Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any books on motivation and change that are fun to read and that aren't all rah rah, if you know what I mean. Could there even be such a thing as a book that's like a novel or short story that's about motivation?
Your question is very well-timed. I've recently been reading, for about the hundreth time, one of my favorite books. "Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach, is the story of what happens one summer when a barnstorming bi-plane pilot meets another barnstormer who is a bit of an advanced human being.
The book is full of qoutes about change, motivation and living a life well-lived.
I thought I'd share a few of my favorite qoutes from the book, and how they can be applied in our lives.
Gotta start with my favorite:
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours."
This has been said in many different ways by others:
As a man thinketh, so is he - Proverbs
Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you are right - Henry Ford
One of the many things I challenge my clients with is to spend just one day paying attention to how many of their own limitations they argue for each day. It's truly amazing to me how often we argue for our limitations. In a way, it negative advertising in our own brains. Watch out for words such as "I can't", "I could never", "I don't have what it takes", etc.
Ket strategy: Use Tony Robbins approach, "If I can't, then I MUST!" It can change your life.
"Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't."
I see so many people who seem to go through life in a kind of dazed trance. Each one of us has a unique purpose for being here. The happiest people I know are the ones who seem to have found that purpose. It gets them up early and keeps them up late and fills their days with a zest for life. Even when they are tired, it's a "good tired."
Key strategy: As Stephen Covey, aurhor of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People stresses, write your own personal mission statement. It helps you in getting clear on why you are here.
"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however."
Somehow during the process of becoming an adult, we begin to drop our dreams and wishes for our lives. Big mistake. Dreams, wishes and goals are part of what keeps us alive and vibrant at any age. Our dreams and wishes can be our road map to a life well lived.
It does take focus, determination and just plain work. While it's not always easy, I have found that it is always worth it. Remember, faith moves mountains. And you better bring a shovel.
Key strategy: Make a goals and dreams list. At the top of a sheet of paper write "If I knew I couldn't fail, I would..............." Then let your imagination go and don't stop until you have filled up the paper.
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in it's hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts."
Problems. No one likes 'em, and we all have 'em. And since we all have them, we may as well learn something from them, perhaps even make them work to our advantage. Remember that success comes from good judgement, good judgement comes from experience, and experiences comes from successfully handling the problems that come our way.
Key strategy: Install the belief that the only way a problem can beat you is if you don't learn something from it.
Now that you've gotten a taste of Illusions, I highly recommend you go get a copy for yourself. And while you're at it, pick me one up too, mine's getting pretty worn out.
Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
The lines below come from this weeks mind treatment, written... Read More
"If you are pained by external things, it is not... Read More
We ALL think or have thought about it at one... Read More
Fulfilling your dreams will remain a mirage if you simply... Read More
At a recent seminar we were asked to imagine if... Read More
A major part of the process of achieving success and... Read More
What is it that stops you from jumping off a... Read More
"A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile... Read More
We are not born with courage, but neither are we... Read More
BONZA BOTTLER DAY is any day when the date and... Read More
I want to share some things with you that I... Read More
1. Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to... Read More
Riding a rush, being juiced, flying high-this is the feeling... Read More
The human will is the most incredible thing. I believe... Read More
When we talk about the Enchanted Self we are referring... Read More
The beauty in creation is in the process, in every... Read More
We all love picnics. They represent a fun time as... Read More
Matches are all about power; a new world opens up... Read More
Forgiveness is a critical element in becoming self actualized and... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 12,... Read More
Over the years I've learned to challenge my audiences to... Read More
I wrote about my life and all that I have... Read More
"Happiness can be as elusive as a fluttering butterlfy but... Read More
Green symbolises growth. Growth requires change and transformation. This article... Read More
1. Sit back and enjoy (or at least tolerate) the... Read More
So much has been written about success that one often... Read More
Let's look at the lesson we should all pay attention... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 31,... Read More
I believe that it is an amazing time in our... Read More
What if every experience in your life is sent to... Read More
Who is Wallace Wattles? Wallace D. Wattles died over 90... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 19,... Read More
I have always wondered how the Red Sea parted as... Read More
There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of... Read More
One of my long time best friends called me the... Read More
We have just inherited a rag, tag and bobtail of... Read More
I grew up climbing mountains. Mountains are beautiful and challenging,... Read More
These days, I find the lines are blurred between school... Read More
A LOST WORLD OF SOULWhen you hear the word 'divination',... Read More
Back in the good old days of school, the teachers... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 17,... Read More
You've heard the saying, "You are what you eat." I... Read More
Everyone wants a blue ribbon. Blue. First place. The best.... Read More
We all question our ability at times. Uncertainty plagues us.... Read More
Discovering the Art of Bending Your Mindset and Manifesting your... Read More
"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow... Read More
The good part of this story is that there is... Read More
Our community consists of powerful caretakers. We do a great... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 25,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 19,... Read More
This week is Part Five of our five part series... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 23,... Read More
So often we stop and look at our lives and... Read More
Why does this happen?It's all to do with the way... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 2,... Read More
*In the last couple of months, I have been fortunate... Read More
When disorder comes into our lives, we obviously aren't paying... Read More
One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More
Change, no matter how you cut it, can certainly be... Read More
EXTREME is not a term usually connected to self-care. Self-care... Read More
I've spoken with many people who, over time, have felt... Read More
Whoever coined this phrase is a genius. Life finds ways... Read More
There is one thing you want...My guess is you want... Read More
At some stage of living your life you will ask... Read More
Do you have a goal? A focus in life? Have... Read More
Can we love our bodies? As the years go by,... Read More
Inspirational |