Pigs Dont Sing

Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig. ? Mark Twain

Wonderful analogy to prove a powerful point ? don't push yourself to be or do something you are not and don't push someone else to go against his or her natural configuration.

The end result will be frustration, annoyance and disappointment.

Have you ever tried to be someone or something you were not? How did you feel? You may have done this thinking it was the right thing to do or because someone else expected it of you, but in the end, what was the result?

You may have felt unfulfilled, suffered a blow to your confidence because you believe you failed, or lost all hope whatsoever of creating real happiness for yourself.

You worked hard, gave everything you got and still felt dissatisfied in the end.

Before committing to a goal and pouring all of your energy into making it a reality, you need to know if it is in alignment with who you are, not who you think you should be.

The best way to determine what makes you happy is to venture out and create a variety of experiences for yourself.

Whether it be socializing with many different people; committing yourself to a month of solitude to begin writing a book, song or screen play; taking a variety of short courses or participating in workshops; or experimenting with photography, painting or any other creative endeavor, allow yourself to experience a wide variety of activities so you can determine what makes your heart sing and gets you excited.

What is an exercise that you do that causes you to lose all track of time? When you are in "the zone" and hours fly by without you noticing, you are being authentic. If your day is dragging by and your energy is low, you are functioning outside of your authentic self.

When you are operating in alignment with your true self, there is a flow that carries you effortlessly and you feel inspired, excited and on purpose.

If you have a child that loves to sit and draw, don't insist he or she take up ballet or piano because you think it is better.

By all means, expose your children to the wide variety of learning opportunities available to them, but let them settle into their chosen activity once they have been able to sample other offerings.

Jim Carrey, the actor who starred in Ace Ventura, The Mask, Liar Liar, and many other hit movies, used to spend hours in front of a mirror as a child, making faces at himself and practicing impersonating others.

Most would have thought him a strange child, but his passion has made him a multi-millionaire, famous around the world, and he is doing what he loves to do.

You never know what lies ahead for you or your children, but by allowing yourself to do what feels right and trusting you are on the right path, you will find your purpose.

Be open to possibility, have the courage to explore, and the strength to walk away from situations that do not serve you.

Laurie Hayes is one of Canada's leading Life Strategy Coaches and founder of Where the Heart Is Life Coaching. Laurie is the author of numerous articles and an e-book designed to inspire action in others to pursue the best life has to offer. To download a copy of her free e-book, "10 Guidelines for Attraction," visit http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com

---

10 Keys To Personal Goal Setting

Does personal goal setting work? Many people want things, situations... Read More

Resolution: Stop Dieting for the Health of it!

"Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual... Read More

Achieving Your Goals by Using One Word

One of my favorite techniques for achieving goals is to... Read More

Why Do Many Smart, Motivated People Never Achieve Their Goals?

In his multimedia "Unleash Your Greatness Success System" Mike Litman... Read More

Achieve Your Goals And Dreams By Using Excel Spreadsheets

Do you think your life is passing you by and... Read More

Rebuilding Oneself: The Universes Basic Training

I remember Air Force Basic Training. My Training Instructor not... Read More

Where Will You Be July 1st, 2006?

So, a New Year has snuck up on you again... Read More

21 Life Changing Questions You Cant Afford to Not Ask!

Imagine finally taking off seven coats you've been wearing on... Read More

Lifes Values

Over time I have come to realize that the three... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: The BD3 Approach

Most people have no problem setting goals. At the same... Read More

Living The Real Life Beyond Goal Setting

In many of his wonderful talks the motivational speaker Zig... Read More

Just Do It! Write Down Some Goals and Start Achieving!

You have a choice it would seem ? you can... Read More

Competition, Jealousy And Goals

Naturally some of us are more competitive than others, but... Read More

Finding Your Inner Flame: Finding Passion Series - 3 of 3

Why is it that some goals have a fire and... Read More

The Illusion of a Final Goal

"..... there is no final goal. There is always further... Read More

Goal Setting ? The Importance of Stern Resolve!

"Every man should be born again on the first day... Read More

Discipline is Essential for Self Improvement

Most of us are regularly exposed to information offering get... Read More

The Most Powerful Knowledge Available To Man

In this article you will learn the most powerful knowledge... Read More

Seven Steps To Planning A Successful Future

Being successful in life is difficult unless you ensure you... Read More

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

The Hasidic master, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach taught that on Passover... Read More

Writing Your Personal Vision/Mission Statement

I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement... Read More

A Simple Solution For Accomplishing Any Goal

Have you ever had someone ask you to do some... Read More

Make Your Dreams Reachable

All too often, we may be envisioning a level of... Read More

How Being Intentional Makes You Happy

"Inspiration does not beget action. Action begets inspiration." - Chinese... Read More

Plan, Prioritize, Play 10 Strategic Ways To Be Time Rich And Stress Free

1. Retrain your self-talk, to remove selfish from your vocabulary... Read More

GOALS The Power Line to Success and Achievement

WHY DO WE NEED GOALS?Goals give you direction in all... Read More

Taking Action is Essential for Self Improvement and Success

Much has been written about writing down goals and regularly... Read More

Motivation and Setting Your Goals

Easy Steps for Goal SettingGoal setting is the true secret... Read More

Setting Goals for Success

"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More

Achieving Impossible Goals By Ignoring The Experts

"If the world were to blow itself up the last... Read More

Goal-Mapping

Goal-mapping is like a treasure hunt, you must first start... Read More

A New Conversation About Dreams - The Power of Intention

It's time to change the way we think and speak... Read More

Jules Obtains the Jewels

Jules Asner, the current cohost of E! News Daily, along... Read More