How To Be An Expert Persuader

Small changes can make a big difference in your powers of persuasion. Learn how to hypnotically persuade and influence people.

10 Secrets to Motivating Teenagers

We’ve all been teenagers, but as we age we forget how to connect with young people. We think that we can just tell them what to do and they’ll do it. Wouldn’t that be great?

As a manager you also need to play to teenager’s Superpowers, so they feel powerful and enjoy what they do. When you help them discover what they are good at they will be more willing to give you their full effort.

Most teenagers are a different kind of human until they get a few years of work experience or college under their belts. They think differently and feel differently than adults do. Try to remember when you were young and you had hormones pushing through you and all you could do was think about sex. That’s the first trick.

1. Put Yourself in Their Shoes

When you can put yourself in their position you can learn how to motivate teenagers. Teenagers may be weird, but they have emotions just like you and me. They’re just a little more intense. When dealing with a teenager make sure you are sympathetic to their needs. Make sure you see #4 Don’t Be a Push-over because they will take advantage of you if you let them.

2. Show Them Their Mistakes and How to Improve Them

Teenagers don’t pick up on adult concepts as quickly as adults. Well, duh. You will be surprised by how many business owners don’t understand this concept. Teenagers may be geniuses on the computer or multi-tasking, but they learned these things like everything else. When they make a mistake, explain what they did wrong and how they can improve it. This may need to be done a few times before they catch on.

3. Give Them the Respect They Seek

Giving a teenager the respect that he or she deserves will go a long way in earning their trust. Most adults treat teenagers like teenagers when all they want is to be treated like the man or woman that they are trying to be. Talk to them like an adult and they will raise their level of work.

4. Don’t Be a Push-over

A teenager will take two feet when given a foot, so make sure you set boundaries and if they cross them then document it and let them know. If they continue to cross the line then don’t be afraid to let them go if they you need to.

5. Enjoy a Good Laugh

There is nothing a teenager likes doing more than enjoying a good laugh. Yes they may be moody, but when a teenager is in a good mood it can be down right infectious to the rest of the staff, so allow them to get excited and have a good time.

6. Listen to Them

Teenagers want to help. They may be selfish, but they aren’t stupid. They can see things that you can’t. Listen to their suggestions. If they give you an idea that won’t work then let them know why and show appreciation for their efforts. If they have a good idea, tell them that you want to hear more and ask them to come up with a plan on how to implement it.

7. Have Patience with Their Learning Curve

Their learning curve is a little steeper than most adults, but their potential is greater too. Once a teenager catches on to a concept they make it their own.

8. Reward Them

The Gen Y generation and younger grew up being rewarded for blowing their nose. They don’t take well to harsh discipline, so when they do something good even without your approval, reward them. Give them an extra hour for lunch or a $20 bonus. Their idea might have saved you hundreds of dollars, so disperse the wealth.

9. Don’t Yell at Them

Teenagers hate to be yelled at. They get enough of that from their parents, teachers, and friends, so speak with an even toned voice when you’re upset. Make sure they understand that you never want to see such behavior, but don’t make a scene out of it.

10. Train Your Staff to be Patient

Many retailers employ young people because they are cheap labor and as a result, they are treated as “second class” employees by the rest of the staff. Big mistake. Train your staff to treat them as equals. When the rest of the staff gives them respect they will be more respectful to the customer.

Managing Teenagers Review

Teenagers want to do good work if they are given the right atmosphere in which to do it. They will need a little more attention, but you will find a few gems that make it all worth the effort. Who knows, that one little gem of a teenager might one day help you run your company.

http://www.workhappynow.com/2008/06/10-secrets-to-motivating-teenagers/

How Do You Motivate a Teen? Yes, It Is Possible!

When parents ask, “How do I motivate my teen?” they usually mean, “How do I get my teen to do what I want? How do I get her to have some balance in her life? How do I get him off the computer, get outside, or do just about anything except sitting around doing nothing?”

