Monthly Archives: January 2011

“Put Your Dream to the Test” by Dr. John Maxwell

What is the most dominant dream you think about? Would you like to know your odds of achieving it? In three minutes, you will know your answer.

As part of my desire to continue learning and growing, I attended a leadership event this past weekend hosted by Bob Burg and Paul Martinelli featuring three of my favorite teachers, Les Brown, Bob Burg, and Dr. John C. Maxwell.

Dr. Maxwell (internationally-respected leadership expert, speaker, and author) gave an insightful presentation on his book, Put Your Dream to the Test. He said, “The more valid reasons you have for achieving your dreams, the greater your odds will be of achieving them.”

He highlighted 10 important questions you MUST answer to test your dreams.

Are you ready to take the test? Pick ONE of your dreams. Got it? Now answer Maxwell’s 10 questions to determine if the odds are in your favor.

1.  Is my dream really my dream? If you want to achieve your dream, you must “own” it. It must be yours, not your parents’, teachers’, or anyone else’s. If the achievement of a dream is not of great importance to YOU, it’s unlikely that you will do what’s required to accomplish it.

2.  Do I clearly see my dream? What does it look like? The more specific you are on what your dream looks like, the more likely you will be to achieve it. This is one of the reasons I encourage people to cut out images of their “big” goals and dreams, create a collage, and look at it regularly. At first, you may only see a piece of your dream; but each day as you move closer, the clearer it will become.

3.  Am I depending on things within my control? This is when you have to be honest with yourself and determine if reaching your dream is within your control. Are you depending on others? If so, who? Do you have the talent, skill, or ability to make it come true? If not, can you develop what you are lacking?

4.  Do I have the energy to achieve it? This is the passion question. Think of your last great accomplishment. How much energy did it require of you? Is your dream important enough to you that you will put forth the energy necessary over the time period required?

5.  Do I have a strategy? I see very few people who take the time to put together a “real” plan to reach their goals. I am often left in awe, wondering, “How do you think you can achieve your goal without putting together a plan?” A plan outlines the things you must do in a prioritized sequence to achieve your desired outcome.

6.  Who do I have around me that can help me? Dr. Maxwell said, “A nightmare is a big dream with a bad team.” Who’s on your team to support, encourage, and help you? If you don’t have the right people on your team, identify people you admire and respect, then determine how they can help you.

7.  Am I willing to pay the price? This is when you have a gut check and ask yourself, “Am I willing to do what is required of me to see my dream come true?” The bigger your dream, the more it will require of you. Are you willing to put forth the effort, overcome the obstacles, and deal with the disappointments that you will face on your journey?

8.  Am I moving closer? This is the tenacity question. Am I closer to reaching my dream today than I was yesterday? Was I closer yesterday than the day before? Look at your to-do lists over the last week and identify the steps you have taken toward your dream.

9.  Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction? If you are not growing and developing yourself in the pursuit of your dream, it may be time to identify a new one. Your journey must be fulfilling.

10.  Does my dream benefit others? If so, who? Why? If your dream is all about your selfish desires, it’s unlikely that it will ever be realized. Zig Ziglar, the most recognized sales trainer in American history, said, “When you help enough other people get what they want, you will have everything you want.”

How many times did you answer “yes”? The more yesses you answered, the more on target you are to achieve your dream. Each of you has the capability to visualize a dream—one that is rewarding and beneficial—and most of you have the ability to accomplish it.

So what are the odds of achieving your dream? If they’re not high, what can you do to increase your odds? Do you need to put together a plan? Do you need to re-evaluate your commitment? Do you need a new support team?

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” -Karen Ravn

Let me encourage you to print this lesson and ask yourself these ten questions with every dream or goal you consider. Since we can’t reasonably pursue everything we desire, we need to be wise and focus only on the things that pass the test.

Dreams come from hidden desires and possibilities. Everyone has dreams that occupy their minds, but it takes determination, a practical plan, and consistent effort to achieve them. Pursue your dream; begin today.

33 Ways to Reduce and Prevent Stress

Stress is evident everywhere in our fast-paced world. It’s a mental, emotional, or physical strain caused by anxiety or overwork. We all feel stress and often suffer the results of it in some way or other.

