Don’t let the GOOD things crowd out the GREAT things! - Robert Rohm

At the start of each year we are given a chance for a new beginning. We have the opportunity to set new goals, dream bigger dreams and reach for the stars that we envision in our hearts.

I am always grateful for the opportunity to start fresh. It would seem that our Creator made that part of His plan. After all, we get to start fresh every twenty-four hours with a new day, every seven days with a new week, and every four weeks with a new month. Yes, it is a great truth that new beginnings are part of life.

As we begin a brand new year, however, not allowing GOOD things to crowd out GREAT things will be one of the biggest challenges that each of us will face! GOOD things may include such mundane matters as paying bills, cutting the grass, buying groceries, doing the laundry and taking care of the routine things that occupy part of our time. The older I get, the more I see that GOOD things often become the enemy of GREAT things.

When I look back over my life, I can see that the great events that have occurred have usually come at a high price. They required that I stop some of the familiar behaviors that I had grown accustomed to and that I begin some brand new behaviors that were perhaps more difficult. In other words, great things require great effort!

You have probably heard the saying, “Nothing changes if nothing changes!” I have adopted that as my new motto for this coming year. I cannot allow things to remain the way they have always been and expect them to suddenly change. It takes a lot of concentrated effort to break old patterns and begin new ones. But, after all, that is when great things occur.

Someone once suggested that I make a list of the things I want to do each day and then number the list according to priority. Then, starting with number one I should work on it without stopping until it was completed. If there were ten things on my list and by the end of the day I had only completed number one, the other nine GOOD things would pale in comparison with the one GREAT thing I had accomplished. However, if I completed the nine GOOD things but, did not do the one GREAT thing I wanted to accomplish, I would experience a sense of loss. I cannot remember who told me that but, I will always be grateful they did. It has become one of the greatest tools I have ever learned to use in my daily life. It seems when I focus on my priorities, it eliminates confusion. The fifteen minutes invested in making a daily schedule is multiplied one hundred fold before the end of the month.

Now, I am not trying to lay out some new magical formula for life, nor am I offering another reason for us to experience guilt. However, I am seeing that there is power in focusing on doing GREAT things rather than just on GOOD things.

The GREAT things that we do here at Personality Insights, Inc., come through a lot of hard work, commitment and dedication from each of us. On the other hand, all of the GOOD things that we do (and there are many of them), really do not make much difference in the lives of other people. I mean, after all, making sure that the floor is swept, the trash is taken out, the bills are paid, the bathroom has toilet tissue, and that the light fixtures have light bulbs that are working properly are all GOOD things and they must be done. But, they will crowd out the GREAT things that we want to do if we allow it.

It is time consuming, tedious work to create a new book, design new materials for consultants, develop web-site store fronts for our Affiliates and translate products into other languages for international markets. However, it is great to see a life changed and a whole new understanding come into a person’s life as a result of those efforts.

I want 2007 to be the best year of your life! I encourage you to make a list of all the GREAT things, as well as the GOOD things, you want to accomplish this year. Start with the GREAT things. At the end of the year, the GOOD things, for the most part, will all be taken care of, but the GREAT things will change your life and the lives of the others around you.

I do not know how many days I have left on this earth, but I want today to matter! And, I want to make a difference by focusing on GREAT things that have lasting value. Don’t you?

Tip: Don’t let the GOOD things crowd out the GREAT things!

Have a great week! God bless you!

Robert Rohm Ph.D.
Personality Insights, Inc.
email: insights@personalityinsights.com

Saying NO to Others is Saying YES to Yourself - by Jack Canfield

There are only two words that will always lead you to success. Those words are yes and no. Undoubtedly, you've mastered saying yes. So start practicing saying no. Your goals depend on it!

There have been great books written on the art of saying no. If you are constantly saying yes to other people, then you are constantly saying no to yourself and your goals. Ask yourself if what is being requested of you is in line with your goals, will it benefit you in some way and bring you closer to your success, or will you simply be spending your time on someone else's good opportunity?

How much time do you waste with projects and activities that you really don't want to do simply because you are uncomfortable saying no?

