Webjugate

The physics professor with the unruly shock of white hair strolls up to the blackboard, picks up the chalk, and writes a big tilde, then below it an equally large equal signthus creating the symbol for “approximately equals.”

Turning to the amphitheater full of eager students and pointing to the board, he smiles, “Ladies and gentlemen, there is only one ting dot is certain in zee known universe. Und do you know vot it is?”

He waits as he scans from side to side and up and down. No one replies.

“Zee one ting dot is certain in zee universe, zee one thing you can depend on, is dot nothing, absolutely nothing, is certain.”

The hand of the smart-aleck senior in the back row shoots up. “Sir, are you sure about that?”

The prof replies, “I am… POSITIVE!”

Would you agree with me that change is one of the only constants in the business world and in our personal lives as well? A fundamental principle of the 21st century is “T.C.” (Things Change).

You get promoted, and suddenly you face challenges you never knew existed. You struggle to tread water until you finally adapt. Then you get a new assignment and start the process all over again. New equipment makes its appearance in your workplace, equipment no one really knows how to operate efficiently. A merger and acquisition takes place, and all of the management structure above you suddenly rearranges itself into a Gordian knot of direct reports and dotted-line relationships.

Change is happening, and more change is coming. The sooner we accept this fundamental principle and the sooner we learn how to use it to our advantage rather than fighting it or trying to avoid it, the more successful we will become.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has been a book editor, newspaper reporter, news editor, and public relations consultant. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore “The Shallows,” plumb “The Depths,” or use the well-organized “Study Links” for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve’s free “DeeperStudy Newsletter.”

How many times have you found yourself dreaming you
were more passionate?

What makes certain people so passionate? How come they seem
to be on-fire for their cause? Why do enthusiastic people
become leaders we are willing to follow?

Maybe you once had a burning desire inside of your heart. If
you have ever hoped to add more fuel to the F.I.R.E. of
living then perhaps these four simple steps will light-up,
add a spark, ignite and fan the flames for you.

F = Find the Fantastic

Many of us go through life losing sight of our original
dream. Sometimes, the daily grind saps the strength of our
hopes.

Other times, we allow major challenges, roadblocks and
difficulties to drain the power from our fantasies. Whatever
the cause, it is up to us to find ways to keep the boldness
and eagerness of our most inspiring goals alive.

By seeking out and accepting the fantastic qualities of your
dreams and visions, you can increase your own passion for
realizing them:

=> Is your dream full of wonder and glamour?

=> Does your dream shine brightly or reflect a brilliance?

=> Are there other people who have a similar dream, if so,
are those people considered to be “great”?

I = Invest & Inspect

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go to sleep and wake up
filled with passion and energy? I prefer to be lazy and look
for ways to avoid hard work whenever possible.

But there is a law that must be obeyed, it goes something
like this: you will reap what you sow. The lottery ads say
it best: “to win it, you have to be in it!”

=> How much time do you invest in feeding your dream?

=> How much effort do you invest in building your dream?

=> How many of your assets and resources are you investing
into your dream?

=> How close are you to realizing your dream, how often and
how much do you inspect and measure your progress?

R = Reach Up, Reach In, Reach Out

The Pastor of my church uses these 3 actions to encourage
our spiritual growth. He knows we humans need to perform all
three to be successful in our pursuits.

Passionate people reach up to their higher power because
they know, trust in and rely on their God supplies them with
guidance, wisdom and strength.

Enthusiasm means having the inspired God within. You can
take hold of and attain a powerful enthusiastic attitude.

If you are willing to reach inside yourself and let that
godly inspiration of His love, Will and His Being come
inside you, you too will catch His passion [that’s why Mel
Gibson called his movie, “The Passion…”]

When you reach out to help others, you will be blessed as
well. That is a spiritual law that wealthy, faithful and
intelligent people have followed throughout history.

For proof, look at all the charitable gifts or foundations,
winners of the Nobel Peace prize and acts of heroism
performed in the world today.

E = Entertain & Energize Yourself

Very few people think of entertaining their fantasies, yet
people of passion use those techniques to keep their
watch lights burning.

You have to maintain your guard over and sustain your watch
of your dreams. The interruptions and pollution of daily
life will try to distract you.

Those poisoned whisperings of the dark side want you to buy
what they are selling.

You can ignore and avoid yielding to the influences of
negativity by running the films of dreams in your mind over
and over again.

