Small Things Successful People Do Every Day

There are certain people that come to your mind when you think about success. Perhaps they are people like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or Larry Page. Yet the frenzy around these people can be so noisy that you start getting bewildered on what it actually takes to achieve success. The truth is that what successful people do daily, the things that define them, are actually discreet and little actions. Here are fifteen small things successful people do every day.

1. They focus on being productive rather than being busy

According to Tim Ferris, the author of the The 4-Hour Workweek, “Slow down and remember this: Most things make no difference. Being busy is often a form of mental laziness – lazy thinking and indiscriminate action.”

2. They wake up early

Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, wakes up as early as 3:30am to deal with the European market. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Inc., starts his day as early as 4:30am to send emails. Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, says he wakes up by 5:30am for his daily workout routine.

3. They focus on being with the best team

Renowned basketball coach Phil Jackson said, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Successful people know that they have to be with people who will complement them. Company and management expert Ken Blanchard says, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

4. They focus on making small and continuous improvements

There is a concept that you cannot eat an elephant all at once. You have to take it one bit at a time. Henry Ford once said, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small pieces.”

5. They meditate

According to Oprah Winfrey on meditation, “the results have been awesome. Better sleep. Improved relationships with spouses, children, coworkers. Some people who once suffered migraines don’t anymore. Greater productivity and creativity all around.” Successful people take time to meditate. The founder of Def Jam, Russell Simmons, says Transcendental meditation changed his life.

6. They take care of their bodies

Regular exercise doesn’t only keep the body physically healthy, but also helps with your mental state. The chief of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Frits van Paasschen, starts at 6am and runs 10 miles per day. President Barack Obama runs 3 miles or exercises 45 minutes per day, six days a week.

7. They have balanced lives

To achieve wonderful things in life, you need to maintain balance. Successful people keep a balance with making money, spending time with their family and loved ones, and achieving personal goals.

 8. They focus on the positive

In his book, The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor explains that a recent scientific study showed that doctors who are put in a positive mood before making a diagnosis consistently experience significant boosts to their intellectual abilities compared with doctors in a neutral state. Because of this, they are able to make accurate diagnoses almost 20% faster. Successful people are always optimistic about situations.

9. They keep track of their progress

Eminem, Oprah Winfrey, and J.K Rowling all keep journals. They are able to keep track of their progress, set goals, reflect, and learn from their mistakes. They understand that they need a map to accomplish great things. Sometimes, this notebook or journal is the map they need.

10. They create their success

They understand that they are responsible for their success and that good luck is not something that magically happens. They know that you have to earn the right to be successful. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill states, “You are the master of your destiny.” You can influence, direct, and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.

11. They have successful friends

According to Jim Rohn, you are the average of your five closest friends. Successful people know this, and that is why they keep company with mentors and other successful people. In Tribes by Seth Godin, you are encouraged to find your tribe and make a difference in all of your lives.

12. They inspire others to be successful as well

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs had a way of helping others to cultivate their creativity. According to Steve Jobs, “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it; they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after awhile.”

13. They have a consistent schedule

Rameet Chawla, founder of Fueled, believes a consistent schedule helps with prioritization and focusing on what is important. With a consistent schedule, you are better driven to achieve success.

 14. They have a detailed plan

Before leaving the office at night, Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express, writes down top three things he wants to accomplish the next day. He begins each day with this list.

15. They never procrastinate or make excuses

Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Successful people do not take chances, they take action and get the tough assignments done first.

Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Toothbrushes

We have heard doctors ceaselessly telling us about the importance of brushing our teeth. And so we sincerely do that- twice a day (or more), we stick that little brush in and slather the toothpaste to every corner of the mouth.
Brushing our teeth has become second nature, but we might not have stopped to think about how essential a tool toothbrush has become in our lives in these modern times. It is one of the few things we can’t do without in our everyday life.
We rely upon the toothbrush heavily for our dental care. But, what do you really know about your toothbrush? Despite the fact that we use a toothbrush regularly, most of us probably don’t know a lot of things about our little tool that has helped us fight against various dental diseases ever since it was invented just over a couple of hundred years ago.
Below we have listed some interesting things about toothbrushes that you probably didn’t know.