Success depends on getting good at saying no without feeling guilty. You cannot get ahead with your own goals if you are always saying yes to someone else's projects. You can only get ahead with your desired lifestyle if you are focused on the things that will produce that lifestyle.

Create a list of things that you want to stop doing. Then make that list into policies that you follow for the lifestyle you want to live. You don't want to let friends borrow money? Then make it your own personal policy. You don't want to do business deals over the phone? Then make it your own personal policy. It is very easy to say what your policies are, and you don't even have to use the word no! People respect policies. And it's likely that no one will take your policy personally, they'll realize it's a boundary you have set for all occasions.

Discerning when to say no gets tricky sometimes when what you are being offered sounds pretty good. But staying focused on the prize means saying no to opportunities that sound good, but not great. You could be blocking the great opportunities from coming into your life by focusing your energy on only the good opportunities!

But how can you determine what is good and what is great? You put the opportunity in writing! Look at it and decide what questions you need to ask, what kind of information you need to gather, what you would need to do in order to make it happen. Then, compare that information with what you know about achieving your goals. Is everything in line or is this opportunity leading you down a different path? Is it congruent with the purpose you are passionate about, or does it just sound better than what you are doing right now? Talk to your advisors about potential opportunities and reflect on their knowledge and expertise. They can help you think of what will be involved and they'll help you stay focused of your goal. A trusted advisor can help you see the writing on the wall, which you might not see on your own for your own excitement about the possibilities.

You might also consider talking to someone who is doing what you have an opportunity to do and weigh the information you gather against what you want for your own life. Trust that you will know what to do. Give yourself enough time to really think it through, you might say no to an opportunity that sounds good and find out that the really great opportunity was right around the corner! Or you might decide that this opportunity will lead you to an even greater opportunity.

Be brave in saying no to good opportunities, stay focused on your higher goals and let people know that you are committed to those goals. People will respect your clarity and drive.

Remember, just as you are in control of your feelings and attitudes, other people are in control of theirs, so if they do get upset with you for saying no...well that is a choice they make for themselves.

© 2006 Jack Canfield
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Jack Canfield, America's Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrtcsategies.com

Life Lessons from Jason - Jeff Keller

Life Lessons from Jason

You might have seen the amazing story that was shown on many television stations about Jason McElwain, the autistic teenager who performed miraculously when he got the chance to play in a high school basketball game. For those who are not familiar with this story, here is what happened.

Jason is a 17-year student at Greece Athena High School in New York. He is autistic and has served as manager of the school's basketball team. During the team's games, Jason sits on the bench, wearing a white shirt and black tie.

Jim Johnson, the coach of the team, invited Jason to suit up in uniform for the team's final game of the season. He told Jason that he would try to put him into the game if Greece Athena was ahead by a sufficient number of points.

Well, Jason got into the game with four minutes left. After missing his first two shots, he hit six out of 10 three- point shots (shots taken from more than 20 feet) and scored 20 points.

In the end, he was the game's leading scorer, although he played only four minutes! The crowd went wild and stormed onto the court to congratulate Jason and to celebrate his astonishing performance.

To be sure, Jason's story is inspirational and heart- warming. What's more, I think there are important lessons that we can all learn from this young man.

* Jason demonstrated the power of attitude and enthusiasm.
When Jason was asked about his job responsibilities as team manager, he explained that among other things, he sets the clock, keeps statistics and hands out water bottles and equipment. He also said that his job is "to be enthusiastic"
and encourage the players.

Isn't it interesting that he includes "to be enthusiastic"
as part of his job description? Because Jason is so enthusiastic and supportive, the coach loves him. The players love him. Even the fans that night were shouting his name and rooting for him to get into the game.

The lesson here is that when you're energetic and positive, people want to be around you. They want to help you. If Jason had performed his responsibilities in a dull, listless manner, I don't think there's a chance that the coach would have considered letting him play in a game.

Jason had given so much to the team that the coach wanted to reciprocate in some fashion. Perhaps, if we all add "to be enthusiastic" to our job descriptions, we'd have a lot more success at work and at home - and we'd gain a lot more cooperation from others.