You must entertain, energize and indulge your fantasy by

=> Putting up, looking at and studying the pictures, images
and imaginings of your desired objective

=> Repeating the affirmed beliefs of your hope to yourself
out loud and frequently

=> Talking the talk and walking the walk of your vision -
acting, thinking, speaking just like you already have
achieved your goals

Energy comes from the mass of serious efforts - be stern
with your heart and mind, entertain their future prospects.

————————————————————

The starting point of all achievement is desire. Use the
F.I.R.E. of your desires to heat up and excite the passion
that is deep within you.

I love using my quiet times and places of solitude to boost
the temperature of my enthusiasm. You might need to use a
different method but my favorite one is the “entertain and
energize” technique.

Successful people have employed these tools to super-charge
their passionate attitudes, when you try, you’ll discover
you can too.

Take time to stoke the F.I.R.E. of your passion today!

“On a Fine Morning”, you will want to heed the words of
Thomas Hardy:

“Whence comes solace? Not from seeing,
What is doing, suffering, being;
Not from noting Life’s conditions,
Not from heeding Time’s monitions;
But in cleaving to the Dream
And in gazing at the Gleam
Whereby gray things golden seem.”

Copyright © 2005, Mustard Seed Investments Inc.,
All rights reserved.

————————————————————
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bill Thomas is author of “Leading A Creative, Evolutionary,
Innovative Organization!” - an idea-packed, 2-Volume set of
manuals to help you electrify, empower and infuse your
leadership with scientifically-proven, evolutionary,
results-producing strategies. Energize your innovation!

http://www.leadership-toolkit.com/innovation.html
————————————————————

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds the tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19); “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil…” (James 3:6).

“Words are like leaves; And where they most abound, much fruit of sense beneath is seldom found.” Pope. One cannot talk about nothing forever, so the talk finally degenerates into small rap about people. Some wonderful advice comes to us from the ancient Orient. We should test our words to see if they can pass through three golden gates:

1) Is it true?;
2) Is it necessary?;

3) Is it kind?

Dr. James T. Jeremiah of Cedarville College in Ohio gives an apt description of the backbiter: “It has been suggested that biting is not always done with the teeth. The tongue feels soft compared to your teeth, but it is twice as sharp. A backbiter is not a person who bites back, but one who bites behind your back.” Hannah More handled backbiters and talebearers by asking them to go with her to the person slandered to see if the story was really true. Cuts from a knife heal, but we have no guarantee that cuts from our tongue will heal.

Proverbs is full of admonitions about what we do with our tongue. I particularly like The Message Proverbs, by Eugene H. Peterson. Here are a few on the tongue from Chapter 10:

“The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.”

“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” What a lovely thought!

“The wise accumulate knowledge, a true treasure; know-it-alls talk too much, a sheer waste.”

“The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words.”

“The talk of the good person is worth waiting for; the blabber of the wicked is worthless.”

The following is from the Biblical Illustrator, James 3:

The power of the tongue:

I. WORDS ARE THE EXPRESSIONS OF THOUGHTS.

Says Max Muller, with concise truth, “The word is the thought incarnate.” The Greek word translated “brotherly love” was unknown until Christianity coined it to declare a new relation revealed to men. It depended upon the Christian Church to exemplify the virtue expressed in the word “humility.” Every word we speak has its history, and in its appointed time each has been added to the library of the world’s thought. “Words are things,” said Mirabeau, and he was right.

II. WORDS, AS INCARNATE THOUGHTS, ARE REVELATIONS OF CHARACTER.

The morality both of nations and men is stamped in their words. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality-, and without hypocrisy.” The speech of every Peter betrays the man. Just as the despatches of Napoleon were of “glory,” while those of the Iron Duke centred in “duty,” so may their respective characters be known. He whose thoughts are on noble things will never grovel in speech. The “IncarnateWord” was compelled to reach men through their own vernacular, yet the purity of His teaching is as matchless as His own Divine nature. Humanly speaking, the voice of Jacob will always be Jacob’s, though he dissemble Esau.

Conversation touching impurity photographs for the world an impure heart. Ecstatic language, like purling brooks, denotes shallowness of thought. Repeated quotations of others’ opinions are proofs of having no substantial opinions of our own. Willingness to speak freely about others’ business is proof positive that we are not attending to our own affairs.

