What you focus on expands. Ideally, you want to focus on moving your business forward. Losing focus is all too easy.

We all have a tendency to become side tracked. We may want to complete an important task, yet many distractions poke and prod us away from our goals. How can we keep our focus on the task as hand?

Distractions may be hard to ignore, especially when it’s a chatty coworker, a ringing phone, a demanding spouse (not all that common I’m sure–grin), or many other things. Thankfully, there are some tried and true strategies we can use to put the distractions on hold and place an intense focus on our task.

Try these techniques to develop an intense focus:

1. Remove distractions. You can’t focus if you’re constantly checking your email, Facebook, or other time-stealers! You’ll get more done if you allow your mind to get in the groove with some peace and quiet.

• Turn off your email, close your web browsers, shut off your phone off or forward it to voicemail, and put on headphones to avoid loud noises. You’ll be glad you did!

2. Remain committed. You know that you have something you should finish, but are you one hundred percent committed to seeing it through to completion? This is where you need to be honest with yourself.

• If you’re not fully committed to your task, you’re more likely to allow distractions to overtake your mind. More often than not, you’ll use distractions to create excuses and exceptions that try to justify your lack of focus.
• If you are committed, it will be easier to ignore distractions and keep your focus. This is something only you can decide.

3. Set a time limit. Even if the task itself doesn’t have a time limit, assign one anyway. If you have a deadline, you’ll be more apt to complete your task in a timely manner.

• Rather than giving in to the surrounding distractions, you’ll be competing against the clock to get things done on time.

4. Take frequent breaks. This may sound contradictory, but it actually makes a world of difference for the workaholic. If we work too long at one time, not only do we become physically tired, but our minds tire as well. This makes us more susceptible to distractions and shatters our concentration.

• Work intently for an hour and then allow yourself a 10-minute break. When you return from the break, you’ll be more focused, your mind will be clearer, and you’ll be more likely to work for another hour without losing focus.
• This strategy allows you to get more work done in a shorter time.

5. Use a list. Lists are wonderful tools that help you accomplish your work quicker and easier. Before beginning, write down everything you need to accomplish and then cross out each task as you complete it.

• The process of crossing things off your list is a great motivator to keep you working without distractions, plus it helps to build the momentum to get everything done.

6. Reward yourself for a job well done. When you’re able to stay focused on an important task, reward yourself! Just keep thinking about the big picture and your reward once you’re finished with the task at hand.

• This will keep you on target and you’ll finish as quickly as you possibly can. Everyone loves a treat for a job well done!

Remember, you’re human, too. Losing your focus is easy in an existence that’s filled with daily distractions and annoyances. However, you’ll find that you can keep an intense focus on something if you practice these techniques. Make them a habit and enjoy your rewards!

Is “Doormat” your first name? Well, okay, maybe not YOU, not TODAY, but have you ever had the feeling that other people were take advantage of you or your business on a somewhat frequent basis? And, are you allowing this to happen? (And yes, it ultimately boils down to what YOU allow to happen!)

Respect is something you earn. No one deserves to be taken advantage of, and it’s possible for YOU  to change how others treat you!

Implement these simple tips and tricks and you’ll receive the respect you deserve in no time:

1. Live by the Golden Rule. Most of us are familiar with the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would want done to you” is a wonderful philosophy when attempting to garner respect. Always treat others as you expect to be treated. People will tend to reciprocate and treat you the same way. If they don’t, then you can ease your way out of the relationships over time, if possible.

2. Put yourself first. An example of this would be telling your friend that you cannot babysit her 4-year old so she can get her nails done because you’re busy with your own personal appointments and schedule.

• You have to make yourself a priority. If people see that you respect yourself, then you’ll ultimately be respected, too.

3. Use strong body language. When speaking face to face with others, portray the fact that you’re strong and important. Stand straight, look people in the eye, and speak forcefully but not overwhelmingly so.