Encouragement is the key to motivation. Every parenting tool we are sharing in this Positive Discipline for Teeanagers book is designed to encourage and motivate teens. In this article we’ll cover Six surefire Teen Motivators: compliments, humor, let’s make a deal/collateral, motivation through involvement, joint problem-solving and follow-through.

Compliments

People do better when they feel better. There’s nothing like getting a compliment for something you feel good about or being affirmed for who you are to improve motivation. This is true for everyone, but especially for teens, who often hear endless criticism, nagging, and complaining about their poor performance. If you’re used to using praise as a motivator, you may have a tough time finding something praiseworthy with your teen. That’s why we suggest encouragement because it works even when your kids are in the dumps and making mistakes.

One place to make sure everyone gets a compliment or appreciation is the family meeting. If you have weekly meetings and start each meeting with something positive, your teens might want to be at the meeting for that alone. A fifteen-year-old boy said his favorite time of the week was the appreciation/compliments he got at the family meeting.

During the week, look for ways to let your kids know how unique they are, what you appreciate about them, how adorable they were as little kids. Tell them stories about what they used to do when they were younger. Ask them if there’s something they wish people would say about them or like about them or notice about them, and then make sure you tell them exactly what they want to hear. They will like hearing it, even if they told you what they wanted.

Humor

Teenagers enjoy a sense of humor and respond to it much better than to lectures and nagging. The following situations illustrate how parents use humor to invite cooperation and to lighten things up.

When a teenage girl forgot to set the table, her mother served the dinner directly onto the table. Everyone laughed at the absurdity of the situation. The table was set on time from then on.

Peter was a father of three teens who used betting and guessing games to motivate the children and add humor to a situation. When Peter noticed the chores weren't getting done as agreed, he'd say, "Someone forgot to do something they agreed to. I'll give a dollar to the first person who guesses what it is." The teens ran around the house trying to find out who the culprit was so they could win a dollar.

Another time Peter said, "I'll bet two dollars you can't finish your yard work before the football game starts." He was effective using bets and games because they were infrequent and unexpected. Had Peter tried using bets as rewards and bribes, his children would have felt less respected because he would have inferred the only reason his teens helped the family was for the money.

Let’s Make A Deal and Using Collateral

“I’ll make you a deal. If you walk the dog for me on weekdays, I’ll do a special favor for you on weekends.”

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll pick you and your friends up from the movie if you can find another parent to take you there.”

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll match whatever you save for that new sweater (guitar, game, etc.)"

Collateral works really well with teens. If they want to borrow something of yours, they need to give you collateral which you will return when they return the item. Good collateral might be a favorite piece of clothing, an iPod, an iPad, a cell phone, etc. It needs to be an item that has value to your teen.

Motivation Through Involvement

Dana shared the following at a parenting class: “My daughter, Sage, is doing exceptionally well in school. She is getting the highest score on most tests, and she is not feeling challenged. At the last Parent Teacher Conference she asked for more challenging work from her teacher. Other members of the group wanted to know what Dana did to motivate Sage to do so well.”

Dana then shared the following: “I have learned that what works well with Sage is explaining to her the benefit of doing well.  I use every opportunity I can to point them out to her.  When she learns something new, I take it to the next level with more information and then point out to her that is what is so cool about learning, that you learn one new thing and it opens up a whole new world.” 

Joint Problem Solving Works with Teens

Four Steps for Joint Problem Solving

1. Teen shares his or her issues and goals.
2. Parent shares his or her issues and goals.
3. If goals of teen and parent are far apart, brainstorm to find options.
4. Teen and parent pick an option they can both live with and try it out for a short time.

Follow-Through

The teen motivators we have discussed so far, are fairly quick and easy. Follow-through is more complicated and requires more guidance on your part, but it is worth the effort because it is a surefire method that really helps teens keep their agreements. Follow-through is an excellent alternative to authoritarian methods or permissiveness. With follow-through, you can meet the needs of the situation while maintaining dignity and respect for all concerned. Follow-through is also a way to help teens learn the life skills they need in order to feel good about themselves while learning to be contributing members of society.