III. THIS POWER OF LANGUAGE DECLARES THE SOLEMNITY OF ITS USE.

The spoken word, like an arrow from the quiver, has its mark. Said Hawthorne, “Nothing is more unaccountable than the spell that often lurks in a spoken word.” A kind word has given courage to more than one despondent heart; and, struck by a cruel word, more than one gentle spirit has sobbed itself into the grave. Each word has a meaning, and the word is that meaning sent home to another a word alive with fear, or joy, or love, or hate. It matters not as to their derivation, the words we speak mean ourselves back of them.

IV. THIS POWER OF SPEECH EMPHASISES THE NECESSITY OF SELF-CONTROL.

Man is at the same time a king to rule his tongue and a slave to suffer from its abuse. The school of life deals with a double danger the arrogant assumptions of self and the oppositions experienced from without. The first is illustrated in the control of the nervous horse held in with bit and bridle; the other means the steadfastness of the ship that no tempest can turn from its course. The helmsman’s duty on the tongue is no easy calling. It requires strength to hold the bits. The small rudder firmly held gives the promise of safety to the ship.

V. OUR WORDS SHALL CONFRONT US AT THE JUDGMENT.

We often unwittingly send them on before us, as though they were sand to be blown into the eyes of others, forgetting that they shall blind or bless ourselves. It is serious business to write a book like the “Pilgrim’s Progress,” or its opposite, “The Age of Reason.” It is serious business to declare in speech even the gospel of Christ. It is no meaningless service to expound the Bible in the Sabbath school. It is no less serious when every word of father and mother makes its impression upon the children’s lives, to see that such words are rightly spoken. (Monday Club Sermons.)

Diana is a wonderful person with a great personality and a lot of talent. Anybody who knows her can easily see the talents that she possesses. Everybody, that is, except Diana.

See, Diana has a low opinion of herself. Yes, she knows she has a few talents, or things that she likes to do. But when she thinks about it, she doesn’t see anyway that any one would ever pay her for her service.

Deep down inside Diana has the opinion that she doesn’t really have what it takes to be successful. See, all the people she know who are successful, all seem really confident in themselves and she knows that she isn’t confident at all. In fact, she gets embarrassed when people even mention her talents.

If someone gives her a compliment, she brushes it off and says, “Oh, that was nothing special.”

When Diana is honored for one of her talents, she gets embarrassed and believes that she doesn’t deserve any honors. There really must be some mistake. Who is she that others would think such wonderful things about her?

Diana is like most of us.

We have a low opinion of ourselves.

What about you?

What do you REALLY think about yourself?

Do you ever have thoughts about not being good enough? Or not educated enough? Or that you don’t have the right background or upbringing to become successful?

Do you have thoughts that you do not deserve to live your dreams because only the sexy people live out their dreams?

When it comes to you, nobody will ever listen to what you have to say?

These feelings that we have about “not being good enough” are what is known as “programming.”

Somewhere along the way while you were growing up, someone told you that you weren’t good enough. Or someone, usually an adult authority figure, made you feel that you simply didn’t count. Or you were told that only people with college educations could really make it in today’s society. Or you were told that people of your background or ethnicity simply never make too much of themselves. Perhaps you had big goals and big dreams and someone told you to lower your expectations because you will never accomplish the things that you wish to accomplish.

And somewhere along the line, you started to believe it.

You believed it so much, that now that you are an adult, you are still holding on to those believeswhether you are aware of it or not.

I’m here to tell you that if you want success in your life, if you want to live your dreams, if you want the life that you deserveyou have to make it a point to eliminate those thoughts and those beliefs.

The longer you hold on to them, the longer it will take for you to live the life that you were born to live.

Dawn Fields is a motivational speaker, author and life coach who teaches how to discover your life’s purpose and incorporate it into a career. Visit her web site at http://www.dawnfields.com and be sure to subscribe to Your Life’s Purpose newsletter by sending a blank email to dawn@dawnfields.com
with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Check out her radio broadcast each Thursday at 9 p.m. EST at http://www.dawnfields.com/radioshow.htm.

The boogeyman lurking in the closet scares the bejesus out of little kids. “Big people” know the imaginary monster from their childhood isn’t real. Yet, adults freeze in their tracks when the same monster pops up on their path in life.

The closer we come to reaching our dreams, the more our monstrous emotions and mind-talk flash their urgent warnings, “Stop! Don’t go any further. You can’t pull it off. You’re not good enough. You’re gonna screw up. Or get hurt. Or die!” When you buy into these threats, you can feel confused. Numb. Scattered. Unfocused. So, ask yourself, “Is what the ego telling me true?” If you don’t challenge the propaganda of the boogeyman, you might quit going after your dreams altogether.

When you find yourself waylaid by the ego monster, you can reclaim your power and clarity by using facts from your life as ammunition against the ego.

“Just the Facts, Ma’am”

Remember the old Dragnet TV cop show? Actor Jack Webb played the no-nonsense police detective Sgt. Joe Friday. Often in the course of his questioning, Sgt. Friday was bombarded by the frantic, emotional babbling of confused and upset citizens. To cut to the bottom line, the wise detective somberly requested of the women, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

By gathering factsand disregarding the misleading interpretations of people’s minds and emotionsthe sergeant built a rock solid case.

In order to withstand the dream-shattering attacks of the boogeyman, you need to establish a solid case too. By gathering “just the facts” of your actual accomplishmentsand ignoring the inaccurate conclusions of your ego and emotionsyou create a solid foundation for creating your dream.

And what did Sgt. Friday do to remember his facts? He wrote ‘em down.

Save Your Dreams with a Journal

With its constant undermining, the ego has an effective weapon to halt your journey to happiness. The invalidation distorts your memory. It narrows your vision. It makes you forget that you are a valuable person. The monster deliberately distracts your attention from the times in your life when you did create what you wanted.

Creating a “Dream-Saver Fact Journal” of your factual successes is an effective active step you can take to dispel the devastating, self-defeating inner talk of the ego. Forget about what you don’t do well, or where you come up short. Jot down what, in fact, has gone well in your life. Especially, log in evidence that proves your ego is wrong about you being unlovable, untalented and unworthy of having what you want.

Friendly Facts Fend Off the Funk

List miracles and major achievements. Add to your journal daily. As you create success, document the specific, hard-core, firsthand, personal direct evidence that you can create your life the way you want it to be. When did you decide you needed more money, then got a raise? When did you decide to get a better job, and a great opportunity “appeared out of nowhere?” When did you want a new friend or lover, and you miraculously found one? Despite the odds being against you, when did you find the perfect place to live? When was there something wrong with your body, and it healed quicker than expected?

The purpose of the Dream-Saver Fact Journal is to remind you that you have succeeded in the past, and therefore, you can triumph now. Your own irrefutable facts will refresh your awareness that you are lovable, talented and worthy!

Also, look for examples in your life where you felt good. Did someone unexpectedly treat you to dinner or a movie? Did you raise the spirits of the grocery clerk who was having a tough day? Did someone call you out of the blue with the information you needed? Keep track of your daily experiences of friendship, kindness, compassion, courage and acknowledgement.

Amass indisputable proof that verifies that you are supported when you follow your heart. Highlight actual events that demonstrate the rewards of expressing your authentic self in the world. Then review your achievements every time your energy and joy begin to wane. Make notes to remind yourself that you’ve been victorious in many situations. Solid evidence causes the boogey monster to lose its power over you.

Move Past the Threats

In my own writing career, I repeatedly consult my Success Journal throughout my process of articulating the inner workings of life. Sometimes as I travel into uncharted territories of authentic expression, the ego roars, “They’ll kill you if you say too much truth! or “They’ll put you away because they think you’re crazy.” Popular variations of the same threat are, “You’ll go insane if …” or “You’ll be alone if …”or “You’ll lose everything if …” Unless I take action to counter my ego, I’m stuck in an emotional muck hole and quickly losing sight of any way out.

Dash the Dastardly Downers

The journal is my lifesaver and ally. This factual source about my life shows me I’m capable of continuing in the direction of my goals. My own clear and undeniable evidence proves that I won’t die, get locked away, go crazy, be alone or lose what’s important.

Call the Bluff of the Ego

Bluffing is a primary skill of a successful poker player. Bluffing is a tactic the boogeyman has to employ since he never really holds the winning cards. When you accumulate a wealth of actual life experience to prove you’ve repeatedly reached your goals, you have a royal flush. You’re holding the winning hand. So, when the ego monster appears, call its bluff! When the ego spins a yarn about how you “always lose,” “get hurt,” or “are going to die,” pull out your ace in the hole: your journal of facts proving you have been able to create what you want in life.