* Jason wasn't afraid to fail.
Jason's first shot missed badly. He didn't even hit the rim. He also missed his second shot. Yet, he wasn't discouraged. Jason was going to keep on shooting. He then scored 20 points in a little more than three minutes!

How many of us take a shot or two in life (for example, on a sales call or in a personal relationship), get a poor result and then quit? Had Jason done that, he wouldn't have accomplished his incredible feat. As with any endeavor, it often takes a little time before we get "in a groove" and things go our way. We have to be willing to endure the "misses" until we get on track.

* Jason was willing to serve.
Jason's first choice was not to be the team manager. He wanted to play basketball for the junior varsity team. He tried out but wasn't good enough.

Instead of sulking and giving up on basketball, he willingly took the job as team manager of the varsity squad. He loves basketball and this was his opportunity to be around the game.

So often, we don't reach our initial goal and we let our ego get in the way. We don't want to accept a "lesser role" or play "second fiddle," even temporarily.

* Do what you love.
Jason shows us that great opportunities often appear when you engage in activities that you're passionate about. Here's a guy who absolutely loves basketball. You can see it on his face when he's out on the court helping the other players or shooting around by himself.

When you do what you love, you may make a lot of money; but then again, you may not. However, you will be happier and attract more positive experiences into your life - and perhaps even create a "miracle" as Jason has done.

* Jason was prepared to seize the moment.
Let's not forget that Jason practiced his shooting all the time. Although he didn't have game experience, he shot around in the gym on a regular basis. He knew he could make long shots, and when given the chance in a game, he made the majority of his shots.

Let's turn to your dream. Are you ready for your opportunity? Have you done the practice, the research and whatever else is necessary for you to be ready to seize your moment? The time to prepare is now. If you wait until the opportunity arrives, it's too late.

* Jason helped us to expand what we thought was possible.
If someone had told you that an autistic teenager serving as a high school basketball team manager was put into an actual game, hit six out of 10 three point shots, and scored 20 points in just over three minutes, you'd say that could only happen in a movie. Yet this was real life.

Not only that, but the President of the United States visited Jason at an airport near his home. Jason was interviewed on CBS-TV during the Final Four round of the NCAA basketball tournament. In addition, a documentary of his story was shown to millions of people around the world.
Former basketball legend Magic Johnson came to the school gym to meet Jason and announce that a deal has been made to acquire the movie rights to Jason's story.

Jason has achieved what many would say was "impossible," and yet we know deep down that we, too, have the ability to create magic in our own lives if we'll expand our view of what is possible.

Congratulations, Jason on your magnificent accomplishments - and for giving us a formula for successful living.

-- Jeff Keller
(c) Attitude is Everything, Inc.

PDM Committee - year end function 27.11.2006

On Monday night, the PDM Committee had their year-end function in the PDM office.

Ps Jackie

The food...quiche, bacon & corn muffins, pizza, cocktail viennas and cheese. Not in the picture is a cream chocolate cake and a pecan tart for dessert.

Oh - there we go. There's the chocolate cake!

Oh, and Eugene and Ps Jackie

Madelaine, Barry, Anthony and Teresa - all looking very serious.

Wonder what that was about?

Michael, Francoise and Eugene

And, last but not least...

Dion and Marcia (I'm glad to see still tanned after Thailand)

Imagination is more important than knowledge!

A person who has imagination is actually able to see things that are invisible. I am not one hundred percent sure who first said that imagination is more important than knowledge but, I believe Albert Einstein is credited with the quote. I am confident, however, that many other people before him knew the value of having a dream, seeing the impossible and attempting things never before done!

God created us to be creators. When I was in seminary, I had a professor who told us that the first thing that we ever learn about God is found in the opening words of His book..“In the beginning, God created..” The professor said that when we are in a creative mode, trying to bring about things that have never been done before, we are in a mode that is perhaps more like God than at any other time. When you create things that are helpful to other people, you are imitating the very God of the universe who created everything that is visible around us.

To know that I have the ability to create something that will help people, encourage others, or be a blessing to someone’s life, is really a phenomenal concept. And just think..it all begins with my imagination.