1. Ancient people used to brush their teeth with twigs; the modern toothbrushes were made of boar hairs.

The history of brushing dates back to around 4000 BC, when the Hindus of India first used twigs frayed into fibers to brush their teeth. Around 3500 BC, the Babylonians and the Egyptians used tooth-sticks to brush their teeth, fraying the end of the sticks.
The Romans and the Greeks civilizations also cleaned their teeth with twigs and leaves. The Chinese, around 1600 BC, use to chew on aromatic tree twigs to clean their teeth and freshen their breath.
In the 15th century, the Chinese invented the first natural bristle toothbrush, with the boar hairs attached to a bone or a bamboo handle. Around 1780 in England, a man named William Addis invented the first toothbrush of a modern design in prison, with a bone and pigs hair for bristles. Addis made a fortune, after getting out of prison, mass producing his invention. Up until 1938, before the invention of nylon, toothbrushes were made out of animal hairs.

2. Toothbrushes were mass produced in the US a century after they were first mass produced in England.

England saw mass productions of toothbrush around the 1780s. It was only after a century that America started producing toothbrushes. Now Americans throw away an average of 25,000 tons of toothbrushes and spend over $850 million on toothbrushes per year.
These days only about 3.5 billion people use a toothbrush, but more than 4 billion people carry around a mobile device.

3. Electric brushes outperform manual brushes.

Toothbrushes have come a long way through the years–from swine bristle toothbrushes to the ultra-modern electric ones. The first electric toothbrush was produced by the Squibb Company in 1956 in Europe. And the first electric toothbrush in the US was Broxodent, appearing in 1960.
These days a wide range of electric brushes are available in the market, with the next level oral care offered in a broad range of prices. Dentists prefer electric toothbrushes to manual brushes since electric brushes provide more revolutions per minute, which effectively remove plaque and leftover food particles far better than the manual brushes.
Experiments have shown that the best electric toothbrushes available in the market remove 11% more plaque than manual brushes. Men simply can’t match machine as it seems.

4. Soft bristles are better than hard bristles.

While quick logic might say that hard bristles work better on your teeth, soft bristles work better for your delicate gums. Yeah, the gums need just as much protection as your teeth do. Well, what doesn’t need protection if you think about it?
Soft bristles perform just as well for the teeth while the hard bristles might cause damage to the gums. Receding gum lines are contributed to by hard brushes.

5. Toothbrushes need to be changed often.

It’s time to change the toothbrush once it shows signs of wear. The bristles wear out or get frayed and weak, which don’t clean the teeth and the gums as effectively as the new ones do. So, brushes need to be changed every 2-3 months or as soon as the bristles start to fall off or fray out, or after an illness.
The dentists suggest changing toothbrush every 3-4 weeks if you have gum diseases. Don’t be a cheapskate and hang on to your old toothbrush for years; that might cost you later with bad oral health.

6. Toothbrushes need to be stored away from the toilet; putting a cap on the toothbrush aids in bacteria growth.

It is suggested that toothbrushes should be kept at least 6 feet away from the toilet, just to make sure you aren’t spewing the germs from your toilet to your brush when you flush. So, flush with the lid down.
Wet bristles of the toothbrush are breeding grounds for billions of microbes. So putting a cap on a toothbrush is a bad idea since it favors the growth of microbes by providing a humid condition. Every so often, toothbrushes need to be disinfected by rinsing in antibacterial solutions. Also, brushes shouldn’t touch each other to avoid the spread of germs from one brush to another.

7. Bristles clean the tongue just as effectively as they do the teeth and the gum.

You probably don’t do it but bristles are just as effective at cleaning the tongue as they clean the teeth and the gums. So, you don’t really need any extra tools for your tongue.

8. The most popular toothbrush color is blue.

Chances are very high that the color of the toothbrush you use is blue since blue is the most popular color for toothbrushes, followed by red.

When You’re Made To Feel Unwanted, Leave And Never Turn Back

Feeling unwanted is a terrible feeling. It gives you that sinking feeling in your gut and frankly runs you down. When you feel unwanted, you do have a few choices to make: stay and continue to feel unwanted, or leave and never turn back. The choice is up to you.
If you choose to leave because you feel unwanted, you have taken the first step in reclaiming your value and your self-worth. But let’s be honest here, it is easier said than done. However, it can be done. Leaving someone, no matter how much you love them, is a difficult thing to do. When you feel unwanted, it can even be mind boggling when you’re deciding it’s time to leave. Here are a few things to consider.