Follow-through is a respectful, four-step approach to parenting teens that teaches cooperation, life skills, and responsibility in spite of resistance. It works whether you are trying to move your teen away from the computer, join the family, or keep up responsibilities to themselves and the family. The key is that follow-through involves you, because you are the only one who does the follow-through. The result is that your teen also follows through, but rarely without your participation. Think of this as one of your main co-pilot duties.

The Four Steps for Effective Follow-Through

1. Have a friendly discussion with your teen to gather information about what is happening regarding the problem. (Listen first and then share your thoughts.)
2. Brainstorm solutions with your teen. (Use your humor and throw in some exaggerations.) Choose one that both you and your teen can agree to. Finding a solution you both like may take some negotiating, because your favorite solution may be different from your teen's favorite.
3. Agree on a date and time deadline.
4. Understand teens well enough to know that the deadline probably won’t be met and simply follow through on the agreement by kindly and firmly holding your teen accountable.

Before we provide examples of effective follow-through, it is important to understand the traps that defeat follow-through.

Four Traps That Defeat Follow-Through

1. Believing that teens think the way you think and have the same priorities you have.
2. Getting into judgments and criticism instead of sticking to the issue.
3. Not getting agreements in advance that include a specific time deadline.
4. Not maintaining dignity and respect for yourself and your teen

In our workshops, to help parents learn the art of follow-through and to show them that it really does work, we often ask for a volunteer to role-play a teen who has not kept an agreement to do a task, such as mowing the lawn. We then point to the Four Steps for Effective Follow-Through and ask the volunteer to pretend we have already gone through them as a parent and a teen.

To set up the role-play, we ask the teen to sit in a chair and pretend he or she is playing a video game. The deadline has arrived, but the task is not done. We then role-play the adult who follows-through by using the following Four Hints for Effective Follow-Through.

Four Hints for Effective Follow-Through

1. Keep comments simple, concise, and friendly. ("I notice you didn't do your task. Would you please do that now?")
2. In response to objections, ask, "What was our agreement?"
3. In response to further objections, shut your mouth and use nonverbal communication. (Point to your watch after every argument. Smile knowingly. Give a hug and point to your watch again.) It helps to understand the concept of "less is more." The less you say the more effective you will be. The more you say, the more ammunition you give your kids for an argument—which they will win every time.
4. When your teen concedes (sometimes with great annoyance), say, "Thank you for keeping our agreement."

One thing we ask of the volunteer role-playing the teen is to be in the present moment. By this we mean the volunteer should respond to what is being done now rather than responding in ways that a teen would react to disrespectful methods. When the volunteer does this, it is amazing how quickly the "teen" comes to agreement (after a little resistance).

Kind and Firm Parenting Skills To Remember

1. You can motivate your teens with encouragement which is very different from trying to get your teens to do what you want.
2. Humor, collateral, let’s make a deal, and involvement are positive motivation tools.
3. There is one surefire way to get your kids to keep their agreements, and it's called follow-through. It may be a lot of work for you in the beginning, but it will be worth every minute of the time you spend to train both you and your teen to use better habits.
4. Read the four steps, the four traps, and the four hints for successful follow- through again and again, because they are very different from how you would normally respond as a parent—and as a human.
5. You must be there at the first deadline to set up the follow-through. It won't work in the long run without you there in the beginning.
6. If you whine or complain that using follow-through is too much work, track how much time you spend reminding and nagging your teen instead. Notice the effect that nagging has on you and on your teen. Keep a checklist of how often the task you are nagging about actually gets done. We call this a reality check.
7. Follow-through will help you use fewer words and your kids will hear you better.
8. Don't hesitate to prepare in advance and maybe even practice with a friend. You can always listen to the "Empowering Teenagers and Yourself in the Process" audiotapes for a live demonstration. It helps! (They can be found on our web site at www.positivediscipline.com )
9. We do not recommend making contracts with your teens. If you need to write information down as a reminder for both of you, that is respectful and effective. Setting up a contract means you are treating your teenager like a client or an adversary. If you do sign a contract, don't be surprised by your teen's attitudes.

http://www.positivediscipline.com/articles/teenmotivation.html

I KNEW YOU WOULD COME

There were two childhood buddies who went through school and college and even joined the army together. War broke out and they were fighting in the same unit. One night they were ambushed. Bullets were flying all over and out of the darkness came a voice, "Harry, please come and help me."