Soothe the Savage Beast

The next time you’re looking for a boost in confidence, don’t listen to your mind and emotions. These rascals frame your life in the worst possible light. Check your Dream-Saver Journal to remind you of the successful final outcome the last time your inaccurate mind and emotions were trying to invalidate you.

When the boogeyman growls “Whoa!” when your heart whispers “Go,” quell the objections of your ego with proof of your creative power. Silence your inner critic. Bore the brute to death with true stories of your worth. Eventually the bellowing monster will turn into a pip-squeak and stop undermining you.

By reminding yourself of “just the facts,” you’ll quiet the mind and soothe the emotions so you can keep moving towards your dream.

About The Author

Sulana Stone, life strategy coach, vision quest guide and animal communicator, assists people to discover and express their life purpose through private sessions and workshops. She provides hot tips and fresh articles for people who want more love in life, yearn for a more fulfilling job, or seek a purpose beyond the mundane in a FREE Prosperity Ezine at www.SedonaVisionQuest.com. Contact sulana@redvetteranch.com or 602.861.2631.

You walk through your front door and get the feeling something’s amiss. The hair on the back of your neck stands up as you realize your belongings have been gone through. Your heart sinks, knowing your home has been violated, your privacy breached and your sense of peace shattered. For many homeowners and even renters, the best way to bring back a sense of being comfortable in their own home is to invest in a security system.

Rushing out and buying a security system right after a big incident, or even before one if fear is the motivation, can result in a purchase you might not be happy with. A home security system is a great way to make sure you home is protected year-round whether your in it or not, but buying a system that’s too complicated or one you won’t use certainly won’t do you any good.

Before heading out and investing in the first system you see, there are some things to consider.

The first thing to do is take an inventory of your home. Look at windows and doors and decide how many and which ones need to be included in the system. Scout the house for the best locations for control panels and keypads. Many people put these right by the front door, but there are locations that are great for secondary ones, too. Imagine being caught in your bedroom late at night and hearing what sounds like a burglar … wouldn’t a panic switch come in handy?

Now’s a good time to also decide if you want a system that’s monitored around the clock and to think about what kind of monitoring will be done. There are some services that keep an eye on your home around the clock and there are basic services that simply dial for help when there’s a problem. Things that can be watched include security, fire and even carbon monoxide.

If your family is active and has people afoot at all hours of the night, this will likely determine what kind of system you choose. Motion detectors will likely cause problems if you’re up a lot or animals are around that can trip them when there really isn’t a problem. However, there might still remain locations where motion sensors would be beneficial.

Once you have determined the basic layout a system should take, it’s time to shop for the best home security system you can find. Shop around and see what different companies are offering and how close they come to meeting your needs. Some companies will sell you the security equipment and offer monitoring on a monthly fee basis. Others give the equipment out for free if a monitoring contract is signed.

Shop around and go with what system makes you comfortable. Remember, a security system that makes a lot of noise or even one that turns on lights at set times of the day or night can help further deter burglars. The best system, however, is the one that gives you peace of mind and enables you to contact help quickly in the case of an emergency.

#1 Resource

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“More than any other time in history, mankind face a crossroad. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, and the other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.” - Woody Allen (Side Effect)

Is it possible to live a fear-free and worry-free life with what is happening around us? That is the one million-dollar question I have often found people asking me. We all face so much fear in life, both the poor and the rich. You will be surprise to note that the rich also cry.

Fear is the very natural and normal response to the challenges we face in life. Fear tells us that there is something we must be cautious about. It puts us on alert and tells us there is something we must be prepared for. We face so many fears in life: fear of change, fear of the unknown and fear of rejection, amongst others. But the single greatest obstacle to success in adult life is fear of failure.

The average person starts out in life with very few negative emotions. As he goes through life, negative emotions begin to accumulate like souvenirs. It is impossible for us to realise our full potential unless we leave our negative emotions behind. And there is one negative emotion that seems to be endemic to our society: ‘worry’. Worry is a sustained form of fear caused by indecision. This means that as soon as we make a decision to act in any worrisome situation; fear, tension and stress begin to diminish.

But how do we conquer fears and worries? One of the best ways to conquer fear is to face it. If we face fears and worries we ’step up’, but when we run away from it we ’step off’ from the race of life.

