Help! Help! Help!!!

I am the first person to hold my hands up and admit I am rubbish with anything technological, it just confuses me and can quite often make me cry or throw the lap top across the room. Or both for that matter.

Now when things are confusing or complicated you have a few options

1) Ignore it

2) Struggle through trying to sort it yourself

3) get help

Now unfortunately number one isn’t an option as  don’t think my business would last 5 minutes without e mails/website/online banking etc etc etc

I’ll admit I have tried number two quite a few times – and all I seemed to get out of that is a few more wrinkles and sleepless nights. It takes too much time, effort and stress and quite often I make very little progress. Its not a good use of my time and it just leaves me feeling frustrated and rather inadequate.

So I have finally gone for number three. You see I have signed up for a mentoring course. Having never run my own business before there is a lot of stuff I still need to learn and not just about computers! Is it cheap? Nope but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and admit you need help.

We all need support and direction every once in a while. is there something you are ignoring or struggling with? Look around I bet there is someone who can help, and yeah it may cost a bit of money. What about …..

A new course so you can get that promotion at work

A PT to help you get in shape

A cleaner so you have more time to spend with your family

An accountant so you don’t have to spend hours on your tax return

All these things will cost a bit of dosh but will get you to your goal a damn site quicker and a lot less stressed. Now I would say that is worth every penny

It’s nearly the weekend.

Some tips to help avoid that weekend blow out …….

Tips to avoid a weekend blow out

Many people have no trouble sticking to a healthy eating plan and getting to the gym Monday to Friday but come the weekend and all that hard work seems to go out of the window.

1)      When planning your weekday meals do Saturday and Sunday as well, try and stick to a plan as much as possible

2)      Allow yourself one treat meal over the weekend, know that that is your treat then you are less likely to have lots of treats

3)      Exercise doesn’t have to just be about the gym, plan in some fun activities – ice skating, horse riding, roller skating, climbing or even just get out with family and friends for a walk in the park.

4)      Find other ways to treat yourself over the weekend so rather than a take away and bottle of wine use the money you would have spent for a new lip gloss or gym top. Or even save the money each week and have a bigger shopping spree later on.

45 Life Lessons

I absolutely love this……

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.”

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don’t worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come…

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Time to re-start the Gratitude Journal

Things have been a little tricky recently and once one negative thought creeps in they can soon spiral out of control and become all you think about. With that in mind it is time to re-instigate my Gratitude Journal.

If you want to start attracting positive things into your life, you need to show your gratitude, appreciation and love for the people and things around you.

By acknowledging what you are grateful for you’ll become a deliberate attractor of positive vibrations.  As more of your thoughts and words become positive, you’ll start attracting more positive people and circumstances.

A Gratitude Journal is a great way to bring positivity in to your life

How to keep a gratitude journal

1) Choose a blank notebook or journal to write in every night. Keep this notebook next to the bed with a pen readily available.

2) Look for things during the day for which you are grateful. Make mental notes throughout the day. Notice how the gratitude journal shifts the focus to a more positive outlook.

3) Write five thing you’re grateful for each night before bedtime. Review the day and include anything, however small or great, that was a source of gratitude that day, e.g., a baby’s smile, a flower in bloom, or the smell of a newly cut lawn. Make the list personal. Write a few words about the five benefits or blessings. Be brief and increase the length as time progresses.

4) Begin looking everyday for the positive angle in all things. View obstacles as opportunities to appreciate.

5) Focus on the wonderful things in life to attract similar encounters in the course of the day. Use positive energy as a magnet to draw even more positive energy. Note these attractions in the gratitude journal.

Willpower – which approach do you take?

So you have decided on a goal and know exactly what you want and when you want it by. There is still one more decision to make – will it be the all nothing approach or everything in moderation approach?

Let’s take weight loss as an example. You have decided you want to reach a certain dress size will you be 100% compliant until you reach that goal or will you allow yourself ‘treats’ along the way?

Many willpower thinkers believe that there are times when you should go ‘cold-turkey’ as the problem with moderation is that it requires ad hoc decisions which need energy. For example, if every time you are tempted to eat cake you will have to make a decision whether to indulge or not. You expand energy in the process of deliberation, energy you could use for willpower.

The all or nothing approach needs 100% commitment, there are no exceptions. It’s a done deal and non-negotiable. You wont need to wrestle with that decision everyday making life easier.

On the other hand Dr Rankin believes that ‘deprivation in the mother of all failure’ therefore if we are too strict with ourselves we are most likely to weaken.  He prefers the approach of Graded Exposure where willpower is built up n small progressive steps.

1. Stand in front of the cake shop and look in the window
2. A few days later walk in to the cake shop but then immediately walk out
3. A few days later walk in to the cake shop and stay for a little longer but don’t buy anything
4. A few days later go in to the cake shop and buy 1 small item.

