" What Happens Tomorrow ... "

You've got to believe 

it'll be alright in the end 

Fighting, because we're so close 

There are times we punish those who we need the most 

No, we can't wait for a saviour 

Only got ourselves to blame for this behaviour

And nobody knows what's gonna happen tomorrow 

~ Duran Duran ~ What Happens Tomorrow ~

***

How do you define motivation?  Is it what makes things happen?  Without it, is there any desire or drive to accomplish or create?  Once I understood what was moving me in one direction or holding me back in another, I started to understand my motivation triggers.  And started to make things happen.  For me, motivation affects everything I do and every choice I make. 

We usually can slot into one of the below motivation types ...

Achievement ... pursuing & attaining goals ... this kind can be combined with the drive to be good at something.  Achievement motivated people like work, responsibility and take pride in solving problems.  

Affiliation ... strong desire for love and acceptance ... there is a drive to relate to people on a social basis.  Having a support system is crucial.  Compliments, good attitude and cooperation are valued.

Security ... essentially a deep concern for the future.  The feeling that accumulating money and material possessions eases and shelters the pathway to the future.  Change and risk-taking is stressful.  Having steady work and dependable income is comfort.

Nuture ... need to give support, help, service and gifts to others with no strings attached.  Important factor is knowing you are lending comfort or a listening ear.  This is associated with the ability to empathize and respond to the needs of others.

Fear ... often imposed from an external source.  Creates worry and stress.  Internally, the feeling of need for change, due to pain and fear of remaining in a situation is often a catalyst for this type.

Power and Influence ... intensely driven to put in an extra effort to accomplish goals for this promise.  Competition with others is evident.  Influence, leadership, desire to control and responsibility for others are by-products of a power position.  Positively, results are achieved, negatively, power used for personal aggrandizement.

So what motivates you? Unlocking your motivation type(s) can help you understand your personal values ... what truly energies and excites you.  Once you know what these values are, then you can plan your goals around them.  If you are still unsure, study the some of the most successful people.  They understand what their values are and live their lives in accordance with them.  

You’d be surprised how many of us though, live our lives according to other people’s values. We end up devoting a large amount of time to things that genuinely don’t matter to us which results in those feelings of de-motivation & sluggishness. 

Some of my personal values are health, innovation, learning and insight, fun and adventure.  I make a concerted effort to ensure I am factoring in these values every day in some way.  I am careful not to confuse my values with ‘pleasurable activities’ ... values are not always about instant gratification – but they assist you to grow as a person in the long run.

“Never let the things that matter to you most be at the mercy of those that do not”

" Naturally ... "

How you choose to express yourself

Its all your own and I can tell

It comes naturally, 

it comes naturally

You follow what you feel inside,

It's intuitive, you don't have to try,

It comes naturally,

It comes naturally

~ Selena Gomez ~ Naturally ~ 

***

13 months of natural living ... I have had no salt, no spices, no meat, no fish, no dairy.  I have used no hair colour, no makeup, no perfume, no nail polish, no metal jewellery.  I have had Hippocrates soup twice a day, baked potatoes twice a day, vegan meals, oodles of daily natural supplements, coffee enemas (3 to 5 times a day).  13 months of a very clean, natural, holistic lifestyle to rid the cancer and heal my body.  And, this may seem extreme and intense, and it is ... but it has to be as cancer is a serious dis-ease requiring serious treatment.  

To think everyone is going to be inspired to do the same is naive ... and the thought may be, “why should I?  I don’t have cancer?” ... But what if you lived your life in a manner that ensures you don’t have to take extreme measures one day?  What if you tried to live a clean lifestyle now?  It is possible because we don’t like dirt in our lives on all levels ... physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  

Since I have been asked several times about how to, I thought I would blog about shifting into a cleaner, natural lifestyle ....

Begin with cleaning up your addictions.  Addictions to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or gambling are the obvious ones when taken to an extreme and abused.  But what about the Internet, food, TV, work, shopping ... you will be able to identify what is your vice as addictions tend to suck up your time and resources.  They deplete of energy and make you feel unsatisfied.  Be honest with yourself and and make an effort to get rid of them.

