Finding Value in the Moments by John C. Shin

One of my greatest desires is to find value in the moments that make up my day. I strive to maximize opportunities as they come up and take action whenever possible. When I set these intentions, I accomplish more, feel better, and consistently advance toward my goals. By breaking things down to this lowest common denominator and living life moment by moment, my life has changed for the better. 

Without desire, shepherding an idea from development to the finish line is unlikely. Desire is a driving force. It stimulates our imagination and fuels us to move forward, to gather information, and to act. 

Napoleon Hill was a master at explaining the basic principles of success. He surrounded himself with successful people, extracted their knowledge about success, and created a path for others to follow. 

He recognized how negativity and the day-to-day struggle for survival can sap our energy and extinguish our desires. But he also saw how successful people funnel energy into success, achievements, and the pursuit of their dreams.  

Like everyone, I don’t enjoy every job I must do. But I do them anyway, having learned that even seemingly mundane tasks develop a work ethic that leads to more significant opportunities like my role as the executive producer of the movie Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy, a docudrama based on Hill’s book. 

My involvement with this exciting project started when I read the book, but it was my desire to do something more that led to this fantastic life experience.  

Desire is the spark that ignites us and takes us from dreaming to doing. Desire is powerful! Let’s break it down. 

D = Dreams 

All achievements are created twice. First, in the mind of the creator. Then, in tangible form. 

A book begins as a collection of thoughts and ideas. A building starts as a vision in the mind of the architect. The Wright brothers dreamed of flying. Their desire to achieve something that everyone else thought was impossible helped them overcome every obstacle in their path. We all know how that story ended. 

Embrace your dreams. Let your imagination soar. Dreams are the foundation of desire. In dreams, nothing is impossible. 

E = Energy 

Desire is such a dominant force because it contains energy. Energy has the power to move us. It has the power to uproot mountains, literally. Energy provides heat, light, and sound. It stirs the senses and touches our souls. It’s like a magnet that attracts what we want if we are open to giving and receiving it. 

S = Spirit 

When you watch young children playing, you’re witnessing pure spirit in action. Spirit is the carefree attitude that places you squarely in the moment without regard for what anyone else thinks. Spirit is your life force on display, a pipeline to your soul. 

We desire things because they resonate with us, stir our emotions, energize us, and lift our spirits. 

I = Individual 

Every human being is unique, even identical twins. Every desire is also individual, though on the surface they may appear to be the same. You may desire a red Ferrari like the one your neighbor has, or a car like one you saw driving down the road, or a car you have on your dream board. Underlying your desires for this car are unique reasons why. Desire is personal and specific to the individual. 

Be clear about the reasons why you desire something, and disregard all others. When you do, the intensity of your desire grows. 

R = Riches 

What does being rich mean to you? For most people, it involves money. All the money in the world doesn’t equate to happiness and is generally a poor measurement of success. Less is, quite often, more. 

Richness may mean freedom, the flexibility of working for yourself or working from home. Riches could be a close family, being surrounded by people you love. Or pursuing your dreams, accomplishing your goals, knowing who you are, and being at peace with yourself. Or it could be money. Lots and lots of money. And that’s okay too. 

E = Execution 

All your wants, wishes, and plans are worthless without execution. Until you put the wheels in motion and begin creating a tangible version of your dream, it will remain locked in your mind. The tragedy is that unrealized desires don’t benefit anyone, including yourself. 

So, take that first step. Get in touch with your inner child, the kid who did everything with great enthusiasm and spirit! You can do it again. 

Desire leads to a belief, which leads to action. It provides the necessary support to square off with fear and takes it down with a solid one-two punch. Best of all, clearly defined desire adds energy to your dreams and moves you toward them with clarity and conviction. 

Pick up your copy of John C. Shin’s How Rich Asians Think: A Think and Grow Rich Publication, an official publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, from these and other fine retailers: 

Amazon: http://ow.ly/uwqA50xDAiH 
Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/5P2R50xDAiG 
Books-a-Million: http://ow.ly/WCp050xDAiJ 
Porchlight Books: http://ow.ly/C37550xDAiI 

Change Your Habits with Three Simple Steps by Adrean Turner

Are you spending more time on the Internet and not enough time dreaming or actually “living” your life? Do you shop more and save less? Perhaps you struggle to see the glass as refillable. Bad habits are the easiest to identify because we typically feel guilty either during or after them. 