• If your body language shouts, “I am important and I respect myself,” you’ll surely gain the respect of others.
• Those people who stare at the floor when speaking, avoid eye contact, and whisper their words are telling others that they don’t believe they deserve respect and attention. Always remember to stand tall and proud; you’re important and you deserve to be recognized!

4. Speak positively. In addition to having strong body language, the words you use to express yourself are also extremely important when trying to earn the respect of others. Learn to speak in positively and authoritatively. Don’t be boastful, but don’t demean or belittle yourself either.

• Leave the impression that you’re intelligent, well spoken and confident. If you portray yourself in this manner others will treat you the same way.

5. Surround yourself with the right people. Let’s face it: there are people in this world who are disrespectful to everyone and everything. No matter what you do to command respect, nothing may work!

• You may need to take some time and rethink those you’re spending time with. They may not be the kind of people who have your best interests at heart.

6. Stand up for yourself. If people are disrespectful to you, how do you respond? Do you say something to the offending person or do you just go on with life? People treat us in the way we allow ourselves to be treated.

• If you confront the person and voice your opinion and unhappiness, chances are good that person won’t treat you that same way in the future. It’s not about being confrontational, but a simple “I don’t appreciate how you’re speaking to me” can go a long way.

We all have a desire and need to be respected. By making some small changes, you’ll be able to open yourself to receiving the respect of others, while learning how to also express your respect. Use these techniques in all interactions every day to gain the respect you deserve.

Today, I’m going to cross-post a video from TED TV, where Alain de Botton talks about a kinder, gentler definition of success.

In it, he makes several key points that are extremely relevant in the current world’s hype about the Law of Attraction (although he doesn’t call it that) and your current status (are you a winner or a loser). He also talks about how envy and self-esteem fit into the social umbrella of our lives.

He’s articulate and elegant, and every entrepreneur — or anyone pursuing a personal goal of sorts — can benefit from listening to this man.

You are here for a reason. There is only one of you, and that makes you an incredibly precious commodity, as both an entrepreneur or business person, and as an individual. There is a purpose for your life, whether you believe it or not. You may have to take several paths, but with a little digging, you can find where you’re meant to be.

The first clue to figuring out your purpose in life is to consider what natural talents, gifts and abilities you’re born with.

• Are you artistic or musical?
• Is it easy for you to talk to people?
• Are you a natural communicator?
• Do you love to socialize?
• Do you love to decorate and rearrange your home?
• Are you good at taking charge?
• Are you creative and crafty?
• Do you understand electronics and technical gadgets?
• Do you understand computer technology?
• Do people compliment you on your style?
• Are you a good writer?
• Do you have good organizational skills?

Once you figure out what talents naturally live within you, you can then understand what you’re supposed to be doing with those gifts and talents. This is your purpose in life.

What Do You Love to Do?

Have you ever sat down and really reflected on what you love to do?

There are literally millions of possibilities, so start with the gifts and talents you were born with. From there figure out what you love to do that requires using those gifts and talents.

• If you’re artistic or musical, teaching others how to draw, paint or play an instrument may be your calling in life.
• Being naturally social, you might consider being an organizer for social events.
• If you’re always redecorating and rearranging your home, why not get paid to do it and start an interior decorating business?
• Being a natural born leader opens all kinds of doors that could lead you in many different directions. Does your church or other local community groups need someone to head up a department? You may find your purpose there.
• If you’re good at making crafty things, helping at a preschool or elementary school may be fulfilling for you. Using your creative ability could open the door to a career in graphic arts as well.
• If you’re technically minded, perhaps you might consider using your understanding of electronics to fix equipment or you might enjoy working in an electronics store.
• If you have a strong knowledge of computers, you’re certain to find a career online or with a high tech company or you might even consider starting your own business.
• If you’re naturally stylish and love to keep up with what’s new in the fashion world, perhaps designing your own line of clothing or accessories is your purpose. Or maybe you’d enjoy helping others discover what style works best for them by working in a clothing store. Another option may be to offer your services as a fashion consultant to those who are unemployed, so they can learn how to dress professionally for job interviews.
• The love of writing may be something you don’t even realize yet. With blogging becoming the most popular way to market a business, getting paid to write is a great way to make money from home. Many people have started a simple blog that has turned into a money making machine. Start by writing on topics you already have knowledge about and go from there. You might be surprised at how much money you can make with your love of writing.
• Using your organizational skills, you might be fond of going into homes and getting them ready for sale or helping elderly persons organize their homes. You could also offer your services online as an organizational consultant or teach those who aren’t naturally organized.