What To Do When You Feel Unwanted

When you feel unwanted and you know you’re unwanted, you have two choices: you can either remain in a suffering state or you can choose to move towards living in a beautiful state. Feeling unwanted hurts. It’s painful, depressing, and disappointing. It only leads to you to feel worse off. There is no benefit in remaining in a relationship that makes you feel unwanted. We all aim for and strive to feel a deep human connection, but when you don’t get it from the person you most want it from, it’s time to throw in the towel.
I’m not insisting on getting rid of everyone in your life that makes you feel unwanted, but I want to insist that you can’t make someone love you, you can’t make someone like you, and you can’t make someone want to be with you.
However, what you can do is choose to love and appreciate yourself. Reaffirm your own value on your own self-worth and believe in all the good you have to offer. Self-love is worth fighting for.

The Struggle When You Feel Unwanted

The struggle of feeling unwanted is overwhelming and can be downright depressing. It’s difficult when all you really want is to be wanted or even loved. Knowing you cannot change someone is the first step. You are not in control of the other person who does not want you. You cannot control how they choose to give you affection, how they choose to communicate with you, and they choose to interact with you. However, you are in charge of how you interact with them and how you respond to them. If you’re unwanted, put yourself first and find your own worth by moving on.

Feeling Uneasy Is Completely Normal

Should you make the move to invest in yourself and ditch the person that does not want you, you most likely will feel uneasy and anxious. This is not going to be easy, but you can do it! Know that these feelings of uneasiness are completely normal. They really are. Think of how long it took you to get comfortable with the person who made you feel unwanted. Time is our only commodity; you deserve to feel wanted.

Conclusion

Feeling unwanted is never a desirable feeling to have. We all long to be wanted, to be loved, and to be appreciated — these are some of the very basic needs of being human. We long for connection, and when you don’t receive that connection in turn, it’s time to do some soul searching and gather your self-worth.
We all deserve to feel wanted and loved. Sometimes, it just doesn’t happen — and that’s more than okay. Choose to love yourself and take a chance on you. You’re worth it, and you deserve the bright future ahead of you.

LIFEHACK

Ancient Quotes that can Fuel Your Success

Often we rush after the latest idea, the great new method or the solution no one has ever considered. But throughout history wise people have recorded timeless wisdom.
Time management, personal relationships, mindset, comfort zones and perseverance were not unknown to ancient leaders. In fact most of the principles of success we employ today have been understood for many centuries. What you will find below are quotes from philosophers, kings, emperors, poets, lawyers, mathematicians, teachers and more. Every quote has been preserved for more that 1,000 years and still applies to your life today.
Here are 17 Ancient Quotes That Can Fuel Your Success:

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome. Lived from 121-180 AD.
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”
Socrates, classical Greek philosopher. Born 470 or 469 BC, died 399 BC.

“Happiness and freedom begin with one principle. Some things are within your control and some are not.”
Epictetus – Stoic philosopher. Lived from 55-155 AD.
“Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in few.”
Pythagoras, Ionian Greek mathematician and philosopher. Lived from 570-495 BC.
“Difficulties strengthen the mind as labor does the body.”
Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher. Lived from 4BC-66AD.
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman philosopher and lawyer. Lived 107-43 BC.
“Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind and has given up worrying once and for all.”
Ovid, Roman poet. Born 43 BC, died 17 or 18 AD.
“Whoever walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.”
Solomon, second King of Israel. Lived 990-931 BC
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.”
Confucius, Chinese teacher and philosopher. Lived 551-479 BC.

“Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.”
Heraclitus of Ephesus, Greek philosopher. Lived 535-475 BC.
“If you do not change direction you may end up where you are heading.”
Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher and poet. (Note that Lao Tzu may not have been an actual person, but the quote is still valid.)
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.”
Plato, Greek philosopher and mathematician. Lived approximately 428-347 BC.
“Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.”
Homer, Greek author of the Illiad and the Odyssey. Dates of birth and death are unknown. Lived somewhere in the range of 1102-850 BC.
“They can conquer who believe they can.”
Virgil, Roman poet. Lived 70-19 BC.
“The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.”
Tacitus, senator and historian of the Roman Empire. Lived 56-117 AD.
“So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus Christ

The quotes above demonstrate that the basic principles of success in life have never changed. Having the proper mindset, moving outside your comfort zone, developing and maintaining healthy relationships and keeping focus were recognized a thousand and more years ago. Human nature has not changed and the ways in which we succeed, by stepping out and helping others, remain as the foundation for personal progress.
Following the works of a contemporary author or speaker may match more with your perspective or outlook and there is nothing wrong with that. But sometimes looking back into antiquity shows you the long view. Technologies and methods may change, but what it takes to succeed in the world remains constant.
Let me close with a quote from the mid 20th century that shows the importance of learning from those who have gone before.

“Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable.”
General George S. Patton, Lived 1885-1945 AD

Habits That Make Ultra Successful People Stand Out

Who the heck doesn’t want to succeed in life?  
Despite our drive and ambition for success, we all define success differently. For many, it is all about the benjamins. For some, it’s building good and healthy relationships. For others, it’s simply being content with what you have.

As the founder of a blog called Run For Wealth, I have spent many years studying the concept of success. The pay off line at Run For Wealth is “Run A Fulfilling Life Race”. As such, to me success means leading a fulfilling life.

Whatever your definition of success, I have listed 15 habits of ultra-successful people that will help you live a fulfilling and abundant life.

1. They have an incredible amount of faith

Success begins with faith. You have to dream and believe in a concept. Before anything tangible, deep inside there has to be a conviction that drives you.
You then have to constantly cultivate that dream and concept.
Speak to any ultra-successful person, and they will relate a story that began years and possibly decades before what was seen with the naked eye.

2. They think abundantly

Ultra-successful people understand that the world has more than enough for everyone.
As such, they are constantly in abundance mode. That means they are not stuck on the limitations caused by small-mind and scarcity thinking that leads to greed and manipulation.
They realize that if they simply work hard, smart, and follow their passion they will get their share of the massive cake of ultra-success.

3. They constantly invest in themselves

Self-investment is the most important practical step anyone can take when pursuing success.
Ultra-successful people sow life seeds all the time. They invest both time and money into their future.
In this hectic and crazy world we all live in, the ultra-successful set aside time for themselves. In this world of materialism, they realize the power of spending money on their future success.

4. They work according to a life plan

Nothing happens by osmosis where ultra-successful people are concerned.
They plan their lives. Then, they constantly work their plan. Does the plan always work to the tee? Absolutely not! In fact, most of the time, plans fall apart.
However, the few plans that work, put ultra-successful streaks ahead of the ordinary Joe Sope because the majority of society doesn’t have a plan. They live an erratic life that has no sense of direction and purpose.

5. They lead a balanced lifestyle

Ultra-successful people understand that money is not everything.
They are multi-dimensional. They know that relationships are just as important (if not more important) than money. They know that physical health is just as important as money and relationships. They understand that cultivating a healthy spiritual foundation is just as important as money, relationships and good physical health.
As such, they constantly dedicate time to nurture all the important areas of their life.

6. They treat people with respect

Success is centered around people. Your mentors are people. Your colleagues and/or business partners are people. Your employees are people. Your clients are people.
As such, to succeed, you have to treat people with respect and dignity regardless of their status in life.

7. They focus on their strengths

We have all been blessed with gifts and talents. Within those gifts and talents lies an incredible amount of potential that we need to tap into by working hard.
Ultra-successful people are able to find their mojo. When they do, they spend most of their time harnessing that which they are good at. This doesn’t mean they don’t have weaknesses. It does not mean they negate to improve areas where they are weak.
However, they will not waste their time on areas they are not naturally gifted in under the umbrella of “you can be anything you want to be in life”.
You need only watch shows like Idols to realize that you CAN’T be anything you want to be in life by constantly focusing your energy on areas you are not naturally gifted at.

8. They are transparent

Ultra-successful people believe in honesty and integrity.
In a world where there is so much corruption, the habit of constantly cultivating a transparent disposition can be a massive challenge. In the face of challenges and times of doubt when pursuing your dreams, the temptation to drop your moral compass has the potential to show its ugly head.
Ultra-successful people understand that no amount of success is worth it if you live a life of dishonesty.

9. They take each day at a time

Patience is a virtue. This sounds so cliché until you hit your head against the challenges of life when pursuing your success.
Ultra-successful people understand that “easy come, easy go” is a reality.

10. They manage their time

Time is the most important resource we have.
Ultra-successful people guard their time like hawks. Because they work according to a life plan, their day-to-day activities are deliberate. That way, they are able to navigate themselves through the many distractions that life can throw.