Often new habits are formed when we make small improvements for our overall well-being, whether that’s healthy eating, positive thinking, or exercising. However, habits are more than just a form of self-care. They can shape our identities and help us achieve major career goals. This is an idea that behavior modification expert James Clear covers in his recent book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. When we want to make a career move—whether it’s getting a promotion, changing companies, or starting a business—we’re not just taking actions to achieve a goal; we are becoming a new person. 

To change your habits for greater clarity, productivity, and results, implement these three steps: 

1. REPEAT your new habits. Consistency is key. Studies show that it takes at least 21 days to eliminate a bad habit and create a new, positive habit. Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievement. Repetition will make new habits a reality. 
   Bad habits are powerful because you don’t even think about them. You just do them. 

2. REPLACE your bad habit with something else. For instance, if you’re trying to be more positive, when negative thoughts arise recite affirmations or inspirational quotes. Perhaps your goal is to eat healthier. Substitute those salty, high-calorie snacks with fruit. Think about what your bad habit gives you and find a replacement that provides the same benefit. You have to be purposeful. 
   Habits don’t have a lot of thought behind them—they’re almost like reflexes. 

3. REMOVE your triggers. If you smoke, stay away from the places you always smoke. If you’re trying to save money, avoid the places that tempt you to spend a lot of money. Better yet, automatically send your “shopping budget” to a savings account when you get paid. 

 Bad habits are like a comfortable bed. They are easy to get into but hard to get out of. But IT IS POSSIBLE to achieve what you believe and work for. 

This post originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. 

Adrean Turner is an author, certified career coach, speaker, professional development trainer, and business consultant. She leverages 23 years of experience in management, marketing, operations, teaching, and training to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to achieve their maximum potential. For more information and inspiration from Adrean, read her book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. You can follow Adrean on Twitter @coachADREAN, on Facebook @coachadrean, on Instagram @coachadrean, and on YouTube @CoachAdrean. 

Are You in the Work-at-Home Doldrums? Here Are 5 Strategies That Will Help by Jennifer Janechek

This article originally appeared in Thrive Global.

As any remote worker or entrepreneur knows, working from home can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, your schedule might be more flexible, with opportunities to squeeze in chores or childcare responsibilities in between work commitments. On the other hand, it’s easy to fall into a rut and feel disconnected from the other people in your organization—or, if you’re a solopreneur, to lose the drive and energy necessary to maintain your momentum. 

When you feel like all you’re doing is slogging away at your tasks, you’re not particularly excited about the work that you’re doing, you feel fatigued—or perhaps restless—by the early afternoon, and your productivity has declined as a result, you’ve entered what I refer to as the work-at-home doldrums. It can be difficult to pull yourself out of the listlessness and lack of motivation that are characteristic of the doldrums. It requires a conscious effort to make a change to your daily habits and your work rhythm. Below are five strategies for regaining your dynamism: 

1. Identify your great motivating desire.  
   One of the advantages of working in an office setting is that you’re surrounded by people who can boost your energy and inspire you when you’ve lost your verve. (Of course, if your team tends toward the negative, the opposite can happen too.) When you’re working remotely and/or independently, it can be easy to lose sight of your guiding purpose and become enmeshed in the minutiae of the day to day. If you’ve been feeling unmotivated lately, take some time to reflect on your great motivating desire. Napoleon Hill said that “the subconscious mind may be likened to a magnet, and when it has been vitalized and thoroughly saturated with any definite purpose it has a tendency to attract all that is necessary for the fulfillment of that purpose.” To attain that definiteness of purpose, journal daily about your long-term goal and your reasons for wanting it. Rather than just writing a bullet-point to-do list, take time each morning to contextualize your daily tasks in the scope of your motivating desire. Doing so will give you the purpose and energy you need to pull yourself out of the work-at-home doldrums, for as Earl Nightingale explained, “The key that unlocks energy is desire.” 