What you are about to read can have a significant impact on the levels of stress you experience. This post is not about how to deal with stress; it’s about how to reduce and avoid it.

Most of the stress we experience can be broken down into three categories:

1.  Stress we can’t control—such as the loss of a job, loss of a loved one, or encountering major health challenges.

2.  Natural stress—such as what we feel when we set goals, push ourselves outside our comfort zones, and strive to get better.

3.  Stress we can control—such as being late to an appointment, having a breakdown in a relationship, or getting upset sitting in traffic.

When you identify and learn how to manage the things that create stress, you will experience improvements in every area of your life—from your relationships to your performance, from your health to your outlook on life.

Let me encourage you to print these 33 points and highlight the ones that you are determined to work on. The realization that you are in control of your stress is the foundation of stress management.

1.  Don’t over-commit. Whether in your personal or professional life, learn your limits and set boundaries. Know when to say “No!” Don’t take on more than you can reasonably handle.

2.  Avoid people who stress you out. If someone is a constant source of stress and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.

3.  Avoid heated topics. You know the topics that cause your blood pressure to rise, so learn to avoid them.

4.  Practice relaxation techniques. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response—a state of restfulness opposite to the stress response. When practiced regularly, you will enjoy a reduction in your everyday stress levels, benefit from a boost in your feelings of peace and serenity, and increase your ability to stay calm under pressure.

5.  Change how you view things. Practice viewing stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than getting stressed out about sitting in traffic, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite music or self-improvement CD, or just enjoy some quiet time.

6.  Practice positive thinking. How you think can have a profound effect on your emotional and physical well-being. People who maintain a positive attitude and practice positive thinking experience less stress than those who are pessimistic and negative.

7.  Anticipate problems. When issues arise, address them head-on before they escalate. The best way to avoid big problems is by addressing them when they are small.

8.  Express your feelings. When something or someone is upsetting you, learn to communicate your concerns in an open and respectful manner. Even if it’s just sharing what you are going through with a friend, you will likely feel better.

9.  Practice good time management. Every improvement you make in how you spend your time gives you greater control of your life and plays a small role in reducing your everyday stress levels.

10.  Don’t procrastinate. Putting things off until the last minute is a guaranteed way to increase your stress levels. Start doing what you know you should do when you know you should do it. Become a do-it-now person.

11.  Stop striving for perfection. We should push ourselves to improve and always do our best, BUT we need to know when something is good enough. On a scale of 1-10, start shooting for 8s and 9s.

12.  Look for the upside. When problems and challenges present themselves, look at them as opportunities for personal growth. The next time you are faced with a challenge, remember this African proverb: “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”

13.  Set aside relaxation time. Block out time each day to rest, relax, and recharge your batteries. Look at your daily schedule and identify one or more periods of time when you can take a break. Do something you enjoy during these blocks of time.

14.  Keep your sense of humor. Smiling and laughing are great ways to reduce stress.

15.  Exercise regularly. It is well documented that physical activity plays a key role in reducing the effects of stress on the body. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. A brisk walk can do wonders to reduce stress.

16.  Consume healthy food and beverages. When we nourish our bodies with healthy foods and beverages, our bodies are better prepared to cope with stress.

17.  Get enough sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep allows you to rest your mind and body. When you are tired and fatigued, you experience more stress than when you are fresh and full of energy.

18.  Use a to-do list. Writing down everything you need to do in a prioritized sequence is a huge stress reducer. When you are doing exactly what you should be doing in the exact sequence in which things need to be completed, you will feel more at peace.

19.  Don’t accept stress. Refuse to get stressed out. As an example, if you are feeling stressed because of everything you have to do, yet you are giving 100% of yourself and you are working on things in a prioritized sequence, say “I’m doing all I can do.” This is a conversation I have with myself several times each week as I consider all that I have to do.

20.  Put together a debt-reduction plan. Putting together a plan to decrease your debt will do wonders to reduce financial stress. Much of the financial pressure people live with is a result of not having a budget or plan.

21.  Build valued relationships. If you put an emphasis on building valued relationships, you will not only find greater enjoyment in life, but you will have fewer conflicts. Spending time with positive and encouraging people makes you feel better and reduces stress.

