Famous Motivational Speakers: May 2012

Qualia and Quanta

Ah, those New Year's resolutions.

I suppose that the passage of another calendar year serves to remind us that there are an infinite number of things to do and a finite amount of time to do them in and so we must prioritize.

So many potential things to accomplish or attain and only so many days of our life to do it all in. Yet, somehow, we still contrive to waste most of the time in a day, most of the days in a year, most of the years of our life.

Each new year comes along and we are reminded that:

a) time is slip, slip, slipping away,

b) we have not yet completed our commitments, and

c) we want to.

It also serves as a reminder that although we have ideals that are either inherently understood or expressly defined, we are not living up to these ideals and so we must resolve to, once again, commit to being and acting in tune with our ideals.

Get happy. Get healthy. Get wealthy. Get wise. Those are the summaries of the typical resolutions made. Specific goals or actions are often substituted as the defined resolution, but it is usually one of those four ideals that are the root impetus to change.

So there it is...change; we recognize that we must change in order to achieve our ideals and the resolutions reflect this recognition. It is change that we desire and this is reflected in the resolutions we make. They define our dissatisfaction. They delineate the gap or space between what we idealize and we recognize as being the current actuality or reality.

To cross that gap requires resolution. "I must be the change I wish to see in the world!"

Resolution has several synonyms; among them are: answer, declaration, determination, promise, resolve, solution and tenacity.

So your New Year's resolution is your answer, your declaration, your determination, your promise, your resolve, your solution and your tenacity. Your future abundance lies in today's resolution.

What exactly do you want and how much of it? Qualia and quanta. Decide and then resolve to have it. Be, then do, then have. Become, enact, prosper.

Start now. Resolve to be the change you wish to see in the world. Make it your declaration, your commitment, your promise, your tenacity and your solution to those great questions...what I am about and what is the purpose and meaning of my life.

Permission to reprint or republish does not waive any copyright. Leslie Fieger is the author of The DELFIN Trilogy, (The Initiation, The Journey and The Quest), The Master Key, Alexandra's DragonFire, Awakenings and Your Prosperity Paradigm. His personal website is http://www.lesliefieger.com/

Original article

How To Coach Millennials

Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Generation Next, are folks who are about twenty to thirty years old. So when I saw this article called, Introverted Leaders: The Right Mentors for Millennials (American Management Association), I figured there would be a lot of people who'd be interested in how we can apply it to our lives. After all, this is the age group that college coaches are working with. Check out the article, it's got great info about introverts as leaders...I'm going to focus on motivating millennials.

4 tips that will help us coach millennials

One-on-one interactions. According to the article, "when leaders take the time to converse with the millennials in their midst, they score points in building loyalty and trust." That sounds like something we should invest time in! If we're going to build teams that function well year after year, we should make sure we're taking the time to chat with our players every day. I worked with a coach years ago who said it was his goal talk to each player while they were warming up for practice. However we do it, we should make sure we're connecting with our players, it means a lot to them.
Listening and asking great questions. Apparently, millennials have a "craving for continuous coaching and feedback." This one piggy backs on point number one. They don't want generic praise or interaction meant for the entire group, but rather specific coaching and correction meant just for them. Whether it's email, texts, or face-to-face contact, I'm sure we can all commit to communicating with our players in the way they'd like to receive it.
Preparation. This is the generation most likely to switch jobs many times in the course of their lives, some estimates say the typical millennial will have more than twenty five jobs! They are "hungry to take on new roles and responsibilities", so it's our job to make sure they're engaged on our teams. I'm sure most of our athletes can spout off positive benefits of playing sports (time management, team oriented, etc.), but do they know they're learning how to lead, how to manage different personalities, how to function within a particular role, and how win and lose with a measure of grace? We've got to tell them so they know they're prepared for the "real world" once they leave college.
Calm, reasoned reflection. Why is this important? This approach "offers a needed counterbalance to all the busyness and multitasking of Millennials." Have you noticed how difficult it is for millennials to separate themselves from their phones? They can be "talking" to their friends while texting and think nothing of it...meanwhile I'm super offended when people don't make eye contact with me when we're talking! According to the article, we've got to show them the value in being present and focused. Our sports require those two things in order for our teams to succeed. Our players can't be peeking in the stands while also trying to play at a high level.

To me, this is like having a millennials scouting report. Sure, we can play a game without one, but it will take us a lot longer to be successful. Now that we know how to make great connections with our players, let's make sure we do it!