Harry immediately recognized the voice of his childhood buddy, Bill. He asked the captain if he could go. The captain said, "No, I can't let you go, I am already short-handed and I cannot afford to lose one more person. Besides, the way Bill sounds he is not going to make it." Harry kept quiet. Again the voice came, "Harry, please come and help me." Harry sat quietly because the captain had refused earlier. Again and again the voice came.

Harry couldn't contain himself any longer and told the captain, "Captain, this is my childhood buddy. I have to go and help." The captain reluctantly let him go. Harry crawled through the darkness and dragged Bill back into the trench. They found that Bill was dead. Now the captain got angry and shouted at Harry, "Didn't I tell you he was not going to make it? He is dead, you could have been killed and I could have lost a hand. That was a mistake."

Harry replied, "Captain, I did the right thing. When I reached Bill he was still alive and his last words were 'Harry, I knew you would come.

http://great-motivational-stories.blogspot.com/2008_05_25_archive.html

7 Persuasion Tips To Help You Reach Your Goals

Having exceptional persuasion skills is one of the most essential abilities to possess in today's fast-paced society. We need the support and cooperation of other people to help us in our goal setting efforts. The saying "No man is an island" is an undeniable truth.

Here are some hot tips to effectively influence and persuade anyone you desire.

1) Be nice and friendly.

Smile to brighten up the day. Make a sincere compliment to encourage and raise their spirits. Simple little things like these count a lot.

Make them feel that whenever they need support or just someone who can give them guidance, you'll always be there to lend a hand. They would tend to be more receptive to people that they trust and respect.

If you want to ask your boss a favor, do everything you can to please him. Overdeliver and exceed his expectations. Soon, he will notice your efforts and can easily be receptive to your persuasion efforts.

2) Enter their world.

You must understand the situation according to their point of view. Set aside your personal interests and focus on them.

Just pretend that if you are them, what would you do? What would be your suggestion? Then take the appropriate action that would be beneficial to them.

Copy them. Observe how they act, how they speak, and how they think. If they rub their hands while they talk to you, act like them. If they speak at a clear and slow pace, try to do the same thing. This is called mirroring.

In due time, the people you're mirroring will subconsciously feel more comfortable with you. It's as if they see themselves in you.

However, you must proceed with caution. Mirroring is different from mimicry. Do not let them be aware that you are copying them. They might interpret it as mockery and you'll just get into hot water.

3) Consistency is the key.

This persuasion technique rests on a person's need to remain consistent with what he has said or promised. People who say one thing and then do another are generally unapproved of.

In order to be accepted in society, people do their best to stick to their words. It's a matter of honor and integrity. The more a person values these concepts, the more he will stick to his word. You can easily use this to your advantage.

For example, if Senator A has recently announced his commitment to the environment, it would be a good time to solicit help for your eco-friendly organization. After all, he has just said it himself. Backing out now would diminish his name.

4) Provide them with undeniable proof or evidence.

Explain to them how your ideas or opinions could be the most effective methods to implement. Show them undeniable proof that you have the best product by way of testimonials, before and after scenarios, and detailed comparisons against your competitors.

Just make sure that all your claims are true and verifiable. Always maintain a good reputation.

5) Greed is gold.

Let's face it. People can be greedy sometimes. But when it comes to persuasion skills, greed is not something to frown upon; it's something you use to get people right where you want them!

Are you selling lottery tickets? Appeal to people by regaling to them tales of what could be. Are you selling jewelry? Get people to buy them by way of compliments. Tell them how great the stones look on them and how they'll be the envy of everyone else.

6) Use the word "because."

How often do we use the word "because" in a real sentence? In my opinion, we don't use it often enough. Sure, we use it when writing letters, but do you have any idea how powerful this word is when used verbally in actual sentence?