11. They manage their money

Earning and accumulating income and wealth is important. Keeping it is just as important.
Ultra-successful people understand this. As such, they account for their expenditure as much as they do their income.
To them, the ultimate is to build financial acumen to a point where your money works for you. Your money will never work for you if you don’t manage it well.

12. They constantly bless others

“We are blessed to a blessing” is perhaps one of the most basic ‘secrets’ to success.
Firstly, most people live in scarcity mode (vs abundance). Secondly, when pursuing your dreams, life throws so many challenges you become so protective over what you accumulate when you eventually succeed. This is why many ‘successful’ people are loathed when they have to share and bless others.
Yet, blessings increase when you are able to share them. Sharing means you are able to give your time (as a mentor to others) and your money (to less fortunate and those around you). By doing that, your blessings and success accumulate.

13. They use positive body language

They say actions speak a thousand words. Ultra-successful people work hard at ensuring that their body gestures are constantly positive.
Be it eye contact or body posture when sitting in a meeting, they know that these ‘small’ matters go a long way.

14. They constantly challenge themselves

Where challenges are concerned, you only have two options: Either you pro-actively challenge yourself of life will challenge you by force.
When you pro-actively challenge yourself, you have the edge. When life challenges you, you are on the back-foot and you eventually lead a reactive life of putting out fires.
Ultra-successful people understand that challenges bring out the best in us. They don’t wait for challenges to come their way. They go out there and constantly challenge themselves.

15. They are grateful

Although ultra-successful people have been wired to be ambitious, they cultivate an ability to balance ambition with contentment and appreciation. Being content doesn’t mean you settle for mediocrity.
Contentment and appreciation means you appreciate fully what you have in the present. It means you acknowledge those who are your support structure and have helped you to be where you are currently. It also means that your drive and ambition is not fueled by greed and other negative catalysts.
Yes, be ambitious. But, equally important, be content and fully appreciative of where you are currently.
Ultra-success is a constantly evolving status on your life timeline.

Even for those who are “self-actualized” on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, their need to give back or contribute goes through numerous stages that can never hit a ceiling whilst they live here on Planet Earth.

Powerful Laws to Achieve Anything You Want Faster

The speed at which we learn can determine the quality of our lives. Imagine if you could achieve a goal you’ve always wanted in a matter of months versus years. How would that affect your life? The most important step to achieve anything, is to first learn how to do it.
Countless learning experts and researchers have shown us that it is possible to learn anything in a fraction of the average expected time, it’s just a matter of following the right framework. Now, I’m not promising any miracles here. You are going to have to put in the work, sweat, and effort to get to where you want to be. But if you decide to take these 6 frameworks to heart and apply it into your learning process, you’ll get there a lot faster.

1. Prime your mind

The first step of learning faster always starts in the mind. Just like we have to warm up before an intense workout, we need to warm up the mind so we’re fully alert to take on any challenge.
There’s a couple of things you can do to prime your mind:
a. Working out – Physical exercise is not only great for the physical body, but studies have shown that it can improve memory and cognitive functions in our brain, even after a 15-minute session. As always, you should complement your exercise with lots of water because reaction time, responsiveness, and overall mental function is improved when you’rehydrated, and dehydration is known to be more widespread than most people think.

b. Meditation – When you’re getting you “om” on, your mind refreshens, rejuvenates, and clears in your thinking process. This allows you to become more creative, reduce anxiety, and sharpens your mind to learn.
c. Priming – Ever wondered how Tony Robbins can run a 54-hour seminar at the peak of his energy? He says it’s because of priming.
Priming is Tony’s secret weapon and it works like this:

1. Stand up and breathe in from your nose and out from your mouth in rapid speed. You can even bounce up and down using your calves to get your entire body moving. Do 3 sets of 30 reps.
2. Sit down and close your eyes. Then think of 3 things that you’re grateful for. This step is allows you to be grateful for what you have, and getting rid of fear in your life.
3. Think of 3 major action steps that you will be accomplishing for the day, and visualize yourself as if it’s already done.

ProSolutions National 2006

2. Model from the top

“Good artists copy. Great artists steal.” -Pablo Picasso

No matter what you want to learn or accomplish, there’s someone in the world that has already achieved what you want.
In other words, there’s no sense in reinventing the wheel. As Tony Robbins puts it:

Many great leaders have proven that the fastest way to master any skill, strategy or goal in life is to model those who have already forged the path ahead. If you can find someone who is already getting the results that you want and take the same actions they are taking, you can get the same results.

