Self-Empowerment Daily with Al Duncan: self-empowerment

A Few Good Quotes

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:40:25 GMT

"The ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."
-Tehuti-the ancient egyptian master of masters

"What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when you are in that state of mind in which you know exactly what you want and are fully determined not to quit until you find it."
-Alexander Graham Bell

"No one is truly literate who cannot read his own heart."
- Eric Hoffer

"Ultimately the most meaningful act of responsibility that leaders can do is to control their own state of mind."
-Daniel Goleman

"The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind."
-Wayne Dyer

"Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success."
-Dr. Joyce Brothers

"Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, "Here is an opportunity for you to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary."
-Anthony Robbins

"There is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation."
-Dalai Lama

"Your state of mind has the most influence on the outcome of every situation in life. Developing the ability to govern your state of mind is the cornerstone of self-actualization because your state of mind determines your perception and your behavior."
-Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

"Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind."
-Norman Vincent Peale

"In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker"
-Plutarch

"It is always thus, impelled by a state of mind which is destined not to last, that we make our irrevocable decisions"
-Marcel Proust

"There is no separation of mind and emotions; emotions, thinking, and learning are all linked."
-Eric Jensen

"Your attitude is the state of mind through which you filter all information and make all decisions."
-Unknown

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

He's Back!!

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:56:37 GMT

After two years...I'm back to Spaces. Keep an eye out for my new posts. Words of Wisdom will be posted everyday (almost) and you'll find excerpts from new articles as well.

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker and Youth Speaker

How can I manage to be professional when I cry every time I get angry or upset?

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:05:35 GMT

Q: I am a very emotional person. At 35 years old I find that this is not going to change. How can I manage to be professional when I cry every time I get angry or upset?

A: To get a handle on your situation you can use three of the 9 Keys For Mastering Your Anger

4. Hit the pause button

Take a deep breath and hold it for at least 6 seconds. This will give you a chance to deal with the wave of emotion flooding your system. During your pause you want to instantly think of something that will help you master the moment.

Million-Dollar Question: What should you be thinking about? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

5. Change your inner conversation.

I’m not sure what you say to your self when angry, but it probably isn’t helpful. Most people are thinking thoughts that just make the situation worse.

Speaking of which, one of the most ineffective things that you could say to yourself is- “I’m not going to cry.”

There’s a good chance that you’ll end up crying anyway because you had to think about it in order to try to keep yourself from doing it. That’s nasty little head game that you’re better off not playing. And in the end it usually just gives you something else to beat yourself up about, right?

You want to think of something doable and encouraging. I’ll give you a suggestion in a moment.

6. Challenge your beliefs and perceptions

Your question clearly outlines beliefs and perceptions that you feel are true. I’ll touch on a couple of the main ones.

“…I find that this is not going to change…I cry every time I get angry or upset…”- Beliefs and perceptions about your behavior.

Has there ever been a time when you got angry or upset and you didn’t cry? Think about it. And your answer is…

If your answer isn’t yes then think harder.

I have yet to encounter someone who does something EVERY time. If you were able to perform some alternate behavior once, you can do it again. (I hope that your alternate behavior wasn’t bashing somebody in the head!)

If you happen to be the only person who does perform a certain behavior EVERY time then you’ll have to think of someone you admire. Use his behavior as your focal point. Imagine being like him or her.

The answer to the million-dollar question:

When you hit the pause button, instantly think of yourself at a time when you didn’t cry. There’s no need to replay the entire scenario, just see and feel yourself performing your alternate behavior, the behavior of someone you admire, or both.

You can practice doing this once or twice a day by remembering a time when you wish hadn’t cried. Instead envision this scenario with desired behavior in place. Your unconscious mind can’t distinguish reality from memories and imagination.

Here it is in three simple steps:

Pause for at least 6 seconds and take a deep breath

While pausing, instantly think something like- “I’m a professional and this is what I’m going to do.”

As soon as the statement above pops into your head, imagine yourself doing the desired alternative behavior and then do it.

One last thing: the goal is for you to refrain from excessive crying in front of your colleagues or co-workers so that you can maintain your professionalism. But remember, there’s nothing wrong with crying. It’s when you cry that the issue.

