Story as told by Zig Ziglar

The dad was working in his home office and his little six-year old son wanted his dad to play catch with him.

About every five minutes the little boy would knock on his door and ask him to come out and play. The dad would say he couldn’t until he finished his work.

The fourth time the boy interrupted him the dad had an idea. He had a big picture of a world map on his desk. The dad cut it up into puzzle pieces and gave it to his son, telling him that when he finished putting the map together he would play catch with him.

The little boy took the pieces and started to work. About two minutes later, much to his dad’s surprise, he came back and said, “Dad, I am all done! Let’s play catch!” Amazed that the boy had completed it so quickly, he asked his son how he did it.

The boy said, “It’s simple, Dad. I noticed that there was a picture of a man on the other side of the page of the world, and I discovered that when I got the man right, the world was right.”

***

Getting ‘our work done’ to get ‘the man right’ must included the physical, mental, and spiritual areas. Skills and knowledge are important, but without character, discipline, the right mental approach and a good attitude, skills alone don’t get us far. 

By Zig Ziglar

I remember the media coverage which accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary’s feat of being the first person to scale Mt. Everest.  He became an instant celebrity, even though he had failed in his first effort and left five of his guides dead on the mountainside.  England recognized Sid Edmund Hillary’s tremendous effort by giving him the highest honor awarded a foreigner.  Years later he was back in the headlines when his son climbed to the peak of Mt. Everest and a radio-phone conversation was held between father and son.

Today, according to the government of Nepal, it’s very common for climbers to reach the peak of Mt. Everest.  As a matter of fact, a one-day record of 37 people reaching the summit of Mt. Everest has been reported.  Seven teams arrived within a half-hour period and created a climber’s traffic jam.  Yes, yesterday’s impossibles often become tomorrow’s standards.

On September 6, 1995, one of the world’s “unbreakable” records was broken.  I speak of the “Iron Man” stunt of Lou Gehrig, who played in 2,130 consecutive baseball games.  Gehrig’s record was thought to be unbreakable, but Cal Ripken broke that record and extended that streak to make it even more “impossible.”  Another record considered unbreakable was the number of hits Ty Cobb had gotten, but several years ago Pete Rose broke that “unbreakable” record.  Today 12-year-old girls are swimming faster than Johnny Weismuller swam when he was the Olympic Gold Medal winner.

Most of us get excited when we read about super-human achievements, but something that is much more important is when we break our own personal best records for accomplishments.  Achieving better grades, a better work record, a better record of “being nice,” and a host of other records will make you a better person in the most important game of all – the game of life.

Think about it – give it your best shot – break your own personal records and you will be AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar was known as America’s Motivator.  He authored 32 books and produced numerous training programs.  He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily.

“I am the New Year.

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination…

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have – these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.”

Author Unknown

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Afrikaans                   Voorspoedige nuwe jaar
Arabic                         Kul ‘am wa antum bikhair
Basque                       Urte Berri on
Bengali                       Shuvo noboborsho
Chinese (Cantonese)       Sun nien fai lok
Chinese (Mandarin)       Xin nian yu kuai
Czech                        Stastny Novy Rok
Danish                     Godt NytÅr
Dutch                       Gelukkig nieuwjaar
Esperanto                 Bonan Novjaron
Finnish                     Onnellista uutta vuotta
French                      Bonne année
German                    Ein glückliches neues Jahr
Greek                       Eutychismenos o kainourgios chronos
Hawaiian                 Hauoli Makahiki hou
Hebrew                    Shana Tova
Hungarian               Boldog uj evet
Icelandic                  gleðilegt nýtt ár
Indonesian (Bahasa)   Selamat Tahun Baru
Italian                      Felice Anno Nuovo or Buon anno
Japanese                 Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
Korean                     Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo
Laotian (Hmong)       Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab
Latin                        Felix sit annus novus
Nigerian (Hausa)   Barka da sabuwar shekara
Norwegian             Godt Nytt År
Philippines (Tagalog)   Manigong Bagong Taon
Polish                      Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Romanian              La Multi Ani si Un An Nou Fericit
Samoan                 Ia manuia le Tausaga Fou
Spanish                 Feliz año nuevo
Swahili                  Heri za Mwaka Mpya
Swedish                Gott Nytt År
Thai                       Sawatdee Pi Mai
Vietnamese          Chuc mung nam moi
Welsh                   Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

MAY 4TH, 2011, AUTHOR: STEVEN HANDEL, CATEGORIES: PSYCHOLOGY

Neurons that fire together wire together. So the more we practice having thoughts or beliefs that benefit our well-being, the more naturally those thoughts and beliefs will play themselves out in our everyday life.