When you're trying to reason out the need for a second chance to your boss, for example, you don't say "I deserve a second chance for all my hard work." Instead, you say, "I deserve a second chance because I worked really hard on this project."

That word alone gives you an air of maturity and credibility that will always work to your advantage.

7) Satisfy their existing needs and wants.

Being self-centered is basic human nature. People usually attend to their own concerns and well-being before attending to others'. If you can prove that your proposal will provide more advantages to them than to your own, then they will probably accept it.

If you could concentrate more on their interests, desires, needs, and expectations, then you would satisfy their cravings for attention. Moreover, it would show that you really care about them. Mutual trust and respect would be established.

This is the most important thing to remember when persuading anyone. No matter how close you are to becoming like them or how compelling your evidence is, if it does not satisfy the "What's In It For Me?" test, your persuasion endeavors will not produce satisfactory results. Always bear in mind how they will benefit from your actions.

Want to discover the most powerful secrets to persuade anyone to do almost anything? Then check out How To Be An Expert Persuader...In 20 Days or Less. This power-packed program reveals the most sensational persuasion secrets to change people's behavior, skyrocket your income, win lots of friends, captivate the opposite sex, and make anyone subconsciously like and trust you. Click Here Now for more exciting information.

By By Michael Lee, Author of How To Be An Expert Persuader

Critical Questions for SWOT analysis

You may find the the transferable skills questionnaire useful when answering some of the questions about your strengths and weaknesses.

When considering the opportunities and threats in your field of work, looking at job descriptions may give you a clearer idea of what is required to progress in your field.

Strengths

•          What are your advantages?

•          What do you do well?

•          Why did you decide to enter your field upon graduation/ leaving school?

•          What were the motivating factors and influences?

•          Do these factors still represent some of your inherent strengths?

•          What need do you expect to fill within the University/ your department?

•          What have been your most notable achievements?

•          To what do you attribute your success?

•          How do you measure your success?

•          What knowledge or expertise will you bring to the University that may not have been available before?

•          What is your greatest asset?

Weaknesses

•          What could be improved?

•          What do you do badly?

•          What should you avoid?

•          What are your professional weaknesses?

•          How do they affect your job performance? (These might include weakness in technical skill areas or in leadership or interpersonal skills.)

•          Think about your most unpleasant experiences in school or in past jobs and consider whether some aspect of your personal or professional life could be a root cause.

Opportunities

Where are the promising prospects facing you?

What is the "state of the art" in your particular area of expertise?

Are you doing everything you can to enhance your exposure to this area?

What formal training and education can you add to your credentials that might position you appropriately for more opportunities?

Would an MBA or another graduate degree add to your advantage?

How quickly are you likely to advance in your chosen career?

Useful opportunities can come from such things as:

•          Changes in technology and markets on both a broad and industry-specific scale

•          Changes in government policy related to your field

•          Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, etc.

Threats

What obstacles do you face?

Are the requirements for your desired job field changing?

Does changing technology threaten your prospective position?

What is the current trend line for your personal area of expertise?

Could your area of interest be fading in comparison with more emergent fields?

Is your chosen field subject to internal politics that will lead to conflict?

Is there any way to change the politics or to perhaps defuse your involvement in potential disputes?

How might the economy negatively affect your future company and your work group?

http://pd.nottingham.ac.uk/eng/Personal-Development/Planning/Self-Analysis-Tools/Critical-Questions

Bob Proctor - Believe It, Expect It You'll Have It!

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For over 40 years, Bob Proctor has focused his work and teachings on helping people use the power of their mind to achieve prosperity, rewarding relationships and spiritual awareness. He is the best-selling author of "You Were Born Rich" and has transformed the lives of millions through his books, seminars, courses and personal coaching.

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99 Personal Development Questions Your Brain Will Thank You For

There is a saying ‘ask the right questions and you’ll get the right answer’.

Perhaps too many of us are asking questions that limit our thinking. Or we declare statements to the world which limit all the possibilities.

Going by experience, you’ll probably skim the questions below, that’s okay, that ones that need to stand out to you will show themselves to you. (Not spooky, you actually can probably read much faster than you think you can!)