Finding your purpose in life simply takes self-reflection as well as some trial and error. Free yourself from wandering through life without purpose. We’re all here for a reason and, once your find your purpose and begin living it, you’ll feel happy and fulfilled!

Have you heard? Of course you have: positive thinking can indeed benefit you in many ways. Not the least of which is that it can help boost your income as well.

These days we all could use some extra income, whether it’s through your business or an additional entrepreneurial venture! This article will give you an understanding of how positive thinking and the Law of Attraction are interrelated, as well as explain how you can use these principals for your financial benefit.

Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is more than just being upbeat all the time. The term “optimistic” comes to mind; however, positive thinking is much more than just being hopeful, also. Positive thinking is the opposite of negative thinking.

Sounds simple right? Well it’s easier said than done!

Why It’s Important to Think Positively

I’m sure you know someone who’s a negative thinker. They’re usually down most of the time, get depressed easily, and have negative things happen to them recurrently.

Have you ever wondered why this happens? It’s because the negative thinker surrounds himself with negative energy, which attracts more negative things. His thoughts are in harmony with negativity, so that’s what he gets – more of the same!

Positive thinkers, on the other hand, think about encouraging things and surround themselves with positive energy. Their thoughts are in harmony with good things, so they attract more positive opportunities.

Whether you’re aware of it or not, you gravitate toward the outcome of situations because of your thought processes.

Therefore, when you think positively, you’ll make decisions based on that type of outcome, consciously or unconsciously. The same goes if you think negatively.

How to Use the Law of Attraction to Attract More Money

If you dwell on the negative – such as how bad the economy is or how tragic situations are – your thoughts, and therefore your decisions, take you down a path to negative outcomes.

However, when you think positively, you now have a fresh start to do something you really enjoy and your thoughts and decisions move you toward those goals.

Now is the time to start thinking positively in this financial downfall.

What are some skills you already have that you could use to bring in some extra cash? How can you take advantage of current trends to boost your income?

Here are some suggestions to help get your thoughts moving in the right direction:

1. Are you artistic or do you enjoy making things with your hands? You might enjoy graphic arts. Now is the opportune time to start your own online business selling graphics, covers, designs, and page layouts.

2. Are you social and do you love interacting with people? Social networking is HUGE and growing by leaps and bounds!

• Social networking platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Stumble Upon and De.lic.ious are changing the way businesses of all types market their products and services. Many companies are hiring people to market their business on these and other social networks.

3. Do you like to write? Blogs are fast becoming the way to update a website consistently, driving more and more traffic to it. Companies are looking for writers to fill their sites with content.

• Posting blogs, article writing, and copywriting are just a few of the ways you can earn money online using skills you already have and a pastime you enjoy.

4. Boost your income at your current job. When you think positive things about your job, you tend to perform better. And when you excel at your work, your boss is more likely to recognize you as a valuable, or even indispensable, team member!

Positive thinking will help lead you in the right direction toward a positive outcome. If you’re naturally a negative thinker, turning those thoughts into positive ones may be a little more difficult, but it can be done.
When you start to have negative thoughts, try to catch them before you’re already on the path to destruction in your head. Then, turn them around and focus on positive outcomes.

Over time and with practice, positive thinking can become natural to you. Even better, you’ll be attracting positive outcomes as well. Through positive thinking, the Law of Attraction can bring you many things to be happy about, including financial freedom!