22.  Stop stressing over little things. So much stress comes from getting worked up over petty little things—such as the person driving slowly in front of you or listening to someone who has an opposing view on an insignificant subject. Use your self-control to ignore the little things that bug you.

23.  Learn to respond, not react. When something upsets you, don’t react in haste. Instead, pause and consider the best way to respond—a way that you will be proud of later.

24.  Write things down. Stop trying to remember everything; start taking notes or making lists. This frees the mind and, because you don’t need to remember things, you will feel a whole lot less stress.

25.  Don’t pick fights. You know the types of things that cause conflict. Unless it is something really important to you, learn to let it go.

26.  Plan ahead and arrive early. We have all experienced the stress of running late for an appointment. When you have to be somewhere at a specific time, plan ahead and arrive early.

27.  Stop expecting people to live by your rules. Dealing with unmet expectations is a huge source of stress. Make sure you set proper expectations for yourself. When you set expectations for others, make sure they understand them. Expecting people to fulfill your unspoken expectations is a sure fire way to get a dose of unwanted stress.

28.  Get organized. How do you feel when your home, car, or workplace is a mess, or when you are working on a project and can’t find things? Take the time to get organized, then do the little things each day to stay organized.

29.  Present yourself as being calm and in control. When you present yourself in this manner, you will feel less hurried and more confident, both of which will reduce the stress you feel.

30.  Learn to estimate how long activities take. Start tracking how long things take to complete. In most cases, the actual amount of time it takes to do something is more than you initially estimated. By clearly understanding how long an activity really takes, you can better control your schedule and commitments.

31.  Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control, including the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control, such as how you should respond to them.

32.  Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that we all make mistakes. Let go of anger, resentment, and negative energy by forgiving those who have hurt you.

33.  Be grateful. Take time each day to reflect on the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This will increase your happiness and help you keep things in perspective.

Let me encourage you to take some time and make a list of the things that cause you to feel stressed. As you look at each point, determine what you can do to reduce the stress it causes you.

As you go about each day, be aware of your stress levels and their sources. If watching the news impacts your stress levels, then stop watching it. If some of your choices are creating stressful situations, then learn from them and avoid them in the future.

Managing stress is all about taking control of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun.

What helps you reduce or avoid stress? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below this post.

Learning how to avoid and reduce stress is one of the most important skills you can master, not only for your own health and happiness, but also because of how your stress levels impact those close to you.

Be Present in Your Verbal Communications

Our relationships influence every area of our lives. From the friends we attract to the promotions we receive, all of our personal and professional success is built on relationships. This is why it is critical that we do the little things that nourish and strengthen our relationships with others.

Every day we interact with people. During these conversations, it is important that we be fully present and give people our undivided attention. If we aren’t careful, we can be distracted and run the risk of being viewed as rude, inconsiderate, and disrespectful.

Ten Subtle Ways to Be Present During a Conversation

Using Electronic Devices

1.  Avoid multitasking when on the phone. People aren’t stupid; they can tell when we are trying to do several jobs simultaneously. There are very few things that are a greater turn-off to me than when I am talking on the phone with people who are distracted because they are trying to multitask. When this happens, I pause and tell them I will wait until they are finished.

2.  Don’t answer the phone when speaking with someone. During a conversation, whether it’s in person or over the phone, we should resist the temptation to answer an incoming call. When we do answer the phone, we are implying that this call is more important than they are. The only exception for me is if it’s my wife or an urgent call I was expecting. During these rare occurrences, I apologize and quickly resume our conversation.

3.  Avoid scanning your phone for messages. When we are with people and pull out our mobile devices to scan for messages, we are basically saying, “I’m done talking with you, let me see what else I have going on.” When this is done in meetings, we are saying, “This discussion is of no interest to me.  What else can I accomplish while I sit through this boring presentation?”

4.  Take out the Bluetooth device when having in-person conversations. Remove your ear device and give your full attention to the person with whom you are speaking. Don’t make people think you are waiting for your phone to ring or that you are trying to listen to someone else.