Who do you blame?

Do you play to work, or work to play?

When did you last laugh so much it hurt?

Can you picture the child you once were?

What advice would you give the ‘5 year old you’?

If you woke up tomorrow with no fear, what would you do first?

What was your biggest worry five years ago, do you still feel the same about it at this minute?

What’s the most marvellous thing you have ever seen with your own eyes?

Who did you last gossip about, how do you feel about it now?

What promises have you never carried through for yourself?

If you could change one personal rule, what would it be?

What relationships have ended? But you can’t let go?

Are you a starter or a finisher?

Where would you take a road trip?

Who in your life do you wish you’d met sooner?

Have you ever expected ‘love in return’? Did you get it?

When did you last say thank you and sincerely mean it?

Can you remember what present you received on your last birthday? Who did you spend it with?

When did you last talk yourself out of something when deep down you wanted to do it?

Do you always want the answer to ‘what are you thinking about?’

Who do you need to get in touch with because it’s been to long?

When did you last do something for nothing in return?

Do you live your life around days of the week?

When did your heart last ‘skip a beat’? Why?

How are things going for you, now?

How do Mondays feel for you?

Do your practice ‘self love’ or ‘self loathing’?

What’s your greatest achievement to date?

What must you do daily to keep yourself ‘sane’ ?

Is a year past more important than the next hour to come?

What scares you about your future? Does it matter if it isn’t even here yet?

If you could spend ten minutes with your ‘hero’ alive or dead what would you ask them?

How many hours a week do you spend watching tele and on the internet? How many hours do you spend alone with you?

If we all died at 35, what have you still to do? What did you miss?

If you had to move country tomorrow, where would you go?

What answers are you seeking about your life?

Why does pizza come in a square box?

What are you just not seeing?

Would you love to spend quality time with you?

What aspects of you, do you keep hidden from close friends but expose to loved ones?

Do you like the sound of your own voice? How does it sound when you are complaining?

When did you last listen to the sound of your own breathing?

Are you a goal setter or a ‘whatever will be, will be’ person?

When did you last judge someone who you didn’t know?

What do you need to learn but won’t admit to?

What would you call your autobiography?

How would you hate to be described?

What genius would you be? Why?

When did you last make a mistake and be okay with it?

What would happen if you knew you could not fail?

How does it feel to be photographed?

What do you wish you had invented?

Is trust more important than love, or is it the other way round?

If you could erase an event from your mind, which one would you choose?

What learning from today are you taking into tomorrow?

What makes you special, unique and talented?

If you could ‘dare yourself’ what would it be?

What would your perfect day look like?

What life legacy are you leaving?

Who do you dispose your garbage on?

Are you living your life, or having a life?

What have you given up but used to love?

What one thing do you need to do next to improve your life?

Do you want your children (if you have any) to be ‘just like you’?

Do you stand for what you believe in or are you pleasing others?

What do you consistently attract in your life that is no longer good enough for you?

What questions here have you skipped over because they are too hard for you to handle?

Are you playing games with yourself where the rules are preventing you from reaching your goals?

What does praise and admiration sound like to you?

What does the life you want to live look like?

What risk do you need to take?

How long are you going to be dead?

Would you fall head over heels in love with you?

Are you making your difference in the world or stagnating?

If you woke up tomorrow with a habit gone, what would it be?

If money were no concern, what would you do for the rest of your life?

What negative experience keep happening time and time again for you? When are you going to learn from them?

What (or whom) drains your energy, why do you let it happen?

Where in your life do you give up accountability?

What’s your earliest memory of achievement?

What does it feel like to change?

Is tomorrow really another day?

What are you thankful for, this moment?

Do you need to see things before you believe them?

If your life were a TV programme, what would it be?

Would you rather be poor and healthy or rich and ill?

If you could learn a new skill today, what would it be?

What in your life exhilarates you? Do you do enough of it?

Do you have any questions you are scared to ask yourself?

When did you last argue with yourself? Was it purposeful?