In business, whether your an entrepreneur or not, communicating with others is key to success. And communication is best when you understand HOW the other person processes information.

For the next three day’s we’ll be looking at 3 key NLP ways of understanding people. VAK, or Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic, are the three primary ways in which people perceive their world. The better you understand their way of perceiving the world, the better you can communicate with them.

Today, we’re going to look at understanding people who are visual

The visual style is one of three types of relating styles. Visual relating refers to those persons who are “visual” in their thinking.

Understanding how a visual person thinks and “sees” will help you communicate more effectively when interacting with others in relationships.

Visual oriented people often use expressions such as:

• “I see.”
• “It seems clear.”
• “Do you see my point?
• “I can see right through you.”

They also tend to be more uptight, high-strung, and very detail oriented. The visual oriented person will often get lost in thoughts and daydreams.

Some examples of gifts and appreciated expressions of love for visually oriented people are:

• Flowers
• Games
• Books
• Framed Photos
• Cards and Letters

When talking with a visually oriented person, using vivid words is the best way to communicate with them. If you can draw a picture with your words, using lots of detail, you will be able to more closely identify with those who are more visually oriented.

Body Language

A visual person will also pay close attention to your body language. They’ll notice your eye movements, hand gestures, posture and facial expressions and will read into those things to determine if they trust what you’re saying or not. Words themselves probably won’t make much difference, but your body language and actions says it all to the visually oriented person.

Since visually oriented persons rely on their visual perception so much, they may tend to judge a book by its cover, so to speak. The way one dresses or the car a person drives will say a lot to the visually oriented person.

Visual people may also be uneasy around people who build up a facade because they can’t see the real person inside or behind the mask.

Tips for Speaking to a Visual Type Person

When speaking to the visually oriented, look directly into their eyes and use positive body language. Don’t cross your arms or appear distracted, as this will communicate to them that you’re focus isn’t on them or that you’re not really paying attention. Another way to communicate positively is to nod your head, as if saying yes while they are speaking. This shows that you’re actively listening and that you’re interested in what they’re saying.

On the other hand, when you’re having a conversation with a visually oriented person, you may feel as if you’re being examined because their eyes will move around, observing all the details of your hair, teeth, clothing and jewelry. They may even stop you in conversation to give you a compliment about what you’re wearing or the way you’re hair is styled.

If your boss is visual-oriented, an organized office or workspace is probably very important to him or her. Therefore, it’s important for you to keep your workspace neat and orderly to avoid conflict. They may also be very picky about dress and expect their employees to dress professionally at all times.

Understanding Visually Oriented People

The visual person tends to like video games, computers, and television. Often they’re artistic, crafty, and creative thinkers. They tend to be able to visualize the outcome of a decision and may tend to over analyze situations.

When building relationships, determining a person’s relating style is probably the first thing you should do so you can understand where they’re coming from and how they will respond.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of how a visual person communicates, you will be able to strengthen your relationships both personally and professionally.

Having a mentor is a KEY component to success! Isaac Newton says “If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” This does not mean that Mr. Newton literally saw further because he literally … gosh, that sentence doesn’t warrant completion!

It means that our good friend Isaac had great visions and fabulous thinking capabilities that went so far beyond the box that the box itself faded from view.

Having a mentor, having strong collaborators, and building a strong team is critical for any entrepreneur!

Before deciding to seek out a mentor, you must first determine what you hope to gain from the relationship. That means you need to spend time thinking about both your short and long term goals. Once you’re fully clear on where you want to be, the selection process becomes that much easier.

When people think about mentors, they often visualize a classic business setting, where everything is formal and methodical, but mentoring relationships aren’t limited to business. Life balance is essential. Personal, professional, and spiritual all need to exist in harmony.

Consider these types of mentors:

• Life Guidance. These life mentors are often referred to as Life or Success Coaches.
• Spiritual Advisers. You can look to a priest, pastor, or friend to mentor you spiritually.
• Everyday Mentors. Sometimes we even have unofficial mentors who are simply people we admire in our community or peer group.

Choosing a Mentor

When looking for a mentor, seek someone who possesses the qualities, skills, and experiences you hope to one day have yourself. A mentor should be someone who shares your vision of success, has a positive attitude, and openly shares her knowledge and experiences with you.

You might want a mentor who’s at the pinnacle of success within your field so you can learn from the best. Alternately, you might want to select someone as a mentor who’s only slightly higher ranking than you, this way you can learn what you need to help take you to the next level.

The point here is to boldly REACH UP to where this one has gone before you!

Choosing the high ranking executive helps you with long term goals, while selecting the mentor who’s closer to your own experience level makes it easier to focus on a specific area of expertise so you can achieve your shorter term goals.

An ideal situation may involve both types of mentors. This way you get a well-rounded experience that allows you to benefit both in the short and long term. Either way, you should find someone who isn’t afraid to challenge you to reach your true potential.

Establishing a Beneficial Relationship

When you’ve selected your mentor candidate, draw up a plan to present to them detailing what you hope to give and receive from the relationship. This will help the potential mentor decide if they can provide you with the experience and knowledge you desire.

It’s only fair to both of you to be as upfront as possible about your expectations. If you aren’t clear on what you hope to gain, the relationship has little chance for success.

Successful Mentorship Begins with You

Once the relationship has been established, actively communicate your needs to the mentor in order to take the sessions in the direction you’d like to go.

You should be in the driver’s seat, even though you’re the junior party in the relationship. Without providing your mentor with guidance, the mentorship may not be fruitful for you. After all, if you don’t let your mentor know what you need, he can’t possibly give you what you hope to gain.

It’s important throughout the relationship for the mentor to be supportive. A good mentor will be patient with you. They’ll create an open and welcome environment that allows for earnest questions and concerns while making you feeling safe.

A successful mentorship will enable you to feel more confident, skilled, and knowledgeable. The reward for the mentor will be seeing the results of the positive impact they were able to make on someone else’s life.

Follow these tips to find great mentors in any area you’d like to strengthen and enjoy a relationship that brings fruits to your labor and greater life fulfillment to both of you.

To your forever growing success, dear entrepreneur!

Britt Santowski

Have you ever wondered to speed up your path to success?

One of the smartest things you can do is to learn from someone else, someone who has already accomplished what it is that you are setting out to do. You MUST learn learn learn from someone who has traveled the road upon which you wish to go.

Thank god I practice what I preach (I mean teach!). I inundate myself with books and audio recordings (my car is traveling PDU — personal development university), and I take courses constantly. The list of what I have learned from who (whom?) is rather extensive, and if you’re into reading these dull lists, see my About Britt page, and check out my Books page — which is a list of books that I have personally read and endorse.

One of the most life-changing courses I ever took (and the course BTW that put me on my current path), is a local course taught here by an organization called Wealth by Design. They have a moneymatters bootcamp, and it offered to change our MENTAL relationship with money. My husband took the first-ever course, and I took the second. From there, armed with an alternative mindset, we catapulted into a new life.

Where we will land is still up in the air (I’m work with the analogy here), but it will be close to our destination. Funnily enough, I was at the Wealth by Design Expo just this Saturday, and one of their speaker’s made reference to mid-air adjustments. We are doing those too! Grin.

Life on our new path has been FAR from perfect. Failures abound. But having said that, the FIRST thing a pre-toddler does when she sets out to walk for the first time, she falls; the second thing she does is … falls; the third thing she does is … you guessed it … falls. Anyone watching an infant learning to walk knows that black and blue is their new and temporary natural skin tone.

Anything that you do for the first, second, third time is destined to fail (Colonel Sanders failed 1009 times in trying to sell his recipe; Edison failed anywhere from 200 – 2000 times with his lightbulb — depends who you read; while most of us give up on the first, second, if not third failure!).

