Finding Your Purpose in Everyday Life

Failing to identify your purpose is like been on a ship without anyone steering it to the chosen destination. It will end up anywhere.
The key to finding your purpose in life is to follow your heart and do what you really LOVE to do! That's it!! When you wake up to this truth, you will find everything changes because you're doing what you were put here for in the first place.

How?
By looking within. Some of you will already know what your passion is, but will find it difficult to step out the box. But its time to listen to that inner voice. At this point it will be time to put your negative thoughts about yourself aside and start entertaining a positive outlook on knowing that finding your purpose means it can be achieved.

Don't live someone else's dream. When you have figured out what your purpose is you must NOT let anyone 'steal' it by their opinions, too often people are more concerned with what others might think Instead of doing what they want. I used to be so conscious about what others would be thinking of me, the actions I took and the things I would say. So as a result I would not be living as the real me!

Finding your purpose will lead you to have a vision. Your vision is the route you take in steps to complete you purpose. Your vision will lead to the end goal. In order to reach your goal you must set short-term goals in order to keep you on track

"Where There is no Vision The People Perish." ~ Bible

You may feel like you cannot earn money doing what you love to do. There's no need to just give everything up that would be silly (unless you can afford to do this) but there is always downsizing. Work a part-time job so you are earning enough to live off while you have the time to pursue you life's purpose.

Be ambitious and don't give up.

Finding your purpose can change your life overnight if you would just be committed in taking the first step - making a decision to follow your dreams!
"What a different story people would have to tell if they would adopt a definite purpose and stand by that purpose until it had time to become an all-consuming purpose." Napoleon Hill ~ Laws of Success

Setting Goals in 4 Easy Steps

Setting a goal and achieving those goals could almost be two entirely different things. Achieving a goal means to take action while setting a goal means you know what it is you want. Well, in my experience I went from being scatterbrained about what I wanted to being quite strategic. Let's just say the latter helped bring my goals to the foreground and that's when my life took a serious change for the better.

When I closed my clothing company several years ago, I was left with 11 maxed out credit cards-- yes 11. I know that sounds scary and to be honest it scared the heck out of me! I didn't have a clue how I was going to be able to pay off such an enormous amount of debt and the worst part is I didn't even have a job! Since I had closed my business, I literally start all over again only this time I had the dangling credit card debt hanging over my head. It was enough to throw anyone into a state of panic.
Once I got past the fear, the guilt, and the shame of my poor business decision-making skills from the past, I did a few specific things that helped turn my credit card debt into business I could be proud of. Here's what I did in 4 easy steps.

Setting Goals in 4 Easy Steps

1. Know what it is you want and be perfectly clear about it.
What does this mean? Think of it this way, if you say you want a new car (or in my case to get out of extravagant debt) then I want you to change how you think about that new car. For instance, I wanted to be out of debt, but what I really wanted was to feel safe and secure. The difference between feeling safe and secure vs. getting out of debt is how the "thing is you desire" makes you "feel." It is actually the feeling you want, not necessarily the thing.

2. You have a vision in your head or a dream board that represents your goal.
I personally love to make dream boards (like this one I made from an old frame, cork board, some fabric and spray paint). Looking at the pictures of the things you want, or even window shopping, tells your subconscious mind that these things are attainable. If you think you can never get that new car, then you're right. "Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you're right." That's why window shopping or test driving a car even when you are not ready to purchase is so intoxicating. When you can truly believe that your goal is attainable, you think about it every day and it makes you overjoyed, you are very close to achieving it.

3. You know what your talents are.
Now the fun part comes into play. After you've set a goal ask yourself: What are my talents? Your talents are going to make it possible for you to earn the amount of money you want. Your talents are your pot of gold; they are your road to success and the transportation to achieving goals. Next to the goals you've written on paper (or put up on your dream board) I want you to write a list of your talents and put it right next to your goal. (You'll see on my vision board I have my certification in nutrition next to all the things I desire). Those talents are going to energize your goals and help bring them to you faster.

4. You are ready to share your talents with the world.
After you've written down all your talents read them aloud. Which one(s) really resonate with you? Which ones get you excited to think about, talk about, and get your creative juices flowing? The final step to setting a goal is to believe in your talents. It doesn't matter if your talent is making others laugh or taking photos of nature. When you can narrow down which talents bring you the most joy, you start playing with magic. It is when you start sharing your talents with the world that the seed gets planted. Doors will fly open and your ability to make money and fulfill those "feelings" you actually longed will be presented to you.

Setting goals is such an amazing feeling because it means you are finding out who you are, what makes you tick, and embracing your talents. All the money in the world wouldn't be worth it if you didn't love what you did for a living or if you didn't have a family/friends who supported you on your life journey. If there is still some fear that is holding you back, address it and move forward. What is fear anyway-- merely a distorted perspective. There is no better time than right now to start making a list of your goals, building a vision board, writing out your talents, and then sharing your talents with the world. Don't wait. Start today.

Do You Really Want To Succeed?

What brings people to the pinnacles of their lives, to their peaks? In Asia they'd say: "Hard Work. Discipline. Positive Thinking."
I've worked with teenagers in education, sports and counselling. Without goals, ambition and drive it would be hard to put in the footwork. Even talent could falter. But the diligent few who put in the hours, the toil and hard work and then more hours are the ones at the head of the pack.
Here then are four basics that should serve as a compass:

Follow Your Dream
Set simple goals, like winning a bicycle race or a chess competition. Then devote your energies. Do some homework as to the best methods or ways to achieve that goal. Also surround yourself with relatives or biographies who have done things not those who just whisper wishes over dinners.