In today’s information age, your mentors and coaches can be in the form of biographies, books, videos, and the abundance of knowledge that’s available for those who seek it. There’s dozens of solutions, such as Clarityto help entrepreneurs, CreativeLIVE to help photographers, or Rype to help language learners.

3. Put in the work

No matter how determined we are or how much information we obtain from the people we are modeling, nothing happens until we put in the work. This means we all have to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty.
A study done on professional violinists back up the law of immersion and the 10,000 hour rule popularized by Macolm Gladwell. The difference between “good” and “professional” players was 2,000 hours (10,000 versus 8,000).

While the 10,000 hour rule is still being debated by several learning experts, it doesn’t defeat the fact that immersion through repetition of the task at hand is the only way to achieve mastery. There are no shortcuts.

4. Experiment and iterate

The more experiments we run in what we’re trying to accomplish, the faster we can figure out what’s working and not working. Sometimes this involves going against what you believe in, but rather embracing that there are things we don’t know, we don’t know. Most of us understand the deadliness of multitasking, but we still continue to do it. A study on multitasking showed that it takes an average 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back your full focus, once distracted from the task at hand.

Since multitasking is so deadly and our focus is limited, one way we can maximize our output is to drop what doesn’t work.
The easiest way to do this is to apply the Pareto’s law into your task. In almost anything we do, there’s a few vital tasks that give you the majority of your desired results.
For example:

• 80% of your happiness comes from 20% of the people in your life
• 80% of your income comes from 20% of your tasks
• 80% of your knowledge comes from 20% of the mentors, books, or solutions

Only a few things matter, and your job is to know which ones do and which ones you should drop.

5. Persist

In anything we do, we won’t see the results we originally expected. In fact, the bigger your vision, the longer it will take to achieve it. It takes a lot longer to lose 20 lbs than to gain 3 lbs. It takes significantly longer to build a $100M business than to build a $100,000 business. Whenever we’re learning anything new, we all go through the same learning curve — no matter how hard we work or how talented we are.

For people who don’t understand that “The Dip” is only a natural part of the learning process, it’s easy to lose motivation.
In fact, “The Dip” is when the majority of people quit — just moments before their biggest breakthrough results.
Don’t quit on your dreams just because you’re not getting the results you desire in this moment.
If you have a clear vision, someone to model, and embrace massive experimentation, there’s no reason not to give up.

Secrets People Who Get Exactly What They Want Know But You Don’t

Getting what you want out of life isn’t about being a lucky person. It isn’t about being born into a rich and successful family. It’s not about being at the right place at the right time. You don’t have to be a genius or acquire special skills. Knowing how to get what you want is something we can all achieve. Incorporating these four tips into your daily routine will help to get you where you want and need to be.

1. Visualize What You Want

Visualizing what you want will help manifest them into reality. Visualize every morning how you want your day to be. Every night, think about the day you just had, focus on the good aspects and then visualize them. Be thankful and grateful that these good things happened. Instead of stressing over the bills, visualize yourself writing the checks to get them paid. Instead of worrying about your boss, visualize yourself being accomplished and productive at work. Visualize where you want to be next week; next year. Don’t fret over the how, when, where, why…just picture yourself there and the rest will fall into place.
In “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, she suggests a ‘vision board’ in addition to the visualizations in your mind. Having a poster or bulletin board decorated with your favorite things; the things you want; the things you hope to acquire, can be a helpful tool.

2. Communication effectively

Visualizing what you want is the first step. Communicating those wants is the second. Don’t let the fear of rejection or insecurity stand in your way of communicating your wants and needs. Speak openly and honestly. Be clear in your terms and what you expect the outcome to be. Be accepting of how others feel and respond, but don’t back down or walk way until your point has been made. Know who you’re talking to, know what you want to say, and be yourself. If you are communicating effectively, a common ground with others can always be met.

3. Ask For What You Want

Do you know how to get what you want? Ask for it! It’s one thing to have good communication, but sometimes just talking isn’t enough; you must come right out and ask. There is nothing wrong with being straightforward and bold. There is no vanity in being honest and confident. You can’t get the promotion at work if you don’t apply for it. You won’t get extra help around the house if you don’t let your family know you need it. Your secret crush won’t be aware of your feelings if you don’t let him or her know about them. There is no guarantee that you’ll always get the answer you are hoping for, but at least you’ll know for sure, and can work on your next strategy from there.

4. Work Hard and Be Persistent

This sounds so cliché, but it’s very true. Knowing how to get what you want is key, but working hard to achieve it is critical as well. You can’t lie back and watch the world go around just because you are aware of what to do; you have to put those thoughts into actions. Getting what you want requires daily motivation and persistence. You can never give up; you can never lose sight. If you are working towards a degree in school, you must study often. If you are working towards a promotion, you must put in extra hours. Make a plan and commit to following through. It won’t always be easy, but when you set your mind to working hard, it can and will be accomplished.
Life can sometimes be a struggle, but it never has to feel like a losing battle. Incorporating positive energy into your life on a daily basis will wash out all the negativity that holds you back from getting what you want. Visualize, communicate, ask and work hard, all the successes you want in life will be yours!

Money Saving Tips for a Balanced Life

Money means a lot, no matter where one is at present on the financial journey, but we all know it is possible that a single incident can turn the table around. So it’s important to save money for a financial crisis. Following are some saving tips that can help to monitor your spending habits.

1. Start selling, stop collecting

People have many things which they are not using. But still, they keep these things. In the first place, one should not buy such things, but since you already have them. try to to sell them off. Today we have number of online sites where we can our stuff; and use the funds for number of other worthy financial goals.

2. Sign up for free customer rewards

There are number of retailers who are attracting the customers by giving out reward point for every purchase you make no matter where you live. So try to sign up for such. Just create a Yahoo or Gmail address just for this purpose and collect as many cards you can. One can add these discounts and rewards to earn points on purchases at the store by using rewards credit cards for cash back or some other benefits. Remember the above point and buy only what you need.

3. Decide your shopping list and stick to it

Create a list before you go for grocery shopping, it’s the easiest way to save money as you will buy only things which are there on your list. When you are without a list, you tend to end up with unplanned purchases and making impulse buys, things that cost you money but are not really required.
Creating a shopping list not only helps you to buy items that fit your meal plan, it also helps in avoiding buying food which you might waste. It’s not about creating a list, but more importantly, sticking to it, that makes all the difference.

4. Declutter that closet

Look in your closets and find everything and anything which you are not using any more. Don’t just throw it away, use it for your benefit. You can sell those on eBay or the consignment shop, or donate it for the tax deduction. All of these options result in money in your pocket for the old stuff you don’t want anymore. Decluttering is also psychologically refreshing experience.

5. Move your bank account to get more perks 

Now a day’s banks are offering a number of benefits to lure the customers, like greater interest rate or zero monthly fees for your saving account. Try to do a  research of newest banking offers in market. Some banks even offer sign up bonuses just for opening an account and for setting up direct deposit.

6. Avoid convenient foods and fast food

Instead of nuking on prepackaged dinner or fast food when you get home, one should try to make something healthy and simple for yourself. An hour’s worth of preparation will leave you with a number of easy, cheap snacks and dinner options. This will not only save your money, but also keeps you healthy which is an even better result than just saving money.

7. Install LED or CFL wherever required

You can save money by being careful in your use of electricity. One should make use of energy efficient light bulbs that might cost a bit more, but have a longer life than normal bulbs. These use less electricity which results in saving money on your electricity bills. There are two types of bulbs you can use: CFLs or LEDs. Though LEDs are a bit more expensive than CFLs, they light up instantly, doesn’t get too hot, and last for decades.

8. Remove your credit card details from online sites

People tend to save time by saving their credit card details in online account. Its easy way to buy things just clicks and buys, which leads to unnecessary purchases. The best way to avoid this is simply delete your card information from your account.
In that way, you be forced to dig out your card and look for details which will give you some time to think whether you really need this or not. It is irritating filling the details time and again. Sometimes being forced to do these extra steps is all you need to convince yourself that you do not need these items.

9. Do price comparison

Most of us buy grocery from the same store without even realizing that some other stores have better deals. Just prepare the list of things you want to buy, and then shop the same items at different stores each time. Thus eventually, you will find which store has cheaper rates. Just make this store your regular shopping point and you will be able to save some money.

10. Avoid using credit cards

People use credit cards out of temptation, for impulse buys. You should use it for emergencies only. Hide credit cards by keeping them at a safe place in home, not in the wallet. Try not to carry it around as we sometimes we end up buying things which are not required, resulting in loss of money.

LIFEHACK