Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Generating Great Ideas from Simple Ones

Simple ideas may in many cases generate greater ones. If you train yourself to think out of the box for solutions to the problems you encounter. Here are some tips that may help:
Let Go of the PastBefore you can create a better future, you must let go of the pains in your past. Failing once does not mean you will fail forever. Learn from your history, but don't let it stand as an obstacle between you and your dreams.
2. Remember SuccessJust as important as learning from and overcoming past failure is recalling past success. It doesn't matter who you are, you have succeeded at something at sometime in your past. Don't gloss over these moments. Use them to remind you that you can in fact achieve your goals.
3. Realize the PossibilitiesIt's possible. The dreams you hold in your heart but push to the back of your mind are within your reach. Accept the fact that you can create a better life. This will serve as the springboard of belief you need to succeed.
4. Dream the Big DreamIn order for dreams and desires to inspire you to action and achievement, they need to be big. If you don't get excited about what you have planned for the future, you will never find the inspiration you need to change your life. Powerful dreams can move the soul, and when you dream the big dream, you will be driven to make the compelling picture a tangible reality.
5. Thinking Your Way to ChangeNo matter how bad you want it to happen, change will never result from thinking alone - you must take action. The world is swimming in dreamers, but only those who act on their desires achieve truly remarkable results.
6. A Daily Habit to Begin TodaySet aside at least 30 minutes each night to review your day and plan for the next. It's a simple way to add an element of control to your life. Also, beginning this habit today will help tremendously when you begin to work toward your exciting and inspiring goals and dreams.
7. Mix It UpThe wrong routine can spell certain doom for your goals and dreams. To make sure this doesn't happen to you, add at least one new step to your daily routine to help break up the pattern. One new activity will set the stage for many more in the future, making it possible for you to break free of any negative routines.
8. A Team SportDon't go at this alone. Achieving a goal or dream requires a team effort. There will be times when you feel like giving up, when you feel like it's too much to take. One of the surest ways to overcome these small setbacks is to have the support and guidance of your goal partner.
9. Get Excited About What's to ComeYou are on your way to getting everything you have ever wanted! Now is the time to get excited and inspired about what your future holds. Imagine living your ideal life - now make it happen!
10. Raise Your StandardsIt's time to raise your standards. It's time to expect more out of yourself than anyone else. Accept nothing less than your absolute best in all that you do and you'll have no problem creating your ideal life. After all, you'd expect nothing less than living the life of your dreams.
11. Take OwnershipBefore positive changes can take place, you must take responsibility for your position in life. You are in control of your future and are the only one who can guarantee a better life. If you play the role of a victim, giving up control and ownership of your life, you will never enjoy the amazing opportunities that life offers to us all.
12. Write in a JournalA million thoughts may rush through your mind each day, but if you do nothing to capture them, they often disappear as quickly as they came. Take time to write in a journal each week. This will not only help you overcome obstacles you are facing in your life but also help you discover what you really want.
13. Whom Do You Admire?Make a list of at least three people that you admire. With your list in hand describe what it is that you most respect about each individual. Often pinpointing what we admire in others offers insight into what we wish to become ourselves.
14. The MomentRemember a time when everything seemed to be going just right? When nothing could get you down? When you thought to yourself, 'This moment, right now, is what life is all about.' We all have moments in life when we feel we are at our best, but most people don't utilize them. Use the special moments in your life to bring to light goals and desires that are sure to fulfill your needs. Learning from and building on these times will help you create magic moments on a daily basis for the rest of your life.
15. A Friendly Brainstorming SessionGather a group of your closest friends, the ones who know you better than anyone else, and use their knowledge about you and your life to help you brainstorm goal and dream ideas. They will likely offer ideas you never considered yourself.
16.What don't you want?Sometimes the easiest way to uncover what you want is to know exactly what you don't want. It all depends on your particular personality. Some find it very difficult to create specific goals, but these same people have no trouble explaining in detail what they hate. Sometimes working in the opposite direction of what you hate can be the key to discovering your goals and dreams.
17. Keep a Notebook in Goal-Creating AreasWatching television offers hundreds of ideas that you can use to help you create your own personal goals. The same is true of your sleep. Because of this it's vital that you keep a notebook handy while watching television and on your nightstand to jot down any goal ideas that come to you.
Do You Know What You Want?In order for these tips and ideas to help you live a better life, you have to know what you want. So the question is, do you? If not, it's time to put a few simple exercises to work and discover the answer.
18. Impossible to FailPeople are more than capable of creating compelling dreams, but the fear of failure often clouds the path. To avoid this pitfall, imagine that it is impossible to fail. What dreams and desires would you pursue if you were guaranteed success?