In self-development seminars we are told that when faced with worry we should apply the master method, which is one of the most powerful methods of dealing with fear. First of all, define very clearly what you’re worrying about. The second step is to ask yourself ‘what is the worst possible outcome of the situation?’ The third step is to resolve to accept the worst, should it, and the final step is to do everything humanly possible to make sure that the worst does not happen.

But my mother has a different approach on how to conquer fears and worries. Hers is spiritual. She asks me to go into my Bible and recite the Psalms. Anytime I am confronted with fears and worries, Psalms have a way of comforting me. They give me confidence that if I entrust Him with my fears and worries, He will take care of it because He never fails.

Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, Writer, Business/Life Coach, Trainer, Media Entrepreneur and Competent Toastmaster. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to help individuals and organisations achieve their full potentials. He is the author of best selling “4 Indispensable Strategies for Success” and the President of Croydon Communicators Toastmasters. Get his FREE monthly Rise to the Top ezine by sending a blank email to subscribe@dayoolomu.com or visit his website at: www.dayoolomu.com

As we’ve reached the half way point of the year I’m thinking this might be a good time to pull up and evaluate things. Look back over the first 6 months, and look ahead to the upcoming days and months. Get some clarity. You know?

Ask ourselves some questions. Get some answers. This is also a good time to switch gears. Reach into your reserve tank a little and take the pace of things up a notch. Plan and do some of those things that you’ve been putting off until later. Well, it’s later.

I kind of had a recurring set of questions thundering around the cavernous space in my head this past week (hey, no laughing…). You know, just kind of got stuck on them. Couldn’t get rid of them until I finally provided me with some answers. The answers helped a lot with clarity. Thought I might share them with you. If you answer them for yourself maybe they’ll do the same for you. So here they are.

Where do you stand? What do you stand for? What’s going to be your legacy 20 years after you’re gone? What will the world remember you for? Nothing? Something? What?

Kind of goofy I know but knowing the answers to these questions sure helps me cruise through distractions. Helps me to make better, more focused decisions. And besides, we all know the best way to predict the future is to create it. First in our minds then in the realities of our daily life. We all know that right? Thought so.

You see, all day everyday you’re writing a book. It’s called Your Life.

Make it worth reading. Make it worth noting. Really make it The Greatest Story Ever Told. REALLY!

“It’s time you went out and did something great.”

Rats, is it time to go already? I was just getting warmed up.

Today, this week, the rest of the year— Do More, Be More, Have More.

Live some. Love some. Learn some. Everyday.

C…

Clyde Dennis, a.k.a. “Mr. How-To” has been writing and publishing Articles and Newsletters online since 1999. Clyde’s company EASYHow-To Publications provides “How-To” information on How-To do, be or have just about anything one can imagine. For more information visit http://www.EASYHow-To.com. Email correspondence for Clyde should be sent to: cdennis@easyhow-to.com

We’ve all heard that leaders should lead by example; that people pay more attention to our deeds than our words. This is completely true. What is implied by this truth, but not always articulated, is that people will follow whatever example we set.

To be a remarkable leader then, we must make conscious choices to set the right examples - to lead in directions we want people to follow.

The Caterpillars

Processionary caterpillars are an unusual species. They travel one after the other, head to tail in their search for food. It is because of this behavior that Jean Henri Fabre, the French entomologist, conducted an experiment.

He placed processionary caterpillars around the rim of a teacup one after the other in a circle. In the tea cup he placed their favorite foods, inches from their current location.

Through instinct and the strength of habit, the ring of caterpillars circled the teacup for seven days, until they died from exhaustion and starvation. They died with the food they were searching for just inches away. Because of their nature and this arrangement they all assumed someone else was leading.

While we as humans are more insightful, complex and intelligent, our behavior, sadly, often mimics that of the processionary caterpillar.

We follow our leaders and habits blindly, without questioning if our direction will get us where we want to go. If we are leading we often rely too much on instinct and habit. Perhaps worse, if we aren’t the assigned leader don’t think at all, assuming those who are leading are doing it well. Perhaps they are. Or perhaps you are collectively lining your own teacup.

Following blindly is dangerous enough for us as individuals, but can be even more devastating for us as leaders. As leaders we are asked to lead people to a desired future. It is rightly expected of us to do that with good information and a reasoned approach.

The Quick Trip

Many years ago I worked in a business with very difficult economics. There was an opportunity to make a significant sale to a new Customer who happened to be located in Hawaii. As a part of the negotiation for this long term supply of product, they wanted to meet with our General Manager.

