Rhonda's 2012 Blessings...

....no, make that 11!

·         Blessed are the confident for they shall have an unshakable belief in themselves based on a realistic understanding of their circumstances; a trait that most people admire in others and strive to acquire themselves.

·         Blessed are the curious for they shall be eager to know, learn, and grow; always showing interest and giving special attention to the less obvious; always being the person who says “I want to know more about…”

·         Blessed are those who are decisive, for they shall arrive at a final conclusion or make a choice and take action; making decisions with determination even when they don’t have all the information they think they need.

·         Blessed are those who are empathetic, for they shall demonstrate care and understanding of someone else’s situation, feelings, and motives; always thinking about what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.

·         Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape, nor be rigid and unable to change with life; responding positively to change; being pliable, adaptable, and able to deal with ambiguity.

·         Blessed are those who love humor, for they shall not take themselves or life too seriously; viewing themselves and the world with enjoyment; being amused, and at times, even comical!

·        Blessed are the intelligent, for they shall think and work smarter and cleverly; being sharp in their dealings; “not reinventing the wheel”: planning before acting; working efficiently and focusing on quality over quantity.

·         Blessed are the optimistic, for they shall expect the best possible outcome; dwelling on the most hopeful or positive aspects of a situation; believing that the glass is half full rather than half empty.

·         Blessed are those who display perseverance, for they shall have passion, energy, focus and the desire to get results; always staying motivated, persistent in their hard work.

·        Blessed are the respectful, for they shall remember that it is just as easy to be nice; protecting another person's self-esteem; treating others in a considerate and courteous manner.

·        Blessed are the self-aware, for they shall display a sophisticated form of consciousness that enables them to regulate themselves by monitoring, observing, and changing their thought processes and behaviors. 

5 Steps to Increasing Income At Your Current Job.

         Show Up Early - This step alone will make you stand above the crowd.  Most people are not willing to get to work early.  By taking the initiative, you will show your boss that you are a serious and valuable employee that is worth their trust and consideration for promotion. 

         Work Later – Do this without complaining.  Especially when there is a big project due or they are short staffed, this can be a huge help for your company.  Going the extra mile counts in the long run.  Believe in the sowing and reaping principle.  Although you may not get verbally recognized right away for your efforts, you will reap the benefits eventually.

         Share Ideas to Reduce Expenses – Begin listing ways that can help the company to start cutting back on unnecessary spending.  Share one of your ideas at your next meeting and continue to offer great feedback to your employer each time you meet.  Show them that you are forward thinking and looking out for the interests of the company. 

         Think of Ways to Increase Income – Just like step #3, there are various steps that your organization can take to improve their cash flow.  Start asking yourself questions like:

a.       What new services or products can be offered?

b.      Were there any requests that your clients need fulfilled?

          Improve Efficiency & Service – Find ways to constantly improve your productivity and always be learning about your job.  Take the time to reach out to your clients and really make a lasting impact with the people you come across.  Be willing to think of others and to genuinely be interested in their needs.

Decrease Debt - Improve Income

In order to start saving more and increasing your wealth, you must first begin to pay off the debts you have incurred that are inhibiting your advancement.  Many people have made the mistake of trying to tackle all their debt at once, which quickly leads to discouragement.  And here’s why.

There is nothing motivating about taking huge strides to pay off debt, but never fully realize the impact that it’s having on your bottom line.  If you stash away a few extra dollars towards each debt you have incurred without really keeping track of your progress or celebrating the little victories, you will very quickly experience burnout.

Therefore, your best bet is to first sit down and take the time to list out all of your current debts from credit cards to car loans.  Record the total debt amount along with the current minimum monthly payment on each account.

Next, choose the lowest debt and start to pay a little extra towards this one debt while paying the minimums on the others.  Choose an amount that will stretch you but is still within your means.  Once this debt has been paid off, you can then move on to your next lowest amount and apply the extra payment plus the monthly minimum of your old debt.

Continue this process until all your debts have been paid.  Be sure to celebrate along the way and keep track of your progress.  Over time you can then begin to apply your old debt payments towards a savings/investment account of your choice.

While you are paying off your debts and long after, there are various steps you can take to help increase your overall income while decreasing your expenses.  Essentially, each of the following ideas will require your commitment and discipline to follow through, but turning these ideas into habits can make all the difference.

First, by simply decreasing your spending on discretionary items, you can begin to better manage where your current income is going.  Many people fall into the trap of spending more as they make more, such as finally purchasing that big screen television, making upgrades to the house, taking the family on that 5 star cruise, etc.  Though there is nothing wrong with any of these purchases, we must learn to practice delayed gratification until the timing is right.  The average person typically makes a lot more than they think.

Next, you can take on a part time or second job, even if it isn’t that most ideal position.  Although this can be painful at first, building this discipline can be extremely rewarding and helpful when trying to pay off debts.  Additionally, you can begin to sell items within your household on Craigslist, Ebay, consignment shop or yard sales to bring in some extra cash.   Maybe consider starting a side business with a hobby or trade that you are passionate about.  Try freelancing, mowing lawns, or tutoring kids. 

Finally, you can either get a brand new job or stay in your current position and go the extra mile if you feel there is opportunity for advancement.  In the next post, we will cover some practical steps you can take to increase your income at your current position.  Stay tuned!

The Power of Belief, Expectation, and Positive Thinking

While you may not always get what you want, you will always get what you expect! Surprisingly, the power of belief and expectation work just as effectively on your feelings of self-doubt and limitation as they do on your thoughts of success and achievement.

Think thoughts of defeat or failure and you are bound to be discouraged. Belief is an incredibly powerful state of mind. Your belief system not only defines and shapes who you are, but it also determines your potential.

Henry Ford was correct when he said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.”

Your belief system, like your computer, doesn’t judge what you input; it simply accepts it as the truth.

Earl Nightingale concluded that life’s strangest secret is that you become what you think about all day long. If you want to know where your predominant thoughts lie and what you believe, look at what you are experiencing in your life. Your thoughts are creative by nature and express themselves through your emotions, which in turn, drive your actions.

Everything you say, both positive and negative, is literally an affirmation. Consider this well-known quotation:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
- Anonymous

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results.

A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful

outcome of every situation and action.

Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results.

We hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people don't take these words seriously, as they don't know what they really mean, or don't consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and our voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.

All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight. Think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.

Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.

Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

When you feel inner resistance to replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, don't give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.

It doesn't matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

You are what you think! So...

Whatever
THE MIND OF MAN
Can
CONCEIVE
And
BELIEVE
it can
ACHIEVE

 

Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill.