Are You on Track?

January 28, 2013 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

As we come to the end of the first month of the year, plans we made earlier might have faded into dust.

That doesn’t mean the alternative is to give up. It’s important to remember that progress is not linear, it’s up and down, back and forth, here and there.

If you’ve stalled, it’s because your goal is:

Too big
Not specific
Doesn’t have a deadline
Isn’t your goal (i.e. you’re doing it because someone else is pressuring you)
Not in your control
A few of the above

Remember, every minute of every hour of every day is a chance to recommit to what matters most.

If you’re stuck, take a look at your goal and figure out one step to make it through today. Feel good when you do it.

Repeat as necessary.

Looking to recommit to what matters? Join us for ThisTimeIMeanIt.day on February 15. [Read more…]

Breathing with Motivation

January 18, 2013 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

by Chital Metha

As human beings, we are born with a set of emotional strings attached to our heart and brain that functions in the most natural ways. Sometimes, these strings stretch so far that our emotional levels soar up high and anything that is too much is never good for the heart.

When things don’t go as expected, when people don’t behave as expected or for no better reason, motivation can evaporate leaving you with vagueness in everything that you do. Motivation is like water, you need to refill yourself with it every now and then otherwise you become dry like the trees whose leave shed leaving it barren.

The good news is that there are a number of ways to keep yourself motivated which can help you stay enthusiastic about life.

It is important to love yourself no matter what.

If you love yourself, you will begin to enjoy what life gives you. Having expectations from oneself is good but see that you don’t push yourself too much beyond the limits. As a result, you might end up blaming yourself. Love yourself for the joy that God has taken utmost care in creating you.

People around you make a difference in your life.

When you’re around people who are positive and joyous in life, it automatically affects you. When you’re with people who are negative, you are bound to feel that way. Positive or negative, both are contagious. Make your choices carefully.

Knock off the dust from you.

Each night before you go to bed, make sure you forget all the uncomfortable things off your mind. Empty your mind so that it can be filled with positive energy the following day.

Train yourself to think only “Positive”.

Well, yes. Positive thinking doesn’t occur automatically. You have to train your mind to think only positive thoughts. There are a lot of chances for the negative thoughts to seep in but step out an affirmative yes only to positive thoughts pushing away everything else.

About the Author: Chital is a novelist and blogger contributing to the writing world as much as possible. When not writing, she is reading books. Get in touch with her: Facebook WordPress Ezine profile

The First Step in Feeling Better

January 9, 2013 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

I take pride in this column.

Every Wednesday for eight years, I plant myself at my computer and conjure up what I hope is the best way to utilize the power of 600 words. Sometimes, ideas explode forth with volcanic fury and I cannot keep up. Oft times, I rearrange the pixels on my screen for the better part of a day. However, I trudge on until I am satisfied enough to forward it with pride to the editors who so graciously publish and post it.

What astounds me is which pieces get the most, or least, feedback.

Articles I’m convinced will generate a firestorm sometimes barely ignite a spark, whereby those I presumed would simply cause quiet contemplation will produce a flood of reactions via email, phone calls, and strangers approaching me to continue the discussion. Last week’s column (Practical, simple advice to feel better quickly) was of the latter category. I was pleasantly stunned with the number of comments about its practicality and helpfulness. Therefore, I will take it deeper.

What I did not have room for in that piece was the preliminary step, even prior to changing one’s ideas and behaviors. Preceding the rearrangement of one’s routines, one must query of himself: “Why am I going to change this?” Whether the topic is diet, relationships, finance, or attitude; this question is essential as it establishes motive, which affects the likelihood of success — or failure.

The answer will fall into one of three main categories:

I want to live a better, happier, or healthier life
I need to change or things will get worse
I should do it (or I’ve been told I should do it)

With dedication, planning, and patience, the odds of success from number one or two is strong. This is so because the drive is internally motivated. Contrarily, if the inner voice replies with should, the results — if any — will be short-lived.

“Should” is the word used by the invisible committee of “they” to run our lives.

[Read more…]

Understanding Your Motivation

January 7, 2013 by Scott "Q" Marcus

Before changing, establish what matters.

‘Tis the time of year for change! (Actually any time is the time for change…) Right now, we are besieged with “resolution-mania.” The question on everyone’s lips is “What are you resolutions?” We look more critically at ourselves in the mirror. We imagine losing weight, exercising more, getting more fit, improving our relationships.There is nothing wrong with deciding to change. Actually, it’s probably one of the healthier things you can.

The problem is not figuring out “why” before you start.

Before you decide to move forward and re-arrange your life and the lives of everyone else around you, ask yourself one simple question:

“Why do I want to change this?”

If the answer includes the word, “Should,” (such as “I should be thinner,” or “I should make more money) disregard it. You will never stick with it. However, if the answer is, “I want to…” or “I need to…” (and “I’m willing to…”), then pick a small goal, and start immediately.

Knowing “why” you’re changing can be important as “what” you’re changing.

Understand your intention and take the first step!

(Want a free downloadable goal planner? Follow this link.)

[Read more…]

Five of the Most Memorable Speeches in History

January 4, 2013 by Scott "Q" Marcus

Writing and delivering a great speech relies on understanding human psychology, crowd behavior, communications principles and leadership skills. Hundreds of speeches are delivered each year, but only a rare few are remembered in history. These stand out from the rest because of who the speaker is, his or her chosen topic, the current cultural and political climate, the sincerity of the speaker’s delivery and whether the speaker truly motivates listeners to act. The following five speakers both achieved greatness and earned their place in history because of a single opportunity to address a crowd with a timeless speech.

Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream”

Martin Luther King Jr. is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest orators of all time. The key to his success was, in part, his consistency. He was consistently passionate, consistently committed and consistently clear with his every word. King also strived to be relatable, no matter what angle his speech took. For instance, his “I Have a Dream” speech moved listeners for different reasons. Some listeners found the subject of racial equality was the most important. Others found that listening to King challenged them to commit more fully to their own dreams. King transcended the political realm into what motivates people: dreaming of, and pursuing, a better life.

Susan B. Anthony “Women’s Right to Vote”

A single act of disenfranchisement started Susan B. Anthony’s crusade to win women the right to vote. She used that moment to craft her speech “Women’s Right to Vote.” She delivered the speech many times over the course of her career. Anthony’s speech references the most significant moment in American history — when “we the people” formed the Union. She used this moment to remind listeners of what they share in common, temporarily erasing the sense of gender divisiveness her campaign was causing. Through its unifying words, Susan B. Anthony’s speech swayed public opinion and eventually led to ratification of the 19^th Amendment.

Jesus Christ “The Sermon on the Mount”

No speaker will ever go wrong by taking his or her main points from literary classics. In the case of “The Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus’s most famous speech, he directly draws from the Old Testament’s Ten Commandments. In this speech, Jesus not only reviewed and referenced the Commandments but he also expanded the teachings and provided examples from his listeners’ daily lives to help them connect with each Commandment. The information Jesus offers in the Sermon is directly applicable in his listeners’ lives, allowing the speech to transcend time. [Read more…]

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