Dawn Redd is the Head Volleyball Coach at Beloit College. Come visit Coach Dawn's community of coaching nerds and team leaders over at her blog, http://www.coachdawnwrites.com/, where she teaches how to become an excellent coach, motivate individuals, and build successful teams.

Her book, Coach Dawn's Guide To Motivating Female Athletes, is available for purchase on her website.

Follow Coach Dawn on Twitter: @CoachDawnWrites

Original article

How To Keep The Faith

Keeping the faith is more challenging now than ever because of the decadence of morals and values in our cultures psyche. The Christian life isn't lived in a vacuum but within the culture that we're a part of. There seems to be anti-christian attitude from the high to low places of our government. All through history, when people no longer retained the knowledge of God, they resorted to despising and persecuting those who promoted righteousness. On the face of these vicious tidal waves of attacks against Christians and who we represent, knowing how to keep the faith is of highest priority.

A life of righteousness brings blessing to all those that are associated with it. From human perspective, it may seem that living a life of righteousness is slow, mundane and robs you of so-called fun, but divine wisdom declares that righteousness exalts, builds up, promotes and establishes life.

A close look in the pages of the Holy Scripture will reveal what Gods word says has come to pass exactly as it was prophesied. The world is saying one thing but Gods word declares another. I'll rather err on the side of what God's word say than put my confidence on the word of human persons.

The world says no man is perfect but the scripture says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect."(Matthew 5:48, KJV). We cannot resign our lives to human ideas, opinions and interpretations. Our life is better off when we walk in obedience to God's word, always will and always is. There are principal ways of how to keep the faith, here are some tips.

1. You must know what you believe- our actions and behaviors are framed by what we believe, how can you keep it? As Christians, know that Jesus Christ is the subject of our message, he died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day for our justification according to the scriptures. This is our position and we must keep the faith that was handed down to us by the Apostles.

2. Have the experience of Bible salvation.

Many people say that they believe in Jesus but have never experienced his transforming life. Once you've experienced the power from on high, you'll be unmovable. The scripture says, "Jesus answered, Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5, KJV). How to keep the faith seriously hinges upon your salvation experience.

3. Maintain steadfastly your testimony- what other people say about you may be important but what do you say about yourself, in the Christian faith, we win over Satan by the word of our testimony. Just like David your testimony is your weapon in this spiritual warfare.

4. Live life by the guidance and direction of Gods word.
The Bible says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."(Colossians 3:16, KJV) God's word is the sword of the spirit. Study it, memorize it and act upon it. This is one of the most powerful of the weapons on how to keep the faith. When Gods people walk away from righteousness sin spreads as a cancer in their lives for speedy destruction. So we must keep the faith because we're the light to the world.

No drawing back into sin and perdition, living for Jesus Christ in this life will help mitigate a lot of crises. Pressing on to the finish line when we see Christ face to face is the goal, therefore keep the faith.

Dr.Ephraim John Udofia is the founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Apostolic Ministries. International Mission-intensive ministry, both in foreign and home missions with currently over six churches in three countries. Dr.Udofia is the author of over seven life-changing books. He's passionately involved in church planting, crusades, conferences and ministers' training since the seventies. Dr.Udofia holds a Bsc. in Management, minor in accounting, an MBA, and Doctorate in Ministry (Dmin) with major in Missions. He is a former CEO of Precious Jewels Inc. for 19 years. Also a former banker and security representative holding both State and Federal licences. A financial counselor, motivational speaker, mentor, marriage counsellor and an outstanding dedicated family man. He is happily married with five grown children.
To buy one of Dr Ephraim's inspiring Christian Books, or Money Management Books visit the link --->; Life Christian Books

Original article

Break Free

I received an email the other day from one of our customers. "Please help. I am desperate. My life is a mess. I have read your book, The Initiation. I think it's true what you say, but nothing is working for me."

Of course, I responded. It was more than a plea for help, it was a challenge.

So we got into some back and forth emails, questions and answers, clarifications and finally this firm suggestion from me.

"You absolutely must change your habitual way of doing things and thinking about things. Otherwise you are going to continue to get the same results.

"Philosophy, self-help books and all other educational material is ONLY GOOD IF IT IS APPLIED to the way you live your life. It does no good gathering dust on your bookshelf or even bouncing around in your head. It is the application that produces results, not the information."

"Ok. I am prepared to change. What should I do?" is what I get back from him.

So, I made a simple list of things to do every day. Maybe 1 hour's worth of extra activity. Likely less.

What I get back is amazing. First there is a list of reasons why half the things I suggest cannot be done by him. Then there are questions about why I think it necessary to do the other things on the list. He thinks that they are a waste of time. And, besides which, he certainly has no extra time in the day. He is already overworked and does not spend enough time with his wife.

Now, I already know from our previous emails what his days look like. He spends about half his evenings sitting on the couch with his wife, watching TV. So I write back and tell him his excuse about no time does not wash. He should take some of his TV time and start making his life work better. He replies that he is unwilling to give up any TV time because that is the only time he and his wife have together and he's not willing to give that up because their relationship is already in trouble.

I am tempted to quit right then and there. I mean this guy either just does not get it or he is playing me along like some fish he has hooked. Maybe he's just another emotional vampire. I've seen enough of those over the years. Maybe if I was a psychotherapist, I'd look forward to dealing with this kind of nonsense, but...

So, I write back one last time. Maybe I can shock him...

"Ok. Here is how it is for you...

"You are a prisoner. You have built the walls that hold you captive yourself. You have locked the only door and you have quite plainly told me that you have thrown away the only key...your willingness to change.

"Even if I came and forced the door open, you'd refuse to leave your safe little jail.

"So quit pretending; quit crying for help. Until you decide to break free from your self-imposed chains, no book, no bell and no candle will help you."

This is what he replies with, "I knew that you were a fake. You only pretended to know the answers."

I relate this now because I think that each of us has some of my friend in us. We are habituated to feeling, thinking and acting in certain ways. We are not always pleased with the results we end up with, but we absolutely refuse to consider that what we are and what we do produces the results we are getting. We refuse to change and we blame the world for the way things are.

This is not a new theme. It bears repeating though, because our habits come back to haunt us time and time again. We are imprisoned by our addictions, our habitual way of being.

We go to a seminar or read a book and are inspired to make a little change in attitude or thinking process. Suddenly life seems better. Then some guy cuts us off in traffic or the stock market drops 500 points or it rains on our parade and we are back to thinking and acting the same old way. And, strangely, life seems to be tough again.

All that positive thinking stuff is just BS you tell yourself and anyone who will listen. I tried it and still got @* on. Somehow it doesn't occur to us to notice that we have returned to our previous habits. The ones we had already decided to change. Like the junkie who wears long sleeves to hide the needle scars, we clothe the proof of our returned habits of non-productive thinking, feeling and acting in excuses and diversions, in blame and justification.

Fundamental change occurs only when we make the firm and irrevocable choice to change who we are and what we do. Conditional change does not work. You can't do "I'll try it out; see if it works and then decide." or "I'll take this path only until I come to a fork in the road."

Tools for transformation are like all tools. They don't work because of their pretty packages. They don't work because you own them. They don't work because somebody else says they do. They work because you use them and they work only when you use them. When you stop using them, they stop working.

We don't expect an electric drill to drill holes when it is sitting on the work bench; but somehow we expect that little change of heart or change of mind we had promised to make yesterday when we read that self-help book, to be still working today even though we have put it back on the shelf and went back to watching TV.

Your life is what you make it. It can be a mess or a masterpiece.

"There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement. For an achievement does not settle anything permanently.

We still have to prove our worth anew each day: we have to prove that we are as good today as we were yesterday. But when we have a valid alibi for not achieving anything we are fixed, so to speak, for life.

Moreover, when we have an alibi for not writing a book, painting a picture, and so on, we have an alibi for not writing the greatest book and not painting the greatest picture.

Small wonder that the effort expended and the punishment endured in obtaining a good alibi often exceed the effort and grief requisite for the attainment of a most marked achievement."

--Eric Hoffer

Original article

The Power Of Positivity

What you export into the world will eventually be imported back into you.-

Things You Must Never Say Aloud, Psychology Today
I believe in being positive...mostly because the alternative seems like a drag. Who wants to mope around all the time complaining about life? According to positive psychology expert, Martin Seligman*, there is validity to self-fulfilling prophesies. Which means we've got to teach our athletes how to speak positive, rather than negative, words about themselves.