Our General Manager flew from San Francisco early one morning, and with the advantage of the time zones, was able to meet with the Customer all day. He then went back to the airport and flew home on the red eye.

He saved some money, no hotel stay, etc. - an important consideration in our tough business climate. But the more important reason for the quickness of his trip was that he wanted to lead by example. He told me later, “It was important for people to know that I went for the business, and not a mini vacation.”

The example he set made a difference for those he led. Through his simple act, people re-focused on ways to improve the business and save money. Steve clearly led by example.

I could give you many other examples - some big and historic and others seldom mentioned - to illustrate the power of a leader’s correct example.

Your task though is to take what you already know, that people follow the actions of leaders and not their words, and use it to your advantage.

Stop today to review the direction you are heading as a leader. Review the choices before you and make the best one, based not on comfort or habit, like the caterpillars, but based on the future result you desire.

Make your choice and step boldly forward in that direction. The combination of bold decision and action aligned with your words will be powerful, and will allow you to move people, and therefore your organization, in the right direction.

Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company. To receive a free Special Report on leadership that includes resources, ideas, and advice go to www.kevineikenberry.com/leadership.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

#1: YOU ARE INSANE

What is that definition of insanity? You keep doing the same thing over and over and getting the same result. What if I told you that is how you are hard wired? You do 96% of what you do habitually! That is astounding. That does not even feel remotely freeing.

How can we switch that around so that it becomes a statement of power instead of powerlessness? There is that 4% we can work with. Aha! That feels better.
Let’s take a look at what determines these habitual actions.

Why do we do something over and over again until it becomes a habit? Our actions are determined by our attitudes, which of course are a result of our beliefs. What is a belief? I say this over and over and over because it is the secret of how we create everything. A belief is just a thought that we think over and over. That is the most powerful statement. It bears repeating. A belief is just a thought we think over and over.

Do you listen to your mind? Do you believe your mind? Where do those thoughts come from? Would you allow anyone else to speak to you the way your mind does? Have you ever stopped to think that those automatic negative thoughts are just that? Automatic!!!
They come in on autopilot. They started a long time ago. Perhaps from a frustrated parent, a less than nurturing teacher, a best friend that wasn’t a friend after all. A seed was planted, you believed it and wheeeee, it was off and running. You have continued this self talk for years. It took on a life of its own. On and on, year after year. It sounded something like this: “I will never amount to anything; I am so unlucky; I can’t do that; I feel so ashamed; I can’t believe I did that; I am so stupid!” Oh, pardon me. Did you really think those were YOUR thoughts? You thought you invented them? They are not so original. In fact they go back generations.

So you continued to think those thoughts, you claimed them, repeated them over and over and then they became a belief. They determined your attitude. Your attitude determined your actions. How does a loser behave? How does someone with low self-esteem behave? How does someone who has given up a long time ago behave? This behavior then becomes a habit. All of this is happening on a sub-conscious level.

No wonder you are insane. You have not stopped doing what you do (over and over again) long enough to take inventory. You are just acting out the habits that were created by beliefs a long time ago.

Here is the good news. You have choice. You can determine what you think. You can CHOOSE to think empowering thoughts. What if you became so aware of your thoughts that you became like a detective? What if you started to question your thoughts when they appeared? (Which is just what they do, they appear, just like the wind, or snowflakes.) What if you became committed to choosing the thoughts that felt good?
What if you created self talk that served you? You have the power to make changes and live the life you desire. It all begins with thought.

It is time to create new beliefs. Think empowering thoughts over and over and create those beliefs that support you and nurture you. You can do it. Your thoughts are the one thing that you do control. It is time to become sane!

Oh, now it makes perfect sense! IF, I think empowering thoughts, over and over again they become a belief. IF I believe I am smart, successful, funny, you name it - I will behave in that manner. I will create habits that support, serve and empower me. Then my habitual behavior, which is 96% of what I do, will create success. Wow!!!

Eureka! The secret is out. My thoughts do create my reality. I can choose my thoughts.
Choose sanity. Clean up your mind.

Dr. Nancy Heimstra teaches people who don’t know what they want to be when they grow up an easy way to get clear on their life purpose so they can make more money, have better relationships and live the life they always wanted, by taking action.

coachnancy@spirit-alchemy.com