19. Your Ideal LifeThink ahead. Imagine living your ideal life in five years. Then ten and twenty years. What would you be doing? With whom would you be doing it? What would your life look like on a daily basis? Use the picture of a future life to create goals and desires in the present.
20. Get SpecificIn order for you to create lasting change in your life, you have to be super specific about what you want. Vague ideas just won't cut it. The more specific you make your desires, the easier it will be to act on them. Cloudy hopes create obstacles. You have to know exactly what you want, down to the smallest detail.
21. Write it DownWhen you get an idea for a goal you'd like to achieve write it down immediately. The simple act of writing your goals down on a sheet of paper will bring them one step closer to reality. Saying something is one thing, but when you actually see the words written down it becomes a living, breathing thing.
22. Small Steps to Great SuccessWhile the nature of your dreams needs to inspire, you must also recognize the fact that it takes only small steps to create amazing changes. The dream will lead the way, but it won't come in one giant leap. Small steps, carried out each day, will bring you to the destinations you seek.
23. Who Are You Living For?Many times people will accept the status quo because they are afraid of what other people would think of them if they strived for more. Fitting in becomes more important than moving ahead. Decide here and now that creating the life you want to live is far more important than blending in and living for the approval of others.
24. Search for Success StoriesThe stories of individuals overcoming all odds and achieving their dreams surround you. Seek out and make these stories a part of your life. You are not alone in your search for happiness. Knowing that others have succeeded in the past can be enough to motivate you to succeed in the future.
25. The Overnight Success MythSuccess takes time. People who believe in the overnight success expect amazing results the minute they start working toward their goal. It's not going to happen. Don't let this get you down - it's a positive. When you know the truth about success you won't become upset when immediate results can't be seen.
26. Measure Your ProgressAs you begin putting the pieces of your desire in place, be sure to measure your progress along the way. Doing so will help to keep you motivated to achieve the goal as you see real improvement taking place. You will also be able to recognize troubling areas that need more attention or successful methods that could be spread to others aspects of the goal.
27. Educate YourselfThe more you know, the more you'll grow. Information is the greatest resource you have as you work toward creating a better life. Facts help to increase your confidence, break down fear, and inspire you to action. Learn all there is to know about what you want and you will never be without the drive and energy you need to make it happen.
28. Make Autobiographies Part of Your LibraryLearning about the lives of the people who achieved the goals you want to achieve is one of the most inspiring techniques available. Find out who had the same aspirations and learn all you can about their inspiring story.
29. Essentials of ChangeIt doesn't matter what you want, someone at sometime throughout history has desired and achieved the same thing. Not only does this prove that your dreams are possible but also that you have what it takes to make them happen. People have done so much with so little, proving that the essential requirements of creating change are within you.
30. Become Aware of Your ThoughtsThe wrong thoughts played enough times in your mind can sap the strength of anyone's confidence. Become aware of the things you say to yourself. Every time you come to a negative phrase stop yourself, refute the belief with logic, and replace it with a strong and empowering thought.
31. Say and SeeFor those with phobias simply mentioning their particular fear puts them in a frightened state of mind. They may even exhibit physical signs of fear. The same is true of goals and dreams. Many times the second you say your goal images of failure and fear pop into your head. To fix the problem, consciously say your goal and imagine success again and again until it becomes ingrained in your mind.
32. What's In It for Me?As you begin taking steps toward the things you desire, you will meet with many obstacles along the way that have the potential to knock you off course forever. To ensure this doesn't happen to you, answer the question: What's in it for me? Knowing exactly why you are reaching for more will serve as a constant source of energy and excitement to keep you going strong in the face of short-term setbacks.
33. Ask Yourself a QuestionWhat's the worst thing that will happen if you give up on your goal? This and other thoughts like them are useful tools. Fear of what could happen if you don't succeed shouldn't be the main reason you work toward your goal, but it is an excellent tool to help you get started.
34. What's Holding You Back?Take time to really think about what's holding you back from working toward and achieving your goal. Too often people get a 'feeling' and quit on their dreams. You can't fight or solve a vague feeling, but you can solve a specific problem. That's why it's critical for you to zero in on exactly what's holding you back from success.
Want 1,001 Quick & Easy Motivation Tips and Ideas?1,001 motivation tips and ideas to help you get and stay motivated, achieve your goals, and improve your attitude can be yours in minutes! 35. Share the ExcitementDon't keep your plans for a better future to yourself - share the excitement with those who will not see it as bragging or your ego taking over. This will make the dream more tangible, and include others in the picture who will ask about your progress and keep you heading in the right direction.
