The Success Design

As the New Year approaches, I find myself brimming with excitement!  I believe that the New Year’s holiday is perhaps my favorite.  New Year’s Eve parties are filled with so much hope, excitement, and optimism, it’s so contagious!  And it occurs at the most perfect time of year - when the days are short and darkness is long.  It’s very easy to slow down and get depressed.  But then we get this wonderful New Year to celebrate!  We can evaluate and celebrate our achievements during the outgoing year and resolve to do even better in the incoming year.

My biggest New Year’s resolution is to establish more meaningful relationships by building upon the ones that I do have and reaching out to those that I’d like to establish.  I ordered some beautiful embossed stationary and I plan to write personal letters to colleagues and people that I would like to get to know.  I will write the letters when I see that someone has achieved something meaningful or something that I’d like to know more about.  I hope that this will bring more meaningful relationships my way!

Happy New Year!

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.
Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy . . . admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath . . . pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning today. And every day.
Author unknown

This classic book needs no introduction.  It is the grandfather of all motivational and inspriational books.  Napoleon Hill’s philosophy dictates that the mind controls all and that one’s control over his or her mind determines his or her success. It seems quite simple, yet very complicated to digest on the first read.  That’s why Mr. Hill suggests reading the book at least three times in order to truly understand his philosophy.  After all, he spent over 20 years compiling research to develop the philosophy that he advocates by studying the greats such as Andrew Carnegie (who suggested Hill write the book) and Henry Ford and many other successful men and women.

From what I understand thus far, it all begins with our desire.  Our desire for something sends thoughts to our subconscious.  The intensity of our desire determines our success.  Faith plays a big role too.  I’m too new to Mr. Hill’s philosophy to explain anymore from there.  All I can say is READ THIS BOOK! If you read no other book in the New Year 2010, read this one.  It will challenge you to control your mind and take your life to new and unexplored heights without limitation.  Perceived limitations that once prevented you from pursuing your dreams vanish and suddenly make those dreams seems possible and within your grasp.  Don’t take it from me though.  Make it a resolution to read this book in the New Year 2010!  It’s well worth the investment.

“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
~Richard Branson

New ideas can be threatening, and they often provide a negative reaction.  When the composer Stravinsky first presenting his Rite of Spring ballet with its unusual harmonies and primitive rhythms, he was met with a rioting audience. When Kepler correctly solved the orbital problem of the planets by using ellipses rather than circles, he was denounced.  Be prepared for such a reaction and don’t let it prevent you from acting.  As German stateman Konrad Adenauer put it, “A think skin is a gift from God.”

What negative reaction do you expect?  How can you deflect it?

Source:  Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack
http://www.creativethink.com/

“I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity”
~Oprah Winfrey

Leonardo da Vinci: “I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand.  Why shells exist on the tops of mountains along with imprints of plants usually found in the sea.  Why thunder last longer than that which causes it.  How circles of water form around the spot which has been dtrick by a stone.  And how a bird suspends itself in the air.  Question like these egaged my thought throughout my life.” 

What are you curious about?  What probing questions can you ask?  Where can you ask “Why?”

Source: Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack
http://www.creativethink.com/