5.  Give your full attention to the person speaking. A friend told me of his experience with this very subject. He said, “I knocked on my daughter’s door to talk with her about something important. She kept one eye on her computer while we talked and acted like she wanted me to hurry up and leave. I have seen this in the workplace and probably have done this or worse myself in the past.” Ouch! His comment hit me right between the eyes because I am just as guilty as his daughter. Don’t let the computer or the television destroy your communication.

Concerning Daily Encounters

6.  Avoid looking over people’s shoulders at social events. Have you ever been engaged in a conversation with someone who kept looking over your shoulder at other people? How did it make you feel? When we are in the middle of a conversation with people, let’s give them our full attention and use self-control not to look around.

7.  Keep your body language involved in the conversation. This past week, I attended several group meetings. Some were in a boardroom, some at dinner, and others in small group settings. In each meeting, I could tell who had an interest in the topic and who didn’t. During a very important discussion, one gal made it clear through her body language that she wasn’t interested. I’m certain that she had no clue as to the signs she was giving off, but they were obvious to those of us involved.

8.  Strive to be present in both body and mind in every conversation. My wife has accused me more than once of not being mentally present when she has been talking. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy for our minds to wander off, especially if the topic is not of personal interest. To avoid this, be intentional about giving those people with whom you are conversing your full attention.

9.  Pause and focus on the person you are greeting. Have you ever been introduced to someone at a social event or business meeting who seemed totally preoccupied with some activity beyond you? Remember how you felt the next time you meet someone. Take 5–10 seconds to smile, make eye contact, repeat his/her name, and offer a sincere greeting.

10.  Acknowledge people. Take yourself off autopilot and be intentional about acknowledging people wherever you are. If you are an introvert, like me, this requires an extra effort. Whether it’s your fellow students, co-workers, or neighbors, show people they are important by smiling, saying hi, waving, or whatever is appropriate.

When we intentionally give our full attention to those with whom we are interacting, we show through our actions that they are valued and important. When we show respect to people in this manner, our relationships improve, we feel better about ourselves, and our value to the market grows.

Let me encourage you to be intentional to give 100% of your attention to those with whom you are speaking.

There is no better way to show your interest in people than by giving them your undivided attention.

10 Tips to Getting Out of Debt

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to get out of debt?​ Are you tired of carrying the stress and pressure of being in debt? If so, are you willing to put together a plan and do whatever it takes to get out of debt?

Here are ten tips that will help you get out of debt:

1.  Get motivated. The only way you will get out of debt is if getting out of debt is important to you. Make a list of the reasons you want to get out of debt. Ideas might include: it’s putting pressure on your marriage; it’s putting stress on your body; you want to live a financially-responsible life; you want to be able to put your children through college; you want to save for retirement.

2.  Understand your debts. Identify and list all your debts showing the total due, the interest rate, finance charges, late fees, and over-the-limit charges. Then total all your debt, finance charges, and fees. By understanding your debt and associated fees, you will be able to make better decisions.

3.  Create a budget. Putting together and living by a household budget is critical to getting out of debt. Furthermore, it is part of living a financially-responsible life. If you don’t know how to put together a budget, click the link above and/or seek help from a respected friend or family member.

4.  Log every penny you spend. Carry a small notebook you can put into your pocket or purse or use your mobile device to log everything you buy, even if it is a $.50 candy bar. As you spend money, ask yourself “Is this absolutely necessary?” or “Is there a less expensive option?” At the end of the month, go over your expenditures and look for things you can eliminate the following month.

5.  Negotiate with your creditors. Call your creditors, explain your situation, and ask for their help. I have heard countless stories from people I know who have been successful in negotiating lower interest rates, having late fees reversed, skipping payments, and lowering monthly payments. You will often be amazed at what creditors will do to help you if you just ask.

6.  Increase your income. If you are working less than 40 hours a week, consider all options available to increase your hours. If you are already working 40 hours a week, consider a part-time job or side business. Above all, focus on increasing the value you bring to the market. As you build your value, your income will follow.

7.  Use cash instead of credit cards. Keep one card and use it only for emergencies or major necessities, such as your furnace or air conditioner breaking down. Put your credit card in a safe place and make a commitment not to use it for everyday purchases. Do not accept credit increases or cards from other credit card companies.