Would you defend a loved one, if they were breaking the law?

When did you last say something and automatically regret it?

Can you hear your enemies talk about you? What are they saying?

If you could talk to everyone in the world for 5 minutes, what would you say?

Who’s permission are you wanting on to achieve your goals? Will it actually come?

When is the right time to start a new goal?

When did you last speak well of you?

When did you last lie and regret it?

Would you risk making a mistake?

http://dawnbarclay.com/99-personal-development-questions-your-brain-can-thank-you-for

Your words and thoughts have physical power - Will Smith

Your words and thoughts have physical power.

In life many people wonder why things dont always go the way they want them to but do not realize that in every thought they think and words they speak starts the physical formation of what begins to appears in our lives. 

It is normal to have negative thoughts from time to time because we do not live in a perfect world, Or Do We? The key is when a thought like that shows up you just need to make the decision wether or not you want to entertain that though for a long time or if you want to change the path to a better one immediately. This is where skill comes in to play.

With all things you must practice to make perfect, all though some are borne with more talent than other, anyone can hone the skills of being discipline and beat there fears into submission. it was once said "your biggest fear should be fear itself" I would have to say this is pretty right on. Why? Because fear is a negative emotion 
and because of fear you tend to pay more attention to it which starts the physical birth of some kind of reaction.

This is why most people that fear that they are going to get hurt get hurt more than the rest. Or think they are going to be sick and then it happens. If you fear that you dont have enough money to pay the bills and speak and think these thoughts and words everyday then guess what, You are creating the physical reaction to show up in your life. This is why it is good to marinate yourself in unconditional love and positive good words and belief that good things are heading your way at all times. You deserve it, It is your birth right.

Own it. except it. enjoy it. Live it. know it is in your escrow. more and more, every moment. and when the other thoughts of fear come, Do Not Entertain it. leave it behind and get right back on track with the truth! Live every monent of this life like there is no tomorrow, because it is not a rehearsal. 

So Start getting from it what is yours. GREATNESS!!!

3 Questions to Write a Personal Development Plan

We have an amazing team of leaders at Grace Community Church. Part of my role and how God has wired me is to constantly be in development mode, therefore, I continually encourage our staff to develop themselves personally. I realize that as they mature and grow individually; in their careers and personal lives, that the strength of our staff and church will only increase. I put out this encouragement again at a recent staff meeting. Apparently, I said the right words this time, because in the past week almost half our staff mentioned they want to improve their plans for personal development.

Recently one staff member asked me to help them get started writing their personal development plan. Here’s what I shared with him. Perhaps you need this as well.

Take a break from your daily routine, grab a cup of coffee, a pen and some paper, and ask yourself three

questions as a guideline to if you want to improve personally. Keep in mind, I can’t write your plan for you, so these are just tools to fuel your thoughts.

Where am I now?

Be honest with yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you most need to improve? Consider each aspect of your life. Where are you in your career, family, social, financial, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being? Which of these areas are most neglected? In which areas do you excel?

Where do I want to be?

Think in terms of each of the categories above. Think through six months, one year and five years. What areas do you most need to improve? In what areas are improvement most critical? What areas would improve your overall satisfaction with life?

How can I get there?

For every goal you say you want to achieve, write some concrete action steps/a plan to get you there. This is the hardest part, but simply write one or two action steps for each broad goal. You will need to update this plan periodically and you can continually add to and refine these action steps. The key is that you take action to move forward in the direction you want your life to develop. Ask yourself: Where do I need more training? Do I need a mentor? Could I use more practice?

Now work the plans; take action. A piece of paper with plans of them, or an idea in your head, is worth very little until you take steps to achieve them. Get started today!

This sounds simple, but if you will spend a few hours thinking through your individual plan for personal development, the time could make the difference in achieving or not the goals you have for your life. When you finish this plan, you won’t necessarily have a professional looking document you could turn into your college professor and there are certainly methods more complex for writing a personal development plan, but for me the end goal is progress towards my goals, and we are more likely to do something easy and less time consuming. This is a method I can and do use frequently.

Do you need to do this?

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