36. If Not Now, When?This is a simple method to adding a powerful boost to your goal-achieving project. People are gifted at the art of rationalization and procrastination. To put a stop to them ask yourself, 'If not now, when?' If you're honest, and I know you will be, you'll realize that now is as good a time as any to begin moving toward a better life.
37. Your Excuses Have No UsesExcuses are scapegoats. They cover up the truth so we don't have to face it. You and I both know this isn't the way to a happy and successful life. You have to put a stop to excuses once and for all. Every time you catch yourself using an excuse to cover up the truth about why you aren't working toward your goal (e.g. I don't have the time), write it down along with at least three solid reasons why your excuse is completely wrong. And never use it again.
38. Fear is Part of the PuzzleIf you're waiting for a guaranteed success, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life. Fear is part of the process of success - there's no way around it. You might think that the people you look up to are free of fear as they work toward their dreams you are mistaken. Everyone feels fear when they take a step outside of their comfort zone, the question is whether or not you keep going.
39. Place Reminders in the Home and OfficePlace powerful reminders around your home or office about the goals and desires you are working to achieve. With the hectic pace of life in today's society it's easy to forget about the truly important things. Placing pictures in your home of the ideal body you are dreaming about or the home you wish to build are effective tools to keep you going strong.
40. The First StepA single step in the right direction is all it takes to put in motion great things. Every written masterpiece begins with a single word on a page. Every long journey begins with a single step. The things you desire most will be no different. Write down on a clean sheet of paper the absolute first step your goal requires - then do it.
41. A Part of Your IdentityWhen success becomes a part of your identity, a part of who you are, you'll find getting motivated to do more with your life is an easy task. People stick to what they believe they are. In other words, a quitter will quit before he succeeds; a winner will get exactly what he wants in the end. Don't just think like a winner - become one inside and out until the thought of quitting conflicts so strongly with who you are that you are driven to succeed.
42. What Company do You Keep?Most often people mirror their environments. The friends and family members you associate with play a major role in your life - both positive and negative. Ask yourself if the people in your life are helping you become the person you want to be or are standing in the way of progress. If changes need to be made, follow through.
43. The Truth about ChangeYou will fail. Not once, not twice, but many, many times. This is how the game works. Believing that you will be able to achieve a lofty goal or dream without a hitch is like believe you can play perfect golf without a single step on a course. It's not negative, it's reality. And a true success uses this as an advantage. When something doesn't go according to plan an adjustment is made and the process resumes. A short-term setback will never bring an end to their ambition.
44. Know When to Keep QuietJust as important as sharing your goal with those who will offer guidance and support is not sharing your goal with those who will resent your improvement and take a jab at you with every chance they get. Naysayers are killers of the spirit. When it comes to these individuals, keep your goal to yourself.
45. If It Works Once, Use It Again!Have you ever watched a movie that really moved you? Read a book that inspired a change in your life? Listened to an audio tape that motivated you to take action? If you're like most people, I'm sure you've experienced one or more of these. But do you revisit them on a regular basis? People will find a tool that inspires them only to leave it behind. If something motivates you, use it again and again.
46. Organize Your SpaceA cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. Taking a few hours to clean up your common work areas will go a long way in helping you maintain clarity and focus while working toward your goals.
47. Everyone Needs a Day OffSometimes the best way to stay motivated to achieve your goal is to give it a rest. When things don't seem to be going your way or you simply feel exhausted, put your goal out of mind until the next day. Take a walk, a ride, or just sit and relax. This short break will allow you to return to the project with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
48. Choose to Think About What You WantWith everything you have to think about each day, the things you desire won't always get the time they deserve. You have to choose to think about what you want to change in your life, or your dreams will very likely be left behind.
49. Subscribe to Magazines, Newspapers, and NewslettersInformation is a major part of success. To stay motivated to change your life you need a constant flow of new and exciting information flowing into your mind. If possible, subscribe to at least one magazine, newspaper, or newsletter that focuses on the subject of your goal.
50. Use the Library!As simple as it sounds, get and use your library card! Books are among the cheapest (if you use your card, that is) and most effective success tools around. You can learn most anything from a well-written book. Accept this fact right here and now: if you don't like to read, you'll never reach your true potential.
51. Create a Specific StrategyWhen you know exactly what you want, you have to know exactly how you are going to get it. Just as a vague idea of what you want will never lead to success, a hazy notion of how you will achieve your dreams will bring about the same fate. Super specific strategies will result in success. Anything less will make improvement difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy.
52. Use a TimelineYour dreams need a timeline. This includes not only a deadline but also a time to begin. Without a definite timeline, potentially rewarding and fulfilling goals may silently slip away until they become only distant memories. When will you begin working toward your dreams? When will you achieve them?
The Secret to Self-ConfidenceDo you want to change something about your life but don't feel confident enough to make it happen? Discover a proven method for transforming your confidence and never let this obstacle stand in your way again.