Rankin claims that with each step one develops the ability  to resist temptation when he or she wants to.

“As your confidence develops and you learn what it feel like to exercise self-control, more difficult situations can be confronted.” Rankin

What do you think? Which approach do you prefer to take?

My Top 5 Superfoods

Feeling tired, run down or just in the need for a bit of a boost? Maybe one of these ‘Superfoods’ could be the answer……….

Superfoods by definition they are calorie sparse and nutrient dense meaning they pack a lot of punch for their weight as far as goodness goes. They are superior sources of anti-oxidants and essential nutrients. Here are 5 of my favourite

SPIRULINA

Definition – Blue-green micro algae, grows at very fast rates and provides more nutrition per acre than any other crop.

Dosage – starting with ½ teaspoon going up to even 4 tablespoons a day for those who can take the cleansing effect

How to take – on its own if you can handle the taste! Or in smoothies/salads

Benefits – anaemia, diabetes, overeating, malnourishment, amazing source of protein, calming and high chlorophyll content.

WHEATGRASS

Definition – Young wheat sprouted from wheat grain before it grows into a glutinous monster. One of the most alkalising foods.

Dosage – 10z shot or level teaspoon of powder.

How to take – as a fresh juice or powder.

Benefits –high chlorophyll content, carries first class enzymes into the cells. Strong digestive properties. Also helps treatment of hypertension, anaemia, fatigue, PMS, diabetes, obesity.

AVOCADO

Definition – High content of good fats and oils.

Dosage – ½ or 1 each day

How to take – in salads, smoothies, on its own!

Benefits –remarkably satisfying. Contain folate, potassium, monostaurated fats and are very high in fibre. Diabetes sufferers can lower their triglycerides by up to 20%. Lower cholesterol. Great food for pregnant ladies.

CHIA SEEDS

Definition –The seeds of Salvia hispanica L. or “chia” from South and Central American. High in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds create a thick gel when soaked in water and provide the main ingredient in traditional endurance tonics

Dosage – approx.  about 2.5 tbsp. of dry seed a day

How to take – sprinkle in shakes, smoothies, salads, add to soups, scrambled eggs, stir frys etc

Benefits –reduce food cravings, feel fuller faster, high in omega 3, reduce blood pressure, have been shown to control blood sugar.

HEMPSEEDS

Definition – Claimed to be the most nutritionally complete food source in the world!

Dosage – 3-5 Tablespoons a day

How to take – buy whole or hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein powder, and oil.  Eat raw, add them to a salads, replace olive oil with hemp seed oil, add to shakes, smoothies etc

Benefits – high protein containing all of the essential amino acids, high amounts of fatty acids and fibre as well as containing vitamin E and trace minerals, balanced ratio of omega 3 to 6 fats.

Top 5 Tips for staying on track with your goals

1)      Identify exactly what you want and then break it down in to small achievable steps.  Long term or vague goals have less chance of success as you lose focus. Identify what you are going to do about the goal today, this week, this month. This will give you small targets to aim for and a far greater chance of getting there.

2)      Get organised. Success requires some element of planning and preparation. Things don’t just happen by chance. You want to lose weight? Then you need to plan your meals, plan your shopping list, plan your exercise schedule, plan what you will eat if going out for a meal, plan your snacks. Do you see a pattern? Yep…..plan, plan, plan

3)      Goal setting isn’t all about hard work. Make sure you reward yourself along the way.  Remember the first tip about small goals? Every time you achieve one of those make sure you reward yourself. These rewards don’t have to be big; new gym top, spa treatment or just some time out to yourself but make sure you take time to celebrate your success.

4)      Tell people. No one likes to admit failure so the more people you tell then the more likely you are to stick to your plan. Even better if those around you don’t think you will do it. There is no greater feeling than showing people just how good you are.

5)       Take responsibility. These are your goals and no one else is going to achieve them for you. By all means get support, but ultimately it is down to you. You want information then go out and find it, need a new skill then learn it, you hope to get better then practice. Don’t expect anyone else to do it for you. The amazing thing about life is that you can have anything you want as long as YOU are prepared to work for it.

Is it time to step out of your comfort zone?

Look back over the past week and try to remember how many times you have complained about some aspect of your life

• I am bored of my job
• I’m tired of being single
• I am skint
• My social life is rubbish
• I hate my body

Then ask yourself- what have you done to change any of these things over the last week, month year?

You see, the chances are that, in order to change any of these things, you are going to have to take some sort of chance or risk and the majority of people stay away from risk. We like to play it safe and stick to the things that are familiar and within our comfort zone. We want to make a comfortable living, have comfortable homes and go to comfortable jobs. This makes us feel safe and secure.

Now this isn’t a bad thing, but it can become a problem as life begins to lack excitement and passion. We learn to settle for everything being OK and forget how to push ourselves to achieve more.