Make Time
Winning isn't something that comes round the bend. Working on your goals must be regular, rigorous, persistent and never giving up.

Take Small Steps
You are on a mission now. Take steps. Keep in mind where you want to be going. Sit down and ask yourself: What have I accomplished? Where am I on the road to be a footballer of force?What needs more work?What Should I prepare for tomorrow?

Cheer Yourself On
If you think what lies ahead as punishing, you'll not get there. Working on your dream has its own difficult, painful moments. Many a time you may want to quit, give up and join the league of dropouts. But staying on, pushing on is the way to the end of the rainbow. The true measure of a man or woman is what he or she does when they have relentlessly had the life or the gas kicked out of them. Do they wilt, wither or go up in smoke? Or do they rise up?
One of the things almost all of us neglect in our lives is:freedom. Financial freedom is one of them. Rainmaking neglected can lead to financial famine. Especially so in today's hyena economics. Money or the making, earning and production of it in tandem with the growing demands of family makes room for almost all of the other freedoms that families yearn for as age dawns on each one of them. Always work to stack the deck in your favour. It's one of those things that're learnt by people on a mission, who listen in to the original voices of their dreams.
To your future.

Leaders Are Problem Solver

In over three decades of training over a thousand leaders, it continuously concerns me that so many individuals in leadership positions continue to view situations either as going according to plan, or problematic. Individuals who succumb to the problem or okay mindset generally back themselves into a corner, beginning the solution process from a negative perspective or attitude. Instead of becoming concerned about problems or potential problems and then getting bogged down in them, great leaders approach each circumstance from the point of view of having a solution that will overcome and conquer every obstacle, rather than deteriorating into a problem. Brendan Francis wrote, "The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it."

1. Although it may see, like I am contradicting myself by first saying things should not be looked upon as problems, and then entitling this article about leaders being problem solvers, I most assuredly am not. Although it is best to view obstacles as challenges instead of problems, some of the greatest leaders have inherited problematic circumstances from their predecessors. One of the greatest obstacles to effective leadership is often procrastination, yet it is also the most frequently followed course of action (or inaction) by a large percentage of those in leadership. Either because of ineffective or insufficient planning, fear, lack of judgment, not enough expertise, etc., obstacles left unattended to have a tendency to escalate to the problem stage. The great leader still does not view this as a problem, although most others do. The great leader, instead of hiding from or avoiding the situation, instead takes the issue on, head on, and plans courses of actions, and alternative approaches to solve any dilemma.

2. It is incumbent on a true leader to fully evaluate circumstances as they have been, are presently, and might end up if no actions are taken. These great leaders understand fully that there are always ramifications of any action taken, and procrastination or avoiding taking action, is, in and of itself, an action. True leadership must never be ego driven, or about developing a legacy. It must never prioritize worrying that an action taken might go wrong and fearing being blamed, but rather emphasize taking action and being prepared with contingency plans and back up plans, to be ready and prepared for any eventuality. A true leader views what others view as problems, and rather than letting it rule him, takes charge. He dedicates himself to solutions that address the present with an understanding of the past, and plans for the present, the near future, and the long term.

Only when a leader commits to this solution oriented approach will he be fully effective. Leadership always comes with a certain degree of adversity, and only with a knowledge and comfort level of planning, action, and decision making, can someone truly be considered a real leader.

The Measure Of Leadership Success

Working For Success

What is the ultimate goal of a leader? All leaders want to achieve the best they can for their organization. How is it to achieve this success? Those in position of leadership have the skills and charisma to attract success. The specific question when it comes to this is "how". How do they do it. What is the means and method?
It does not take some kind of magic to become a successful leader. Commitment, dedication, confidence in oneself, integrity and the willingness to do things that matter are some of the essential qualities that make a leadership successful. Success cannot be achieved overnight either- it requires time, hard work and perseverance. Neither will success come and do something for a leader who simply stands up or sits and waits. One must work for it. Having obtained a leadership position, a person might feel scared or hesitant to commit mistakes. This reluctance or fear consequently limits them, hampering them from achieving greater things. Some leaders might want to play it safe or stay in their comfort zones. But as they say, you have to lose sight of the shore to discover new seas.

The Measure Of Leadership Success

Real success happens only when a leader does tasks and responsibilities to direct and cater to the needs of their people. More importantly, leadership is successful if it has made the organization successful. A fearful leader is not worthy to be called a leader. A self- absorbed and self- centered leader serves their own purpose and might even do things covertly for their own interest. But a leader is not fearless, too. Leaders do get afraid, but the difference is that they know how to manage their fear. They have reservations, too, but their conviction is stronger and they dare to take the risk nonetheless.

Step By Step Endeavor To Achieve Goals

A leader should know how to analyze, envision and train for the future. Doing so makes them better prepared for the future, just like a farmer preparing the fields for the rain to come. Leadership vision foresees the future and plans ahead. Leadership goals are set for they are the basis of a leader's actions. The way to achieving goals may not be easy, but a leader endeavors in every step to move forward. Effective and successful leadership is about setting out to explore more opportunities. Adventurous leaders often realize that they achieve more than what they expected. Ideals are not compromised and there is no settling for anything less than what must be achieved. Focus and clear vision is the true essence of a great leader.