One of my favorite things to do is to read stories about how things came into existence. I have a book entitled, “Mistakes That Worked.” The author’s incredible research points out how many things had their beginning in someone’s imagination. Even though the ideas did not seem to work at the time, they eventually were discovered to be wonderful inventions.

One of my favorite stories was about chocolate chip cookies. A woman who was baking cookies for a friend put chocolate morsels in the cookies thinking that they would melt and the cookies would be totally chocolate. When she removed them from the oven, she was surprised to find that the chocolate morsels had not melted at all! They had stayed intact and although soft, the cookies had not turned entirely dark or chocolate in color, and that the chocolate chips had remained in place.

The woman was ready to throw away the whole batch because she was certain the cookies were ruined. But, it was late and her friend was waiting for the cookies so they decided to try them anyway. The friend took one bite of the cookie said, “These are the best cookies that I have ever put in my mouth!”

Of course, we all know what a big hit that “mistake” was! How many of us can even live without chocolate chip cookies?!

I also love the imagination of the old English cook who enjoyed cooking potatoes. He had one particular patron who loved the fact that he cut the potatoes very thinly. One night the patron asked the cook if it were possible to cut them even thinner. The old cook decided that he would cut the potatoes so thin it would be hard to recognize that they were even potatoes! Then he fried them and called them “potato chips” and thus, imagination brought about another new creation.

Can you see why I like these stories? They illustrate how someone’s imagination created an invention that has been a help, a blessing or an addition to all of our lives.

New creations are constantly being invented. Most of our grandparents who are still living today have seen the world change more in the past 100 years than it has been changed in several thousand years! And all of this is as a direct result of someone’s imagination.

Let me encourage you this week to become more of a creator. Begin to imagine what CAN be done. Look at possibilities that have never been done before or tried before. Why not become the creator or inventor of one of these ideas yourself? All it takes is a little imagination and it may take you and, perhaps the whole world, to a brand new level.


Tip: Imagination is more important than knowledge!

By Robert Rohm Ph D.
Personality Insights, Inc.
www.personalityinsights.com

Faith like potatoes - new movie out!

Hi all

This movie is based on Angus Buchan's book.

Read more here.

Have a great week!

Ps M

Edited to add
We went to see the movie this weekend and it is very inspirational and uplifting.

Do yourself a favour and go see it!

Never Give Up!The Power of Determination by Jack Canfield

Never Give Up!
The Power of Determination by Jack Canfield

In a previous issue of success strategies, I talked about the importance of taking action toward your goals, dreams and desires. But one of the most important qualities you will need to develop in order to continue taking action is persistence.

You must be persistent in your disciplines and habits; perseverant in the face of adversity, hardship and challenge; and determined to achieve your dreams, no matter what.

There will be many times when you will want to quit, give up, and go back to doing something else, but the one quality that will guarantee your success is the willingness to stick with it, to see it through to the end — to refuse to settle for anything less than your dream.

The longer you hang in there, the greater the chance that something will happen in your favor.

No matter how hard it seems, the longer you persist, the more likely your success will be.

Adversity and Discouragement Is Inevitable
No matter how well you plan and how well you execute your plan, you are bound to meet with disappointments, adversity and failure along the way to your ultimate triumph. Sometimes, you’ll encounter what seem like overwhelming odds. And sometimes, the Universe will test your commitment to the goal you’re pursuing.

The going may be hard, and may require you to refuse to give up while you learn new lessons, develop new parts of yourself, and make difficult decisions.

And, adversity is what gives you the opportunity to develop your inner resources of character and courage. Adversity is a great teacher. It will test you and make you stronger. But you have to hang in there and not give up!

More than 4000 years ago in China, Confucius wrote: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

How to Deal with Obstacles
Whenever you confront an obstacle or run into a roadblock, you need to stop and brainstorm three ways to get around it, over it, or through it. For every obstacle, come up with three different strategies for handling the potential obstacle. There are any number of ways that till work, but you will only find them if you spend time looking for them.

Always be solution-oriented in your thinking. Persevere until you find a way that works.

© 2006 Jack Canfield
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Jack Canfield, America’s Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com