Anyways, I’m not hear today to harp about failure (though it is my favorite topic!). I’m hear today to talk about learning, and how learning can shape your destiny. How it can CHANGE your destiny.

Once you have identified your passion and your niche, it’s time to get busy building buddies aka mentorship relations.

My next “speed injection” will be from Patrick Snow, author of Create Your Own Destiny.

I say “speed injection” as I have taken what Isaac Newton said to heart: “If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I will learn from Patrick, who is only three degrees away Napoleon Hill, and four away from Andrew Carnegie. from That, my friends, is the power of mentoring! Find someone who has achieved what you want, and then learn from them.

Over the next few months, watch me grow new wings, flutter, fall, and get back up again. Rince and Repeat a few times. And then succeed. And flourish. And explode into the world.

The question you must ask yourself is: Do you want to climb the ladder to success, rung by rung, or do YOU want to catapult to the top, and reach new peaks and heights, more than you ever imagined?

I’ll take the latter, not the ladder!

So, shall I see YOU at the top too? Who can you find to mentor with? Better yet, who in your MIND would you like to mentor with? Set your sights high!

To your trip to the top,

Britt Santowski

STOP THE PRESS! This just in …

Humpty Dumpty gives exclusive interview to the Wall Street Journal about the importance of earnest and accurate communications for entrepreneurs.

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty says, “it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”

Okay, well maybe he didn’t really say it. Fact of the matter is this (close your ears, children!): Humpty Dumpty is a fictional creation. It was that real character, Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, who forced those words into the hot little lips of that immovable and soon to be broken character, Humpty Dumpty.

Given that those words, then, are fictional and didn’t really come from the mouth of anyone truly significant, do they still matter?

Of course you know the obvious answer here (my readership, women — and possibly some men — from New Zealand through India to US and Canada are as smart as a whip!): Of course they matter, for there is (truly) no line between fact and fiction.

Refer to my earlier article on Closed Minds Live Quiet Lives (see the sixth paragraph) to see how fuzzy and blurry the line really is!

My father, who prides himself on his philosophical mind and has read (and actually understands) Nietzsche, would have a great debate with Humpty Dumpty. Well, okay, maybe not, as my father would probably refute the existence of Humpty Dumpty.

But let’s pretend here for a second! Let’s pretend the two entered into a great debate.

When I was growing up, my father used to harp (my word selection, not his) on the double negative. “If a man says ‘I ain’t got no apples’ he really does have apples,” my father would argue. His logic would confound my eleven-year old brain, because the laws of mathematics supported him. I had just learned that if you add -1 with -1, you will actually get +2. I didn’t (and still don’t) get how you could add one absense with another, and not just get something that exists, but something that exists twice. In fact, I’ve got a headache now, just thinking about it.

But, hey, it was a law. And the teacher would grade you based on your ability to memorize (not understand) the laws.

So there it was, my father was right.

Yet, I wanted to scream back at him: “Hey, if buddy says he ain’t got no apples, then he AIN’T GOT NO APPLES!” You could tie buddy up and hang him upside down and shake him till his wallet fell out of his pocket, but nary will ONE APPLE fall from the folds of his clothes or anywhere else.

But I didn’t, because the teachers were on my father’s side, and collectively they must have been more right than buddy with the bad grammar.

Now, thanks to the eternal words of my good friend Humpty, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal (oh wait, I made that part up), I now know that I WAS right. Because when buddy uses a phrase, it means precisely what he means it to mean. Nothing more and nothing less.

And, my friends, as much as I like to believe I’m right (along side with buddy), there is also the confounding truth that we live in a dual world. There is another law, the Law of Cause and Effect, that says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. (Bear with me, folks, this does get dizzying!).

So as much as buddy is right, so is my father (and dammit all those fussy teachers too). For when my fathers HEARS a statement, that will means exactly what he chooses it to mean – neither more nor less.