2. Add exercise to the mix. 
   I have noticed that on the days that I skip my workout in the interests of “getting more done,” my productivity plummets, along with my energy levels. Depending on your work-at-home situation, you might be able to arrange your schedule so that you can fit in a 30-minute workout somewhere in your workday. Doing so is a surefire way to regain mental clarity, enhance performance, and reignite your passion for your responsibilities. Determine what works best for you: for some, exercising first thing in the morning helps drive their motivation for the rest of the day; for others, taking a mid-day exercise break enables them to step away from their work and get the energy boost they need to return to their work refreshed. 

3. Reconfigure your work rhythm. 
   I’ve written previously on the importance of creating a daily work rhythm. Charting the ebbs and flows of your energy levels and time-blocking your activities to suit your biological and emotional rhythms is a very effective way to maximize your productivity and not feel drained at the end of your workday. However, maintaining the same routine for too long a period of time can have the reverse effect, causing you to fall into a rut. If you feel like you’re just going through the motions, it might be time to switch up your routine. Answer e-mails at the end of the day instead of at the beginning, move your planning and creation period to the early morning instead of the late afternoon, call clients after lunch instead of before it—reconfigure your schedule so that you’re doing different “types” of activities at different times of the day than you normally do. 

4. Change your workplace. 
   Sometimes all it takes to regain your momentum is to change where you work—even for a day or two. If you can do some or all of your tasks at a local coffee shop or library instead of in your home office, the change of scenery might help give you the mental space you need to refocus on your action items. What’s more, getting out and around people can boost your energy and help you get excited about adding value to others’ lives. 

5. Schedule a regular call with a team member. 
   One of the biggest complaints from entrepreneurs with home offices and remote workers is a sense of isolation. These feelings of loneliness and disconnection, coupled with anxieties about not appearing busy enough to those in a central office, can really take a toll on your productivity and, more detrimentally, your emotional health. Scheduling a regular time to check in with a team member via phone or video call will help you feel more connected and energized. In addition, talking through your current projects will help lessen any concerns about the quality and quantity of your contributions.   

Whether you are growing your business out of your home office or are working remotely for a larger organization, it’s likely that you’ll experience the work-at-home doldrums at some point in your career. Knowing how to identify when you’re in them and implementing strategies to free yourself from them will be a crucial part of your success journey. 

How do you avoid the work-at-home doldrums—or pull yourself out of them once you’re in them? We want to hear from our readers! 

Happy Birthday by Jim Stovall

The United States celebrates its birthday on the 4th of July with fireworks, family, friends, food, and a midsummer holiday. It is important to remember why we celebrate.  

The United States of America is a beacon of hope and possibility for people around the world. As a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we are imperfect because we are people. We make mistakes, we disagree, and we debate, but like any other family, we have always pulled together and united whenever confronted or threatened.  

Election cycles leave a lot of Americans disappointed and disillusioned. It is important, though, that we focus our feelings of discontent into positive and productive pursuits. If you did not like the last election results, midterm campaigns are already organizing, providing you with an outlet for your efforts and energy.  

Democracy is an exercise in compromise, which inevitably means that no one gets all of what they want, but all of us get some of what we want. Just as in our legal system, we derive our closest version of truth and justice by having a jury of citizens evaluate and decide between two opposing positions, our government functions best when the various factions work out their differences in the public forum.  

Democracy is never efficient, clean, nor streamlined, but it is the best chance we humans have to provide everyone with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You can find a smooth, efficiently-running government in North Korea. For example, a completely new policy can be imagined in the morning, drafted during the day, and implemented by nightfall. There will be no debate, dissent, or dispute—but I can’t imagine anyone in America wanting to trade our turmoil for that brand of false tranquility.  

Even in the midst of the most turbulent political process in recent memory, this grand ideal we call America worked well. Our greatness is symbolized and lived out when one administration relinquishes control and voluntarily turns it over to an incoming administration even though the two groups may be polar opposites and diametrically opposed to one another. Our system is not always comfortable or attractive. It is simply the best one the world has ever known. 

As you go through your day today, celebrate what America is and what it can be. 

Today’s the day! 

---

This and other motivational pieces by bestselling author Jim Stovall can be found in his Wisdom for Winners series, each title in which is an official publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Listen to these inspirational collections of Stovall’s writings now on Audible: Wisdom for Winners: A Millionaire Mindset, Wisdom for Winners Volume 2, and Wisdom for Winners Volume 3.

