Napoleon Hill, born in 1887, made this statement in his ground breaking book, Think and Grow Rich written in 1937; where he established and shares the principals of success. He went on to become America's most beloved motivational author. He has been quoted since that time by most motivational speakers throughout the world, his books have inspired thousands, his words still ring true to this day. His work stands as a monument to individual achievement and is the cornerstone of modern motivation.
Sometimes we just need a reason to make change, to take stock of where we are in life at a given time, take stock and make the time to investigate and implement ways to improve. For many New Years is the time for reflection, looking back, taking time to analyze and looking to the future.
"Live each day as if it were your last and you will develop a keen respect for opportunity."
The old adage, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail" is true. This year I asked myself, do I want to wake up on Jan 1 2010 and be in the same circumstances? If I do not take measures to make change; a year from now I will wake up exactly the same as now, just a year older, likely a bit heaver, and my dreams will still be just that, my dream, not my memories. I will still be longing to follow those lifelong dreams. My desire to travel will still be there, still be an unfulfilled desire, just like other years. Change will only come if I make it a priority and consciously make steps to make it happen. "If it is to be its up to me" It will only happen if I stop making excuses for my self and others, take control of the situation, pick up the phone and get going. Perhaps I should start packing...but maybe I am getting ahead of myself, better get my passport updated first.
"No one can keep you down but yourself."
Resolutions usually start out with great enthusiasm, and are destined to fail. I recently read that over 95 % of resolutions fail within 30 days. The most common resolutions involve loosing weight, get in shape, and to quit smoking. Do you ever notice the advertisements at the beginning of January, the papers and radio waves are full of weight loss programmes being offered for a special price, gym memberships, hypnosis for quitting smoking, the offers are everywhere.
"Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow
what should have been done the day before yesterday"
We need to reprogramme our minds with positive messages. We need to encourage our selves and avoid those with negative messages who try to hold us back from our dreams. A shrewd suggestion is to find an accountability partner; some one you can meet with regularly, who will hold you accountable for achieving your goals, each step of the way.
First; commit to the change, write it down, make note of why you desire to make these changes, then post your list where you can see it daily, in the car, on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge.
Second; remember your big dream, and realize that it will likely require you to stretch and become someone you have never been. Every goal needs a plan, a step by step map detailing exactly what is needed to meet that goal.
Thirdly; you need to schedule time to work on your goal. Daily implement the steps you have determined necessary to reach this goal, spend time reflecting on the process you are taking and the results they will achieve.
Goals can and should involve multiple areas of you life, your social life, your career, your health, your personal life, your financial situation. Take time to write a detailed analysis that best describes your present situation in each of these areas, then take time to imagine how you will feel after you successfully reach each level of achievement, and eventually how exiliterating it will be as you accomplish each goal.
So, what are you doing this year, are you committed to taking the plunge and making changes to accomplish your dreams? Making life style changes to improve your health and well being? Are you good at keeping resolutions? If you have decided that this is the year to do it then;
Dream it , Believe it and Do it.
The ArtsCan Circle was inspired by the work of Mike Stevens, a multi-talented harmonica player who had been traveling to Native communities in Labrador, at his own expense, to share his music and distribute hundreds of harmonicas in an effort to help his young listeners discover music for themselves.
The ArtsCan Circle organizes on-going visits by musicians and artists who share their creative resources. Several volunteers have had the opportunity to travel to the two Innu communities of Nataushsish and Sheshatshiu in Labrador where Mike started this whole idea. Nataushish is the re-located Davis Inlet, a community widely recognized for its problems. The children truly appreciate the chance to make music and, at least for a little while, escape the troubles of their daily lives.
