Thrive During Change

Noggin Fitness

Why do people exercise and eat healthy foods? Sounds like a somewhat stupid question, I know, but I believe the answer is to keep the body and all major organs functioning at peak performance. A body operating at peak performance will give a person the greatest opportunity to live a long and happy life. Success in life depends not only on maintaining a healthy physical state, but sustaining a fit mental state (a mind that operates at its peak performance) as well.

Success begins in the mind. The achievement of any undertaking large or small can only be realized given a sound, positive mentality.

So, how does one achieve and sustain a fit noggin? Take a listen to one of the founders of the Positive Thinking principle, Napoleon Hill, as he talks about the 20 keys to maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude.




Recommended Resource:

Success through a Positive Mental Attitude - In this legendary collaboration, two icons present a formula for successful living unsurpassed in its simplicity, practicality, and power. Once hear it, you will understand as never before the power of your mind to shape, determine and change the circumstances of your life.

Celebrating Your Success!
Peace,
Scott Harrison
@SuccessNuggets (twitter)

HDTV (High Definition Tomorrow Vision)

Tomorrow Vision:
One of the keys to successful goal achievement is the ability to visualize the results that you want. When I was in college I would often take my kids for a walk past the open field behind one of the large college halls where graduation ceremonies were held. I would take a few minutes to visualize in my mind walking up to the platform with a great big smile on my face and receiving my diploma. I would also walk through the graduation day events in my head when I was exercising in the college recreation center. The adrenaline (Epinephrine) from the exercise combined with the stimulation of the mental visualizations generated a great deal of excitement inside of me. These periods of mental visualization (tomorrow vision) kept me motivated towards attaining my goal.

In Stephen R. Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" he refers to my "Tomorrow Vision" principle as "Beginning with the End in Mind". When you want to accomplish something of value it is important to know what the result will look like. This mental exercise will provide motivation as well as allow you to monitor your progress against the goal state. When you put together a puzzle, it is much easier if you have the box in front of you that shows you what the puzzle will look like when you are finished. By comparing your progress against the image on the puzzle box often, you can analyze whether or not you are on the right track or if you need make corrections. The image can also help you to determine which puzzle piece can be easily incorporated next into the overall vision. Likewise, focusing often on the mental image of your success will keep you motivated and on track towards the attainment of the goal.

High Definition:
The important aspect of tomorrow vision is that it be high definition; that it be clearly rendered in detail in your mind. In Tamara Lowe's new book "Get Motivated" she proclaims that

"I am going to set you up for success. In order for me to do that, you need to be very clear about what you want."

(emphasis mine) If your tomorrow vision is fuzzy, your end results will be fuzzy as well.

Action Steps:

1. Write down the top 10 things you want to do, be and have in life
2. Choose one of the items from the list and create a mental image of the goal state or create a collage of pictures that vividly displays what you are seeking to attain
3. Take time each day (10+ minutes) to meditate & play your success film in your mind.

Recommended Resource:

Without clearly defined goals, you simply can’t achieve the success you want! In Goals, world-renowned motivator Zig Ziglar guides you through a clear, beautifully organized 'success trip.' Along the way, you’ll learn how to recognize and set your goals. You’ll learn techniques for finding extra time you didn’t think you had and for cutting down big goals to easy-to-handle size. Now you can take advantage of this all-important opportunity to write your 'business plan for life.'

Celebrating Your Success!

Peace,
Scott Harrison
@SuccessNuggets (twitter)

True Success

Here is Ralph Waldo Emerson's definition of success:

"To laugh often and much, to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

Excerpted from All Pro Dad's Play of the Day: http://bit.ly/5tLen

The Guy Behind Success Nuggets

My Story:
An 18 year old recent high school graduate and young father would not be given much of a chance for success by society or statistics. But as I reflect on my younger years (yes, the 18 year old was me :-) I have discovered that there are certain principles that I've employed and actions that I have taken that have allowed me to overcome the odds and achieve success in my life. Over time I plan to share these principles and actions in periodic blog posts, but for now I'd like to share a little more of my story.

From Welfare to Well-off:
I started a 4 year college program in the Fall of 1994 but decided to stop so I could focus on providing for the needs of my new family. My wife and I were married in June of 1995 and rented a cheap apartment for our small family. We faced many of the challenges that most young families face: financial hardship, relationship issues, etc. We relied on Social Services (welfare) for several months until I was able to find a decent job that would help us meet our needs. I was able to find one full-time job and one part-time job (weekends) and my wife worked a few nights a week to bring in some extra money. We found that the extra money was nice, but this wasn't a schedule we could maintain. There was no time to focus on our family and relationship(s) and I believe that relationships are just as important in terms of success as is money. In fact, Zig Ziglar has stated,

"I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can't truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles."

So, my wife and I made a decision to change our situation. We started to think and talk about what we wanted our lives to look like. We made plans for me to finish a college degree program while I worked part-time and my wife worked full-time. Not only did we plan, but we took action towards the goals that we had set forth. Was it easy? Certainly not! Was it difficult? Every step of the way. Did I feel like giving up? At times. But I knew, that in order to realize the vision that my wife and I had for our family, the actions were necessary.

Are we there yet?
The great thing about life is that your vision can keep growing and your dreams can keep expanding. You can do more, be more and have more. So, No. We are not there yet and we will never be there until our last breath is taken. While we are now living comfortably and enjoy life much more, there is more on this earth for us to do, be and have. My grandmother always tells me, "I'm still here Scottie. God must have more for me to do." I love my grandmother's attitude. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future. That's something to get excited about!

So, why does Success Nuggets exist?
As Zig Ziglar puts it, "The greatest good we can do for others is not just to share our riches with them, but to reveal theirs." I've been fortunate to have people in my life that have provided help, encouragement, motivation and wisdom. My goal is to "pass it on" and be that person to those seeking help in the areas of self improvement, personal growth and success in life.

Action Steps:
1. If you're not happy with an aspect of your life (relationships, financial health, physical health, etc.) make a decision to change.
2. On a sheet of paper write an action plan (a list of actions) for the aspect of your life you want to change.
3. Take time each day to mentally see yourself achieving that change.
4. Each day work on one or more of the actions from your action plan.

Recommended Resource:
New York Times best-selling author John C. Maxwell brings the subject of a personal dream down to earth with this extraordinary multimedia training program based on his newest book, Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions that Will Help You See It and Seize It.

2 incredible BONUSES included when you order now!

Celebrating Your Success!

Peace,
Scott Harrison
@SuccessNuggets (twitter)