Achieving a Better Work-Life Blend in 2019 by Jennifer Janechek

In his forthcoming book, Motivate THIS!: How to Start Each Day with an Unstoppable Attitude to Succeed Regardless of Your Circumstances, Steve Rizzo writes: “If you put most of your time and energy into one area, you run the risk of leaving the other unfulfilled. This is especially common among high achievers.” According to Rizzo, it’s important that we dedicate quality time to our work, but a problem arises when this work interferes with what he terms our “cherished values.” Examples he gives of such core values include spending more time with family, establishing technology (and work)-free personal times, and engaging in activities that satisfy our spiritual and emotional needs. 

Rizzo encourages readers to brainstorm what activities feed their spiritual and emotional selves and to shift their priorities so that they can achieve a better work-life blend. Using his prompts, I identified three goals related to my core values: spending more time being fully present with my family (a.k.a. not scrolling Instagram, checking e-mail, or worrying about professional commitments), dedicating time each day to personal enrichment through reading parenting and self-improvement books, and committing to 30 minutes of regular exercise each day. 

Next, I needed to determine how I spend my day and evaluate each of my responsibilities to determine whether they are bringing me closer to, or pushing me away from, my cherished values. Once I mapped out my daily activities, I used Rizzo’s three “free-will will questions” to scrutinize my commitments: 

1. Will there be personal consequences to this choice I’m making? 

2. Will this choice affect others, now and in the future?

3. Will this choice make me happy, now and in the future?  

By applying Rizzo’s free-will will questions to each of my regular activities, I was able to determine which commitments are worth the time they require and which ones could be cut or reorganized in order to free up more time for living out my cherished values. The interesting this is, deep down I already knew which pursuits didn’t align with my core values and needed to be cut, but journaling responses to these questions gave me the motivation I needed to implement much-needed changes. 

So in 2019, I’ll be saying “no” to voluntary side commitments unless they specifically align with my goals; repurposing the time I lose to Internet surfing while I drink my morning coffee, instead dedicating those first 30 minutes of the morning to reading personal development and parenting books; and implementing 2-hour power work sessions, using one work break for a 30-minute workout or running session. 

I am excited to implement these new habits because I firmly believe they will enhance my professional success while also encouraging a significantly better work-life blend. So, win-win, right? I found Rizzo’s book very helpful in enabling me to see that it’s possible—and, in fact, completely necessary—to cultivate both areas of your life at the same time. I hope it will do the same for you! 

Read more advice on how to motivate yourself to identify and live out your values and then shift your priorities accordingly in Steve Rizzo’s Motivate THIS!, available for preorder now. 

What resolutions do you have for 2019? Do any of these relate to work-life balance? If so, how do you plan to shift your priorities to live a life that more directly reflects your cherished values? Share in the comments below!

Motivate THIS!: How to Start Each Day with an Unstoppable Attitude to Succeed Regardless of Your Circumstances will be released on February 19, 2019, but you can preorder your copy now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and other fine retailers.

How to Stop Making Excuses and Excel by Adrean Turner

It’s the time of the year when you’ve most likely created a list of resolutions. You are determined that this time will be different. You won’t quit. You won’t get distracted. You’re going to stick with your plan for a new start. However, sadly enough the odds aren’t in your favor. According to U.S. News, approximately 80 percent of resolutions fail by the second week of February. What’s the common denominator? Excuses.  

For most individuals, it’s much easier to think of ways something can’t be done versus how it can be done. Many of us have a series of excuses that we can pull out of a hat at a moment’s notice. We make excuses mostly to protect ourselves and to justify our current circumstances. But these limiting beliefs hinder our chances for success. Consider these excuses and commit to the solutions: 

1. “I DON’T KNOW HOW.” This common excuse gives you permission to not even try.  

• SOLUTION: Get support. At no time in the history of mankind has there been so much information and resources available. Want to start a charity? There are hundreds of books on the subject. Need to lose 100 lbs.? There are thousands of CDs, videos, and blogs to support you. Want to change careers? Consult a coach or mentor. Or simply try and then adjust your approach based on your results. 

2. “I’M AFRAID.” Who hasn’t been afraid to try something new, to step out of the box, to move beyond their comfort zone? Most of our fears are socially based and have no real consequences. 