Next try cleaning up your priorities.  These can be great but you can have too many ... we are not superheros so to feel balanced you need to make choices.  Some things have to be at the top of your list while others can be left behind for a while.  When you choose the right priorities, everything will fall in place and you will feel satisfied with the choices you make in life.

Now try cleaning up your diet.  I find a clean diet so beneficial as it brings my mind in balance with my body and soul.  Eliminate fast foods, highly processed foods, go organic!, add fresh produce (as much as possible), make your own food so you know what’s truly in it, eliminate added sugar and salt from your meals.  From experience, what I eat affects how I feel, how much energy I have and the obvious, how healthy I am. 

Next step is cleaning up your goals.  These are similar to priorities.  Manage goals in different areas of your life without sacrificing your sanity.  When your lifestyle turns into a lengthy to-do list, you will feel out of control and balance.  Right here right now ... focus on what matters most.  Set up a goal and break it down into bite-size pieces to tackle.  Re-evaluate them and make sure they are aligned with your priorities.

Remember the basic premise of a natural lifestyle is one that makes you feel like a whole person.  This includes any way of living of being that allows you to feel as if you are being nurtured and are given the freedom to grow.  Start paying attention as you know what makes you happy and feel complete within your physical body, emotional mind and sacred spirit.  The key to personal well-being lies within each of us individually ... the question is not whether we can, but how committed we are.

" The Greater Good ... "

Breathe... us in

Breathe... slowly

Breathe... us in

Slowly...

Everything you do,

Everywhere you go,

Anything we want

Anything

Persuasion (slowly)

Coercion (slowly)

Selection (breathe)

Assimilation (us in)

~ Nine Inch Nails ~ The Greater Good ~

***

Recently during one of Oprah’s life classes, the concept of intentions versus dreams was discussed with Cheryl Richardson.  An audience member asked what was the difference between them ...great question to consider.

So how it was explained was that intentions come from a soulful place, a soul goal and dreams come from a head goal.  Most of us dream or wish for something that is not working in our lives.  Yet intentions encompass the highest and best interest for you and those around you prior to allowing it to happen.  It is a humble way considering you and the greater energy or greater creative force ... that is where intentions are set from.

Yet most of us ask “what’s in it for me?”  so are we able to live in a space of “what’s in for the greater good instead?"  Just consider how many organizations and people strive for this only to be shot down with critiques ... take the recent social media blitz regarding Kony 2012.  Even if the filmmaker’s “intent” was to shed light on the atrocities taking place, the opposition was quick to find the “hoax” in it all ... leaving many to think, it’s not in my world, it’s not in my life, it’s not my problem ... but don't we share the same skies, breathe the same air ... embrace the same universe?

So back to goals ... having them are so important in our lives because they are based on some future outcome and require planning and discipline to achieve.  Give us a sense of purpose and direction.  And along with intentions, we set focus on the future and connect the present ... how we are “being” in any given moment.  Intentions create the momentum to move forward toward our goal.  They are based on what matters most to us bringing our actions in line with our values.  This is how intentions flow from the heart and create your vision ... while goals are created in your mind.

Now how we balance our good with the greater good is an individual dilemma to consider. Yet, If we can take a step back and look at how our goals and intentions affect those around us, maybe we would reconsider our actions, locally and globally.  Perhaps “the greater good” is a starting point for thinking about morality... serving our own good as well.

Today, more than ever before, 

life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, 

not only nation to nation and human to human, 

but also human to other forms of life 

Dalai Lama ॐ

" Focus ... "

“ Not concerned about

What nobody else gotta say

Just do what you do

Cuz they gonna talk anyway ...

Yea, Do it just for you

So dont even waste ya time ...

I'm focus now, I'm focus now “

~ Ashanti ~ Focus ~

The power of focus ... our ability to focus wholeheartedly on on our goals can determine the likelihood of achieving the success we desire.  Daydreams are often seeds of ideas taking root.  They can provide a roadmap towards dedicating all efforts on our ambitions.  A level of dedication ... using the entirety of our brainpower ... centering and focusing on an opportunity.