The thing is, if you keep plodding on doing the same things then nothing will ever change. So all the things you are not happy with will continue to make you miserable.  For things to improve then you need to take a deep breath and step out of that comfort zone

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein.

Bored of your job – Go for a promotion, move to a new company, train in something completely different, leave.

Tired of being single – ask friends if they have any other single friends they can set you up with, join a dating site, get a new hobby and mingle among like-minded people, say yes to dates.

Skint – seek the help of a financial advisor, get a part time job, get a promotion, do a car boot sale.

Lack of social life – join a club, start a college night class, make the effort to invite friends out, say yes to all invitations even if they are not your thing – you never know what they may lead to.

Hate your body – check your nutrition, find some exercise you love, get a dog and go out walking.

Now I am not saying any of these things are easy, the thought of doing them may well scare you but it is only through doing these things that change even becomes possible.

Top tips for leaving your comfort zone

• Do it in small steps – What holds us back in our zone of comfort is often a fear, so facing that fear straight on might be overwhelming. Do one little thing each day that challenges you and the more you do it the more confident you will become.

 

• Focus on the positive – A lot of times we automatically play back our negative experiences and we forget about the positive memories and our previous, positive achievements. Avoid that trap. Let the good memories flow through your mind instead and let things become easier.

 

• Accept the Nervousness – Don’t try to control how you feel. You can feel nervous or uncertain and still move forward. Just repeat to yourself that no matter what happens, you can deal with it.

 

• Make Time – Carve out a section of your day for exploring new ideas and adventures.  Remember saying you are ‘too busy’ just means it is not a priority.

 

• No matter how nervous or anxious you feel ask yourself one question – ‘What will life me like if you don’t take this risk?’ Chances are the fear of things staying the same will be greater than the fear of the risk.

 

Once you take that first step out of your comfort zone the benefits will immediately become clear. You will begin to feel pretty chuffed with yourself, your confidence will grow which will enable you to take more risks, you will grow as a person and life will become more exciting.

I recently complained about a lack of social life, everything was work, work, work. So I made the decision to join a local club. I was so nervous about going along for the first time: new people, new activity, new place I had never been too. It would have been so easy to cancel and stay in my comfort zone. But I did it, I went along and it was great. All the worries about being the new person were totally unfounded and people were very warm and friendly. I can’t wait to go back again next week and I am so glad I took that step as now my social life can begin to change and improve.

So start today. Choose one thing you can do that is out of your comfort zone, it doesn’t matter how small it is, and do it! This not only takes you closer to your dreams and goals, but can help you set your sights higher. You may finally realize you can do everything you want.

 

 

 

Money Money Money

4 months ago I became officially self- employed and the last 4 months have been tough financially. After 17 years of working for others it is hard to not have the regular pay check coming in. As any self-employed person will understand, each month has been a challenge to ensure I have enough to cover the bills.

2013 is going to be different. I am coming up to the 2 year anniversary of Believe & Achieve being created and this is the year that rather than aim for just surviving financially I will be aiming for profit.

A lot of this is obviously down to marketing of the business and increasing customers but there is also the need to manage my finances better. ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’ is a great collection of stories written in the early part of the 20th century by George Clason.

The book has become an inspirational classic to millions of readers and despite being set thousands of years ago in the historical city of Babylon. The stories and principles seem just as relevant today as they did in ancient times. There are tales of how Arkad, the richest man of Babylon, achieved his wealth as well as tales of slaves buying their freedom and achieving their own wealth.

Here are the 7 key tips from the book that I will be applying to my finances this year

Step 1: Start Saving Now

Spend only 9 out of each 10 pounds earned. By saving one-tenth, your bank balance will start to increase, your debts will reduce and you will build a capital base for worthwhile investments in the future. Make sure you automatically save 10% of your earnings each month. You can do this by standing order with your bank. This is like paying yourself first before you even pay all your expenses. I’ve heard it said many times that “getting rich is not about making money, it’s about keeping money”. This is a crucial first step on your journey to building wealth.

Step 2: Control Your Expenditures

Budget your expenses. No matter how much money you earn each month, make sure you have enough money to pay for your necessities – food, shelter, clothing etc. Even already rich people have a problem obeying this principle and can sometimes end up broke as a result. So, only gratify your non-essential desires if you can do so without spending more than nine-tenths of your earnings. Wealth building requires discipline and self-control. You must continue to save one-tenth of what you bring in no matter what. This is the key to building some capital which you can then use to invest.

Step 3: Make Your Saved Money Multiply

As you start to build up your savings, invest that money so that it makes more money for you. Put each dollar to work. Don’t leave your savings sitting dormant in a bank account (unless it’s a very high interest rate savings account!). Worse still, don’t leave it under your mattress depreciating in value! To build wealth it is not enough just to save money. You must put your saved money to work. Seek out investments opportunities that give you a higher return on your money than at least the rate of inflation. Now money is beginning to work for you rather than you working for money.