• SOLUTION: Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen. Once you have determined the worst-case scenarios, you’ll realize that the fear is a disguise to kill your dreams and stifle your growth. Then list the best things that can happen. You’ll recognize that your success is more important than the fears that are holding you back. 

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and FOCUS on what could go right!”  —Coach Adrean  

3. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.” If your heart is in it, then you will make the time for what’s truly important to you. 

• SOLUTION: Create a list of the things you do on a daily basis from the moment you awaken until the end of the day. Record your activities in 15-minute blocks. Include everything from talking on the phone, surfing the Internet, to watching television. After doing this for one week, most people are able to find at least three hours to dedicate to a new activity or adventure.  

4. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.” There is usually a way to work around a lack of financial resources. 

• SOLUTION: Find alternatives. For example, if you’re looking to increase your skills but can’t afford college tuition, there are other ways to enhance your credentials. For instance, volunteer at a nonprofit organization, get certification in a particular skill, or intern for a small company on your days off. If you are a business owner, consider bartering (trading your services or products). There is always a way. You just may have to work a little harder to find solutions to support your growth. 

“If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” —Coach Adrean 

5. “IT’S TOO LATE FOR ME.” It’s never too late to become what you might have been. A person climbed Mount Everest in his eighties. People have gone back to medical school in their sixties. Getting a late start might be less convenient and more challenging, but there’s nothing wrong with that. 

• SOLUTION: Figure out what interests you, influences you, and motivates you. Build a plan for the challenges that are really important to you and take one step at a time to complete your goals. 

6. “IT’S TOO HARD.” Some endeavors are certainly more difficult than others. But claiming that something is “too hard” is really just another way of admitting that you’re afraid. People with limited resources and talent can still be extremely successful. 

• SOLUTION: Set your mind on success! Those with motivation and stamina are really the ones who succeed. Get an accountability partner. Read encouraging stories. Practice affirmations. Do what’s necessary to keep your thoughts and energy centered on a successful outcome. 

“The way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” —Coach Adrean 

Your success is dependent on effort. No action, no results. Break your tasks into small assignments and keep going until you’ve achieved your goal. It’s time to make some changes. Transformation isn’t always easy, but it is necessary for your success. Remind yourself of the reasons why you started in the first place. And have the courage to put aside your excuses and go after what you truly want. You’ll be glad you did! 

Train your brain to take actions to make your goals a reality through positive thinking. Download Power Thoughts with self-reflection activities to stay F.I.T.™ (Fearless. Inspired. Transformed.) and gain greater success. 

This post originally appeared here on www.coachadrean.com. Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success.

Creating Overachievers by Jim Stovall

In our society, there is a constant, never-ending struggle for normalcy. We seek to fit in at all costs. The advertisers tell us what we should look like, feel like, and smell like, and there is not enough of a premium placed on becoming outstanding.   

When we study the lives of overachievers, we find that many of them were faced with a disadvantage or a disability of some type that made it harder for them to be considered normal.  

In most cases, these overachievers were simply working harder than the rest of the world to be considered normal. But a funny thing happened to these overachievers on their way to normality. It is called greatness. 

It is important for us to understand that greatness comes not from being ten times better than anyone else, or even twice as good. It comes when we are willing to invest just a little more of ourselves toward the task at hand.  

If you were to study the biographies of the great overachievers in history, you would find that each of them had a turning point in their lives where they veered off from what we call “average” and became great. In most cases, this turning point comes in the form of a disappointment, a disadvantage, or a disability. 

The next time you are faced with a difficult challenge in your life, try viewing it as one of these turning points that can put you on the path toward the greatness for which you have been destined. 

In the Chinese language, symbols are used to express thoughts and ideas, and not just individual words. The symbol for crisis has long been identified with the ancient Chinese mariners who viewed crisis as “opportunity on a dangerous wind.” The same stormy seas that threaten to founder our ship can often propel us toward a Promised Land that we never before imagined. 

Today’s the day!

This and other motivational pieces by bestselling author Jim Stovall can be found in Wisdom for Winners Volume Two, an official publication of the Napoleon Hill Foundation. 