Affirmations are one way to develop new beliefs that can eventually become second-nature. Every morning or evening we can repeat these affirmations with a clear and focused mind, and with practice these beliefs can take hold inside our brains.

One caveat, however, is to make sure that the affirmations you repeat to yourself are congruent with reality, and aligned with your core values. I’ve seen many people come up with delusional affirmations and then attempt to ingrain them into their minds. Even when they do succeed, those beliefs can be detrimental.

Please be aware of the meaning and intention behind the affirmation before you decide to “program it” into your mind.

The following is just a list of suggestions on some of the affirmations you may want to practice. Feel free to use the ones you think will benefit you, and disregard the ones you disagree with. Hopefully this list can also motivate you to think of some unique affirmations of your own.

I recommend only practicing 1 or 2 affirmations at a time. And the affirmations you choose to practice should largely depend on your current goals in self-improvement.

75 Affirmations for Self Improvement

1. Everyday, in every way, I am getting better and better.

2. Every failure can be a learning experience.

3. Live in the present moment.

4. I create value in other peoples’ lives.

5. I am always changing.

6. I am worthy of positive relationships in my life.

7. I wish the best for everyone.

8. I learn something new everyday.

9. I am genuinely interested in other people.

10. I have many strengths.

11. I don’t worry about the things I can’t control.

12. Listening to my emotions can help guide me to make better decisions.

13. My anxiety is motivation to change or improve.

14. I can overcome obstacles in my life.

15. I am a positive role model to others.

16. I will try something different today.

17. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is necessary for growth.

18. People are generally good.

19. I forgive anyone who has hurt me in the past.

20. I have a rich and supportive social circle.

21. What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger.

22. My past is one big learning experience.

23. I must be the change I wish to see in the world.

24. I will try to be more understanding of others.

25. Depression is just a stepping stone.

26. This too shall pass.

27. I can find happiness in every moment.

28. I’m a proactive problem-solver.

29. When I open my mind and senses, I’m much more creative.

30. I can create my own positive energy.

31. When people get to know me, they really like me.

32. Just do it.

33. I can see the bigger picture.

34. I see money as a useful tool for helping myself and others.

35. I take small steps everyday to be more healthy.

36. I’m dedicated to my passions in life.

37. I have the resources to take care of my family.

38. My negative emotions can serve a positive function.

39. I determine the meaning of my life.

40. Every decision I make helps shape my destiny.

41. No risk, no reward.

42. I remain focused on what matters.

43. I participate in life, I don’t wait for it to happen.

44. I will be more conscious when acting and making decisions.

45. I can think rationally and intelligently.

46. I’m dedicated to self improvement.

47. I treat others with kindness and respect.

48. If I want something I’ve never had, I must do something I’ve never done.

49. I know when to relax and not take life so seriously.

50. Nature doesn’t hurry, yet all is accomplished.

51. I can accept criticism without taking it personally.

52. I love and accept my body.

53. When I love myself, I allow others to love me too.

54. Most of the limitations in my life are fictional.

55. I narrate the story of my life.

56. I exude purpose and joy.

57. All is well, right here, right now.

58. Today, I open my mind to the endless opportunities surrounding me.

59. I am grateful for the people in my life.

60. I am my own best friend.

61. I can find balance in my life.

62. I am mindful of my health and well-being.

63. I exercise freedom in all aspects of my life.

64. I know when to trust my intuition.

65. I can gain knowledge in anything if I’m willing to learn.

66. I strive to achieve my goals and values in life.

67. I can only give happiness to others once I have found happiness in myself.

68. I’m optimistic about the future.

69. I have all the material luxury I need.

70. I’m thankful for everything in my life.

71. I’m interconnected with everything in the universe.

72. I’m productive in achieving what I want in life.

73. Small changes on a daily basis lead to big changes over time.

74. Most of the time there is nothing to fear.

75. When life gets tough, I can persist.