And this duality, this existence of simultaneous truths, is what makes human communications so incredibly complex.

Between what I say and what you hear, in the invisible vapours of the air and in between my relationship with your words and my triggers, and your relationship with the same, the words transmute themselves. The intended meaning of whatever words were spoken are set free to the universe, and the receiver HEARS only what they intend to hear.

Understanding this will help you shift into the needs of your customers. It will make you a better business person and a better sales person. It will also make you a better partner, a better wife (or husband), a better mother (or father), and a better community member.

Humpty Dumpty is a sage old soul, and you need to both absorb what he says and DISCARD it. And then, and only then my friend, will you “get it.”

To your perpetual success,

Britt Santowski

The following article comes to you by way of I’m Allowed.com:

Entrepreneurs Must Master the fine ART of Self-Discipline

One of the greatest gifts any entrepreneur can give herself is learning to master the art of self-discipline. Learning how to tell yourself “NO” is an important step to become a stronger, wiser and more mature person. (And I thought saying “NO” to my five year old daughter was hard enough!)

While practicing self-discipline isn’t easy, there are many benefits to mastering this art of personal control:

Self-discipline can help you achieve your goals and realize your dreams.

Many times, achieving the goals you set for yourself requires you to sacrifice time, money and energy you might prefer to spend on other things. Are you willing to have this dedication?

• Self-discipline helps you get more done. By cutting out time wasters in your day, you can accomplish more every day and reach your goal sooner. Without the self-discipline to stick to a task, you can be easily distracted by less important details. Are you willing to remove these distractions?
• Self-discipline helps you have greater focus. By shutting out the things that take you away from your work, you can focus on what is most important. You can’t say yes to everything and everyone; you must be able to focus on one thing at a time and do it well.

Focus is nearly impossible to achieve without self-discipline, and goals are nearly impossible to achieve without focus. Are you willing to focus intensely on your goals?

The keys to self-discipline are simple. There are two rules you MUST adhere to:

If you make a commitment to someone, keep it. If you make a commitment to yourself, guard it with your life!

Part of self-discipline is self-respect. In order to live the life you truly desire, you need to care for yourself properly.

Respect every part of yourself:

1. Respect your body. Pay attention to the signals your body sends you. We’re masterfully created, and your body will tell you when something is out of balance. Listen to the signals and treat yourself with VIP handling to be the strongest and most productive you can be!

• Consider adding exercise or yoga to your daily routine to help you achieve balance in your body and mind.

2. Nurture your mind by filling it with positive, engaging information.

• Read books for the sheer joy of learning.
• Engage in meaningful discussions with people of all backgrounds and philosophies.
• Avoid negative people and conversations.
• Listen to joyful, uplifting music instead of letting the television flood your mind with commercialism and negativity.

3. Respect the spiritual part of yourself. It’s important to feel connected to something larger than you are. Connect with your Creator by meditating, praying or spending time in nature.

• Attend worship services at a local church, if that’s part of your belief system.
• Allow the spiritual side of yourself to become stronger and more important to you.
• Base decisions on the greater good rather than simply what feels good at the time.

4. Respect your physical health. Taking good care of your health requires self-discipline. Your body will help you accomplish amazing things if you treat it properly!

• Eat a healthy diet.
• Get plenty of rest and exercise.
• Strive to maintain a healthy weight.
• Refuse to smoke. (Or if your smoking, resolve to quit.)
• Avoid over indulging in caffeine or alcohol.

5. Respect your time. This includes your work time, family time, playtime and personal time. Make space in your life for every area. Schedule family time and alone time just as you do work time and other obligations.

• By adding everything to your written agenda, you create a priority within yourself and self-discipline helps you stick to your priorities.

If you want to live your life to the fullest and achieve your goals, self-discipline is a must. Learning how to control your impulses and make strong decisions is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Self-discipline can bring you the life you always wanted.

Brought to you by I’m Allowed.com, the entrepreneur maker!