Set Goals and Succeed by Adrean Turner

If you find yourself going over and over your decisions and doubting yourself, I’ve got a solution for you. You can experience a profound freedom from doubt and gain the confidence and energy you need to excel by setting goals. 

Setting goals is a way to chart a course for your success. It helps you identify your priorities, reflect your values, and reveal time-wasters, obstacles, and weaknesses so you know where to focus and how to get there. You’ll free up your mental resources for other tasks by making important decisions beforehand. 

Check out the video below to learn the five rules of goal setting! More information, strategies, and tips can be found in my book F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success. Order at major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble today! 

Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success, or visit www.coachadrean.com. 

6 Excuses That Limit Your Success by Adrean Turner

You’ve decided that 2018 is your year of acceleration in your life! You are determined that this time will be different. You won’t quit. You won’t get distracted. You’re going to stick with your plan for a new start. Maybe you even declared it a New Year’s resolution. Sadly, the odds aren’t in your favor. The fact is only a tiny fraction of people keep their resolutions. University of Scranton research suggests that just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals. What’s the common denominator? EXCUSES. 

For most individuals, it’s much easier to think of ways something can’t be done versus how it can be done. Many of us have a series of excuses that we can pull out of a hat at a moment’s notice. We make excuses mostly to protect ourselves and to justify our current circumstances. But these limiting beliefs limit our chances for success. Consider these excuses and commit to the solutions:

1. “I DON’T KNOW HOW.” This common excuse gives you permission to not even try.

• SOLUTION: Get support. At no time in the history of mankind has there been so much information and so many resources available. Want to start a charity? There are hundreds of books on the subject. Need to lose 100 pounds? There are thousands of CDs, videos, and blogs to support you. Want to change careers? Consult a coach or mentor. Or simply try and then adjust your approach based on your results.

2. “I’M AFRAID.” Who hasn’t been afraid to try something new, to step out of the box, to move beyond their comfort zone? Most of our fears are socially based and have no real consequences.

• SOLUTION: Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen. Once you have determined the worst case scenarios you’ll realize that the fear is a disguise to kill your dreams and stifle your growth. Then list the best things that can happen. You’ll recognize that your success is more important than the fears that are holding you back.

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and FOCUS on what could go right!

3. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.” If your heart is in it then you will make the time for what’s truly important to you.

• SOLUTION: Create a list of the things you do on a daily basis from the moment you wake up until the end of the day. Record your activities in fifteen-minute blocks. Include everything from talking on the phone, to surfing the Internet, to watching television. After doing this for one week, most people are able to find at least three hours to dedicate to a new activity or adventure.

4. “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.” There is usually a way to work around a lack of financial resources.

• SOLUTION: Find alternatives. For example, if you’re looking to increase your skills but can’t afford college tuition, there are other ways to enhance your credentials. For instance, volunteer at a non-profit organization, get certification in a particular skill, or intern for a small company on your days off. If you are business owner, consider bartering (trading your services or products). There is always a way. You just may have to work a little harder to find solutions to support your growth.

5. “IT’S TOO LATE FOR ME.” It’s never too late to become what you might have been. A person climbed Mount Everest in his eighties. People have gone back to medical school in their sixties. Getting a late start might be less convenient and more challenging, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

• SOLUTION: Figure out what interests you, influences you, and motivates you. Build a plan for the challenges that are really important to you and take one step at a time to complete your goals.

6. “IT’S TOO HARD.” Some endeavors are certainly more difficult than others. But claiming that something is “too hard” is really just another way of admitting that you’re afraid. People with limited resources and talent can still be extremely successful.

• SOLUTION: Set your mind on success! Those with motivation and stamina are really the ones who succeed. Get an accountability partner. Read encouraging stories. Practice affirmations. Do what’s necessary to keep your thoughts and energy centered on a successful outcome.

The way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Your success is dependent on effort. No action, no results. Break your tasks into small assignments and keep going until you’ve achieved your goal. It’s time to make some changes. Transformation isn’t always easy, but it is necessary for your success. Remind yourself of the reasons why you started in the first place. And have the courage to put aside your excuses and go after what you truly want. You’ll be glad you did!

Get more information and inspiration in Adrean’s book, F.I.T. for Success: Fearless, Inspired, Transformed for Success, or visit www.coachadrean.com.