8.  Change your habits. Take a minute and consider some of your expensive habits, such as eating out, having an afternoon latte, drinking a diet soda every day, browsing through stores, or drinking with your friends after work. These little expenditures add up to big dollars.

9.  Pay off your debt with the highest interest rate first. Select the bill with the highest interest rate and pay it first. When it is paid off, close the account so you are not tempted to use it again. Continue this process, one account at a time, until all your accounts are paid in full. When using this method, measure your progress by watching your overall debt decrease.

There are other methods, such as the Debt-snowball Method, but paying your debts with the highest interest rates first is the smartest.

10.  Shop smarter. Stop paying retail prices for anything you buy. Start shopping at discount stores, thrift stores, and resale shops. Use shopping comparison websites such as Biz Rate, Price Grabber and Shop Zilla and make sure you are getting the best price for what you are buying.

If you are in debt, I challenge you to make the decision right now that you are going to put together a plan to eliminate your debt. Let today be the day you say, “Enough is enough, I am going to take control of my finances and get out of debt.”

If you are married or living with someone, let me encourage you to go through this process together. It is critical that you are both equally committed to ridding yourself of your debt. As you begin implementing your plan, you must hold yourself accountable and not allow exceptions.

If you are overwhelmed and not sure what to do, seek the help of a trained professional. Ask a respected friend, family member, or your accountant for a referral.

Do you have some practical ideas that can help people reduce their debt? What creative things have you been able to do to reduce your debt? Please share your insights in the comment section below this post.

You can’t control your life if you can’t control how you spend your money.

Decision Point: How to Respond to Negative Emails

Over the past year, I have focused on writing posts teaching people the little things they can do to achieve greater personal and professional success.

A respected friend, Don Yoakum, challenged me to write about what he calls “decision points”—real-life examples of how I make my decisions and implement these lessons into my life.

Yesterday, I received a demand email from the treasurer of the homeowners association where I own an investment property. It went like this:

Hi All,

The Homeowners Dues are due by Jan 15^th. Any payment after that will be subject to a late fee and interest as per our Rules and Regulations docs.

Please drop off or send your dues of $1200.00 for the year or . . .

My immediate reaction was negative. I thought, “How can you send me an email telling me I need to stop everything and cut you a check? You never sent me an invoice! Now, if I don’t write a check immediately, you are going to charge me a late fee and interest.”

My human side wanted to respond with the following email. (I must admit my human side has done this type of thing too many times.)

Sue,

Why are you sending this late notice demanding an immediate payment without prior notice? I will pay this bill when I pay all other bills on the 25^th of the month.

Todd

This type of email would have likely aggravated Sue and put her in a defensive position. She may have then sent me a demand email raising my blood pressure and resulting in another round of negative emails.

I then thought, “She’s a volunteer as part of the association doing the best she can. What good could come from sending her such an email?”

Instead, I said to myself, “I will treat her with respect and kindness and ask permission to pay this bill when I pay all my other bills.” Here is the email I sent her:

Hi Sue,

I hope you are doing well.  My tenants said they really like you.

This is the first notice I have received in reference to our annual fees. Did I overlook one?

Would you please allow me to pay this on the 25th, which is the date I pay my current bills each month?

I hope you have a great 2011.

Todd

Here was her response:

Hi Todd,

That’s not a problem. No, you did not overlook anything. I was away and because we changed secretaries the annual notice was never sent.

Your tenants are nice folk, too. I think everyone is settling in.

If you can get it to me before the 28th so I can deposit it before the end of the month, that would be great.

Happy New Year.

Sue

Here are the takeaways:

1. When you react negatively to a situation, it has a negative impact on your attitude. When I changed how I was going to respond, my attitude went from being negative to positive in just a few seconds. Remember, where your attention goes, so goes your emotional energy.

2. When I made the DECISION to send a friendly email, I felt better about myself. (I have sent negative emails in the past and not one of them made me feel proud.) When you do things that are right and good, you feel better about yourself.

3. From previous experiences, I know that if I had sent the negative email, I would have remained irritated after sending it, which would have been a waste of my time and emotional energy. When I sent the polite email, I continued on with my day and didn’t think about it again until I got her kind response.