4 things our players should never say out loud

I can't do this. Why should they limit themselves with their words? I've heard "I can't" many times in my career from athletes, but it never comes after spending hours and hours, grinding away at a skill. "I can't" usually comes after a couple of attempts. We've got to show our athletes the value and sticking with something until the end. "I can't" gives up when things get tough...and we certainly don't want a team of players that give up!
Why is she playing instead of me? These players are tough because they're not real big on personal responsibility. I think that most players have sense enough not to say this to their coach's face, but I'm not naïve enough to think they're not saying it in the locker room. Here's the truth, this player doesn't ask their coach this question because they know they'll get an honest answer! So they ask their teammates, which puts them in an awkward position. What if their teammates agree with the coach's decision? My advice to these players is to stop talking about why they're not playing and be so good that their coach can't help but to play them.
I'm terrible/I suck/I'm no good, etc. Like the player above, this player puts her teammates in a bad spot. Now they've got to give the obligatory, "No, you're really good!" remarks. If the player truly believes they're awful, there's good news: practice will make it better. If they're just saying it to get attention: stop being selfish. The truth is, the coach has this player on the team for a reason...and I'd bet it's not because they aren't any good.
She's better than me. I'm going to speak directly to the player here: I think this is an excuse. Sure, some players are more talented than others, but to throw up your hands and shrug your shoulders and say, "she's better than me" is a cop out. Maybe she is better than you...because she works harder than you. Maybe she's better than you because she's got more experience than you. Maybe she's better than you because she cares more than you. There are many reasons one player can be better than another. The fact is, you can't control how good she is...but you can control how good you are.

All of these phrases take away any semblance of control that a player can feel they have over their own playing lives. Let's make sure our players speak positively about themselves and their circumstances, because words have power.

*Want to read more about Seligman's work? Check out The Evolution Of Happy Teams.

Her book, Coach Dawn's Guide To Motivating Female Athletes, is available for purchase on her website.

Original article

Are You Taking Your Place in the World?

I work with women to fulfill their purpose and potential through entrepreneurship. Yet many of these women lose sight of why they went business in the first place, and start to lose their passion and enthusiasm over time.

One client I'll call Sharon, came to be because she was at her wits end drowning in paperwork, emails, and to-do lists. She felt drained, overworked, and uninspired. She was in a place of not remembering why she had started her business in the first place or what she felt called to do.

Her reason for going into business was because she felt a strong call to make a contribution in the world. She didn't know exactly how to do that in the way she imagined, so she just started with what she knew. This is where most women start, but they often get lost along the way.

By the time Sharon came to me, she was exhausted, ready to give up, and had very limited financial resources remaining. Here's what I had her do to turn her situation around quickly - and you can too!

One: get clear on what you feel most called to do right now

It may be time to hone in on your true purpose and talents more narrowly. Get very specific on the exact value you bring to your clients and the key challenges you can help them solve.

Two: get support

Mary was running a one-woman show in trying to do everything herself. One of the first things we did was to get her some simple administrative support for a few hours a week.

Three: simplify and streamline

Look at your service and program offerings for the clients and the services you can let go of that are no longer a passion for you, for the things that take a lot of your time but don't reward you financially, and for places where you have a long list of offerings but no clear specialty. Eliminate at least half of what you're currently doing that no longer serves you so you can focus on the work that truly fulfills inspires you.

So what happened with my client Sharon?

She immediately brought on an assistant for several hours a month which grew over time. She simplified by dropping one of her service offerings that didn't bring a good financial reward, and completed with several clients who were draining her energy. She was then in a position to step into her greatness. Now she's thriving and very happy and more fulfilled in her work.

Are you ready and willing to take your true place in the world and make the difference only you can make? Most women are trying to do too much and consequently aren't bringing their true contribution to the world. Stop playing small and start standing out for the work you feel called to do. Get clear on your true calling and core talents. Then, simplify, streamline, specialize, and get support so you can step into your fullest potential.

Jan Marie Dore teaches women entrepreneurs how to grow their business online and create profitable income streams. Sign up for her savvy and smart marketing tips and receive a 30 page FREE Bonus Workbook and audio 'Eight Insider Marketing Secrets of Wealthy Women Entrepreneurs' by visiting http://www.femalepreneurs.com/

Original article

Famous Motivational Speakers

Qualia and Quanta

How To Coach Millennials

How To Keep The Faith

Break Free

The Power Of Positivity

Are You Taking Your Place in the World?

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