53. Tools of the TradeTo accomplish the task above, charts and checklists are the way to go. Charts are the perfect tool to measure incremental goals such as a savings or investment plan. If your desire is more sequential in nature, simply list the steps in a checklist along with their deadline to keep you right on track from start to finish.
54. Intelligent ActionAction is key to change - but not just any action. Eating unhealthy foods is action, but it is definitely not the kind of moves you should be making if your goal is to get in shape. The secret is to take intelligent action. Learn how to make the right moves and you'll be on your way to enjoying an amazing quality of life.
55. Windows of OpportunityWhat you see today will not necessarily mirror the picture of tomorrow. In other words - things change. You can never know for sure how long the opportunity to act will offer itself. It could vanish tomorrow or in twenty years. The point is: Today is the certainty in your world. Make the best of it.
56. Use Your Time WiselyThe one thing we all desire more of but lose every day is time. Because of this, you need to take steps to ensure your time is being used wisely. Discover where your time goes each day and how you can better utilize each minute and hour.
57. Get ActiveAn inspired mind is of little use if you lack the physical vitality to execute your plans. Get active and get moving. Whether this means a daily exercise program or simply riding your bike to work, think of as many ways as possible to be active in your daily life.
58. Maintain a Healthy DietJust as important as an active lifestyle is a healthy diet. You can't expect to have the energy and drive necessary to live an extraordinary life if you continue to fill your body with unhealthy foods. What you put in your body has an enormous impact on your motivation to improve.
59. Get Enough RestYour body cannot perform at its peak levels if you don't give it the time it requires for rest and repair. Four hours of sleep each night will eventually catch up with you. Get the rest you need and you'll have no problem working with passion toward your desires.
60. Collect Your Favorite QuotationsThe written word can be just as powerful as movies. When you come across a quotation that motivates you to achieve your goals, don't let it go! Write them down, save them on your computer, or do whatever works for you to keep them close at hand.
61. Learn from Your MistakesWhen things don't work out exactly as you had planned (this will happen) don't waste the opportunity to learn something. A short-term failure is a good thing - it teaches you how 'not' to do something, which will bring you closer and closer to the solution you seek.
62. Constant CuriosityBe curious. The world can be a truly amazing place when you take the time to look around and learn about it. Read, converse, observe, listen, and discover the miracles that surround you. Constant curiosity is the habit that is sure to get you excited about your world, your life, and your future
.63. Spend Time with ChildrenSpending time with kids is a great way to let go of your worries and reconnect with your more innocent past. As adults, we have learned to hide our true emotions and keep a reserved attitude. Children have a great lesson to teach us - have fun and enjoy life. Maintain your youthful ways as you continue to grow older.
64. Focus on OthersThere is no better way to improve your life than to help others do the same. To give is to get, and when it comes to spreading happiness and joy to others, it has never been more true. As your focus turns from yourself to those in need you will find that your own problems seem less important and may even disappear altogether.
65. Volunteer Your TimeAn effective method to help others is volunteering. Your time is the most precious resource you have, and giving it to someone else is a truly rewarding experience. Contact your local churches, community center, or public schools for volunteer opportunities.
66. The Ups and DownsYou will not always be motivated to succeed. We all have our ups and downs, and expecting anything different will create frustration and anger. We all get upset, encounter setbacks, and have bad days, but here's the secret: you can visit, but just don't live there.
67. Your ContributionWhat are you going to contribute to the world after you have gone? Living an extraordinary life requires thinking beyond yourself and giving back to the world in some way. What will your gift to the world be?
68. Be Grateful for What You HaveTake time out of each day to be grateful for the things you have in your life. Simply being alive and well is an amazing gift - anything more is just icing on the cake. Appreciate what you have and you will discover a renewed passion to achieve the desires you have yet to experience.
69. Starting in the Right DirectionYou may not realize it, but you've already taken a massive step toward success. Simply reading these words demonstrates your desire to enhance the quality of your life. Now that you've taken the first step, keep it going day after day, month after month, year after year.
70. Enjoy the RideWhile you're working your tail off to create a better life for you and your family it's important to enjoy the experience and not just focus on the outcome. It's like taking a road trip through beautiful country with your eyes closed thinking only about the destination. You'll miss out half the joy of success if you forget about the experience of it all.How Long Will You Wait?It's decision time. You can continue hoping things change or, with our help, you can make them happen today.Everyone wants to change and improve, but few understand how the process actually works. When you know the secrets to controlling motivation, like a light switch you can turn it on and off at will.Just imagine what your life would be like if you knew how to get and stay motivated at a moment's notice for as long as you wished.

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