Crying can be a healthy way of relieving stress and pent up feelings. So if you feel like crying every so often, go ahead and let it out.

To receive full reprint one time rights please contact Al Duncan at Al Duncan Enterprises via email at al@alduncan.net . I appreciate your interest and will reply to your message promptly within 48 hours.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan is an author, a self-empowerment coach, and a professional motivational speaker. He is a Self-Motivation, Communication, and Emotional Intelligence expert. Visit him on line at www.alduncan.net

A State of Mind Called Time Pt. I

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:23:42 GMT

“Life is a short walk. There is so little time and so much living to achieve.” -John Oliver Killens

Whether it’s quality time, playtime, game time, family time, me-time, real time, study time, daytime, nighttime, wrong time, or the right time, one thing is for sure- sometimes it seems as if life is all about time, doesn’t it?

Time is a state of mind. Don’t believe me? Of course you do. You know the truism ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. And you know that the last 15 minutes before you get off work can seem like 15 hours.

You also know the old adage- treat everyday as if it were your last. Sage advice indeed, but for most people this is a lofty and unsustainable state of mind.

There are a few principles, however, within reach that can help you to ‘use your time wisely’. (Okay, I promise- no more over-used clichés about time.)

What we’re going to talk about has nothing to do with time management in the popular sense. This is all about your perception of time. The way you treat and think about time.

Most people are always trying to find time. But the thing is- it’s impossible to find time. It doesn’t work that way.

You can find your keys. You can walk down the street and find some money. But you can’t walk down the street and find an hour. You don’t go to the lost and found when you’ve lost precious time.

You do not find time; you make time.

One day I was sitting in front of my computer completely engrossed in my work. Suddenly, I was snapped back into reality as Renee, my wife, walked into the room.

She playfully asked, “What about me?”

“Huh? What do you mean- what about me?”

“I would like some quality time.”

Five minutes later, feeling slightly ambivalent, I pried myself away from my work to fulfill Renee’s request.

So what was the result? A great evening and now we’re expecting our first child!

Million Dollar Question: Did I try to find time for her?

No. I made time for her. There is always:

Another speech or talk to give.
Another article to write.
Another client to coach.

And on the less productive side- there is always:

Another TV show to watch.
Another movie to watch.
Another nap to take or sleep to catch up on.

So with all of your priorities and things to that “need“ to be done, how do you make time? One word-

Sacrifice.

People love Gray’s Anatomy and missing an episode would be blasphemous! A workaholic, like me, giving up work time- sacrilegious!

Well, ten years from now the fact that you missed an episode, or two, of your favorite TV show won’t have any effect on your life. Neither will sacrificing a little bit of work time for family time. (No- watching TV when you should be working doesn’t count as sacrificing.)

How about the marriage saving time you could’ve spent with your spouse?

How about the book you could’ve finished, the networking event you could’ve gone to, or the part-time business you could’ve started?

What about the life changing conversation you could’ve had with your child?

Make time.

Make time for the people you care about. Make time for your hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

“But I just couldn’t find the time.”

What a pitiful excuse. I know you’re better than that otherwise you wouldn’t have made the time to read this article.

Sacrifice and enjoy the rewards.

We’ll pick up this conversation about a state of mind called time next time.

(Part two will be posted shortly.)

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Emotions

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:09:07 GMT

One of the most popular movies of all time is Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Beast, who used to be a prince or something of that sort, had great difficulty in controlling his manners and his anger.

Although there was a charming gentleman inside of him who knew the right way to behave, Beast often felt powerless and believed that there was little he could do in regards to his behavior. After all, he was a beast, right?

Eh…not quite.

Many people have a similar problem. They think things like-

“Well, that’s just how I am” or “What problem? I don’t have a problem.”

Why do people do this? Because it’s easier to make excuses about behavior than it is to change behavior. Think about that.

Taming the Beast is no joke. Therefore, before we talk about these 9 keys for mastering your anger, here are a several things you should know:

a) It’s not always the anger that’s the problem; it’s the behavior that accompanies the anger.

Suppression and over expression of anger are two different roads leading to the same destination. Complete suppression can destroy relationships, lead to bad health, and ruin outcomes in similar fashion to over expressing anger.

b) If you have serious anger issues then some of these keys may be difficult to use on your own. If so, you may need to see a coach or a therapist.

c) If you’re reading this with the intention of helping out a child or adolescent, it’ll be helpful if you read Young and Angry, which will be posted soon.

The starting point for mastering your anger is the same starting point for bringing about many types of change. It begins with…

1. Awareness and acknowledgement

You probably already know that when a person has an addiction or behavioral problem, getting them to acknowledge the problem can be challenging.

Awareness is the foundation of self-empowerment. If a person wants to tame the beast, he must acknowledge that his anger management is something that needs to be addressed.

Recently, I was talking to Chef Tim, a good friend of mine, and he reminded me of a catchy phrase from G.I. Joe: “Knowing is half the battle.”

So, if you are reading this article in order to deal with your own anger issues then kudos to you; you’re half way there.

On the other hand, perhaps you are reading this article with the intention of helping someone else- someone who isn’t aware that his anger needs to be tamed. If so, then it’s a good idea to send him a copy of Blind Spots, an article about developing self-awareness, Emotions and Your Health: Anger or both.

So, what are some telltale signs of an anger problem?

According to a study published by Kassinove, R. Chip Tafrate, PhD, and L. Dundin in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (Vol. 58, No. 12), individuals with high trait anger tend to report more physical aggression, negative verbal responses, drug use, and negative consequences of their anger. They have anger reactions that are more intense, enduring, and occur more frequently.

If you’ve noticed any of these indications then it’s time to…

To read the rest of Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Emotions click here

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Emotions and Your Health: Anger

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 21:51:37 GMT

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to anger: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” –Ecclesiastes 7:9

The year was 1979. A seven-year old boy was in the living room, sitting in front of the TV, playing with some of his toys. After a commercial went off, the little guy jumped up full of excitement. He could hardly contain himself as one of the most famous lines in television history filled his ears.

“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

With unbridled enthusiasm and putting on his best angry face, the little guy spun around towards his father- who was sitting on the couch near him- and roared, “Yeah, Dad. Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!”

The little guy’s face was so twisted and contorted that his father burst into laughter. Thinking that his father needed more convincing, the little guy started ripping off the t-shirt he was wearing.

The father sat there for a split second in disbelief. His amusement turned to anger. “Boy! What in the world is wrong with you?!”

With his play anger morphing into fear, the little guy meekly replied, “I…I’m The Incredible Hulk, Dad.”

“If you ever tear up your clothes like that again you’re going to get an incredible butt-whuppin’!”

The little guy in this comical story was me. And that was the first and last time I put the shirt ripping routine into my Incredible Hulk impersonation.

When I was growing up, in my mind, getting angry always seemed to lead to one of two results. Either people thought that you were the cool, super-hero, tough guy (or woman) type that wasn’t to be played with or they thought you were the overly sensitive, mindless buffoon moonlighting as a bully type.

Regardless of what you or I think about anger one thing is for sure. It’s one of the most dangerous forces in existence.

Nations have been practically destroyed, countless souls laid to rest, and many harsh words have been regretfully uttered because of anger gone unchecked.

Although many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, are probably well aware of the damage that anger can cause in the external world, few individuals truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.

But before we explore some of the negative effects of mismanaged anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation and communication.

When you get frustrated (a form of anger) because of a sub-par performance or lack of achievement, it’s your frustration that can be the motivation to do better.

If you feel as if you, a loved one, or something you value (such as your car, your pride, or a belief) is being threatened, then out comes The Incredible Hulk to warn the violator to back off…or else.

Self-esteem and respect are also examples of intangible things people value that are often re-affirmed as a result of displaying anger.

In spite of all the positive aspects of anger, when suppressed or overly expressed anger can wreak havoc on your well-being.

Redford Williams, director of behavioral research at Duke University Medical Center, says that every time you get angry more epinephrine (adrenaline) is released and your blood pressure increases.

Well, did you know that high blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries the same way a raging river erodes its banks?

Heart attacks are being linked with overly expressed anger and strokes are linked with suppressed anger. Many experts believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because according to many cultures it isn’t “lady-like”(whatever that means), for women to express their anger.

A review panel on coronary prone behavior and coronary artery disease (CAD) came to the conclusion that the effects of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are equal to and possibly greater than the effects of high serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure.

Hostility is bad for your health. Period. So, how hostile are you? The following questions were used in a study of 3,750 men. Which number under each of the following pairs of statements would best describe you? (Be honest with yourself. It’s your health.)

Seldom get into arguments Quite often get into arguments

1 2 3 4 5

Don’t get angry easily Do get angry easily

1 2 3 4 5

Not irritated easily Get irritated easily

1 2 3 4 5

Researchers found that the men who scored in the 13-15 range (high hostility) were almost three times more likely to have symptoms indicating cardiac problems than the men who scored in the 3-5 range (low hostility). And similar studies have shown that hostile people are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and overeat.

You might be surprised by some of the things that can feed your anger. Quickly answer yes or no to these questions.

Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have asthma? Are any of your friends bodybuilders? Has anyone you know been depressed lately? Are you still thinking about going on a diet?

Certain drugs such as caffeine, steroids for bodybuilding or asthma, other medications for asthma, antidepressants, and diet drugs can make a person more irritable and prone to getting angry.

And of course the number one cause of consistent rage is hanging around stupid people who do stupid things. Sorry, kiddo, I can’t help you out with that one.

But if you want a few tips on effective anger and hostility management read my next article on emotional mastery- Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger.

In the mean time, if someone or something is driving you bonkers, before you do your best Incredible Hulk impersonation remember the two lessons you learned today.

One, It’s bad for your health. Two, don’t rip up your t-shirt; you won’t like your dad when he’s angry!

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

It’s In There Somewhere

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:59:31 GMT

“One’s work may be finished someday, but one’s education never.” -Alexander Dumas

Most people act like guidance, advice, and education are all about stuffing something into someone else’s head. This isn’t the case. The word educate originally comes from the Latin word educare which means to draw out. Think about that.

Million Dollar Question: How many times have you been looking for a solution to a problem, found it, and realized that you knew the answer all along?

By drawing out the best in a person, a great coach, speaker, teacher, parent, or friend helps the individual realize that he or she was born with the internal resources needed to succeed.

As a matter of fact, as you read Self-Empowerment Daily and The State of the Mind you’ll notice that the articles and Q&A are written in a manner that develops self-empowerment by helping you to draw on your internal resources. My goal is always to help you think critically and take effective action.

Read the quote at the beginning of this article again.

Because there are infinite possibilities in you, your education is never over. There’s always more to be drawn from your inner well.

So even if you’re faced with complex challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles keep in mind: there’s a very good chance that the answer is already inside of you. You may need a little guidance to get it out, but it’s in there somewhere.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Just Turn The Doorknob

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:30:29 GMT

"I knocked and the door opened. But I found that I had been knocking from the inside and I could've opened the door for myself." –Tehuti

Many moons ago, do you remember people asking you “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Do you remember how easily and confidently you would respond? Most people would answer that question eagerly and they would say whatever came to mind.

Doubts and limitations were non-existent. You knew that you could do anything you wanted to do, didn’t you? You didn’t need anybody’s approval or permission.

You knew you could cause things to happen by taking action. Psychologist Richard DeCharms called this phenomenon personal causation.

Personal causation is the initiation of behavior intended to produce a change in an individual’s environment.

After a certain age practically everyone begins to lose his or her sense of personal causation. In other words our sense of self-efficacy is undermined. Undermined by what?

Statements such as,

· This is too hard

· This cost too much

· I’m not good enough

· They don’t want me to succeed anyway

· If only I had as much money as so and so

· I don’t have that kind of luck

· I don’t have the right looks

· Don’t quit your day job

· Just be grateful that you have a job at all

· This is too good to be true

· ect., ect., ect…

Statements like those are the roots of a “lack” mentality and a poverty consciousness.

Million Dollar Question: This is too good to be true? No it’s not. It’s happening to the right person- YOU.

It’s a lack mentality and a poverty consciousness that leave many people standing there knocking on the door waiting for some one to answer and open it for them.

Sooner or later someone bold, uninhibited, and assertive comes along and stands in front of the same door. But instead of only knocking, he or she reaches for the doorknob, turns it, and walks in.

The door closes behind him or her and the people that are standing there start knocking again. They talk and complain amongst themselves about how some people get all the breaks.

They ask ridiculous questions like, “How come he’s so lucky?” or “I wonder who she knows. Who gave her permission to go in?”

These people never realize that you don’t need permission you need initiative. You don’t get a break; you create breaks.

To be self-empowered is to be responsible.

Be responsible for your actions.

Be responsible for your finances.

Be responsible for your well-being and your future.

My friend, whatever door you are knocking on realize the doorknob is within reach. Just turn it and step into greatness.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

With Friends Like These...

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 13:49:02 GMT

"Emotion can be the enemy. If you give in to your emotion, you lose yourself. You must be at one with your emotions because the body always follows the mind." -Bruce Lee

Emotions are arguably the most powerful force governing our behavior. Emotions are the guardians of your well-being. They are your friends and their primary objective is to ensure survival.

However there is an old adage that rings true when it comes to emotions. “With friends like these, who needs enemies?”

It is a scientific fact that if left untamed, our basic emotions (anger, joy, disgust, surprise, distress, and fear) would cause you to kill first and ask questions later. Or run first and ask questions later.

On an equally detrimental, but sometimes lighter note, emotions will have you shouting, crying, or jumping to conclusions first and asking questions later. Believe it or not all of this is done in the name of survival.

In the heat of the moment your body initially responds to a psychological attack (i.e. insults) in the same manner it would a physical threat. Think about that.

If emotions are supposed to be our friends, then why do they frequently leave us in a barrel of trouble? The answer is simple.

We are designed for survival, not diplomacy.

The emotional brain, also known as the limbic system, was rolling along for millions and millions of years doing what it does best: keeping us out of harms way. Then along comes the neocortex, the logical brain, to complicate things.

Now a person knows that if he or she can’t do physical harm, an insulting remark will often do the trick. Although it’s not a physical attack, your emotional brain still recognizes the bad intentions and responds accordingly.

If you aren’t careful, all of a sudden your friends could become your enemies. It takes 3-5 seconds for the chemicals that produce emotions to flood your system producing what is often referred to as an emotional hijacking.

In a life and death situation that calls for immediate action and there is little time for thinking, an emotional hijacking might save your life.

But at the office an emotional hijacking might cost you your job. In a negotiation it might cost you the deal. In an argument it might cost you a relationship.

Therefore the age-old advice about counting to ten before you respond has an equal amount of science and common sense behind it. It gives you a chance to use your logical brain.

So when you feel a tidal wave of emotions flooding your system, hit the pause button and access your neocortex. Joshua Freeman, a leading expert on developing Emotional Intelligence, calls it the “six second pause.”

I’ve found that, for me it’s even better to take the four extra seconds and go for the full ten count just to be sure. Because it can be so costly, impulsive behavior is nothing to play with.

When I was growing up my mom used to always say to me, “Al, don’t let your friends get you in trouble.”

Mom, you never told me that you were talking about my emotions.

To receive full reprint one-time rights please contact Al Duncan at Al Duncan Enterprises via email at al@alduncan.net. I appreciate your interest and will reply to your message promptly within 48 hours. The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

How To Get Something For Nothing

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 23:58:23 GMT

"Men may not get all they pay for in this world, but they must certainly pay for all they get." -Frederick Douglass

Well.

I’m waiting.

Waiting for what?

I’m waiting for the answer, of course.

Oh, wait a minute. Did you think I was going to show you how to get something for nothing?

Actually the title of this article is more like a question directed at YOU. And if you know the answer, I don’t even want to know. But there is an ocean of other ears that would love to hear from you!

So many people want the juice but they don’t want to grow the tree, pick the fruit, peel the orange, juice it, and bottle it up.

That’s perfectly fine and dandy when you can go to the store and buy some juice, but fortunately (no, I don’t mean unfortunately) you can’t just go to the store and buy a quart of success or liter of happiness.

I’m sure that you already know that success and happiness come with a price tag or you wouldn’t be reading this article.

Just like we put money off to the side to save up to buy things we want, successful people put extra time in on the side to create the lifestyle they want.

They pay the price.

Is it going to kill you to invest an extra hour or two in your dream? How about investing some extra time in your family or whatever’s important to you?

It’s been said that you earn a living from 9 to 5 and you make a fortune from 5 to 9. Think about that.

Self-empowerment has a price. Financial empowerment has a price. Success, fulfillment, and well-being all have a price that has nothing to do with money. It has everything to do with commitment and diligence.

If you know how to get something for nothing, do yourself a favor and pretend you don’t know.

Pay the price to get what you want out of life. It’s worth it.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

You Better Think, Think, Think!

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 12:03:30 GMT

“There is no problem that can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” -Voltaire

Most problems and challenges could be solved and overcome much more efficiently IF you would only focus more on the solution.

Your thinking is magnetized. Your mind is a powerful magnet being drawn to and attracting that upon which it dwells. Especially the unconscious mind.

If you’re only focused on difficulties like, “I don’t have enough money”, “I’m having trouble in with kids”, “I hate working with Johnny” and things of that nature then it becomes much harder to think of the solutions to these dilemmas.

When you assault adversity with sustained thinking about solutions, you become self-empowered with answers instead of dis-empowered by more seemingly un-rectifiable situations.

You will eventually attract ideas, situations, and people that will provide the solution or at least a resolution so that you can move on.

I’m not saying that your challenges will miraculously disappear.

I don’t believe in the mystical manifestation, hocus-pocus, and magic dust theories of problem solving. This is science and it goes without saying that you have to take action when solutions present themselves.

Many people attempt to think about and focus on solutions but they miss the key word in this whole thing. SUSTAINED. This means continuously thinking about solutions until they come.

If you want answers this is non-negotiable.

I keep all this in mind by remembering the Aretha Franklin song- You Better Think, Think, Think.

This process may take longer than you would like, but eventually it will provide you with some relief. How do I spell relief?

S-u-s-t-a-i-n-e-d-T-h-i-n-k-i-n-g

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Seize the Opportunity

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 14:01:52 GMT

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized” -Sun Tzu

One of the biggest mistakes people make is spending too much time looking for the big opportunity or the perfect timing to do something.

The over-used axiom “Patience is a virtue” is irrefutable. But it is equally true that “he who hesitates is lost”. So seize the opportunity.

There is a thin line between patience and procrastination. Unfortunately way too many people spend far too much time on the procrastination side of things.

Patience is taking a well-calculated risk. Procrastination is avoiding risk.

Patience is taking the time to learn what to do. Procrastination is knowing what to do and not doing it.

Patience is saying, “I’ll finish this by_____.” Procrastination is saying, “I’ll get to it sooner or later.”

There are dozens of tips and techniques for overcoming procrastination and seizing opportunities. Here are three.

Start cooking while the pot is hot.

The best time to build momentum is when you first think of an idea or start on a task. This is the time to create some small steps that you can take right away and use to measure your progress.

Have a sense of last minute urgency all the time.

Have you ever noticed that normally people finish a task just in the nick of time? This is because a task will expand to the allotted time. Think about that.

A person can have two months to do something and finish it in two days. Of course it’s the last two days before it’s due! Last minute urgency creates incredible amount of energy and drive.

Weed out worry.

Earl Nightingale wrote about what he called the “Fog of Worry” and provided an authoritative estimate of what most people worry about.

· 40% of the things you worry about will never happen.

· 30% of the things you worry about couldn’t be changed by all the worrying in the world.

· 12% of your worries are needless worries about your health.

· 10% of your worries are about petty, miscellaneous things.

· 8% of your worries are about real and legitimate concerns. In other words, 92% of your worrying is a complete waste of time.

Here’s one last thing in closing.

Keep in mind that opportunities don’t disappear they simply move on to next recipient.

An opportunity that comes your way is probably an opportunity that someone else procrastinated or passed on. If you pass up on a good opportunity someone else will capitalize on it.

Remember…

Every time you seize the opportunity, the gate to infinite possibilities swings wide open in front of you.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).