Sound Wisdom Blog
The Creative Mind: An Exclusive Excerpt from Charles F. Haanel’s The Master Key System
The subconscious can and will solve any problem for us if we know how to direct it. The subconscious processes are always at work; the only question is, are we to be simply passive recipients of this activity, or are we to consciously direct the work? Shall we have a vision of the destination to be reached, the dangers to be avoided, or shall we simply drift?
Controlling the Creep by Jim Stovall
You may have heard it said that something imagined in one generation can be considered possible in the next generation and can become a reality in the third generation. I would define this as culture creep, and it can be either good or bad. My late, great friend and colleague Paul Harvey often said, “Not all that we call progress is progress.” Everything that is new is not necessarily new and improved. We need to be aware of and control this type of creep in our own personal and professional lives.
The Art of Entrepreneurship by Jim Stovall
In The Art of Entrepreneurship, readers will discover who should be an entrepreneur and who should not, the truth about myths entrepreneurship, and the quickest and most reliable ways to succeed while avoiding the pitfalls that sidetrack many would-be entrepreneurs. The Art of Entrepreneurship offers real-world experience coupled with Dr. Schneider’s cutting-edge research.
Small Details and Big Results by Jim Stovall
Rarely do we ever make a 100% improvement. We, instead, make one hundred 1% improvements. It’s the small details that produce tiny margins that can make all the difference. If you think about why you do business with the companies and individuals you choose to spend your money with, many times you will realize that their products and services may be no different than their competitors, but you chose them because of some small gesture or minor convenience they offer that made all the difference to you.
The Miraculous Mirror by Jim Stovall
We spend far too much time in our lives worrying about what everyone thinks of us when in reality, it is far more important what we think of ourselves. While a mirror can only give us a basic reflection of ourselves as we are viewed by the world, it can be the beginning of a deeper assessment of who we are and who we can become. As a blind person, I’ve always been troubled to hear people say, “I’ll believe it when I can see it.” Then one day, I realized the fallacy of that statement, and I discovered the divine paradox that, “We have to believe it first, then we will see it later.” Therefore, seeing is not believing, but believing is the first step in seeing on a far deeper level.
“The Art of Concentration” by Napoleon Hill
Your ability to train your memory, or to develop a desired habit, is a matter solely of being able to fix your attention on a given subject until the outline of that subject has been thoroughly impressed upon the “sensitized plate” of your mind.
The Most Crucial Trait for Success Is Also the Most Underdeveloped One: An exclusive excerpt from Napoleon Hill’s Self-Confidence Formula
What is the most crucial trait for determining an individual’s success in life?
Desire?
Definiteness of purpose?
Faith?
A positive mental attitude?
What if there were a quality whose presence energized all these other success requisites—and whose absence rendered them innocuous?
The Wonders of Praise by Earl Nightingale
Understanding the importance of self-esteem and seeing the never-ending need for reaffirmation of a person’s worth, we should make it our business to watch for honest opportunities to give praise—especially to the members of our families and those with whom we work.
Why Is Stress a Problem for Your Health and Productivity? by Eliz Greene
We can’t alleviate all stress, and we wouldn’t want to even if we could. Some stress is natural and necessary; it is what gives us the zing of energy to get things done. The zing is the result of the hormone cortisol flooding the system when the body detects danger or stress. Cortisol quickens reactions, increases pulse and blood pressure, and even thickens the blood (to prevent bleeding to death in case of injury).
Trouble comes when that zing becomes a constant thrum, continually triggering the cortisol response rather than allowing it to ebb and flow as we need it. Thicker blood, higher blood pressure, and increased pulse all make the heart work harder, which is why prolonged high stress doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Keeping the Luster in Your Life by Earl Nightingale
A Chicago executive once told me how he maintained the luster in his job, how he charged his batteries during the early days of his career. Whenever over-familiarity with his product and service or the negativity of some of his prospects or associates began to undermine his enthusiasm for what he was selling, he’d simply make a service call on one of his best customers. There he could reassure himself of the excellent results being realized through the use of his company’s products. Then my friend would head out again with renewed confidence in himself, in his ability to be of service, and in the benefits he could deliver to every new prospect.
The Year 2020 by Jason Hewlett
“Worst year ever!”
“Can’t wait until this one’s over!”
“The dumpster fire that is 2020.
Plenty of lines and ways to describe a most indescribable year.
We’ve heard them all, and said most of them, in an effort to put into words what has been experienced.
The Mystery of Life by Jim Stovall
In psychological studies of happiness and satisfaction, researchers found that people with predictable and mundane lives were unhappy, but, ironically, people with some of the most adventurous and unpredictable lives were also unhappy. As in most things, the researchers found that people with a moderate amount of adventure combined with periods of stability were found to be the happiest and most fulfilled.
The Importance of a Good Morning Routine by Jennifer Janechek
The key to a successful, energizing day is a good morning routine. Not only does it set the tone for the entire day, but it creates physical and cognitive changes that ripple outward, giving you positive momentum. Below are some tips for setting yourself up for success with a life-giving morning routine:
The Gift of Giving by Jim Stovall
During these difficult times, we need to re-evaluate and reset our lives. In a post-pandemic world, there will be many people and causes that need your time, talent, and resources. Determine to become a giver and you will never regret it.
Tomorrow Never Comes by Jim Stovall
These weekly columns have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online publications for well over 20 years. I try to create a variety of topics, themes, and subjects, but every column every week ends with the phrase, “Today’s the day.” The world belongs to the person who will set a course and begin moving toward their goal today. Those timid individuals who over-plan, overanalyze, and conduct the most trivial preparations right up to the point where they fail to launch are a huge waste of human potential.
Three Self-Assertiveness Strategies to Gain More Power and Influence by Adrean Turner
During my tenure as a corporate employee in the manufacturing division of a Fortune 500 company, I was often the only female in team meetings. I knew that speaking up and communicating ideas effectively were important for my success. I could never become a member of the “good ol’ boys club,” but I could influence their respect for me and their perception of my contributions to organizational goals.
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.
Five Ways to Free Up More of Your Time as a Small Business Owner by Jennifer Janechek
Far too often, small business owners find themselves in a position where they are spending more time working in their business than on it. They aren’t able to expand or develop their organization because they are losing too much time to the day-to-day tasks that should be delegated to other employees. They miss important family experiences because they have not automated their business operations. They feel like they are chained to their organization, unable to enjoy the freedom that should come along with owning your own business.
Get Into Position and Excel! By Adrean Turner
There are certain aspects of success that involve chance or luck. For instance, someone you know has a personal relationship with a hiring manager of a company that you want to join. They provide a referral, and you are able to bypass the cumbersome online application process and receive an immediate interview. That’s a benefit of chance.