And I just found more…

Much of this site is devoted to helping readers realize they can get whatever they want.

Success. Happiness. Reward. Achievement.

Whatever you want.

It’s there—waiting for you.

But some of us don’t believe it can happen—to us.

Some of us believe dreams only come true—to other people.

And, some of us need proof.

For those needing proof, for those unable to believe it’s true.

There is, indeed, evidence.

Some already on this site.

And, now, I got more.

I’m reading this book, The Brain That Changes Itself…

Allow me to quote from the back cover,

“(The book introduces) principles we can all use, as well as a riveting collection of histories—stroke patients cured, a woman with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, learning and emotional disorders overcome, IQs raised and aging brains rejuvenated.”

And that’s just the back cover…

You know,

One of my favourite expressions is, “What if? Anything is possible.”

And this book is but another example, reinforcing that,

Much of what was once thought impossible, is now known to be, very much, possible.

Do you have a goal? A desire? A dream?

Do you view it as something that’s possible? Or impossible?

Before answering, just think,

If it’s possible for the brain to change itself, then what else is possible?

So,

If you have a dream,

Go for it.

Go for the big one.

Because, maybe, just maybe, anything is possible.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.