It may sound simple yet so many of us struggle with bringing our dreams to fruition.  Our minds are incredibly strong and influential ... if we focus on our goals, we can truly see and feel the power of the mind.  But sometimes it’s not just good enough to just keep our goals in mind.  Writing down our goals and putting all our power and energy into the list can help.  We can start this process by the following according to “Power of Focus” by Jack Canfield:

• Make It Yours - keep in mind that your goals have to be right for you, not someone else - don’t be tempted by media, peers, or culture - ask yourself if this is really what you want or are you being pressured by others.
• Be Specific - accurately specify what it is that you really want - don’t be vague as that won’t get you far - get as specific and detailed as you can - if you can measure it, it will be easier to follow through
• Dream Big - it is not useless to set high goals - ask yourself if you are afraid to set a big goal - ask yourself are you afraid of failure as to some extent, we all are, but the key to becoming successful is to look fear in the eye and go for your dreams in spite of any obstacles that may come your way.
• Be A Realist - don’t let your imagination go too wild and create dreams that are physically impossible - dream big but be realistic.
• Give Yourself A Timeframe - give yourself reasonable time to develop what you need and practice it well before you become - don’t be hard on yourself yet be fair.

When we visualize our objectives, we begin to understand that the success we wish to attain is within our grasp.  We can make the most of this optimism by channeling our imprecise devotion into our ability to focus on the next steps ... to build our life desires.  Our dreams that once seemed beyond our realm of possibility can become concrete goals.  The power of focus ... 

Choose to live your dreams, not your fears ...

" Born To Lead ... "

"With eyes closed tightly,

I march so blindly.

Pretending everything's fine,

'Cause you're there to keep me in line.

I don't want your guidance,

I'll break my silence.

So sick of asking and being denied and now I realize.

We're holding the key, to unlock our destiny,

We were Born To Lead"

~ Hoobastank ~ Born To Lead ~

***

We all have to earn a living, whether it be as an entrepreneur or working for someone else.  During these working hours, we are required to "serve the vision of our employer or business"  We take on a load of responsibilities, learn best in class strategies and practices, get trained while immersing in the "company culture".  Ultimately, meeting the objective of the company.  And for some, including my past life, they devote their whole life to working ... workaholics .. even after work and during weekends.  Their life is essentially tied to serving their company.

So, what if you started viewing your life as your company instead?  Yep, you read that right ... if you think of your life as your company, and you are the CEO of your life.  Once you get your head around this idea, start asking yourself some questions ... are you leading your life to its highest possible success? And if your company's overall status matches your life's overall status, are you a leader?  How is your personal growth department doing?  Do others want to invest in your life?  Or are you struggling to survive?  Gives you something to think about ...

And what about the purpose of your company ... have you discovered YOUR purpose?  Your company's vision, which is an articulation of your vision, such as your life goals ~ have you identified them?  Without a clear vision, our lives can appear randomly scattered and not optimized toward a common direction ... with no singular focus at all.

This all may seem a bit difficult to take on so what I do is look at aspects of my life, like a pie (hmmmm just for a moment I fantasize about a nice slice of homemade apple pie ...) ... whoops! okay back to the subject at hand please! ... I look at the departments in my life like slices of pie ... Health & Wellness, Relationships, Career, Wealth, Spirituality, etc ... 

Many people fall into the trap of overly focusing in the department of career and wealth, neglecting the rest.  They fill their life with "things" to overcompensate for missing aspects in their life.  They measure their "self-worth" by their bank account figure.  And, hey, no judgement, if that works for you, carry on my friend.  For me, I have realized that all departments need to be performing at the peak to lead my best life.  I can't neglect your Health and Relationships and expect my life to be soaring.  

So if you dare, take the time to do a personal performance review on your life ... ask yourself some of these questions and determine if there are certain departments in your life that need some attention.  Because each department in your life exists for a reason, serving a particular unique function, to make you whole, complete, and perfectly YOU.