If I had I sent the thoughtless email, I would no doubt recall the depressing experience the next time I saw her name in my email inbox. I would have avoided opening and reading her email until I was in a mental position to deal with the issue.

4. My relationship with her would have been damaged unnecessarily had I sent the negative email and her impression of me would have been tarnished. She might have also sent my email to the board members, asking how she should respond, which would have branded me poorly in all their eyes as well.

The next time someone does something that aggravates you, remember how you respond is your choice. The decision is yours alone. You can respond negatively, pick a fight, and suffer the consequences. Or you can choose to be kind, considerate, and respectful, and then enjoy the positive feelings of knowing you did the right thing.

Have you had similar experiences? If so, share them in the comments sections below.

The words in your emails say a lot about you and have the power to build up or tear down relationships.

14 Ways to Build Your Self-Esteem by Denis Waitley

Recently I listened to an interview between Denis Waitley*, one of the greatest teachers in human achievement and Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine. One of the questions Hardy asked Waitley was, “How can people improve their self-esteem?”

Waitley first defined the term by saying, “Your self-esteem is the deep-down, inside-the-skin feeling of your own worth, regardless of how you look or where you came from. It is the feeling of worthiness—just being glad you are you. It’s the feeling of identity—finding something unique about yourself. It has the feeling of competency—if I do something and it works out, it gives me the courage to do something more.”

Continuing, Waitley listed fourteen ways that people can strengthen their self-esteem.

1.  Lead with your hand. When you walk into a room always lead with your hand by offering a firm handshake. This gives you a feeling of self-assurance and indicates to others that you are confident in who you are.

2.  Make eye contact. Making eye contact indicates you are a caring person capable of holding the glass of another person.

3.  Offer Your Name First When meeting people, always introduce yourself by saying your name.

4. Smile. A smile indicates there’s a light on in your window and that you are a caring and sharing person inside.

5. Dress your best. Always dress your best—not necessarily in designer clothing—and take pride in how you look. It’s the outside of the package that draws people in.

6. Ask engaging questions. When you ask questions you are demonstrating your genuine interest in others.

7. Sit in front. When you attend meetings, sit up front and be an active participant.

8. Walk with confidence. Walk with a spring in your step—a certain type of charisma and feeling about yourself.

9.  Use a positive explanatory style. Listen carefully to how people describe themselves, as that often tells a lot about how people feel about themselves. Do they say negative things? Do they make excuses? Always explain yourself with a positive explanatory style.

10. Accept compliments. When you graciously accept compliments, you are accepting yourself for who you are rather than making excuses about yourself.

11. Keep your self-talk positive. We are all our own worse critics. No eyes are as critical as our own. We don’t like pictures and videos of ourselves. There is no voice or set of eyes that has the power to discourage like your own. Look for the good in you, not the bad, and when you look in the mirror count your blessings, not your blemishes.

12.  Look at what you do well. When things aren’t going well, look back at the things you have done well. When we focus on what’s good about ourselves, we feel good about ourselves. When we focus on our faults, mistakes and weaknesses, we naturally feel poorly about ourselves.

13.  Hang around the right people. Our circle of influence is our circle of influencers that have a powerful impact on how we feel about our abilities and ourselves. Hang around people with the same goals, rather than the same problems. Play with better golfers and bowlers. Spend your time with people who have been more successful in the same fields.

14. Expect good things from yourself. You will not do anything or reach any goal you don’t expect to achieve. Our expectations are at the root of all our achievements, and our achievements have a profound impact on how we view and feel about ourselves.

I encourage you to print out Denis Waitley’s list of ways to improve your self-esteem and read the linked Little Things Matter posts that edify his ideas. I then challenge you to be intentional about implementing each of them into your daily lives.

As you focus on building your self-esteem, remember the wise words from Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

When you concentrate on positive actions and attitudes, not only will you achieve greater personal and professional success, but you will also enjoy the powerful side effect of an improved self-image.

_______

* Denis Waitley has trained people from every walk of life, including Apollo astronauts and U.S Olympic athletes. He has sold more than 10 million audio programs and has written 15 books including two best sellers: Seeds of Greatness and Psychology of Winning.