Step 4: Guard Your Money from Loss

Guard your money from potential loss by investing only in things where the principal is safe and where you can get at least a fair return. Seek the advice of those experienced in the profitable handling of money and be wary of following friends and relatives into so-called investment opportunities. Educate yourself and research your investments thoroughly before parting with your hard-earned money. The first rule of making money is never to lose it!

Step 5: Own Your Own Home

You should own your own home rather than renting and handing over money to a landlord. This makes sense so long as the repayments to the bank more or less match the rental you would have given the landlord. In addition, owning your own home is good for your sense of pride and potentially raising a family. So owning your own home can enrich your life on many levels.

Step 6: Ensure a Future Income

One day your current earned income will stop! Therefore, you must create wealth for your future. You should, when you are young and have the ability to earn, make preparation for a suitable income when you are older and possibly retired so that you can provide for your own needs whilst growing older and that of your family upon your passing. Contributing to a pension (or 401(k) plan) and investing in property are great long-term wealth creation strategies.

Step 7: Increase Your Ability to Earn

You can increase your ability to earn by taking more interest in your work, having more concentration upon a task and more persistence in your effort.  Paying debts down fast and taking care of family and friends is also essential and will increase your ability to earn money. Essentially, the wiser we become, the more we may earn. Becoming wiser and more skilful engenders a keen sense of self-respect which will ultimately cultivate greater wealth.

 

From ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’ George Clason

Are you playing the blame game?

So it is nearly that time of year again where we set New Year Resolutions. We list everything we want, determined that this is the year that we will succeed. Be honest, how many of you have the same resolutions as last year, and the year before that? Why do so many of us not manage to stick to our New Year resolutions?

The problem is most of us only focus on two key points – where we are now and where we want to finish. We chose to turn a blind eye to the bit in the middle…the ‘how’ it is going to be achieved. The actual work that is it is going to take in order to get there.

As a personal trainer I see this many times with regards to weight loss. The people I see all have a specific goal in mind – lose 2 stone or drop to a size 12 etc. They say that they REALLY want it and will do ANYTHING to get it because that is what will make them happy. And I think initially they all do believe what they are saying.

But re-visit this conversation a week, maybe 2 weeks later and you start hearing things like I’m too tired, too busy, too stressed.  Any of these starting to sound familiar? You see, when things get tough and people start to lose their way they look for reasons why. And rather than look inside they focus on the external factors, by blaming others it clears them of all responsibility and gives them a guilt-free way out.  Because if you are too tired, too busy, too stressed then it’s not your fault if goals are missed is it? By finding a reason why targets are not achieved it lets us off the hook.

It can be very scary to admit that we need to change something about ourselves, or the way we do things, in order to stop damaging our chances of happiness. So many take the easier option and start playing the blame game. Without even realising it people claim that the reason why they’re unhappy is due to someone else or a certain situation. But let’s not beat about the bush here – you are totally responsible for the condition your body is in. You decide what you eat and how active you are. The shape of your body is determined by the choices you have made over the last few days, weeks, months and years.

The concept of being responsible is not an easy one to accept. But if you want to be successful you need to accept full responsibility for everything that goes on in your life. You and only you are the cause of whether or not you succeed or fail. And here is the really good news – being able to take full responsibility for your life gives you POWER and once you know that you are responsible for the results than you can see that you are responsible for the change.

Being responsible requires that you quit playing the blame game, stop all your victim stories, and your moaning and groaning. You need to stop with all the excuses of why your life isn’t going the way it is supposed to be going. You have to give up your need to be right, you feelings of entitlement, the fears, and the ignorance. You also have to get rid of the emotions and the feelings of being a victim of a past based circumstance.

Instead you need to take control of your life and know that YOU have the power to dictate the direction of where your life will be going. You are ultimately the creator of your life and you decide if you succeed or fail through the power of personal choice. You may not be able to change the way others behave or the circumstances that you are in, but you have total control over how you react. You can decide to live a happier life by how you deal with them. In a nutshell you can choose whether you are the victim or victor of circumstances. The choice is yours.

If you want something and I mean really want it then NOTHING will get in your way. You will find the time, the energy, the finances, the knowledge to achieve whatever it is you want.  So when setting those New Year Resolutions this time ask yourself if you are ready to put the work in, if you are not sure then you really need to start to ask yourself how much you actually want it.

Games are meant to be fun, trust me this one isn’t and if you chose to keep participating then you will never get what you want and nothing will ever change. 2013 is your year. This is your journey and you are totally responsible for how it goes.  You want it. Go get it.

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.”

~ George Bernard Shaw